The WNBA is about to get a lot longer. Starting in 2027, teams will play 50 regular-season games, up from 44. That’s six more chances for stars to shine — and six more chances for bodies to break down. Fever guard Sophie Cunningham isn’t pretending otherwise.
“Yeah, you know, my knees are already starting to hurt a little bit more,” Cunningham said Wednesday, via USA Sports.
It was a candid moment from the 29-year-old, but she quickly made it clear that she understands the trade-off. More games mean more revenue. More revenue means bigger paychecks. And as the league’s popularity surges, that math is hard to argue with.
“I’m just going to say that, but I do say, you know, if we’re going to be getting paid that amount of money, then you’re expected to play more games,” Cunningham said. “I think it’s fair. I think you’re going to see the season expand into November. And so I’m all for it. I think if you’re getting paid that, then you’ve got to put a product out there for longer for people to enjoy. So I’m all for it.”
Why the schedule is expanding now
The WNBA’s growth over the past few years has been undeniable. A big part of that? Caitlin Clark. Cunningham’s Fever teammate brought a wave of attention when she entered the league out of Iowa, drawing new fans and sparking conversations around women’s basketball that hadn’t existed at this scale before.
The league has also been adding teams. The Golden State Valkyries debuted in 2025, and both the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo joined in 2026. More teams, more games, more eyes — the infrastructure is catching up to the moment.
But the physical toll is real. A 50-game season pushes into November, stretching the calendar deeper into fall and raising questions about rest, recovery, and roster depth. For now, though, players like Cunningham are taking the long view.
The money is getting better. The product is getting bigger. And if the knees have to ache a little more to make it work, so be it.
Leave a Comment