No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: WNBA Kickoff - Charter Planes, Power Rankings, and Preseason Award Predictions
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman

1. Episode Introduction

[04:56] Zena Keita:
Welcome back to "No Offseason," The Athletic’s show dedicated to all things women’s basketball. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer eager to dive into the new WNBA season, this episode covers everything you need to know—from league headlines and team expectations to power rankings and preseason award predictions.

2. League Headlines

The hosts kicked off the episode by discussing the latest headlines impacting the WNBA:

• Asia Wilson's Signature Shoe Launch
  [07:49] Ben Pickman:
  Asia Wilson has been under the radar regarding her signature shoe with Nike. Initially announced in February 2023, the shoe, titled the "A1," is now finally gearing up for a public release in Spring 2025. Wilson emphasized the delay, stating, “What is delayed is not denied,” highlighting the meticulous design process aimed at balancing class and sass for both on-court performance and fashion.

  [09:25] Sabreena Merchant:
  A significant preseason game saw the Las Vegas Aces triumph over the Puerto Rican national team in Columbia, South Carolina. While the game wasn't televised, it showcased Asia Wilson's leadership and the Aces' dominance, albeit attracting mixed interest from fans yearning to watch more competitive preseason matchups.

• WNBA Expansion: Toronto and Beyond
  [11:17] Sabreena Merchant:
  Exciting news emerged as the WNBA awarded an expansion team to Toronto, marking the 14th team in the league set to begin play in 2026. This move is facilitated by the WNBA’s new charter flight program, addressing previous travel hurdles that hindered international team expansions.

  [12:26] Ben Pickman:
  The introduction of charter flights is a game-changer, especially for potential Canadian teams. "It's really important," he noted, emphasizing that charter travel simplifies logistics, making Toronto a viable and attractive market for expansion. The team, led by billionaire Larry Tannenbaum through Kilmer Sports Venture, will play at the 8,000-seat Coca Cola Coliseum.

  [13:06] Ben Pickman:
  Furthermore, Kathy Engelbert hinted at the possibility of Teams 15 and 16 being announced within the year, with 16 cities still in the running, underscoring the league's ambition to grow rapidly.

3. Charter Flight Program

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the WNBA’s newly announced charter flight program:

• Implementation and Impact
  [16:23] Sabreena Merchant:
  The WNBA is expanding its charter flight program, which will now fund full charter operations for teams over the next two years. This infrastructure development is expected to streamline travel, especially for international games, significantly enhancing player experience and team logistics.

  [17:00] Ben Pickman:
  The abrupt announcement a week before the season's start caused surprise among team executives and players. Ben highlighted that while the initiative is positive, it raises questions about consistency and competitive balance, as only two of the four opening night teams utilized charter flights. "There Needs to be some more clarity," he stated, pointing out the initial inconsistency in charter usage.

  [20:10] Sabreena Merchant:
  The charter flights also have implications for player privacy and recovery, transforming player travel into a more exclusive and comfortable experience. Sabreena expressed optimism, noting that this advancement reflects the growing investment and professionalization within the league.

• Future Considerations
  [23:24] Ben Pickman:
  Financial transparency was discussed, with the WNBA committing $50 million over two seasons to fund charter flights—equivalent to the Golden State Warriors' expansion fee—possibly sourced from recent expansion revenues.

4. Power Rankings and Team Expectations

The hosts delved into their preseason power rankings and expectations for the upcoming WNBA season:

• Las Vegas Aces: The Reigning Champions
  [27:25] Ben Pickman:
  The Aces are poised to defend their title, bringing back nearly their entire starting lineup, including star Asia Wilson. Ben praised Asia’s leadership and the team's strategic acquisitions, positioning the Aces as the team to beat. "This is a very rare thing," he remarked, noting their potential to replicate historical dynasties like the Houston Comets.

  [30:07] Sabreena Merchant:
  Sabreena echoed Ben’s sentiments, highlighting the Aces' robust roster and Becky Hammond’s coaching prowess. She provided a vivid description of each key player, enhancing the narrative of the Aces as a powerhouse team.

• New York Liberty, Connecticut Sun, and Seattle Storm: The Challengers
  [36:03] Sabreena Merchant:
  The Liberty, Sun, and Storm are identified as primary challengers to the Aces. Sabreena highlighted New York’s competitive edge from last season and Connecticut’s defensive strengths with players like Bree Jones and Alyssa Thomas returning from injury. The Seattle Storm, with new facilities and talent like Skyler Diggins Smith, are also expected to make significant strides.

  [38:09] Ben Pickman:
  Ben emphasized the potential rise of teams like the Phoenix Mercury, citing their star-studded roster, including Natasha Cloud and Diana Taurasi. However, he expressed concerns about the Mercury’s depth and potential defensive vulnerabilities.

