^{July 03, 2025 | Edition #106}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

We’ve been talking about expansion for weeks now, right? Well, it’s no longer just talk or rally cries- it’s official. The WNBA is headed to three new cities. Meanwhile, on court, round one of the All-Star captains’ showdown is wrapped. Luckily, we won’t have to wait long for the next round. While we wait for that spicy rematch, the league’s moving at full throttle off the court.

Cup in Indy, Glory Awaits in Minnesota?

Indiana did the unexpected. No math, no odds (well, except for the 45% of you who voted in our LITE poll on Tuesday) had the Fever beating the league’s hottest team without Caitlin Clark. But that’s exactly what they did. They bagged their first Commissioner’s Cup with a 74-59 win, where Indy didn’t just beat the Lynx; they held them to season lows in both points and field-goal percentage (35.7%).

Sure, there was a mini scare in the second quarter when the Lynx went up by 13. However, Indiana clapped back with an 18-0 run and never looked back. It was a full team takeover. MVP of the night, Natasha Howard, led with 16 points. Aliyah Boston locked in a double-double. Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, and Aari McDonald all hit double digits.

And just like that, the Fever continued the Commissioner’s Cup curse - yet another year where the home team goes down. Still, it might just be better news for Minnesota in the long run. Why? Well, history tends to smile on teams that come up short in this game. Just look at this pattern. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not.

For now, though, while this game doesn’t count toward the regular-season standings, it does come with a hefty $500,000 prize.

Fun fact: McDonald’s full-season contract is worth $58K and she just walked away with $43K from one win. Indeed, patience pays off!

Fever got the win and the celebration to match. Clark may have missed the game, but she led the post-game party, making everyone drink champagne out of the trophy ‘Cup’ itself. However, Indiana must continue the momentum as they face the Aces next. As for the Lynx, they’ll look to continue their stellar regular-season run with a win over the Mystics.

Tech Wins, No Timeout Needed

Between buzzer-beaters and beach days, a good deal is hard to pass up—and Best Buy’s 4th of July Sale is stacked. With up to 70% off everything from smart TVs to kitchen gadgets, now’s the time to finally grab that upgrade you've been eyeing. Whether you’re catching every Caitlin Clark dime on a bigger screen or just making snack breaks easier, the savings go way beyond the basics.

Shop the 4th of July Sale before it’s gone—because a deal this good shouldn’t sit on the bench.

Expansion Dilemma! Is the W Growing Too Much, Too Soon?

Expansion is officially here, and by 2030, the WNBA will have 18 teams. The next three? Philly, Cleveland, and Detroit. If you’ve been following the whispers, this one’s no surprise. For fans in those cities, and for legends who once wore those jerseys, it’s a sweet reunion. Check out the last women’s pro teams in these cities.

However, as exciting as it sounds… is it really all glitter and shine?

Between the Golden State Valkyries joining this year, Toronto and Portland entering in 2026, and now three more on the way, the W is growing fast. Like, 50% growth in team count between 2024 and 2030 fast.

On paper…sure, it sounds like a dream. But the dream’s got some cracks. Adding five teams means at least 60 new roster spots. While we’ve all shouted about how good talent gets cut too early, this kind of sudden scaling could end up diluting the very product we’re trying to protect. Even players aren’t all in. They feel that before adding more teams, W must add something even more crucial. What exactly? See for yourself!

Expansion also means more games - another existing issue. Then there’s the question of “where.” Nashville put in a bid with plans to honor Pat Summitt but didn’t make the cut. Meanwhile, the league is returning to cities where teams once folded. Philly, Detroit, and Cleveland bring history, but do they bring sustainable fan bases this time around?

With big growth comes big responsibility. If we’re really trying to build something lasting, we’ve got to protect what’s already working.

Too Bold Too Soon? Sophie Cunningham’s Expansion Take Gets Brutally Roasted by Detroit and Cleveland

Midseason Moves Hit Hard: Lovers Separated, Draft Boards Shaken

With the July 13 waiver deadline inching closer, teams are already swinging for the fences. And if anyone’s leading the charts, it’s the Golden State Valkyries. The Valks have 17 transactions already, but Monday’s move might’ve been their most gut-punching yet.

