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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Teams Lock In Their Stars 🔒
Front offices have been busy. Many WNBA teams have officially extended qualifying offers, including core designations, to several marquee players across the league.
Players to receive a core qualifying offer include:
Player | Team |
|---|---|
Allisha Gray | Atlanta Dream |
Ariel Atkins | Chicago Sky |
Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings |
Kelsey Mitchell | Indiana Fever |
Kelsey Plum | Los Angeles Sparks |
Napheesa Collier | Minnesota Lynx |
Sabrina Ionescu | New York Liberty |
Ezi Magbegor | Seattle Storm |
Bridget Carleton | Portland Fire |
Marina Mabrey | Toronto Tempo |
WHY IT MATTERS: This is one of the biggest levers teams have in the offseason. When a player is cored (only unrestricted and restricted free agents are eligible), she gets a fully guaranteed one-year supermax deal, which can reach up to $1.4M under the new CBA. It keeps a franchise player in place, or gives the team real leverage if trade conversations come up. It’s not always warm and fuzzy, but this is how teams hold onto their most valuable pieces while building toward contention.
2. WNBA Launches Season 30 Celebration 🎉
The WNBA says it’s party-time. The league announced its plans for a season-long Season 30 celebration campaign, highlighting the league’s past, present, and future. A new “Season 30” logo will be featured across courts, game balls, and jerseys, alongside new content like three films, throwback “Court Origins” nights, and a Top 30 Plays series. (WNBA)
WHY IT MATTERS: The league is growing fast, but it’s also making sure the history isn’t lost in the moment. This is about honoring the players and moments that built the WNBA while introducing newer fans to that story. It’s a reminder that everything happening now is part of something much bigger. And if you’ve been following the league for a while, it should be a fun blast from the past experience.
🗳️ Did you watch the WNBA during its inaugural season?
3. Final Four Ratings Second Highest Ever 📺
They did it again. This year’s Women’s Final Four was the second most-watched ever on ESPN networks. The national title game between UCLA and South Carolina drew 9.9 million viewers, continuing a strong upward trend in recent years. (ESPN Press Room)
WHY IT MATTERS: Even without UConn, a huge fan favorite, in the championship title game, hoop lovers showed up in a big way. It shows the audience is expanding beyond just a few powerhouse programs and that new teams and storylines can carry the spotlight too.
Make Your Game Gift Feel Like a Moment 🎟️
Taking someone to a WNBA game as a surprise this season? This is a really fun way to level it up.
Download a custom ticket template, print it out, and add your game details. It turns a simple gift into something they can actually hold onto and remember.
*When you buy through this link, 30 Second Timeout earns a small commission. If you do, thank you for supporting what we’re building.
OVERTIME ⏱️
Next Woman Up: Top 2027 recruit, and Louisiana native, Caroline Bradley is heading to LSU, giving Kim Mulkey her first commit in the class.
Mid-Major Standout: South Dakota State’s Brooklyn Meyer was named the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: Just like us, your feelings about the Angel Reese trade are mixed, with a slight edge to those who don’t get it for Chicago (53%).
