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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Nearly 30,000 Fans Showed Up for Expansion Basketball 😳
So far the league is getting expansion done right. Both new WNBA teams sold out their home openers this weekend, with Portland setting a new attendance record for an expansion franchise. 19,335 fans packed the Moda Center for Portland’s debut, while Toronto also sold out with 8,210 fans in attendance. (The Oregonian)
WHY IT MATTERS: Expansion is already paying off for the league and for fans. Nearly 30,000 people combined attended the home openers for Portland and Toronto, showing just how much excitement there is in these new markets. Portland also broke the expansion attendance record set by Golden State last season, and their opener became the second-largest home debut crowd in WNBA history, second to the Washington Mystics’ home opener in 1998, which saw a record 20,674 fans.
2. UpShot League Raises $40 Million 🤑
Keep this league on your radar. The UpShot League has raised $40 million to build a women’s basketball development league for pro players. The league begins play later this week with four teams, providing a new option for young talent to work on their skills. (Just Women’s Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: Some of the biggest names in women’s basketball believe in this idea. Backers include Tamika Catchings, Cheryl Miller, and Ann Meyers Drysdale, showing there’s support for creating more professional opportunities for young talent outside the WNBA. Leagues like this could give players who are not quite ready for the W a place to keep improving and stay ready without having to travel abroad.
3. Team USA Wins Back-to-Back 3x3 Series Titles 🇺🇸
There was a new ‘thrilla in Manila’ over the weekend. USA Basketball captured its second straight FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series stop over the weekend, beating Lithuania in overtime in the final. The group, including Joyce Edwards, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Mikaylah Williams, and Sahara Williams, is now 2-for-2 to start the Women’s Series season. (USA Basketball)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is the first time since 2019 that Team USA has won back-to-back stops during the Women’s Series, and this group is playing with a lot of confidence right now. The overtime win against Lithuania showed how poised the young team stayed under pressure. Next up is the Women’s Series stop in Shanghai, China on May 16-17.
🏀 A Cool Throwback for Longtime WNBA Fans
Wilson just released a new WNBA 30th Anniversary Retro Basketball featuring the league’s original logo and the classic red, white, and blue colorway from the early days of the WNBA.
If you’ve been watching since the beginning, this one feels pretty special. And if you haven’t, it’s still a really fun piece of WNBA history to add to your collection.
*If you buy through this link, 30 Second Timeout will earn a commission. Thank you for supporting our work!
OVERTIME ⏱️
Hold ‘Em: The new documentary Never Fold: The 2025 Las Vegas Aces takes us behind the scenes of the Aces’ comeback championship season and is now streaming on YouTube.
Money Martin Moves: Kate Martin signed a developmental contract with the Los Angeles Sparks after being waived by the Golden State Valkyries last week.
🗳️ Poll Results from Friday: We asked whether you planned to tune into WNBA games this opening weekend and you all showed up. A whooping 87% of you responded “You know it!” Hopefully your weekend included some great WNBA basketball.
