🚨 SOME PERSONAL NEWS 🚨 This is my last week at The Athletic... More to come soon!
Ben Pickman
@benpickman.bsky.social
Cap/Basketball Strategy @ Portland Fire | Prev: The Athletic WBB, Sports Illustrated, CNN Sports |bpickman@theathletic.com | he/him
New No Offseason Ep! @zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I share the latest re: the WNBA CBA talks. Then, we dive into the four power conferences in WCBB with a big question on each as we try and sort out recent chaos www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCVo...
Our Power Four Contenders and Pretenders
YouTube video by No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
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NEWS: Some Unrivaled viewership #s, per sources: Unrivaled Opening Day on Monday averaged 175K viewers during its primetime window of games Afternoon window averaged 107K viewers All that is down from 208K average viewership during regular season games in Unrivaled Y1.
Sometimes it feels like history can repeat itself in the WNBA. From 2003: "They said if we didn't accept those terms, they would cancel the season at 5 o'clock," WNBA Players Association spokesman Dan Wasserman said.
Ben Pickman@benpickman.bsky.social · 7mo agoNEWS: Despite a Jan. 9 deadline approaching, neither the WNBA nor the WNBPA have offered an extension of the CBA to the other party as of Thursday morning, sources tell The Athletic. The latest on where things stand with another deadline looming: www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
NEWS: Despite a Jan. 9 deadline approaching, neither the WNBA nor the WNBPA have offered an extension of the CBA to the other party as of Thursday morning, sources tell The Athletic. The latest on where things stand with another deadline looming: www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
WNBA, players union remain in CBA deadlock nearing deadline. Is work stoppage looming?
If Friday's deadline passes, what's next in negotiations?
nytimes.com
New No Offseason Ep! @zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I discuss the late December CBB chaos. Then, a deep-dive on Unrivaled S2. We discuss both the league's basketball — and business — and how it fits into the WBB landscape: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUm1...
Will Unrivaled Reach New Heights In Year 2?
YouTube video by No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
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Today is the day! Unrivaled is back, and @benpickman.bsky.social has the latest on what you need to know, such as: ◽️ Year 2 growth and changes ◽️ How were rosters created? ◽️ Who isn’t participating? Who’s new? ◽️ How does Unrivaled’s play compare to the WNBA? And much more.
NEWS: Napheesa Collier will miss the upcoming Unrivaled season as she is set to undergo surgery on both of her ankles next week Her recovery/rehab might also impact her start of the WNBA season www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Napheesa Collier to miss Unrivaled season and possible WNBA start after ankle surgeries
The Lynx star is expected to need four to six months of recovery after next week's surgery.
nytimes.com
Our final No Offseason Ep of the Year!! Our Year in WBB, awards wrap-up. @sabreenajm.bsky.social, @zenakeita.bsky.social and I name our top games, performances, quotes, reporting stories and more... www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_qy...
How A’ja Wilson Won 2025 | Our Best Moments of the Year
YouTube video by No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
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Looks like we've gotten more people on here lately. So it's time to share this if you're looking for more smart, fun, interesting accounts to follow for NBA, WNBA, and basketball in general go.bsky.app/FGmgtea
New No Offseason Ep! @sabreenajm.bsky.social Merchant and I react to the WNBPA's latest CBA move, what else we've learned, and what's next Then, Dallas Wings coach Jose Fernandez joins us. We discuss his 8 (!) rescue dogs, the state of CBB, coaching Paige and more www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LFs...
Jose Fernandez on Coaching Paige Bueckers—and Why the WNBA Was the Right Next Step
YouTube video by No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
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The WNBPA's vote to authorize its executive committee to call for a strike when necessary occured earlier this week. Results were received Thursday. More on the timeline, league's latest proposal and what's next. With @sabreenajm.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
WNBPA authorizes executive committee to call for strike ‘when necessary’ amid CBA talks
The announcement marked the latest development in a tense saga of labor talks between the union and league.
nytimes.com
The WNBA has released the following statement re: the WNBPA's strike authorization vote. "While we acknowledge the players’ right to authorize a future work stoppage, we strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the current state of negotiations"
The league was not surprised by the WNBPA's decision to authorize its executive committee to call for a strike when necessary, sources told The Athletic. The two sides have been meeting throughout the week, and have continued exchanging proposals since their last extension
Joined @seeratsohi.bsky.social and the Ringer WNBA show to talk more about my recent CBA reporting (see link)… but we talked about a lot else. Including what’s mentioned below. Plus, Seerat’s on-court basketball skillset 😂! www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Seerat Sohi@seeratsohi.bsky.social · 8mo agonew pod! @benpickman.bsky.social stops by to break down his excellent reporting on the latest in CBA negotiations. plus we chat team USA and the new tempo jerseys open.spotify.com/episode/16P9...
Adam Silver is "optimistic" there will be a deal on a new WNBA CBA. "We acknowledge that our players deserve to be paid significantly more than they have so far based on the increased success of the league," he said. "It’s just a question of finding a meeting of the minds on what is a fair deal."
