2025 WNBA Thread

[reinko]

Would be interested in the venn diagram of people crapping on the WNBA and those who are on the front lines defending girls youth sports from all the transgenders.

[wadesworld]

The foul call wasn't the most egregious part of that play.

She travelled twice.

But was fouled before the ball even got thrown in to her.

[MuggsyB]

The foul call wasn't the most egregious part of that play.

She travelled twice.

Excellent point.  That was beyond egregious.

The game wasn't well played and good basketball in general. 

[MU82]

But was fouled before the ball even got thrown in to her.

Yep.

Again, each team had numerous chances to win.

[MU82]

From The Athletic:

The deciding game of the WNBA Finals drew 2.15 million viewers, per ESPN, making it the highest-rated WNBA Finals game in 25 years, up 115 percent over last season's title-clincher. Even more impressive was its Sunday slot, making it the largest WNBA audience to ever have NFL competition on the airwaves. This just speaks to the growth of the entire women's game.

The viewership breakdown of the series was as follows:

Game 1: 1.14 million viewers on ESPN.
Game 2: 1.34 million viewers on ABC.
Game 3: 1.39 million viewers on ESPN.
Game 4: 1.67 million viewers on ESPN.
Game 5: 2.15 million viewers on ESPN

[MU82]

The new president and GM of the Indiana Fever fired coach Christie Sides because they didn't think she could take them to a championship.

https://sports.yahoo.com/indiana-fever-fire-head-coach-christie-sides-after-two-seasons-151018940.html?

[MU82]

I know it was collectively bargained by both unions, but it's kind of ridiculous that Cooper Flagg (who famously is still only 17) will be eligible for the next NBA draft but Juju Watkins (who is 19 and turns 20 in July) won't be eligible to play in the WNBA until at least the 2026-27 season.

One of the many things for the WNBA to change after the current collective bargaining agreement expires next October.

[JWags85]

I know it was collectively bargained by both unions, but it's kind of ridiculous that Cooper Flagg (who famously is still only 17) will be eligible for the next NBA draft but Juju Watkins (who is 19 and turns 20 in July) won't be eligible to play in the WNBA until at least the 2026-27 season.

One of the many things for the WNBA to change after the current collective bargaining agreement expires next October.

I wonder how much of a priority it will be with NIL and its impact.  Until the WNBA can fund markedly higher salaries, the jump to the WNBA isn't going to bring substantial earnings increases for most underclassmen.  Being the big fish in a smaller college pond would likely pay more.

[Billy Hoyle]

I know it was collectively bargained by both unions, but it's kind of ridiculous that Cooper Flagg (who famously is still only 17) will be eligible for the next NBA draft but Juju Watkins (who is 19 and turns 20 in July) won't be eligible to play in the WNBA until at least the 2026-27 season.

One of the many things for the WNBA to change after the current collective bargaining agreement expires next October.

that could change as more teams are added to the league, but for now, the union wants to protect the veterans.

[MU82]

I wonder how much of a priority it will be with NIL and its impact.  Until the WNBA can fund markedly higher salaries, the jump to the WNBA isn't going to bring substantial earnings increases for most underclassmen.  Being the big fish in a smaller college pond would likely pay more.

That's a good point. Juju might be able to make more at USC than she could in the WNBA, even with pro-athlete endorsement opportunities.

[MU82]

Time has named Caitlin Clark its Athlete of the Year because ... of course. She was the only logical choice. It's difficult to believe Sports Illustrated won't also name her its Sportsperson of the Year (unless they purposely try to be contrary).

She excelled, and she did so in a way that captivated fans. She was an indomitable force who greatly enhanced the perception of her entire sport.

I can't think of any other athlete who had anywhere near the impact she did in 2024.

[Not all scoop users are created equal apparently]

Hard to argue with it. Sell outs wherever she played.

[MU82]

Diana Taurasi retires.

With 6 Olympic gold medals, 3 WNBA titles (2 finals MVPs), 3 NCAA titles and 1 WNBA MVP, there's little doubt that she's the most accomplished women's basketball player ever.

