WNBA Teams Face Roster Deadline Ahead of Thursday’s Cutoff
With the 2025 WNBA season tipping off on Friday, teams across the league are racing to finalize their opening-day rosters ahead of Thursday’s deadline. This specific week marks one of the most difficult stretches of the calendar year for players, those fighting for one of just 156 spots in the entire league. Every training camp cut carries weight, as players with pro-level talent are forced out simply due to roster constraints. It’s a harsh reminder of how competitive the league is and how narrow the margin can be between making it and missing out.
Per WNBA rules, each of the league’s 13 teams must submit a final roster of no more than 12 players before the season starts. While that number may seem typical, salary cap restrictions, injuries, and various other factors often force teams to carry fewer players than the maximum allowed. Some franchises may opt to open the season with just 11 active players, not because they lack talent, but because they simply can’t afford to keep a full roster while staying under the cap. This harsh reality has ripple effects, leading to tough decisions, surprising cuts, and in some cases, veterans or first-round picks being waived.
The WNBA’s compressed structure limited teams, tight rosters, and a hard cap, which means there’s virtually no margin for error. A rookie could have a standout training camp and still be cut. A proven veteran could lose a spot to a younger, cheaper player. In 2023, just 15 of the 36 draftees made opening-day rosters. Even players who make it past Thursday aren’t entirely safe; contracts don’t become guaranteed until after the league’s cut-down date later in the season, meaning some players may still be waived or shuffled in the early weeks.
The pressure extends beyond just the players, with coaching staffs and front offices also navigating the challenge of balancing long-term potential, financial constraints, and immediate on-court needs. As the deadline for final roster decisions approaches, the weight of these choices becomes even more pronounced. Players on the bubble are left anxiously hoping their names will make the cut when Thursday arrives, with every passing day heightening their sense of uncertainty. It's a stressful time, as each decision made has far-reaching implications, not only shaping the team’s current strategy but also determining the future of both players and the franchise.
