Press Release

NEW YORK, April 9, 2026 – The WNBA and NBA Board of Governors have formally approved WNBA expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, the WNBA announced today. Cleveland will begin play in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030.
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Free Agency 2026

The following is a press release from the Connecticut Sun:
Uncasville, CT (April 9, 2026) &#8211; Today, the Connecticut Sun announced that the team has acquired Diamond Miller as part of a trade with the Dallas Wings. As part of the deal, Dallas receives Rayah Marshall.
&#8220;Rayah has been special to us from the moment we drafted her,&#8221; said Connecticut Sun General Manager, Morgan Tuck. &#8220;In just a short time, she brought such a positive energy and presence every single day. That&#8217;s what makes decisions like this so tough. We&#8217;re sad to see her go because she&#8217;s been such a joy to have on our team. At the same time, we&#8217;re really excited for her and this next opportunity. We&#8217;ll be rooting for her every step of the way.&#8221;
Miller was selected No. 2 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2023 WNBA Draft. During her rookie campaign, the 6-3 forward garnered WNBA All-Rookie Team honors after finishing second in scoring (12.1 ppg), fifth in rebounding (3.5 rpg) and second in assists (2.5 apg) among all rookies. In 2025, Miller averaged four points and one rebound, shooting 40% from the field, in 40 games played with both the Lynx and the Wings.
Most recently, Miller has been playing for Athinaikos Qualco in the Greek Women&#8217;s Basketball League, where in six games played during the regular season, she averaged 7.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 17.7 minutes per game. She also helped Athinaikos to the Eurocup Finals, averaging five points, 1.3 rebounds, and one assist in 9.1 minutes.
A 2023 WBCA All-American while at the University of Maryland, Miller was a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten honoree while leading the Terrapins with 19.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game during her senior season. The three-time All-Big Ten honoree scored in double figures in 33 of 34 games played in 2022-23.

