No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show Episode: How More Expansion Will Impact the WNBA + All-Star Starters
Release Date: July 1, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of No Offseason, hosted by Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman, the discussion centers around two major topics: the recent expansion of the WNBA and the announcement of the All-Star starters. The hosts delve deep into how the addition of new franchises will reshape the league and analyze the implications of the latest All-Star selections.

WNBA Expansion: New Franchises Announced

Key Announcement:
The WNBA has officially expanded to 18 teams, starting with Cleveland in 2028, followed by Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. This marks a significant growth phase for the league, aiming to broaden its reach and enhance competitive balance.

Discussion Highlights:

• Ben Pickman’s Insight ([17:13]):
  Ben shares his firsthand experience from being in the room at the WNBA and NBA headquarters during the expansion announcement. He describes the event as "exciting" with representatives from the new teams expressing their enthusiasm for joining the league.

• Economic Factors:
  The expansion fee for the new teams has surged to $250 million each, a substantial increase from the Golden State Valkyries' $50 million fee in 2025. This leap reflects the WNBA's growing commercial appeal and the strategic importance of new markets.

• Ownership and Facilities:
  The new franchises are backed by robust ownership groups, many of whom also own NBA teams. For instance, Cleveland’s new WNBA team will benefit from existing NBA infrastructure, such as shared arenas and practice facilities. Ben notes, "Detroit is going to play in Little Caesars [Arena], where the Pistons play," emphasizing the advantage of established venues.

• Financial Distribution ([25:36]):
  Sabrina explains that the $250 million expansion fee is a "get in the door fee" for owners, separate from any additional investments in facilities or operations. The revenue from these fees is divided among the NBA, a capital raise group, and the WNBA owners.

• Future Expansion Cities:
  While Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia were selected, cities like Miami, Charlotte, Houston, Nashville, and Kansas City were not chosen at this time. Ben speculates that Houston will likely be the next city to receive a WNBA franchise, hinting at the league’s intention to solidify its presence in key markets with strong basketball traditions.

Notable Quote:

Ben Pickman ([22:26]):
"I think Kathy Engelbert had been pretty clear and she's often, you know, very intentional in her language that they were wanting to expand to at least 16 teams by 2028. And when suddenly you saw more than 10 cities submitted bids by this end of January deadline... it wasn't totally shocking that the league made a decision to go to 18."

All-Star Selections: Starters and Voting Insights

All-Star Captains:
Caitlin Clark and Afisa Collier have been named WNBA All-Star captains, marking a significant milestone as both achieve this honor for the first time in their careers.

Starters Announcement:

• Voting Mechanics ([02:52]):
  The All-Star starters are determined by a weighted system: 50% fan votes, 25% media votes, and 25% player votes. Interestingly, while Caitlin Clark received the highest number of fan votes, she was not the top player based on the overall weighted score.

• Ben Pickman’s Analysis ([03:17] & [04:01]):
  Ben highlights that Paige Beckers emerged as the top guard with a weighted score of 3.25, despite Caitlin Clark leading the fan votes. This underscores the league’s effort to balance popularity with performance metrics.

• Front Court Starters:
  Nafisa Collier and Asia Wilson topped the front court positions based on weighted scores, followed by Brianna Stewart, Aaliyah Boston, Neko Gumake, and Satu Sabali. Angel Reese, despite strong performances, was the first player out due to lower rankings in fan, media, and player votes.

Team Rankings Movement:

• Seattle to Seventh ([07:13]):
  Teams like New York and Seattle have experienced shifts in their rankings, with Seattle dropping from fourth to seventh. Conversely, Atlanta has climbed from fifth to third, bolstered by their recent performances, including a clutch game against the Minnesota Lynx.

Notable Quote:

Zena Caida ([07:03]):
"I thought one of the really coolest parts about this entire voting situation... the top players in the WNBA All Star vote situation got as many votes individually as total combined votes in years past. This is participation, this is growth, this is interest."

Impact of Expansion on the WNBA

Roster and Competitive Balance:

• Increased Roster Spots ([37:12]):
  The addition of six new teams by 2030 will introduce 60 new roster spots, raising concerns about potential dilution of talent. Sabrina Merchant voices apprehension that expanding from 12 to 18 teams might lower the league’s exclusivity and competitiveness.

• Quality of Play ([40:55]):
  While expansion could surface new stars from previously sidelined players, there is a risk that the overall quality may decrease as talent is spread thinner across more teams.

• Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Implications ([43:52]):
  The expansion aligns with ongoing CBA negotiations, where players might leverage the increased number of teams to demand better pay and improved player welfare. Sabrina notes, "The players are going to be obviously asking for the main point of fair pay."

Schedule and Logistics:

• Season Structure ([44:20]):
  With more teams and potentially more games, the WNBA faces challenges in fitting into the existing sports calendar. Concerns include overlapping with major events like the NBA playoffs and the World Series, and accommodating arena schedules that host concerts and other events.

• Conference Alignment and Divisions ([46:17]):
  The league may need to revisit conference and division structures to manage the expanded schedule efficiently. Ben speculates on potential schedule conflicts, especially if new teams like Detroit or Houston perform exceptionally well.

