No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Zena, Ben, and Sabreena gather to discuss Napheesa Collier’s explosive exit interview statement, examining Phee’s words and the meaning underlying them from nearly every angle — what players really think about WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, the power dynamics at play and the NBA’s role behind the scenes, the physicality of the current game and the rise of injuries, the influence of Unrivaled, and the element threaded through all of this: the frustration over ongoing CBA negotiations and the potential of a work stoppage. Then, with Ben and Sabreena reporting on the ground in Vegas, the crew weighs in on the storylines to watch as the Aces-Mercury Finals match-up gets underway Friday night. Plus: who might have the edge to win it all?_________________References:Napheesa Collier calls out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert: ‘Worst leadership in the world’ by Ben Pickman Caitlin Clark will not play in Unrivaled this winter: Source by Ben Pickman and Alex Andrejev WNBA players say CBA negotiations are stalling as deadline nears by Sabreena MerchantIs the WNBA headed for a work stoppage? The consequences could be grim for the league by Ben PickmanThe Las Vegas Aces heard your doubts. … It fueled their run back to the WNBA Finals by Sabreena Merchant _________________No Offseason is a part of the The Athletic media network. Visit our YouTube page!_________________Have feedback or a question? Email us! And we'll try to answer on a future episode: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Ben, and Sabreena take a dive deep into the highly anticipated Game 5 semifinals match-up between the Aces and Fever. Will A’ja Wilson bring her A-game? What adjustments will the Aces make? And how can the Fever pull off the ultimate upset? Then, the crew share their thoughts on the emotional end to the Lynx’s season – and the Mercury’s ascendance to the Finals. Next, following Cheryl Reeve’s suspension after the Mercury-Lynx Game 3 on Friday night, Zena, Ben, and Sabreena talk about the play in question between Alyssa Thomas and Napheesa Collier – before getting into the intricacies behind freedom of movement in the WNBA and the implications of officiating decisions as teams continue to navigate the playoffs.Finally, The Athletic’s Sports Betting Editor, Hannah Vanbiber joins Zena and Ben to discuss the basics of sports betting – from money lines to point spreads and totals – before entertaining some made-up WNBA prop bets.  _________________References:Indiana Fever stave off elimination, even WNBA semifinals against Las Vegas Aces by Sabreena Merchant How did the Indiana Fever avoid collapsing? A season-long bond keeps them fighting by Sabreena MerchantMinnesota Lynx eliminated from WNBA playoffs, Phoenix Mercury reach finals by Ben Pickman Minnesota Lynx couldn’t get back to WNBA Finals. Next year’s quest might get even harder by Ben PickmanWNBA fines Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve $15,000 after Game 3 ejection, suspension: Source by Sabreena Merchant _________________No Offseason is a part of the The Athletic media network. Visit our YouTube page!_________________Have feedback or a question? Email us! And we'll try to answer on a future episode: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following two technical fouls during Game 3 of the semifinals – and some very choice comments during the post-game press conference – Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve has been suspended from Game 4. Zena, Ben, and Sabreena gather to break down the details behind the suspension, and answer the question: is it justified?_________________References:Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve suspended for Game 4 following ejection during loss to Mercury - The Athletic by Ben Pickman_________________No Offseason is a part of the The Athletic media network. Visit our YouTube page!_________________Have feedback or a question? Email us! And we'll try to answer on a future episode: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Ben, and Sabreena dive into the semifinal games, breaking down what made the difference for both the Aces and the Mercury in securing their wins. Then, they turn their attention towards Game 3 in each series: Can the Fever regain their momentum? Will the Mercury make the most of their homecourt advantage and edge ahead against the Lynx? Later, the crew goes behind the scenes of recent coaching changes in the WNBA, discussing the inside stories behind Sandy Brondello’s departure from the New York Liberty and Noelle Quinn’s exit from the Seattle Storm. They analyze the implications of these changes, expectations placed on new coaches, and the concerning absence of black female head coaches in the WNBA.Plus: Ben’s new game, “Who Said It?”_________________References:Las Vegas star A’ja Wilson found another level of leadership to guide Aces to semifinals win by Sabreena MerchantSix New York Liberty coaching candidates to replace Sandy Brondello by Ben Pickman_________________No Offseason is a part of the The Athletic media network. Visit our YouTube page!_________________Have feedback or a question? Email us! And we'll try to answer on a future episode: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena and Sabreena are joined by Brendan Glasheen, play-by-play announcer for the Connecticut Sun and Unrivaled. Together, they dive into the WNBA semifinals, discussing the performances of the top MVP vote-getters in their respective Game 1s, plus what adjustments the Aces and the Mercury need to make if they’re going to notch a win next time around. Then, it’s a deep dive into Unrivaled: the impact the league’s first season had on the WNBA’s current season, and some big changes to expect when Unrivaled’s second season rolls around in January. Finally, Sabreena quizzes Brendan on his memory of the 2025 Sun season. _________________References:Unrivaled women’s basketball league announces 2 expansion teams, 18 roster spots by Ben PickmanIndiana Fever, Minnesota Lynx make WNBA semifinals statements with victories by Sabreena Merchant and Jon Krawczynski Kelsey Mitchell played in 6 losing seasons with the Indiana Fever. Now? She’s thriving by Sabreena Merchant_________________No Offseason is a part of the The Athletic media network. Visit our YouTube page!