No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Zena, Sabreena, and Ben kick off 2026 by recapping two wild weeks of conference play. From undefeated teams falling to surprise wins across the board, the crew breaks down their biggest takeaways from the action. Then they turn their attention to Year 2 of Unrivaled, exploring how the league has grown from its inaugural year. With new faces, bigger teams, and an added night of competition, they dig into who’s ready to shine, who’s poised to win , and how success is being defined in Year 2.

Plus, we finish strong with our Unrivaled Award Predictions!

REFERENCES: 

Napheesa Collier to miss Unrivaled season and possible WNBA start after ankle surgeries by Ben Pickman 

What to know about Unrivaled women’s basketball league as its second season tips off by Ben Pickman

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Zena, Sabreena, and Ben wrap up the year with a celebration of women’s basketball—breaking down the top duo of 2025, standout performances, teams that showed up big, and their favorite reporting moments— before turning their attention to things to look forward to in 2026.

REFERENCES: 

2025 winners vs. losers: Which women’s basketball stars deserve gifts? Who gets coal? by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

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We’re diving into the mailbag to tackle your biggest questions about women’s basketball. What lies ahead for the CBA negotiations? How can fans show their support for WNBA players? What’s the connection between NCAAW programs and WNBA coaches? And which college teams that haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament in a while are poised for a turnaround? Tune in for all this, plus insights and takes you won’t want to miss!

REFERENCES:

2025 WNBA free agency: Which players could make the biggest moves? by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

WNBA players’ proposal more than double revenue share proposed by league: Sources by Ben Pickman

WNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select? by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

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Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

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The WNBPA has authorized its executive committee to call for a strike “when necessary” amid ongoing CBA negotiations. Sabreena and Ben break down what the authorization means, the league’s response, and how perceptions of fairness in negotiations can differ from each side.

Then, new Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez sits down with the duo to talk about the evolution of college basketball, his vision for the Wings, and the thrill of coaching elite talent like Paige Bueckers.

Later, Zena joins the conversation to discuss what we’ve learned about Coach Fernandez and the expectations surrounding the Wings this season.

Finally, we close with Set Your Screens.

REFERENCES: 

WNBPA authorizes executive committee to call for strike ‘when necessary’ amid CBA talks by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

Breanna Stewart open to NBA commissioner Adam Silver joining WNBA CBA talks by Denny Alfonso

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

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Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason 

IG: @tanooffseason

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Sabreena, and Ben dig into the latest in the WNBA’s CBA talks, focusing on revenue sharing, before shifting to Team USA training camp and Caitlin Clark’s return to the court. From there, they explore the idea of player loans in NCAA basketball—how it might work, who could benefit, what it could mean for draft stock and teams looking to get over the hump.

We wrap up with a fun look at sports catchphrases and nicknames that have caught our attention and shaped branding and marketing across the sports world.

REFERENCES:

Caitlin Clark makes Team USA debut at camp, says she’s back to full health by Sabreena Merchant

Angel Reese says she plans to return to the Chicago Sky for third season by Sabreena Merchant

Caitlin Clark stresses importance of salvaging 2026 WNBA season in CBA negotiations by Sabreena Merchant 

WNBA players’ proposal more than double revenue share proposed by league: Sources by Ben Pickman

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: [email protected]

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason 

IG: @tanooffseason

TikTok: @no_offseason

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Ben, and Sabreena react to A’ja Wilson being named Time’s 2025 Athlete of the Year and the impact that recognition has on her and the WNBA. 

Then they get into the New York Liberty introducing their new head coach, Chris DeMarco, and what his plan and coaching style could bring to the team. 

After that, Sonia Raman stops by to share her unconventional journey into basketball—from her early influences as a fan, to her coaching experience at MIT and with the Memphis Grizzlies, to her transition into the WNBA. She also reflects on the opportunity to coach generational talent Dominique Malonga.

Finally, we wrap things up with a hypothetical WNBA player comeback.

REFERENCES: 

A’ja Wilson after Time’s Athlete of the Year honor: ‘On my way’ to GOAT status by Devon Henderson 

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: [email protected]

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason 

IG: @tanooffseason

TikTok: @no_offseason

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Sabreena, and Ben recap the weekend in the Association, discussing matchups like USC vs. Washington and UCLA vs. Oregon, and breaking down the ACC/SEC Challenge.

