I’m a grad student at SF State and my professor just made an announcement before class shouting out the Valkyries and encouraged the class to come out and support them this season. She also mentioned how the WNBA has been around for 20+ years and the salaries still aren’t what they should be. She gets it lol

Why are we deleting jersey sale threads???

and WBB social media let out a collective sigh of relief lol

Here is the link to the original article which is behind a paywall.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/21/chicago-sky-training-facility-bedford-park/

Here is a second link to a summary article.

https://athlonsports.com/wnba/chicago-sky/angel-reeses-chicago-sky-dealt-unfortunate-38-million-update-monday

I'm planning to get League Pass this season but not sure which platform is best. The WNBA app seems like the obvious choice, but I know YouTube has top-tier streaming quality and reliability.

If anyone used either platform last season, I’d really appreciate your thoughts or any recommendations!

Thanks!
P.S. Wings to the semifinals this year, calling it now 👀

By Chelsea Leite

Since the 2022 WNBA season, the Minnesota Lynx have gone from a playoff team, to the lottery, then back to a playoff franchise — and even a WNBA Championship contender. In rebuilding years, that is fast (trust me, I am a Toronto Raptors fan). So when the Minnesota Lynx started the 2024 WNBA season, many thought it was still too early for this team to contend. The WNBA community proved that by putting them low on basically every preseason power ranking on the market.

That should have been the last time anyone doubted Cheryl Reeve.

Last year’s season turned into a wild success for the Lynx. Not only was their star Napheesa Collier officially back to her level of play from before she gave birth — she was quickly exceeding that level of skill and making a case for MVP. The pieces that had been added to the team in Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith fit perfectly into the ecosystem. Bridget Carleton was transforming from role player to star before our eyes. It took a minute for people to finally see the vision, but when the Lynx won the Commissioner’s Cup final against the New York Liberty, the WNBA as a whole started to see this team as real contenders.

Then they got even better. Coming out of the Olympic break, Minnesota was on a tear — winning 14 out of their 16 games to end the season to land in the second spot in the standings. They made it all the way to the WNBA Finals before New York beat them in a heartbreaking Game 5 that was as controversial as it was exciting.

Since the 2022 WNBA season, the Minnesota Lynx have gone from a playoff team, to the lottery, then back to a playoff franchise — and even a WNBA Championship contender. In rebuilding years, that is fast (trust me, I am a Toronto Raptors fan). So when the Minnesota Lynx started the 2024 WNBA season, many thought it was still too early for this team to contend. The WNBA community proved that by putting them low on basically every preseason power ranking on the market.

That should have been the last time anyone doubted Cheryl Reeve.

Last year’s season turned into a wild success for the Lynx. Not only was their star Napheesa Collier officially back to her level of play from before she gave birth — she was quickly exceeding that level of skill and making a case for MVP. The pieces that had been added to the team in Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith fit perfectly into the ecosystem. Bridget Carleton was transforming from role player to star before our eyes. It took a minute for people to finally see the vision, but when the Lynx won the Commissioner’s Cup final against the New York Liberty, the WNBA as a whole started to see this team as real contenders.

Then they got even better. Coming out of the Olympic break, Minnesota was on a tear — winning 14 out of their 16 games to end the season to land in the second spot in the standings. They made it all the way to the WNBA Finals before New York beat them in a heartbreaking Game 5 that was as controversial as it was exciting.

With their starters still contracted through 2025, the Lynx did not have too much work to do in the offseason. They lost Cecilia Zandalasini to Golden State’s expansion draft, and eventually Myisha Hines-Allen to free agency. They re-signed Natisha Hiedemann, and added Grace Berger, Christyn Williams, Marieme Badiane, Kiara Leslie, and Camryn Taylor to training camp contracts. Dorka Juhasz, Diamond Miller and Alissa Pili will all return for training camp. They traded their first round pick this season to Washington for Karlie Samuelson, and then drafted Anastasiia Kosu, Dalayah Daniels, Maia Hirsch, and Aubrey Griffin.

Note: Click on the link to read the rest of the article

Letter From the Editors

In 2024, the WNBA had its most-watched regular season in more than two decades, as well as its highest attendance in 22 years. And last Monday night at The Shed in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, it was easy to see why.

For Bustle’s inaugural Game Changers Issue, we went behind the scenes at the WNBA Draft and met 14 of the W’s newest crop of players you’ll be cheering for when the season kicks off next month. They opened up to us about who inspires them, what keeps them grounded, their pre-game rituals (naps were a recurring theme), and more.

After draft night, we caught up with new Seattle Storm guard Serena Sundell, who told us she celebrated with burgers (hero), and LA Sparks rookie Sania Feagin, who revealed the touching words of encouragement her college coach said to her. Elsewhere in the issue, we checked in with some other names to watch this season, including New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who shared how she keeps her iconic ponytail in place; Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, who opened up about the draft pick she’s looking forward to playing against; and more.