• Season Kickoff Games
  [39:10] Sabreena Merchant:
  The episode covered the exciting matchups set for the season opener:

  • New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics
  • Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun
  • Phoenix Mercury vs. Las Vegas Aces
  • Minnesota Lynx vs. Seattle Storm

  Sabreena shared her excitement for these games, particularly the Aces’ ring ceremony and Boston’s return against the Fever.

5. Preseason Award Predictions

The hosts made their preseason award predictions, including champions, MVPs, rookies, and defensive players of the year:

• Championship Winner:
  Both Ben and Sabreena predicted the Las Vegas Aces to win the championship, citing their experienced roster and sustained performance over the past two seasons.

• WNBA MVP:
  Asia Wilson was unanimously chosen as the preseason MVP by both hosts. They highlighted her outstanding performance and leadership qualities as key factors.

  [46:41] Sabreena Merchant:
  “I’d agree with all those,” Sabreena confirmed, reinforcing Asia Wilson’s impact on the league.

• Rookie of the Year:
  Both hosts selected Caitlin Clark as the preseason Rookie of the Year, anticipating her significant contribution to her team and overall performance.

• Coach of the Year:
  A divergence occurred with Coach of the Year picks:

  • Zena Keita:
    Ben Pickman selected Noelle Quinn of the Seattle Storm, praising her ability to maximize her players' potentials and transition effectively from player to coach.

  • Sabreena Merchant:
    Sabreena opted for Teresa Weatherspoon of the Chicago Sky, anticipating her cultural impact and the exceeding of expectations in a rebuilding team.

  [47:57] Ben Pickman:
  Ben elaborated on Quinn’s coaching acumen and her staff’s role in the Storm’s success, positioning her as a deserving candidate.

  [49:47] Sabreena Merchant:
  Sabreena emphasized Weatherspoon’s influence on team culture and her ability to lead the Sky to unexpected successes.

• Most Improved Player:

  • Ben Pickman:
    Selected Melissa Smith of the Indiana Fever, highlighting her impressive preseason performance and potential synergy with Caitlin Clark.

  • Sabreena Merchant:
    Chose Tierra McCowan of the Dallas Wings, anticipating her expanded role and increased scoring opportunities as the team evolves.

  [53:11] Ben Pickman:
  Melissa Smith’s collegiate accolades and her pivotal role in the Fever’s performance were cited as reasons for her selection.

  [52:04] Sabreena Merchant:
  Sabreena focused on McCowan’s consistent performance and expected offensive integration in Dallas as key factors.

• Defensive Player of the Year:

  • Ben Pickman:
    Natasha Cloud of the Phoenix Mercury was chosen for her tenacity and defensive prowess, especially with her new role alongside Diana Taurasi.

  • Sabreena Merchant:
    Selected Ezzy McBeggar of the Seattle Storm, praising her athleticism, wingspan, and disruptive presence on defense.

  [58:07] Ben Pickman:
  Ben highlighted Cloud’s defensive skills and her potential impact in Phoenix’s revamped lineup.

  [59:39] Sabreena Merchant:
  Sabreena defended McBeggar’s capabilities, noting her coverage skills and the defensive anchor she provides the Storm.

6. Final Thoughts and Season Kickoff

As the episode wrapped up, the hosts shared their final anticipations for the season:

• Excitement for Opening Night:
  [61:53] Sabreena Merchant:
  Sabreena expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming games, particularly the Las Vegas Aces' performance and the Mercury’s potential.

• Continued Growth and Engagement:
  [63:00] Sabreena Merchant:
  Emphasizing the importance of listener engagement, Sabreena encouraged fans to subscribe and contribute to future discussions, highlighting the dynamic and evolving nature of women’s basketball.

Notable Quotes

• Zena Keita:
  “Keep listening, keep learning, and keep loving the game. Because that's the only way we're going to keep growing.”

• Ben Pickman:
  “For a league that cares a lot about competitive balance, the fact that some of these teams are chartering and some not, I think there needs to be some more clarity there.”

• Sabreena Merchant:
  “Every skill is represented and put on display at the highest possible level under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Becky Hammond.”

Conclusion

This episode of "No Offseason" provided an in-depth analysis of the upcoming WNBA season, highlighting significant league developments such as the Toronto expansion and the introduction of charter flights. The hosts offered comprehensive power rankings and insightful preseason award predictions, with a strong emphasis on the Las Vegas Aces' continuing dominance. As the season kicks off with four exciting games, the hosts ensured listeners are well-prepared for the new era of women’s basketball, underscored by increased investment, growing viewership, and enhanced player experiences.

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