Context:

With WNBA training camps just opened, attention is already turning to the 2026 free agency period, where over 100 players, including 20 All-Stars, could become free agents, potentially leading to significant player movement. Atlanta Dream's GM Dan Padover emphasizes the importance of managing players’ futures, acknowledging the uncertainty caused by the upcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and the potential for changing team dynamics. New CBA negotiations are anticipated to increase player salaries, spurred by the WNBA's impending 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal starting in 2026, reminiscent of the NBA's salary cap boost after their 2016 TV deal. Besides salaries, factors like practice facilities and franchise culture are influencing player decisions, with teams like Phoenix and Las Vegas having dedicated facilities and others like New York developing new ones. The 2026 free agency period is set to reshape the league, as teams like New York, Las Vegas, Minnesota, and Indiana prepare for potential shifts in their standings and team compositions.

Dive Deeper:

• The WNBA training camps have opened with a strong focus on the 2026 season, where a significant number of players, including top stars, are expected to enter free agency, creating potential for unprecedented player movement.

• Atlanta Dream's general manager, Dan Padover, highlights that many veterans will become unrestricted free agents due to current contracts, but the actual extent of player movement remains uncertain pending the new collective bargaining agreement.

• The upcoming CBA is anticipated to result in substantial salary increases for WNBA players, driven by a lucrative 11-year, $2.2 billion media rights deal set to commence in 2026, akin to the NBA's salary cap rise after their 2016 media deal.

• Practice facilities and the culture surrounding franchises are becoming crucial factors for players in free agency decisions, with some teams like Phoenix and Las Vegas having dedicated facilities, while others are in the process of developing them.

• Atlanta Dream made significant free agency moves by signing Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones, with hopes of retaining them beyond this season amid a backdrop of potential shifts in league dynamics.

• The 2026 free agency period could lead any team to become a 'super team,' potentially altering the power balance in the league with cities like Golden State, Toronto, or Portland emerging as new contenders.

• The WNBA is experiencing a transformative period, with the upcoming CBA and media rights deal expected to redefine player contracts and team strategies, making future seasons highly unpredictable.