No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

The Athletic
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No Offseason is The Athletic’s show for all things women’s basketball. Hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman bring you the stories that matter the most and the insider info you need from the sport that never stops – served up alongside exclusive interviews with the biggest names in women’s hoops, from the NCAA to the WNBA and all points in between. New episodes drop Tuesday and Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Green Sex Toys, an Obscure Memecoin, and a Shadow over the WNBA

    Zena and Sabreena recap the Brittney Sykes and Aaliyah Edwards trades made at the WNBA trade deadline, and assess Seattle's potential as a contender, plus Washington's direction after its surprising hot start.  Then, Ben joins to discuss his reporting on the wave of bright green sex toys being thrown onto WNBA courts. He takes us into the world of memecoins and crypto disruptions and what this trend has to do with women's basketball. The group adds their reactions about how this has potentially corrupted a positive moment for the league.  Finally, Zena and Sabreena set their screens for a big western conference showdown with playoff seeding implications. _________________ References: WNBA sex toy incidents may be linked to cryptocurrency group’s money scheme by Ben Pickman Can the Seattle Storm contend for a WNBA title? Mailbag answers from our expert by Sabreena Merchant Third WNBA game interrupted by a sex toy. What are players, coaches saying? by Sabreena Merchant Washington Mystics trade Brittney Sykes to Seattle Storm by Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant For the WNBA, this is about more than just green sex toys by Shannon Ryan   _________________ Visit our YouTube page! _________________ Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    Are the Connecticut Sun Headed to Boston?

    Zena, Ben, and Sabreena discuss a busy weekend in the W: Phee’s ankle injury, DiJonai’s trade to the Lynx, and the potential sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun. Sabreena and Ben share their insider perspective and reporting around how likely this sale is to go through – and the complications that could derail it. Then, Sabreena’s power rankings are back in action - and so is the Sabreena Scale, with an emphasis on the Indiana Fever and the Los Angeles Sparks. Next up, Ben and Sabreena enter the trade machine: who should be traded where? Who could be traded where? And why don’t more players get traded in the W, in general? Plus, Ben serves up another edition of Something in Common. _________________ References: Connecticut Sun sold to group led by Celtics minority owner with intention of moving team to Boston: Reports by Ben Pickman WNBA power rankings: Are the Indiana Fever contenders again? by Sabreena Merchant Lynx star Napheesa Collier to undergo testing after injuring ankle vs. Aces by Ben Pickman Wings trade DiJonai Carrington to Lynx for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson, draft pick by Sarah Jean Maher   _________________ Visit our YouTube page! _________________ Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  3. 1 AUG

    What makes a team a “bad” WNBA team?

    Zena and Ben talk about the wacky week that was in the W, with bright green instruments hitting the court and Sparky the LA mascot hitting the deck hard during halftime. Next, they discuss the first rematch of the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty since their finals run last season. Then, with a few big upsets around the Association this week, they turn their attention to some bigger questions – like why do the outcomes of almost every game feel so consequential? Why does the W feel so inconsistent sometimes? What do we mean when we say a team is a “bad” team? In short, what does the concept of hierarchy really mean in the WNBA? After that, Ben and Zena talk through some of the most intriguing players in the W, as the second half of the season gets underway. Plus, what we’re watching this weekend. _________________ Visit our YouTube page! _________________ Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  4. 29 JUL

    Does the NBA hurt the WNBA’s profitability?

    The gang is back together to talk about an action-packed weekend in the WNBA – from the Liberty-Sparks buzzer beater to fortunes starting to turn for the Valks and the Lynx.  Then, basketball and business writer for The Athletic Mike Vorkunov joins the pod to talk about the working relationship between the WNBA and the NBA. With a special focus on CBA negotiations and expansion, Zena, Ben and Mike lean into all things money: why hasn’t the WNBA ever been profitable? What role does the NBA play in that question – and what roles do NBA staffers play all throughout the W? Why are NBA owners selling teams at a record rate, while at the same time, investors are clamoring to get into the W? How exactly is revenue defined in the WNBA – and how important is the answer to that question when determining how much the players are owed? _________________ Visit our YouTube page! _________________ References: Liberty star Breanna Stewart avoided serious injury in loss to Sparks: Source by Ben Pickman Valkyries’ Kayla Thornton to miss rest of season after knee surgery by Darnell Mayberry and Ben Pickman How the WNBA went from an ‘existential’ moment to record success by Mike Vorkunov and Ben Pickman _________________ Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min

  5. 25 JUL

    Can New York Get Back on Top? Will the Fever & Aces Start Winning More?

