No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Zena and Sabreena begin their conversation by discussing the complexities of the ongoing CBA negotiations, including revenue sharing, player salaries, and the potential for a strike, as both sides work to meet their demands.

Next, Zena is joined by NBA writer Shakeia Talyor to discuss the remarkable business journey of basketball star Angel Reese. They explore how Angel has leveraged her talent and social media presence to build a brand that transcends the court.

We close by examining which Unrivaled Coach has the strongest chance of transitioning into a WNBA head coaching role.

REFERENCES:

WNBA players submit counterproposal with lower revenue share, salary cap by Sabreena Merchant

The business of Angel Reese: acting, modeling, branding and, of course, basketball by Shakeia Taylor

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was no shortage of women’s hoops news this weekend!

Zena, Chantel, and Sabreena kick things off with the news of Breanna Stewart signing with a EuroLeague Women team and what it means as she plans to join after Unrivaled. Then they break down Adam Silver’s latest comments on the WNBA CBA negotiations. From there, the crew shares their thoughts on Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 tournament final and the league’s plan to add a postseason tour stop.

Next, we take a look at the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee’s Top 16 reveal and what it signals about the selection process and evaluation criteria.

Afterwards, it’s all about the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball. The trio breaks down how the Gamecocks have navigated challenges this season, highlighting the team’s flexibility as a defining strength. They discuss a frontcourt that has exceeded expectations despite key absences, the pivotal contributions of Raven Johnson, Joyce Edwards, and Madina Okot, the impact of new additions, and Dawn Staley’s masterful in-game adjustments. They also examine South Carolina’s reimagining following last season’s title loss — and whether a return to the championship game is within reach.

To close things out, we wrap up with a fun, Dawn Staley–inspired game.

REFERENCES:

Adam Silver ‘not ready to set a drop-dead date’ on CBA negotiations with WNBPA by Sabreena Merchant

Unrivaled schedules postseason games in New York following Philadelphia success by Sabreena Merchant

Breanna Stewart signing with EuroLeague team, will join after Unrivaled by Sabreena Merchant

Women’s college basketball power rankings: South Carolina flexes its SEC dominance by Sabreena Merchant

DRIVING; My Life, My Mercedes CL500 by Dawn Staley

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena and Sabreena discuss the ongoing CBA negotiations, highlighting recent updates and the potential for a player strike. They then shift to Angel Reese’s return to the Rose Basketball Club and the exciting on-court action in the Unrivaled one-on-one tournament.

From there, they dive into the upcoming WNBA Draft, exploring the rise of international prospects, the potential impact of an expansion draft, and the chance for a historic UCLA presence in this year’s class. They weigh the pros and cons of drafting overseas talent, examine the class’s overall depth, and assess top prospects, breaking down what makes them stand out — and where they still need growth.

Plus, we tell you where to set your screens this weekend.

REFERENCES:

Angel Reese will join Unrivaled for remainder of season, reunite with Rose BC by Sabreena
Merchant

WNBA mock draft: Lauren Betts leads five first-round picks from UCLA by Sabreena Merchant

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Chantel, and Sabreena kick off their discussion with the unveiling of Unviraled’s 1-on-1 tournament bracket. They highlight what fans can look forward to and share their predictions on who might come out on top.

Next, the crew dives deep into UCLA’s surge in the Big Ten, breaking down roster changes, the impact of transfers, and why this season feels so urgent. They also explore how NIL has shaped the team, how the players have stayed together, and how UCLA is viewed nationally, ending with a look at their potential WNBA draft prospects.

The conversation wraps up with a fun game of Start, Bench, Cut.

REFERENCES:

Duke’s season turnaround is official after taking down No. 6 Louisville by Sabreena Merchant

Women’s college basketball rankings: Tennessee’s troubling tumble, Texas impresses by Sabreena Merchant

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sabreena and Chantel kick things off with the latest on CBA talks following this week’s meeting between the league and the players’ union. With little coming out of the meeting, they discuss what it means for WNBA free agency, the expansion draft, and the league’s hopes of starting the season on time.

From there, bracketologist Eden Laase joins the duo to break down the concept of “bubble teams”— those fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. They explore why signature wins matter, how conference schedules shape resumes, and which teams to keep an eye on as the season winds down. Eden provides insights into the challenges faced by mid-major teams and the fluctuating nature of rankings as the tournament approaches.

Lastly, we wrap things up with a matching exercise where we pair women's basketball players with an olympic sport.

REFERENCES:

A question for WNBA, players union during CBA talks: Where’s the urgency? by Sabreena Merchant

Women’s basketball bubble watch: Will Iowa State make the tournament? by Eden Laase

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.