The WNBA is in a good spot right now in some ways. Ratings are up, competition is tight, and revenue seems to be rising, too. The rise of stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, A’ja Wilson, Cameron Brink and others has helped the league reach new heights.
While the surge of star power has changed the league’s momentum, there are still some tough issues when it comes to roster construction. The WNBA roster size is currently capped at 12 players, though teams often carry only 11 or 12. Because of that, good players sometimes end up getting waived.
Just before the start of this season, several solid players were cut, including a few rookies who had just been drafted.
WNBA Rookies Who Have Been Waived
As teams finalized rosters, a few surprising names were released. Cameron Brink spoke out about the situation, calling it wild that so many talented women had to be cut to stick to a 12-player limit. She followed up with a public call for the WNBA to expand roster sizes.
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Unfortunately, several rookies from the 2025 WNBA Draft were released before they could log any regular-season action. Some of the more notable names let go included Deja Kelly of the Las Vegas Aces, Kaitlyn Chen, Laeticia Amihere, and Shyanne Sellers of the Golden State Valkyries, and Madison Scott of the Dallas Wings. Several others faced the same outcome.
These roster cuts, especially involving young talent and other deserving players, highlight the problem with the WNBA’s current roster limits. With league revenue on the rise, now may be the time to consider expanding roster sizes to 15 players, like the NBA.
Why Expanded Rosters in the WNBA Could Be a Good Thing
If the WNBA were to increase rosters from 12 to 15, it would give more players, especially those often cut at the end of the preseason, a chance to stay in the league. Rookies and vets alike are often waived, which can leave them without a salary or team for the season.
Expanded rosters would also give coaches more flexibility with rotations, particularly during stretches of injury or fatigue. While the last few players on a roster aren’t usually starters, teams sometimes find surprise contributors in those spots.
More roster spots mean more opportunities, more salaries, and a better shot for overlooked players to stick around. As the league grows, expanding rosters feel less like a question and more like the answer.
