PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury assistant coach Tangela Smith has watched the game evolve as a player, champion and now a coach, giving her a unique perspective on the rapid rise of women’s basketball.
Smith, who played in Phoenix for four seasons and helped lead the franchise to two championships, said the growth of the league and the sport as a whole is unmistakable.
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“I feel like the X-Factor have been great since the beginning of time, but I think the fan base has grown tremendously and the WNBA and women’s basketball overall,” Smith said to WNBA writer Shane Young.
Smith’s comments reflect a major shift in the WNBA landscape, where attendance, visibility and investment have all surged in recent years. From national TV exposure to increased local interest, the sport has reached new audiences while maintaining strong support in markets like Phoenix.
The two-time champion pointed to key structural changes in the league as a driving force behind that progress, most notably the recent collective bargaining agreement.
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“The CBA was amazing. Everybody who had a part in that, you know,” Smith said. “So I think just being there and being a part of that has done a lot for the game of basketball.”
Phoenix Mercury players huddle up before their preseason game against Team Japan at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The updated CBA brought improvements in player salaries, benefits and working conditions — milestones that players in Smith’s era helped pave the way for but did not fully experience during their careers.
For the Mercury, Smith’s presence on the coaching staff offers more than just experience. She provides a direct link between the league’s past and present, having witnessed its evolution firsthand. In a market that has supported the WNBA since its inception, that perspective carries added value as the franchise continues to grow alongside the league.
Phoenix Mercury cheers for their teammates from the bench while playing against Chicago Sky on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. © Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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“I’ve just seen it grow over the years,” she said. “So the players are getting way better from when I played. Women’s sports overall is just great.”
