• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 3, 2025

WNBA Free Agency Heats Up: Griner, Plum Among Stars in the Mix

The free-agency negotiation period started Tuesday, though players can only sign starting Feb. 1.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The WNBA has entered the second phase of free agency. 

On Tuesday, teams were allowed to begin negotiating with free agents even though official deals can only be signed starting Feb. 1. Some of the most significant unrestricted free agents include Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner as well as Connecticut Sun stars Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner.

Other players who could be on the move are those who received the core designation, which is akin to the NFL’s franchise tag, during the first phase of free agency that started Jan. 11. Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum, Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally, and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell—who was Caitlin Clark’s backcourt running mate last season—are some of the players who were given the designation.

Here are some notable updates on the free-agency market.

  • Brittney Griner: The nine-time All-Star will test free agency for the first time since joining the Mercury in 2013, her agent announced Tuesday in Miami
  • Erica Wheeler: The Fever’s veteran backup guard hinted on social media earlier this week that she may explore options outside Indiana, but tweeted Tuesday that she was being a “troll.” 
  • Jewell Loyd: The six-time All-Star requested a trade from the Seattle Storm in December. The Illinois native has been linked to the Chicago Sky. 
  • Satou Sabally: The Wings forward announced earlier this month that she’s working with Dallas to find her next destination.
  • Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart: The two former MVPs are both technically on the market this season—the former as an unrestricted free agent and the latter given the core designation by the New York Liberty. But both are expected to stay with their respective teams on one-year deals before hitting the free-agency market next season.

The Role of Unrivaled

This year’s WNBA free agency has a transitory feel, given it follows one of the league’s most successful seasons—but it’s also a year before a $2.2 billion media-rights deal and new collective bargaining agreement is expected to significantly increase player contracts. But it’s also the first year of Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 basketball league based in Miami, where 36 WNBA stars have congregated.

Sabally announced to reporters in Florida earlier this month that she would not return to Dallas, and has said Unrivaled has turned into a recruiting ground.

“You’re able to talk to other players directly and you can figure out what do they have, what type of resources, how important is their team to the owners? If you have an owner of a team that doesn’t prioritize the women’s team, they’re going to talk about it. And that’s a place where I would less likely like to go,” Sabally said.

Griner’s agent announced her client’s interest to test the market while in Miami, even though her fellow Mercury starters Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud are also in Florida and have been actively recruiting free agents.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

opinion

Caitlin Clark’s Media Supporters Pushing Harder Against Slights

Dick Vitale, Colin Cowherd, and others are accusing other WNBA players of jealousy.
exclusive

WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer

Players felt the initial proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.

NHL to Rejoin Olympic Ice in Milan—and NBC Set to Cash In

NHL players last competed in the Olympics in 2014.
Sophie Cunningham

WNBA Expansion Decisions Show League Prioritizes North, NBA Ties

One player ripped the league for its geographic choices.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Michael Johnson

Grand Slam Track Still Owes Athletes $13 Million: Source

The new track league hasn’t paid athletes in full yet.
Red Panda
July 2, 2025

Red Panda Hospitalized After WNBA Halftime Fall

The beloved performer was taken off the court in a wheelchair.
exclusive
July 2, 2025

PGA Tour Slashes FedEx Cup Winner Pay From $25M to $10M

The FedExCup is reworking how it distributes its bonus money.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
July 1, 2025

WNBA Roster Limits Under Fire After Vanloo’s Valkyries Release

Kaitlyn Chen remains on the Valkyries roster.
July 1, 2025

LIV Golf CEO Pushes Back On PGA Tour Merger

Scott O’Neil said there could be new opportunities for the Tour’s players.
July 1, 2025

New Philadelphia Arena Was Key to City’s Successful WNBA Bid

The forthcoming team will play in a new arena in South Philadelphia.
July 1, 2025

NBA Salary Cap Up 7% in 2026–27, but Teams Expected More

The 2026–27 salary cap is projected at $165 million.