    Zena is back from vacation – and stepping into a world where the WNBA dominates her social feed. She and Ben talk about All-Star Weekend, and how the W – from the StudBudz to the players’ viral warmup shirts – has moved into a new space of cultural prominence. Next, Ben shares reporting updates on the CBA – the new collective bargaining agreement being negotiated in the WNBA – including who exactly is sitting on both sides of the table, how revenue sharing actually works in the W (hint: it’s different than you think), and what the league is willing to say about its profitability. Then, Zena and Ben talk through some of the biggest questions facing the teams of the WNBA as the second half of the season gets underway. Can the Fever and the Aces make a real run for it? With some fresh faces in the mix, will the Liberty be back on top? Are there any lower ranked teams that can make it to the playoffs?  Plus, what we’re watching this weekend. _________________ Visit our YouTube page! _________________ References: What to know about WNBA CBA negotiations: Revenue sharing, salary increases and scheduling by Ben Pickman As Caitlin Clark’s injuries persist, what’s the Fever’s outlook for WNBA’s second half? by Ben Pickman Two-time All-Star Emma Meesseman to sign with New York Liberty in WNBA return: Source by Ben Pickman Ten questions (that don’t involve Caitlin Clark) about the WNBA’s second half by Sabreena Merchant _________________ Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  6. 22 JUL

    WNBA All-Star: StudBudz, “Pay Us What You Owe Us” + More

    Ben is joined by James Boyd, a writer for The Athletic based in Indianapolis, to dish on the winners and losers from WNBA All-Star Weekend. They go behind-the-scenes in Indy, from the CBA negotiations on Thursday to the 3-point contest on Friday night to the pre-game activism on Saturday – and the 72-hour StudBudz stream that captured it all. Then, they do a deep dive on what’s behind the “Pay Us What You Owe Us” t-shirts that the All-Stars wore before the game on Saturday: Where do things stand with CBA negotiations? What did players and league representatives say about the meeting that kicked off All-Star Weekend? And where could things evolve with this new contract as the months wear on? Plus, some WNBA games to look forward to as the second half of the season gets underway. _________________ Visit our YouTube page! _________________ References: WNBA players wisely use All-Star spotlight for CBA leverage: ‘Pay us what you owe us’ by Sabreena Merchant WNBA All-Star Game winners, losers: ‘Pay Us’ shirts, Napheesa Collier record, Indy as host by Ben Pickman Napheesa Collier named All-Star Game MVP as players send message about CBA demands by James Boyd WNBA commissioner confident CBA will be signed by deadline despite player concerns by Ben Pickman Liberty sweep: Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Ionescu dominate WNBA All-Star Friday by Sabreena Merchant, James Boyd, and Ben Pickman Grading WNBA All-Star contests: Sabrina Ionescu’s 3-point performance sets high bar by Ben Pickman _________________ Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min

  7. 18 JUL

    Everything You Need to Know about WNBA All-Star Weekend

    Ben and Sabreena are joined by The Athletic’s very own Indianapolis-based writer, James Boyd, for a rundown of WNBA All-Star Weekend – complete with recommendations for where to eat, drink, and catch some players off the court. They talk to James about the current mood in Indianapolis, amidst the reality of another sidelining injury for Caitlin Clark -- how disappointing Clark's absence on the court this weekend is for fans, especially those in Indy, and how personally devastating it must be for Clark herself.  Then, the crew turns their attention to the festivities: detailing what to watch for at the 3-Point contest and the Skills challenge – including who might win both. Plus, they throw out a few ideas of their own, for ways the WNBA can get creative with this part of the weekend in years to come. Then, they discuss who’s poised to have a breakout performance during the All-Star Game on Saturday night. Ben rounds out the episode with an All-Star Skills Trivia Challenge. _________________ Visit our YouTube page! _________________ References: Caitlin Clark leaves Fever victory with groin injury ahead of All-Star Game by James Boyd Caitlin Clark invited to WNBA 3-point contest with Allisha Gray, Sabrina Ionescu and others by Sabreena Merchant Caitlin Clark’s absence from All-Star Game will cast a shadow by Ben Pickman Fever’s Caitlin Clark to miss WNBA All-Star Game due to groin injury by Jenna West and James Boyd What to know about the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, skills competition and 3-point contest by Sabreena Merchant _________________ Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  8. 17 JUL

    Future Power Rankings: Best WNBA Teams in 5 Years

    Ben and Sabreena dig into the details behind another big reporting project: Future Power Rankings in the WNBA. How might WNBA teams stack up against each other in five years? Which franchises are poised to be the most successful? Ben and Sabreena share the methodology behind it all – from weighting players and coaches to draft picks and facilities – and give a window into the W’s future. Plus, thoughts on the Portland Fire announcement and some truly strange league rules around players wearing hats on the sidelines. _________________ Visit our YouTube page! _________________ References: Caitlin Clark leaves Fever victory with groin injury ahead of All-Star Game by James Boyd Why did the WNBA issue a fine warning for a player wearing a sideline hat? by Ben Pickman Which WNBA franchises do players say are the worst- and best-run? by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman WNBA future franchise rankings: The Fever are on top, but who is chasing Caitlin Clark and Co.? by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman _________________ Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
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No Offseason is The Athletic’s show for all things women’s basketball. Hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman bring you the stories that matter the most and the insider info you need from the sport that never stops – served up alongside exclusive interviews with the biggest names in women’s hoops, from the NCAA to the WNBA and all points in between. New episodes drop Tuesday and Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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