The WNBA Board of Governors met today and after the meeting, new rules changes were announced. These rule changes will take affect immediately (or rather, next season):


Harsher penalties for flops. Any player believed to have committed a flop will be given an automatic penalty after an initial warning. The violation will rsult in a fine, and the fines will increase with each called flop. After the sixth flop, a player may be suspended. Separate flopping penalties for playoff games will be announced at a later date.

Moving the 3-point line. The 3-point line will be moved from 20 feet 6 1/4 inches to 22 feet 1 3/4 inches. This brings the WNBA 3-point line in alignment with the FIBA 3-point line used in international play.

Defensive 3-second rule. Violations will be called if a defensive player spends more than three seconds in the free throw lane (the paint) while not actively guarding an opponent. A violation will be treated as a technical foul and the offense will maintain possession after being given one free throw. You can call this the Brittney Griner rule as it will keep Griner from just staying near the basket on defense.

Video/flagrant foul review: Previously, a flagrant foul would be called but only a Flagrant Foul 2 could be reviewed by video. Now, the level of foul will only be assigned after the play was reviewed.

All in all, these rules make sense. Women's basketball doesn't have to be like men's basketball, but these are all good decisions and the women's game should borrow from the men's whenever it makes sense.