By: Viorica Bruni
We start this season hot with more storylines, drama, and new stars, along with the new superstars.
The 2025 WNBA draft and a new wave of talent into the league, like UConn’s Paige Bueckers, are stealing the spotlight, going No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings. In total, 33 of the 38 selections came from NCAA Division I programs, including multiple standouts from the national championship game just days prior.
South Carolina, Alabama, Notre Dame, and UConn led all schools with three players drafted each, while the SEC topped all conferences with 10 total picks.
Surprise, the WNBA will have 13 teams beginning with this season. The league is adding the Golden State Valkyries as its 13th franchise, making it the first new team since the Atlanta Dream joined in 2008.
The WNBA expansion plans also include Toronto (Toronto Tempo) and Portland, Oregon. These teams will join the league in the 2026 Season.
A few important things that happened and will impact the WNBA 2025 season:
The Indiana Fever hired Stephanie White as their new head coach.
Chicago Sky brings wealth and experience to the team, naming Tyler Marsh as their new head coach.
Rachid Meziane joins the Connecticut Sun as the new head coach. Meziane has a successful track record in French and Belgian women’s basketball and will bring his extensive experience and passion to the league.
Golden State Valkyries breaks ground, highlighting picks like Kate Martin, Stephanie Talbot, Kayla Thornton, and Cecilia Zandalasin.
The Washington Mystics welcome Jamila Wideman as their new general manager and Sydney Johnson as head coach.
After 11 years in Phoenix, Brittney Griner departed to join the Atlanta Dream.
Historic trade, the Las Vegas Aces acquired 2x WNBA champion Jewell Loyd, while the Los Angeles Sparks welcomed 2x champion Kelsey Plum.
Dallas Wings completed a four-team trade with the Connecticut Sun and the Indiana Fever, acquiring DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, and NaLyssa Smith.
4x WNBA champion and 13x All-Star Sue Bird, 2x WNBA champion and 2017 MVP Sylvia Fowles, and 4x WNBA champion and 2014 MVP Maya Moore have been selected for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Paige Bueckers becomes the first player to win an NCAA Championship and be selected No. 1 overall since Breanna Stewart in 2016.
All eyes are on New York Liberty, which is heavily favored to defend its WNBA title this season. All five starters from its championship-winning team, including stars like Breanna Steward, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, are in good health and ready to perform at the highest level. Additionally, Liberty has added a defensive force in Natasha Cloud to strengthen its roster.
Game on! Liberty vs. Aces will be played on May 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET on ABC, and some of the Pros predict that Liberty has a 64% chance of winning, while the Aces have a 36% chance.
The WNBA’s 2025 regular season is scheduled to begin Friday, May 16th, with multiple teams playing and Golden State Valkyries, making their debut against the Los Angeles Sparks.
On of the most watched WNBA athletes Caitlin Clark’s season officially tips off this Saturday, when the Indiana Fever face the Chicago Sky.
Exiting, WNBA All-Star Game in the 2025 season will be held on July 19, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge will be held on Friday, July 18. This marks the first time Indianapolis has hosted the All-Star Game.
Sue Bird, a Five-time Olympic gold medalist and 13-time WNBA All-Star, will be the first managing director of the USA Women’s National Team, USA Basketball.
This is the first weekend of the WNBA 2025 season, full of exciting matchups and a fan’s favorite.
Here is the complete TV guide for all the national games for the WNBA season.
