The WNBA continues its historic trajectory one week into the season, with attendance and viewership skyrocketing across the board.
Indiana’s Saturday game against the New York Liberty was the most-watched WNBA game ever on ABC, drawing 1.71 million viewers. The Sparks vs. Aces matchup that followed became the third most-watched WNBA game broadcast on ABC with 1.34 million viewers.
On Monday, the tense finish between Indiana and Connecticut drew 1.56 million viewers to ESPN, the second most-watched WNBA game to ever air on cable.
Outside of the league’s viewership, both in-person attendance and merchandise sales have also been on a meteoric rise. On Saturday, the game between New York and Indiana shattered the single-game ticket revenue record in the WNBA, with the Liberty pulling in $2 million in sales.
New York and Indiana played their home openers in front of more than 17,000 fans, with attendance up 14% year-over-year, according to the league. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces, the Liberty, the Wings, the Dream, and others have already sold out of their 2024 season ticket allotments.
Since April’s WNBA Draft, revenue from the WNBA’s official online store is up 2,260%, already blowing past total sales for the entire 2023 season.
While the numbers may cool somewhat as teams settle into their seasons, the pop in demand has already overwhelmingly delivered for the WNBA in 2024.
The 28th WNBA season is finally here, and it's set to be one of the biggest yet — which also makes for some pretty entertaining narratives.
Leading the way are the Las Vegas Aces, who are vying for their third-straight WNBA championship. It’s only ever happened once in league history, when the Houston Comets ticked off four back-to-back titles wins from 1997-2000. Led by 2023 Finals MVP A’ja Wilson, the Aces look poised to have a go at making history.
Over in Indiana, Caitlin Clark has arrived as one of the most hyped WNBA rookies in a decade. There are massive expectations of both Clark and the Fever this season, with Clark a favorite to win Rookie of the Year — and possibly having good odds to win league MVP.
Only one player has ever won MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same year: Candace Parker in 2008. But both Clark and her teammates are keeping things in perspective.
"To create championship culture, you've got to build relationships with your teammates, get to know them," Clark said at last week's Fever media day. "We're a young team for the most part. Building that chemistry and being able to click on court are the biggest things."
The New York Liberty made it all the way to their first WNBA Finals since 2002 last year, but at times looked discombobulated as the "superteam" worked to establish on-court chemistry. Similar cracks appeared during preseason, when the seasoned squad conceded a near 50-point loss to the Chicago Sky.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut Sun are hunting down their first-ever WNBA trophy — and to finally put to bed their "always a contender, never a champ" reputation.
There’s also excitement in Chicago, where rookie rivals turned teammates Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese are gearing up to put on a show (as soon as Cardoso's shoulder recovers, of course). Speaking of rebuilding, Washington is entering its post-Elena Delle Donne era, and their future without the one-time franchise player has yet to be determined.
Both Dallas and Atlanta remain fan favorites, as each aim to make deeper runs this year. Out west, Phoenix and Seattle also look to return to form, eyeing postseason glory after major offseason acquisitions. And Los Angeles and Minnesota are betting the house on the youth, stocking their rosters with young, hungry talent in an attempt to foster some on-court fire.
With the 2024 WNBA season set to tip off on Tuesday, teams from around the league have issued their final rosters.
While some big name players were subject to cuts, a few repeat bubble players were able to make their respective teams while a couple of surprise rookies also found their way onto opening-day squads. Here's everything you need to know about the each WNBA team's permanent roster, from training day waivers and draftee futures to projected season shakeouts.
Our 2024 Start of Season Roster! 🅰️ #DoItForTheDream pic.twitter.com/SWBWJEC5zn
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) May 13, 2024
Atlanta Dream
The Dream made some interesting offseason moves, adding seasoned post-scorer and 2012 WNBA MVP Tina Charles in an attempt to build on an impressive 2023 run that saw Atlanta through to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. On the flip side, the Dream cut all three of their rookies — Khadijiah Cave, Taja Cole, Elizabeth Balogun — along with training camp recruits Khaalia Hillsman and South Carolina grad Destanni Henderson.
Check out the final roster here.
Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky have undergone something of a roster overhaul this offseason, kicked off by Kahleah Copper's trade to Phoenix. Newly minted head coach Teresa Weatherspoon’s first season at the helm will be led by Diamond DeShields, as well as star rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Former No. 4 pick Kysre Gondrezick made the Sky roster this year, while Chennedy Carter also found a landing spot in Chicago.
Check out the final roster here.
Connecticut Sun
Just six players from the 2023 season have made their way back onto the Sun’s 2024 roster, including 2023 All-WNBA First Team member Alyssa Thomas. While there aren’t any rookies on this roster, Queen Egbo joins the Sun for the first time and alongside Olivia Nelson-Ododa, promises an interesting dynamic on the court.
