Annie Costabile
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Annie Costabile
@anniecostabile.bsky.social
Women’s sports, Front Office Sports.
An early start date & a draft combine were among the proposals from the WNBA to draw the most questions and concerns as CBA negotiations continue.

How would an early start date work? Would a combine actually add value?

Reaction from around the league:

frontofficesports.com/wnbas-propos...
WNBA’s Proposed Early Start, Draft Combine Draw Pushback
As details emerge from CBA negotiations, sources share criticism and questions on the impact of proposed items outside of the salary model.
frontofficesports.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:49 PM
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league would do whatever it takes to keep Trinity Rodman.

Her decision to veto Rodman's contract with the Washington Spirit proves otherwise. What now?

frontofficesports.com/nwsl-union-f...
NWSL Union Fights Back After League Vetoes Trinity Rodman Contract
Rodman had a multimillion-dollar deal with the Washington Spirit, but league commissioner Jessica Berman blocked the contract.
frontofficesports.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:29 PM
WNBA CBA talks have reached the prize fight stage.

As one side attempts to gain an edge, the other throws a counterpunch. Wednesday, it was the WNBPA's turn.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-sal...
WNBA Players Still Frustrated as CBA Talks Heat Up
The sides are exchanging proposals, but the union is still finding the league’s offers lacking.
frontofficesports.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:53 PM
BREAKING: The WNBA has proposed cutting team housing in addition to an earlier start date, according to multiple sources.

The start date for training camp could be as early as mid-March, sources indicated, which would come with serious implications.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-upd...
WNBA Proposes Cutting Team Housing, Earlier Start to Season
The league is proposing a seven-figure base maximum salary, but it’s coming at a cost, multiple sources told FOS.
frontofficesports.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The WNBA and WNBPA are actively negotiating terms to extend their collective bargaining agreement for a second time.

The union has proposed a six-week extension. Both sides have until 11:59 ET to come to an agreement before the current CBA expires.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-pla...
WNBA Players Offer League Six-Week CBA Extension
The union says players “expect substantive movement from the league" over the next six weeks. The deadline was previously pushed back 30 days.
frontofficesports.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:15 AM
The WNBPA says it has proposed a six-week extension in a statement provided to Front Office Sports.

"We expect substantive movement from the league within this window."
December 1, 2025 at 3:45 AM
By next season the PWHL could jump to 12 teams depending on the next few months and the returns from the 2025-26 Takeover Tour.

To some this might seem quick, but the league's motto is simple: "Time is overrated."

frontofficesports.com/pwhl-12-team...
PWHL Is Targeting Rapid Expansion to 12 Teams
The PWHL quickly added two expansion teams for 2025–26. It aims to add another four after gathering data from this year’s Takeover Tour.
frontofficesports.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
REMINDER: The WNBA Draft Lottery is tonight at 6:30 PM ET. The Wings (42%) have the best odds, followed by the Lynx (26.1%) by way of Chicago, then the Storm (16.7%) by way of LA, the Mystics (9.5%), and the lowest odds belong to the Sky (5.5%) via CT.

frontofficesports.com/the-wnba-wil...
The WNBA Will Have a Draft Lottery Despite CBA Uncertainty
Without a CBA the league will not be able to conduct an expansion draft, free agency, or the 2026 WNBA draft.
frontofficesports.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
NWSL expansion is moving at a pace all its own.

Next season the league will have doubled in size from the original 8 franchises it debuted w. in 2013. By 2028, commissioner Jessica Berman wants to see 18.

But can the league sustain this rapid growth?

frontofficesports.com/nwsl-rapid-e...
The NWSL Is Growing at Breakneck Pace. Can It Keep Surging?
The NWSL is quickly adding franchises and seeing an influx of capital. Yet its rapid-growth strategy also triggers big questions.
frontofficesports.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Can confirm the New York Liberty have agreed to terms w. Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco making him the teams new head coach.

DeMarco has been w. the Warriors since 2012, serving in a number of roles. Unclear at this point how long he will stay on with the Warriors. Story TK
November 21, 2025 at 8:10 PM
NEW: The WNBA's latest offer to players includes a million-dollar max salary—but only if certain revenue sharing targets are hit. The base supermax in 2026 would remain in the six figures.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-mil...
The WNBA’s Million-Dollar Offer Isn’t What it Seems
The reported $1.1 million figure represents a six-figure base salary with potential revenue sharing added in, multiple sources told FOS.
frontofficesports.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The PWHL's Ottawa Charge is in the midst of an arena crisis after the Ottawa city council approved a renovation plan that will slash their home venue by nearly 3,000 seats.

The PWHL says every option is on the table as it assesses the team's future.

frontofficesports.com/pwhl-will-co...
PWHL to Consider Every Option for Ottawa Charge in Arena Crisis
With seating capacity slashed in a planned renovation of the Charge’s home arena, the future of the Ottawa women’s hockey team is uncertain.
frontofficesports.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The WNBA's latest CBA proposal includes a max salary exceeding $1 million.

