What does getting 'cored' in the WNBA mean? The contract designation, explained

WNBA free agency starts February 1, and before that date and in the following days, you may hear the phrase “(insert player name here) has been cored.” You might be thinking: What does that mean?

Here’s the answer. It’s similar to the NFL’s franchise tag but for the WNBA.

A “core” designation is typically used on unrestricted free agents. If a team uses the tag, that means a player is essential to the team’s overall success and identity. Any player given a core tag would no longer be an unrestricted free agent, and the team owns the exclusive rights to that player. Per the WNBA CBA, the player will be offered a one-year supermax contract, but a longer deal can also be made with the team.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Players can agree to play the season on the one-year deal but aren’t required to. If the team and player come to an impasse, the two signs can work together to negotiate a sign-and-trade agreement. This allows the player to move to a new destination and enables the team to recoup some value in return.

For example, Dallas Wings forward and unrestricted free agent Satou Sabally mentioned that she is leaving the organization. However, Sabally was a critical part of the team, and the Wings won’t simply let her walk in free agency without getting back some value. The Wings will core her and then work to find a new destination for Sabally.

Expect the Dallas Wings to officially core Satou Sabally today. Sabally has already announced she has played her final game for Dallas, and that she and the Wings are looking to find her a new home.

She joins Vegas' Kelsey Plum as stars who've been cored by their teams so far

— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) January 13, 2025