The Connecticut Sun is still on the chopping block, with reports surfacing Tuesday that the WNBA made a $250 million offer to buy the team in order to control its final landing place.
The Mohegan Tribe — the Sun's current owners — are reportedly still seeking clarity on the league's preferred relocation destination, after two prospective outside bids stalled in front of the Board of Governors.
Multiple offers remain on the table, including two $325 million bids from groups in Boston and nearby Hartford, Connecticut — as well as a plan to raise capital via minority investments rather than a full sale.
Recent reports point to the league's desire to control the Sun's fate while preserving certain markets for expansion, with the Mohegan Tribe under pressure to bend to the WNBA's interests.
The WNBA offer to buy the Connecticut Sun outright is reportedly part of a larger plan to flip the team to a different prospective ownership group without an additional relocation fee — and rumors say Houston is in the lead.
The Mohegan Tribe already turned down a low-ball bid out of Cleveland, with WNBA later awarding the Northeast Ohio city an expansion team for a $250 million fee.
NBA co-ownership was a clear priority during the league's most recent expansion, with officials now looking to force that strategy onto the Sun's future.
UConn basketball star and reigning NCAA champion Azzi Fudd added another stop to her whirlwind offseason this week, landing in Chongqing, China, to team up with NBA icon Steph Curry on his Curry Brand World Tour.
Fudd said just last week that she considered Curry her favorite NBA player, with the 22-year-old UConn grad student going on to beat the 16-year league veteran in a three-point contest while in China.
Kicking off its ninth US edition in San Francisco earlier this month, this year's Curry World Tour brings Curry Camp — a high school basketball clinic where the Golden State Warriors star provides "one-on-one coaching, advice, and exposure to his habits, routines, and mindset" — overseas for the first time.
Fudd's history with Curry runs deeper than her assist at this week's Curry Camp, with the 2025 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player attending one of the two-time NBA MVP's first elite girls basketball camps as a rising high school sophomore in 2018.
She then became the first-ever college player to sign an NIL deal with Under Armour's Curry Brand back in 2021 — just 17 days after Fudd made her collegiate basketball debut.
"Steph has been such an amazing resource," Fudd said back in March. "It kind of just goes to show the kind of person he is."
One of the newest WNBA additions made a big announcement on Tuesday morning, as incoming expansion side Cleveland named Allison Howard president of business operations ahead of the team's 2028 season tip-off.
Howard, the current EVP and chief commercial officer for the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, previously helped launch the Kansas City Current as the 2022 NWSL expansion team's first-ever president, while also securing naming rights for the first purpose-built women's soccer stadium.
"Allison comes to this role with an extraordinary track record of leadership in premier sports organizations and expanding the reach of women's sports," said Nic Barlage, CEO of franchise owner Dan Gilbert's Rock Entertainment Group, in a team statement.
Cleveland will re-join the WNBA as the league's 16th team, part of a controlled expansion plan that will see the league grow to 18 franchises by 2030.
The city's original WNBA team — the Cleveland Rockers — played from 1997 to 2003, folding prior to the 2004 season.
Notably, the incoming team has already sold more than 6,000 season ticket packages since the WNBA announced the return of the Cleveland squad on June 30th.
"It has been energizing to feel the passion of Cleveland WNBA fans across Ohio and to see how quickly our community has already embraced our team," said Howard in Tuesday's announcement.
"We're committed to making this team a source of pride for our city and broader region, to inspire future athletes and to create an environment where everyone belongs and feels welcome."
NBA 2K is going all in on the WNBA, with the popular video game expanding its MyTEAM mode this week to allow athletes from both leagues to star on the same team when the 2K26 edition drops next month.
"MyTEAM is where competition meets a basketball fan's wildest imagination," explained Visual Concepts VP of NBA development Erick Boenisch. "By integrating the WNBA into one of our most popular modes, we're not only giving players the opportunity to customize their all-time dream rosters but shining a spotlight on some of the game's most iconic hoopers. We're looking forward to giving our players a new and deeper way to engage with the WNBA."
"Players can now mix and match current superstars and legends from both leagues, and compete with more dream lineup combinations than ever before," NBA 2K said in Thursday's release.
"Pair Paige Bueckers with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, throw a lob from Sheryl Swoopes to Shaquille O'Neal, or run a pick-and-roll with Angel Reese and Carmelo Anthony," the franchise continued.