As the Nov. 30 deadline approaches, where do things stand?

frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-off...
New WNBA Offer to Players Includes Max Salary Over $1 Million
The league's offer to players has included a salary over $1 million for the first time, a source confirmed to FOS.
frontofficesports.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Springfield, Illinois will be the home to the WPBL in its inaugural season. The league—which will feature four teams in year one—will play all of its games at Robin Roberts Stadium.

More on the league's Series A investment + salaries here:

frontofficesports.com/womens-pro-b...
Women’s Pro Baseball League To Play 1st Season in Springfield, Illinois
The Women’s Pro Baseball League tells FOS it expects to raise $3 million and will play its entire debut season in the Midwest.
frontofficesports.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The Sky were the only team to bid for the 2026 WNBA All-Star game, sources told me. The WNBA recruited Indiana to host in 2025. The Aces hosted 3 of the 4 All-Star games before 2024.

Why has there been such a disinterest in playing host? And is that changing?

frontofficesports.com/wnba-all-sta...
Why Do So Few Teams Want to Host the WNBA All-Star Game?
Despite the league's broader success, only one team bid for 2026, and the league asked a team to host in 2025.
frontofficesports.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Annie Costabile
Following Project B's announced signing of Nneka Ogwumike questions were raised regarding funding.

While Project B denies it is backed in any way by Saudi Arabia, there is a connection: Sela, a subsidiary of the Saudi PIF, is a league event partner.

frontofficesports.com/project-b-wo...
Project B Basketball League Says It Has No Saudi Funding
The startup’s cofounder tells FOS that its fundraising “doesn’t include any dollars from Saudi Arabia.” The league has a Saudi event partner.
frontofficesports.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Following Project B's announced signing of Nneka Ogwumike questions were raised regarding funding.

While Project B denies it is backed in any way by Saudi Arabia, there is a connection: Sela, a subsidiary of the Saudi PIF, is a league event partner.

frontofficesports.com/project-b-wo...
Project B Basketball League Says It Has No Saudi Funding
The startup’s cofounder tells FOS that its fundraising “doesn’t include any dollars from Saudi Arabia.” The league has a Saudi event partner.
frontofficesports.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Project B is offering WNBA stars multi-million dollar salaries to play in the startup league, multiple sources told me.

So, what threat does the global league pose? And to whom?

frontofficesports.com/wnba-project...
Project B is Offering WNBA Stars Multi-Million Dollar Salaries
The global basketball startup has the potential to shake up the women’s basketball landscape.
frontofficesports.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Monarch Collective, the U.S. based investment firm focused solely on women's sports, has gone international buying a stake in German Women’s Bundesliga club FC Viktoria Berlin.

frontofficesports.com/monarch-coll...
NWSL Investor Monarch's Next Move Is German Soccer
The firm already owns the maximum three stakes in NWSL teams.
frontofficesports.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The Tempo introduced Sandy Brondello as the franchise's first coach this AM.

While the terms of her deal were not disclosed, multiple sources told me she will earn a seven-figure salary annually making her one of the highest paid coaches in the WNBA.

frontofficesports.com/sandy-bronde...
Sandy Brondello Turned Down More Money to Coach Tempo
The WNBA expansion team still made Brondello one of three known coaches in the league earning seven figures annually.
frontofficesports.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM
The WNBA & WNBPA agreed to a 30-day extension with the condition that either side can terminate the extension at any time with 48 hours notice.

So, now what? And how did we get here?

frontofficesports.com/wnba-and-wnb...
WNBA and WNBPA Agree to 30-Day Extension. Now What?
On Friday the WNBPA said their agreement on the CBA extension was contingent on the union’s ability to terminate it with 48 hours notice.
frontofficesports.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Annie Costabile
Two Sky greats will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame next summer. Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne headline the 2026 class announced Thursday.
Former Sky stars Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne to be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Though much of their professional legacies were built elsewhere, both Parker and Delle Donne shined in Chicago. They headline the 2026 class.
trib.al
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The current CBA was set to expire on Friday before the WNBA and WNBPA agreed to a 30-day extension.

Set your clocks, the new deadline is Nov. 30.

frontofficesports.com/wnba-and-pla...
WNBA, Players Union Agree to Extension for CBA Negotiations
The WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to a 30-day extension to continue negotiations for a new CBA, making the new deadline Nov. 30.
frontofficesports.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Dominique Malonga headlined Unrivaled's final player announcements amid a dispute with Turkish club Fenerbahçe.

According to club, Malonga terminated her contract "without just cause." Ten days later, Unrivaled announced her as its final player.

frontofficesports.com/dominique-ma...
Malonga Headlines Unrivaled’s Final Player Announcements
Unrivaled also announced new coaches for the next season, including former Storm coach Noelle Quinn and Liberty assistant Zach O’Brien.
frontofficesports.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Unrivaled's final three players: Aari McDonald, Rebecca Allen and Dominique Malonga.
October 30, 2025 at 6:22 PM