The USWNT returns to action Saturday against world No. 5 Japan, launching a three-friendly series against the Nadeshiko with several familiar faces rejoining the roster.
The No. 2 ranked United States last faced Japan at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, where the Nadeshiko stunned a young USWNT side 2-1 to claim the tournament title. Japan enters the series fresh off winning the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, defeating host Australia 1-0 in the final.
"For us, patience is the biggest part," said forward Trinity Rodman ahead of Saturday's rematch. "Finding the areas to exploit in the final third… just being smart in those moments that we can take advantage."
The match could reunite two-thirds of Triple Espresso as Sophia Wilson joins Rodman on the USWNT roster for the first time since the team's gold medal 2024 Paris Olympics campaign. The frontline duo previously combined for crucial goals during the Olympic run, including Rodman's extra-time winner against Japan in the quarterfinals.
Defender Tierna Davidson also makes her national team return after recovering from last year's ACL injury, providing additional depth to the backline as the team begins World Cup qualifying preparations.
"They're champions of Asia. They're easily one of the best teams in the world," USWNT manager Emma Hayes said of Japan. "I think this is one of the favorites to win the World Cup. So, what a great test for us."
Japan is competing under interim coach Michihisa Kano after parting ways with manager Nils Nielsen last week. The Nadeshiko compiled a 6-0 record at the Women's Asian Cup, outscoring opponents 29-1.
How to Watch the USWNT vs Japan Friendlies
The USWNT kicks off against Japan on Saturday at 5:30 PM ET in San Jose, live on TNT.
The series continues in Seattle on April 14th before culminating in Colorado's April 17th finale.
WNBA free agency reaches a fever pitch this weekend as veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike announced her return to the Los Angeles Sparks after one season with the Seattle Storm.
The 14-year veteran and 2016 MVP revealed her decision Friday morning after posting a social media goodbye to Seattle earlier this week. Ogwumike averaged 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds for the playoff-bound Storm in 2025.
Ogwumike now returns to the franchise where she built a Hall of Fame resume, according to SBNation. The move potentially reunites her with sister Chiney Ogwumike, while pairing the 10-time All-Star alongside Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink.
Forward Satou Sabally also bid farewell to Phoenix this week, calling her single season with the Mercury her "best year yet." The departure leaves another major piece available as WNBA free agency negotiations enter the final hours.
Rumors Dominate the 2026 WNBA Free Agency News Cycle
Multiple WNBA trades loom before Monday's signing window officially opens. Reports connect veteran guard Skylar Diggins to Chicago after the Sky sent Angel Reese to Atlanta. Additional rumors link LA forward Rickea Jackson to Chicago in exchange for Ariel Atkins.
Dallas gained cap flexibility following a trade sending forward Diamond Miller to Connecticut for second-year center Rayah Marshall. The Wings are expected to remain active throughout the weekend.
New York is reportedly showing interest in 2025 co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith — despite extending core qualifying offers to stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.
The flurry of activity precedes Monday's 2026 WNBA Draft at 7 PM ET on ESPN, where 15 invited prospects including five UCLA champions await their professional destinations.
Teams are stepping up under the new CBA, as the Aces crowned Jackie Young the WNBA’s first $1 million signing in an effort to keep the guard in Las Vegas.
"Breaking: The Las Vegas Aces are finalizing an agreement for Jackie Young to return to Vegas, sources told ESPN. Expected to be a one-year deal at the regular max ($1.19 million)," ESPN reporter Alexa Philippou posted to X on Thursday. "One step closer toward the Aces retaining their Big Three."
Young is the first player in league history to sign a contract worth over $1 million, with the one-year deal reaching the $1.19 million standard maximum. Per ESPN, the unrestricted free agent chose not to take meetings with other teams, remaining focused on the 2025 WNBA champions.
Las Vegas retained Young without tapping into its core mechanism, an option that provides teams an exclusive negotiating window to either re-sign — or sign and trade — top talent.
The core designation — similar to the franchise tag in other leagues — gives teams control over a top player's free agency. It also comes with a one-year supermax framework under the WNBA CBA.
The Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell, New York’s Sabrina Ionescu, Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier, LA’s Kelsey Plum, Dallas’s Arike Ogubowale, and others have already been cored by their respective teams.
The Sky cored veteran Ariel Atkins, though Front Office Sports reported Chicago might trade Atkins to LA in exchange for third-year forward Rickea Jackson.
The league's free agency period officially began on Monday, with teams issuing qualifying offers and core designations before the official signing window opens on Saturday.
ESPN reported Tuesday that its 2026 Women's March Madness coverage delivered the second-highest viewership in network history, continuing the NCAA tournament's upward ratings trajectory.
Sunday's championship game between UCLA and South Carolina averaged 9.9 million viewers and peaked at 10.7 million, becoming ESPN's third-most watched women's final on record.
