WNBA capitalizing on popularity boom with regular season, Finals expansion

A tremendous season of growth in attendance and TV ratings is prompting the WNBA to expand both its playoff format and regular season.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert announced Thursday, before the Liberty’s stunning 95-93 overtime loss to the Lynx in Game 1 of the Finals, that the league will switch from a best-of-five to a seven-game championship series in 2025.

Each team also will play 44 games in the regular season, up from the current 40.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks to the media before Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center.Michelle Farsi/New York Post
“Honestly, the league’s growth and increased demand for WNBA basketball made this the ideal time to expand the schedule, lengthen the Finals and provide fans more opportunities to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level,” Engelbert said.

The revised best-of-seven Finals format will be 2-2-1-1-1.

The WNBA has used a best-of-five setup since 2005.

The semifinals will continue to be a best-of-five format, Engelbert said.

The league also will switch to a 1-1-1 format in the best-of-three first round — under the previous format, the higher-seeded team hosted Games 1 and 2 before potentially traveling for Game 3 — ensuring each team at least one home game.

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A generic basketball photo of the Official Wilson basketball before a game between the Lynx and the Sun earlier in the postseason.NBAE via Getty Images
“We have contemplated both these changes since the pandemic,” Engelbert said. “We would have done it in the current year, but with the Olympic break this year, it wasn’t possible. But now that we have charters throughout the season and playoffs, it’s feasible.”

Engelbert addressed what WNBA players have described as an uptick in abuse and hate speech — after previously being criticized for a lukewarm response on the topic.

“The hateful speech and threats directed at our players are troubling,” Engelbert said. “That type of conduct is not representative of the WNBA’s character or fan base. As a league, we stand united in condemning racism and all forms of hate.”

The commissioner mentioned having met with “some technology providers” about online speech.

“I think there are some technology solutions out there that we could deploy and employ,” she said.

The lottery for the 2025 WNBA draft — and with it, the right to select projected No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers — will take place Nov. 17.

The expansion Golden State Valkyries, Engelbert said, will pick fifth in each round of the draft, including the first round (after the four lottery picks).

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Courtney Vandersloot and coach Sandy Brondello high five during the Liberty’s 95-93 loss to the Lynx in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Oct. 10, 2024.