The WNBA expanding the schedule to 50 games in 2027 means “more strain on players, which is why the players’ union negotiated concessions” as a part of the new CBA, according to Alissa Hirsch of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Sky C and WNBPA secretary Elizabeth Williams said, “We have the understanding that more games means more revenue, so we knew [the number of games] was going to go up. We just had to agree on by how much.” Hirsch noted one “concession for players was extending the regular-season window,” which now runs through Nov. 21 instead of Oct. 31. They also “secured minimum standards across teams, aimed at professionalizing facilities and staffing.” Williams said that charter planes also “have helped players handle the increased workload, though inconsistencies linger.” She added that charter planes are “not always the same size,” and there are “times when teams get smaller planes for longer flights and bigger planes for shorter ones.” Hirsch noted another fix that would help players adjust is “eliminating back-to-back games in the schedule” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/22).

WHAT’S IMPORTANT: Fire coach Alex Sarama noted that lengthening the season is a “strong sign the WNBA is healthy in terms of exposure and fans.” However, he also “raised concerns about players’ health.” Sarama said, “I always want what’s best for the players, and … the exposure for this incredible league, yes, we want that. It’s a great thing for the league.” He added, “But then the other side to me is I’m always so concerned about performance and health. And that’s … such a focus of ours and keeping the players healthy. We want to sustain and extend their careers. And I think it’s really hard to do that when it’s an even more condensed schedule.” Mystics coach Sydney Johnson “raised similar concerns” on Friday ahead of the team’s game against the Liberty. Johnson acknowledged that “more basketball is a good thing,” but he also “wondered how the calendar would work.” He said, “I’m very, very sensitive to how we’ll fit those games in, in terms of the calendar, however that looks, because I want as much as anything for players to be safe and be able to give their best and not get worn down” (THE IX SPORTS, 6/20).