A preview of the 2024 WNBA season

The W’s (current) 12 teams are divided into two conferences — the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each team will play 40 regular-season games, starting tonight and ending on September 19th.

Afterwards, the top eight regular-season teams will advance to the three-round postseason starting on September 22nd. The first round will be a best-of-three series, while the semifinals and finals will be best-of-five matchups.

In addition to the regular season, the in-season Commissioner’s Cup is in its fourth year with a new format. Each team will play five games, one against each of their in-conference rivals, from June 1st to 13th. These games will count towards their regular season record as well.

The top teams in each conference will compete for $500K in the Cup scheduled for June 25th. The Commissioner’s Cup has been won by three different teams since its inception in 2021 — the Seattle Storm, Las Vegas Aces, and NY Liberty.Lastly, the W will take an international break from July 21st to August 14th, allowing players to participate in the Paris Olympics for their respective countries. Oui love to see it.

Following record-breaking Women’s March Madness, interest in women’s hoops has skyrocketed, highlighting the importance of investing time, funding, energy, and attention into the women’s game.

Here are the key changes since the end of the 2023 WNBA season and some storylines to watch. The landscape is evolving, so let’s ride the wave.👶 This year’s rookie class is promising: Notable rookies include Caitlin Clark from the Indiana Fever, Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky, and Cameron Brink from the LA Sparks, facing pressure to perform at the professional level.👏 The Caitlin Clark effect: More Indiana Fever games will be televised nationally this season, showcasing Clark’s talent and appeal as the all-time NCAA leading scorer.👋 WNBA legend Candace Parker has retired after an illustrious career, transitioning to the role of President of Adidas Women’s Basketball.✈️ Full-time charter flight program: The W is investing $25M per year to provide private charter flights for players throughout the season, enhancing comfort and safety.⬆️ League expansion: The WNBA will expand to 13 teams next season, with plans to reach 16 teams by 2028, including a Golden State W franchise in 2025 and a Toronto team in 2026.💰 Collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations: Players have the option to renegotiate the CBA at the end of the season, focusing on player pay structure, pregnancy protection, revenue deals, and more.

🃏 Las Vegas Aces: With a strong veteran core led by A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray, the Aces aim for a three-peat, with Wilson eyeing the regular season MVP title.

🌪️ Seattle Storm: After an eventful offseason, the Storm boast a formidable trio in Jewel Loyd, Nneka Ogwumike, and Skylar Diggins-Smith.🗽 NY Liberty: Equipped with superstars like Jonquel Jones, the Liberty are determined to bring a WNBA championship to New York.☀️ Connecticut Sun: Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones lead the Sun, whose chances are looking bright this season.☄️ Phoenix Mercury: Diana Taurasi’s potential last season with the Mercury promises an exciting lineup featuring Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud.🥵 Indiana Fever: With Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, the Fever are aiming to make a playoff comeback.

☁️ Chicago Sky: Under new leadership and with a different roster, the Sky look to start fresh, especially with the rookie players.

🦄 Dallas Wings: Satou Sabally’s absence due to injury poses a challenge for the Wings, relying more on Arike Ogunbowale.🐈‍ Minnesota Lynx: Focus on defense is essential for the Lynx, with new additions like Alanna Smith bringing potential spark.✨ LA Sparks: Rookies Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink are vital for the Sparks’ rebuild, learning from veterans like Dearica Hamby.😴 Atlanta Dream: A new-look Dream aims for a playoff spot, requiring chemistry between returning players and new additions like Tina Charles and Aerial Powers.🪄 Washington Mystics: With key players missing, the Mystics are in rebuilding mode, providing an opportunity for rookie Aaliyah Edwards to shine.

The WNBA action kicks off with four games tonight, starting with the Liberty vs. Mystics at 7 p.m. ET.

American viewers can watch games on ESPN, CBS networks, ION, WNBA League Pass, and more, while Canadians can catch select games on TSN and Sportsnet. Don’t miss out on the excitement.