Nneka Ogwumike to retire after 2026 season
Nneka Ogwumike announced Wednesday she will retire at the end of the 2026 WNBA season. The 11-time All-Star, who was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 2012 by the Los Angeles Sparks, said in an interview with Boardroom that she has learned there is power in knowing when to walk away.
Ogwumike has won the MVP award in 2016 and been an eight-time All-WNBA selection. Her 11 All-Star selections are tied for the second-most in league history. She spent the first 12 years of her career with the Sparks before a one-year stint with the Seattle Storm last season and returned to Los Angeles this year.
As the WNBPA president since 2016, Ogwumike has led negotiations for two collective bargaining agreements, including the most recent deal put in place before this season which secured the largest salary increase for WNBA players from one CBA to the next in all professional sports and expanded benefits, player protections and resources for active and retired players.
The Sparks have nine games remaining on their regular-season schedule and are out of contention for the eight-seed and playoffs. If Los Angeles fails to make the postseason, Ogwumike's final game will be Sept. 24 at home against the Golden State Valkyries.