Podcast Summary: "Alley Oop: Caitlin Clark Breaks Silence on Napheesa’s Presser + BOLD WNBA Finals Predictions"

Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts/Panel: Dan Le Batard (A), Stugotz (B), Producer Rebecca (C)
Episode Theme:
This episode dives into WNBA drama and previewing the Finals. The focus is Caitlin Clark’s long-anticipated response to Napheesa Collier’s viral exit presser calling out league leadership, the hosts’ reactions, WNBA labor turmoil, humorous takes on current sports stories, and bold, sometimes heated Finals predictions.

1. Viral Statue Fails & Sports Pop Culture ([00:13]-[02:26])

Key Points:

• Statue of Tina Turner debated:
  The crew jokes about a new statue of Tina Turner that looks nothing like her.
  • "Is that an afro? Is that some pom poms on her head?" – A (01:02)
  • "This is like the same person that did the Cristiano Ronaldo statue...they found one on Facebook Marketplace." – B (01:35)
• Running joke: Hosts riff that Tennessee couldn't afford a real sculptor and that Tina Turner is not even alive ("Rest in peace, Tina Turner" – A (02:00))

2. Nafisa Collier vs. WNBA Commissioner Scandal ([02:27]-[05:17])

Key Points:

• Napheesa Collier's presser:
  Nafisa Collier "ethered" WNBA commissioner Kathy Engelbert, claiming Engelbert said Caitlin Clark and other stars should “thank her lucky stars” for their financial opportunities due to the league platform.
  Collier relayed that Engelbert had said, “Without the platform I gave to her, she would make zero.” – B (02:27)
• Anticipation for Caitlin Clark's response:
  Clark finally responds in her own exit interview:
  • "First of all, I have great respect for Fee and I think she made a lot of very valid points...we need great leadership in this time across all levels. This is straight up the most important moment in this league’s history...If he said it all with what she said." – Caitlin Clark, D (03:17-04:07)

Reaction & Analysis:

• Hosts' take:

  • "Even when Caitlyn’s saying stuff, it’s just like you come away with it and it’s like, she supported Fee, but she didn't really like say anything direct. You know what I mean? It was a very Caitlin response." – B (04:12)
  • The hosts agree she backed Collier without being aggressive, but sent a subtle shot at league leadership ("we need great leadership at all levels") implying more than just the commissioner is at fault.

• Joking alternative response:
  The hosts imagine Clark being more direct:

  • "Kathy, with all due respect, I was making $3 million in college, ma’am...Don’t you remember Ice Cube hit me up to play in the Big 3 men’s league? 15 million. I turned it down!" – A (06:00-06:38)
  • "Also, I signed a deal with Nike before I ever stepped on a WNBA court. Who the hell—like, don’t form your lips to talk to me in certain ways without respect on it, ma’am." – A (07:04)

• Discussion of commissioner’s alleged remarks:
  B recounts Engelbert allegedly saying, “these players need to be on their knees thanking me for the rights deal that I secured. On your knees. On our knees.” (07:37-08:00)
  Hosts find that line crossing the line.

3. WNBA Labor Tension & Looming Lockout ([08:37]-[10:12])

Key Points:

• Labor unrest and potential lockout:

  • "It's undeniable. I'm sorry, I hate it. But lockout is on the way, man." – A (08:39)
  • "You’re probably going to have to go through all of Unrivaled with all of those players, free agents in a lockout. We’re probably getting all the way to the Final Four in Phoenix before we get a deal done." – B (08:49)
  • The panel agrees the current climate makes an imminent CBA deal nearly impossible, which could lead to a prolonged standoff.

• More commissioner criticism:

  • "I think they need to loer her ass, cuz. Get her up out of here, bro. You can't be talking like that." – A (09:32)

4. Humor Interlude & Sports Observations ([10:12]-[13:42])

Highlights:

• Refereeing & Flopping:

  • The crew mocks a viral flop by Megan Gustafson, which led to Aaliyah Boston fouling out:
    • "It’s like a telenovela level fall. Like the hands go up and the hair—" – C (11:09)
    • "That is what got Aaliyah Boston fouled out of the game...Meg Gustafson, you did what you had to do, player." – B (11:30)
    • Harsh criticism of WNBA referees: "95% of the referees in the WNBA are ass. I’m gonna put that on wax." – A (11:53)

• NBA Growth and Spurs Speculation:

  • Speculates about Victor Wembanyama’s bizarre growth spurt and summer activities.
    • "He had one of the most side quest summers available. He was a monk at one point, he was KG getting toughness training, he was doing karate..." – A (12:52)

5. Aging Warriors & NBA Western Conference ([13:43]-[16:57])

Key Points:

• Golden State Warriors’ aging roster:
  The panel discusses the 2025 Warriors’ chances with a core of over-35 players (Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford).

