The Women’s National Basketball Association has officially tipped off its 29th season.
With excitement for women’s basketball at an all-time high — highlighted by a nearly 145% surge in WNBA ticket sales over last season — the league is undergoing a powerful phase of growth and transformation.
The addition of the Golden State Valkyries, along with rising anticipation for returning champions and emerging stars, sets the stage for a season that could redefine expectations and push the sport to new heights.
The Champions Aim for ‘Legacy’
Fresh off their first championship in franchise history last October, the New York Liberty are not content to rest on their laurels.
According to Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb, the team is focused on becoming an iconic “legacy franchise.”
Their ultimate goal for 2025 is to achieve something rare: become the fourth team in league history to win back-to-back championships. This aspiration fuels their approach to the new season, with a clear intention to move beyond celebrating their 2024 success.
Navigating Key Roster Changes
The Liberty faced significant roster shifts, notably with Betnijah Laney-Hamilton undergoing surgery and her contract likely being suspended, providing her time to recover without pressure. Her absence creates a void, particularly in her role as a strong one-on-one player capable of getting a bucket in difficult situations.
Natasha Cloud, acquired in an offseason trade, is stepping in to help fill the ball-handling need, which became greater after Courtney Vandersloot’s return to Chicago.
Strategic Adjustments for a Repeat Bid
Under head coach Sandy Brondello, the Liberty’s motto for the season is “evolution“.
This includes expecting more ball-handling and facilitating from Breanna Stewart and less automatic post-ups from Jonquel Jones. As their tactical shifts continue to draw attention, early projections and FanDuel WNBA odds reflect growing expectations for a repeat title run.
Natasha Cloud and Rebekah Gardner return after missing 2024 due to injury, ensuring they will have an even more fortified depth chart.
A League Marked by Expansion and Popularity
The WNBA’s ongoing evolution is most visible in its structural growth for the 2025 season.
With the addition of its 13th franchise — the Golden State Valkyries — the league enters a new era of expansion. Each team will now play 44 games, marking the longest regular season in WNBA history. This growth reflects the league’s rising momentum and vitality, further emphasized by plans to expand to 15 teams in 2026.
With more games and more teams, fans have greater opportunities to connect with the sport, building on a surge in ticket sales and growing nationwide enthusiasm.
Intense Competition Across the Landscape
While the Liberty enter the season as favorites to repeat, the league is brimming with talent and strong contenders.
The Minnesota Lynx, who lost to New York in the 2024 Finals, return their core roster and possess one of the league’s best players in Napheesa Collier.
The Las Vegas Aces remain a perennial title contender, led by A’ja Wilson, who has dominated the league since 2018 in points, rebounds, blocks, MVPs, and Defensive Player of the Year honors. In addition, the Aces also strengthened their roster by acquiring 11-year veteran Jewell Loyd from the Seattle Storm.
The Clark Effect Continues
One of the biggest catalysts for the WNBA’s recent surge in interest was Caitlin Clark’s debut season in 2024.
As the Rookie of the Year, Clark averaged impressive stats, leading rookies in points, assists, steals, and minutes played. She set single-season rookie records for points (769), three-pointers made (122), and holds the overall WNBA single-season record with 337 assists.
Her impact helped the Indiana Fever reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and significantly boosted ticket sales for their games, showing a 497% increase compared to the previous season. The Fever also added champions DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard in the offseason.
A New Star Rises
Adding further intrigue and talent to the league is the arrival of the 2025 No. 1 draft pick, Paige Bueckers. Selected by the Dallas Wings, Bueckers joins the league after a distinguished collegiate career.
Her presence on the Wings, forming a dynamic backcourt with Arike Ogunbowale, is generating considerable excitement among fans, promising to make Dallas one of the most engaging teams to follow this year. Her transition to the professional game is a major storyline to watch as the season progresses.
A Season of Firsts
As the 2025 WNBA season tips off, the league stands at a historic inflection point defined by expansion, rising stars, and unprecedented fan engagement.
With championship ambitions driving the Liberty, surging popularity fueled by generational talents like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, and a broader landscape of elite competition, this year promises to be a transformative chapter in women’s basketball. All signs point to a season where records could fall and the league’s cultural and athletic footprint only grows stronger.
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