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Josh Ball

Sabrina Ionescu expects New York Liberty’s defence of their WNBA title to be just as tough as winning it for the first time in franchise history last season, and said the team “had a target on its back”.
The three-time All-Star also believed the coming months represented a “really important time in our league” and whatever happened on the court, players needed to present “a collective voice” in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.
Liberty, who beat Minnesota Lynx in a thrilling five-game finals, open their title defence at home to Las Vegas Aces on May 17, and Ionescu said they knew people were “already coming for us”.
“I would say probably the hardest thing to have to do is win your first one: that pressure of not having done it yet and then finally doing it,” the Olympic gold medallist said. “But I would say defending one is probably just as hard.


“Everyone understands that you won the year before and you have to be better than you were that last year.”
With the addition of the Golden State Valkyries, Toronto Tempo and a team from Portland, the league will expand to 15 teams by 2026. Also, the finals will become best of seven, and Ionescu, who was taken first overall in the 2020 draft, said that would change the dynamic of what lay ahead.
The Liberty host the Valkyries at Barclays Centre for a double header at the end of May, and play them on the road for the first time in June.
“My goal is to win another championship, but you know, it’s going to be the hardest one I’ve had to win,” Ionescu said.
“The continuing growth in our league is a different nuance as well, because there’s series that we’ve never played in and having to figure that out. So I’m excited for the challenge for sure.”
Hanging over all of that is the CBA, with the players’ association signalling its intention to opt out of the current deal at the end of the season.
The Lynx’s Napheesa Collier and Chicago Sky star Angel Reese are among the players saying they were prepared for a lockout to get what they want.

Ionescu said the new CBA could be a “huge turning point in the trajectory of our league”, with players needing to “stand up on what we want, what we prioritise as what we believe in” – base salary and revenue share being two of those things.
“That’s a huge part of where we’re headed as a league and understanding how we can continue to pay everyone and make everyone feel a part of it, because we deserve to reap the benefits of what we’re doing out on the court,” the 27-year-old added.
As with any CBA, there are expected to be tough conversations between the two sides, but also among the players, with the association needing to listen “to all players and their voices”.
“It’s understanding you’re always trying to continue to grow the league and knowing that all eyes are on us right now and continuing to be the best advocates for, and just that inspiring, the next generation who are going to be a part of our league and continuing to grow the game,” Ionescu said.


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WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association)

WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu says defending title will be as tough as winning for first time

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Heep Yunn School pupils watch on as WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu runs through some drills. Photo: Eugene Lee

WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu shouts encouragement to players running a drill at Heep Yunn School in Kowloon. Photo: Eugene Lee

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Sport

Basketball

Three-time All-Star also calls for ‘a collective voice’ from players in talks over a new collective bargaining agreement


Three-time All-Star also calls for ‘a collective voice’ from players in talks over a new collective bargaining agreement.


WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu says defending title will be as tough as winning for first time

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Three-time All-Star also calls for ‘a collective voice’ from players in talks over a new collective bargaining agreement

Three-time All-Star also calls for ‘a collective voice’ from players in talks over a new collective bargaining agreement