WNBA Free Agency: Ionescu, Collier Among Stars Receiving Core Offers as Teams Lock Down Talent
Sep 17, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket against the Phoenix Mercury during game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The WNBA free agency period has begun with a flurry of activity, as ten of the league’s 15 teams have extended core qualifying offers to their star players. The core designation, similar to the NFL’s franchise tag, provides teams with exclusive negotiating rights while offering players a guaranteed baseline contract worth the supermax salary of $1.4 million in 2026.
Among the marquee names receiving core offers are Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, two of the league’s most prominent stars. Other notable players cored include Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever, Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles Sparks, and Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings.
Strategic moves across the league
The core designation serves multiple purposes for franchises beyond simply retaining talent. Teams can use this mechanism to prevent valuable players from departing in free agency without compensation, ultimately facilitating sign-and-trade scenarios that provide return value for the organization.
Additional players receiving core offers include Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream, Ariel Atkins of the Chicago Sky, and Ezi Magbegor of the Seattle Storm. The designation period, which began Monday, also allowed teams to extend reserved and restricted qualifying offers to other players on their rosters.
The expansion teams have also made strategic moves, with the Portland Fire coring Bridget Carleton, whom they selected from Minnesota in last week’s expansion draft, and Toronto Tempo extending a core offer to Marina Mabrey, chosen from the Connecticut Sun.
Delayed timeline sets stage for active period
This year’s free agency timeline experienced delays due to collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the league and players union. The new CBA was agreed upon and ratified by both sides in late March, though the long-form contract remains in execution.
The current negotiation window runs Wednesday through Friday, with signings permitted to begin Saturday. Training camp is scheduled to commence April 19, followed by the first preseason games on April 25, setting the stage for what promises to be a transformative offseason across the WNBA landscape.
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