No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

• Can the Fever Sustain Momentum? + Layshia Clarendon Interview

  On Tuesday night, the Indiana Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx to become the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup champs. But can the Fever sustain that momentum, especially with Clark still on the sidelines? Zena, Ben, and Sabreena discuss the game and what both teams need to do to keep improving for the rest of the season. They also get into Caitlin Clark’s comments about the disparity between the prize money for winning the Commissioner’s Cup versus what players earn for winning the WNBA Finals. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at what happened with Golden State’s waiving of Julie Vanloo. (Note: this episode was recorded before Vanloo signed with the LA Sparks Thursday afternoon.)Then, Zena and Sabreena are joined by trailblazing former WNBA player Layshia Clarendon for a wide-ranging conversation around CBA negotiations, league expansion, the Valkyries’ success as a franchise, LGBTQ Pride and representation in the WNBA, and more._________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________References:Red Panda fractured left wrist after fall during halftime act at WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game by Ben PickmanMinnesota Lynx don’t need to panic after Cup loss. But it may be time for adjustments by Chantel JenningsIndiana Fever’s resilience on display in Commissioner’s Cup championship by Ben PickmanFever beat Lynx without Caitlin Clark to win WNBA Commissioner’s Cup by Ben Pickman and Chantel JenningsCaitlin Clark to WNBA commissioner on pay: ‘It makes no sense. … Help us out’ by Shannon Ryan_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] 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.

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• How More Expansion Will Impact the WNBA + All-Star Starters

  It’s official: starting in 2028, Cleveland will be home to the newest WNBA franchise – followed by Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030. Zena, Ben, and Sabreena break down how these cities were decided upon, what all this expansion means for players and teams in the WNBA, what impact NBA teams and ownership have on expansion in the W, and so much more. Plus, Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier are set to captain the two teams for WNBA All-Star Weekend, and Ben reveals the remaining eight starters live to Sabreena and Zena. To wrap, the crew attempts to name the newest WNBA expansion teams._________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________WNBA power rankings: Could Angel Reese’s hot streak boost Chicago Sky? by Sabreena MerchantWNBA announces record expansion to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia by Ben PickmanIs more WNBA expansion on the horizon? Our experts explain the league’s growth by Ben Pickman and Chantel JenningsCaitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier named WNBA All-Star captains by Sabreena MerchantRookie Paige Bueckers among starters in WNBA All-Star Game by Tobias Bass and Sabreena MerchantWNBA expansion timeline as the league looks to have a record 18 teams by Torrey Hart and Shannon Ryan_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] 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.

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• Paige Bueckers vs Caitlin Clark : How Do They Stack Up?

  Assuming Caitlin Clark is back on the court tonight, she and Paige Bueckers will square off for their first matchup in the WNBA. But these two stars have been running alongside each other on parallel (and sometimes overlapping) tracks since their AAU days in the midwest. Zena, Ben, and Sabreena take a look at how the careers of these back-to-back #1 draft picks stack up – the similarities and the differences – and the roles they both play in the culture at large. Plus, they dive into the reasons why so many rookies are so pro-ready from the get-go. The crew also spends some time talking about DeWanna Bonner’s departure from the Indiana Fever – why it happened when it happened, what may have been going on behind the scenes, and where DB may land._________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________References:Caitlin Clark sidelined for Fever-Sparks with groin injury, marking sixth absence this season by Ben PickmanIndiana Fever waive DeWanna Bonner, sign Aari McDonald for rest of season by Ben PickmanCould a new 3X3 women’s basketball tourney create a pipeline for the Olympics? by Ben Pickman_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] 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.

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• Why the Power Forward Dominates in the WNBA

  Zena, Ben, and Sabreena break down a big weekend of games in the WNBA – highlighting the Aces big win over the Fever, the Storm’s victory over an injury-laden Liberty, and the Valkyries’ hot streak. They also check in on the Sabreena Scale, which has a new top team this week. Then, the crew digs into our deep dive for the week – the dominance of the power forward position in the WNBA. When did this position rise to such importance? How has it evolved? And will it continue to hold the same value on the court? Plus, a game about sporting siblings. _________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________References:WNBA power rankings: What’s behind the Golden State Valkyries’ surge? by Sabreena MerchantWNBA files trademarks for the name ‘Portland Fire’ and stylized ‘P’ logo by Sabreena MerchantNaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington on the Power Forward in the WNBA via TikTok @itscwaysworldesq_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] 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.

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• Why the Fever/Sun Game Blew Up + Early All-Star Predictions

  The scuffle between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun has sparked questions about officiating consistency and transparency. Zena, Ben, and Sabreena share thoughts about how that situation was handled and what challenges persist with WNBA refereeing, as well as why Caitlin Clark finds herself in so many dust-ups. Then, the crew give their All-Star locks, first-time All-Stars, and potential surprises, including how many rookies will make the team, and which 2024 All-Stars have dropped out of consideration. And to wrap -we tell you where to set your screens this weekend._________________Visit our YouTube page!_________________References:Caitlin Clark in scuffle as Fever advance to Commissioner’s Cup final: Takeaways by James Boyd and Sabreena MerchantThe latest WNBA controversy makes it clear that officiating has to be better by Shannon RyanDoes the WNBA have an officiating problem? Coaches cite high turnover, inconsistency by Ben Pickman_________________Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: [email protected] 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.

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