Check out the final roster here.
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever are carrying 13 players on their roster, with Damiris Dantas’ contract suspended as a result of injury. Headlined by Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and rookie phenom Caitlin Clark, Indiana is betting on their mix of veteran and young players as the team looks to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Check out the final roster here.
Introducing our 2024 NYL roster 💫
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) May 13, 2024
Ready to light it up all season long 🗽 LET’S GET IT!!!#SEAFOAMSZN | #LIGHTITUPNYL🔥 pic.twitter.com/1KI4dOI1wj
New York Liberty
2023 WNBA Finals contenders took their time whittling down their roster on Monday, announcing the final lineup two minutes after the league's 5 PM ET deadline. The result is a refreshed bench designed to fuel their road back to the offseason, balancing experience and star power (Vandersloot, Ionescu, Jones, Stewart, Laney-Hamilton) with some rookie ingenuity by way of 2024 11th overall pick Marquesha Davis.
Check out the final roster here.
Washington Mystics
Washington is entering a new era after losing stars Natasha Cloud and Elena Delle Donne and taking UConn standout Aaliyah Edwards No. 6 overall in the 2024 draft. Edwards will have her shot at returning to the playoffs with the Mystics, making the roster alongside 2022 draft pick Shakira Austin and proven contributors Brittney Sykes and Ariel Atkins. Also of note, former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year with Baylor DiDi Richards, who's back in the league after being cut by the Liberty in 2023.
Check out the final roster here.
Dallas Wings
The Dallas Wings are coming off of a solid 2023 season and are poised to enter 2024 with a lot of buzz. Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally head up a strong rookie class that includes Ohio State leader Jacy Sheldon and undrafted surprise hit Jaelyn Brown. Lou Lopez Sénéchal will also see playing time this season after spending last year out with an injury.
One notable absence is Victoria Brown, who was cut by the team on Sunday.
Check out the final roster here.
Las Vegas Aces
The 2024 WNBA champs are going for the three-peat this year, arming themselves with an arsenal of veteran talent in the face of Candace Parker's unexpected retirement. Two-time league MVP A'ja Wilson leads a pack that spans the likes of Kelsey Plum, Kiah Stokes, and Syd Colson while draftees Dyaisha Fair (Syracuse) and Kate Martin (Iowa) can finally breathe easy after officially making the cut.
Check out the final roster here.
Introducing your 2024 Sparks roster! #TheNewClassic https://t.co/JhJ1QaHg57 pic.twitter.com/NmhF1Rr3jx
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) May 13, 2024
Los Angels Sparks
With high-profile draftees Stanford's Cameron Brink and Tennessee's Rickea Jackson both securing their spots on the final roster, the well-balanced Sparks are looking to drum up chemistry between the young recruits and longtime power players like Dearica Hamby.
Check out the final roster here.
Minnesota Lynx
Versatility is the name of the game in Minnesota, where the Lynx look to dominate the frontcourt with the likes of Napheesa Collier, Diamond Miller, and Alanna Smith. Guard Courtney Williams has also made herself known in preseason action, while No. 8 overall draft pick Alissa Pili (Utah) survived a tough slate of cuts that showed third-round pick Kiki Jefferson (Louisville) and 2021 WNBA champ Ruthy Hebard the door.
Check out the final roster here.
Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury acquired some major players this offseason, adding Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper to a squad that already lists trusted vets Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi in a bid to right Phoenix's 9-31 2023 record. The rookies didn't have an easy go of it, however, with 2024 third-round picks Charisma Osborne out of UCLA and Jaz Shelley out of Nebraska joining former CU Buffs star Mya Hollingshed on the cuts list.
Check out the final roster here.
Seattle Storm
A revamped Storm aims to reclaim their place in the postseason this year, pairing league stars Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneke Ogwumike with starting guard Jewell Lloyd in an effort to put points on the board from the jump. UConn alum Nika Mühl, considered somewhat of a bubble player after going No. 14 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, is officially sticking around, while fellow rookie Quay Miller (Colorado) failed to make the opening-day lineup.
Check out the final roster here.
Former Iowa captain Kate Martin was in the audience during Monday night’s draft when she was selected 18th overall by the Las Vegas Aces.
The moment quickly went viral, as Martin was in the crowd to support superstar teammate Caitlin Clark going No. 1 overall, and was not one of the 14 players invited to the draft.
This moment 🥹@kate_martin22 x @LVAces #WNBADraft
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) April 16, 2024
pic.twitter.com/dVqwR0HRdw
"To be honest, I don't think I'd have the type of career if I don't have a teammate like Kate," Clark said about Martin leading up to the 2024 national championship game. "She's been one that has had my back. She holds me accountable. I hold her accountable. But I think at the same time, me and Kate are wired so similarly that we get each other on a different level."
