No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Big money, big moves, big debates. Zena, Ben, and Sabreena unpack the WNBA’s proposed salary increase—potentially exceeding $1.1 million—and what it means for the ongoing CBA negotiations, from revenue sharing to prioritization rules and the core system. They also dive into Project B, the emerging global women’s league aiming to offer the highest average salaries in the sport.

Then the crew breaks down the 2024 vs. 2025 WNBA rookie classes and debates who would win in a game to 21. And finally, they wrap up with where you should be setting your screens this weekend.

REFERENCES: 

WNBA proposes max salary above $1.1 million in latest proposal to players union: Sources 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]

We want to hear from you! Take a minute to fill out our quick listener survey and tell us what you think about the show. Your feedback helps us grow! Check out our show survey here: No Offseason listener survey

__

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 are back and diving into all the latest around the association! They discuss Sarah Strong and UConn’s impressive depth, Marta Suárez’s huge impact in TCU’s win over NC State, and South Carolina already settling into its identity. They also spotlight other storylines—including Duke’s concerning offensive issues and the rise of mid-majors like Richmond.

Then it’s on to the big question: What makes for a great women’s sports city? They dig into the factors that make certain cities hotspots for women’s sports and highlight emerging markets that could crack a top-10 list.

And to close things out, they debut a brand-new segment: “A Penny for Your Thoughts.”

REFERENCES: 

Women’s college basketball power rankings: What makes TCU a top-10 team? by Sabreena Merchant 

Shorthanded West Virginia women upset No. 15 Duke after melee triggers 7 ejections by Denny Alfonso

Is UConn even more dominant than last season’s national championship team? By Ben Pickman

Fresh faces help South Carolina win battle for ‘The Real SC’ over USC: Takeaways by Sabreena Merchant

The Athletic's: Top 10 Women’s Sports Cites fan poll

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]

We want to hear from you! Take a minute to fill out our quick listener survey and tell us what you think about the show. Your feedback helps us grow! Check out our show survey here: No Offseason listener survey

__

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.

What a week in women’s college hoops! Zena and Sabreena open up with the week’s wildest stat lines  — Hannah Hidalgo swiping 16 steals, Audi Crooks pouring in 43, and Grace College exploding for 172 points. They unpack all these record-breaking performances and just how impressive they were to watch. Then they pivot to JuJu Watkins’ investment in Boston Legacy FC and what might be behind the move. From there, it’s on to WNBA All-Star talk and why so few teams are willing to host it.

Later, Zena and Sabreena are joined by The Athletic’s Ira Gorwara to dig into our biggest overreactions in women’s college hoops. From hyping a mid-major to claiming a Top 10 team can’t fall, our takes can either make us look brilliant… or just leave us with classic overreactions. We’re serving up hot-take heat that’ll leave you wondering!

Plus, we tell you exactly where to set your screens.

REFERENCES: 

Grace College scores 172 points to set women’s college basketball scoring record by Alex Valdes

Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo’s sets school and NCAA records with 16 steals by Alex Valdes

When sorority influencers meet Alabama football, game days turn into a campus-wide catwalk 

by Ira Gorawara

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]

We want to hear from you! Take a minute to fill out our quick listener survey and tell us what you think about the show. Your feedback helps us grow! Check out our show survey here: No Offseason listener survey

__

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 and Ben kick things off by diving into college women’s hoops — breaking down the standout performances from Week One, the nail-biting finishes, and just how deep some of these teams really are. From there, they shift gears to golf, exploring how WNBA players like Caitlin Clark are getting into the sport. The Athletic’s golf writer, Gabby Herzig, joins the conversation to discuss the growing appeal of golf among athletes and the shared mental challenges between the two sports.

Plus, Set Your Screens is back — we’ve got your guide to the must-watch games of the week.

REFERENCES: 

Which women’s college basketball teams are showing signs for concern in Week 1? by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman 

Women’s college basketball power rankings: USC, Notre Dame, Iowa take huge leaps by Sabreena Merchant

Caitlin Clark to run it back at LPGA event. WNBA star will compete in The Annika pro-am by The Athletic Staff

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]

We want to hear from you! Take a minute to fill out our quick listener survey and tell us what you think about the show. Your feedback helps us grow! Check out our show survey here: No Offseason listener survey

__

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 dive into the latest Unrivaled news — from roster reshuffles and reveals (featuring 2025 No. 1 draft pick, Paige Bueckers and 2025 No. 2 draft pick Dom Malonga teaming up on the Breeze), to nearly 30 players signing multi-year deals in the ascendant league. Then they break down the buzz around Project B, exploring Seattle Storm star – and WNBPA President – Nneka Ogwumike’s involvement, what the league brings to the table, and the major investment group backing it.

After that, the crew debuts a brand-new segment: This or That – Women’s College Hoops Edition! Who can end South Carolina’s dominant run at the top of the SEC, which team has the best young core, and which mid-major is ready to make noise this season?

