WNBA Season to Tip Off May 16 with Expansion Golden State Valkyries
WNBA Expands with New Team, More Games, and a Championship Rematch
NEW YORK – Get ready for an action-packed season! The WNBA tips off its 29th season on May 16th with an expanded schedule, a new franchise, and the promise of thrilling matchups.
The league has extended its regular season to 44 games,up from 40,welcoming the Golden State Valkyries to the court. The Valkyries, who have already secured over 20,000 season ticket deposits, will make their debut at home against the Los Angeles Sparks on opening night.
This expansion comes on the heels of a record-breaking season for the WNBA. The league saw its most-watched regular season in 24 years and playoffs in 25 years, with fans flocking to arenas in record numbers.
Much of this success can be attributed to the electrifying rookie class of 2022, led by Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese. these two stars will face off five times this season, with the first showdown taking place on opening weekend. Clark’s Fever will also host the league’s All-Star Game on July 19th.
“We look forward to tipping off the WNBA’s 29th season in May and continuing to build on the success of last season,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “The upcoming free agency period and the 2025 WNBA Draft will create a tremendous level of excitement, and we are also looking forward to the expansion Golden State Valkyries taking the court for the first time.”
The New York Liberty,fresh off their first-ever WNBA championship,will celebrate their historic victory with a ring and banner ceremony on May 17th when they host the Las Vegas Aces.The Liberty will face the Minnesota Lynx, the team they defeated in the finals, four times this season, with the first meeting scheduled for July 30th.
All 13 teams will be in action during the opening weekend,setting the stage for an exciting season.
The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup will take place from June 1st to 17th, with the top team from each conference battling it out in the Cup Final on July 1st.
The regular season concludes on September 11th, leading into the expanded playoffs. This year, the WNBA has adopted a best-of-seven format for the finals, with the opening round featuring a 1-1-1 format, giving the lower-seeded team the advantage of hosting Game 2.
The highly anticipated WNBA Draft will take place on April 14th, with UConn star Paige Bueckers expected to be the first overall pick by the Dallas Wings. The television and streaming broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.
Get ready for a season filled with amazing talent, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments. the WNBA is back and bigger than ever!
WNBA Season Preview: New Team, New Rivalries, New Era
NewsDirectory3 Exclusive interview with WNBA Analyst Sarah Parker
ND3: Welcome back Sarah! the WNBA is gearing up for an exciting 29th season. What are you most looking forward to?
Sarah Parker: This season is packed with storylines. The addition of the golden State Valkyries is huge, and seeing how they impact the Western Conference will be engaging. Plus, we have a rematch of the thrilling Finals between the Liberty and Lynx, Clark vs. Reese is going to be electric, and the WNBA Draft is loaded with talent.
ND3: The Valkyries are making a big splash, even before their first game.What makes them so intriguing?
SP: They’ve already generated tremendous buzz. Over 20,000 season ticket deposits tell you everything you need to know about the Bay Area’s appetite for WNBA basketball.Plus, they have a strong front office and a coach with a winning pedigree. Don’t be surprised if they make an immediate impact.
ND3: The rookies are always a big draw. What can fans expect from this year’s class?
SP: This draft class is special. Paige Bueckers is a generational talent,and she’ll have an immediate impact on the Dallas Wings. There are other potential stars like Kiki Rice and Maddy Siegrist who could make waves.
ND3: The playoffs are getting even more competitive with the best-of-seven format. How will that affect the championship race?
SP: It definitely adds another layer of strategy. We’ll see teams prioritize regular season positioning even more to secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. It should lead to even more intense and competitive series.
ND3: Thanks for breaking down the upcoming season, Sarah.Any final predictions?
SP: The New York Liberty are the defending champions, but the Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun are hungry to dethrone them. I predict a thrilling season with plenty of surprises along the way.