Martin being drafted marks the first time that Iowa has had two players selected in the same WNBA draft since 1998.
“She's one of the best leaders I've been around," Clark said. "She wants the best for her teammates. She's one of the most selfless people."
Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said Monday that she is “so proud” of her player, “because her dreams came true.”
"She has been such a big part of our program over the last six years,” she said. “Her efforts did not go unnoticed by her peers. I wish Kate all the success with this next step.”
Martin said afterward that she’s “excited for the opportunity” and to showcase her “really good” work ethic. Helping Iowa to back-to-back NCAA title games, Martin finished her college career with 1,299 points, 756 rebounds and 473 assists.
“There are a lot of emotions right now,” Martin said in an interview on ESPN. “I’m really happy to be here. I was here to support Caitlin, but I was hoping to hear my name called. All I wanted was an opportunity and I got it. I’m really excited.”
While Martin was watching from the crowd, her family was watching from back home.
Awesome video from the @kate_martin22 family watch party! Hear from the happy parents tonight on @wqad! pic.twitter.com/gsit17nHW9
— Matt Randazzo (@MattRandazzo) April 16, 2024
The Indiana Fever hold the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft for the second consecutive year after again winning the draft lottery.
Following the Fever in the 2024 draft will be the Los Angeles Sparks (No. 2), Phoenix Mercury (No. 3) and Seattle Storm (No. 4).
No. 1 overall picks have a prolific history in the WNBA. Those players have won 38 championships, 13 MVPs and 124 All-Star selections, according to ESPN.
The Fever were represented at the draft lottery by 2023 top pick and WNBA rookie of the year Aliyah Boston. If Iowa star Caitlin Clark decides to go pro after her senior season, she and Boston on the same team could prove deadly for the rest of the league.
“I think it’s just going to be another talented player that we can use to help build us to back to the franchise that the Fever was at, so I’m super excited for the upcoming draft,” Boston said to ESPN on the broadcast.
Like many other players for the draft, Clark has some NCAA eligibility remaining, which could shake up draft predictions. Players have until March to declare for the draft — unless their team is in the NCAA tournament after the deadline, in which case players have until 48 hours after their final game to declare.
The draft is scheduled for April 15, 2024, and Just Women’s Sports has made early predictions for the lottery picks.
The WNBA draft lottery is on Sunday, with four teams in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Among those teams are the Phoenix Mercury, who finished last in the league in the regular season. It was a tumultuous season, with the team firing head coach Vanessa Nygaard midway through after losing 10 of 12 games to start the season. The team’s playoff streak of 10 consecutive postseason appearances also came to an end.
The Mercury battled a number of injuries. All-Star Brittney Griner missed several games on mental health leave stemming from her 10-month detainment in Russia last year. Meanwhile, veteran guard Skylar Diggins-Smith, who had a career-best season in 2022-23, has been out on maternity leave and will not return to the team.
Griner intends to stay in Phoenix, calling it “home” in September. Diana Taurasi, meanwhile, signed a contract extension with the team earlier this year. The team also recently hired Nate Tibbetts as its next head coach, with Kristi Toliver joining the team as associate head coach.
All signs point to the team improving on last year, although Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham would like one last piece of the puzzle to help propel the team past its low points: the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
Iowa star Caitlin Clark is the consensus pick in mock drafts to go in that first spot.
“We deserve it,” she told AZ Sports. “We have been on the struggle bus the past couple years and it has been awful. … But we have a new GM, a new head coach and, of course, the new ownership with Mat Ishiba, and there have been changes made over here. So we are feeling good. … Whatever good luck or vibes you have, please send them our way because we would love to get Caitlin Clark on this train.”
The Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm are the remaining teams in the lottery, with Indiana holding the best odds at 44.2 percent. Phoenix has the second-best odds (27.6 percent) in the draft lottery.
The WNBA draft lottery is set for Dec. 10, with four teams in the running for the No. 1 overall pick — the Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm.
While the Mercury finished the 2023 season with the worst record, the WNBA combines the two seasons prior to the draft to determine the odds for the No. 1 overall pick. So the Fever, who won the lottery for the first time in franchise history in 2023, have the best shot at the No. 1 pick again in 2024.
Who will each team select when the draft rolls around in April? Just Women’s Sports projects the four lottery picks, based on the team odds for the draft lottery.
1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Clark is arguably the biggest star in college basketball.
Last year’s consensus player of the year, the Hawkeyes senior proved herself an elite shooter, leading the NCAA in 3-pointers with 140 and finishing second in scoring with 27.8 points per game. She also has the ability to make the players around her better — she led Division I with 8.6 assists per game. And she is putting on a show again this season, with a 44-point game on her stat sheet.