Finally, we wrap things up with recaps of and reactions to the introductory press conferences from the new head coaches around the WNBA.

REFERENCES: 

What is Project B? The latest on a new global league recruiting basketball stars by Sam Amick, Mike Vorkunov and Joe Vardon

Nneka Ogwumike signs with Project B, becomes first player publicly associated with new league by Sabreena Merchant 

Paige Bueckers joins expansion team as Unrivaled reveals rosters for 2026 season 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]

We want to hear from you! Take a minute to fill out our quick listener survey and tell us what you think about the show. Your feedback helps us grow! Check out our show survey here: No Offseason listener survey

__

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.

The women’s college basketball season is officially underway! Zena, Sabreena, and Ben dive into their way-too-early predictions: Which teams are poised to dominate ?Who will be the freshman to rise above the rest? And which team will surprise everyone this season? Get ready for unexpected takes, surprising picks and thought-provoking predictions!

Plus — Ben rolls out a new game called “She Traveled”

REFERENCES: 

Perfect day at New York City Marathon: Photo finish, record run, classic competition by Devon Henderson and Matthew Futterman

New York City Marathon: Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele set for possible last dance by Liam Tharme

Watch Zena + Sabreena talk WNBA CBA negotiations on: The Athletic Show

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.

It’s CBA deadline day! Or at least it was. Zena, Sabreena, and Ben discuss the news that the WNBA and WNBPA agreed to a 30-day extension of the CBA and what it means going forward. They also touch on some Unrivaled news and a Paige Bueckers movie project before moving onto college basketball, as the 2025-26 season tips off Monday. In the absence of Bueckers and JuJu Watkins, the trio discusses who is poised to be the face of college basketball and what qualifies a player for that moniker. 

REFERENCES: 

WNBA offers players extension on CBA negotiations: Sources by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

If the WNBA doesn’t reach a CBA agreement by Friday’s deadline, what’s next? by Ben Pickman

How LSU coach Kim Mulkey built a brand, a program and perennial title contenders by Sabreena Merchant 

Women’s college basketball All-America team: Madison Booker, Hannah Hidalgo and more by Chantel Jennings 

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.

It’s gut-check time for the WNBA and its players, as less than a week remains until the current collective bargaining agreement expires. After catching up on the latest coaching hires in Dallas and Seattle, Zena, Sabreena, and Ben set the stage for the CBA deadline, explaining why the players opted out, what issues are at play, and how tensions have risen. Then, Sabreena and Ben speak with Erin D. Drake, senior advisor and legal counsel for the players’ union, the WNBPA, for a peek behind the curtains on negotiations – discussing where things currently stand, and what pathways exist if a deal is not reached by Friday. 

REFERENCES: 

More than 70 legislators, including Zohran Mamdani, sign letter in support of WNBA players union by Ben Pickman

Sonia Raman agrees to deal to become Seattle Storm’s head coach: Sources by Ben Pickman

WNBA mailbag: CBA negotiation, free agency and expansion draft answers 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.

Zena, Ben, and Sabreena talk through the latest developments in WNBA coaching news and CBA negotiations, including Sandy Brondello’s likely hire as the first ever coach of the Toronto Tempo and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s comments regarding salaries and revenue-sharing in the W.

Then, they turn their attention to some burning questions for the upcoming NCAA women’s basketball season: can anyone catch reigning champs UConn? How will USC fare without superstar JuJu Watkins? Who are the freshmen and transfers to keep an eye on? And, when all is said and done, who might move on from college ball to become the No. 1 draft pick in 2026?

_________________

References:

Toronto Tempo expected to hire Sandy Brondello as franchise’s first head coach: Source by Ben Pickman

WNBA players union director criticizes NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s statements by Ben Pickman

Why haven’t the WNBA and players union reached a deal? by Sabreena Merchant

Dallas Wings working to hire Jose Fernandez as franchise’s next head coach: Sources by Ben Pickman

_________________

No Offseason is a part of the The Athletic media network. 

Visit our YouTube page!

_________________

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]

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

__

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.

The 2019 class became a bridge between eras, combining the tail end of the old guard with a new wave of dynamic, skilled players ready to lead franchises. Zena, Sabreena, and Ben kick things off with updates on current coaching vacancies, diving into how some teams are using search firms to fill front office roles — moves that often set the stage for the next head coach hire. Then, it's time to revisit the 2019 WNBA Draft — a class that helped shape the league as we know it today. Who went too high? Who got overlooked? Which players have surprised us the most? And how did this class become a true turning point for the W? With the benefit of hindsight, the crew re-drafts the 2019 class to figure out who really should’ve gone where.

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References:

WNBA’s Portland Fire name Cavs’ assistant Alex Sarama first coach in team history by Sabreena Merchant 

WNBA coaching carousel: What I’m hearing about the Liberty, Storm and other jobs 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: [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

__

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.