Michael Voepel Close Michael Voepel ESPN Senior Writer Michael Voepel is a senior writer who covers the WNBA, women's college basketball and other college sports. Voepel began covering women's basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996. , Alexa Philippou Close Alexa Philippou Women's Basketball Reporter Covers women's college basketball and the WNBA Previously covered UConn and the WNBA Connecticut Sun for the Hartford Courant Stanford graduate and Baltimore native with further experience at the Dallas Morning News, Seattle Times and Cincinnati Enquirer , Kendra Andrews , Kareem Copeland May 4, 2026, 01:50 PM ET During the most difficult periods of collective bargaining negotiations from October to March, it seemed we might not get here. But on Friday, the WNBA will tip off its 30th season with three games.…