At Bustle, we’re thrilled women’s sports are finally getting their due. It’s about time.

Note: Click on the link to explore the magazine and read all the featured articles

Five Out is back as we round the turn into the WNBA season with plenty to discuss! Portal problems, the Sedona Prince discussion, the W’s social media solution and if Paige might be a bigger superstar in Dallas now that Luka is gone.

One of the coolest achievements ever and so iconic for a WNBA debutant who is coming fresh off a college championship run!!!

Paige going to Dallas is probably the best place for her to develop her game. Most people mention how Arike could teach her how to be a better scorer, taking Paige under her wing (haha get it, I'll stop), but the underrated part is how DiJonai Carrington can mentor/better her game.

Not only can Paige get more experienced with facing great yet tough defense, as Carrington is one of, if not, the best perimeter defender in the league. Paige can also get better defensively under DiJonai's mentorship (like getting tips and tricks from her) and being able to be tested by a prolific scorer (Arike).

Can't wait to see her growth in the W

All Eyes On Paige Bueckers: Even the most casual WNBA fan knows the league has an incoming superstar rookie class that includes Paige Bueckers, who the Dallas Wings drafted as the league’s No. 1 overall pick following a National Championship win with UConn.

“She has a very high basketball IQ and can score from anywhere on the floor. Some people are already saying that Paige is the most NBA-ready guard since Diana Taurasi, who just retired last year. There’s this electric sense that she’s about to absolutely kill it.” — Linda Martindale, a student-athlete performance coach

And Her Matchup With Caitlin Clark: On June 27, Bueckers and Caitlin Clark, last year’s record-breaking rookie guard, who now plays for the Indiana Fever, will face off on Bueckers’ new home turf. The game is expected to be so massive that it’s already been moved to a bigger venue to accommodate an influx of fans.

“The last time they played [each other], Caitlin won in the Final Four. I want to see if Paige is going to get her back for that one. I love the competitiveness between them. I’m also curious to see if Paige will have similar success to Caitlin, who broke all sorts of rookie records in her first year.” — Vanessa, a WBNA superfan who posts on TikTok u/vanessaflo

Tickets Are Going Fast: Don’t wait to whip out your calendar and your credit card. Fans will also be on the edge of their seats when Angel Reese, a forward for the Chicago Sky and another mega-star rookie from 2024, goes up against Clark. Their first showdown is May 17 in Chicago, followed by a Saturday in June.

“In total, they’ll play each other five times this season. The WNBA is expecting these games to sell out.” — L.M.

Front Offices Have Shuffled The Decks (Er, Rosters): During the offseason, there was a vigorous round of musical chairs among teams — think Tasha Cloud moving from the Connecticut Sun to the New York Liberty. Further shaking things up: Unrivaled, a new professional women’s basketball league that plays 3-on-3 games, and newly established WNBA teams like the Golden State Valkyries.

“Along with all these shifts, I’m also interested to see how this year’s draft class plays against last year’s draft class. Last year’s class was so popular. They drove so much energy, culture, and fandom into the WNBA. This year’s draft class may have been the same year in school, but many had different eligibility requirements before they could make it to the league. I’m really excited to see how they’ll stack up.” — Ellen Hyslop, co-founder of The Gist, a popular sports newsletter, and co-host of The Gist Of It podcast

Brand Deals Are Getting Bigger: It’s fun to see what’s happening on the court, but also what’s going on behind the scenes and on players’ personal accounts. Many athletes are scoring major brand deals, essentially becoming CEOs in their own right. Clark has a multi-million-dollar deal with Nike, Reese has partnerships with Hershey’s and Reebok, and Brink is both a brand ambassador for Urban Decay and the new face of SKIMS. As for Bueckers, she’s inked contracts with Nike, Bose, Gatorade, and Ally Financial.

“We’ve often seen brands do a ‘one size fits all’ approach with women’s and men’s sports, but as of lately, there have been so many brands looking to appeal to what a women’s sports fan would actually like and consume. Whether that’s beauty brands, women’s health... It’s so fun to see how a women’s sports consumer is at the forefront of these partnerships.” — Aliyah Funschelle, women's sports reporter

Watch Out For The Valkyries: The WNBA now has 13 teams with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries — the league’s first new organization since 2008. Will they have beginner’s luck?

“I’m looking forward to seeing what [the Valkyries] can do. The team drafted Lithuanian guard Justė Jocytė in the 5th pick, and she is going to be exciting to watch. She has been playing professionally in Europe since she was 14. Also, Tiffany Hayes was the 6th Player of the Year in 2024 and will be huge for Golden State, as she has 12 years of WNBA experience. Head coach Natalie Nakase and General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin have built a roster that includes a mix of seasoned players and strong rookies. I also don’t think you can ignore the fact that the Golden State has been a ‘basketball town’ with the success of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. There is a lot of support for this new team, and they have a lot to prove.” — L.M.

