The WNBA officially released its 2026 schedule this week, and while expansion teams, rivalries, and marquee matchups grabbed plenty of attention, one storyline continues to loom larger than the rest: Caitlin Clark’s gravitational pull on the league. From national TV spotlights to packed arenas, Clark’s presence has become a central organizing force for how teams and fans approach the season. And Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello made that reality unmistakably clear.
As the league continues navigating tense collective bargaining negotiations with the WNBPA, the schedule release offered a welcome pivot back to basketball. Yet even amid expansion to 16 teams with the addition of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, the conversation still keeps circling back to Clark.
Sandy Brondello’s reality check: Everyone wants Caitlin Clark
Newly appointed Tempo coach Sandy Brondello was asked which games she was most excited about on the 2026 calendar. Two of her choices were deeply personal: Phoenix, where she previously coached and won a championship, and New York, where she most recently led the Liberty.
“Number one – Phoenix for obvious reasons… I coached there. I won a championship there for eight years, so it’s always a fun city to visit,” Brondello said. “(Second) New York… I just wanted to see the fans again. It’s really a great arena to play in.”
But it was her third answer that served as a blunt reality check for the rest of the league.
“And then I have Indiana because everyone loves to play against Caitlin Clark, and I think they’ve got such a big following in this league, too,” Brondello added. “You know our players go into a very loud arena. I think that will be fun.”
That quote captures the current ecosystem of the WNBA. Clark isn’t just a star attraction for fans; she’s become the measuring stick for opponents, a game players circle on the calendar, and an environment coaches actively want their teams to experience.
Toronto’s road date against Indiana is set for June 16, following trips to Phoenix (May 19) and New York (June 3). For an expansion franchise trying to establish identity, exposure against the league’s biggest draw is part of the growth plan.
Clark vs. Bueckers headlines a must-see season opener
While Brondello’s comments underscored Clark’s league-wide influence, the most anticipated game of the 2026 season arrives immediately. On Saturday, May 9, the Indiana Fever host the Dallas Wings in the season opener-a matchup defined by Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers.
Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the stakes extend far beyond opening night energy. Clark was limited to just 13 games last season due to a lingering groin injury, making this game her true return moment for many fans. It also revives a rivalry that dates back to their NCAA battles, one that has consistently driven conversation and viewership.
Last season’s Clark vs. Angel Reese opener shattered expectations for WNBA ratings. League executives are clearly hoping history repeats itself with Clark and Bueckers now center stage.
There’s also historical intrigue. This game marks the first time since 2016 that Indiana and Dallas meet on opening night. Even more striking: the matchup is expected to feature four consecutive No. 1 overall picks on the floor-Aliyah Boston (2023), Clark (2024), Bueckers (2025), and Dallas’s projected 2026 top pick.
That level of star power is no accident. It’s a strategic showcase for a league looking to capitalize on momentum, youth, and marketability.
The message is clear. Expansion may be broadening the WNBA’s map, but Caitlin Clark remains at the center of its orbit. Coaches know it. Players feel it. And now, the schedule itself reflects it.
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