They then dive into the ACC’s competitive landscape, Big 12 standouts, Big Ten competition, and SEC dominance, highlighting key players such as Audi Crooks and Olivia Miles, as well as programs like Maryland, Iowa, and Michigan—while offering predictions for this year’s tournament season.

They cap it all off with their fun game: She Traveled!

REFERENCES: 

Women’s college basketball power rankings: Duke, NC State losses raise ACC questions by Sabreena Merchant

We’re putting together a couple of mailbag episodes! Got thoughts or questions about the CBA? Curious about college hoops? Send them our way — we want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: [email protected]

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason 

IG: @tanooffseason

TikTok: @no_offseason

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Additional details have emerged in the ongoing WNBA CBA negotiations. Zena, Sabreena, and Ben unpack the latest proposals on the table—from revenue sharing and draft combine rules to housing stipends and player welfare—that could shape the league’s future.

Next, we dive into our expansion mock draft, exploring how teams balance protecting young talent versus veterans, the challenges facing franchises like Minnesota and Las Vegas, and the impact of new coaching staffs and core designations on roster decisions.

We close things out with our Spotify Wrapped list—you won’t want to miss it!

REFERENCES: 

WNBA CBA proposal includes mandatory draft combine, new revenue-sharing model: Sources by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

WNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select? by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

We’re putting together a couple of mailbag episodes! Got thoughts or questions about the CBA? Curious about college hoops? Send them our way — we want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: [email protected]

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason 

IG: @tanooffseason

TikTok: @no_offseason

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Ben, and Sabreena break down the latest WNBA-CBA updates, including the January 9th deadline and its impact on the offseason. They then dive into Team USA Women’s Basketball, looking ahead to the upcoming training camp and the exciting mix of new talent with the veteran stars.

Next, the crew shifts to women’s college hoops, spotlighting the Texas Longhorns' big wins over UCLA and South Carolina, LSU’s scoring streak, and Audi Crooks’ record-breaking performance.

They wrap up with thoughts on Elle Duncan’s game-changing move from ESPN to Netflix.

REFERENCES: 

WNBA, players union agree to 6-week extension as CBA negotiations continue by Ben Pickman

Women’s college basketball power rankings: Texas rises behind Rori Harmon by Sabreena Merchant

Kim Mulkey, LSU set NCAA record with 8 straight 100-point games by Jordy Fee-Platt 

Audi Crooks breaks own Iowa State record with 47 points on Sunday by Jordy Fee-Platt 

Elle Duncan, ESPN to fully part ways with her move to Netflix: Sources by Andrew Marchand

We’re putting together a couple of mailbag episodes! Got thoughts or questions about the CBA? Curious about college hoops? Send them our way — we want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: [email protected]

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason 

IG: @tanooffseason

TikTok: @no_offseason

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dallas snagged the top pick—now the real decisions begin. Zena, Ben, and Sabreena kick things off with the New York Liberty’s set to hire Chris DeMarco as their next head coach, unpacking what it means and the ripple effect it could have on coaching diversity across the league. 

Then they break down one of the season’s best showdowns: UConn vs. Michigan. From there, it’s all WNBA Draft talk—how the lottery works, the top prospects to watch, and the delicate balance between filling immediate needs and betting on long-term upside.

And to close it out, a Thanksgiving twist: pairing our favorite holiday dishes with the players whose games match them best.

REFERENCES: 

Liberty hire Warriors’ assistant Chris DeMarco as franchise’s new coach: Sources by Sabreena Merchant

UConn survives its toughest test after challenge from Michigan by Ben Pickman

Dallas Wings win WNBA Draft Lottery for second straight year: Who will join Paige Bueckers? by Ben Pickman

2026 WNBA mock draft: Who will Dallas Wings take with No. 1 pick? by Sabreena Merchant 

Don't sleep on Michigan: Women's college basketball power rankings by Ben Pickman

We’re putting together a couple of mailbag episodes! Got thoughts or questions about the CBA? Curious about college hoops? Send them our way — we want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: [email protected]

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason 

IG: @tanooffseason

TikTok: @no_offseason

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.