WNBA Expands Playoffs and Season in 2025

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WNBA Expands Playoffs and Season in 2025

The WNBA is poised for a transformative 2025 season, introducing a 44-game regular season schedule that begins on May 16. This marks an increase from the previous 40-game format, reflecting the league's growth and commitment to providing more competitive opportunities for teams. The transition to full-time charter travel, implemented last year, has alleviated the demands of the schedule, allowing players to focus on performance without the added strain of travel logistics. Notably, the absence of major international events, such as the Olympics or FIBA Women’s World Cup, further supports a more streamlined season.

In a significant shift, the playoff format will now feature a best-of-seven series for the WNBA Finals, adopting a 2-2-1-1-1 structure. This change ensures that the higher seed will host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, enhancing the competitive edge of playoff matchups. Additionally, the first round of the playoffs will guarantee each team a home game, moving to a new 1-1-1 schedule, which replaces the previous format that favored the higher seed.

The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) has opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement two years early, with the deal now set to expire in 2025 instead of 2027. This decision comes amid unprecedented growth for the league, characterized by record attendance, impressive TV ratings, and a lucrative new $2.2 billion media deal.

On the coaching front, the Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics have made significant hires, with Chris Koclanes joining the Wings and Sydney Johnson taking the helm at the Mystics. All 13 WNBA teams will have head coaches in place for the upcoming season, showcasing a mix of new hires and debutants.

Ticket sales for the 2024 season have reached historic levels, with teams like the Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, and Dallas Wings selling out their season ticket plans well in advance. This surge in ticket sales is attributed to the rising popularity of both rookie talents and veteran stars, with the Dallas Wings reporting a remarkable 220% increase in overall ticket revenue and a staggering 1,200% increase in single ticket sales.

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