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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Sandy Brondello to Lead Toronto Tempo 🇨🇦
The North is not playing around. The Toronto Tempo are expected to officially name Sandy Brondello their first head coach. The two-time champion coach was one of the league’s top free agents after parting ways with the New York Liberty earlier this month. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Brondello is one of the most respected coaches in the game. She’s led two different teams to a championship title (Phoenix in 2014 and New York in 2024) and will now have even more impact as she sets the tone for Toronto as an expansion team. It’s a major hire that signals the Tempo’s intent to compete early.
2. Becky Hammon Documentary in the Works 🎬
A new feature documentary will chronicle the life and career of Becky Hammon, the Las Vegas Aces head coach and three-time WNBA champion. The film will trace her path from an under-recruited high schooler to a WNBA legend. (Variety)
WHY IT MATTERS: Hammon’s story is the ultimate underdog tale. She went from undrafted after an All-American college career to lifting three championship trophies in her first four seasons as a WNBA head coach. Along the way, she’s inspired both athletes and fans alike, and is cementing her place as one of the defining figures in women’s hoops.
3. NCAA President Proposes Tournament Expansion 🏀
The big dance could be getting crowded soon. NCAA President Charlie Baker says he plans to expand both the women’s and men’s March Madness tournaments to 72 or 76 teams by the 2026-27 season to give more programs a shot at the postseason. (Bleacher Report)
WHY IT MATTERS: Expansion means more financial opportunity for the NCAA, the programs involved, and the players on the court. More teams dancing means more exposure, helping schools with recruiting and giving players a national stage to raise their draft stock. Just ask Kaitlyn Chen, Sarah Ashlee Barker, and Kate Martin, whose standout March runs helped boost their position on draft night.
Small Gifts. Big Hoops Energy.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Milestone Moment: The WNBA has officially cracked the top five most-followed leagues in the U.S., trailing only the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL.
Timeout Before Tip-Off: The Sports Illustrated Women’s Games is on hold indefinitely because of visa hurdles for international athletes.
Power Moves: Six hoop stars made the Forbes America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports list.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked what you think about a potential WNBA lockout over revenue sharing, and you had varying opinions: 32% said players should walk out for rev share demands, 31% said it depends on the rev share percentage, and another 31% said a holdout only makes sense if base salaries don’t rise significantly.
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