WNBA to play most games ever in '22, implement series model

For the ’22 WNBA regular season the league will “play a 36-game regular season and have an All-Star Game” while also holding the “second rendition of the Commissioner's Cup championship game,” according to Mechelle Voepel of ESPN.com. It will be the “most regular-season games the league has ever played.” Last season, the WNBA had a 32-game schedule, and it was 34 games from ‘03 to ‘19, and 22 games in the ‘20 bubble season. The ‘22 schedule “will incorporate steps to reduce travel,” including the "use of a series model.” The WNBA has “adjusted its schedule over the years” to finish earlier to “account for the fall-based FIBA World Cup” (ESPN.com, 12/9). THE ATHLETIC noted in an “effort to reduce travel,” a "'series’ model will allow a team to play two consecutive games in the same city” (THEATHLETIC.com, 12/9).