As we get closer to the start of the WNBA season, our big questions continue. This time, Zena, Layshia, and Sabreena take a look at the league’s top contenders. The crew discusses whether the Aces will get off to a strong start and what the early dynamics of the Liberty might look like with Satou Sabally in the mix. We also explore what factors could push the Dream and Wings into true contender conversations. Then we shift to the Fever and examine what their identity could look like with Caitlin Clark back in the lineup.

Lastly, we dive into the mailbag, breaking down what it means when teams exercise a player’s option.

REFERENCES:

Fever vs. Wings takeaways: Caitlin Clark’s early exit, Azzi Fudd’s pro debut by James Boyd

Angel Reese fits right in with Dream, beats Sky in first game since trade: Takeaways by Annie Costabile

WNBA preseason power rankings: Can anyone dethrone the Las Vegas Aces? by Sabreena Merchant

Chicago Sky sign Natasha Cloud, waive Hailey Van Lith by Annie Costabile

Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu to miss at least two weeks with injury by Annie Costabile

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re 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 Instagram: @layshiac

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sabreena and Annie take a closer look at the league’s middle tier—teams with something to prove. They evaluate the future outlook of the Minnesota Lynx, explore whether the Golden State Valkyries can find success again in year two, and consider what lies ahead for the Los Angeles Sparks. We also dive into the pressure facing the Chicago Sky amid roster changes, and the challenges confronting Alyssa Thomas and the Phoenix Mercury.

Finally, we’ll tell you where to set your screens!

REFERENCES:

As Angel Reese returns to Chicago with Dream, Sky work to re-imagine their future by Annie Costabile

Angel Reese fits right in with Dream, beats Sky in first game since trade: Takeaways by Annie Costabile

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re 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 Instagram: @layshiac

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Layshia and Annie talk through WNBA teams that are in build mode. From finding the right mix of rookies and vets to handling expansion challenges, they look at how Portland, Toronto, Washington, Connecticut, and Seattle are figuring out who they are in the 2026 season. Plus, they get into coaching, team strategies, what success looks like, and why some teams have the potential to surprise sooner than expected.

Plus — our take on the NCAA’s push to expand the tournament.

REFERENCES:

NCAA basketball tournaments closing in on 76-team March Madness starting in 2027: Sources by Ralph D. Russo

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re 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 Instagram: @layshiac

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we welcome our new women’s basketball writer and co-host, Annie Costabile! Chantel and Annie kick things off with a look inside the Fever training camp, joined by Colts beat writer James Boyd, who has been inside the camp. James shares insight on Caitlin Clark’s return and highlights key players who could step up to ease her ball-handling load—allowing her to thrive off the ball.

Next, Chantel and Annie turn their attention to New York, where head coach Chris DeMarco is working to establish a new identity for the Liberty heading into the season. From there, they break down the Chicago Sky in their post-Angel era, exploring whether their latest retooling efforts will pay off—and what might be different this time around.

Finally, we wrap things up with a “get to know Annie” segment.

REFERENCES:

Raven Johnson, Caitlin Clark reunite with Fever after wave-off: ‘Maybe I needed that’ by James Boyd

Caitlin Clark stays Fever’s top ballhandler, but Raven Johnson should alleviate pressure by James Boyd

Fever vs. Liberty preseason takeaways: First looks at Caitlin Clark, New York’s bigs by Annie Costabile

Indiana Fever, Aliyah Boston strike $6.3 million extension; highest total value in WNBA history: Sources by James Boyd

Liberty starter Natasha Cloud remains unsigned with WNBA preseason underway by Annie Costabile

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re 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 Instagram: @layshiac

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chantel Jennings chats with UCLA head coach Cori Close about the whirlwind following UCLA Women’s Basketball’s national title win, the lessons learned from past experiences, and what it takes to build a championship culture.

Coach Close also shares the influence of John Wooden and discusses the evolving landscape of college sports—particularly the transfer portal and NIL era. She outlines her strategic approach to recruiting and emphasizes the importance of institutional support for sustained success.

REFERENCES:

How UCLA’s super senior class, led by Lauren Betts, set the championship standard by Sabreena Merchant

Grading every 2026 WNBA first-round draft pick from Azzi Fudd to Lauren Betts by Sabreena Merchant and Chantel Jennings

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re 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 Instagram: @layshiac

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena and Layshia break down the moment that got everyone talking: was it fair to ask Azzi Fudd about her personal relationship with Paige Bueckers? They unpack the context behind the question, the reactions it sparked, and the broader conversation around how female athletes are covered. We also examine the extent of Paige’s influence on the Wings’ decision to select Azzi.

Then, we pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to be in WNBA training camp—navigating the jump from college to the pros. The conversation captures the mix of anxiety and excitement that defines the experience, along with the vital role of communication and teamwork and making lasting impressions.

Lastly, the duo wraps things up, questioning why veteran Natasha Cloud has yet to be signed.

REFERENCES:

How will the Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd on-court reunion go for the Dallas Wings? by Sabreena Merchant

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re 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 Instagram: @layshiac

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Sabreena and Chantel are back to talk through all the latest transfer portal updates - including Audi Crooks’ commitment to Oklahoma State, Kymora Johnson’s decision to stay at UVA, and Justice Carlton’s move to another city in Texas.

Then, the crew breaks down their way too early predictions for the 2027 WNBA Draft Class – where players like Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, Madison Booker, Audi Crooks and more may land in the pecking order come next April.

Plus, our favorite training camp cliches.

REFERENCES:

USC’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo headline 2027 WNBA Draft class by Sabreena Merchant

Sign up for the No Offseason Newsletter!

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re 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 Instagram: @layshiac

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sabreena and Chantel take you inside Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles’ introductory press conferences in Dallas and Minnesota, and in particular - an awkward moment where Azzi was asked about her status with Paige. Then, they dive into the latest entries and commitments from the NCAA transfer portal.

Next, it’s onto Winners & Losers of the WNBA Offseason, through the lens of how money is changing the landscape of women’s hoops. They break down A’ja Wilson’s historic contract, the smart free agency moves of Dallas and Indiana, why the Lynx are both winners and losers, and why international talent is flocking to the W more and more.

Plus, Sabreena and Chantel’s favorite training camp contracts.

REFERENCES:

A’ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers’ aura, Lynx among WNBA offseason winners and losers by Sabreena Merchant and Chantel Jennings

A’ja Wilson signs 3-year, supermax contract; richest in WNBA history: Source by Sabreena Merchant

USC’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo headline 2027 WNBA Draft class by Sabreena Merchant

Sign up for the No Offseason Newsletter!

#wnba #wbb #ajawilson #azzifudd #dallaswings #lynx

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re 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 Instagram: @layshiac

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.