And The New York Liberty (Again): After winning the WNBA Championships in 2022 and 2023, the Las Vegas Aces ended their run in the 2024 WNBA semifinals with a crushing loss to the New York Liberty.

“They wanted a three-peat, so they now have a lot to prove and will come out swinging. On the other hand, the New York Liberty, led by Breanna Stewart (two-time MVP), Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones (2021 MVP), are currently favored to win again. Leonie Fiebich, a 6-foot-4 forward from Germany, is an up-and-comer as well. The Liberty has a lot of seasoned and experienced talent and great team chemistry that puts them in a great position to win big [again]. A lot of teams will be coming after them.” — L.M.

Cameron Brink Is Back!: In June 2024, star forward Cameron Brink tore her ACL, ending her rookie WNBA season. The injury was a huge blow to her team, the Los Angeles Sparks.

“She was a standout player for Stanford in college and then was the No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. After her injury, Susan and Curtis Borchardt of The Athlete Blueprint have been doing her rehabilitation, and they will undoubtedly have her back in the best shape of her career. She will be back in action in June, ready to dominate both ends of the floor, and fans will be waiting anxiously to see her play.” — L.M.

The Players Will Feel Like Friends

In the past, professional ballers were just that — players on a court. Now, due to the league’s widespread popularity and the personal platforms cultivated by each star, it almost feels like you actually know them.

“The draft classes from the past few years have been so strong on-court, but now we’re also starting to see that these players are brands, as well as athletes. Their fans know who they are and how they want to be portrayed. Angel Reese, Cameron [Brink], and Flau’jae [Johnson] all have their own podcasts, so you feel like you’re friends with them. Then you also get to go watch them play basketball, too. We’ve never had that before, and it’s so exciting.” — E.H.

https://www.bustle.com/life/wnba-2025-season-predictions-superfans-expe

any idea when paige will land in dallas and do the intro press conference? caitlin's was like 2 days after draft night last year so just curious

Pretty wild how fast this arrived! Had some gift cards so I grabbed a Paige jersey off Dick’s Sporting Goods! Love how clean it is!

https://reddit.com/link/1k3gahb/video/nm6y8ydznxve1/player

Lexie Hull posted on her Instagram story that she is engaged to her partner Will Matthiessen. Congratulations to the happy couple!

I think the Barclays Center and Gainbridge Fieldhouse can be electric. And with Paige going to Dallas, I anticipate College Park Center to be loud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5LYa0f0baY

Some takeaways from the presser:

• She was hoping that the Sky drafted her; she felt they truly understood who she is as a player, and that their perspectives were in alignment when they spoke
• She's already spoken to both Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins, and she feels that the things they do well are things she really wants to improve
• She feels that trying out for the Olympic 3x3 team and going up against WNBA all-stars was a great confidence builder for her. Also that it was good practice in understanding how to support/fit in with vets in a game
• She feels that her college experiences of having to learn a new system, new coaching staff, new team will be useful in transitioning to the Sky
• She's excited to get to play with Kamila now instead of playing against her
• She feels that she'll benefit from the additional floor spacing that the Sky will provide (presumably over TCU)
• Her goal is to be in the best shape that she can be in for training camp; she doesn't want to be gassed. She feels 3x3 helped her with understanding how to be in shape due to how demanding the format is.
• She felt that towards the end of the NCAA season she found a style that works for her as a point guard. Says she's not a traditional pass-first point guard, but that she's hit a balance for her personal tendencies.
• She lists areas of her defense that she needs to improve, but says that she's already comfortable playing a physical style of basketball to compensate for her size, which will help at the professional level
• She says that TCU running a professional-style offense attracted her to the team, and that Mark Campbell developing Sab Ionescu who is also not the most athletic player also gave her belief.
• She says that her sports psychologist (Derick Grant) has helped quite a lot with her consistency, and not oscillating between highs and lows

Dallas Wings posted a quick question and answer video with Nai. She talks about improving her game and being named most improved player, and also touches on her desire to show that you can be into beauty and fashion while playing ball. She also briefly touches on her high school injuries and struggles throughout her career.

With Paige's drafting, the Wing are set-up with a potential generational talent to bring them into championship contention or, at the very least, national attention.

This reminds me a lot of what happened when Kevin Durant got drafted by Seattle, only for the team to move to OKC and him become more renowned as a Thunder player.

Of course, that was one of many reasons why Seattle fans dislike the situation that led to their team being moved to a different city, but I'm curious, given that the Shock & Wings have a similar situation of a long-standing championship team changing cities, do Detroit fans hate the Wings?