WNBA Free Agency 2026: Stars Stay, Big Moves and Expansion Shape New Season

52 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Apr 11

The 2026 WNBA free agency period saw a flurry of major signings, trades, and core designations as teams reshaped their rosters.
Key moves include A'ja Wilson staying with the Las Vegas Aces, Nneka Ogwumike returning to the Sparks, and Satou Sabally joining the New York Liberty.
With supermax contracts and new CBA rules, teams are securing top talent while expansion teams like Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo make significant additions.

As superstar salaries skyrocket, what is the long-term impact on the WNBA's middle-class players?

Can the WNBA's revenue growth sustain its historic new player salaries, or is a correction inevitable?

With stars earning $1.4M, how can teams build a competitive roster under the new $7M salary cap?

Players now get 20% of gross revenue, but is the fight over expansion fees the next big battle?

A new rule will soon block older stars from being cored. How will this change veteran contract security?