_________________Have feedback or a question? Email us! And we'll try to answer on a future episode: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The WNBA playoffs have reached a fever pitch, and Zena and Sabreena are processing their feelings in real time. After a dramatic Thursday of Game 3s, the pair breaks down the clutch performances from the Fever and Aces to advance to the semifinals and salutes the efforts of the Dream, and especially the Storm, in defeat. They also preview Game 3 in Phoenix and figure out what lessons the Liberty and Mercury can take from the Valkyries' fight against the Lynx. Plus, some offseason predictions for the eliminated teams._________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first games of the postseason are in the books! Zena, Ben, and Sabreena share their takeaways after Sunday's games, from the Liberty’s road overtime win to the Aces continued hot streak -- providing insights into player performances and strategies that could impact each series in game 2.Plus, we discuss the impact of the growing popularity of the WNBA -- specifically on ticket prices and fan culture at large._________________References:WNBA playoffs takeaways: Lynx dominate Valkyries, Cloud thrives in OT Liberty win by Ben Pickman and Sabreena MerchantWNBA fandom costs rise as growing popularity drives up ticket prices by Ben Pickman _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Sabreena and Ben discuss the final few days of the Chicago Sky’s season before turning their attention to 2025 WNBA Playoffs. They break down each of the four first-round series, discussing key matchups and X-factors, before predicting who will advance. Then, they offer predictions for who will win it all this postseason. _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We will have our full 2025 WNBA playoff preview episode dropping later today!  _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the playoff standings are taking shape - Zena, Ben and Sabreena delve into the impressive win streak of the Las Vegas Aces and the evolving dynamics of teams like the New York Liberty and the Golden State Valkyries. Then, their conversation shifts to their award predictions!  Will this be a year of repeats? Who will be the MVP? Is it an easy choice for Coach of the Year? The crew continues on exploring the criteria for various awards, including Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved and Sixth Player of the Year. Finally, Zena chats with Veronica Burton, guard for the Golden State Valkyries, reflecting on her team's historic playoff qualification, the balance between opportunity and preparation, and her personal journey in basketball. _________________References:WNBA power rankings: Can Breanna Stewart spark the Liberty to prep for a playoff run? by Sabreena MerchantHas A’ja Wilson taken the lead over Napheesa Collier in WNBA MVP race? by Sabreena Merchant and Ben PickmanValkyries clinch historic playoff spot to culminate a season that has defied reason by Marcus Thompson IIGolden State Valkyries clinch playoff berth, will not host a game at Chase Center by Ben Pickman _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the WNBA season nearing a close, Zena, Sabreena and Ben discuss Angel Reese’s comments on the future of the Chicago Sky before coming with a group of made-up WNBA awards. Then, Las Vegas Aces forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus joins the show to share her insights on returning to the court two months after giving birth, balancing motherhood with her playing career and her decision to join the Las Vegas Aces. _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant discuss Caitlin Clark's injury announcement and its implications for her season and the Indiana Fever. They analyze the impact of her absence on the Fever's future and the overall growth of the WNBA. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by the Fever this season and the missed opportunities for the league due to Clark's injury. They also speculate on Clark's recovery and potential return to competitive play. _________________References:Caitlin Clark out for the rest of the season because of groin injury by Sabreena Merchant _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time once again for our mailbag episode! Zena, Ben and Sabreena answer your questions on all the buzzworthy topics of the 2025 WNBA season. Is there transparency in injury reporting? Has advanced analytics changed the way rookies have come into the league? Does the WNBA lack the depth to sustain expansion? And do special whistles exist in the W? Tune in to find out!  _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben returns to the show – joining Zena and Sabreena to discuss Rhyne Howard’s post-game comments concerning “MVP” chants breaking out for A’ja Wilson during the Aces-Dream game in Atlanta – plus, the crew digs in on Caitlin Clark’s new signature brand logo with Nike.Then, they do a deep dive on the Golden State Valkyries inaugural season – why they’ve had so much success both on the court and off, what future expansion teams can learn from their blueprint, and whether those news teams are positioned to thrive in the same way.Plus, Set Your Screens. _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena and Sabreena discuss the highlights from this past weekend in the WNBA – from the Aces extending their winning streak to the Storm increasing their playoff probability. And, in light of Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh’s ejection from the Sky-Sun game on Saturday, they debate the difference between the W’s infamous “physicality” and outright fouls.Then, Zena and Sabreena take a