No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Episode Title: How Aces & Liberty Can Win Series + Surging Ticket Prices
Date: September 16, 2025
Hosts: Zena Keda, Sabrina Merchant, Ben Pickman

Episode Overview

This episode explores the thrilling start to the WNBA postseason, focusing on key first-round matchups, standout player performances, and tactical trends impacting the outcomes. The hosts also tackle a hot-button topic off the court: surging ticket prices, the changing WNBA fan experience, and the challenges and promises of the league’s explosive growth.

Postseason Game Breakdowns

1. New York Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury (OT Thriller)

Key segment: [03:39–15:08]

• Game Recap: Liberty win on the road, 76–69 in OT. Natasha Cloud starred for New York, dropping 23 points against her former team.
• Stewart’s Injury: Major concern for Liberty as Brianna Stewart left in overtime with a left knee injury.
  • “She goes up for this layup, she gets fouled ... right when she lands, we see her grimace, we see her hold her left knee. That is basically all we know.”
    — Ben Pickman [08:00]
• Phoenix’s Missed Opportunities:
  • Satu Sabally struggled: 2–17 FG, 1–10 from three.
  • Sabrina Merchant noted Phoenix’s lack of offensive discipline:
    “You do that [take early shots] when you have a hot hand, not when you're trying to find your rhythm.” [09:50]
  • Phoenix out-rebounded 48–31, only 32.5% FG.
• Liberty’s Vulnerabilities: 21 turnovers, underutilizing Jonquel Jones and Emma Meesseman—both must step up.
• Atmosphere: 4 WNBA Finals MVPs featured in series.
  • “There are six active WNBA Finals MVPs, and four of them are in this series. That's insane.”
    — Sabrina Merchant [15:00]

2. Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries

Key segment: [15:08–22:25]

• Historic First: Valkyries become first expansion team to play a WNBA playoff game.
• Game Flow: Valkyries started strong (28–21 Q1), but Lynx overwhelmed them after halftime, winning 101–72.
• Lynx Depth: Natisha Heideman stood out with 18 points (playoff career high), adding pace and dynamic scoring off the bench.
  • “Heideman’s playing her best basketball of the season ... her decision making in the pick and roll is strong.”
    — Ben Pickman [18:17]
• Valkyries’ Short Bench: Golden State did not utilize their bench enough; lacked offensive balance beyond starters.
• Coaching & Adjustments: Minnesota’s discipline, depth, and defense were key.
  • “If you were to tell me like which bench is going to be more impactful, I'm stunned at how little Golden State went to its bench.”
    — Sabrina Merchant [20:17]

3. Atlanta Dream vs. Indiana Fever

Key segment: [22:25–29:41]

• Dream Win: Atlanta took Game 1 (80–68), led by Ryan Howard and Allisha Gray (20+ points each).
• Fever’s Struggles: Kelsey Mitchell (27 pts) was effective, but little help from teammates; Aaliyah Boston (8 pts, 12 rebounds) hampered by fouls and needed more offensive impact.
  • “Aaliyah Boston has to be better for them to win this series.”
    — Sabrina Merchant [24:29]
• Atlanta’s Defensive Edge: Limited Indiana to 13.8% from three; dominated second-chance points (18–10).
• Coaching & Mental Resilience: Atlanta feels they belong with the league’s elite, emphasizing championship aspirations.

4. Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm

Key segment: [30:15–35:51]

• Aces Dominate: Vegas blew out Seattle 102–77. Fast, efficient offense and stifling defense.
• Star Performances: Asia Wilson (29 pts, 8 reb, 10–18 FG), Alyssa Smith’s energy noted, Chelsea Gray looked rejuvenated.
• Storm’s Struggles: All-Star trio Diggins, Sykes, Magbegor combined for almost nothing in the first half.
  • “It was just a butt kicking. There's no other way to put it.”
    — Ben Pickman [33:13]
• Bright Spot: Dominique Malanga became first WNBA teenager with a double-double in a playoff game.
• What’s Next for Seattle? Only chance is through defense/transition—half-court offense isn’t enough to match Aces.

Surging WNBA Ticket Prices & Fan Experience

Key segment: [37:54–52:57]

• Growth and Its Downsides: Record ticket sales, viewership, and more buzz are leading to much higher ticket prices.
  • “Average secondary ticket price has increased 43% from 2024 to 2025.”
    — Zena Keda [40:41]
• Who’s Impacted? Longtime, often Black and queer fans—the league’s original core—are now getting priced out.
  • “So much of the magic ... is you have all these fans who actively want to be there ... not just executives or business people.”
    — Ben Pickman [42:47]
• Fan Sentiment: Some feel their loyalty and the W’s inclusive culture are being threatened as corporations buy up prime seats.
• Team Responses:
  • Phoenix: $2 value meals to offset some in-arena costs.
  • New York: Team store discounts, exclusive swag, separate entrances for STHs, and premium perks such as Away luggage.
• Fans Want More: Many feel rising prices aren’t matched by better experiences or perks; also crave transparency on where their money goes and whether it supports players.
  • “Your ticket prices are not helping Asia Wilson get paid.”
    — Zena Keda [49:33]
• Unique WNBA Dilemma: Fans feel extra responsible for league survival/growth unlike in major men's sports, even when league finances (media rights/sponsors) matter much more than ticket sales.
  • “There's so much more money coming in through media rights deals ... There are other ways to bring in money that don't just come down to gate revenue.”
    — Sabrina Merchant [48:06]

The Golden State Valkyries’ Venue Issue

• Valkyries couldn’t use Chase Center due to a prior Laver Cup booking—fans frustrated, but understanding given advanced scheduling and market realities.
• “Fans want to make sure that their dollars feel as prioritized as they are prioritizing in their own personal budgets.”
  — Zena Keda [50:31]

Commissioner Viewpoints

• WNBA Commissioner Engelbert: Recognizes this is a “catch-22”—growth is good, but pricing out fans is a real concern; hopes the league can keep families included.
  • “She hopes that all these decisions are made in a way that fans can continue to feel valued and included.”
    — Ben Pickman [51:55]
• NBA’s Adam Silver: Contrasted as less sympathetic, suggesting fans can just watch highlights.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On WNBA’s growing pains:
  “It is a capitalistic society ... It is only kind of natural, as we see in other sectors of society, that supply stays the same, demand goes up, prices go up.”
  — Ben Pickman [38:58]
• On fans' unique connection:
  “I hate that fans think that they are responsible for ... the success here because there is so much more money coming in through media rights deals.”
  — Sabrina Merchant [48:06]
• On the postseason’s intensity:
  “There are six active WNBA Finals MVPs, and four of them are in this series. That's insane.”
  — Sabrina Merchant [15:00]

Key Timestamps

• [03:39] – Liberty/Mercury OT analysis and Stewart’s injury
• [15:08] – Lynx overpower Valkyries; Heideman’s big night
• [22:25] – Atlanta’s defensive blueprint against Indiana
• [30:15] – Vegas routs Seattle; Aces' total dominance
• [37:54] – Surging ticket prices & WNBA fan culture shift
• [50:31] – Valkyries’ arena controversy & what it means for fans
• [51:55] – Commissioner reactions and what’s next for accessibility

Conclusion

The episode skillfully blends playoff analysis and broader league issues, affirming the WNBA’s status as a league in rapid, sometimes uncomfortable, ascendancy. The hosts invite listeners to watch for further developments in both the games and the business of women’s basketball — and to make their voices heard as ticket costs, fandom, and priorities continue to evolve.

Next Episode: Return Friday for more playoff breakdowns and ongoing coverage of women’s hoops.