Founded in 1996 with its inaugural season in 1997, the WNBA currently features 13 teams divided into Eastern and Western conferences. The 2025 season welcomed the Golden State Valkyries as the league’s newest expansion team. Despite nearly three decades of growth and increasing popularity, the league still faces challenges with revenue and player salaries compared to the NBA.
2025 WNBA Season Format and Playoffs Structure
The WNBA season runs from early May through early September, with each team playing approximately 40 regular-season games. The postseason features the top eight teams regardless of conference affiliation. The playoff structure begins with best-of-three Quarterfinals, followed by best-of-five Semifinals, and culminates in a best-of-seven Finals. Higher seeds are awarded homecourt advantage in each round, and the playoffs typically wrap up by late September or early October.
All 13 WNBA Teams and Key Players (2025)
*Teams are listed alphabetically within each conference.
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Dream: Rhyne Howard
- Est. 2008
- The Dream has yet to win a title. Currently actively developing 2022 No. 1 pick Rhyne Howard
- Key Players: Rhyne Howard (G), Brittney Griner (C), Allisha Gray (G), Jordin Canada (G), Brionna Jones (F)
Chicago Sky: Angel Reese
- Est. 2006
- The Sky captured their only title in 2021, led by WNBA legend Candace Parker.
- Key Players: Angel Reese (F), Ariel Atkins (G), KamillaCardoso (C), Elizabeth Williams (C)
Connecticut Sun: Tina Charles
- Est. 1999
- With 15 playoff appearances in 21 Connecticut seasons, the Sun have proven their consistency, but they remain the longest-tenured team still searching for their first title.
- Key Players: Tina Charles (C), Marina Mabrey (G), Bria Hartley (G), Olivia Nelson-Ododa (C)
Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark
- Est. 2000
- Indiana won its lone title in 2012. The arrival of 2024 No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark has revitalized the franchise and brought a surge of attention to the league.
- Key Players: Caitlin Clark (G), Kelsey Mitchell (G), Aliyah Boston (C), Natasha Howard (F)
New York Liberty: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu
- Original team, 1997
- The Liberty are the defending champions with a star-studded roster.
- Key Players: Breanna Stewart (F), Sabrina Ionescu (G), Natasha Cloud (G), Jonquel Jones(C)
Washington Mystics: Brittney Sykes
- Est. 1998
- The Mystics won their first and only championship in 2019, led by Elena Delle Donne, who retired in 2023.
- Key Players: Brittney Sykes (G), Shakira Austin (F), Kiki Iriafen (F), Sonia Citron (G)
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Western Conference
Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers
- Originally Detroit Shock, Est. 1998
- The franchise won three championships before relocating. With the 2025 #1 draft pick, the team selected Wade Trophy winner Paige Bueckers from national champion UConn.
- Key Players: Paige Bueckers (G), Arike Ogunbowale (G), Myisha Hines-Allen (F)
Golden State Valkyries: Kayla Thornton
- New team, 2025
- The league’s newest expansion team assembled its inaugural roster through an expansion draft held in December 2024.
- Key Players: Kayla Thornton (F), Veronica Burton (G), Monique Billings (F), Iliana Rupert (C)
Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink
- Original team, 1997
- The Sparks have claimed three titles and were once home to icons like Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker.
- Key Players: Cameron Brink (F), Kelsey Plum (G), Azurá Stevens (F), Dearica Hamby (F), Rickea Jackson (F)
Las Vegas Aces: A’ja Wilson
- Original team, 1997
- The league’s current powerhouse has won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
- Key Players: A’ja Wilson (C), Chelsea Gray (G), Jackie Young (G), Jewell Loyd(G)
Minnesota Lynx: Napheesa Collier
- Est. 1999
- The Lynx dominated the 2010s with four titles and stars like Maya Moore. They’ve made the playoffs 15 times in 26 years.
- Key Players: Napheesa Collier (F), Courtney Williams (G), Alanna Smith (F), Kayla McBride (G)
Phoenix Mercury: Satou Sabally
- Original team, 1997
- Phoenix has three championships and a rich history with retired legend Diana Taurasi.
- Key Players: Satou Sabally (F), Alyssa Thomas (F), Kathryn Westbeld (F), Kahleah Copper (G)
Seattle Storm: Nneka Ogwumike
- Est. 2000
- The Storm has four titles, tied for the most in league history. The team was once led by Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart.
- Key Players: Nneka Ogwumike (F), Skylar Diggins (G), Gabby Williams (F), and Ezi Magbegor (F)
