The countdown to the 2026 WNBA season has officially begun, and the league is entering an era of unprecedented growth. With just over a month until tip-off, the landscape has already shifted with the addition of two new expansion franchises: the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire.
Both teams have officially secured their foundation, selecting 11 players each in the WNBA expansion draft. The Portland Fire made a statement by taking Bridget Carleton with the first overall pick, while the Toronto Tempo followed suit by selecting Marina Mabrey as their cornerstone.
This expansion serves as a massive precursor to what is expected to be the most lucrative free agency period in history. Under the landmark new CBA, the WNBA salary cap is set for a staggering 466% jump, rising from $1.5 million to $7 million. This financial explosion means the minimum salary will now exceed $300,000, with the average salary for players skyrocketing to approximately $600,000.
For the first time, the league’s top stars are looking at multi-million dollar contracts, changing the “bet on women” mantra into a literal gold mine for the athletes.
Indiana Fever Face Backlash Over Chloe Bibby Loss as Caitlin Clark Sets Expectations
While the expansion draft brought excitement to Portland and Toronto, it left a sour taste in the mouths of Indiana Fever fans. The Fever lost two significant pieces of their rotation, with Chloe Bibby heading to the Fire and Kristy Wallace joining the Tempo. Following the Fever’s publication of the “thank you” photos for Wallace and Bibby, the team’s front office and general manager, Amber Cox, have faced significant backlash for their decision to leave Bibby unprotected.
Fans have been vocal on social media, questioning why the team prioritized protecting bench players over a reliable shooter like Bibby, especially when the goal is to build the ultimate spacing around Caitlin Clark.
Caitlin Clark herself has already begun weighing in on the team’s direction, albeit with a focus on the future. In recent appearances, Clark made it clear that her “priority number one” is ensuring the Fever re-sign Kelsey Mitchell in free agency to maintain their elite backcourt duo.
While Clark hasn’t publicly criticized the front office’s expansion strategy, her message is loud and clear: she has championship expectations. The loss of a floor-spacer like Bibby adds immense pressure on the front office to use their new salary cap space wisely, as fans are already growing restless, fearing that management isn’t doing enough to maximize Clark’s generational talent.
Looking Toward April 13: Can the Fever Recover at the 2026 WNBA Draft?
The next major milestone on the calendar is the 2026 WNBA Draft, scheduled for April 13. For the second consecutive year, the Dallas Wings hold the first overall pick. Dallas is coming off a massive success in the last draft where they selected Paige Bueckers, who immediately validated the pick by winning Rookie of the Year. The Wings are now in a position to create a terrifying dynasty, pairing Bueckers with another top-tier prospect this spring.
For the Indiana Fever, the focus turns to the 10th overall pick. Following the departures of Chloe Bibby and Kristy Wallace, the Fever front office is under the microscope to find a pro-ready prospect who can contribute immediately.
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