The WNBA Season Is Here - What You Need To Know
Last year's season was the best yet, so here’s to another year of being impressed by the incredible talents of these women athletes.
Photo: Instagram/WNBA
The action-packed WNBA season starts on May 19. Last year's season was the best yet, and it's clear that people are recognizing the incredible talents of these women athletes. This year, the WNBA is adding more games and expanding to new locations, making it even more exciting.
As a proud Las Vegas Aces fan, I can't contain my excitement for this season. With the addition of basketball legend Candace Parker and the support of celebrities like Tom Brady, the Aces are looking to continue their winning streak after clinching their first championship last year.
But the Aces aren't the only team to watch out for. With two powerhouses in the East and West, the WNBA seems to be in an era of building super teams. In the East, the New York Liberty has built a super team, adding MVP Breanna Stewart to their roster.
Now, let's talk about the Commissioners Cup, an exciting in-season tournament introduced by the WNBA. This tournament offers teams a chance to compete for a trophy and a significant payday, with a prize pool of $500,000. It's similar to European soccer, which has similar in-season tournaments and competitions. The Commissioner's Cup adds an extra element of excitement to the WNBA season and allows teams to earn a little extra cash.
Speaking of earnings, it's important to note that many WNBA players play overseas during the off-season to supplement their salaries. While the WNBA salaries may not be on par with men's professional sports yet, the growing popularity of the league and increased exposure through TV coverage and investments from celebrities like Tom Brady are positive signs for the future.
The WNBA is taking steps to improve player experiences too. While most teams have flown commercial in the past and still will, the league is adopting some changes this year. They're introducing charter flights for the WNBA Finals, Commissioner's Cup games, and select games (like back-to-back games) during the season, reducing the challenges of air travel and allowing players to arrive at games in better condition.
Grab your jerseys, and tune into our WNBA Season podcast before turning on the TV to witness the incredible athleticism and fierce competition the WNBA offers.
One Giant Leap For Mankind
Making history even before coffee with who’s leaving the U.S. for good, what astronauts have to do with football and a new champion is crowned.
Jumping into the weekend and making history at the same time.
Yaaas!
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS – A huge congratulations to the Washington Mystics on their first WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) championship title.
Soccer
For the first time in 40 years, and after pressure from world governing body FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and women's rights campaigners, women were allowed to attend a men’s soccer match in Iran. Tickets sold out in minutes for the FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Cambodia. The home team won 14-0. EVERYONE WINS
Overtime
Halloween will come a bit early for the Purdue University football team. This weekend they’ll be wearing all white uniforms that mimic an astronaut suit as part of their moon-themed uniforms. Why you ask? It’s because Purdue has produced the most astronauts out of any school not affiliated with the U. S. Military. TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
Sideline stat
Former U.S. Open Champion and #3 ranked tennis player in the world, Naomi Osaka, is giving up her U.S. citizenship to play tennis for Japan in next year’s Olympics. The two-time Grand Slam champion’s mother is from Japan and father is from Haiti. SAYANORA ‘MERICA
Coaches’ corner
Set your alarm clock because early Sunday morning the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers play in London. This is the second NFL (National Football League) game in two weeks in England, which is all part of the league’s efforts to build an international fan base. The Brits will get a look at early MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey (Panthers running back). BUT WILL BABY ARCHIE BE IN ATTENDANCE?
What to watch
There are some big college football matchups this weekend but one rivalry that spans generations is the showdown between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners. In its 115th year, the “Red River Rivalry” takes place on neutral territory at the Texas State Fair and will feature a battle between two of the best quarterbacks in the game – Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) and Sam Ehlinger (Texas). TELL ME MORE
Friday Night Lights
The Rock is back, who’s taking a voyage to India and uniforms fit for a superhero.
Be the bright spot this Friday by enlightening your friends with the always exciting world of sports.
Shine bright like a diamond,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION)
The Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers are in Mumbai, India for the first ever NBA game in that country. The teams will play two preseason games in the city as part of the league’s continued efforts to take the NBA global. The league also hosted youth clinics, including one hosted by WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) legend Ebony Hoffman for girls. Expect to see more than 3,000 children at the game as part of the Reliance Junior NBA school program. SLAM DUNK
OVERTIME
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) makes its “SmackDown” debut on FOX tonight and they’re bringing out the big guns. Former football player and wrestler turned actor, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson will re-enter the ring for the first time in six years. CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING? A GIANT PAYDAY
SIDELINE STAT
The Tampa Bay Rays (MLB - Major League Baseball) landed a spot in the playoffs with the lowest payroll in the league. The players’ salaries slide in at $60 million in a league where the highest payroll is $200 million. The team is an underdog for so many other reasons besides payroll. They have a terrible stadium, the worst attendance in the league and yet still they thrive. They’ll play the Houston Astros in the first round of the playoffs this afternoon. THRIFTY AND THRIVING
COACHES' CORNER
A college football game to watch this weekend is Georgia Tech as they take on North Carolina. Saturday is “Cape Day” for Georgia Tech, a special day where the football team will wear uniforms that pay tribute to the brave children who battle illnesses every day at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The tradition has been around since 2014 and fans are encouraged to wear capes to celebrate the superhero patients at the hospital. IT’S A BIRD, A PLANE
What to watch
We’re in the midst of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) finals and the series between the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun is tied 1-1. (Series is best of five). Keep an eye on the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas in game three on Sunday. The all-star is so dedicated to her team and determined to win the overall title that she’s playing with a torn labrum in each shoulder. DEDICATED DAME