News of the agreement emerged early Wednesday, with reports indicating that the proposed terms will now be presented to both the players and the league's Board of Governors for a formal vote. The deal marks an important step for the WNBA as it looks to continue its recent growth and rising popularity.
The 2026 season is scheduled to begin on May 8, and it will feature expansion with the addition of two new teams, the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. Their arrival signals further investment in the league and adds to the excitement surrounding the upcoming campaign.
The defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, will be aiming to secure another title after defeating the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 Finals. Led by star forward A'ja Wilson, the Aces have been one of the most dominant teams in recent years, winning three championships in the past four seasons.
Despite their success, early betting odds place the Minnesota Lynx as the favorites to win the 2026 title. The Lynx, led by Napheesa Collier, were the top seed last season but saw their title hopes fade after Collier suffered an injury during the playoffs.
Close behind in the odds are the Aces, followed by the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever, who round out the group of early contenders. Indiana is expected to benefit from the return of star guard Caitlin Clark, who was limited to just 13 games last season due to injuries but remains a key figure for the team.
With the agreement in place, the league can move forward without disrupting the schedule. Attention now turns to a busy offseason that will include free agency, the 2026 draft and an expansion draft. These upcoming moves could significantly reshape team rosters and influence the championship race.
Current odds show the Lynx leading at +300, followed closely by the Aces at +310, the Liberty at +370 and the Fever at +425. Other teams such as the Mercury, Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream are further down the list, while expansion sides and rebuilding teams enter the season as long shots.
As roster changes unfold in the coming weeks, these odds are expected to shift, but the top contenders are likely to remain strong heading into the new season.