deep dive into the Rookie of the Year conversation – celebrating an incredible year for new players in the W – but settling on the only rookie who ultimately deserves the title: Paige Bueckers. How does she stack up against last year’s Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark? And what does the future look like for Paige and the Wings?Finally, Zena challenges Sabreena to a game of Two Takes and a Fake._________________References:WNBA power rankings: Can the Aces keep climbing in the standings? by Sabreena MerchantAs Indiana Fever await Caitlin Clark’s return, can they hold on for playoff push? by Sabreena Merchant _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A record-breaking 2025 season continues for the WNBA, and Zena and Sabreena are back to break down two of the biggest moments of the week: Sue Bird’s statue unveiling in Seattle and Paige Bueckers’ rookie-record 44 points against the Sparks, even in a losing effort. They also touch on some more injury news out of Indiana and Dallas and even more drama regarding the attempted sale of the Connecticut Sun. Then, it’s time for a big discussion on the WNBA schedule and why it has been such a hot topic of conversation among players and fans this season. Zena and Sabreena get into what parameters the league has to consider when creating the calendar and how this will change moving forward as the WNBA adds more teams and has to potentially expand its footprint. They talk about how the schedule may factor into health and safety and what the players are saying about the cadence of games before putting on their commissioner’s caps and making some suggestions for the league in 2026 and beyond. Finally, it’s time to set your screens for what Zena and Sabreena are watching this weekend.  _________________References:Paige Bueckers ties rookie single-game scoring record in Wings’ narrow loss to Sparks by Sabreena MerchantWhy has the sale of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun become so complicated? by Mike VorkunovThe Making of the WNBA schedule at WNBA.com _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena and Sabreena take stock of a historic WNBA weekend, including A’ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers, and Kelsey Plum all reaching individual milestones while the Golden State Valkyries set a record for the most wins by an expansion team. They also get into the latest injury news out of Indiana. Then, senior investigative writer Carson Kessler joins Zena and Sabreena to discuss The Athletic’s latest investigative series on stalking in sports. Carson explains how this project came to be and the trio explore a variety of topics including: the frequency of stalkers and why those numbers might be underreported, what stalking looks like in the digital age, and how colleges and leagues can protect their athletes going forward. Finally, Zena and Sabreena debut “Explain the Game”, where they answer a listener question about how something in the WNBA works. _________________References:‘I’m sitting behind the bench’: Inside sports’ escalating stalking problem by Carson KesslerWNBA power rankings: Golden State Valkyries aiming to make history by Sabreena Merchant _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Sabreena, and Ben start with a temperature check of the WNBA. They dive into the Las Vegas Aces’ five-game winning streak and what their latest win over New York tells us about each of the rival squads. They also share their thoughts on the hatching of Violet, the new mascot of the Valkyries, and the increasingly complicated potential sale of the Connecticut Sun. Then, Meg Linehan (women’s sports lead at The Athletic) joins Zena and Sabreena for a conversation about labor across women’s sports. They talk about the NWSL CBA, what the WNBA players association could learn from that document, and how this rapid growth in women’s sports is affecting soccer and basketball. Finally, Ben comes back with Zena and Sabreena to set their screens as the race for the postseason tightens up. _________________References:NWSL and NWSLPA agree terms on new collective bargaining agreement by Meg Linehan _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Ben, and Sabreena break down the start to WNBA Rivals Week – discussing some key injuries around the W that have dampened excitement for some of these matchups. They also touch upon A'ja Wilson's historic night, and how DiJonai Carrington and Brittney Sykes are making an impact on their new teams.Then, the crew turns their attention to who could be the 2025 WNBA MVP. What gets factored into making that decision? How much does win percentage matter? And is Napheesa Collier still the frontrunner despite missing some time with her recent injury?Plus, Ben walks the crew through his reporting on a WNBA tradition: the post-practice half court shot contest._________________References:Indiana Fever lose guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald for the season by Sabreena Merchanthttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6546038/2025/08/11/aja-wilson-wnba-history-30-points-20-rebounds/ by Rebecca Tauberhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6539678/2025/08/11/wnba-halfcourt-shots-practices-fever-liberty/ by Ben Pickmanhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6546028/2025/08/11/wnba-power-rankings-minnesota-lynx-trade-deadline/ by Sabreena Merchant _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 PickmanCan the Seattle Storm contend for a WNBA title? Mailbag answers from our expert by Sabreena MerchantThird WNBA game interrupted by a sex toy. What are players, coaches saying? by Sabreena MerchantWashington Mystics trade Brittney Sykes to Seattle Storm by Ben Pickman and Sabreena MerchantFor 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: NoOffseason@theathletic.comYou can also find us on social media:-Instagram: @tanooffseason-TikTok: @no_offseason-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajmVisit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.