  • "You're one Steph Curry hamstring away from disaster. Jimmy Butler hasn't played a full season in I don't know how long. If you need Al Horford...you're in trouble." – B (14:46)
  • "This will go down as another failed experiment...The Golden State warriors are cooked." – B (15:57)

• Light jokes at Warriors’ expense:

  • On rookie Pajemski: "I see my boy off the court with them damn curls. Hey, man...come home early." – A (15:20)

6. WNBA Finals Preview & Bold Predictions ([16:57]-[22:54])

The Debate:

• B (/Trista): Picks the Mercury in 7 ([17:08-19:59])

  • "I'm a little concerned ... The Mercury are too physical. If you were concerned about how Aaliyah Boston was bodying Asia, let me introduce you to no shoulders Alyssa Thomas..." – B (18:15)
  • "Melissa Smith is going to be barbecued chicken out here on these streets [against Alyssa Thomas]." – B (19:10)
  • "Foul Trouble Chicken—the rotisserie Foul Trouble Chicken." – B (19:24)

• A (/Juju): Picks the Aces in 6 ([19:59-22:54])

  • Gives more credit to the Fever’s resilience ("I give more credit to Odyssey Sims, bruh. She was on a hardship contract…giving you 27 to go to the finals potentially." – A (20:01)).
  • Thinks the Aces' championship streak and Becky Hammon’s bench utilization will prevail.
  • "If the Vegas Aces can find a way to say, 'that last series is over...Phoenix is in front of us for a chance at immortalization like Teemu Tina Turner'—I think that they gonna get this right." – A (21:45)
  • Personal note: “That’s my pick…I prefer the Aces because you know how I feel about Phoenix. That’s my little sisters. As an Atlanta Dream fan, we beat them every time!” – A (22:21)

• Wager:
  Loser wears winner’s preferred jersey on-air; Celtics (A) vs. Scoot Henderson (B). ([22:38-22:54])

7. Notable Quotes & Moments

• "[Caitlin Clark]: 'we need great leadership in this time across all levels...this is [the] most important moment in this league’s history'” (03:17-04:07)
• "You playing with Madam Caitlyn right now. Oh, no, sir. Boy, stop right now." – A (08:15)
• "Lockout coming. It’s undeniable. I’m sorry, I hate it. But lockout is on the way, man." – A (08:37)
• "Melissa Smith is going to be barbecued chicken out here on these streets." – B (19:10)
• "[The Mercury] got championship pedigree players...they got the dynamic duo between them...It’s going to be really tough." – B (19:45)
• "Everybody on that Phoenix team roster is a dog … If the Vegas Aces can find a way … I think that they gonna get this right." – A (21:45)

8. Episode Tone & Dynamics

The show mixes sharp sports insight with quick humor, pop culture tangents, direct criticism of league leadership, and lively, affectionate jabs among hosts. They maintain a conversational, energetic, and irreverent style.

9. Quick Reference Timestamps

| Timestamp | Content | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:13–02:26 | Tina Turner statue, cultural jokes | | 02:27–05:17 | Nafisa Collier’s presser, Caitlin Clark’s response | | 05:18–08:37 | Imagined Caitlin response, Commissioner criticisms | | 08:37–10:12 | Looming WNBA lockout, league discord | | 10:13–13:42 | Flopping and refs, Wemby’s growth, NBA/Spurs talk | | 13:43–16:57 | Aging Warriors, NBA Western Conference dynamics | | 16:57–22:54 | Bold WNBA Finals picks, matchups, wager | | 22:54–End | Sign-off, YouTube promo, lighthearted close |

10. Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a vibrant rundown of WNBA politics, player empowerment, and finals excitement, framed by the hosts’ signature blend of analysis and comedy. It’s essential listening for fans of basketball, sports culture, and spicy sports talk radio.

Memorable closing: "If you don't subscribe, boy, stop. If you don't subscribe, my boy Jew is going to be homeless outside in the streets—so please push the button." – A (23:52)

For further listening, check out the live post-Finals broadcasts on their YouTube channel.