They waived Belgian guard Julie Vanloo. Now, being waived is tough enough. This one stings more, though. Why? Because the timing couldn’t have been worse. Vanloo's gone, and so is rookie Bree Hall. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces cut ties with Elizabeth Kitley and Tiffany Mitchell. Don’t worry, they did it to make room.

They welcomed a new f(ace): NaLyssa Smith. This comes in a surprising mid-season trade. The Wings sent the forward to Vegas in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick. Another long-distance stretch is incoming for Lyss and former teammate and girlfriend DiJonai Carrington.

To finalize the move, Dallas waived guard Kaila Charles from her hardship contract and welcomed Liatu King. But here’s the bigger picture: Dallas clearly has draft picks on their mind. With frontcourt depth already stacked, they’re setting up for the next W class. Meanwhile, Vegas currently has no early draft picks until 2028. They’re going all in.

Speaking of building for the future, the Mystics look like they’ve picked their core: Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. Reports say they’re exploring trade options for Aaliyah Edwards. Could we be looking at this UConn reunion soon?

Additionally, the Sun waived Kariata Diaby, and the Sparks made the biggest eyebrow-raiser: cutting Odyssey Sims. But to bring in Rae Burrell and Julie Allemand, both Sims and Shey Peddy had to go. So, basically…injuries healing, overseas players returning - it’s that time of the year. Safe to say, the shuffle is far from over.

It Was About Respect? Valkyries HC Breaks Silence on Timing of Julie Vanloo’s Waiver

✨ She Got Glam! ✨

We all know Sydney Colson as the life of the team. But what gets overlooked? She’s a straight-up winner. NCAA titles, WNBA championships, Commissioner’s Cups, she just keeps stacking them. And she did it again in Indy. She’s already the heartbeat of the Fever. So much so that Caitlin Clark & Co. surprised her with something special after the win. Check out what the team did!

GameDay Rundown: Slumps, Showdowns, and Rookie Star’s Big Test

The New York Liberty are in a slump - more specifically, a defensive slump - and it’s cost them big time, sliding from first to third in the standings. After another rough showing, they’ll try to get back on track Thursday night as they host the struggling LA Sparks, who have won just one out of the last six games.

While New York’s recent form hasn’t exactly been elite, LA’s been on the receiving end of multiple 15+ point losses this season. So, even a shaky Liberty squad might be too much for them to handle. Over in Atlanta, it’s all eyes on a scoring showdown. While Seattle fans are surely celebrating Sue Bird making WNBA history with this first-of-its-kind achievement, the team has got business to handle.

Seattle’s walking in fresh off a loss to Golden State, while the Dream are flying high after knocking off the Liberty and potentially getting Brittney Griner back. The last time these two met, Atlanta came out on top, and honestly, this one could be just as tight.

Next up, Paige Bueckers hits the court vs the Mercury for the first time since being announced as the only rookie All-Star starter. Check out who else will be joining her as a starter.

With Arike Ogunbowale now out and the Wings already battling a long list of injuries, this could be Paige’s biggest test yet. The numbers aren’t kind either. Dallas ranks 8th in offense and has been outscored by 60 points this season. Meanwhile, Phoenix has outscored opponents by 73. So this could get ugly for Dallas. But what if they manage to pull a miracle on the backs of rookies?

WNBA Standings Update! No Movement at the Top, But Indiana & Vegas Hit Reset

📝 More Stories to Check Out

1. Stephanie White Suggests Fever Benefited From Caitlin Clark’s Absence - Here’s Why - Full Story

2. Kate Martin Gets Real After Valkyries’ Cold Goodbye to Julie Vanloo - Full Story

3. DeWanna Bonner’s Loss Just Funded a Comeback Story - Full Story

4. Dallas GM Confirms Harsh Truth Behind Paige Bueckers’ Teammate’s Exit - Full Story

5. Caitlin Clark Shows Love to Injured Performer After Commissioner’s Cup Halftime Scare - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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