I’ve been obsessed with basketball for as long as I can remember (and have played it since I was five). Now, I cover the sport full-time. I co-wrote a book on the history of women’s hoops, Court Queens, and host the Audacy podcast The Women’s Hoops Show. I grew up a Sacramento Monarchs fan, and proudly own the signature sneakers of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and A’ja Wilson. (Angel Reese, you’re next.) The WNBA is celebrating its historic 30th season this year, and I’ll be here every Tuesday covering the past, present and future of the game in this newsletter. Think of it as my exclusive WNBA diary, filling you in on the 4-1-1 of my favorite league. I can’t wait.

As someone who celebrated my 30th birthday ahead of the league (not telling how long ahead), I can confidently say it’s a big deal. I, too, aimed to make more money and prioritize stability over hustle; WNBA players have signed million-dollar contracts for the first time, thanks to a new collective bargaining agreement. Some players, such as Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, saw a 1,389% pay increase ($75,556 to $1.1m in her new three-year deal). In your 30s, you truly know your worth and come into your own. It’s fun to see the league mirror that, too.

After months of the WNBA and the Players Association playing a cruel game of will-they-won’t-they, the anticipation for the 2026 season is through the roof. And the storylines are spicy. Here are five you should keep your eye on:

1) Don’t mess with Texas

The Dallas Wings smartly selected UConn’s Azzi Fudd with the No 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft last month. It reunites the 2025 NCAA national championship duo of Fudd and reigning rookie of the year Paige Bueckers on a team with a new head coach, a new roster and a new identity. Bueckers quickly nipped the idea that her and Fudd’s personal relationship would be a distraction and shut down any future questions about it, saying, “It’s nobody’s business but our own”. On the court, the Wings finished last season with an abysmal 10 wins, but they made big changes this offseason, and Dallas fans should have much more to cheer about this summer.

2) Clark, from the logo

This week, the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark will play her first regular-season game since last July. Last year, she played just 13 games because of nagging groin and ankle injuries. But she’s back, and we’ll all get to hear the glorious game call of “Clark steps back, for three!” The Fever made it to the second round of the playoffs without Clark and other major players last year. At full strength, they could be a title contender.

3) Barbie’s Atlanta Dreamhouse

Angel Reese’s trade from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream was one of the biggest moves of the offseason. It just wasn’t working for the Barbie in Chi-town. Reese, alongside a trio of All-Stars in Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones in the ATL, is a perfect fit (not unlike the dress she wore to the Met Gala last night). The Dream finished third in the standings after a historic season and were only a few possessions away from the second round of the playoffs. Adding a machine-like rebounder in Reese to this three-point-loving system elevates their post-season odds.

4) Hollywood in Sin City

Chennedy “Hollywood” Carter was last with the Sky for the 2024 season, where she averaged 17.5 points and 26 minutes a game. Despite being one of the league’s most explosive guards, she went unsigned in 2025 (but averaged more than 30 points while playing abroad in China and Mexico). Seeing her join forces with the reigning champs, the Las Vegas Aces, was not on my bingo card. But now that it’s a reality, I don’t think I’ve loved the idea of anything more. Carter has said she’s matured in her time away from the WNBA, and said, “So far, this is the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.” The best team in the league (they’ve won three of the last four titles) with the best player on the planet (four-time MVP Wilson), now have one of the speediest scorers in women’s basketball. Whew.

5) The MVT, Most Valuable Team

In only their second season in the WNBA, the Golden State Valkyries take the crown (again) as the most valued franchise. The Bay Area team has a whopping $850m evaluation, according to Sportico. They sold out all 22 games at Chase Center in their inaugural season, set the all-time WNBA attendance record (an 18,064 average) and sold out 12,000 season tickets for 2026 prompting a waitlist. The Liberty are second place at $600m, and the Fever in third at $560m. The average team worth jumped 59% from 2025; just two years ago, the Aces were the highest team on the list at $140m. If you listen closely, you can hear the “women’s sports don’t make money” trolls falling to their knees in agony.

🗓️ This week’s can’t-miss matchups

• Dallas Wings v Indiana Fever

Saturday 9 May, 1 pm Eastern Time, ABC

Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Aliyah Boston – the previous four No. 1 draft picks face off on opening weekend. Do we need to say anything else?!

• Phoenix Mercury v Las Vegas Aces

Saturday 9 May, 3.30 pm Eastern Time, ABC

A rematch of last year’s finals between reigning MVP A’ja Wilson and MVP finalist Alyssa Thomas.

• A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces: Two years ago, she rocked silver hair to match the new Aces jerseys. Last season, it was a pink wig to coordinate with the launch of her signature sneaker, A’One. This year, a fiery red wig to twin with the A’Two “Red Roses” debut sneaker.

• Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm: For her first media day, the Seattle rookie strikes a pose as fierce as her new “Category 4 Storm” nickname.

• Li Yueru, Dallas Wings: Li and her sweet Westie pup, Leyi, stole the show at the Wings’ media day. Where do I sign the petition for every player to bring their dog for a photoshoot?!

This is an extract from WNBA 30, where Jordan Robinson covers the biggest stories in the league on and off the court each week. Subscribe for free here. Who do you think will have a breakout season and why? Email wnba30@theguardian.com, and we may feature it in the next edition.