WNBA expansion scramble
WNBA teams are prepping for an expansion draft and are deciding which five players to protect — choices by clubs like the LA Sparks and Dallas Wings will reshape rosters ahead of new franchises ( ). Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo confirmed she’s ineligible for the 2026 WNBA Draft and will return to school, keeping her rivalry with UConn alive for another season (essentiallysports.com).
The expansion draft is scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN. (cbssports.com) League rules say the draft will run two rounds in a snake format with up to 12 picks per round and each expansion club allowed to select one unprotected player from each of the 13 existing teams' 2025 rosters. (en.wikipedia.org) The coin toss gave the Toronto Tempo the choice between draft positions and they took No. 6 in the annual draft, which left the Portland Fire with the first pick in the expansion draft. (cbssports.com) Under the expansion rules, teams may protect a maximum of five players this year (down from six in 2025), and each expansion side may select only one player who is designated a “potential unrestricted free agent.” (fever.wnba.com) The WNBA’s new CBA pushed expected 2026 payrolls sharply higher — the league-wide salary cap is being reported at roughly $7 million for 2026 — a change that helped drive the protection-limit adjustments announced for this draft cycle. (dallasnews.com) Media projections for roster protections list different cores for vulnerable clubs: Sports Illustrated’s breakdown for Dallas highlights Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James and candidates like Awak Kuier, while Yahoo Sports’ Sparks primer names Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby among likely protectees. (si.com)(sports.yahoo.com) Notre Dame junior Hannah Hidalgo will remain in college next season and is not eligible for the 2026 WNBA Draft because league rules require players to turn 22 in the draft year or have graduated, making Hidalgo a likely 2027-eligible prospect; Hidalgo discussed plans to return as a senior after Notre Dame’s Elite Eight exit. (fansided.com)(espn.com)
