

The WNBA is entering its 30th season with exciting storylines, including UConn stars Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers reuniting on the Dallas Wings. Players are also benefiting from significant pay increases due to a new collective bargaining agreement.
Iâve been obsessed with basketball for as long as I can remember (and have played it since I was five). Now, I cover the sport full-time. I co-wrote a book on the history of womenâs hoops, Court Queens, and host the Audacy podcast The Womenâs Hoops Show. I grew up a Sacramento Monarchs fan, and proudly own the signature sneakers of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Aâja Wilson. (Angel Reese, youâre next.) The WNBA is celebrating its historic 30th season this year, and Iâll be here every Tuesday covering the past, present and future of the game in this newsletter. Think of it as my exclusive WNBA diary, filling you in on the 4-1-1 of my favorite league. I canât wait.
As someone who celebrated my 30th birthday ahead of the league (not telling how long ahead), I can confidently say itâs a big deal. I, too, aimed to make more money and prioritize stability over hustle; WNBA players have signed million-dollar contracts for the first time, thanks to a new collective bargaining agreement. Some players, such as Atlantaâs Rhyne Howard, saw a 1,389% pay increase ($75,556 to $1.1m in her new three-year deal). In your 30s, you truly know your worth and come into your own. Itâs fun to see the league mirror that, too.
After months of the WNBA and the Players Association playing a cruel game of will-they-wonât-they, the anticipation for the 2026 season is through the roof. And the storylines are spicy. Here are five you should keep your eye on:
The Dallas Wings smartly selected UConnâs Azzi Fudd with the No 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft last month. It reunites the 2025 NCAA national championship duo of Fudd and reigning rookie of the year Paige Bueckers on a team with a new head coach, a new roster and a new identity. Bueckers quickly nipped the idea that her and Fuddâs personal relationship would be a distraction and shut down any future questions about it, saying, âItâs nobodyâs business but our ownâ. On the court, the Wings finished last season with an abysmal 10 wins, but they made big changes this offseason, and Dallas fans should have much more to cheer about this summer.
Key storylines include the reunion of UConn stars Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers on the Dallas Wings and the impact of new million-dollar contracts for players.
Rhyne Howard's salary increased by 1,389%, from $75,556 to $1.1 million in her new three-year deal.
The Dallas Wings have a new head coach, a revamped roster, and have selected Azzi Fudd as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.
The new collective bargaining agreement has allowed WNBA players to sign million-dollar contracts for the first time, significantly increasing their earnings.


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Caitlin Clark and the Fever could be a title contender this season. Photograph: Melissa Tamez/NBAE/Getty Images
This week, the Indiana Feverâs Caitlin Clark will play her first regular-season game since last July. Last year, she played just 13 games because of nagging groin and ankle injuries. But sheâs back, and weâll all get to hear the glorious game call of âClark steps back, for three!â The Fever made it to the second round of the playoffs without Clark and other major players last year. At full strength, they could be a title contender.

Angel Reese was traded from the Sky to the Dream in one of the biggest moves of the WNBA offseason. Photograph: Joe Boatman/NBAE/Getty Images
Angel Reeseâs trade from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream was one of the biggest moves of the offseason. It just wasnât working for the Barbie in Chi-town. Reese, alongside a trio of All-Stars in Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones in the ATL, is a perfect fit (not unlike the dress she wore to the Met Gala last night). The Dream finished third in the standings after a historic season and were only a few possessions away from the second round of the playoffs. Adding a machine-like rebounder in Reese to this three-point-loving system elevates their post-season odds.

Chennedy Carter is back in the WNBA with the Las Vegas Aces after spending last year overseas. Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Chennedy âHollywoodâ Carter was last with the Sky for the 2024 season, where she averaged 17.5 points and 26 minutes a game. Despite being one of the leagueâs most explosive guards, she went unsigned in 2025 (but averaged more than 30 points while playing abroad in China and Mexico). Seeing her join forces with the reigning champs, the Las Vegas Aces, was not on my bingo card. But now that itâs a reality, I donât think Iâve loved the idea of anything more. Carter has said sheâs matured in her time away from the WNBA, and said, âSo far, this is the best decision Iâve ever made in my life.â The best team in the league (theyâve won three of the last four titles) with the best player on the planet (four-time MVP Wilson), now have one of the speediest scorers in womenâs basketball. Whew.

Golden State sold out all 22 games at Chase Center in their inaugural season last year. Photograph: Jeff Chiu/AP
In only their second season in the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries take the crown (again) as the most valued franchise. The Bay Area team has a whopping $850m evaluation, according to Sportico. They sold out all 22 games at Chase Center in their inaugural season, set the all-time WNBA attendance record (an 18,064 average) and sold out 12,000 season tickets for 2026 prompting a waitlist. The Liberty are second place at $600m, and the Fever in third at $560m. The average team worth jumped 59% from 2025; just two years ago, the Aces were the highest team on the list at $140m. If you listen closely, you can hear the âwomenâs sports donât make moneyâ trolls falling to their knees in agony.
Saturday 9 May, 1 pm Eastern Time, ABC
Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Aliyah Boston â the previous four No. 1 draft picks face off on opening weekend. Do we need to say anything else?!
Saturday 9 May, 3.30 pm Eastern Time, ABC
A rematch of last yearâs finals between reigning MVP Aâja Wilson and MVP finalist Alyssa Thomas.

Aâja Wilson, Flauâjae Johnson and Li Yueru. Composite: Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images | Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images | Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
This is an extract from WNBA 30, where Jordan Robinson covers the biggest stories in the league on and off the court each week. Subscribe for free here. Who do you think will have a breakout season and why? Email wnba30@theguardian.com, and we may feature it in the next edition.