WNBA training camps commence, sparking anticipation towards the 2026 free agency period, as numerous athletes may switch teams.
Sparking Change in the WNBA: 2026's Unprecedented Season
The league is abuzz with anticipation for the 2026 WNBA season, promising a wave of player movement and potential salary increases.
New York - The 2026 WNBA season is fast approaching, and spectators are already eyeing the year when more than 100 players become free agents. The upcoming season could witness a historic shift as nearly all of the league's top players—including twenty All-Stars from last season—may be on the move.
Dan Padover, general manager of the Atlanta Dream, shed some light on the situation: "It's no secret that the vast majority of veterans will be unrestricted free agents after this season, based on current contracts. It's uncertain whether this will translate to a flurry of player movement, but the setup seems perfect for it to potentially be the most player movement in WNBA history."
Every franchise is approaching this situation differently, with the primary focus being on securing a championship in 2025 and ensuring the well-being of their existing players beyond that milestone. However, the uncertainty of the future is causing sleepless nights for front-office staff across the league.
ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo expressed her thoughts, "Everything is up in the air. It's kind of fascinating. We won't truly know what the playing field looks like until we get the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Any team could realistically become a super team. It could be Golden State, Toronto, or Portland in their first year. It could drastically alter the current power dynamics."
Expected free agents such as A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are focusing on the 2026 season, as a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is expected to significantly boost salaries. Moreover, the WNBA is set to begin an eleven-year $2.2 billion media rights deal in 2026, paving the way for the much-needed shift.
The majority of players who won't be free agents are those on rookie contracts, including Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who made their league debut last season and earned roughly $75,000 in base pay. The WNBA currently sets a maximum base salary of $250,000.
Previous media rights deals haven't been a part of the WNBA's twenty-eight-year history, but when the NBA saw an exponential increase in its TV deal in 2016, the league's salary cap increased by approximately 35%. Similar growth in the WNBA might entice free agents to move teams.
Player preferences extend beyond increased salaries, as many have cited practice facilities as a deciding factor when choosing where to play. Currently, teams like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Golden State, and Seattle boast dedicated practice facilities for their WNBA teams, while others like Minnesota and Washington share facilities with their NBA counterparts. New York, Dallas, Chicago, and Indiana are working on building similar facilities.
"Facilities are a crucial factor," Lobo said. "You've heard how much players talked about Vegas a few years ago, and last year, players were raving about Phoenix's new facility during All-Star weekend."
Additionally, the culture surrounding a franchise plays a significant role in attracting players. Atlanta made a splashy move this offseason, signing Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones. Padover is hopeful that they will choose to stay past this season, as both will once again become free agents in 2027.
Unprecedented free agency alignments are in store for the league. While teams like New York, Las Vegas, Minnesota, and Indiana are currently seen as top contenders for the 2025 season, this landscape could drastically change in 2026.
With the upcoming $2.2 billion media rights deal set to begin in 2026, the WNBA could see an influx of revenue, potentially leading to significant salary increases for players.
Anticipating this financial boost, top players like A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart might choose to exercise their free agency in 2026, making the season an exciting period for player movement and potential shifts in team dynamics across the league.