connecticut-sun-acquire-diamond-miller

Connecticut Sun Acquire Diamond Miller

Draft 2026

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258168" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/draftlogo-260x300.png" alt="" width="200" height="231" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/draftlogo-260x300.png 260w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/draftlogo.png 412w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />
– ESPN to Air Draft April 13 at 7 p.m. ET; WNBA Countdown Presented by Google at 6:30 p.m. ET –
NEW YORK, April 9, 2026 – UCLA center Lauren Betts, Connecticut guard Azzi Fudd, Spain National Team center Awa Fam Thiam and TCU guard Olivia Miles headline the list of 15 prospects who will attend the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY on Monday, April 13 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the draft picks live on ESPN, with exclusive coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The draft on ESPN, along with the WNBA Orange Carpet Special (ESPN2, 5:30 p.m. ET) and WNBA Countdown Presented by Google (ESPN, 6:30 p.m. ET), will also be available live on the ESPN App.
The other prospects who will be in attendance are forward Nell Angloma (France), forward Angela Dugalić (UCLA), guard Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA), guard Flau’jae Johnson (LSU), guard Raven Johnson (South Carolina), guard Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA), guard Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina), forward Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss), center Madina Okot (South Carolina/Kenya), guard Kiki Rice (UCLA), and forward Marta Suárez (TCU/Spain).
As determined by the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery on Nov. 23, the Dallas Wings hold the top pick in the draft, followed by the Minnesota Lynx at No. 2 and the Seattle Storm at No. 3. The Washington Mystics have the fourth selection, and the Chicago Sky have the fifth. The WNBA’s newest teams, the expansion Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, will select sixth and seventh, respectively, in the first round.
The draft-night festivities will tip off with invited players showcasing their personalities and unique fashion styles on the WNBA’s iconic Orange Carpet presented by Coach. Earlier in the day, they will visit the Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony celebrating the draft.
Here is a closer look at the prospects who will attend the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY.
Nell Angloma (France): A 5-11 forward who most recently played at Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration, Angloma has excelled for France in international competition. At the FIBA Women’s Basketball U19 World Cup last July, Angloma earned All-Second Team honors after averaging a team-leading 17.0 points per game and adding 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists. That followed her MVP performance at the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket 2024, where she led France to the title.
Lauren Betts (UCLA / USA): The 6-7 Betts led UCLA to the national championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. In both 2025 and 2026, she was an AP All-America First Team pick, the Lisa Leslie Award winner as the nation’s best center, and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. This season, Betts was also the Big Ten Player of the Year and a candidate for multiple national Player of the Year honors while averaging 17.1 points and 8.8 rebounds.
Angela Dugalić (UCLA / USA): Dugalić helped UCLA reach the Final Four in 2025 and again this season when the Bruins won the national championship. The 6-4 forward won the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Award this season after averaging 9.0 points per game to go with 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists. A native of Des Plaines, Ill., Dugalić has represented her parents’ homeland as a member of the Serbia National Team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics.
Awa Fam Thiam (Spain): The 6-4 center has played professionally with Valencia Basket of Spain’s Liga Femenina de Baloncesto, debuting with the club at age 15 in December 2021. Fam Thiam, who will turn 20 on June 17, also plays for the Spain National Team, for whom she averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game at the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in March. At the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 last June, she averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Azzi Fudd (Connecticut / USA): A 5-11 guard, Fudd helped UConn to four Final Fours and win the 2025 national championship, earning the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player honor that year. An AP All-America First Team pick this season, Fudd was also a finalist for numerous national Player of the Year honors and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the top shooting guard. She averaged a career-high 17.3 points per game, led the nation with 117 made threes, and was fifth in three-point shooting percentage (.447).
Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA / USA): The 6-0 guard helped UCLA reach the Final Four for the second consecutive year and propelled the Bruins to their first NCAA national championship with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the title game. Jaquez was a finalist for the 2026 Cheryl Miller Award as the nation’s best small forward and an All-Big Ten Second Team pick after averaging a career high 13.5 points per game. She also set personal bests in field goal percentage (53.9) and three-point shooting percentage (39.0).
Flau’jae Johnson (LSU / USA): A two-time finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard (2025 and 2026) and a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award as the National Player of the Year this year, Johnson ranks sixth in LSU history with 2,050 career points. An AP All-America Third Team pick her final two seasons, she averaged 14.2 points per game this year. The 5-10 guard helped LSU to the 2023 national title, followed by two Elite Eight appearances and a Sweet 16 berth this season.
Raven Johnson (South Carolina / USA): As a starter, Johnson helped the Gamecocks to three straight Final Fours, including an undefeated 38-0 national championship in 2023-24. This season, the 5-9 Johnson was a finalist for the Dawn Staley Award and Nancy Lieberman Award for her play at guard when she ranked fourth nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.16). She also recorded career highs of 9.8 points and 5.1 assists per game and career-best percentages in all shooting categories.
Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA / USA): In her first season with the Bruins, the Utah transfer helped UCLA win the national title with a team-high 87 made threes. The 6-0 guard was an AP All-America Honorable Mention pick and a finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the country’s top shooting guard after having twice been a semifinalist for the Cheryl Miller Award as a small forward. She shot 49.3 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range this season.
Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina / USA): A transfer from Florida State this season, Latson helped South Carolina reach the national championship game, averaging 14.1 points and 3.6 assists while shooting a career best 48.6 percent from the field. The 5-9 guard, who averaged more than 21 points per game in each of her three prior seasons, was a finalist this year for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard for the second consecutive year.
Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss / USA): McMahon starred at Ole Miss this season after transferring from Ohio State, where she was a two-time All-Big Ten First Team pick. The 6-4 forward made the ballot for the John R. Wooden Award as the National Player of the Year this season and was a Cheryl Miller Award finalist as the nation’s best small forward. She also was the SEC Newcomer of the Year, and an All-SEC First Team pick after averaging career highs of 19.5 points and 3.0 assists per game.
Olivia Miles (TCU / USA): Miles was a three-time AP All-America Second Team pick and finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s best point guard (2023, 2025, and 2026). This season, the 5-10 guard was also a candidate for multiple National Player of the Year honors. She led the nation in triple-doubles (6) and ranked seventh in assists per game (6.6). The Big 12 Player of the Year, Miles became the first NCAA player to average at least 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 1.5 steals per game in a season.
Madina Okot (South Carolina / Kenya): In her second season of NCAA basketball, Okot, a 6-6 center from Mumias, Kenya, was a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award as the nation’s top center and an All-SEC Second Team choice while helping the Gamecocks reach the national championship game. A transfer from Mississippi State, Okot ranked tied for third in the nation in double-doubles (22) and 16th in rebounds per game (10.6) this season while contributing 12.8 points per game.
Kiki Rice (UCLA / USA): Rice helped UCLA to the Final Four in 2025 and to the 2026 national championship. This season, the 5-11 guard was a semifinalist for both the Naismith Trophy as the National Player of the Year and the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s best point guard when she ranked eighth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.5). An AP All-America Honorable Mention pick, Rice also averaged career-bests of 14.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Marta Suárez (TCU / Spain): A 6-3 forward and a member of Spain’s national team program, Suárez capped her college career at TCU this season after previously excelling at Tennessee and California. She recorded career highs of 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds and shot a career-best 37.0 percent from three-point range, joining Olivia Miles to give TCU one of the nation’s top scoring duos. Suárez’s career-high 33 points in a Sweet 16 win over Virginia propelled TCU into the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
Below are the players confirmed to attend the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY.
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<table style="width: 100.039%" width="515">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Name</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">School/Country</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">Position</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">Height</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Nell Angloma</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">France</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">F</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Lauren Betts</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">C</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Angela Dugalić</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">F</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Awa Fam Thiam</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">Valencia Basket / Spain</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">C</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Azzi Fudd</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">Connecticut / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Gabriela Jaquez</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Flau’jae Johnson</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">LSU / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Raven Johnson</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">South Carolina / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Gianna Kneepkens</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Ta’Niya Latson</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">South Carolina / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Cotie McMahon</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">Ole Miss / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">F</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Olivia Miles</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">TCU / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Madina Okot</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">South Carolina / Kenya</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">C</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Kiki Rice</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Marta Suárez</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">TCU / Spain</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">F</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
The list of athletes invited to draft, as well as the broader pool of prospects, includes international players who participated in WNBA/NBA- and FIBA-led events during their journeys. Madina Okot, from Kenya, participated in the 2022 Basketball Without Borders Africa camp, and Gisela Sanchez of Spain attended the 2019 Basketball Without Borders Europe camp. Taking part in the NBA and FIBA’s Basketball Without Borders All-Star camp were Charlisse Leger-Walker of New Zealand (2019) and Saffron Shiels of Australia (2024). To date, 19 former Basketball Without Borders participants have gone on to be selected in the WNBA Draft. A complete list of those players can be found <a href="https://nba1-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/rhoward_nba_com/IQAfcMQp1ID9SYMFoAQfxTDxAfuO9YHBOQ1BC00FQL3rqB0?e=ZhOLzL">here</a>.
Additional details regarding WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY are available <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-draft-2026-to-be-held-april-13">here</a>.
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WNBA_DRAFT_2026_logo_specialapplication_logowoman_white

