2012 WNBA season

The 2012 WNBA season was the 16th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on May 18, 2012.

2011/2012 WNBA offseason

 * The new television deal with ESPN continued during the 2012 season (runs 2009–2016). For the first time ever, teams will be paid rights fees as part of this deal.
 * On January 3, 2012, the Tulsa Shock named former Indiana assistant coach Gary Kloppenburg head coach.
 * On January 5, 2012, the Los Angeles Sparks named former Atlanta assistant coach Carol Ross head coach.
 * The Seattle Storm trade three time WNBA champion Swin Cash to the Chicago Sky.
 * The New York Liberty played home games for the next two seasons at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, due to summer renovations at Madison Square Garden.

2012 WNBA draft
The WNBA Draft lottery was held on November 10, 2011. The lottery teams were the Tulsa Shock, Minnesota Lynx (from Wash.), Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks. The top pick was awarded to Los Angeles.

The 2012 WNBA Draft was held on April 16, 2012, in Bristol, Connecticut. Coverage of the first round was shown on ESPN (HD). Second and third round coverage was shown on ESPNU and NBA TV.

Regular season
Due to the 2012 Summer Olympics, there was no All-Star Game this season as the Olympiad caused a break from mid-July through August.

Eastern Conference

 * Atlanta Dream: Marynell Meadors and Fred Williams
 * Chicago Sky: Pokey Chatman
 * Connecticut Sun: Mike Thibault
 * Indiana Fever: Lin Dunn
 * New York Liberty: John Whisenant
 * Washington Mystics: Trudi Lacey

Western Conference

 * Los Angeles Sparks: Carol Ross
 * Minnesota Lynx: Cheryl Reeve
 * Phoenix Mercury: Corey Gaines
 * San Antonio Silver Stars: Dan Hughes
 * Seattle Storm: Brian Agler
 * Tulsa Shock: Gary Kloppenburg