Both Women's March Madness Final Four matchups drew strong viewership numbers. South Carolina's 62-48 semifinal victory over previously undefeated UConn averaged 5.4 million viewers, while UCLA's win over Texas registered 5 million in the nightcap.
The 2026 tournament's ESPN viewership ranked second behind 2024's record-breaking run despite a repeat field, with 21 games averaging over 1 million viewers each. However, Iowa alum Caitlin Clark's 2023 and 2024 Final Four appearances continue to hold the top ESPN viewership spots.
“We are thrilled with the continued momentum we have seen across women’s basketball this season," said ESPN Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions Dan Margulis.
"We delivered our strongest regular-season performance in 17 years, the second-best NCAA Tournament overall and continued to grow excitement around the game. That success reflects the dedication of the student-athletes on the court, as well as the commitment of ESPN, the conferences, and the NCAA to grow the game of women’s basketball."
The strong numbers arrive as women's college basketball continues expanding its mainstream audience. The tournament aired across ESPN networks linear and digital, including in primetime on ABC.
UCLA's title marked coach Cori Close's first NCAA title after 15 seasons with the program.
How to Watch 2027 Women's March Madness on ESPN
The women's NCAA tournament returns to ESPN next spring, with Selection Sunday scheduled for mid-March, 2027.
Women’s sports is raking it in, as Deloitte’s 2026 Game Changers report predicts global women's sports revenue to exceed $3 billion in 2026.
This year’s projected intake far outpaces 2025’s $2.4 billion, charting at an estimated 340% increase over the last four years.
“Women’s sports are entering a new phase — one defined by scale, structure, and sustained investment,” said Deloitte US Sports CCO Alicia Hatch.
“Rising valuations and expanding revenue streams are consistent with a maturing market where leagues, sponsors, and media partners are building for long-term success.”
Soccer and basketball remain the key women's sports revenue drivers, bringing in 35% of total revenue behind by newer ventures like Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball.
North American leagues drove the numbers in 2025, making up 53% of total earnings, followed by Europe’s 16% — with commercial revenue providing the largest boost.
International events additionally reported significant gains. The UK's 2025 Rugby World Cup drew its second-largest final crowd on record, while the 2025 Cricket World Cup notched a women's cricket high of 300,000 attendees.
“Women’s sports are thriving and defined by real, transformative growth and a rapidly expanding global fan base,” said Deloitte US Chair Lara Abrash.
“The conversation has moved beyond proving value to intentionally building a lasting, world-class foundation for the future.”
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and UConn coach Geno Auriemma put their heated Final Four confrontation behind them Tuesday, as both NCAA coaches released statements calling for the women's basketball community to move forward.
"I spoke with Geno, and I want to be clear — I have a great deal of respect for him and what he's meant to this game," Staley wrote. "One moment doesn't define a career, and it doesn't change the impact he's had on growing women's basketball."
Auriemma echoed the sentiment in his second formal apology, acknowledging he "lost" himself during Friday's semifinal.
"This morning, Dawn Staley and I spoke," Auriemma wrote. "I apologized to Dawn, her staff and her team. I've lost more games in the Final Four than any coach in history. But Friday I lost something more important. I lost myself."
The conflict erupted in the final seconds of South Carolina's 62-48 victory over previously undefeated UConn. Auriemma approached Staley for a postgame handshake before angrily confronting her. The exchange escalated until officials and staff stepped in.
After criticizing the referees during the broadcast, Auriemma initially showed no regret in his postgame news conference. He later released his first apology the following day.
Dawn Staley vs. Geno Auriemma Final Four Rivalry Returns Next Season
The South Carolina-UConn rivalry resumes on November 24th, when the programs meet at the Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Showcase at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena.
"Coach Auriemma and Coach Staley have not only built championship programs but have also helped elevate women's basketball to new heights," said Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame CEO and President John L. Doleva.
"Having two Hall of Famers leading their teams in this marquee matchup perfectly represents our mission to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future of basketball."
The women's basketball carousel keeps spinning, as LSU searches for new talent after 1,000+ players entered the NCAA transfer portal.
The Tigers lost three guards this week. Freshman Bella Hines joined Divine Bourrage and Kailyn Gilbert in the portal on Tuesday. Hines averaged 13 minutes per game during LSU's 2025/26 campaign, while averaging 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
But coach Kim Mulkey’s program did see a boost, as 6-foot-5 No. 3 high school recruit Caroline Bradley committed to LSU. The Louisiana native plans to join the Tigers for the 2027/28 season.
"First and foremost, I want to win. But I also want to be developed and challenged over the course of the next four years," Bradley told ESPN.
"Coach Mulkey and the staff have worked to build a great relationship with me and my family... I can't wait to be a part of a family that runs deeper than basketball."
