Extending WNBA Playoffs Would Cost Owners Up to $1 Million in Player Pay

On Tuesday, the New York Liberty secured a two-game first-round victory over the Minnesota Lynx, ending their playoff run after just one home and one road game. This upset, the first since 2022, when the WNBA adopted an eight-team, conference-less format, has reignited debates about the playoff structure. The WNBA switched to the 1-1-1 format last season, aiming to ensure each team received at least one home game.

However, some coaches and players have criticized this format, advocating for a different setup or a longer series. Aces coach Becky Hammon, Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, and Fever coach Stephanie White have all expressed their preference for a more competitive first-round format. While there have been past efforts to expand the playoffs, such as the introduction of a best-of-seven final last year, any further changes are complicated by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

The current CBA stipulates that if the number of playoff games surpasses 29, player bonuses must be increased proportionally. Currently, the maximum number of games is 29. If the WNBA expanded the first-round series to a five-game format, this would increase the total number of games to 37, a 27% increase. This would result in a significant rise in player bonuses, with the champion potentially earning $76,552 and the runner-up $25,517.

Other potential adjustments, like increasing the second-round series to seven games or making all series seven games long, would further boost the total prize pool to an estimated $2.43 million—$1 million more than the current total. However, expanding the playoffs would also pose logistical challenges. The WNBA's season is already set to increase from 44 to 50 games in 2026, with a potential extension to 52 games by 2029.

The league must fit these additional games within a six-month period, starting from April 1 and ending by November 21. This tight schedule makes it difficult to accommodate much earlier start dates.