A'ja Wilson's $5 million deal makes WNBA history

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A’ja Wilson signs largest contract in WNBA history

The Aces made history on Wednesday, signing four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson to the largest supermax deal on record— worth some $5 million over three years.

• Las Vegas is reportedly set to allot Wilson 20% of its $7 million salary cap over the contract’s lifetime, with future flexibility should the cap soften.

• “YKWTFGO,” Wilson said in a team statement, quoting rapper Stunna Girl as as she gears up to lead the reigning WNBA champion into 2026. (See full release)

Stocking up: Las Vegas has officially secured its veteran core, after re-signing guards Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd.

• The Aces can now focus on roster support, welcoming back 2025 champs NaLyssa Smith, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Kierstan Bell, and Dana Evans while bringing on veteran free agents Stephanie Talbot and Brianna Turner.

• The Aces also signed former Chicago guard Chennedy Carter to a training camp contract, after reported locker room issues saw the Sky fail to re-sign the 27-year-old in 2025. (See full report)

WNBA free agency revs up

The WNBA’s free agency frenzy is in full swing, as teams across the league scramble to sign big-name players before preseason training tips off this Sunday.

• Expansion side Toronto is filling in the gaps, picking up former Golden State center Temi Fagbenle on a reported $1 million, one-year deal, while also signing Canadian guard Kia Nurse.

• “To have the opportunity to play at home, for Canada’s team, means everything to me,” Nurse said in a statement. (See roster tracker)

Big moves: Dallas is making a similar push, signing veteran guards Alysha Clark and guard Odyssey Sims after pairing No. 1 draft pick Azzi Fudd with UConn teammate — and 2025 Rookie of the Year — Paige Bueckers.

• Undrafted rookies are also making a splash, as teams size up undervalued talent with an eye toward identifying development players.

• Oklahoma center Raegan Beers will join Connecticut in training camp, while Richmond forward Maggie Doogan and Indiana guard Shay Ciezki get a shot with Phoenix. (See all transactions)

TIME100 spotlights women’s sports

Women’s sport stars stepped into the spotlight, as three top Winter Olympians headline this week’s TIME100 Most Influential People.

• Olympic gold medalist figure skater Alysa Liu led the women’s sports field, joined by USA Hockey captain Hilary Knight and trailblazing snowboarder Chloe Kim.

• Liu and Kim fall under the magazine’s ‘Icons’ category, while women’s hockey pioneer Knight lead the ‘Innovators’ section.

Paying tribute: “Chloe shows up exactly as herself, and that authenticity resonates far beyond snowboarding,” Olympic gymnast Suni Lee wrote of Kim.

• “That’s what great artists do: they make you reconsider what you’ve been carrying, and invite you to join them in being light on their feet,” comedian Bowen Yang wrote of Liu’s performance in Milan.

• “She loves the sport so completely, she never stops finding new ways to be great,” Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai wrote of Knight’s career. (Read full feature)

Takeaway: The Olympic trio builds on last year’s lineup, when Unrivaled co-founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart landed on the 2025 TIME100 List.

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Don’t miss ‘Post Moves’ with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

This week on Post Moves, Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston recap another huge week in hoops, from college to the pros and everything in between.

• The duo first dives into the 2026 WNBA Draft, hashing out the night’s biggest headlines from major wins to head-scratching moves.

• They also react to Monday’s viral moments — including Flau’jae Johnson’s adorable little brothers — while tackling rising rookie salaries and the league’s aggressive expansion plans.

Tune in: Catch Post Moves: 2026 WNBA Draft Reaction on YouTube.

NCAA gymnastics semis hit the mat

The 2026 NC gymnastics championships is rolling on, as eight remaining college teams kick off today’s national semifinal round in Fort Worth, Texas.

• LSU, Florida, Georgia, and Stanford will compete in Semifinal I, before Oklahoma, UCLA, Arkansas, and Minnesota battle in Semifinal II — with each session’s top two teams advancing to Saturday’s final.

• Reigning champion Oklahoma enters the semis after notching the quarterfinal’s highest score, with Florida, LSU, and 2025 runner-up UCLA hot on its trail. (See full bracket)

Star standouts: The individual all-around trophy is also up for grabs, as competitors from both qualified and unqualified teams take center stage.

• LSU’s Kailin Cho enters as all-around frontrunner after a dominant NCAA season, with UCLA’s Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles ready to contend.

Tune in: The NC gymnastics championships return today at 4:30 PM ET, live on ESPN2.

Reebok signs No. 4 draft pick Lauren Betts

Washington rookie Lauren Betts is already cutting deals, as the 2026 NCAA champion and No. 4 draft pick signed a shoe deal with Reebok this week.

• Betts joins the brand’s growing WNBA roster, featuring Angel Reese, DiJonai Carrington, Aneesah Morrow, and Lexie Brown — with Reese releasing her first signature shoe last year.

• “As the No. 4 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, [Betts] is a dominant interior presence, poised to bring that same impact to the pro game,” Reebok wrote. (See full post)

Gearing up: Reebok relaunched its basketball division in 2024, making strategic signings in both the men’s and women’s game as the market continues to boom.

• "AHHHH! What’s up CHAMP!" Reese tweeted, welcoming Betts to the family.

Quote of the day

Thorns star Sophia Wilson
speaking to Front Office Sports about signing a $1 million extension with Portland after returning from pregnancy.