The latest round of WNBA news, with Courtney Vandersloot addressing an incident involving ex-teammate Angel Reese while the Caitlin Clark effect was on ultimate display
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are gearing up for a big WNBA season(Image: Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
The 2026 WNBA season is edging closer and Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are once again dominating the headlines during the final few weeks of the off-season.
Both players are preparing for the upcoming campaign with their respective teams, but under different circumstances. Clark, entering her second season with the Indiana Fever, is focused on maintaining health and consistency after a high-profile rookie year, while Reese is adjusting to a new environment following her move away from the Chicago Sky, aiming to settle quickly into her next chapter in the league.
Now the two WNBA All-Stars are making waves for different reasons, with Reese coming under scrutiny for comments about an ex-teammate while the Clark effect is in full swing after big WNBA news. It comes after Lexie Hull opened up about her relationship with Clark.
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Courtney Vandersloot pushed back on comments made by Angel Reese that led to a suspension during the 2025 season, calling them “not necessary.”
Reese was recently traded from Sky to the Atlanta Dream in a deal ahead of the 2026 campaign. The exchange included draft assets on both sides, reshaping the league landscape. Addressing the situation ahead of the new season, Vandersloot dismissed the criticism of her role, stating that her age was “not a factor,” countering Reese’s remarks about relying on her at 37.
Entering her 14th season with the Sky, Vandersloot addressed Reese’s comments and told the Chicago Tribune: “I’ll say it didn’t feel good. I think at first it was an emotional thing, you know? There was an emotional response to it. And the more I think about it, I understand what she was trying to say.
Vandersloot is now focused on the Sky moving forward in the post-Reese era(Image: Getty Images)
“Do I think that it was necessary she said that? No. I think that was the biggest thing for me. But it was more big picture for me because I didn’t even really know the comments that she said about me until way later in the day. I just thought that it could have been handled differently.”
Clark effect in full swing
The Caitlin Clark effect was evident as the WNBA announced a record number of nationally televised games for the 2026 season.
The upcoming campaign is already drawing major attention, with Clark returning from an injury-hit 2025 season, Reese now set for her debut with the Atlanta Dream, and Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd teaming up again.
The Indiana Fever will have all 44 regular-season games broadcast nationally—marking a league first—while the Dallas Wings (36), New York Liberty (35), and Las Vegas Aces (33) also feature heavily in the schedule. Indiana led the league last year with 41 nationally televised games.
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“The WNBA is coming off a landmark season in 2025, one that was defined by incredible basketball and countless memorable performances,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert said in a statement of how there will be a record number of games nationally televised this season, according to ESPN.
“With an incredible 2026 draft and so many notable free agency signings and trades now giving way to the start of the season, the WNBA’s unprecedented lineup of linear and streaming partners will shine a light on must-see matchups, and the remarkable skills the WNBA’s stars provide each time they step on the court.”
Broadcast coverage for the 2026 WNBA season will be split across multiple major partners, reflecting growing national interest. Disney will air 30 games in total, including 13 on ABC and 17 on ESPN, with the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game also set to be shown on ABC. Meanwhile, Prime Video will carry another 30 games, which will also include the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game as part of its package.