WNBA contenders take centre stage as expanding league enters new era

May 7 : The WNBA's 30th season tips off on Friday with expansion teams in Toronto and Portland, a new collective bargaining agreement in place and a title race led by the New York Liberty, defending champion Las Vegas Aces and Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever.

The Liberty are favourites for the title after adding forward Satou Sabally to a core of leading players including Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones.

The Aces, however, remain the standard after winning their third title in four seasons with last season's MVP, A'ja Wilson, the league's dominant two-way force.

Alongside Wilson, they have Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, giving coach Becky Hammon a group of experienced players as their leading rivals work through new combinations.

The Fever, meanwhile, have moved into the contender class with Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.

Clark's arrival transformed them into a national draw, and a healthy season from the guard could make Indiana genuine title contenders. Boston's interior presence and Mitchell's scoring give the team more than a one-player identity.

The Minnesota Lynx, Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury are among teams positioned to test the top tier.

The Lynx's hopes are again tied to Napheesa Collier, one of the league's most complete two-way players, while the Dream offer intrigue behind All-Star-level wings Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard.

The Mercury, last season's runner-up, enter with championship experience after reaching the Finals before falling to the Aces.

Expansion drive comes amid wider growth

The league's expansion to 15 teams means that each club will play a 44-game regular season schedule.

The Toronto Tempo will make their debut against the Washington Mystics on Friday. The Portland Fire,