The Las Vegas Aces strengthened their coaching ranks by hiring Ty Ellis, bringing his extensive NBA, USA Basketball and G League experience to the two-time WNBA champions. The move highlights a growing trend of high-profile coaches crossing between the NBA and WNBA.
Head coach Becky Hammon praised Ellis’s arrival, citing his diverse experience and character as key additions to the championship culture. Ellis joins the Aces following successful runs with USA Basketball and as head coach of the G League’s Stockton Kings.
The hire comes as the Aces navigate coaching transitions, having seen assistants Natalie Nakase and Tyler Marsh depart for WNBA head coaching positions. Ellis’s appointment reflects the increasing prestige of WNBA coaching roles, with top positions now commanding salaries exceeding $1 million annually.
The Evolution of WNBA Coaching:
– Becky Hammon blazed a trail from NBA assistant (Spurs) to WNBA head coach
– Phoenix Mercury’s Nate Tibbets represents another NBA-to-WNBA transition
– Coaching salaries now rival or exceed NBA assistant positions
– Increased competition for coaching talent between leagues
Ellis brings eight years of USA Basketball experience and NBA coaching credentials from his time with the Phoenix Suns organization. His arrival bolsters an Aces program seeking its third title in four years.
The move demonstrates the WNBA’s growing ability to attract top coaching talent, with multiple head coaching positions still available across the league. As Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull noted, the expanding coaching pool signals the league’s continued growth.
WNBA’s Meteoric Rise:
- League viewership jumped 21% in 2023
- Social media following increased 36% across platforms from 2020-2023
- ESPN expanded coverage to 25 regular season games in 2023, up from 16 in 2020
- Average player salary reached $130,000 in 2023, marking a 94% increase since 2019
- Franchise valuations soared with NY Liberty valued at $500 million in 2023
“The WNBA’s evolution has created a space where top coaches see genuine opportunity,” said Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull. This growth attracts coaching talent like Ellis, who leaves NBA circles for a league where head coaches now command seven-figure salaries.
The league’s expansion plans further demonstrate its trajectory. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced a new franchise coming to the Bay Area in 2025, while Portland and Toronto lead candidates for additional teams.
Investor confidence surged as Google, Nike and AT&T increased partnerships. The league’s latest media rights negotiations could triple current revenue, with streaming platforms joining traditional broadcasters in bidding.
