Sun Oct 13 21:04:05 UTC 2024: ## WNBA Announces Major Changes to Playoffs and Regular Season

**NEW YORK -** The WNBA is undergoing a significant transformation with a series of changes aimed at enhancing the league’s playoff structure and regular season, announced Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Thursday.

**Best-of-Seven Finals:** Starting next season, the WNBA Finals will be a best-of-seven series, mirroring the format seen in other major sports. The series will follow a 2-2-1-1-1 structure, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.

**Expanded Playoffs:** The first round of the playoffs will now adopt a 1-1-1 format, guaranteeing each playoff team at least one home game. Previously, the first two games were played at the higher seed’s home, with a potential third game at the lower seed’s home.

**Longer Regular Season:** The regular season will expand from 40 games to 44 games, providing more opportunities for fans to witness the league’s top talent.

**Expansion Draft:** The upcoming expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries, the league’s 13th team, will take place on November 17th at 5 p.m. on ESPN. The Valkyries will be selecting fifth in each round of the standard draft in April.

**Addressing Social Media Toxicity:** Engelbert acknowledged the recent increase in negative and harmful remarks directed at WNBA players on social media. She reiterated the league’s commitment to protecting players and condemned racism and all forms of hate. The league is actively exploring technological solutions and working with the players’ association to combat this issue.

**Future Expansion:** The league also confirmed its commitment to expansion, with two additional teams set to join in 2026 (Toronto and Portland) and another expected no later than 2028, potentially bringing the total number of teams to 16, the most in WNBA history.

These changes reflect the league’s ongoing growth and its dedication to providing fans with a more compelling and exciting viewing experience. With the league’s rising popularity and the emergence of talented young players, the WNBA is poised to continue its upward trajectory in the years to come.

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