The WNBA free agency period opened Wednesday, signings will begin Saturday, and the draft will take place Monday night. In today’s newsletter, a primer on all the upcoming WNBA business. Plus, an Arsenal-focused preview of this weekend’s Premier League action.
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The Masters continue through the weekend, too. We’ll be live-blogging the final round on Sunday — the real tradition unlike any other. Come hang with us then, and check the NBC News website for more coverage.
WNBA Free Agency
Balloon artist Scott Nichols and his company, Amazing Balloons MN, unexpectedly helped break some WNBA free agency news on the first day of negotiations. Social media lit up on Wednesday when users noticed an Instagram reel posted by the Minnesota balloon company showing off its collaboration with the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.
A large display of glowing white, all-caps letters spelling “WELCOME NNEKA” stood surrounded by oversized green and blue balloons. This was in reference to WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike, who, according to multiple reports, was on a free agency visit in Minneapolis to meet with head coach and president of basketball operations Cheryl Reeve and her staff.
Just moments later, the Instagram reel was deleted, but it was too late. “Balloon Gate” was born. Too bad for the Lynx: today, Ogwumike posted on social media indicating she would be signing with the Los Angeles Sparks, the team with which she started her career.
WNBA free agency expects to be particularly frantic this year. Due to the prolonged negotiations over the league’s collective bargaining agreement, the whole schedule will be condensed. Particularly the designation period, the first phase when front offices send contract offers to players based on their years of service, and the negotiation period, which started on Wednesday.
Here’s this year’s accelerated timeline:
- Designation period: Two days (normally about 10)
- Negotiation period: Three days (normally about a week)
- Free agent signings begin: Saturday, April 11
- WNBA draft: Monday, April 13
- Training camp opens: Sunday, April 19 (eight days after signing day)
“It’s going to be a bit of a whirlwind,” free agent forward Alanna Smith said. “Teams will be reaching out to players, negotiations will begin, and I think the league is going to look very different this year. It’s going to be an interesting space to be in.”
Then there’s this: A whopping 80% of the league is currently unsigned. The last time a new collective bargaining agreement was introduced, five All-Stars changed teams in what was lauded as one of the buzziest free agency periods in league history. That was all relative, because in every year following 2020, more and more players changed teams.
What can we expect this year? Read Jackie Powell’s full NBC Sports WNBA free agency breakdown.
Premier League Preview
A terrifying sense of déjà vu is creeping in for the Arsenal faithful.
With seven games to go, Arsenal has a 9-point lead over Manchester City atop the Premier League table. After three consecutive second-place finishes for Arsenal, surely this is the season they end their 22-year wait for the title, right?
Second-place Man City is hitting top form, and they host Arsenal 10 days from now. So, if Arsenal slip up this weekend at home to Bournemouth and City take care of business at Chelsea and then beat Arsenal next weekend, the gap could be reduced to just 3 points, and City would have an extra game to play.
Before the international break, Arsenal lost the League Cup final to Man City in shocking fashion. Last weekend, they were stunned at second-tier Southampton and dumped out of the FA Cup at the quarterfinal stage.
They had goalkeeper David Raya to thank as they won 1-0 late on at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday to put one foot in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. But doubts about their mentality continue to creep in and injuries to key players are piling up. And Bournemouth isn’t the kind of team you want to face with doubts creeping in.
Andoni Iraola’s side is nasty to play against. They make you uncomfortable and are fully rested after 22 days without a game. They are dangerous on the counter and have won two of their last three games against Arsenal, so they will have no fear.
There are still plenty of twists and turns ahead, but make no mistake about it, Arsenal’s home game against Bournemouth tomorrow is absolutely pivotal for their hopes of winning the title. Arsenal have to prove they have stopped the rot that has set in over the last few weeks.
Newsletter Feedback
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What We’re Reading
Joel Embiid had an appendectomy and his availability for the playoffs is in doubt.
Masters gnomes are a hot commodity over fears this is their final year.
FIFA created a new World Cup ticket category.
U.S. men’s national team star Tyler Adams spoke with NBC Sports about the World Cup and his life in England.
The NFL announced 16 players who will attend the 2026 NFL draft.
What We’re Watching
The Masters continues today with second-round coverage on ESPN. Don’t forget: We’ll be live-blogging the final round Sunday. Who will take home the green jacket?
All times are Eastern:
- 3 p.m.: Second-round coverage of the Masters, on ESPN
- 7 p.m.: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks, on Amazon Prime
- 9:30 p.m.: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets, on Amazon Prime
That’s it for now! We’ll be back Monday.
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