​The Los Angeles Sparks and general manager Raegan Pebley have parted ways effective immediately, with assistant general managers Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen set to share the GM duties on an interim basis, according to a team release. Sparks officials expressed appreciation for Pebley’s leadership and dedication to the franchise and to women’s basketball, noting that her work shaping the roster and enhancing player experience will leave a lasting positive imprint on the organization. They extended their best wishes to Pebley as she moves forward in her next chapter.
Pebley, 50, stepped into the Sparks’ front office in January 2024 after a 21-year coaching career at institutions including Utah State, Fresno State and TCU, and prior roles as an assistant at Colorado State and George Mason. She also spent two seasons as a player in the WNBA. During her tenure, Los Angeles totaled a 39-66 record, including an 8-32 campaign in 2024, a 21-23 mark in 2025, and a 10-11 record this season so far. The Sparks have not reached the playoffs in five straight years and sit ninth in the league standings, though they have strung together a brief revival with back-to-back wins after beating Indiana 106-92 and Chicago 102-87. The team has been without its leading scorer, Kelsey Plum, who averages 23.9 points and 6.4 assists across 12 games but has been sidelined since June 21 with a leg injury. In her absence, Nneka Ogwumike, averaging 16.9 points and 8.8 rebounds, Dearica Hamby with 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds, and Rae Burrell with 12.3 points have shouldered more of the scoring, while Cameron Brink has seen limited action—14 of the team’s 21 games—as she recovers from injury.
Through 21 games this season, the Sparks ranked 12th in the WNBA with a net rating of -5.0, posting a 107.2 offensive rating and a 112.2 defensive rating, marking them as the third-worst unit in the league before the leadership change. Pebley’s time in Los Angeles included the 2024 decision to fire coach Curt Miller after a 25-55 record across two seasons, followed by the hiring of Lynne Roberts to lead the team. The front office also oversaw notable roster moves, such as drafting Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson with lottery picks, trading for guard Kelsey Plum, re-signing longtime Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike after her two-season stint with Seattle, and trading Rickea Jackson to Chicago for guard Ariel Atkins.
Roberts learned of Pebley’s departure on Sunday morning ahead of practice and spoke candidly, saying, “I found out this morning. Raegan’s a friend of mine and I care about her. This is the hard part in sports, right?” The Sparks have not reached the playoffs since 2020, though they have clinched three league titles in franchise history (2001, 2002, and 2016).
WNBA Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things WNBA. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.