Your Ultimate Playbook for All Things Hoops, Huddles and Heroines » Winsidr

Step right up, rookie fans, and prepare to be dazzled! Welcome to the WNBA, where the action is as fast-paced and electric as ever. If you’re reading this, it means you’ve found me and Winsidr—well done! And if you’re feeling a tad bewildered amid the sea of hoops hysteria, fret not! This guide is your golden ticket to understanding the intricacies of the game, from swishing three-pointers to decoding player stats. So lace up those imaginary sneakers, because we’re about to embark on a journey into the wonderful world of women’s basketball!

First things first, let’s address the elephant in the room: dunks. If you’re here for gravity-defying slams and rim-rattling jams, adjust your expectations. While the WNBA boasts some seriously impressive athleticism, the league is more about finesse, fundamentals and fabulous footwork than high-flying acrobatics. But fear not, dear reader, because what the WNBA lacks in dunks, it more than makes up for in jaw-dropping crossovers, silky-smooth jump shots and game-changing defense.

The Teams

This is an onboarding manual, so we’re going back to the basics. Currently, there are 12 teams—the Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings, Indiana Fever, Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics. Next season, there will be a 13th squad added in Golden State and a 14th in Toronto come 2026. The league began in 1997 with eight teams, many of whom have either relocated or shuttered. 

Who is the commissioner and who runs the league?

Awesome questions! Cathy Engelbert has been the WNBA Commissioner since 2019. The NBA owns the league and Engelbert works for and with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

Which team should I be rooting for?

That all depends on what kind of person you are, of course! Whether you’re a die-hard basketball purist, a fashion-forward trendsetter, or a sucker for underdog stories, there’s a WNBA team with your name on it. Each franchise brings its own unique flair to the court. Are you the kind of person who likes a history of excellence and terrific players? The dynastic dominance of the Seattle Storm or Minnesota Lynx is your pick. Are you looking for a recently dominant team that makes history each time they step out onto the court? Check out the Las Vegas Aces. What if you like the underdogs, the teams that are on the rise? The Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings got you covered! But do you like your team with plenty of personality? The Phoenix Mercury or Atlanta Dream have that in spades! If you’re all about flash and pizzazz, the Los Angeles Sparks are for you. Oh, so you like the teams with sound front offices? The Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun come to mind. And if you’re the kind of person who loves the wholesome team, the Chicago Sky or New York Liberty are your go-to franchises.

I have my team. I want merch!

Fine, let’s talk swag. If you’re looking to rep your favorite team in style, you’re in luck! The WNBA offers a dizzying array of merchandise options, from classic jerseys and hats to funky accessories and everything in between. Just be warned: when it comes to jersey sizes, things can get a little… messy. So, unless you’re prepared to rock a jersey that’s three sizes too big or two sizes too small, it’s best to double-check the sizing chart before you hit that “add to cart” button.

I have my gear and my team. How do I watch?

Onto the nitty-gritty: where to watch the action. Whether you’re tuning in from the comfort of your couch or catching a game live and in person, there are plenty of ways to get your WNBA fix. From nationally televised matchups to live streams and highlights on social media, there’s no shortage of ways to keep up with the latest hoops happenings. Don’t forget about WNBA League Pass, a streaming platform for most WNBA games that is very cost-friendly. Just be ready for a few blackouts and snafus along the way.

Just last season, the WNBA partnered with ION Television to host its Friday night matchups. This partnership continues this season, with expanded studio shows and top-notch sponsorships. You’ve probably only heard of ION for its impeccable array of crime dramas, so check your cable/streaming platform services for how to find ION on your devices!

What’s this Commissioner’s Cup I keep hearing about?

Ooh, this one’s fun. This season will be the fourth iteration of the Cup. The Commissioner’s Cup is an in-season tournament to bring more competition and excitement to early-season games. Each team compiles its record in the first home and road game against its five conference rivals. The top two teams from each conference compete for cash prizes. The Seattle Storm, Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty have each won a Cup. 

What’s the salary cap? And aren’t there a bunch of different types of contracts?

Important questions! The 2024 salary cap is $1,463,200 with rosters ranging from 11-12 players. Offseason contracts can be confusing, but all you really need to know is that there are two types of contracts players can sign after free agency—hardship contracts and training camp contracts. Training camp contracts are non-guaranteed deals signed for training camp and used to see what a player can do during training camp. A hardship contract is granted to a down-on-their-luck team with plenty of injuries or illnesses. These are granted by the league for teams who have fewer than 11 available players.

Have there been recent rule changes to keep an eye out for?

As a matter of fact, yes there have! Let’s talk about rule changes. As any seasoned basketball fan can tell you, the WNBA isn’t afraid to shake things up when it comes to gameplay. From experimental rules like the Commissioner’s Cup to tweaks to the playoff format and everything in between, there’s always something new and exciting happening in the world of women’s basketball.

Last season, the league experimented with a coach’s challenge, granting one to each head coach to use, similar to the men’s league. This season, the league has followed an NFL-style approach, granting coaches an extra challenge if their first was successful. 

The league is also experimenting with a new timeout process. Previously, each team had four full timeouts and two 20-second timeouts. This year, teams are granted a fifth full timeout with other guidelines for the use of 20-second timeouts. The big change is the reset timeout, which is when a team wants to advance the ball and make substitutions without huddling. There are plenty of specific rules around its use, but for now, know that a team can use one during the final two minutes of regulation and another during the final two minutes of overtime.

Are there seriously no dunks?

Well, a few players have throughout WNBA history. It’s not likely, but it’s always exciting when it happens. You won’t miss them, trust me.

How many teams make the ‘yoffs?

Eight of the 12 teams make the playoffs with the other four in the lottery. Plenty to root for all season long no matter which team you’re a fan of.

What’s the deal with charter flights (Jerry Seinfeld voice)?

For years, teams had to take commercial flights from city to city, rubbing elbows with the very fans who came to watch them play. Over the years, calls for owners to pony up for charter flights have been numerous, with many claiming they can’t or won’t front that expensive bill. In recent years, the league has claimed it’s been exploring sponsorship partners to help cover these costs. Some owners were caught providing their teams charter flights in the past, forcing sanctions. With the Brittney Griner situation and greater popularity forcing the league’s hand, the league just recently announced a plan to have full charter flights for all teams starting this season, costing the league a reported $25 million per year for the next two years.

Are tickets expensive?

Not especially; certainly not in comparison to the NBA! The game experience has improved drastically over the past few years and one you’ll definitely want to check out.

Okay, so all of that sounds good. I know Caitlin Clark already, but who else in the league should I pay attention to?

Any of the 144 are incredibly entertaining to watch, but here are a few. The MVP-caliber vets like Breanna Stewart of the Liberty and A’ja Wilson of the Aces are easy calls. Unheralded superstars like the Sun’s Alyssa Thomas, Aces’ Kelsey Plum or Chelsea Gray, the Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike or the Wings’ Satou Sabally light it up each night. Young up-and-coming stars like the Dream’s Rhyne Howard, the Fever’s Aliyah Boston and the Mystics’ Shakira Austin are must-watch television. Don’t forget the amazing crop of veterans like Brittney Sykes, Arike Ogunbowale, Natasha Cloud and Napheesa Collier, or the youngbloods like Sabrina Ionescu, Allisha Gray and Marina Mabrey!

So, welcome to the wonderful world of the WNBA. Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and maybe even a little bit obsessed. After all, once you go W, you’ll never go back!