wnba-draft-2026-invitees

Betts, Fam Thiam, Fudd, and Miles Headline Prospects Invited to WNBA Draft 2026 Presented by State Street Investment Management SPY

Editorial

2026-free-agents-to-watch

2026 Free Agents to Watch

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258115" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/PG.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="63" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/PG.jpg 589w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/PG-300x95.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />
&#8211;The Multi-Brand Partnership Spotlights the Elite Performance and Influence of WNBA Athletes&#8211;
 CINCINNATI, OH – April 7, 2026 – Procter &amp; Gamble and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced a multi-year, multi-brand partnership, marking a bold new chapter in how P&amp;G and its brands show up across sports and culture. The partnership creates a platform for P&amp;G brands to engage with professional women’s basketball at a defining moment – as the game, its athletes, fans, and influence are reaching new heights.
Building on the success of P&amp;G brand Mielle’s multi-year partnership with the WNBA – launched in July 2023 as the league’s first Official Textured Hair Care Partner – P&amp;G is expanding its presence with a broader portfolio commitment. Secret – the No. 1 Clinical antiperspirant brand – and Olay – the award-winning skincare brand – were the first P&amp;G brands to activate under the new partnership. Their entrance into women’s basketball launched with product created in collaboration with WNBA stars A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) and Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings).
“The WNBA is experiencing incredible growth, and this partnership is a powerful opportunity for our brands to show up in ways that celebrate the game and reach the WNBA’s highly engaged, passionate, and diverse fanbase,” said Mindy Sherwood, President of North America and Chief Sales Officer, Procter &amp; Gamble. “There is a natural alignment between the elite performance of WNBA athletes, and the superior performance P&amp;G brands deliver, and together, we can elevate both.”
As the Official Period Care Sponsor of the WNBA, Tampax will be the next brand to leverage the league’s premier platforms, beginning with the WNBA Draft 2026 Presented by State Street Investment Management SPY. At the heart of the WNBA Draft experience is the Queens Court activation, presented by Tampax.  As a celebration of achievement, resilience, and the power of women in sport, Queens Court is a unique, interactive space where players and draft attendees alike can celebrate the moment and embrace the spirit of confidence and empowerment Tampax provides all women to perform at their best.
Additional P&amp;G brands – including Downy, Gillette Venus, Olay, and Tide – will introduce activations throughout the season, leveraging the WNBA’s growing cultural impact to engage fans in meaningful ways. P&amp;G will collaborate with the WNBA to exchange brand equity across marketing, retail, and digital.
“Partnering with Procter &amp; Gamble connects the WNBA with one of the world’s most trusted brand leaders at a transformative time for our league,” said WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison. “Together, we have an opportunity to reach tens of millions of households, elevate the incredible stories of WNBA players, and bring world-class brands and athletes together in ways that authentically connect with fans, drive meaningful engagement, and continue to expand the visibility of women’s basketball.”
Through partnership, P&amp;G brands are investing in the continued growth of the game by amplifying player storylines, engaging fans, and driving retail growth.
Additional details on brand activations and storytelling moments will be announced throughout the 2026 WNBA season.

