Why the Las Vegas Aces' Dominance over the W is Over with The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant on Becky Hammon’s Legacy, Caitlin Clark, and Player Safety

In this episode of Hoopsology, we welcome back Sabreena Merchant, WNBA staff writer for The Athletic, to chat about the most pressing topics shaping the 2025 WNBA season, including;

🚨 Topics we dive into:

Why the Las Vegas Aces are no longer dominating the league

Caitlin Clark’s struggles, injuries, and her long-term potential

Is Becky Hammon still elite or falling behind?

The alarming rise in WNBA injuries and what’s really behind it

Expansion drama: Are the Connecticut Sun on the move?

Fan behavior and why the league must act fast to protect its players

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On this episode of Hoopsology, we’re joined by filmmaker Katie Bender Wynn, director of the upcoming Diana Taurasi docuseries on Amazon Prime, Taurasi. Katie shares how she approached telling the story of one of the greatest basketball players of all time, from UConn to the Phoenix Mercury and beyond.

We discuss:

The emotional core of Taurasi’s journey

Gaining trust to tell an authentic story

Behind-the-scenes moments during filming

Why Taurasi’s legacy is essential to the WNBA’s growth

The future of women’s sports documentaries

Presented by Ballislife

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In this episode, we’re joined by Mitchell Hansen — founder of Hitting the Hardwood and Lynx reporter for Canis Hoopus — to break down the scorching start of the Minnesota Lynx, their quest for revenge after last season’s heartbreak, and why Napheesa Collier may be the most underrated MVP candidate in the WNBA.

We dive deep into:

The Lynx’s elite defense turning into dominant offense

How Cheryl Reeve compares to Gregg Popovich

Why Napheesa Collier deserves more love from the media

Fan culture in Minnesota vs. other WNBA cities

The looming WNBA CBA & the role of Unrivaled

Whether you're a die-hard Lynx fan or a casual WNBA follower, this episode gives you an inside look at one of the most compelling stories of the 2025 season.

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In this episode of Hoopsology, we’re joined by Troy Pepper, the electrifying public address announcer for the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever. Troy pulls back the curtain on what it was like to call games during the Pacers’ thrilling run to the NBA Finals, how he went viral for Pascal Siakam’s poster dunk, and the gut-punch moment when Tyrese Haliburton went down.

We also explore Troy’s experience with Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA, balancing energy between men’s and women’s basketball, and how new technology — even AI — is shaping the future of live sports production.

From behind-the-scenes playoff stories to nearly botching LeBron James’ All-Star intro, this episode is packed with raw emotion, deep insights, and plenty of laughs.

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NBA Finals 2025, Troy Pepper, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark, WNBA All Star, NBA announcers, Pascal Siakam dunk, Tyrese Haliburton injury, basketball podcast, sports podcast, NBA behind the scenes, Hoopsology, WNBA growth, public address announcer, Caitlin Clark Fever, viral NBA moment, NBA storytelling, NBA audio production, sports voice acting

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In this episode of Hoopsology, we sit down with Quita from Quita In The Morning Podcast to dive deep into the turmoil surrounding the Chicago Sky. From firing beloved head coach Teresa Weatherspoon to questionable trades and poor player amenities, this discussion uncovers why one of the WNBA's most promising franchises is now struggling to retain talent like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.

We also explore what’s next for the WNBA—from the looming CBA negotiations, upcoming expansion teams, and the business of women’s basketball.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments!

📺 Subscribe to Quita In The Morning Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@QuitaLovesSports

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#WNBA #ChicagoSky #AngelReese #WNBADrama #KeitaLoveSports

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This week, we’re joined by Jenn Hatfield, managing editor and Washington Mystics beat reporter for The Next Hoops, to break down one of the biggest surprises of the WNBA season: the Washington Mystics.

