The momentum and support around the WNBA and women’s basketball as a whole is at an unprecedented level.
Players such as Arizona’s Aari McDonald, UConn’s Paige Bueckers and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark have become household names during the 2021 NCAA women’s basketball tournament, and the WNBA’s new uniforms, especially Indiana Fever’s Stranger Things jersey, are quickly becoming a jaw-dropping fan favorite.
Indiana fever:When the season starts and where they will play
On Tuesday, the league revealed its 2021 regular season schedule, letting fans know they are just a month away from live WNBA action.
Ahead of Thursday’s WNBA Draft, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert met with members of the media to discuss all things WNBA and women’s basketball.
Here’s what we learned from Commissioner Engelbert’s media session:
WNBA Expansion Is Coming (Eventually)
Thursday’s WNBA Draft will be the culmination of years of hard work for some WNBA prospects, while others won’t hear their names called during the three-round, 36-pick draft.
Milestone aside, the draft offers little security to WNBA draft picks. Rookies must compete for one of 12 spots on a WNBA roster, making 144 total spots in the W, but not every team has 12 players, making the total number of spots even smaller.
With improved development and so many talented players entering the W each year, expanding the league from 12 teams seems like the next logical step.
Engelbert said league expansion was considered for the future, but issues caused by the pandemic season in 2020 pushed back the expansion timeline.
“It’s definitely on the list of things I think about later,” Engelbert said. “It’s interesting how competitive the league is and how deep the talent is. So that’s definitely something we’ll come out of this pandemic, hopefully next year, prepare to start to speak.
“…I think if we have a very successful season this year, by this time next year we can definitely start talking about what expansion would look like, how many (additional teams) and of the timetable on which this would occur.”
Changes to player eligibility requirements
As freshmen guards Bueckers and Clark lead their teams to the Final Four and Sweet Sixteen, respectively, the topic of early entry into the WNBA has become a hot topic.
Currently, a WNBA prospect must be 22 years old in the calendar year of the draft or graduate from a four-year college or university to be eligible for the WNBA draft. International players must be at least 20 years old to enter the WNBA draft.
Engelbert said she always listens to players’ ideas and concerns regarding changes in the league, but that changing player eligibility is something that must be decided in the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
The WNBA and WNBPA reached a new agreement with the CBA last January. This agreement extends through the 2027 season, meaning changes to player eligibility will not occur until then, barring changes in the CBA.
“It’s a good signal to the league that people are really talking about rookies in women’s soccer and how they should turn professional sooner,” Engelbert said. “…We operate a player-driven league and we are open and willing to discuss the current rule in place.”
League protocols for COVID-19 vaccinations
Engelbert did not say whether the league required its players and staff to be fully vaccinated. Englebert called getting the vaccine a “personal health decision,” while adding that the league provides its members with education and vaccine awareness materials.
If a player or staff member comes into contact with a person who tests positive, different protocols will be applied depending on whether this person is vaccinated or not. A fully vaccinated person will not have to quarantine if they come into close contact with a positive person.
“We strongly recommend but understand the decision of each player and each staff member, but we are working to help teams provide opportunities (to get vaccinated) now that eligibility is open,” Engelbert said. “And as we get into training camp, we would like to continue to help players who want to get vaccinated and that is what we are currently working on with the teams.”
Follow IndyStar sports reporter Akeem Glaspie on Twitter at @THEAkeemGlaspie.