NEWS: The WNBPA is asking for more than double the share of revenue proposed by the league The WNBPA's proposed salary system entitles players to around 30% of league/team rev. Union also proposing: -2 developmental player spots -Increased security www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
WNBA players’ proposal more than double revenue share proposed by league: Sources
The league and union are also negotiating on parental leave, retirement benefits as deadline extension looms.
nytimes.com
Ben Pickman@benpickman.bsky.social · 8mo agoNEWS: Sources told @theathletic.com, the WNBPA’s salary system proposal would entitle players to around 30% of league/team revenue — more than double the league's proposed share Full details on the system, 2 proposed developmental spots(!), # of games + more www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
NEWS: Sources told @theathletic.com, the WNBPA’s salary system proposal would entitle players to around 30% of league/team revenue — more than double the league's proposed share Full details on the system, 2 proposed developmental spots(!), # of games + more www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
WNBA players’ proposal more than double revenue share proposed by league: Sources
The league and union are also negotiating on parental leave, retirement benefits as deadline extension looms.
nytimes.com
NEWS: Sources told @theathletic.com, the WNBPA’s salary system proposal would entitle players to around 30% of league/team revenue — more than double the league's proposed share Full details on the system, 2 proposed developmental spots(!), # of games + more www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
WNBA players’ proposal more than double revenue share proposed by league: Sources
The league and union are also negotiating on parental leave, retirement benefits as deadline extension looms.
nytimes.com
New No Offseason Ep! @zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I discuss A'ja Wilson's Time honor and Chris DeMarco's Liberty intro presser. Then, Seattle Storm coach Sonia Raman joins us. We discuss her unique journey, coaching Malonga and much more. youtu.be/sBxpzEonQS4?...
Sonia Raman gets candid on coaching Dominique Malonga, WNBA transition & more
YouTube video by No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
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Liberty coach Chris DeMarco has concluded his intro press conference and is set to appear at a youth clinic across the street. The kids participating all made him welcome signs
New No Offseason Ep! @zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I ask (and answer) a big question about each of the four power conferences in WCBB. Thoughts on Michigan, Audi Crooks, the lack of an ACC power, SEC depth and much more. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHJz...
Which Conference Really Runs Women's Hoops?
YouTube video by No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
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New No Offseason Ep! @zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I share more about our latest reporting on the WNBA CBA negotiations, Then, we dive fully into our Expansion Draft exercise. On player protections, draft set-up, specific picks and more. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAcW...
Who’s Safe, Who’s Going? WNBA Expansion Mock Draft
YouTube video by No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
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Ben Pickman@benpickman.bsky.social · 8mo agoA year ago this week, the Valkyries held their expansion draft. So to mark the occasion, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I conducted a mock expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. We mapped out rules, team protections, and then made our picks. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
A year ago this week, the Valkyries held their expansion draft. So to mark the occasion, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I conducted a mock expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. We mapped out rules, team protections, and then made our picks. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
WNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select?
Our experts make the picks for the WNBA's two newest teams. A four-time WNBA All-Star is among the players on the move.
nytimes.com
A year ago this week, the Valkyries held their expansion draft. So to mark the occasion, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I conducted a mock expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. We mapped out rules, team protections, and then made our picks. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
WNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select?
Our experts make the picks for the WNBA's two newest teams. A four-time WNBA All-Star is among the players on the move.
nytimes.com
NEWS: Among the more than a half-dozen new CBA proposal items we’re reporting on, the WNBA has proposed a draft combine. Players that are invited, and elect not to participate without an excused absence would have their salaries reduced. www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
WNBA CBA proposal includes mandatory draft combine, new revenue-sharing model: Sources
nytimes.com
Ben Pickman@benpickman.bsky.social · 8mo agoBREAKING Sources told @theathletic.com, the league’s salary structure proposal would result in players receiving less than 15% of total league revenue Plus NEWS on nearly 10 more proposal items including a draft combine nytimes.com/athletic/6857443/2025/12/03/wnba-cba-proposal-draft-combine-salary/
Sources told @theathletic.com the WNBA’s salary structure proposal would result in players receiving less than 15% of total league revenue. Plus, news on many more proposal items with @benpickman.bsky.social, including a (mandatory?) draft combine, benefits and more. www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
WNBA CBA proposal includes mandatory draft combine, new revenue-sharing model: Sources
The league proposed a draft combine requirement that ties participation to rookie salary.
nytimes.com
BREAKING Sources told @theathletic.com, the league’s salary structure proposal would result in players receiving less than 15% of total league revenue Plus NEWS on nearly 10 more proposal items including a draft combine nytimes.com/athletic/6857443/2025/12/03/wnba-cba-proposal-draft-combine-salary/
WNBA CBA proposal includes mandatory draft combine, new revenue-sharing model: Sources
The league proposed a draft combine requirement that ties participation to rookie salary.
nytimes.com
Since everyone is talking about WNBA CBA proposals... I'd like to propose that all future CBA deadlines expire at *11:59 A.M ET* — and not just before midnight. I think that's a proposal that would get unanimous approval (at least among WNBA media) 😂
The WNBPA and WNBA have agreed to extend the CBA through Jan. 9... Like last time, each party has a 48-hour termination clause. "The WNBA and WNBPA are continuing to work toward a new agreement," the league said.
Ben Pickman@benpickman.bsky.social · 8mo agoIn a statement to @theathletic.com, the WNBPA said that it has proposed a 6-week extension in the ongoing CBA negotiation. "We expect substantive movement from the league within this window." Unclear, at this time, how the league is/will respond to the offer. CBA expires tonight.