10 Moments That Changed the WNBA Forever in 2025

December 26, 2025

The 2025 WNBA season was one for the record books, defined by the departure of legends, the rise of a new generation of game-changers, and a massive surge in popularity.

From historic on-court milestones to significant shifts in the business landscape, the year delivered a continuous stream of headlines that invariably reshaped the future of the league.

The season tipped off with the retirement of all-time leading scorer Diana Taurasi, who capped a storied 20-year career spanning three championships and six Olympic gold medals. And as icons exited, new stars filled the void, with eventual 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers setting a new rookie scoring record, while A’ja Wilson’s historic MVP run saw her become the first-ever player to record a 30-point, 20-rebound game.

Off the court, the central theme was explosive growth. 2025 expansion side Golden State shattered attendance records, while the league moved aggressively toward its 18-team goal by awarding new franchises to three cities, with Portland and Toronto already on board for 2026.

And despite navigating hurdles — including Fever superstar Caitlin Clark’s season-ending injury and increasingly heated CBA negotiations — the WNBA concluded the year with record-breaking viewership and a landmark $2.2 billion media deal. JWP