May 14th marked the beginning of the new WNBA season. For those that are unaware, it is the 25th year for the league. The league has grown over the years and has become something truly amazing.
Last season was played in a bubble in Florida due to Covid, with the Seattle Storm winning it all for the fourth time. This season things return to normal.
1. The Atlanta Fever hired the franchise’s first all-black female broadcast team. It includes LaChina Robinson, Autumn Johnson, Angel Gray, and Tabitha Turner. According to the Fever’s co-owner, Vice President, and former player Renee Montgomery the all women broadcast team is a positive step in the right direction to provide diversity in Atlanta.
2. Sabrina Ionescu’s debut season was cut short last year with a grade three ankle sprain. She returned on May 14th and scored 25 points, including the game-winning points for the New York Liberty. She showed fans and the league just how great she is. Outside of her games, she was able to attend her mentor and friend Kobe Bryant’s Hall of Fame induction with his family.
3. Big moments for a few rookies. Charli Collier was the top overall pick in the draft this year. She had a big game where she scored a double-double. Then you have Didi Richards who is a miracle in her own right. October last year, Didi had a freak accident during a game at Baylor that left her temporarily paralyzed. Thinking about that while seeing her score her first points in a WNBA game was amazing. Also worth mentioning that Michaela Onyenwere scored 18 points in her first game with the Liberty.
4. The NBA came out in full support of the WNBA by wearing shirts during warmup and/or while arriving at their games. Several big names including Lebron James and Steph Curry posted on social media talking about plays or just sharing clips.
5. The night before the first game ESPN aired a documentary called 144. 144 is the number of players in the league that is spread over twelve teams. This documentary covers the season that was dedicated to social justice and everything the players overcame to get through the season during a pandemic. The documentary itself was directed by two amazing women – Lauren Stowell and Jenna Contresas. Also worth noting WNBA all-star and ESPN commentator Chiney Ogwumike was an executive producer on the project. If you haven’t watched the documentary, you can find it on the ESPN app! I highly suggest it.
One last thing before I wrap this up. If you are interested in checked out the league, I suggest looking into the league pass. It is an way to watch games and keep with the news within the league. The cost for it is $16.99 for the entire league for the season or $9.99 if you only want one team.
We just recently gave away a subscription on our Instagram @SheWritesSports, so stay tuned for more giveaways!
She Writes Sports 
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