Women's basketball continues growing in popularity and becoming and mainstream. The most recent NCAA tournament broke viewing records, and now a new superstar generation, led by the likes of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink and many others, are ushering in a new era.

If ticket sales are an indication, then this is going to be the biggest year for the WNBA, by a wide margin, and it's only intent on getting bigger and better. This year, the teams have finally gotten charter flights; there's still a long way to go — but it's good to see some progress.

So, without further ado, for new fans and old, here's everything you need to know before tuning in to this year's WNBA season.

Where can I watch the WNBA tonight, and why couldn't I watch the pre-season games?

Starting at 7 PM EST on ESPN2 and ESPN3, there are a couple of good match-ups on air. Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, go up against the Connecticut Sun. A'ja Wilson leads the attempt to defend the Las Vegas Aces back-to-back titles against the Phoenix Mercury.

Season 28. Episode 1. 🤩

WNBA Tip-Off presented by @Carmax is officially here! Check out tonight’s slate of games starting at 7pm/ET. pic.twitter.com/V5a9ieTG9g

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 14, 2024

Where is my favorite player, and why aren't they playing?

Candace Parker retired recently, and she will not be a part of the Las Vegas Aces as they try and go for a three-peat championship. She's 38-years-old, was drafted in 2008 and has played ball all over the world; It's been one helluva career. But don't worry, she'll be on television as an analyst, so sign us up for that.

Sue Bird and Maya Moore also retired, both ahead of last year's season.

Diana Taurasi is still playing! At 41-years-old, she's the WNBA all-time leading scorer but missed a lot of games last year due to injury. She'll be on the court for the Phoenix Mercury this season.

Elena Della Donne, another all-time player and former MVP, is taking some time away from basketball. She didn't sign a contract with the Washington Mystics, and at the age of 34, it looks like her time away from the game is more about her long-term future, and not an immediate action plan.

Which teams are good, and who is the favorite?

Just based on last season, the best teams right now are the Connecticut Sun, the Dallas Wings, New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces. While the LIberty and Aces played in last year's final, and the Aces won their second straight title, it's hard to win three championships in a row, and the Liberty must also be hungry to win their first. Surely the top two teams to keep an eye on this year.

Are the incoming rookies actually going to light the league up like they did the NCAA Tournament?

The entire league will have its eyes on this rookie class, because the stardom and fandom surrounding these young athletes could catapult the WNBA into a new stratosphere.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark (now playing for Indiana), LSU's Angel Reese (now playing for Chicago), Stanford's Cameron Brink (now playing for LA), South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso (also playing for Chicago) and Tennessee's Rickea Jackson (also playing for LA) are some names you should look out for on the stat sheet.

Who are the veterans I should watch?

Let the MVP voting from last year guide you. The New York Liberty have a super team of former MVP winners — Breanna Stewart (2018 and 2023 winner), Jonquel Jones (2021) — and finalists — Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot.

Not to be outdone, the Las Vegas Aces have a stacked team too, including A'ja Wilson (the 2020 and 2022 MVP-winner), Alysha Clark, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and — the popcorn eating meme herself — Kelsey Plum.

Some other high profile names you'll see dominating the stat sheet are Alyssa Thomas, Naphessa Collier, Satou Sabally, Nneka Ogwumike, Aliyah Boston and Jewell Loyd.

What is this I'm hearing about expansion teams? Could MY city be next?

Toronto is the next city to get an expansion team, and then San Francisco, who just announced a new name, color scheme and logo:

Join our ascent. pic.twitter.com/39npVRfDPm

— Golden State Valkyries (@wnbagoldenstate) May 14, 2024

[Image: YouTube]