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WNBA projects $200 million in 2023 revenue, per report

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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The WNBA is projecting record revenue growth in 2023.

According to Bloomberg, the league is set to capitalize on a record-breaking 2022 season with profits in the 2023 season nearly doubling those from 2019.

Currently, the league is projected to bring in between $180 million and $200 million in combined team and league revenue, up from roughly $102 million in 2019. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert called the league’s 27th season “a growth story.”

“It’s such a multi-dimensional transformation of what was quite a small league,” she said.

But while the league’s revenue is growing, salaries are reportedly shrinking. According to Bloomberg, base salaries as a share of the total revenue decreased from 11.1 percent in 2019 to 9.3 percent in 2022.

Despite the uptick in revenue, revenue sharing has not kicked in under the current collective bargaining agreement. In order to trigger revenue sharing, the league would have to see 20 percent revenue growth each year. Bloomberg reports that the WNBA would need to bring in an additional $30 million to trigger the clause; and even if that happened, only 17.5 percent of that would go toward player compensation.

But that doesn’t mean salaries will remain as they are outlined in the current CBA, under which salaries increase 3 percent each year to adjust for inflation.

The current CBA, signed in 2020, runs through 2027. The WNBA Players’ Association, however, is allowed to abandon the agreement in roughly 18 months, or at the end of the 2024 season. According to Bloomberg, the union is expected to exercise that option, though WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson wouldn’t confirm or deny the possibility.

“We represent the collective interests of The 144,” she said in a statement, “and we take our direction from them.”

Phoenix Mercury Beat Minnesota Lynx 89-83 in OT to Tie WNBA Semifinals

Phoenix Mercury center Natasha Mack leaps for a rebound during Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals.
The Phoenix Mercury overcame a 20-point deficit to take Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals against the Minnesota Lynx. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The No. 4 Phoenix Mercury went the distance on Tuesday night, overcoming a 20-point deficit against the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx to secure an 89-83 Game 2 win in overtime — and sending the 2025 WNBA semifinals to Arizona tied at 1-1.

Even more, Phoenix's come-from-behind victory set records as the third-largest comeback in WNBA playoff history.

Mercury forward Satou Sabally led the team with 24 points, while guard Sami Whitcomb added 13 points off the bench — including the game-tying three-pointer that propelled the matchup into overtime.

"Just pride, toughness, grit. I couldn't be more proud of our group for doing that," Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said afterwards. "I'm fired up. Phoenix is going to be rocking on Friday and Sunday."

After dominating Game 1, Tuesday's defeat marked the first time in Lynx franchise history that they lost a postseason game after holding a double-digit halftime lead.

"Suddenly, we lost our way," said Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve. "We didn't respond. Then when we needed to go get buckets and we had good opportunities, we weren't strong enough."

"I think we beat ourselves," forward Napheesa Collier added. "Unforced turnovers, not taking care of the ball when they were pressuring us, just keeping our composure in those situations is huge."

How to watch the Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury in Game 3

The No. 4 Phoenix Mercury will host the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx for Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals at 9:30 PM ET on Friday, airing live on ESPN2.

Las Vegas Aces Beat Indiana Fever 90-68 in Game 2, Even WNBA Semifinals 1-1

The Las Vegas Aces huddle after their Game 2 win in the 2025 WNBA semifinals.
The Las Vegas Aces scored a blowout win over the Indiana Fever in Tuesday's Game 2 to even their series in the 2025 WNBA semifinals. (David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)

The No. 2 Las Vegas Aces reclaimed their contender status in Game 2 on Tuesday night, taking down the No. 6 Indiana Fever in a 90-68 blowout victory to tie their best-of-five 2025 WNBA semifinals at 1-1.

Reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson fueled the Aces' bounce-back performance with 25 points and nine rebounds, backed by 10 points apiece from reserves Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans.

"I just think we came to work," Wilson said following the win. "We didn't come to work in Game 1, and that's on all of us. I think Game 2, we just decided to come to work."

Physicality on the court — as well as the referees' response to it — has played a major role in the Aces vs. Fever series, with Las Vegas clearly upping the intensity to keep Indiana at bay on Tuesday.

"It's playoffs — very physical games," said Aces forward NaLyssa Smith afterwards. "I feel like we've got to match the energy, day in and day out."

"It's hard for us to find flow when there's a foul called every 10 seconds," Fever head coach Stephanie White lamented. "When they're at the free throw line, we can't get up and down the floor, and that's a challenge."

How to watch the Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in Game 3

The 2025 WNBA semifinals next travels to Indiana for Game 3, with the No. 6 Fever hosting the No. 2 Aces at 7:30 PM ET on Friday, with live coverage airing on ESPN2.

Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings Reportedly Keep Head Coaches After Losing Seasons

Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen, guard Aziaha James, and head coach Chris Koclanes look on from the sideline during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Dallas Wings will reportedly keep head coach Chris Koclanes on staff next season. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Despite finishing at the bottom of the 2025 WNBA standings, the No. 12 Chicago Sky and No. 13 Dallas Wings will not be moving on from their current head coaches according to a report from Front Office Sports this week.

Dallas sideline leader Chris Koclanes and Chicago manager Tyler Marsh led their sides to identical 10-34 records in their first year at the helm — the worst in the league this season.

In contrast, 2025 playoff participants Seattle and New York are already making aggressive coaching changes, dismissing Storm boss Noelle Quinn and Liberty leader Sandy Brondello following first-round postseason exits.

While some fans criticized the presumed decision, Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings stars spoke out in support of their head coaches.

"Obviously the season didn't go how we expected, but being able to have a coach like Tyler, it was amazing through the ups and downs," Chicago center Kamilla Cardoso told reporters. "He always showed up every day with the same energy, no matter what the record was."

"The team embodies the attitude of your leader," echoed Dallas guard Paige Bueckers. "And for [Koclanes] to show up every single day at work and pour into all of us…it means a lot to us as a team."

Athletes Unlimited Stacks 2026 Offseason Roster with Top WNBA Stars

Connecticut Sun forward Aneesah Morrow controls the ball during a 2025 WNBA game.
Connecticut Sun rookie Aneesah Morrow will compete in the Athletes Unlimited Basketball competition during the WNBA offseason. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)

With the 2025 WNBA Playoffs in full swing, many big-name players are shifting their focus to the winter, joining the 2026 roster for offseason leagues like 3×3 upstart Unrivaled and 5×5 Athletes Unlimited.

Connecticut Sun rookie Aneesah Morrow officially signed with AU Pro Basketball this week, joining WNBA veteran teammate Tina Charles, Las Vegas Aces standout and 2023 AU champion NaLyssa Smith, as well as fellow pro first-years in guards Kaitlyn Chen (Golden State Valkyries) and Te-Hina PaoPao (Atlanta Dream) on the AU court.

The 2026 Athletes Unlimited Basketball season also boasts several returning stars among its 40-player league roster, including Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse, Washington Mystics forward Alysha Clark, Seattle Storm guard Lexie Brown, and New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison.

Tipping off its fifth season in February 2026, the month-long Nashville-based competition features rotating teams and individual leaderboards, offering an alternative to both overseas play and Unrivaled's 3×3 team format.

"It's player-driven," Charles said in her own AU Basketball signing announcement earlier this month. "I think that's really neat, you know, something that I've never been a part of, nor have I seen on men's or women's side."

How to watch the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Basketball season

The upcoming 2026 season of AU Pro Basketball runs from February 5th through March 2nd, with all 24 games airing live across several different broadcasters.

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