No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Zena and Sabreena start their discussion by evaluating Rebecca Lobo and Sue Bird’s view that the league’s offer to players is favorable. They then break down the weekend’s biggest upsets—from Kansas State’s surprising win over Texas Tech to the coaching decisions and team chemistry that made the difference. The duo also dives into the Coretta Scott King Classic, unpacking must-see matchups like Ohio State vs. TCU and Vanderbilt vs. Michigan, where strengths were tested and flaws exposed. They step back to assess UConn’s continued dominance, Notre Dame’s challenges, and the bigger question looming over the season: is women’s college basketball finally leveling out?Plus, Chantel Jennings returns as she takes the hot seat for a game of Two Truths and a Lie.REFERENCES: Kansas State stuns Texas Tech, hands Red Raiders first loss of season by Sabreena Merchant Women’s college basketball power rankings: South Carolina’s Raven Johnson finds her touch by Sabreena Merchant We want to hear from you! We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26. Three lucky entries will win $100 worth of Amazon vouchers!

WNBA players continue to make waves into Hollywood! Zena, Sabreena, and Ben discuss the crossover of women’s basketball stars into the entertainment world, looking at the history of WNBA players making media appearances and the cultural significance of these transitions.Next, Zena and Sabreena dig into Unrivaled’s Season 2 TV viewership decline, unpacking everything from sophomore-season challenges and launch timing to competition with the NFL playoffs. They discuss how media rights and cross-promotion affect visibility—especially after last year’s NBA-on-TNT boost—plus how roster turnover impacts team-building. To close, they highlight the player pairings that have stood out most so far. They also dive into roster turnover and what it means for team cohesion, along with the player pairings that have caught their attention so far.Finally, we close things out with a major news update about one of our hosts.REFERENCES: WNBA and players union agree to free agency moratorium until CBA deal is reached by Sabreena Merchant

Zena and Sabreena open their conversation with the latest updates on the CBA negotiations, discussing what comes next as talks hit their deadline with no agreement. From there, they shift to a recap of the association, covering Texas’ first loss of the season, Ohio State’s rise as a contender, Notre Dame’s unusual campaign, and the need for UNC and Duke to find consistency.Next, the duo explore the evolving landscape of women’s college basketball, focusing on the growing impact of international players in the NIL era and implications for the WNBA. They discuss how the influx of international talent brings excitement and challenges for college programs, introduces diverse playing styles, and highlights different pathways to the professional level—where international players often have more flexibility than American players facing strict draft eligibility rules. They also examine the need for clearer NCAA regulations around international participation.Finally, we wrap things up with one of our recruiting games: “Something in Common”.REFERENCES: WNBA, players union fail to reach CBA deal at deadline by Sabreena MerchantWNBA and players union agree to free agency moratorium until CBA deal is reached by Sabreena Merchant No. 12 LSU women hand No. 2 Texas first loss of season by Sabreena Merchant

Zena, Sabreena, and Ben begin with a check-in on the CBA negotiations,  explaining what a work stoppage and a status quo period really mean for players and the league. Then they turn to the Power Four conferences, breaking down whether the Big 12 has multiple teams capable of making a deep tournament run, what it will take to turn the ACC around, which SEC programs are on the rise, and who’s emerging as the contender for No. 2 in the Big Ten. The crew highlights the drama and challenges teams face as the season unfolds.Plus, we reflect on our early days in journalism, sharing personal anecdotes to inspire the next generation of reporters.REFERENCES: WNBA, players union remain in CBA deadlock. Could a player strike or lockout happen? by Ben Pickman LSU women’s basketball stumbled to an 0-2 SEC start. Will Kim Mulkey’s squad recover? by Sabreena Merchant

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

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

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 PickmanWNBA players’ proposal more than double revenue share proposed by league: Sources by Ben PickmanWNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select? by Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

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

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 MerchantAngel Reese says she plans to return to the Chicago Sky for third season by Sabreena MerchantCaitlin 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