WNBA Free Agency Gone Mad

WNBA Free Agency gone Mad

The WNBA off-season never truly begins until free agency starts, this is a chance for top players to make their moves to connect with teams and other players in hopes of creating the next championship team. WNBA free agency kicked off with a trade no one saw coming, the Las Vegas Aces traded star guard Kelsey Plum to the LA Sparks in a three-team trade with Seattle Storm, which traded Jewell Llyod to the Aces and received the NO.2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft and Sparks center Li Yueru. Along with Plum, the Sparks also got the 9th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft and the Storms second-round pick in the 2026 draft. Another blockbuster move was Brittney Grinner parting ways with Phoenix Mercury after 11 seasons, she then left to sign with the Atlanta Dream, joining All-Star players Ryne Howard and Alisha Gray. Although it was a tough loss for the Mercury, they were not going to leave Free agency empty-handed, the Mercury, in turn, went out to get Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris from the Connecticut Sun, giving the Sun Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and #12 pick in the upcoming draft. The Mercury topped it off by acquiring the number one player in free agency Satou Sabally from the Dallas Wings. These are just a few of the crazy trades that have happened so far, down below is a list of even more trades that happened this week alone. It is safe to say that the next WNBA season will look drastically different.

• Sophie Cunningham traded from Mercury to Indiana Fever

• Dewanna Bonner to the Indiana Fever

• DiJonai Carrington to Dallas Wings from the Sun

• Brionna Jones to the Atlanta Dream

• Nalyssa Smith traded from the Fever to the Dallas Wings

New Women Rugby League Revealed

The WER, or the Women's Elite Rugby League, is set to start its inaugural season this year and has recently announced the teams and logos. There will be six teams to start the leagues here are the names: Bay Breakers, Twin Cities (TC) Gemini, New York Exiles, Chicago Tempest, Denver Onyx, and Boston Banshees. This league will be replacing the existing semi-pro league WPL. Like so many other sports, having a professional league here in the US is a great way to keep talent in the states and attract new fans to more women’s sporting events. Just think of a league that can grow to the likes of those in Australia, where USA rugby star Ilona Maher is playing. Every year, women's sports continue to grow in all facets, and this new league is proof of that.

More Blockbuster Moves in the NWSL

Just like the WNBA, the NWSL offseason has been chaotic, with players moving teams and even moving to different leagues. Last week, we talked about the history-making trade for Naomi Girma to Chelsea, but since then, more players have taken the leap to go over to Europe as well. Chelsea’s arch-rival Arsenal signed NY Gotham FC defender Jenna Nighswonger to a contract with an undisclosed transfer fee, reuniting her with USWNT teammate Emily Fox, who signed with Arsenal last season.

Also leaving Gotham FC is veteran USWNT defender Crystal Dunn, she is going to be signing with Paris-Saint German (PSG) in the French league. Gotham FC has now lost or traded about 60% of their 2023 Championship team. As the offseason trades continue make sure to tune in to our newsletter every Monday for the full week recap.