News

First-place Lynx get Collier back, but on minutes restriction

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier will make her season debut, while on a minutes restriction, on Wednesday against the Seattle Storm after having surgeries on both ankles last year.

Love her or hate her, Sophie Cunningham won't be ignored

Without a starting role and without apology, the Fever guard has become a star and a dividing line.

Fantasy women's hoops: Should you make a Napheesa Collier trade?

As Napheesa Collier returns to action, consider the possibility of trading for her, or trading her away.

Wembanyama, Clark and D-Rose revealed as '2K27' cover athletes

The cover athletes for "NBA 2K27" were revealed Wednesday, with Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark and Derrick Rose getting the nod as this year's featured stars.

Fudd, Mabrey, Howard among WNBA All-Star 3-point contestants

Azzi Fudd will participate in the 3-point contest as part of WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago, joined by Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman and Janelle Salaun.

WNBA midseason grades, first-half MVPs for all 15 teams

Minnesota and Golden State are at the top of the class. Las Vegas, Indiana and Washington have improved marks.

How Napheesa Collier's WNBA return will impact the Lynx

Collier is set to make her 2026 debut. How will she pair with Olivia Miles? How must the Lynx's frontcourt players adjust?

NWSL's Washington Spirit sign Burkina Faso defender Alimata Bélem from Eibar

Washington Spirit have signed Burkina Faso defender Alimata Bélem to a four-year contract through the 2029 season, the club announced on Tuesday, bringing their contingent of African internationals to five.

Michigan AD Warde Manuel to step down at end of calendar year

Warde Manuel will step down as Michigan AD at the end of the calendar year, the school announced as part of the conclusion of an investigation into the culture of athletics at the university.

NCAA D-II panel pushes for age-based eligibility starting in 2026-27

NCAA Division II athletes would move immediately to the age-based eligibility model adopted in Division I under proposed emergency legislation.

The best of Sophie Cunningham's season

The best of Sophie Cunningham's season

WNBA Power Rankings: Lynx up, Valkyries down, Liberty snap skid

Minnesota replaced Golden State at the top as Monday's results reverberated through the rankings.

New York hosts Chicago following Stewart's 33-point outing

Chicago Sky (9-17, 1-8 Eastern Conference) at New York Liberty (14-12, 8-3 Eastern Conference)

Los Angeles hosts Phoenix after Bonner's 21-point game

Phoenix Mercury (9-18, 5-10 Western Conference) at Los Angeles Sparks (10-15, 5-8 Western Conference)

Las Vegas visits Washington after Iriafen's 23-point outing

Las Vegas Aces (18-7, 12-4 Western Conference) at Washington Mystics (13-12, 8-5 Eastern Conference)

Dallas visits Portland following Carleton's 22-point showing

Dallas Wings (17-9, 7-6 Western Conference) at Portland Fire (11-15, 3-7 Western Conference)

Connecticut visits Indiana after Mitchell's 33-point game

Connecticut Sun (7-19, 2-8 Eastern Conference) at Indiana Fever (16-10, 6-4 Eastern Conference)

McBride leads Minnesota against Seattle after 33-point game

Minnesota Lynx (21-6, 14-1 Western Conference) at Seattle Storm (6-22, 1-13 Western Conference)

Kayla McBride and Olivia Miles take over in the 4th quarter

Kayla McBride and Olivia Miles take over in the 4th quarter

Kayla McBride and Olivia Miles lead Lynx to 6th straight win, 105-102 over Storm

— Kayla McBride made six 3-pointers and scored 33 points, rookie Olivia Miles had 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Seattle Storm 105-102 on Monday night for their sixth straight victory.

Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx, 07/20/2026

Kiki Iriafen scores 23 points as Mystics snap Valkyries' 9-game winning streak with 90-82 victory

— Kiki Iriafen had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Shakira Austin finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds, and the Washington Mystics rallied past Golden State for a 90-82 victory Monday night to snap the Valkyries' nine-game winning streak.

Golden State Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Golden State Valkyries vs. Washington Mystics, 07/20/2026

A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young combine for 50 points to lead the Aces past the Tempo 109-83

— A’ja Wilson scored 26 points, Jackie Young had a season-high 24 points to go with 12 assists, and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Toronto Tempo 109-83 on Monday night.

Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu lead Liberty to 99-98 OT win over short-handed Wings

— Breanna Stewart had 33 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, Sabrina Ionescu scored 12 of her 21 points in overtime, and the New York Liberty beat the short-handed Dallas Wings 99-98 on Monday night to snap a four-game skid.

Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty, 07/20/2026

Toronto Tempo vs. Las Vegas Aces - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Toronto Tempo vs. Las Vegas Aces, 07/20/2026

8 conferences create women's basketball officiating alliance

Eight conferences, including the Big East and ACC, have created a women's basketball officiating alliance with the goal to enhance the quality, consistency and development of officiating.

NWSL Power Rankings: Star-studded Gotham beat Spirit, jump to No. 1

With Rose Lavelle, Esther González, Jaedyn Shaw and Sam Kerr all in form, it's impossible to keep Gotham off the top of ESPN's NWSL Power Rankings.

Sources: Michigan regents to discuss investigation Thursday

The University of Michigan regents are expected to discuss an investigation into the culture of its athletic department on Thursday, sources told ESPN, and as part of the review, a decision on the future of AD Warde Manuel is expected in the coming days.

SWAC football, basketball games on ESPN networks through 2030-31

The SWAC has reached a new multi-year media rights agreement that will keep league football and basketball games on ESPN networks through the 2030-31 seasons.

Gotham FC HC Juan Carlos Amorós departs for 5-week paternity leave

Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós announced after Saturday's NWSL match that he would be stepping away from the team for the next five weeks following the birth of his second child, Laia, in May.

Racing Louisville FC vs. Houston Dash - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Racing Louisville FC vs. Houston Dash, 07/19/2026

Utah Royals vs. Orlando Pride - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Utah Royals vs. Orlando Pride, 07/19/2026

Chicago Stars vs. Angel City FC - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Chicago Stars vs. Angel City FC, 07/19/2026

Gotham-Seattle play with extra hydration breaks, weather delay in NYC

The NWSL implemented two hydration breaks per half at a Gotham FC game in New York City for the second time in four days on Saturday due to poor air quality from smoke blown in by distant Canadian wildfires.

Denver Summit beat Portland Thorns 2-1 in Lindsey Heaps' debut

United States women's national team captain Lindsey Heaps wore the captain's armband and tallied the game-winning assist in her Denver Summit FC debut on Saturday.

Bay FC vs. North Carolina Courage - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Bay FC vs. North Carolina Courage, 07/19/2026

Denver Summit FC vs. Portland Thorns FC - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Denver Summit FC vs. Portland Thorns FC, 07/18/2026

Kansas City Current vs. San Diego Wave FC - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Kansas City Current vs. San Diego Wave FC, 07/18/2026

For USWNT star Lindsey Heaps, transfer to Denver Summit marks welcome return home

Lindsey Heaps and her family speak to ESPN about her path to the USWNT, to France, and back to Colorado with new NWSL team Denver Summit FC.

Illinois awards AD Josh Whitman with extension, raise

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman received a contract extension through 2036 that includes a significant raise.

Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps postponed due to wildfire smoke

Poor air quality due to wildfire smoke from Canada has forced Thursday's Major League Soccer game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Fire at Chicago's Soldier Field to be postponed.

Michigan board did not discuss AD Warde Manuel's future at meeting

The University of Michigan's board of regents did not discuss the future of athletic director Warde Manuel during a Thursday meeting.

Citi Field sellout crowd bodes well for Gotham FC's move to New York

Fans turned out in droves to watch Gotham win the Queens Classic, a sign that the team's move to the borough could alter the franchise's trajectory.

How top 2027 women's basketball commits fit at their schools

Projecting the impact of top 2027 posts Jayla Forbes (Texas) and Caroline Bradley (LSU).

Jayla Forbes, No. 13 girls' 2027 recruit, commits to Texas

Jayla Forbes, the No. 13 player and second-ranked post in the girls' SC Next class of 2027, has committed to Texas.

Sam Kerr returns for Gotham in sold-out Queens win

Sam Kerr made her highly anticipated return to Gotham FC and the NWSL on Wednesday, coming off the bench in a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in front of a record-breaking crowd at Citi Field.

Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit - Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit, 07/16/2026