We explore:

How rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Irfan are leading a playoff charge

Head coach Sidney Johnson’s player-first coaching style

What’s next for Aaliyah Edwards, Shakira Austin, and Brittney Sykes

The evolution of the Mystics fanbase and D.C. basketball culture

Underrated WNBA storylines you should watch in the second half of the season

Hoopsology is presented by Ballislife.

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Cap expert and CapSheets.com founder Yossi Gozlan joins the Hoopsology Podcast to explain how the NBA’s evolving salary cap is changing everything—from superteams disappearing to smart teams being punished for drafting too well.

🎙️ In this episode:

How the Bucks' offseason may hurt them long-term

The downfall of big threes under the new CBA

Why the new apron rules are confusing even the media

How teams like OKC are being forced to time their success

Whether stars like Giannis and LeBron are on the move

The underrated moves no one is talking about this offseason

Whether you're a salary cap junkie or a casual fan, this episode breaks down what every NBA fan needs to know heading into the 2024–25 season.

🔗 Subscribe & follow for more weekly NBA deep dives.

NBA, NBA Podcast, basketball, salary cap, CBA, NBA offseason, Yossi Gozlan, NBA trades, NBA rumors, cap space, superteams, basketball analysis, sports business, Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, third apron, Hoopsology, NBA free agency

Hoopsology is presented by Ballislife.

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Step inside the real world of women's basketball in this powerful, eye-opening discussion about the WNBA, labor equity, and the rise of athlete-driven leagues like Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited. From charter flight battles to year-round overseas play and the unseen mental and physical toll, this conversation dives into why many top players are seeking alternatives outside the W.

Author and academic Courtney M. Cox shares insights from her groundbreaking research and new book called Double Crossover: Gender, Media, and Politics in Global Basketball (Studies in Sports Media)  that tracks the evolution of women’s basketball labor from highlighting global challenges, Title IX struggles, and how legends like Sheryl Miller paved the way.

We explore athlete data rights, NIL money, revenue sharing, and how new leagues are reshaping what it means to be a professional women’s basketball player. Is the WNBA in trouble? Or is this the beginning of a new era of power and choice for athletes?

Whether you're a die-hard WNBA fan, a newcomer inspired by Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, or someone interested in the intersection of sports, politics, and culture, this is a must-watch.

✅ Subscribe for more deep dives into the world of basketball and sports activism.

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#WNBA #WomensBasketball #Unrivaled #SportsPodcast #LaborRights #Basketball

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In this episode of Hoopsology, Justin is joined by the legendary Bobbito Garcia—DJ, filmmaker, author, and the voice of NBA Street Vol. 2. He breaks down his powerful new memoir “Bobbito’s Book of Bong Bong,” sharing personal stories from the asphalt courts of NYC, the rise of sneaker culture, and how hip-hop and hoops have always moved together.

We dive into:

NYC’s influence on the global game

His experience voicing NBA Street

The untold connection between hip-hop and basketball

Why playground basketball deserves to be archived and respected

How his book became part memoir, part art book, and part history lesson

Hoopsology is presented by Ballislife.

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Bobbito Garcia, basketball culture, New York basketball, NBA Street, streetball, hip-hop culture, basketball memoir, hoopsology, basketball podcast, sneaker history, NYC streetball, Rucker Park, playground basketball, basketball history, basketball interviews, sports and culture, basketball legends, basketball storytelling

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The WNBA is surging—and the NBA is shifting. In this episode of Hoopsology, we’re joined by Front Office Sports reporter Colin Salao to break down the real business behind the WNBA and NBA headlines.

We dive deep into:

Why the Golden State Valkyries are the blueprint for WNBA expansion success

The latest on Caitlin Clark's impact, rising attendance, and what’s next for the league

What’s really driving WNBA CBA negotiations: salaries, travel, roster size, pregnancy policies, and more

NBA's $77 billion media rights deal and what it means for fans with NBC & Amazon entering the mix

The confusing future of NBA expansion—Seattle? Vegas? Europe?

Hoopsology is presented by Ballislife

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