NBA 2K has ramped up its WNBA integration significantly since the league's debut in the 2K20 edition, expanding from Play Now and Season modes to the upcoming 2K26 version's virtual press conferences, pre-draft interviews, social media refreshes, and Top-10 player ratings.
How to buy the WNBA Edition of NBA 2K26
With Chicago Sky sophomore Angel Reese playing cover star, the WNBA Edition of NBA 2K26 will be sold exclusively in physical form at GameStop, dropping along with the other versions of the popular video game on September 5th.
Fans can purchase the WNBA version through the gaming retailer's presale now.
Today, NBA 2K25 announced back-to-back WNBA Champion, two-time WNBA MVP, and six-time WNBA All-Star A’ja Wilson as its latest cover athlete.
Las Vegas's newly minted all-time leading scorer, Wilson will grace the cover of the GameStop exclusive NBA 2K25 WNBA Edition. She will also be featured on the dual-league All-Star Edition alongside 2024 NBA Champion Jayson Tatum.
"Being featured on the NBA 2K25 cover is a big moment for me and a testament to the ever-growing fandom of the WNBA," said A’ja Wilson in Wednesday's press release. "Seeing more and more WNBA athletes scanned into NBA 2K25 to best capture the style and confidence of the league has been empowering, and I can't wait for fans to experience it in-game."
Wilson has had a standout season so far. The back-to-back reigning Defensive Player of the Year not only topped the Aces' all-time scoring list, but also leads the league in points per game with an average of 27 and sits second in average rebounds per game with 10.9. In May, she announced a signature shoe deal with Nike, and later this month, she'll be heading to Paris as a part of Team USA's 12-player Olympic 5×5 roster. It will be the 27-year-old's second time competing in the Summer Games.
"In a year that showcases competition at the highest level — and in a play style that is uniquely one’s own, we’re thrilled to share Jayson, A’ja, and Vince as the NBA 2K25 cover athletes" said Greg Thomas, president at 2K studio Visual Concepts. "The development team has delivered another innovative experience for basketball lovers, setting up NBA 2K25 to be the next icon in this long-standing dynasty."
The New-Gen version of the video game is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Powered by enhanced ProPLAYTM technology, the release delivers the franchise’s most true-to-life basketball experience yet, offering players the ultimate control in how they dominate the competition in modes such as MyNBA, The W, and in The City.
According to the press release, the WNBA Edition will be available for $69.99 while the All-Star Edition will run $99.99. NBA 2K25 will be available on September 6th on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
When New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu was growing up, young boys on the court told her she “shouldn’t be playing with [them].” Now, her signature sneakers grace the feet of male and female hoopers alike — and their popularity transcends the sport of basketball.
Ionescu’s shoes, the Sabrina 1s, released Sept. 1 as Nike’s first unisex shoe collection. She and fellow WNBA star Elena Delle Donne are the first women in a decade to collaborate on signature sneaker designs with Nike.
Since their release, Sabrina 1s have been spotted on the court in the NBA. Mikal Bridges, Jrue Holiday, DaQuan Jeffries and Jordan Poole are among the stars seen sporting Ionescu’s sneakers. Even NBA officials have supported the Sabrina 1s.
Sabrina 1s are picking up around the NBA, spotted on:
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) November 1, 2023
• Jrue Holiday
• Mikal Bridges
• DaQuan Jeffries
• Jordan Poole pic.twitter.com/SPDPQ8qOn4
Brooklyn Nets forward Bridges rocked Sabrina 1s before their release, wearing them to FIBA World Cup practices and even to Nets media day.
“Yes [I’ll be wearing Sabrinas this season] — pretty much them and I’m going to test out those Devin Booker 1s when they come out, too,” Bridges told The Sporting News.
On July 23, when Ionescu threw a ceremonial first pitch during the Subway Series at Yankee Stadium, New York Yankees players were photographed wearing Sabrina 1 spikes in the dugout, and Nike gifted her with a pair to celebrate her accomplishment. Even before their release, Ionescu’s signature shoes had escaped the basketball court.
When designing her sneakers, Ionescu told CBS Mornings that she set out to make a shoe for anyone, regardless of gender — and she hit her mark.
“When I was in the process of designing this shoe I wanted anyone anywhere to be able to put this shoe on and accomplish whatever it is that they wanted to,” Ionescu said.
NBA star Kawhi Leonard is picking up what WNBA players are putting down.