Notable Quote:

Sabrina Merchant ([39:57]):
"I think part of the draw of the WNBA, though, in that stretch, and you think about the quality of the league is its exclusivity, the fact that it is the toughest league in the world to make, that necessarily creates a higher quality of play."

Brainstorming New Team Names

In a lighthearted segment, the hosts engage in brainstorming potential names for the new franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, reflecting each city’s unique culture and history.

Cleveland:

• Cleveland Vinyl:
  Reflecting the city’s musical heritage and the presence of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

• Cleveland Voltage/Cleveland Current:
  A nod to Cleveland’s industrial background and historical significance in electrification.

Detroit:

• Detroit Torque:
  Emphasizing the automotive legacy of Detroit.

• Detroit Engineering/Detroit Engines:
  Highlighting the city’s role in the automotive industry.

Philadelphia:

• Philadelphia Liberty/Freedom:
  Drawing inspiration from iconic American symbols like the Liberty Bell.

• Philadelphia Suffragettes:
  Honoring the city's historical role in the women's suffrage movement, though there's concern about the name's connotation with the word "suffer."

Notable Brainstorming Highlights:

• Ben Pickman ([60:03]):
  "We should say, too, the Detroit Pistons have an NBA G League affiliate which are known as the Motor City Crews. So, you know, again, history would tell us the car. The car vibe will be applied in this context too."

• Zena Caida ([58:54]):
  "Cleveland was also apparently the first city lit by electricity. So you could go with Cleveland Voltage. Cleveland Current."

Community and Historical Context

The hosts discuss the historical significance of reviving franchises in cities like Cleveland and Detroit, which previously had teams like the Cleveland Rockers and Detroit Shock. They reflect on changes in ownership, league stability, and the improved commercial viability of the WNBA compared to its early years.

Discussion Points:

• Ownership Evolution ([50:25]):
  The new ownership groups bring fresh perspectives and resources, differentiating the current expansion from past attempts that saw teams fold or relocate due to financial constraints and lack of support.

• Economic Growth and Support ([52:29]):
  The WNBA's recent growth in viewership, merchandise sales, and corporate partnerships has created a more favorable environment for expansion, contrasting sharply with the challenges faced in the league's formative years.

Notable Quote:

Sabrina Merchant ([54:31]):
"But for Philadelphia, this is an entirely new market, one that we've been talking about for a very long time. Part of me is like, why is there this lack of imagination that we have to just try the same things over and over again?"

Conclusion and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, the hosts emphasize the significance of the WNBA’s expansion and the potential it holds for the future of women’s basketball. They encourage listeners to share their thoughts on the new teams, names, and the broader implications of expanding the league.

Final Remarks:

• All-Star and Expansion Integration:
  The hosts anticipate that the new teams will introduce fresh talent and dynamics to the league, potentially uncovering hidden stars and enhancing overall competition.

• Ongoing Negotiations and Adaptations:
  With the CBA and league structure adjustments underway, the WNBA is poised to evolve in response to its expansion, striving to maintain balance between growth and quality.

Notable Quote:

Zena Caida ([66:00]):
"We are in a different space economically than that recession in 2008 that took out a lot of these teams. So I am trying to be more optimistic than that."

Key Takeaways

1. League Growth:
   The WNBA’s expansion to 18 teams by 2030 signifies robust growth and increased market penetration, backed by substantial financial investments.

2. Competitive Dynamics:
   While expansion brings opportunities for new talent and fan engagement, it also poses challenges in maintaining competitive balance and league quality.

3. Cultural Integration:
   New franchises are being thoughtfully integrated into their respective cities, reflecting local culture and history, which is crucial for building a loyal fan base.

4. Future Challenges:
   The WNBA must navigate logistical complexities related to scheduling, player welfare, and maintaining the league’s prestigious reputation amidst rapid expansion.

5. Fan Engagement:
   Increased participation in All-Star voting and the enthusiasm surrounding expansion indicate a growing and engaged fan base, essential for the league’s sustained success.

Quotes Summary

• Ben Pickman ([22:26]):
  "I think Kathy Engelbert had been pretty clear and she's often... they were wanting to expand to at least 16 teams by 2028... it wasn't totally shocking that the league made a decision to go to 18."

• Zena Caida ([07:03]):
  "This is participation, this is growth, this is interest."

• Sabrina Merchant ([39:57]):
  "The fact that it is the toughest league in the world to make, that necessarily creates a higher quality of play."

• Zena Caida ([66:00]):
  "We are in a different space economically than that recession in 2008... So I am trying to be more optimistic than that."

Final Notes

No Offseason continues to provide in-depth analysis and lively discussions on the developments within women's basketball. This episode highlights the WNBA's strategic expansion and its implications, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the league's trajectory and the evolving landscape of women's professional basketball.

Stay Connected:
Subscribe to No Offseason on your favorite podcast platform, follow The Athletic for more insights, and join the conversation on social media to share your thoughts on the WNBA’s exciting new chapter.