Clark has another year of NCAA eligibility remaining the 2023-24 season, and she has suggested that she may use it. But if she chooses to go to the WNBA, she’s a clear front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick.
2. Phoenix Mercury: Paige Bueckers, UConn
Bueckers is another elite shooter and playmaker. She secured national player of the year honors as a freshman in 2021, and her shooting ability is nearly unmatched.
The Huskies guard, though, has significantly fewer college appearances under her belt than many of the other players qualified for the 2024 draft due to injuries — including a torn ACL that caused her to miss all of last season.
A redshirt junior, Bueckers has played just 46 games for UConn, and she is eligible to stay with the program through 2026. But after putting together a lackluster season in 2022 and finishing with the worst record overall in 2023, the Mercury may be willing to take a risk for a shot like Bueckers’.
3. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink, Stanford
Brink is a versatile big who brings good offense and great defense to the table.
While she is not as prolific a scorer as Clark or Bueckers — a tall order, indeed — her defense makes up for it. The 6-foot-4 senior averaged 3.47 blocks per game last year, placing her third in the league.
And she can score from the post and from the perimeter, making her a smart addition to any team. Brink posted 20 points and 17 rebounds as she showcased her scoring prowess against No. 9 Indiana on Nov. 12.
4. Seattle Storm: Aaliyah Edwards, UConn
The departure of Breanna Stewart has left the Storm in need of a strong post presence, and UConn’s leading scorer could provide just that.
Edwards led the Huskies on the scoresheet last season, dropping 16.6 points per game, and she leads the team again through four games this season, with 18.0 per game.
Her size is also an advantage — the 6-foot-3 power forward is a force on the court and a fearsome defender and rebounder. She collected an average of 9.0 rebounds per game last season and her one-on-one defense is top-notch.
Honorable mentions
These players also would be great choices in the first round, in no particular order:
- Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
- Angel Reese, LSU
- Hailey Van Lith, LSU
- Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
- Georgia Amoore, Virginia Tech
- Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State
Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston could be WNBA teammates in 2024, and they are well aware of the possibility.
Clark enters the college basketball season as the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. The Iowa superstar has yet to determine whether she’ll go pro or return for a fifth year with the Hawkeyes — but if she heads to the WNBA, there is a good chance she will wind up with Boston.
The Indiana Fever selected Boston with No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, and the former South Carolina standout went on to become the unanimous selection for WNBA Rookie of the Year. The Fever also hold the best odds for the No. 1 pick in 2024, with a 44.2% chance of winning the draft lottery on Dec. 10.
Boston, who is making her broadcast debut as an analyst for Big Ten basketball games this season, sat down with Clark in October for a Taylor Swift-themed interview. So it was inevitable that the draft would come up.
“Well, the Indiana Fever could have the first pick, so maybe we’ll have the duo,” Clark said. “I don’t know. Remains to be seen. But me and Aliyah might be teammates at some point, you never know.”
Of course, the two aren’t strangers to one another on the court. Clark and Iowa beat out Boston and South Carolina in the 2023 Final Four, and the two also have been teammates on Team USA.
“We were teammates before, so maybe we’ll have to reconnect,” Clark said of the WNBA draft, to which Boston replied: “Exactly.”
Still, Clark is entering her senior season with her mind open to all possibilities. But she knows she does not want to live with any regrets.
“I don’t know if I’m going to stay, I don’t know if I’m going to go,” she said. “I think it’s just something that, your time in college is so special. It’s different from being a pro. Obviously I haven’t lived that, but you just kind of know that from watching the WNBA, I’m a big fan. And I just want to experience every single moment and really soak it in. Soak in the games we lose, soak in the games we win.
“I feel like I was just a freshman — you can probably say the same. Time flies by, but these are some of the best moments of your life. So I think the biggest thing is, I don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but I’m just going to enjoy every single experience that I have this year because each one is unique and each one is special in its own way.”
The WNBA draft lottery will be held at 4:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 10, the league announced Tuesday.
The lottery, which will air on ESPN, will decide the top four picks for the 2024 WNBA draft. The 2024 draft class should be laden with talent, including Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers. But all three of those players hold at least one more year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which could complicate the picture.
Teams’ lottery odds are determined via their combined records from the 2022 and 2023 WNBA seasons. The Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm are in the running for the No. 1 overall pick.
The Fever, who won the lottery for the first time in franchise history in 2023, have the best shot at the No. 1 pick again in 2024. With this year’s top pick, Indiana selected South Carolina star Aliyah Boston, who became the unanimous pick for WNBA Rookie of the Year.
2024 WNBA draft lottery: Team odds
- Indiana Fever — 18-58 record — 44.2% chance at No. 1 pick
- Phoenix Mercury — 24-52 — 27.6%
- Los Angeles Sparks — 30-46 — 17.8%
- Seattle Storm — 33-43 — 10.4%