Does the NBA hurt the WNBA’s profitability?

The gang is back together to talk about an action-packed weekend in the WNBA – from the Liberty-Sparks buzzer beater to fortunes starting to turn for the Valks and the Lynx. Then, basketball and business writer for The Athletic Mike Vorkunov joins the pod to talk about the working relationship between the WNBA and the NBA. With a special focus on CBA negotiations and expansion, Zena, Ben and Mike lean into all things money: why hasn’t the WNBA ever been profitable? What role does the NBA play in that question – and what roles do NBA staffers play all throughout the W? Why are NBA owners selling teams at a record rate, while at the same time, investors are clamoring to get into the W? How exactly is revenue defined in the WNBA – and how important is the answer to that question when determining how much the players are owed? _________________ Visit our YouTube page! _________________ References: Liberty star Breanna Stewart avoided serious injury in loss to Sparks: Source by Ben Pickman Valkyries’ Kayla Thornton to miss rest of season after knee surgery by Darnell Mayberry and Ben Pickman How the WNBA went from an ‘existential’ moment to record success by Mike Vorkunov and Ben Pickman _________________ Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or write to us at: NoOffseason@theathletic.com You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub __ 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 -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.