No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

The aftermath of the Fever-Mercury game continues, with Alyssa Thomas speaking out about the harassment she’s endured in the wake of her on-court skirmish with Caitlin Clark. As a result, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert finally speaks up about the incident – but is it too little too late? And what ever happened to the WNBA’s “No Space for Hate” campaign?

Zena and Layshia offer their perspectives on AT’s comments and the league’s response, while also praising Stephanie White for her recent comments on the situation. Then, they dig into the Commissioner’s Cup Final, where the Liberty topped the Aces.

Next, in a very special conversation, Zena and Layshia delve into a special announcement from Layshia. They also go deep on Layshia’s decision to retire from basketball, how to rebuild a life and career off the court while dealing with the grief of losing that community and that purpose, and more.

Plus: One More Thing - Championship prediction edition!

References:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7410283/2026/06/30/alyssa-thomas-caitlin-clark-incident-wnba-death-threats/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7413061/2026/07/01/wnba-hate-threats-fever-white-thomas/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7411259/2026/06/30/breanna-stewart-liberty-aces-commissioners-cup-win/

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The discourse around Caitlin Clark has once again reached a fever pitch – and the WNBA doesn’t seem to be learning from the lessons of the past in its handling of it all. In this nuanced and wide-ranging conversation, Zena, Annie, and Sabreena dissect the different takes swirling around the internet regarding the aftermath of last week’s physical game between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury, including Alyssa Thomas’ upgraded foul and suspension. What role should league officials play in getting rid of the toxic discourse that pervades social media? How can the league regain trust with fans? And how can fans and the media alike find the fun again?

Also, the crew digs into the 4-OT thriller between the Mystics and the Fire, Marina Mabrey’s 53-point night, and which teams are trending up in the Sabreena Scale.

Plus: a Commissioner’s Cup Preview. Will the Aces or the Liberty take the crown?

References:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7399104/2026/06/27/caitlin-clark-wnba-fouls-technicals-phoenix-mercury/

https://www.theringer.com/2026/06/26/wnba/caitlin-clark-foul-alyssa-thomas-wnba-cathy-engelbert

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2026/06/25/caitlin-clark-impact-undeniable-but-wnba-response-falls-short/90701172007/

https://www.laprogressive.com/racism/caitlin-clark-problem

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

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Caitlin Clark is out for Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Sparks. We're bringing you inside the aftermath of Wednesday night's Fever-Mercury game - from Fever head coach Steph White's comments to the intricacies of what happened on the court between Caitlin Clark and Alyssa Thomas, and the eventual upgrade of the foul to Flagrant 2, plus the suspension for one game of Alyssa Thomas.

And: Marina Mabrey goes OFF for 53 points.
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The WNBA's rookie class is making its mark, and Zena and Annie break down who's rising as the season heats up. They debate the leading Rookie of the Year contenders, highlight the biggest surprises, and predict which first-year players are poised for a breakout after the All-Star break.

Plus, we break down the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule and what it means for college athletes.

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

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Physicality has always been part of the WNBA—but where’s the line between tough competition and crossing it? Zena and Layshia unpack the league-wide conversation around physical play, breaking down recent technical fouls involving Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and others. They dive into the impact of officiating, player conduct, and sportsmanship, while exploring how the game’s physical style has evolved over the years. From aggressive defenses to referee decisions, the duo examines how players adjust, compete, and thrive in one of the toughest leagues in sports.

REFERENCES:

The fascinating case of Caitlin Clark vs. The WNBA: Who controls the spirit of the sport? by Brian Hamilton

Caitlin Clark blasts officials for ‘ridiculous’ tech, inches closer to suspension by James Boyd

WNBA will not rescind Caitlin Clark’s technical foul from Fever-Mercury game by James Boyd

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.