All articles tagged with #expansion draft
The 2026 WNBA season opens with a shift from team previews to narrative-driven storylines, highlighting star players and characters. Napheesa Collier is set to miss at least the first month for Minnesota due to a left ankle injury, while offseason moves reshape rosters: Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith sign with the Dallas Wings, Bridget Carleton goes to the Portland expansion team, and Natisha Hiedeman signs with the Seattle Storm.
After ratifying a new seven-year CBA, the WNBA announces a busy 2026 offseason: expansion draft on April 3 for Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo (protections due by March 29); free agency April 7–18 with signings starting April 12; the WNBA Draft on April 13 (Dallas Wings hold first pick; Azzi Fudd widely projected to go No. 1; top pick salary around $500,000); training camp begins April 19; preseason April 25–May 3; regular season starts May 8. The new CBA also raises the salary cap to $7 million with average salaries around $583,000 in 2026.
WNBA players unanimously approved a seven-year collective bargaining agreement through 2032, with more than 90% voting; the deal becomes official after the Board of Governors approves and begins this season, setting up an expansion draft for Toronto and Portland, a May 8 season start, and a busy offseason featuring widespread free agency and college drafting activity.
The WNBA and the players’ union have ratified a historic CBA with higher salaries (average around $600k; $1.4m supermax) and 20% revenue share, a watershed moment for women’s sports. The offseason will be a sprint: ratification, an April 6 expansion draft for Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, then rapid free agency, the April 13 college draft, training camp April 19, preseason April 25, and the regular season starting May 8, 2026, with teams juggling roster turnover under new cap rules and players encouraged to sign shorter deals to hit free agency in 2026.
After 17 months of negotiations, the WNBA and WNBPA reached an in-principle CBA on March 18; a term sheet will be signed, then players vote and a board ratification follows. The deal reportedly would set a roughly $7 million salary cap, about a 20% average revenue share for players, and salaries rising to about $600k on average (supermax ~ $1.4M), with housing and other benefits improved. The 2026 season is slated to start May 8 (camp begins April 19), and an expansion draft will be held for Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo under the new terms.
The WNBA and its players’ union have reached an in-principle agreement on a transformational new collective bargaining agreement, with a formal term sheet to be finalized soon and votes by players and the Board of Governors pending. The deal would dramatically raise pay—salaries fourfold, average compensation over $500,000, and a path to seven-figure salaries for some players—by tying salaries to league revenue. Key outstanding issues include revenue sharing, housing, and franchise-tag rules. Training camps begin April 19, with opening day May 8, and an expansion draft for Toronto and Portland on the horizon.
The PWHL released its expansion draft protected list, revealing which players are protected or unprotected for the upcoming draft, with notable players like Hilary Knight and Sarah Nurse going unprotected, and teams preparing to select new players to reach a 12-player roster.
The PWHL's expansion draft revealed protected and unprotected players for Seattle and Vancouver, with notable players like Hilary Knight and Sarah Nurse available for selection, as teams balance long-term planning with current talent.
The PWHL announced the protected player lists for its six inaugural teams ahead of the 2025 expansion, including details on the protection process, signing window, and expansion draft for the upcoming season.
Atlanta United has released its protected list for the 2024 MLS Expansion Draft, where new club San Diego FC will select up to five players. The draft is scheduled for December 11, and Atlanta has protected 12 players, with six automatically protected due to their status. Players like Luis Abram and Erik Centeno are available for selection. The MLS offseason will continue with various events, including the End-Of-Year Waivers and Free Agency starting December 12.
The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA's 13th franchise, have formed their inaugural roster through an expansion draft, selecting players like Kayla Thornton and Veronica Burton. The Valkyries, led by head coach Natalie Nakase, aim to build a competitive culture with a mix of veterans and young talent, including international players. While the Valkyries are seen as winners, teams like the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever lost key players, impacting their rosters. The Valkyries are well-positioned for free agency, aiming to attract top talent.
The Golden State Valkyries have announced their inaugural roster following the WNBA expansion draft, selecting players from 11 of the 12 existing franchises. Key selections include Kate Martin, Veronica Burton, and Kayla Thornton. The team, which will debut in May 2025, focused on building a versatile and competitive roster with a mix of leadership and scoring ability. The Valkyries, based in San Francisco, have already set a record with over 20,000 season ticket deposits, highlighting significant local interest in the new franchise.
The Golden State Valkyries are set to select Kate Martin and Kayla Thornton in the 2025 WNBA expansion draft. Martin, a promising rookie from Iowa, had a strong start with the Las Vegas Aces but saw reduced playtime as the team regained full health. Thornton, a veteran reserve from the New York Liberty, played a key role in their championship run. The Valkyries will benefit from Martin's cost-controlled rookie contract and Thornton's experience as they build their inaugural roster.
The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA's 13th team, have selected 11 players in the expansion draft, including point guard Julie Vanloo from the Washington Mystics. The team, set to debut in the 2025 season, was allowed to pick one player from each of the existing 12 teams, which could protect six players each. The draft event was highlighted by announcements from Bay-area celebrities, marking a significant step in the Valkyries' formation.
The Golden State Valkyries, the newest WNBA team, have selected 11 players in the expansion draft, forming their inaugural roster. The team picked one unprotected player from each existing WNBA team, except the Seattle Storm. Notable selections include Monique Billings, Julie Vanloo, and Kayla Thornton, among others. The Valkyries' roster features a mix of experienced WNBA players and promising international prospects, setting the stage for their debut season.