At last Jackie Powell and Howard Megdal talk about women’s college basketball in this week’s IX Sports Podcast Basektball Edition. In the pair’s final women’s basketball show before the new year, the co-hosts take you inside what they noticed at Barclays Center during the second annual Shark Beauty Championship Classic. Why did defense stand out for both UConn and Iowa? And how exactly did Louisville, behind the strong play of senior transfer Laura Ziegler, trounce a Tenneesee team still trying to find its footing? Later in the show, Jackie breaks out a powerpoint to explain two key terms that have been prevalent in coverage of the on-going WNBA CBA negotiations. What are net and gross revenue sharing models and what’s the difference between the two? Thumbnail Photo Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn ImagesVideo Credit: Gabby AlfvebyLinks to click that are referenced throughout the show: Stephanie Kaloi writes about Ruby Whitehorn’s dismissal from Tennessee: https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/ruby-whitehorn-dismissed-lady-vols/Natalie Heavren introduces Laura Ziegler prior to her arrival at Louisville:https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/early-success-and-a-family-away-from-home-laura-zieglers-journey-from-denmark-to-saint-josephs/Jacob Mox’s CBA coverage: https://www.thenexthoops.com/wnba/wnba-cba-negotiations-hit-milestone-with-a-catch-salary-cap-revenue-share/Reporting from The Athletic, ESPN and Front Office Sports about Gross and Net revenue sharing: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6889889/2025/12/15/wnba-union-labor-cba-revenue-share/https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/47360397/wnba-players-ready-do-takes-get-fair-cba-dealhttps://frontofficesports.com/adam-silver-says-he-could-join-wnba-cba-negotiations/

In this soccer edition of the IX Sports Podcast, Kathleen Gier breaks down the NWSL's new High Impact Player rule and the Players Association's reaction. She also talks about the return of Sophia Wilson and players to watch on the U.S. women's national team in 2026.

Editor’s note: This podcast was recorded prior to the WNBA’s 5:41 p.m. statement on Thursday responding to the WNBPA’s strike authorization vote.

To find out more about what the WNBA’s statement entailed and the latest that the league has proposed, check out Sydney Wingfield’s latest story about the WNBPA’s recent vote here: https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/wnbpa-executive-committee-strike-when-necessary-wnba/

Also, you can also find a recap of Thursday’s collective bargaining agreement developments on Women’s Sports Daily with Stephanie Kaloi, right here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nFSMYsKhIGkO8CbrCwZPL?si=gDegIv7wRC-KbRDwAsDQ0w

So much happened in the world of women’s basketball this week, and we aren’t even talking about the college game. 

Join our hosts Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell where they provide a look into a new era of USA Basketball following the camp that was held at Duke University in addition to early impressions from the Unrivaled media days prior to their second season beginning officially on January 5. 

Toward the end of our show, Jackie and Howard address the latest news from the WNBPA and their decision to vote to authorize a strike and what comes next in the CBA negotiations between the league and the players. 

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Video Credit: USA Basketball and Unrivaled

Links to click that are referenced throughout the show: 

Gabby Alfveby on what to expect from Unrivaled Season 2 

https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/unrivaled-opening-day-is-around-the-corner/

Stephanie Kaloi on how Unrivaled’s fandom has grown the league: 

https://www.thenexthoops.com/unrivaled/breanna-stewart-candace-parker-unrivaled-success/

Howard Megdal writes about the big bang in WNBA revenue: 

https://www.theixsports.com/features/after-the-big-bang-womens-basketball-in-2025-live-from-sienna-betts-debut-for-ucla/

This week on the IX Sports Podcast, Hockey Edition, we're talking about the 2025 Rivalry Series between Team Canada and Team USA, where Team USA swept the series. Plus, the PWHL heads to Halifax and Chicago for the takeover tour, so we'll hear from Maggie Connors and Allie Munroe about playing in Nova Scotia. We debut a new segment: Top Shelf Predictions, and hear from Hannah Miller about playing for the Vancouver Goldeneyes.

Maya is joined by Elisha Côté, Ottawa Charge beat reporter at The Ice Garden.

Article mentioned: https://www.theicegarden.com/now-is-not-the-time-to-panic-for-canada-that-comes-later-part-one/Cover

Photo Credit: Matt Zambonin/IIHFHannah Miller Photo Credit: PWHL

Sceptres Media Availability Clip: PWHL

On this soccer edition of The IX Sports Podcast, Kathleen Gier runs through the NWSL's new roster mechanism and how that could make a difference in Trinity Rodman's decision. She also shines a light on Bunny Shaw and her big weekend in the WSL.

