Note: A previous version of this article misstated Candace Parker’s time with the Chicago Sky. She was with the team for two seasons.

NEW YORK — The 2024 WNBA season has come to a close and what a remarkable season it has been. Viewership numbers have soared, attendance has significantly increased, and merchandise featuring popular players is flying off the shelves. Improved travel arrangements and specialized facilities have also become the norm.

The achievements this season are groundbreaking and will propel the league forward. With expansion plans underway, a new broadcasting deal is set to substantially increase player salaries, and the influx of new talent is only expected to enhance the game further.

The high demand has led to important changes; just before the 2024 WNBA Finals—where the New York Liberty emerged victorious in an exciting Game 5—commissioner Cathy Engelbert declared that the 2025 Finals will follow a seven-game format, similar to that of the NBA. Moreover, first-round matchups will adopt a 1-1-1 schedule, allowing both teams to host games.

In short, there has never been a more opportune moment for this league.

With that said, let’s delve into the winners and losers from the 2024 WNBA season.

WINNERS

Players

The low pay that players endured is likely to be a thing of the past.

While the current collective bargaining agreement remains in effect until the close of the 2027 season, it’s widely believed it won’t last that long. The league, which has been experiencing impressive growth, is on an upward trajectory.

The new media-rights deal, reportedly valued at $200 million annually, is more than three times the value of the previous agreement. Companies are eager to partner with both the league and individual teams. For instance, the franchise fee for the new Portland team was set at $125 million, with another team slated to join the league soon.

As players consider their options, many are anticipated to opt out before the November 1 deadline set for both the WNBA Players Association and the league. If either party chooses this route, the agreement would expire at the end of the next season.

“Navigating this is tricky while the season is ongoing. We are close to knowing our next steps,” Breanna Stewart, the WNBPA vice president, recently shared with the Associated Press.

While players will likely push for enhancements in work conditions and family support, it is salary increases that will be the primary focus. For reference, the minimum salary is $64,154 while the highest tier, or supermax, is $241,984.

New fans

Shout out to the new WNBA fans who initially joined to support individual players.

Many of you cheered for Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in college and then followed them to Indiana and Chicago respectively. However, once you started watching, you discovered there’s so much more to the league than just a couple of athletes. You were captivated by A’ja Wilson’s incredible performance this season and impressed by Napheesa Collier’s outstanding defense. You grew fond of Kahleah Copper’s overall skill and were amazed that Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith had only been teammates for one year.

Your acceptance of the entire league has enhanced its appeal and we’re thrilled to have you on board.

Forward-thinking sponsors

Investing in women’s sports is not only fashionable these days, but it’s also a smart business decision. Hats off to early supporters of the WNBA (and NWSL), such as American Express, State Farm, and Pepsi. And let’s not overlook the trailblazers like Gatorade and Nike who recognized the league’s promise long before it became a trend.

Germany

The New York Liberty’s inaugural championship was greatly aided by the performances of rookie Leonie Fiebich (13 points, seven rebounds, two steals) and Nyara Sabally (13 points, seven rebounds, 71% FG), two talented young players from Germany who showcased their skills at the Paris Olympics this summer. Germany’s national team is on the rise, and the next phase for the WNBA will likely involve a greater global outreach. Will we see more young European athletes making their way to the U.S. for summer competitions?

Free agency

Free agency in the WNBA has gained attention recently, a shift from its previous perception as insignificant. The movement began with Candace Parker’s transition from LA to her hometown of Chicago, where she helped secure a championship for the Sky in one of her two seasons. This trend continued when the Liberty made aggressive moves to acquire star Breanna Stewart from the Seattle Storm, and veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot. The Liberty’s bold approach signals their serious intention to compete for a championship, promising a supportive environment for players who choose to join them in New York.

Though it took some time, their strategy paid off and is likely to inspire other teams to become more proactive during free agency.

LOSERS

Less positive new fans

The only benefit of the season concluding is that we can finally refrain from hearing the toxic comments from individuals who used Caitlin Clark as an excuse to direct racist and homophobic sentiments toward other players. The WNBA does not require these kinds of fans and has half a year to devise a plan to eliminate such behavior.

Owners For Those Who Still Believe They Can Save Money

One powerhouse team (New York) emerged as champions, while another (Las Vegas) reached the semifinals. The finalists (Minnesota) and semifinalists (Connecticut) have demonstrated a strong dedication to success.

A strong message is reverberating throughout the league, with players observing which owners are investing in their teams—such as by building modern training facilities—and which are not. The divide between the successful teams and those lagging behind in the WNBA is poised to widen if all owners fail to step up.

HBO

Why hasn’t the cable leader committed to “Hard Knocks: WNBA” yet, and what would it take to make it happen?

Also, with Unrivaled having secured a broadcasting deal with TNT for the new 3-on-3 league, can we please have a WNBA version of “Inside the NBA”? Watching Sydney Colson discuss women’s basketball would be a must-watch!

Our Situation

We won’t have any WNBA action for the next six months. Fortunately, the regular season is set to expand in 2025, increasing to 44 games, along with a best-of-seven Finals series.

If you’re craving women’s basketball, don’t worry—the college season is just around the corner. The exciting aspect of college basketball is the chance to see the future stars of the WNBA, like Paige Bueckers (UConn), JuJu Watkins (USC), Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), Flau’jae Johnson (LSU), and MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina), among others.