WNBA Eliminates Single-Elimination Games, Byes in New Playoff Format

The WNBA announced the approval of a new playoff format on Thursday that is set to go into effect next season.

Among the key changes will be the elimination of single-elimination postseason contests and the elimination of playoff byes.

Instead, the eight teams with the highest winning percentage over the league's 36-game regular season will be seeded, with the top seed playing the No. 8 in a first-round best-of-three series. The No. 2 seed will play the No. 7 seed, the No. 6 will play the No. 3 seed and the No. 5 seed will play the No. 4 seed, all in best-of-three series.

The winners of each series will move to play each other in a best-of-five semifinal series, with those winners playing in a…