Best ever? There could be arguments for Cheryl Miller, Candace Parker or a couple others ... but Taurasi is certainly in the team photo.

[MUBurrow]

Hard to disagree with Cameron Brink on this one -
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/44296252/cameron-brink-icked-online-reaction-sparks-call-male-practice-players

I get needing male practice players for WNBA squads, but between the front office, coaches, and players, are they really so hard up for local contacts in LA who played college ball that they need to have open tryouts? Seems incredibly hamfisted.

[GB Warrior]

Hard to disagree with Cameron Brink on this one -
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/44296252/cameron-brink-icked-online-reaction-sparks-call-male-practice-players

I get needing male practice players for WNBA squads, but between the front office, coaches, and players, are they really so hard up for local contacts in LA who played college ball that they need to have open tryouts? Seems incredibly hamfisted.

Yeah the vetting process needs to be tightened up, otherwise you might let some dentists through

[WhiteTrash]

Hard to disagree with Cameron Brink on this one -
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/44296252/cameron-brink-icked-online-reaction-sparks-call-male-practice-players

I get needing male practice players for WNBA squads, but between the front office, coaches, and players, are they really so hard up for local contacts in LA who played college ball that they need to have open tryouts? Seems incredibly hamfisted.

Agreed it is not great, but how do you get quality player? Any professional players may not be available or see any value in the practice.

Maybe a DII men's team? I honestly have no idea what the relative abilities are for this. I believe the US Women's soccer team scrimmages against the U17 men's team but they are not very competitive with them.

[JWags85]

Agreed it is not great, but how do you get quality player? Any professional players may not be available or see any value in the practice.

Maybe a DII men's team? I honestly have no idea what the relative abilities are for this. I believe the US Women's soccer team scrimmages against the U17 men's team but they are not very competitive with them.

I mean, D1 womens teams have a practice squad of mens guys that they scrimmage against, usually pretty good former HS basketball players (you often see them end up as walk-ons on the mens team if injuries stretch them short).  So I'd imagine any lower level college player would work fine.  I mean, they aren't practicing to beat them, its more to push them against players that are physically stronger and faster than them.

[MUBurrow]

Yeah, my main thought was just that between the 25 people on the roster and coaching staff, plus their connections to colleges and other orgs in the LA area, its pretty tough to believe they couldn't cobble together a dozen decent ball players that at least have some connection and would be pre-vetted by someone affiliated with the team.  As opposed to a post on social media that is bound to attract a whole bunch of creepers or meathead types with an axe to grind against womens' ball.

[MU82]

I changed the topic name to reflect that it will be the 2025 WNBA season.

I'll start things off with this:

Caitlin Clark, Fever will have 41 of 44 games nationally broadcast or streamed in 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6219540/2025/03/20/caitlin-clark-fever-wnba-2025-schedule-broadcast/?

Because, of course.

[MU82]

From Axios:

Fans from 29 countries purchased tickets on StubHub ahead of this WNBA season, up from 12 countries in 2024, Axios' Analis Bailey reports.

Ticket sales are up 145% from last season, according to StubHub, and the number of first-time WNBA ticket buyers jumped 28% compared to the same time last year.

I am one of those first-time WNBA ticket buyers, having purchased a mini-plan for the upcoming Seattle Storm season. Looking forward to going to some games!

[Billy Hoyle]

I changed the topic name to reflect that it will be the 2025 WNBA season.

I'll start things off with this:

Caitlin Clark, Fever will have 41 of 44 games nationally broadcast or streamed in 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6219540/2025/03/20/caitlin-clark-fever-wnba-2025-schedule-broadcast/?

Because, of course.

Her games bring in monster ratings for the W, and higher ratings equal more advertising revenue and more leverage for an increased amount from the next TV deal.

[MU82]

Her games bring in monster ratings for the W, and higher ratings equal more advertising revenue and more leverage for an increased amount from the next TV deal.

Absolutely.

My "of course" was not snarky criticism. It was an acknowledgement.