No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Chantel, Annie and Sabreena go LIVE to discuss WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s tenure coming to an end after the 2026 season. They look back at Engelbert’s impact on the league, as well as the biggest moments and challenges of her tenure. Plus, they discuss potential candidates who could be in the mix to become the WNBA’s next commissioner.

REFERENCES:

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert retiring at end of 2026 by Annie Costabile

Who should be the next WNBA commissioner? Potential candidates to replace Cathy Engelbert by Sabreena Merchant and Annie Costabile

Cathy Engelbert did her job. Now the WNBA needs a true visionary as commissioner by Brian Hamilton

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French talent is making a major impact in the WNBA — and now some of those same players could stand in Team USA’s way at the FIBA World Cup. Sabreena and Annie are joined by Eden Laase to break down the growing pipeline of French players to the WNBA, what’s made the league an increasingly attractive destination, and whether that experience could help France pull off a World Cup upset.

Before Eden joins, Sabreena and Annie discuss the latest developments surrounding Kate Koval’s departure from LSU following the program’s recruitment of a Russian player, which left Koval without a new landing spot as the NCAA transfer window closed before she could make her move. They also break down the passport issue that has kept Li Yueru from playing for Team China, before turning to Satou Sabally being ruled out for the remainder of the season and what that could mean for her future and the New York Liberty.

Finally, the trio look beyond Team USA and France to preview the rest of the FIBA World Cup field, highlighting the teams and players they’ll be watching closely throughout the tournament.

REFERENCES:

Ukrainian center Kate Koval details leaving LSU after recruitment of Russian player by Annie Costabile and Chantel Jennings

Wings center Li Yueru can’t play with China in World Cup due to lost passport by Sabreena Merchant

The WNBA has experienced a French influence. It could also cause chaos in the World Cup by Eden Laase

What to know about Team USA and the World Cup women's basketball field as play begins by Sabreena Merchant
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Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

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The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup tips off Friday, and Team USA is chasing its fifth consecutive gold medal. Sabreena, Annie and Chantel preview the tournament and take a closer look at a new-look Team USA without leading scorer A’ja Wilson. With seven World Cup debutants on the roster, what will the roster changes mean for Team USA’s strategy, chemistry and chances of staying on top? Plus, France could be one of the biggest threats to the U.S. with an experienced roster.

But first, we kick off our conversation with the second annual Players Era Women’s Showcase coming to Las Vegas this December. We break down the loaded matchups, what’s at stake and what this event means for women’s college basketball.
Then, we discuss Skylar Diggins being placed on the Chicago Sky’s season-ending injury list and what it means for both Diggins and the Sky moving forward.
And to wrap things up, we play another round of “Something in Common.”

REFERENCES:

UCLA, USC, South Carolina among women’s basketball teams in Players Era showcase by Sabreena

Sky guard Skylar Diggins done for season, calls effort to get healthy an ‘uphill battle’ by Annie Costabile

Why isn’t the WNBA playing for 2 weeks? Here’s what to know about the FIBA World Cup by Annie Costabile
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Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

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The WNBA is taking a 17-day pause for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, but there’s still plenty to sort out before the playoffs. With just four games remaining when the league returns, Zena and Sabreena break down the current standings, potential playoff matchups, and which teams have the most at stake down the stretch. They look at the biggest strengths and weaknesses across the playoff field, the defensive adjustments that could make a difference, and the players and rivalries that could shape the postseason.
Before getting into the playoff race, the duo reacts to the news that A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the FIBA World Cup, with Plum also set to miss the remainder of the WNBA season. They then turn to another major blow for the Las Vegas Aces, as NaLyssa Smith is officially out for the rest of the season with a leg injury. What does her absence mean for the defending champions heading into the playoffs?

Plus, Zena and Sabreena discuss Angel Reese’s rescinded technical foul and what the original ruling could have meant for the Atlanta Dream.

And finally, they open up the mailbag to break down temporary suspensions in the WNBA and how they can impact a team’s roster.

WNBA stars A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum out for FIBA Women’s World Cup by Annie Costabile

NaLyssa Smith has been ruled out for the season. What now for the Aces’ lineup? By Sabreena Merchant

Angel Reese avoids automatic suspension after technical foul quickly rescinded by Sabreena Merchant

Can Valkyries overtake Lynx’s top playoff seed? Our WNBA playoff picture forecast by Sabreena Merchant

Chapters

(00:00) Intro
(01:51) A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum to miss FIBA Women’s World Cup
(04:11) Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron added to Team USA roster
(07:14) NaLyssa Smith suffers season-ending injury
(13:27) WNBA rescinds Angel Reese’s technical foul
(18:17) WNBA playoff structure
(19:48) How WNBA playoff home-court advantage works
(20:09) WNBA tiebreaker scenario explained
(25:43) Exploring the Wing’s playoff approach
(31:02) Inside the Valkyries and Mystics defensive styles
(32:57) Examining the Valkyries and Mystics offense
(38:35) Could the Liberty be trouble for the Aces?
(45:35) What gives the Dream an edge over the Fever?
(50:56) The impact of the FIBA World Cup break on teams
(54:36) Mailbag Question
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How did the Dallas Wings go from last place to playoff contender in just one season? Sabreena and Annie are joined by Brian Hamilton to take a closer look at one of the WNBA’s biggest turnarounds.

Brian shares insight into head coach Jose Fernandez’s journey from college basketball to the WNBA, why the timing was right for the move, and how his relationship with Paige Bueckers has shaped his approach to coaching her. The trio also breaks down what has changed in Dallas and how the Wings went from a team searching for answers to one now positioned for the playoffs.

Plus, Sabreena and Annie break down DeWanna Bonner officially joining the Atlanta Dream, how she fits into Atlanta’s playoff push, and the roster move the Dream made to bring her in. They also discuss Unrivaled’s latest funding and plans to bring games to cities across the country.

And they dive into the Chicago Sky’s decision to ban Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena and what it means for the team and the WNBA.

Finally, as we head into the weekend, we’ll tell you where to set your screens for the biggest games this weekend.

REFERENCES:

DeWanna Bonner signing with Atlanta Dream for playoff run: Sources by Annie Costabile

Unrivaled announces new funding that sets league valuation at $650 million by Annie Costabile

Enes Kanter Freedom banned by Chicago Sky after altercation with Natasha Cloud by Annie Costabile

Coach star Paige Bueckers? Resurrect the Dallas Wings? It’s all ‘just basketball’ to Jose Fernandez by Jose Fernandez

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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
IG: @tanooffseason
TikTok: @no_offseason
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.