The WNBA’s 30th season begins with $1M salaries, 2 new teams and new coaches
The WNBA is gearing up for its highly anticipated 30th season, set to kick off on Friday night with plenty of excitement surrounding the league. A significant development leading into the new season is the introduction of a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement that has significantly increased player salaries, with the maximum salary now more than five times higher than the previous limit.
The Las Vegas Aces, who are aiming for their fourth championship in five seasons, will be looking to build on their 16-game regular-season winning streak as they face off against Phoenix in their season opener on Saturday. Star player Caitlin Clark is back in action after being sidelined for much of last season due to various injuries, adding even more firepower to an already talented roster.
One of the most notable changes this season is the substantial increase in player salaries, with the league welcoming its first million-dollar players. The salary cap has jumped to $7 million in the first year, with player minimums set at $270,000. Standout players like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Kelsey Mitchell are among the 31 players earning $1 million or more this season.
In addition to the on-court action, there have been changes in coaching staff across the league, with five new coaches joining various teams. Notable moves include former Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco taking the helm at New York, while established coach Alex Sarama leads Portland and Sonia Raman takes over in Seattle.
The league has expanded to 15 teams this season with the addition of the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. While the Golden State Valkyries set a high standard last season by making the playoffs as an expansion franchise, the new teams this season face the challenge of replicating that success. Both Toronto and Portland have assembled competitive rosters, with talented players ready to make their mark on the league.
Fans can look forward to a record 216 regular-season games and events broadcasted across various platforms throughout the year, including ABC/ESPN, CBS, Amazon Prime Video, and more. The increased visibility of the league promises to bring even more excitement and engagement to fans across the country.
As the season gets underway, players like Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Courtney Vandersloot, and Napheesa Collier are making their return to the court after overcoming injuries. The stage is set for another thrilling season of WNBA action, with plenty of storylines to follow and talented athletes ready to showcase their skills on the court.
For more updates and news on the WNBA, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball.
