Well, yes, they're back on the court. Seattle's WNBA team played their first regular season game Friday night. 

But the team has changed a lot since last season. They lost two key veteran players.

But a new coach and two first-round draft picks could mean an exciting year for the Storm.

And as more people are watching the WNBA, the players start this season with a new union contract – with new salary increases and other new benefits to match.

Guest

Maitreyi Anantharaman, staff writer for Defector, an employee-owned sports and culture website. 

Related Links

Role Players, Ring Chasers, And A Shadow GM: Your Guide To The 2026 WNBA Season - Defector

How Can You Not Be Romantic About Women’s Basketball? - Defector

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Well, yes, they're back on the court. Seattle's WNBA team played their first regular season game Friday night.&nbsp;
But the team has changed a lot since last season. They lost two key veteran players. But a new coach and two first-round draft picks could mean an exciting year for the Storm. And as more people are watching the WNBA, the players start this season with a new union contract &ndash; with new salary increases and other new benefits to match. Guest Maitreyi Anantharaman, staff writer for Defector, an employee-owned sports and culture website.&nbsp; Related Links <a href="https://defector.com/wnba-season-preview-2026">Role Players, Ring Chasers, And A Shadow GM: Your Guide To The 2026 WNBA Season</a> - Defector <a href="https://defector.com/how-can-you-not-be-romantic-about-womens-basketball">How Can You Not Be Romantic About Women&rsquo;s Basketball?</a> - Defector Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Well, yes, they're back on the court for this season. 