Let’s take a moment to recap…
October 10th, 2025 (Phoenix, Arizona) – The Las Vegas Aces have completed the first ever best-of-seven sweep to defeat the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals. The Aces secured their 3rd franchise championship while 4-time league MVP A’ja Wilson secured her 2nd ever Finals MVP to help cement her legacy as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time.
Now, one month later, group chats have gone silent, memes have slowed down, team socials are not as active, and suddenly, timelines that had been filled with laughter, joy, and unbelievable highlights have left a blank space. The WNBA season may be over for now, but for many of us, the silence is loud and heavy. This wasn’t just about basketball or entertainment, it was about sisterhood and belonging. A reminder of how women in sports have created something bigger than the game itself.
The 2025 WNBA season wasn’t simply a display of the league’s growth; it was a cultural moment. For Black women especially, the league presented something deeply personal: representation. Watching players like A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Mitchell, and Napheesa Collier dominate the league helped fill a void that fans believed was missing from other major professional sports leagues. Pre-game fits in the tunnel, players showcasing their personality on TikTok, and teammates celebrating historic accolades, seeing these moments made us feel the energy and excitement throughout the season and reminded us that power and femininity can coexist both on and off the basketball court. We didn’t just watch the games, we lived them. From the 2025 draft to the Stud Budz [Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman] streaming during All-Star weekend to Ellie the Elephant’s show-stealing moments during halftime, watching this season helped us realize how much we needed it to fill our joy and excitement.
Many of us even found ourselves not knowing who to root for during certain games as there was so much representation and identity shown throughout the league that isn’t as present in the NBA. Additionally, the storylines that arose kept us on our toes for months. From Dewanna Bonner’s controversial exit from the Indiana Fever and finding her way back to Phoenix to the ongoing drama between Jewell Loyd and the Seattle Storm, fans found themselves drawn to the league’s fun dynamic and positive chaos leading up to the 2025 Finals. The WNBA felt like what it was meant to be since the beginning: a cultural movement.
There is a clear reason as to why women like me have a sort-of parasocial relationship with the league. We see ourselves in a way these athletes show up unapologetically. They have built brands, become involved with their communities, and connected with fans in ways that feel genuine. The authenticity and solidarity displayed by the players on TV and throughout social media created a safe space for female fans to coexist and associate with one another. Yes, the season was very competitive at times and we found ourselves engaging in stan wars among other debates, but the WNBA reminded us that confidence, vulnerability, and pleasure can all be present in the heat of the moment. That’s what makes this off-season hit harder; the rhythm of having women’s sports at the forefront of GOAT conversations and triumph.
With the upcoming season (if a lockout does not occur) not expected until May 2026, many women, including myself, cannot help but to feel nostalgia. The off-season does, however, give time to reflect on the importance of representation. These players are more than just athletes; they are advocates, storytellers, and role models who strive to redefine what it means to be a woman in the sports industry. And when the season ends, the absence makes you feel as if you are missing a close friend.
While the second season of Unrivaled is underway along with the current college basketball season, there still remains a void in our timelines that makes us miss the euphoria of the WNBA so much. The league gave us many unforgettable moments aside from just the games. The energy on and off the court, behind-the-scenes footage, fit tunnels, and charisma from the previous season gave us something that we did not realize we needed: a space for women to see and express ourselves without judgement or care. Although the off-season feels long, it reminds us that the WNBA isn’t just a league; it is a reflection of who we are, and the stories we enjoy looking back at.
