In this edition, we catch up on the WNBA and WNBPA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)‘s breakthrough, locking in its 30th season right on time. We also recap the 2026 Paralympic Games and celebrate the medal wins from Canadian women athletes. Lastly, we check in on the PWHL and its strong momentum coming out of the Olympics.

WNBA SEASON 30 SET TO TIP OFF ON TIME

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)’s landmark 30th season is officially a go!

After nine days of intensive negotiations, totalling more than 100 hours of meetings, the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) have reached a tentative verbal agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The deal ensures that the upcoming season will proceed without delay. The agreement comes just in time. League officials had previously stated that if a new CBA was not reached by early to mid-March, the 30th season was at risk of being affected by its May season kickoff.

Now, the focus shifts to what is shaping up to be one of the busiest leaders to an upcoming WNBA season. The season is set to tip off on May 8, with April packed full of key league moments, including expansion drafts for expansion teams, the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire, the WNBA Draft, and a highly active free agency period featuring over 100 notable players. Training camps and preseason games will round out a pivotal lead-up to the milestone season.

Paralympic games mark historic growth and canadian success

The 2026 Paralympic Games delivered both record-breaking growth and standout performances from Canadian athletes.

Leading the way was Natalie Wilkie, who not only served as a central figure in both the opening and closing ceremonies but also delivered multiple impressive performances on the snow. Wilkie captured two gold medals in Para Biathlon (women’s individual standing and sprint pursuit standing), along with a silver in the sprint standing event and a bronze in the women’s sprint classic standing.

Canada also saw additional podium finishes from Brittany Hudak, who won bronze in the women’s 10km interval start classic standing, and Michaela Gosselin, who won bronze in the women’s standing slalom.

Beyond individual achievements, the Games marked significant milestones globally. A record 611 athletes competed, alongside the most widespread broadcast coverage in Paralympic history. The event also generated the highest number of YouTube views ever recorded for the Games.

Female participation also reached new heights, with 160 women competing, an 18% increase from the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games, highlighting continued progress in representation at the Paralympic Games and on the world stage.

PWHL REACHES NEW LEVELS POST-OLYMPICS

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) continues to build on its rapid growth, with strong fan engagement carrying over following the Winter Olympics.

Multiple teams have reported sold-out crowds, reinforcing the league’s rising popularity across North America.

A major milestone is set for March 28, when ION will broadcast its first-ever PWHL game on U.S. national linear television. The matchup between the New York Sirens and Montreal Victoire will take place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit as part of the league’s Takeover Tour. This moment should serve as a good opportunity to show that when you make the games easily accessible, people will be tuning in.

In Canada, attention will turn to an upcoming Ottawa Charge game, where the team will be playing at Canadian Tire Centre, which will serve as a key test for the arena. With ongoing conversations around venue stability for the team’s current home arena, the event could provide important insight into the city’s long-term potential as a PWHL hub.

The stories of the week show girls in sport and physical activity that: