12 moves that shaped the WNBA offseason -- and what they mean for 2026
From coaching hires and key moments in CBA talks to a whirlwind 10 days of player movement, we run down the offseason.
Watch the Game Highlights from Las Vegas Aces vs. Japan, 04/26/2026 (1:07)
It was a WNBA offseason unlike any other, with a monthslong labor dispute that put everything into a holding pattern.
Even before the season ended Oct. 10 with the Las Vegas Aces winning their third title, three coaches had been dismissed. Then Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier publicly called out WNBA leadership and commissioner Cathy Engelbert, which set the tone for a contentious offseason.
The end of October brought the first of multiple deadline extensions for a collective bargaining agreement. The WNBA did what business it could -- holding the draft lottery in November and releasing the schedule in January -- but the league and the players' association at times seemed so far apart there were concerns about the 2026 season.
A new CBA was finally reached in March after an intense eight-day negotiating session in New York. The CBA marathon was followed by a roster-building sprint: the expansion draft, free agency and the regular draft took place in a hectic 10-day period in April.
Now, with the WNBA less than two weeks from opening its 30th season, here are 12 things that shaped the offseason.