5 major announcements made by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for 2025 season

Before the start of the 2024 WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx on Thursday, league Commissioner Cathy Engelbert made several major announcements for next season.

The WNBA executive held a 30-minute press conference ahead of Game 1 at Barclays Center, where she discussed a number of changes the league plans to employ moving forward, including scheduling adjustments and initiatives to combat hateful speech and threats directed at players.

Below are some of the key announcements made by the WNBA for the 2025 season.

5 major announcements made by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for the conduct of the 2025 season

#1. Regular season expanded to 44 games

With the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries, the regular season will see each team play 44 total games from the previous 40. The league expects the season to begin and end around the same time as this year but is open to adjustments if necessary.

#2. The opening round of the playoffs will have a 1-1-1 format

The first round of the playoffs will shift to a 1-1-1 format next season, replacing the current 2-1 setup. This means higher-seeded teams will no longer host both the first two games in the opening round. Instead, they will host Game 1 then hit the road for Game 2 before returning home for Game 3, if necessary.

The change ensures lower-seeded teams the ability to host a playoff game in their home arena. This season, teams like the Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury were not able to host a playoff game as they were swept by their higher-seeded foes on the road.

#3. The WNBA Finals will be best-of-seven

This year's WNBA Finals will be the last to implement a best-of-five format. The league will shift to a best-of-seven format starting next season, mirroring the NBA Finals and other major sports leagues.

#4. Lottery date announced with Valkyries picking fifth

Engelbert announced that the WNBA Draft Lottery will take place on Nov. 17, with the Valkyries given the No. 5 pick in every round of the draft.

The LA Sparks, Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics, the teams that finished with the worst records in the last two seasons, will participate in the lottery. The draft proper is currently scheduled for April 14, 2025.

Expected to make themselves available for next year's draft are collegiate standouts Paige Bueckers (UConn), Kiki Iriafen (USC), Aneesah Morrow (LSU), Azzi Fudd (UConn) and Olivia Miles (Notre Dame).

#5. More proactive approach against hateful acts towards players

The league experienced tremendous growth across various levels this season but also saw a rise in hateful acts directed at the players and the league itself. The WNBA is now looking to better handle the issue more effectively for next season and beyond.

Among the things the league is looking at, Engelbert said, is working with technology providers, developing health resources and exploring other ways for intervention. Closer cooperation over the matter with the players' association, the players themselves and teams is also being eyed.