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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Tom Dart

A 30th season and an $850m franchise: is the WNBA’s rocketing growth sustainable?

The Golden State Valkyries are already a valuable asset in just their second season.
The Golden State Valkyries are already a valuable asset in just their second season. Photograph: Jeff Chiu/AP

Opening night typically pulses with anticipation rather than gushes with nostalgia, but the New York Liberty wore a “court origins” uniform that alludes to their history as one of the WNBA’s eight founding members when they hosted the Connecticut Sun on Friday.

Protracted and pugnacious negotiations between the players’ union and the league threatened to delay or even wreck the new season. But an accord that hands the players significant pay rises means the league has much to look forward to, as well as plenty to reflect on, as it celebrates 30 years.

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