The confetti has barely been swept up at Chase Center, and the WNBA is already moving on to its next big storylines. The Golden State Valkyries won the first championship in franchise history in Game 7, and Gabby Williams was named Finals MVP. I covered that finish here. Now the league heads into an offseason that is less about the collective bargaining agreement, which dominated last year, and more about leadership.
A New Commissioner
Cathy Engelbert announced in September that she will retire at the end of the calendar year after nearly seven years as commissioner, and the search for her replacement is now underway. According to the AP, whoever takes over inherits a full plate:
- Officiating: A new replay center in New Jersey, built with the NBA, is set to be fully operational next season.
- The schedule: The playoffs could overlap with the NBA season again, so teams need playoff dates locked in early.
- The players: The AP described the relationship between the league and its players as cordial at best and confrontational at times.
- Eligibility: The league says Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible after they declared for the draft as women. The CBA says only women are eligible but does not spell out more specific language on gender identity.
The Comets Are Coming Back
The Connecticut Sun are relocating to Houston after being bought by the Houston Rockets ownership group led by Tilman Fertitta for $300 million. The team will play as the Houston Comets, bringing back the name of the franchise that won the first four WNBA championships before folding in 2008. I lived in Houston and covered the Rockets at Toyota Center while I was there.
The Lottery Is Nov. 15
The WNBA draft lottery is Nov. 15, and the Comets are tied with the Toronto Tempo for the best odds at the top pick. That gives Houston a chance to start its new era with the No. 1 pick.
What Else to Know
- No expansion next year. Cleveland joins in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030.
- A 50-game season. The 2027 season tips off in May with a 50-game schedule, and there is no break for the FIBA Women’s World Cup.
What’s Next
The lottery on Nov. 15 is the next big date, and the commissioner search will be the story to watch for the rest of the year. Once free agency opens, I will have every notable signing and re-signing covered here.
Featured photo: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, 2024 by John Mac, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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