NCAA Transfer Portal Rattles Women's College Basketball
With a free range of movement and money to be made, the NCAA transfer portal can impact blue chip programs both positively and negatively as rosters become increasingly stacked.
Back-to-back Final Four participant Texas is also feeling the spin, as 2025 recruit Aaliyah Crump departed Austin after averaging 7.9 points per game across 24 appearances. Forwards Aaliyah Moore and Justice Carlton followed suit.
Big-name programs also stand to benefit from the talent pool, with key prospects like Iowa State center Audi Crooks and Virginia guard Kymora Johnson shopping for new teams.
Bay Collective announced it acquired a majority stake in Sunderland AFC this week, expanding its global women's football portfolio beyond the NWS's Bay FC.
The multi-club ownership platform, led by Kay Cossington MBE and backed by investment firm Sixth Street, aims to launch a new era for the historic Northeast England mainstay.
"We are committed to honoring Sunderland Women's DNA and legacy, protecting what makes this club and community so special," said Cossington.
"We're supporting the players, staff, and the Academy with cutting-edge resources, infrastructure, and training models tailored to the unique needs of women athletes."
Sunderland AFC currently sits eighth in the second-tier WSL2 standings with two matches remaining this season. The club also houses a productive academies, after developing England national team stars Beth Mead, Jill Scott, Steph Houghton, and Lucy Bronze.
Founded in 1879, Sunderland represents one of English football's most historic institutions. While Bay Collective assumes operational control, the club will retain a minority stake pending approvals.
The acquisition mirrors recent trends in women's soccer as NWSL ownership groups expand internationally. Bay FC now joins the Washington Spirit and Kansas City Current as operating under multi-club models with European investments.
Bay Collective launched in 2025 with Bay FC as its inaugural franchise. The platform focuses on building women's football clubs that win on the pitch while subsequently thriving on a commercial level.
Women's basketball analysts remain divided over the top 2026 WNBA Draft selection, as WNBA mock drafts gear up for the Dallas Wings' second consecutive No. 1 pick.
The Wings face a crucial decision between 19-year-old Spanish center Awa Fam or a skilled guard to complement 2025 top pick Paige Bueckers. Bleacher Report and The Sporting News both predict that Dallas will take Fam, citing her rare combination of size, skill, and athleticism at such a young age.
Two playoff teams from 2025 — Minnesota and Seattle — own lottery picks due to previous trades. Both franchises can make strategic roster additions without rebuilding pressure.
TCU point guard Olivia Miles holds strong second-pick projections across major WNBA mock draft boards. The 23-year-old transfer could bring elite passing skills and improved 3-point shooting to strengthen Minnesota's aging backcourt.
UConn's Azzi Fudd lands at No. 3 in most projections despite struggling in the Huskies' Final Four upset. The sharpshooting guard remains one of the draft's premier floor-spacing options for lottery team Seattle.
UCLA's NCAA championship run also boosted its seniors into first-round consideration. Bleacher Report moved Most Outstanding Player Lauren Betts to Washington's No. 4 pick, while The Sporting News sees the Mystics selecting Bruins point guard Kiki Rice instead.
Guards Gabriela Jaquez and Gianna Kneepkens also drew first-round projections after UCLA's dominant tournament performance. Bleacher Report lists six total Bruins on its 2026 WNBA mock draft tally, potentially rivaling South Carolina's 2023 record.
LSU's Flau'jae Johnson remains a mock draft favorite despite inconsistent senior production, with analysts predicting the athletic wing to land between No. 5 and No. 6.
How to Watch the 2026 WNBA Draft
The 2026 WNBA Draft takes place on April 13th, live on ESPN.
WNBA free agency officially opened Monday, with the Washington Mystics making a major front-office change just one day before teams begin contract negotiations.
The Mystics parted ways with general manager Jamila Wideman after one season on the job. ESPN reported the split stemmed from strategic differences with Monumental president of basketball Michael Winger, who made the decision on the opening day of free agency.
Coach Sydney Johnson will assume control of basketball operations as the team moves forward without a GM. Johnson is entering his second season with Washington, after earning praise for his player development work during last season's 16-28 WNBA run.
Wideman joined the DC franchise in December 2024 after spending six years with the NBA.
The Mystics are continuing to build around their young core — namely All-Star rookie duo Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. The team is also anticipating three first-round 2026 WNBA Draft picks.
Rumors Swirl as WNBA Free Agency Heats Up
Teams have already extended qualifying offers and designated core players. Contract negotiations begin Wednesday with signings due by Saturday, creating a compressed three-day window for deal-making.
While franchise players Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and A'ja Wilson announced they plan to stay with their current teams, many other prominent names could change jerseys this week.
WNBA vets Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins reportedly plan to leave Seattle, after the Storm fired coach Noelle Quinn following last season's first-round playoff exit.