The next day

More on the Finals:

Chicago will celebrate the Sky's title with a parade tomorrow.

Candace Parker's legacy has come full circle with her second Championship.

Behind the scenes of her "surreal" title run.

Parker's chip highlights the WNBA's progress.

Kahleah Copper's process lead to a Finals MVP and a title.

Copper was a trade sweetener in 2017.

Many kept the faith for the Sky to win a championship.

Chicago's title feels too good to be true.

The Mercury might not get this close to a title again.

Diana Taurasi said "there were a lot of doors" at Wintrust Arena.

WNBA news:

The league looks to 2022, with potential changes.

The players of the league have Texas in their crosshairs.

Will Sue Bird or Diana Taurasi retire?

College team news:

NC State wants more this season.

Depth will be the key to success for Indiana.

Five things to watch as UConn's season begins.

DePaul's seniors are ready for their last dance.

Kansas State is ready to rebound from a tough season.

College coach news:

Q&A with MTSU coach Rick Insell.

Michelle Clark-Heard says Cincinnati is building culture.

Sky down Mercury to take first WNBA Championship

Chicago are WNBA champs:

The Sky rallied past the Mercury, 80-74, to take their first title. Kahleah Copper is Finals MVP.

Candace Parker brought a title to the Windy City........great photos here.

Parker delivered in her first season with the franchise.

History behind the construction of the team.

Coach James Wade says he has fought stereotypes as a Black man.

Chicago fans are reveling in the win......they say it's great for women's sports.

WNBA news:

The 10 biggest questions in the offseason.

The WNBPA has denounced the Texas abortion ban in an ad.

WNBA player news:

Amanda Zahui B. wins the season long community assist award.

Elena Delle Donne reflects on living her truth five years after coming out.

College team news:

After an offseason of changes, North Carolina has formed a new identity.

Will tomorrow be the last game of the Finals?

WNBA Finals news:

Candace Parker is firing up hometown fans as the Sky are one win away from a title.

Chicago is looking to close out Phoenix.

The Sky have brought the championship buzz back to Chi-town.......and the team is drawing the city's attention, at last.

Kahleah Copper's methodical rise has Chicago on the verge of a championship.

The Mercury's Finals life hinges on containing Copper.

Game 4 is tomorrow at noon PT/3 p.m. ET on ESPN

WNBA player news:

Diana Taurasi hopes to keep playing through the 2022 season.

College team news:

Experienced Louisville is set to begin chasing their fifth straight ACC title.

With eyes on the Sky, DePaul opens practice.

Oregon State's freshman class is loaded.

College coach news:

Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy and her family stole the show at Big Blue Madness last night.

Why Dawn Staley's new deal makes her proud.

Sky romp, take series lead

Finals, Game 3 results:

The Sky crushed the Mercury, 86-50. They lead the series 2-1 and could win a Championship Sunday.

WNBA news:

Why the WNBA may be entering thrive mode.

WNBA player news:

Diana Taurasi said she didn't realize the person she pushed in Wednesday's game was a referee.

Why Candace Parker took a chance on Chicago.

Parker and fellow native Allie Quigley are powering the Sky.

Skylar Diggins-Smith has cranked up her focus in the Finals.

Elena Delle Donne is hoping to grow girl's participation in sports.

The all-WNBA first and second teams were named.

NCAA news:

The NCAA has proposed dropping minimum test scores to advance racial equity.

College conference news:

The Big Ten wants to erase decades of gender inequity.

College team news:

Notre Dame is hungry to make it back to the NCAA Tournament.

College coach news:

South Carolina has inked Dawn Staley to a seven-year, $22.4 million extension, making her the highest-paid Black female collegiate coach.

Staley says it's a big statement for women.

Quite the day between matchups

WNBA playoff news:

The Mercury's title hopes rise and fall with Brittney Griner.

WNBA player news:

Diana Taurasi was fined $2,500 for making inappropriate contact with an official in last night's game.

Breanna Stewart underwent successful minor surgery on her left Achilles, and will be ready for the 2022 season.

WNBA coach news:

New Atlanta Dream coach Tanisha Wright faces a difficult test in turning around the franchise.

Wright went from the West Mifflin projects to head coach in the pros.

WNBA news:

Nashville is readying its pitch for a WNBA franchise.

Players and coaches reveal what they'd like the next chapter to be for the league.

NCAA news:

The proposal to increase the NCAA Tournament field to 68 teams has advanced.

College team news:

The ACC's top contenders are counting on veteran talent this season.

Facing a tough schedule, Maryland shows no fear in hunting for a championship.

Michigan is ready for its encore.

Different Baylor, same dream.

LSU is finding the humorous side of practice.

Minnesota is at full strength heading into the season.

Inspired by their coach, Cal is determined to pack more punch this year.

Virginia's roster is a blessing to their coach.

UNLV opens the season with league title expectations.

Syracuse update.

ECU expects improvements after adding transfers.

A blistering game, and the series is tied

WNBA Finals results:

The Mercury outlasted the Sky in OT, 91-86, to even the series. Game 3 is Friday in Chicago.

WNBA player news:

Diana Taurasi is frustrated with the league's travel constraints.