wnba-procter-and-gamble-partnership

P&G Enters New Era in Sports as Official Partner of the WNBA

Season 30

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258106" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/30logo.png" alt="" width="250" height="117" />
– Campaign Anchored by Three Films Showcasing Greatness, Rising Stars and 
Championship Moments –
– Court Origins Nights and Legacy Trail Merchandise Program Celebrate the League’s Roots – 
– Top 30 Plays to Honor the Most Iconic Moments in WNBA History –
NEW YORK, April 7, 2026 – The WNBA today launched its 30th season celebration, honoring three decades of impact while spotlighting the league’s accelerating momentum ahead of the 2026 season tip-off on Friday, May 8.
The WNBA will also introduce several initiatives tied to the milestone 30th season, including the WNBA Legacy Trail merchandise program, campaign films, a Top 30 Plays series and Court Origins programming featuring WNBA Court Origins Nights.
“Season 30 arrives at the perfect transformational moment in our league’s history – marking both a defining milestone and the beginning of a new era for the WNBA,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “The unprecedented growth and momentum we’re experiencing today is the result of three decades of commitment – from players, teams, fans, partners, and investors. As we step into this next dynamic era together, Season 30 is tracking to be our most memorable yet – celebrating both how far we’ve come while highlighting the limitless opportunities ahead as we continue to elevate women’s basketball to new heights.”
Season 30 will recognize those who built the WNBA, engage longtime and new fans, and set the stage for the league’s next era. A commemorative Season 30 logo will appear on courts, game balls and jerseys throughout the season.
“As we tip off our historic 30th season, we’re bringing fans closer to the WNBA than ever before through bold, creative, and immersive storytelling,” said WNBA Chief Marketing Officer Phil Cook. “We’re building a season-long platform of activations, collaborations, and fan-first experiences designed to engage the WNBA family wherever they are. Season 30 will be our most ambitious and innovative marketing campaign ever – one that matches the current momentum of the WNBA.”
Select initiatives for the WNBA’s historic 30th season include the following:
&nbsp;
 Season 30 Campaign 
The league will recognize the WNBA’s 30th season through an integrated brand campaign. The campaign tagline is “There’s More Where Thirty Came From,” signifying that the WNBA’s 30-year journey is a continuous narrative of progress and cultural impact. The WNBA will premiere three films as part of its Season 30 campaign: Raising GOATs, Signatures and Confetti.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=7NYAVFjDDJQIfy0f&amp;v=y2XBV0N8Cz4&amp;feature=youtu.be">Raising GOATs</a> debuting today, explores what defines greatness in the WNBA. Signatures will spotlight emerging All-Stars who are shaping the game’s future. Confetti will close the season with a tribute to the championship moment. These films will be amplified across broadcast, digital, social, and experiential touchpoints, and supported by fan activations throughout the season.
 WNBA Court Origins and WNBA Court Origins Nights
WNBA Court Origins, the league’s first-ever retro program, will mark 30 seasons through a curated collection of storytelling, merchandise and live experiences. The program will be highlighted by “WNBA Court Origins Nights” which connect generations of players and fans while revisiting the league’s earliest years.
WNBA Court Origins Nights will feature nationally televised games involving three of the league’s original franchises – the New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury. The throwback matchups will turn back the clock to the WNBA’s 1997 inaugural season, with on-court elements, in-arena moments and broadcast presentations designed to reflect the league’s original era.
WNBA Court Origins Nights will immerse fans in a full-scale celebration of the WNBA’s beginnings, featuring WNBA Nike Court Origins Edition uniforms and warm-ups, and a WNBA Wilson Court Origins Edition game ball with 1997-era branding.
 
