WNBA drops 2026 schedule despite unsettled CBA talks

Getting ready to make history.

WNBA drops 2026 schedule amid CBA talks

The 2026 WNBA schedule has arrived, with the league releasing key dates on Wednesday despite ongoing CBA talks threatening to delay the season’s start.

• Opening day is set for May 8th, with a tripleheader featuring expansion side Toronto Tempo’s first-ever tip off against Washington while New York hosts Connecticut and Golden State visits Seattle.

• Fellow 2026 addition Portland Fire will debut on May 9th, hosting Chicago to close out another tripleheader including a WNBA Finals rematch between Las Vegas and Phoenix and a Bueckers- and Clark-led Rookie of the Year showdown between Dallas and Indiana. (See full schedule)

Save the date: Highlights include the Commissioners Cup’s first-half return as well as a two-week midseason pause for September’s FIBA World Cup.

• The postseason tips off on September 27th, repeating last year’s best-of-three first round, best-of-five semifinals, and best-of-seven finals.

Big picture: The news falls within the current status quo period, as the league conducts business as usual under the old CBA while talks continue.

• “I’m just starting to see [the light at the end of the tunnel],” New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart told Front Office Sports this week, hinting at a bargaining resolution while an official work stoppage remains on the table.

US coach Emma Hayes says Trinity Rodman’s ready for “next steps”

USWNT manager Emma Hayes is eager to see star forward Trinity Rodman back on the pitch, as the 23-year-old returned to the national team roster for the first time since April this week.

• “I said we’ve missed you in many ways, most of all because she just brings a little bit of color,” Hayes said on ESPN’s Futbol W yesterday. “She’s got a great personality and she injects that into the environment.”

• “I’ve given her some responsibility this week and I think it’s good for her,” she continued. “And she wants that, she’s ready to take the next steps in her career.” (See full video)

Big picture: A lingering back injury compounded with a late-season MCL sprain saw Rodman’s USWNT appearances severely limited in 2025.

• The free agent made headlines when this month’s non-FIFA window roster dropped, with Rodman listed as “unattached” as she negotiates a new contract with the Washington Spirit.

• “I think the thing for her this year is she’s got to take responsibility, not just on the field but off,” Hayes said of Rodman’s recovery efforts. “It’s all about the other 22 hours, and what you do with that. If she can nail that, then I expect her to continue to thrive.”

Up next: The USWNT takes on Paraguay on Saturday at 5:30 PM ET, live on TNT.

Maryland seeks ranked redemption against Iowa

No. 15 Maryland is hunting an upset, as the once-Top 10 squad looks to bounce back from two straight ranked losses against rising No. 10 Iowa tonight.

• The Terrapins have been as high as No. 7 this season, but conference losses to No. 12 Ohio State and No. 3 UCLA have sent the Big Ten mainstay skidding in recent weeks.

• “Every time this team has not had the outcome that they’ve wanted, they’ve done a tremendous job of just really taking the lessons and learning from them, and being ready to move on against their next opponent,” Maryland head coach Brenda Frese said. (See full rankings)

High hopes: After last year’s Sweet Sixteen NCAA tournament exit, the Terps entered the 2025/26 season anticipating an even deeper run, but a rash of season-ending injuries have forced a different approach.

• “Clearly, the injury bug has not been kind to us,” Frese after losing guard Kaylene Smikle to a December knee injury. “But I will say that the resiliency in this locker room, as you just witnessed, is something I haven’t seen in a really long time.”

Tune in: Maryland takes on Iowa at 6 PM ET tonight, live on Peacock.

Angel Reese expands her acting portfolio

Angel Reese is lighting up the screen, with the Chicago Sky star stacking multiple film and TV credits this WNBA offseason.

• On Tuesday, Netflix revealed that Reese will star as “Trainer Barbie” in the second season of breakout hit The Hunting Wives.

• The news follows last week’s announcement that Reese and Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson accepted parts in NBA superstar Steph Curry’s upcoming animated movie GOAT.

Growing resume: Reese opened her acting portfolio with Netflix’s A House of Dynamite (2025), with Hunting Wives marking the 23-year-old’s first scripted series.

Stay tuned: Netflix’s eight-episode second season is currently in production, with a premiere date yet to be set.

PWHL player poll reveals top talent, best trash-talker

PWHL players spoke out this week, as The Athletic published the league’s first-ever anonymous player poll addressing everything from best trash-talker to which team will win Olympic gold.

• 80% of respondents pegged Canada and Montréal captain Marie Philip-Poulin as the PWHL’s best player, as the 34-year-old prepares for her fifth Winter Games.

• All but one player predicted a Canada vs. Team USA Olympic Final, with a 50/50 split on the eventual winner.

Future’s bright: Players also gave big-picture insights into the growing league, with Detroit winning out as next in line for a team while former No. 1 pick Sarah Fillier edged out defender Carolina Harvey for the next face of the PWHL.

• Toronto forward Emma Maltais narrowly beat Montréal’s Abby Roque as top trash-talker, with Maltais commenting, “I’m not trash-talking — I’m just yapping.” (See full poll)

Coco Gauff donates $150,000 to HBCU tennis players

US tennis star Coco Gauff is giving back, announcing she donated $150,000 to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to fund tennis scholarships at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from the Australian Open this week.

• This is the world No. 3’s second UNCF donation in as many years, bringing her total contribution to $250,000.

• “I feel like HBCU tennis a lot of times doesn’t get the funding that they need,” Gauff said after advancing to the Grand Slam’s third round. “I would always try to uplift marginalized communities and support where I can.” (See full video)

Paying it forward: One of the youngest major donors in UNCF history, the 20-year-old’s namesake scholarship program has already sponsored multiple HBCU athletes.

• “My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs,” Gauff wrote in a 2025 release. “As a young Black athlete, I understand how impactful it is to see people who look like me thriving in both sports and education… My hope is that this scholarship gives more young Black players the confidence to chase their dreams, knowing they have a strong community behind them and a bright future ahead.”

Quote of the day

Retired USWNT forward Tobin Heath
posting to social media from USWNT training camp prior to the team’s January 24th Christen Press tribute match.