Nneka Ogwumike announces retirement from WNBA after 15 seasons
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 4:40 PM
Last updated Aug 19, 2026
Nneka Ogwumike has announced her retirement from the WNBA after 15 seasons, effective at the end of the 2026 season. The Los Angeles Sparks star has enjoyed a celebrated career, including one MVP award, 11 All-Star selections, and a championship title with the Sparks in 2016. After a two-year stint in Seattle, she returned to Los Angeles this past season on a one-year contract. Off the court, Ogwumike has served as president of the WNBA players' union since 2016 and recently played a key role in negotiating a landmark collective bargaining agreement. She is set to join Project B, a new league launching in January.
- •Ogwumike finishes with fourth all-time in points, third in rebounds.
- •Led the Sparks to a title in 2016.
- •Recently re-elected as WNBPA president for a fourth term.
- •Sparks are close to playoff elimination with nine games left.
- 1:11 PMYahoo Sports — Two-time WNBA champion addresses potential retirement plans after Nneka Ogwumike
- 8:16 PMYahoo Sports — Nneka Ogwumike, 11-time WNBA All-Star and players’ union president, retiring at end of ’26 season
- 7:05 PMYahoo Sports — Why Nneka Ogwumike retires as one of the most unique stars in WNBA history
- 4:40 PMCBS Sports — Nneka Ogwumike retires: Legendary WNBA player to call it a career after 15th season
- 4:31 PMYahoo Sports — WNBA veteran Nneka Ogwumike announces retirement
- 3:27 PMYahoo Sports — Nneka Ogwumike Announces WNBA Retirement After 15 Seasons
"Nneka Ogwumike announced Wednesday that she is retiring from the WNBA after 15 seasons. The WNBA champion and league MVP released the news on “Boardroom Talks” that this season will be her last. “I’ve learned there’s power in knowing when to walk away,” Ogwumike said in a statement. “For so long, that strength meant finding a way to keep pushing. Now, it means recognizing when you feel complete. I find myself grateful, fulfilled and at peace with everything this game has given me and everything
"After playing 15 WNBA seasons and leading the charge for the league’s transformative collective bargaining agreement, Nneka Ogwumike is calling it a career. On Wednesday, the 11-time WNBA All-Star and longtime WNBPA President announced her intentions to retire at the end of this season. “I’ve learned there’s power in knowing when to walk away,” Ogwumike said in an interview with Taylor Rooks for ...
"The whole of the WNBA came together as Nneka Ogwumike officially called time on her hall-of-fame career. Nneka Ogwumike is stepping away from the WNBA after 15 seasons, capping off a career defined by her 2016 MVP award, a championship with the Los Angeles Sparks, and 11 All-Star selections.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 21, 2026, 1:11 PMTwo-time WNBA champion addresses potential retirement plans after Nneka Ogwumike
The whole of the WNBA came together as Nneka Ogwumike officially called time on her hall-of-fame career. Nneka Ogwumike is stepping away from the WNBA after 15 seasons, capping off a career defined by her 2016 MVP award, a championship with the Los Angeles Sparks, and 11 All-Star selections.
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 8:16 PMNneka Ogwumike, 11-time WNBA All-Star and players’ union president, retiring at end of ’26 season
After playing 15 WNBA seasons and leading the charge for the league’s transformative collective bargaining agreement, Nneka Ogwumike is calling it a career. On Wednesday, the 11-time WNBA All-Star and longtime WNBPA President announced her intentions to retire at the end of this season. “I’ve learned there’s power in knowing when to walk away,” Ogwumike said in an interview with Taylor Rooks for ...
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 7:05 PMWhy Nneka Ogwumike retires as one of the most unique stars in WNBA history
The numbers don't lie: Nneka Ogwumike was one of the most consistent stars in the WNBA across her 15 years in the league.
- CBS SportsAug 19, 2026, 4:40 PMNneka Ogwumike retires: Legendary WNBA player to call it a career after 15th season
Ogwumike, 36, is one of the WNBA's all-time leading scorers and rebounders and has been the president of the players association for a decade
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 4:31 PMWNBA veteran Nneka Ogwumike announces retirement
Nneka Ogwumike announced Wednesday that she is retiring from the WNBA after 15 seasons. The WNBA champion and league MVP released the news on “Boardroom Talks” that this season will be her last. “I’ve learned there’s power in knowing when to walk away,” Ogwumike said in a statement. “For so long, that strength meant finding a way to keep pushing. Now, it means recognizing when you feel complete. I find myself grateful, fulfilled and at peace with everything this game has given me and everything
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 3:27 PMNneka Ogwumike Announces WNBA Retirement After 15 Seasons
It's unclear what the move means for Project B or the WNBPA.
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