Allie Quigley's journey is one of resilience.

The trade that brought Kahleah Copper to Chicago.

Breanna Stewart says the league needs to change its playoff format.

Michaela Onyenwere says don't count the Liberty out.

Sue Bird talks about how the WNBA became a force for social change.

Edna Campbell is a breast cancer survivor pioneer.

College team news:

The national championship conversation starts with the season for NC State.

Virginia Tech has Sweet 16 dreams.

Why every game will be personal for Notre Dame this year.

Buffalo is hungry for redemption.

Ohio State is eager for a chance to rebound after a tough 2020-2021 season.

Syracuse talks transfers, bonding and faith in the program.

Remade Virginia eyes a winning season.

Cal enters the season healthy.

Utah is rebranding itself after a bad year.

Pac-12 notebook.

College player news:

A healthy Kayla Jones is ready to lead the Wolfpack in her grad season.

Her arrival delayed a year, Matilda Ekh is ready to help Michigan State.

Te-Hina Paopao is on the same trajectory as former Oregon great Sabrina Ionescu, their coach says.

College coach news:

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb can impact the Pac-12.

A year later, ODU coach Delisha Milton-Jones gets a proper introduction.

Former Louisiana Tech coach Leon Barmore is getting a statue in Ruston.

The calm before the storm

Game 2 of the Finals - Sky at Mercury - is at 6 p.m. PT tomorrow on ESPN

WNBA playoff news:

Candace Parker is the calm and the storm for Chicago.

Give Parker her flowers while her game is still in bloom.

Kahleah Copper is the breakout player of the playoffs.

Diamond DeShields is doing whatever the Sky need to win.

WNBA team news:

The Storm will get a new, dedicated practice facility, thanks to new legislation.

WNBA coach news:

The Dream have hired Tanisha Wright as their new head coach.

Other pro news:

A new women's pro league will debut early next year.

College team news:

Stanford tops the preseason Pac-12 coaches poll.

Offseason roster turnover has resulted in a more experienced and versatile Oregon lineup.

UCLA and USC Pac-12 media takeaways.

A new guard pairing is taking center stage for the Bruins......they are picked to finish third in the conference.

Arizona looks to build on the momentum of last year's Final Four run.

Expectations are high for Washington State.......they are tabbed to finish sixth.

Washington's players are committed and ready to grow under new coach Tina Langley.....the Huskies are picked to finish tenth.

Expectations remain low for Utah.

Iowa looks to be a Big Ten contender.

VCU is positively influenced by last year's championship.

Siena will use live video on the bench this season.

College player news:

UConn senior Christyn Williams is eager for redemption and consistency after elbow surgery.

College coach news:

Nikki McCray-Penson has resigned at Mississippi State due to health reasons.

Who is the Bulldogs' interim head coach Doug Novak?

Between day 1

WNBA playoff news:

Five things we learned in Game 1 that will determine the league champion.

WNBA player news:

Candace Parker gloated to friend Lisa Leslie during yesterday's game.

Can Skylar Diggins-Smith cap off a career year with a Championship?

Brittney Griner tells her coming out story.

WNBA coach news:

Sandy Brondello and Olaf Lange are on opposite sites in the Finals, but are united in marriage.

WNBA news:

The story behind the custom jackets players received yesterday at the top 25 celebration.

Is the WNBA a missed fashion opportunity?

The league eyes expansion and a changed playoff format.

College team news:

There's no standing still for Indiana.

Michigan's surprise Sweet 16 run has them aiming higher.

Dayton is taking advantage of experience by moving fast in practices.

What to expect from Colorado State this year.

College coach news:

Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella is "the most excited he's ever been" for the season.

Vonn Read's first impression as Syracuse acting coach was an airball......Read said the program is trying to move forward.

Chicago takes the first game

Finals Game 1:

The Sky carved up the Mercury's defense to take Game 1, 91-77.

Chicago's deep bench powered them through.

Candace Parker helped the Sky settle down from first game jitters.

Diana Taurasi said fatigue wasn't a factor in Phoenix's loss.

WNBA news:

The league will pay for charter flights for the next two games.

WNBA team news:

The Aces face a crucial offseason after losing in the semifinals.

WNBA player news:

Candace Parker is shining this season.

Diana Taurasi might be closer to retiring than we think.

Taurasi was voted by fans as the league "GOAT."

College player news:

Azzi Fudd is settled into UConn and ready for her anticipated debut.

College coach news:

Tara VanDerveer and others recall the Title IX revolution.

Get ready for Finals game 1

WNBA playoff news:

Tomorrow at noon PT, 3 p.m. ET, on ABC

Finals preview.

Chronicling the journeys of the Sky and Mercury to the Finals.

Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi have their teams ready for play.

Keys for each team.

What to expect from the matchup.

Who is the favorite to win?

After a seven-year wait, Phoenix has another chance at a title.

WNBA player news:

Diana Taurasi made it home in time for the birth of her daughter earlier this morning, with Penny Taylor.......Taurasi will play tomorrow.

Liz Cambage will have a private hearing over her pre-Olympic altercation.

WNBA coach news:

James Wade is the head of the Sky's family.

College team news:

USC season outlook.