Which WNBA franchises are best (Mercury, Liberty) and worst (Sky, Sun) according to players?

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3 days ago

In 2023, the Las Vegas Aces debuted a first-of-its-kind WNBA practice facility. They moved into their 64,000-square-foot headquarters just outside the city, opening a facility built for the sole purpose of the WNBA team. Their blueprint set off a chain reaction that changed how other organizations invest in the player experience. Within the last two years, the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury also debuted new practice facilities, and a number of other franchises have announced future plans to build complexes as well.
So, for which franchises do players most want to compete? And what do they think about a host of topics around the league, like who is the league's best player, where should expansion head, who is the face of the league and what issues are important in the next collective bargaining agreement?
To answer those questions, The Athletic's anonymous player poll is back. Our writers spoke with 39 players from the start of the 2025 season. All 13 teams are represented, but none of the 30 rookies on rosters are included as the survey attempted to gather veterans' perspectives. The polling represents about a third of non-rookies on WNBA rosters.
Players were granted anonymity to speak freely. They were also permitted to skip individual questions; as a result, each question shows the total number of responses for full transparency.
In their own words
On Phoenix
'Just how much they've invested into their team, it's cool to see that, they raised the bar with their facility and stuff.'
'Phoenix would be a good place to be. Look at their investment.'
On New York
'They take care of their players. Their facilities are nice. They have everything they need.'
'Their arena is always packed for every game. They must be doing something right.'
On Chicago
'They don't have a facility. It's just a lot of the other stuff with them.'
'A lot of stuff always seems to be going on there.'
'They're still practicing in a rec center. That's not … ideal.'
On Connecticut
'Because of infrastructure."
'The travel and location (make it unappealing).'
In the case of the top two answers for each question, players took note of the investment that ownership groups have — or have not — made in their respective teams. The Mercury unveiled a 58,000-square-foot, $100 million practice facility last summer with 24/7 access for players. Although the franchise has not advanced past the first round of the playoffs since making the 2021 WNBA Finals, it's clear that players have observed the Mercury's recent investments — and not heavily factored in any recent lawsuits alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation (claims the franchise denies) against the NBA's Suns or the Mercury — and they view it as a desirable place to play as a result.
Although the Liberty practice in the underbelly of Barclays Center, the franchise unveiled plans this winter to debut a 75,000-square-foot, $80 million practice facility in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn in 2027. Players have taken note of the broader investments the franchise's ownership group has made. The Liberty have invested heavily in their medical and support staff. They have become culturally relevant not only because of their on-court product, but also their branding and marketing successes (think Ellie the Elephant, for example). Multiple Liberty players have attended the Met Gala, headlined conferences or attended flagship store brand events. The Liberty also recently sold a minority stake in the franchise at a women's sports team-record $450 million valuation.
The Sky and Sun netted out with the most responses to the worst-run franchise, with players taking note of the teams' lackluster set-ups. The Sky are building a dedicated WNBA performance center, with the 40,000-square-foot, $38 million facility set to be completed by 2026, but the franchise's current infrastructure and recent turnover —on its third permanent head coach in as many seasons — has hurt its appeal.
The Sun have one of the two lowest franchise valuations, according to Forbes and Sportico, and are going through a period of uncertainty. The roster almost entirely turned over since last season, and the franchise is exploring a potential ownership sale. The Sun have played in Connecticut for more than two decades and achieved a recent string of success by making six straight conference finals.
But players have questions about their infrastructure and future. The Sun practice either inside Mohegan Sun Arena or at the nearby Mohegan Tribal Community and Government Center — a mixed-use facility that also serves as a cultural center, office space and recreation facility for tribal members. Ownership has said it is 'assessing the viability of major infrastructure investments,' but unlike many other teams, no new facility is being built.
Answers to these two questions can change quickly, however. Two years ago, players told The Athletic that they would most want to play for the Aces. In our latest sampling, Las Vegas received only a single vote.
Coming up
Thursday
What's the best-run franchise?
What's the worst-run franchise?
Friday
What's the best rivalry?
Who's going to win the WNBA championship?
— The Athletic
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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