Made ya look.

Report: WNBA issues trade moratorium as CBA talks continue

The WNBA continued its holding pattern this week, with the league and WNBPA reportedly agreeing to a moratorium on free agency transactions while a new CBA is still being negotiated.

• The league office and players union did not reach a deal prior to last Friday’s deadline expiration, moving into a status quo period with the old CBA terms remaining in effect.

• While the moratorium puts 2026’s free agency period in question, it also allows teams to avoid making offers to players that are unlikely to sign. (See full report)

Big picture: Almost every WNBA veteran is a free agent going into 2026, having previously signed short-term deals in anticipation of the new CBA — and while a work stoppage hasn’t officially been set in motion, the clock is ticking.

• The free agency period was set to begin this week, with 2026 newcomers Toronto and Portland waiting on stalled expansion draft details.

What now: The moratorium does allow for other league business to continue, with players able to access team facilities and openly communicate with team executives.

San Diego signs Chicago star Ludmila to blockbuster NWSL deal

The NWSL saw another major move on Tuesday, as the San Diego Wave acquired Brazil international Ludmila from the Chicago Stars in a trade worth up to $1 million.

• The Stars received $800,000 in transfer funds for the striker plus an estimated $200,000 in conditional incentives, marking one of the most lucrative intra-league deals in NWSL history.

• “I scored my first NWSL goal against San Diego and always was a team I admired. I loved the supporters, the energy of the team, and the vibes of the city when I visited. I’m very happy to be part of this Club’s history,” Ludmila said in a statement. (See full release)

Big picture: Second only to Jaedyn Shaw’s $1.25 transfer from North Carolina to Gotham last fall, the transaction underlines soaring price tags for top talent.

• “[Ludmila’s] versatility allows her to operate in multiple attacking roles, giving our coaches more tactical options in different game situations,” said Wave GM Camille Ashton. “We’re confident she will be a valuable asset to the Club’s success moving forward.”

Rumor mill buzz: The news comes as Wave star Delphine Cascarino is reportedly on the brink of exiting the league entirely, with the forward considering a move to the WSL’s London City Lionesses. (See full report)

AUSL releases team cities & stadiums for 2026

Professional softball is putting down roots, as Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) unveiled each team’s home city and stadium for 2026 and beyond.

• After adopting a touring model for its inaugural 2025 season, the AUSL debuted the Carolina Blaze (Durham’s Smith Family Stadium), Chicago Bandits (Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Sports Complex), Oklahoma City Sparks (OKC’s Tom Heath Field), Portland Cascade (Hillsboro’s Hillsboro Ballpark), Texas Volts (Round Rock’s Dell Diamond), and Utah Talons (Salt Lake City’s Dumke Family Stadium) this week.

• “This is about creating lasting connections between our athletes, our teams, and the communities they represent, and setting up the sport of softball for long-term success at the professional level,” said AUSL commissioner Kim Ng. (See full release)

Big picture: The AUSL’s move into home markets coincides with expansion, as the now-six-team league welcomed the Cascade and Spark this offseason.

• The 2026 season kicks off June 9th, with games played across multiple cities simultaneously for the first time in AUSL history, leading up to a longer postseason.

Don’t miss it: Get a jump on rooting for the home team, with AUSL season tickets on sale now.

Flau’jae Johnson teases signature Puma PE shoe

LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson is gearing up, with Sole Retriever revealing the senior’s plans to drop a new Puma player exclusive sneaker next month.

• Johnson will take over the Puma All-Pro Nitro 2, pairing a tan and brown camouflage pattern with bright pink and green accents. (See full report)

Big picture: A major player in Puma’s NIL program since 2022, Johnson debuted her first player exclusive colorway in 2024, but this new design will be the NIL star’s first PE available on the consumer market.

• “They were very intrigued not only [about] basketball, but my music side too,” Johnson told Andscape after signing with the sports giant. “That was really important to me, because some people try to box you in. Puma was like, ‘Ain’t no box. Ain’t no cage.’”

Get in line: Retailing at $140, Johnson’s Puma All-Pro Nitro 2 PE is set to hit shelves on February 6th.

Orlando Pride hires ex-Kansas City GM Carducci

Orlando has landed a new front office leader, as the Pride announced they’ve hired former Kansas City Current GM Caitlin Carducci as VP of soccer operations.

• “She emerged as the clear choice in our search with her deep expertise, strong reputation, and a vision that aligns with our culture,” said Pride owner Mark Wilf in Tuesday’s statement. (See full release)

Big picture: Carducci stepped away from the Current after two seasons, departing after 2025’s historic Shield-winning run.

• She replaces outgoing VP of soccer operations and sporting director Haley Carter, who left the Pride in November to become the Washington Spirit’s new president of soccer operations.

• “The chance to work with the Wilf family, whose leadership and investment reflect their commitment to a world‑class organization, along with a championship‑level roster and technical staff, made this an easy decision,” said Carducci.

TST drops 2026 competition dates

The Soccer Tournament (TST) is coming back to Cary, as the North Carolina-based 7v7 competition dropped the dates for its the third iteration this week.

• TST’s second-ever 16-team women’s competition is set to run from May 27th through June 1st, though it remains to be seen if the US Women will return to defend their title-winning streak — and vie for the $1 million prize.

Big picture: As small-side events grow in popularity, North Carolina has doubled down on keeping TST at the Courage’s WakeMed Soccer Park.

• In October, the state awarded TST a $6.6 million grant to remain in Cary through 2029, anticipating tens of millions of dollars in economic impact.

Don’t miss it: Ticket pre-sale opens February 24th at 9 AM ET, with exclusive access via TST’s waitlist.

Number of the day 

64

Connecticut Sun teammates Marina Mabrey and Aaliyah Edwards combined for 64 of the Lunar Owls’ 72 points in Monday’s Unrivaled action.