The WNBA’s “Bonner Rule”? One Player’s Exit Could Reshape the League
Dana Bonner’s shocking departure from the Indiana Fever isn’t just a sports headline—it’s a full-blown WNBA crisis. The 16-year vet was brought in as a mentor for rookie superstar Caitlin Clark. But instead of guiding the phenom, Bonner flamed out—averaging just 7.1 points over nine games before being benched and walking away from the team.
Now, reports say Bonner orchestrated her own exit with surgical precision. Allegedly, she discouraged teams from claiming her off waivers so she could sign with the Phoenix Mercury—where her fiancée, Alyssa Thomas, plays. No trade. No compensation. Just an empty roster spot and a league-wide headache.
Enter: the proposed “Bonner Rule.”
League insiders say the WNBA may impose strict new penalties to prevent future tampering. Think: forfeited bonuses, tougher waiver regulations, and draft-pick punishments for collusion. The goal? Protect small-market teams and restore contract integrity.
Even worse than the PR hit? The silence from other players. Not one public defense. Not one show of support. The message is loud and clear: this wasn’t empowerment—it was betrayal.
Bonner got her wish—but her legacy may be permanently scarred. And the league she left behind? It’s now scrambling to make sure this never happens again.