 WNBA Legacy Trail 
The WNBA Legacy Trail is a fan-centric merchandise program designed to showcase the league’s history while recognizing the players, fans, staff and defining moments that have shaped the WNBA.
The program will feature product drops honoring the league’s 30th season. On the 30th of each month during the season, a new licensee collaboration will be unveiled, with purchase availability dates to follow.
All items will be available through the licensees’ direct-to-consumer channels and other participating retail partners. Fans will be able to follow the WNBA Legacy Trail all season, tracking each product release as it is announced.
Fans can look forward to three initial product drops in April featuring La Crema on April 9, Nike on April 13 and Mitchell &amp; Ness on April 15, with each collection officially revealed on its launch day.
&nbsp;
 WNBA Top 30 Plays
The WNBA Top 30 Plays is a content special honoring the most iconic on-court plays in league history. From unforgettable displays of athleticism to culturally resonant milestones to game-changing brilliance, the series will highlight plays that have defined three generations of professional women’s basketball in the United States.
A distinguished panel of former WNBA players, coaches and influential voices from across entertainment will help guide the selection process, bringing both basketball expertise and cultural perspective. Each play will be evaluated across several criteria, including historical impact, athleticism, game context, player legacy, fan reaction, visual appeal and era representation, ensuring a comprehensive look at the moments that have moved the game forward.
The WNBA Top 30 Plays will be a produced long-form special, which will feature the full countdown of plays and conversation amongst the panel of their significance, and will premiere this season on the WNBA App with additional clips and BTS on WNBA social.
&nbsp;
About the WNBA 
Tipping off its historic 30th season in 2026, the WNBA continues to be one of the fastest-growing brands in sports, fueled by record-breaking momentum and unprecedented growth. Having reached a tentative agreement on a new transformational Collective Bargaining Agreement in March 2026, the league enters a bold new chapter focused on elevating the player experience, increased investment, and growing women’s basketball globally. The WNBA’s dedication to societal impact is supported by the WNBA Changemakers Collective (Ally, AT&amp;T, CarMax, Deloitte, Google, and Nike), a first-of-its-kind group of purpose-driven companies working to empower players and the league, increase visibility, and drive business transformation.
# # #

season-30-celebration-launch

WNBA Launches 30th Season Celebration Honoring League's Past, Present and Future

Season 30 is officially here and ushering in a significant shift across the league, so let’s dive into decoding the terminology and principles behind that shift. The language of the collective bargaining agreement and the offseason can be complex. By breaking it down, we can cultivate a better appreciation of what the free agency period entails. 
With the 2026 league calendar now underway, it’s important to note the different types of Free Agents and their accompanying important dates. 
<hr />
<h2>2026 Key dates to know: </h2>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">April 6-7: Designation Period (Qualifying Offers and Core Player Designations must be sent) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">April 8-10: Negotiation Period </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">April 11: Signings may commence </li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) </h2>
A UFA is a player who can negotiate with any team during the free agency period without hindrance. 
<hr />
<h2>Restricted Free Agents (RFA) </h2>
An RFA is a player with four years of service whose contract has expired and who receives a qualifying offer from their previous team. 
A player who is out of contract and has four years of service in the WNBA (coming off their fourth-year team option in a Rookie Scale contract, or otherwise), the team can send a Restricted Qualifying Offer to the player. If the team decides not to offer a Qualifying Offer (QO), the player will be an Unrestricted Free Agent. 
RFAs can negotiate an offer sheet with a team other than their last team. However, that player’s prior team has a “Right of First Refusal” (the team can match the offer sheet). If the team matches the offer sheet, the player is deemed to have signed a contract with the original team on the terms agreed upon in the offer sheet. 
(Offer sheets must be for a multi-year contract.) 
<hr />
<h2>Reserved Players </h2>
Any player who is out of contract with three years of service or fewer will become a Reserved Player if their previous team extends them a Reserved Qualifying Offer and thus would be subject to that team’s exclusive negotiating rights. 
If the club declines to offer the player a contract, they will become a UFA. 
<hr />
<h2>Core Players </h2>
You’ve probably heard of the term “Coring a Player,” think of it almost as the WNBA’s version of a franchise tag. An organization can, at maximum, have one veteran free agent whom they have cored on their roster at any one time. 
A Core Qualifying Offer is a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax that both UFA and RFA’s are eligible for.  
If a player receives a Core Designation, the team that designates them as such is the only team with which a player can sign or negotiate a contract during the free agency period. But the team and player can still negotiate a move elsewhere via a sign-and-trade agreement if both parties desire. 
<hr />
The number of standard players that any team can roster is 12, while each team can have two developmental players. If a team is below 12 standard players during the regular season, they have 72 hours from the date of the roster move that sets them below to fill out the roster. However, certain exceptions granted by the league can allow a team to exceed 12 standard players. 
As free agency and the off-season simultaneously heat up, it’s worth keeping these essential rules and principles in mind! 
Be sure to keep up with all signings, moves, and news with us as it unfolds!

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2026 WNBA Free Agency: Decoded 

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WNBA and NBA Board of Governors Approve WNBA Expansion Teams in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia

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