While the 2024 WNBA season tips off on Tuesday, league-related news already is in midseason form. Catch up on the bunches of buzz from the past week:
Charter flights are (finally) coming to the WNBA
On Tuesday, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced in a meeting with select sports editors that the league soon will begin providing full-time charter flights for all 12 teams, committing $50 million over the next two years to do so. On Thursday, the league officially confirmed the implementation of charter flights.
The charter flight program, which will launch, according to Engelbert, “as soon as we can get the planes in place,” addresses longstanding and escalating player-driven concerns about safety. Private air travel also will reduce wear and tear on players over the course of a 40-game season that, due to the break for the 2024 Paris Olympics, features more back-to-back games.
Exciting times at the W
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of a full charter program as soon as practical for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, a testament to the continued growth of the WNBA” – Commissioner @CathyEngelbert
Read the full release here:https://t.co/363OFjOYCv
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 9, 2024
The WNBA is expanding to Toronto
Fresh off a successful second edition of the WNBA Canada Game, the league is expanding to the North. Toronto will be the home of the WNBA’s 14th franchise, with the team set to debut in 2024.
Our Chelsea Leite has all the details at Raptors HQ.
***BREAKING NEWS***
WNBA in The Six is official. Larry Tannenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Inc has finalized the deal. What a time for women’s sports in Canada! https://t.co/g5VoesPyy1
— Shireen Ahmed (@_shireenahmed_) May 10, 2024
Get ready to tune into the W
While the lack of televised preseason games frustrated fans, no such irritation should emerge during the regular season.
WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION returns, broadcasting 43 regular season games. The coverage is expanding to include a 30-minute pregame show and halftime show, as well as wrap up and preview shows between games. The studio shows will be hosted by Larry Smith, with Autumn Johnson and Meghan McKeown serving as analysts.
ESPN will broadcast the league’s opening night doubleheader, featuring the Indiana Fever at the Connecticut Sun and Phoenix Mercury at the Las Vegas Aces, on ESPN2, ESPN+ and Disney+. Tuesday’s opening game, as well as all regular season games on ESPN and ESPN2, will be preceded by WNBA Countdown, with host LaChina Robinson and analysts Monica McNutt and Carolyn Peck.
For Saturday’s ABC doubleheader and subsequent ABC broadcasts, WNBA Countdown will reunite the “Big 3,” with Elle Duncan hosting as Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter provide analysis.
Be like A’ja
On Saturday, before suiting up for her hometown fans in Columbia, SC as the Las Vegas Aces faced the Puerto Rican national team in an exhibition game, A’ja Wilson announced that, of course, she has a signature shoe. The long-awaited Nike shoe will be called the A’One. Recently, our Myke Horrell highlighted the rumored prototype.
Speaking to Andscape on her forthcoming shoe, Wilson said:
This is something that I’ve been working so hard on, and I think that’s what a lot of people don’t understand. I didn’t want to just get a shoe. … Because I feel like when people think of me, when people think of my team, they know, ‘We’re going above and beyond.’ And that’s what I want my shoe to be.
Some context on A’ja Wilson getting a signature shoe with Nike:
– She is the first Black WNBA player to have a signature shoe since Candace Parker (2010-11)
– She is the first Black woman since Sheryl Swoopes (2002) to have a signature basketball shoe with Nike. pic.twitter.com/i3yr6Gefg6
— Sean Hurd (@seanahurd) May 11, 2024
Earlier in the week, Gatorade announced that Wilson also is the newest member of its family. On signing Wilson to a multi-year endorsement deal, the brand’s head of sports marketing said, “A’ja has already had an outstanding career full of many accomplishments and we’re excited to be fueling her as she furthers her impact within sport & beyond.”
Aces visit the White House (again)
Wilson’s busy week also included a trip to the White House. On Thursday, she and the Las Vegas Aces were honored by President Biden and Vice President Harris for their 2023 WNBA championship.
CP3 and the Three Stripes
The face of adidas women’s basketball for 16 years, the recently-retired Candace Parker now will assume a more prominent role in cultivating the brand’s commitment to women’s hoops, with Parker named as the President of adidas women’s basketball.
Parker insists she will not serve as a mere figurehead, telling Fast Company, “I said to [adidas], ‘I don’t want to be a mascot. I really want to be in the meetings, and I want to be a part of making decisions.”
The Next Chapter.
After 16 years as a brand partner, we’re honored to announce Candace Parker as President of adidas Women’s Basketball.
“This new leadership role symbolizes a shared commitment to making impactful change and setting new benchmarks for the future of women’s… pic.twitter.com/zo3Q8HhCCo
— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) May 8, 2024
Mercury reimagining Ring of Honor
During halftime of their home opener, the Phoenix Mercury will pay tribute to the franchise’s legends, inaugurating a reimagined Ring of Honor. Those to be honored with new, permanent banners will be Cheryl Miller, Michelle Timms, Jennifer Gillom, Bridget Pettis and Penny Taylor.
.
We will honor the most prominent figures in team history with a reimagined Ring of Honor on May 18th – unveiling permanent new banners, hosting a halftime ceremony, and… pic.twitter.com/W5Pqjcc92w
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) May 7, 2024
Nyanin named GM of WNBA Golden State
On Monday, Ohemaa Nyanin was named the general manager of WNBA Golden State.
Nyanin has spent the past five years with the New York Liberty, serving as director of basketball operations and manager of basketball operations before advancing to assistant general manager. She will begin her tenure on May 13, overseeing all aspects of basketball operations.
BREAKING: Ohemaa Nyanin has been named the General Manager of the Golden State WNBA expansion team, the organization has announced.
Nyanin takes over in the Bay Area after a five-year stint with the New York Liberty, most recently as assistant GM pic.twitter.com/t33kwj6C1f
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) May 6, 2024
On the opportunity to build the WNBA’s 13th franchise and first expansion team since 2008, Nyanin said, “What brings me so much joy about taking this opportunity is that it’s a blank canvas, and there are many elements that can go into building a masterpiece.”
Mystics complete trades with Sun, Storm
On Tuesday, the Washington Mystics sent Queen Egbo to the Connecticut Sun for a 2025 second-round draft pick and the rights to Bernadett Határ.
The move suggest the Sun might be a bit concerned about the readiness of Brionna Jones, who tore her Achilles less than one year ago. Beyond Jones, Astou Ndour-Fall and Olivia Nelson-Ododa are the only traditional bigs on the Sun roster. In contrast, the Mystics were flush with bigs. Instead of cutting Egbo, whom they acquired from the Indiana Fever during the middle of last season, for no return, they can take a flier of Határ, who could return to the WNBA in future seasons.
The Mystics then bolstered their backcourt with a second trade, acquiring Jade Melbourne from the Seattle Storm in exchange for a 2025 third-round draft pick. While the 21-year-old Melbourne might have had trouble earning playing time for at Storm team with championship ambitions, she should have a shot to prove her value for a Mystics squad in a transitional season.
Get your squad set!
Now is the time to join a women’s fantasy basketball league, draft your team and get your roster set for the first week of the season. Need help finding a hidden gem or two for your roster? Check out Eric Nemchock’s five fantasy sleepers.