On Wednesday the New York Liberty introduced Chris DeMarco as the franchise’s 10th head coach in franchise history, and that is the focus of this week’s The IX Sports Podcast Baskteball Edition.

Join our hosts Howard Medgal and Jackie Powell where they explain what they took away from DeMarco’s introductory press conference along with the sets of unique challenges that he will face as a first year WNBA head coach. Toward the end of our show, Jackie and Howard hop over to the college game where they ponder which team faces more concern: South Carolina or Duke?

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Brendan Todd | New York Liberty Video Credit: Jackie Powell | The IX Basketball

Links to click that are referenced throughout the show:

Jackie’s sights and sounds out of Chris DeMarco’s press conference: https://www.thenexthoops.com/wnba/chris-demarco-understands-the-tall-task-new-york-liberty-jonathan-kolb/

Jackie dove into Chris DeMarco’s background prior to the press conference: https://www.thenexthoops.com/wnba/who-is-chris-demarco-the-new-york-liberty-incoming-head-coach/

Howard’s thoughts on the Liberty’s big swing by hiring Chris DeMarco: https://www.theixsports.com/features/chris-demarco-new-york-liberty-jonathan-kolb/

Stephanie Kaloi on South Carolina’s recent bench struggles: https://www.thenexthoops.com/ncaaw/sec/south-carolina-gamecocks-develop-bench-worrying-signs/

Martin Heintzelman on Duke’s struggles: https://www.thenexthoops.com/ncaaw/acc/duke-most-hyped-up-teams-in-the-country-what-happened-kara-lawson-kim-mulkey-lsu-ucla-south-carolin/

Charlotte Gibson of ESPN detailed the women who were coaching in the NBA five years ago: https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/28744241/trailblazing-nba-women-coaches

Soccer Monday columnist and Associated Press reporter Annie Peterson joined host Kathleen Gier to talk about the latest developments in Trinity Rodman's negotiations with the Washington Spirit and the NWSL. Kathleen also recaps the 2025 College Cup, which Florida State won, and the San Diego Wave's big weekend at World Sevens.

What a week it is to launch a women’s basketball podcast. There’s been a flury of WNBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA) news that is the focus of our first ever The IX Sports Podcast Baskteball Edition. Join our hosts Howard Medgal and Jackie Powell where they break down some of the big picture storylines about the CBA including player housing, the WNBA’s calendar and footprint and salary and revenue sharing. Toward the end of our show, Jackie asks Howard about why watching Seton Hall play Princeton earlier this week mattered so much.Thumbnail Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesLinks to click that are referenced throughout the show: - Jacob Mox explains the latest CBA salary related developments: https://www.thenexthoops.com/wnba/wnba-cba-negotiations-hit-milestone-with-a-catch-salary-cap-revenue-share/- Mox and Lucas Seehafer explain the WNBA’s schedule and injuries: https://www.thenexthoops.com/wnba/what-does-the-data-say-about-wnba-injuries-and-scheduling/- Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant on where revenue sharing is right now: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6857443/2025/12/03/wnba-cba-proposal-draft-combine-salary/-Annie Costabile had reporting on: Player housing and scheduling:https://frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-update-housing-start-date-salary/Revenue sharing: https://frontofficesports.com/wnba-cba-salary-revenue-sharing/- Jenn Hatfield on why more Ivy League players are going pro: https://www.thenexthoops.com/ncaaw/mid-majors/ivy-league-graduates-playing-professional-basketball-wnba-overseas-wbb/

The Seattle Torrent broke both the US women's hockey record and the PWHL home record, plus, where each PWHL team stands after November. And, we discuss whether or not Vancouver Goldeneyes and Seattle Torrent fans and coaching staff should be worried about their play through the first three games.Maya Smith hosts the first-ever episode of The IX Sports Podcast Hockey Edition, and she's joined by Alyssa Turner. Together, they cover the #1attheIX. Stay tuned for episodes every other week, with interviews from players, fun guests, and lots of women's hockey talk!Photo credit: PWHL

Read Silvia's article: https://www.theicegarden.com/seattle-torrent-break-record-arrive-with-purpose-in-their-first-home-game/

Howard Megdal, founder of The IX Sports, introduces The IX Sports Podcast. This show will have three different editions covering the latest news and headlines in women's soccer, hockey and basketball.

This episode is the first women's soccer edition, hosted by Kathleen Gier. She talks about Catarina Macario's success with the national team, recaps the NWSL Finals and looks ahead to the NCAA Division I College Cup.

Photo credit: Morgan Tencza | Imagn Images

Video credit: U.S. Soccer/Veritone