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Seattle Storm standout Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2025 WNBA draft, received her letter of clearance from FIBA on Wednesday, officially making her eligible to play in the WNBA this season, the federation told ESPN. The news comes on the heels of a contract dispute between Malonga and Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe and uncertainty over whether she would be released by the club to play in the WNBA. The Storm's first preseason game is this Saturday and their season opener is slated for May 8. Malonga initially signed a three-year contract with Fenerbahçe during the summer of 2025 that months later the club announced she "unilaterally terminated." The deal stipulated that she was also allowed to play in the WNBA in between seasons, a source told ESPN, helping clear the way for FIBA to ensure her WNBA eligibility.
The No. 1 pick on Monday will earn $500,000 in her first season, significantly higher than the $78,831 earned by Paige Bueckers, last year’s top pick. For the second year in a row, that pick belongs to the Dallas Wings. The No. 2 pick, heading to the Minnesota Lynx, will earn $466,913, and the No. 3 pick, going to the Seattle Storm, will get $436,016. All drafted players who end up making a team will earn more than any WNBA player did last year. The league’s minimum $270,000 salary, which second- and third-round picks would earn if they make a roster after training camp, is higher than last year’s maximum salary of $249,244.
Michael Scotto: Sources: Boston Celtics G League GM Jarell Christian is joining the WNBA’s Seattle Storm as an assistant coach on Sonia Raman’s staff. Christian was a finalist for previous WNBA head coaching jobs. He was a former G League head coach twice and NBA assistant coach with the Wizards
Project B—a new global basketball league—officially announced its plans in October to host tournaments across Asia, Europe, and Latin America beginning in November 2026 and running through April 2027. On Friday the league, founded by former Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype cofounder Geoff Prentice, announced that it had signed Seattle Storm star—and WNBPA president—Nneka Ogwumike as its first player. Other WNBA players have already signed deals to play in Project B, multiple sources told Front Office Sports. Those same sources said multiple stars are being offered seven-figure salaries starting at $2 million annually, with their earnings for multiyear deals reaching eight figures. In addition, players will receive equity in the league, similar to Unrivaled.
Seattle Storm: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Seattle basketball legend Lenny Wilkens. His legacy and impact, both on the court and throughout our community, will continue to inspire for generations. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and loved ones at this time 💚💛
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The Seattle Storm, in partnership with Climate Pledge Arena, announced today that a statue honoring WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Sue Bird will be unveiled on Sunday, August 17, at 10:00 a.m. The Storm is the first franchise in WNBA history to dedicate a statue to a former player.
Seattle Storm: Local legend @nate_robinson in the house 👋
Local legend @nate_robinson in the house 👋 pic.twitter.com/2hsZZetuQL
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) September 18, 2024
More Than a Vote, a nonprofit organization founded by LeBron James in 2020, is rebooting this fall with a new focus on women’s issues and reproductive rights. Nneka Ogwumike, a nine-time W.N.B.A. All-Star with the Seattle Storm and president of the players union, will take over James’s role in leading the organization, and has recruited a group of female athletes to her cause.
Sportico spoke to more than 30 people inside and around the WNBA over the past six weeks to gauge the value of the 12 existing franchises. In most cases, we traded candor for anonymity with bankers, investors, owners and team executives, so people could share freely on why every franchise is worth “at least $100 million” to “I would never invest in one of these teams.” The average team is worth an estimated $96 million, led by the Aces, Seattle Storm ($135 million) and New York Liberty ($130 million). The Atlanta Dream, who play in a 3,500-seat arena, represent the current floor at $55 million. The teams are collectively worth $1.16 billion, including real estate and assets related to the franchises, such as practice facilities.
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Force 10 Hoops, owners of the Seattle Storm, is pleased to announce that WNBA legend Sue Bird, has joined the ownership group. Sue’s illustrious playing career spanned over 20 seasons with the Storm and included four WNBA championships, 13 All-Star Game appearances, eight All-WNBA teams, and five Olympic gold medals. “We are thrilled to welcome Sue into the ownership group after a storied career on the court,” said Seattle Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel. “Her knowledge of the game and the league, her ever-expanding business acumen, and her dedication to the Storm organization, make her a superb addition to the ownership group.”
Michael Grange: WNBA announces they will having another pre-season game in Canada, this time in Edmonton, on May 5th, featuring the LA Sparks and Kia Nurse vs. the Seattle Storm. Tickets on sale on March 20th via Ticketmaster.ca Quote from WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert: pic.twitter.com/5aoXexNSdN
Kevin Durant is recruiting Breanna Stewart to Brooklyn. The Nets star believes it would be “an incredible dynasty” if Stewart — the 28-year-old former MVP and two-time WNBA champion — were to join the Liberty. Both teams play at Barclays Center under the ownership of businessman Joe Tsai and his wife, Clara Wu Tsai. “Stewie come here, it’s going to be ridiculous,” Durant said on the Monday episode of his “The ETCs” podcast — which came the day after Stewart reportedly narrowed down her options to the Seattle Storm or the Liberty. Stewart has been with the Storm since they selected her with the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft. “I hit Stewie [Breanna Stewart] the other day, and I never do this, and was like, ‘Yo, it would be an incredible dynasty in New York City if you came here.’ “I don’t think she’s seen it yet,” Durant said, adding that the Liberty are “cooking up” after acquiring former MVP Jonquel Jones in a three-team trade this month.
Joakim Noah, like his father, is now a winner on the clay at Roland Garros. The former Chicago Bulls center teamed with Gabby Williams of the WNBA's Seattle Storm to beat former Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton and Spanish tennis player David Ferrer in a basketball game on the famed clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier on Wednesday night.