The Los Angeles Clippers forward has incorporated the step-through move, which involves legally picking up the pivot foot and stepping around a defender to drive to the basket, into his game. When asked about the move, Leonard said he first noticed the move in the WNBA.
“A lot of WNBA players do it. I thought it was just a WNBA rule at first, but I realized that you could pick up that back foot,” he said.
DeWanna Bonner, one of the leading scorers for the Connecticut Sun, has made it her signature move.
DeWanna Bonner step through pic.twitter.com/WfFc3BtGLQ
— Step Through Joe (@StepThroughJoe) July 26, 2023
A’ja Wilson also used the deceptive move effectively for the Las Vegas Aces during the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty.
Kawhi an A’ja fan? pic.twitter.com/ZDVnzRh089
— L (@thelylway) October 25, 2023
The moment Brad Stevens was promoted to president of basketball operations, the speculation began: who would be the Celtics’ next head coach?
Among those whose name has been thrown into the mix is Kara Lawson, a former Celtics assistant, 13-year WNBA vet, and the current head coach of the Duke women’s basketball team.
As CJ McMahon of Boardroom describes it, hiring Lawson wouldn’t just be monumental for the Celtics, but for the trajectory of sports in America as a whole.
“There’s a good chance we really do witness history in the weeks to come,” he writes. “And even if we don’t, the fact that female candidates are finally being seriously considered for top jobs with storied franchises is a huge and encouraging step forward.”
As McMahon notes, the conversation around women in the NBA has shifted in recent years, with many seeing it as a matter of when rather than if the league will ever welcome a female head coach. The consensus is that Lawson has the resume to get her there.
A former WNBA champion and first-round pick, Lawson was reportedly a favorite in the Celtics’ locker room during her stint as an assistant coach during the 2019-20 season.
Stevens himself even hinted at the possibility of Lawson when discussing the quality of female candidates for head coaching positions in the NBA.
Lawson, for her part, said “you can chase a lot of rabbits down a lot of holes” when it comes to coaching speculation, saying she loved her time in Boston without explicitly shutting down the rumors.
Spurs’ assistant Becky Hammon is another name to be thrown into the Celtics rumor pool. Like Lawson, she is a former WNBA star with a deep resume both playing and coaching the game.
The fact that both Hammon and Lawson are both former players is certainly a plus, and Lawson herself has said that she felt a personal connection with both Jasyon Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics’ two franchise stars.
Whether or not Lawson gets — or even takes — the job, the growing consensus amongst the league is clear: a woman will be holding the big clipboard soon, and odds are she’ll be someone WNBA fans recognize.
The NBA Academy has announced an international women’s virtual program that will connect with more than 40 of the top female, high-school age prospects from outside the U.S.
Selected participants will take part in an eight-week basketball and leadership development program, allowing them to connect with their peers under the guidance of current and former WNBA players and the WNBA Academy staff.
Players will receive weekly virtual basketball lessons, instructions and challenges featuring current and former WNBA players as part of the program’s on-court curriculum. A variety of shooting, ball handling and conditioning drills meant to promote holistic skill development will be featured.
The top performing athletes will be considered for future in-person basketball development camps and showcases.
Any parent or legal guardian interested in submitting an application for their child should use the sign up page by June 18. Participants will be announced in June, with the program starting in July and running through August.
For more information, check out the video below:
USC has named Cleveland Cavaliers’ assistant Lindsay Gottlieb as the new women’s basketball head coach.
💥We got GOTT! 💥
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) May 10, 2021
The Trojan Family is extremely excited to announce the hiring of new women’s basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb!
Welcome to Troy, coach!#FightOn ✌️ pic.twitter.com/M7ZNX5gCpG
Gottlieb signed a four year contract with the Cavaliers in 2019, making her the first former NCAA women’s head coach to be hired by an NBA team. Prior to that, she was the head coach at Cal where she led the Golden Bears to a Final Four berth and a Pac-12 regular-season title in 2013.
Reportedly, USC was aggressive in pursuing Gottlieb to bring her back to the Pac-12 conference in hopes of restoring USC basketball to an elite level.
Gottlieb brings with her even more coaching experience, having led UCSB to the NCAA and WNIT tournaments before being hired away by Cal. Several of her former athletes, including New York’s Layshia Clarendon and Los Angeles’ Kristine Anigwe, have had successful careers in the WNBA.