Why the WNBA Keeps Creating PR Nightmares
The discourse around Caitlin Clark has once again reached a fever pitch and the WNBA doesnt 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 weeks 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 Mabreys 53-point night, and which teams are trending up in the Sabreena Scale. Plus: a Commissioners Cup Preview. Will the Aces or the Liberty take the crown? No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network: Sign up for the No Offseason Newsletter: 00:00 Intro 01:44 The Four OT Mystics-Fire Thriller 04:32 Marina Mabreys 53-point Stunner 09:20 The Sabreena Scale: Chicago Sky Trending Up 18:14 The Sabreena Scale: Valkyries Move Up to No. 3 25:36 WNBA Commentary Fever Pitch: Digging into the Narratives 27:06 Breaking Down Seerat Sohis Piece in The Ringer 32:12 The WNBA Should Be More Proactive vs Reactive 34:39 A Lack of Trust with the WNBA Borne out of Inconsistency 37:16 The WNBA Needs to Better Prepare Players for Scrutiny 47:27 Christine Brennans Take - and the Vitriol Behind It 51:34 Do [WNBA Players] Really Not Like Caitlin? 52:46 This is What Competition Looks Like vs Societal Conditioning 57:32 Desi Cortez: Caitlin Clark, Race & the WNBA 01:00:49 What Does the WNBA Do With This Momentum Now? 01:03:01 How Do We Make Coverage of the WNBA Fun Again? 01:12:22 Commissioners Cup Preview Related links and articles: Follow and listen to the audio podcast: Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever youre listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube: @No-Offseason -Instagram: @tanooffseason [ -TikTok: @no_offseason [ Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Layshia on IG: @layshiac -Annie on X: @anniecostabile -Produced by Taneka Burrell -Executive Produced by Andrea B. Scott Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports Hub: Full Episodes Playlist: Shorts Playlist:
