What the WNBA can learn from the NWSL CBA + Here come the Aces (and Violet!)Zena, Sabreena, and Ben start with a temperature check of the WNBA. They dive into the Las Vegas Aces’ five-game winning streak and what their latest win over New York tells us about each of the rival squads. They also share their thoughts on the hatching of Violet, the new mascot of the Valkyries, and the increasingly complicated potential sale of the Connecticut Sun. 

Then, Meg Linehan (women’s sports lead at The Athletic) joins Zena and Sabreena for a conversation about labor across women’s sports. They talk about the NWSL CBA, what the WNBA players association could learn from that document, and how this rapid growth in women’s sports is affecting soccer and basketball. 

Finally, Ben comes back with Zena and Sabreena to set their screens as the race for the postseason tightens up. 

REFERENCES:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5691624/2024/08/09/nwsl-nwslpa-collective-bargaining-agreement/

00:47 Liberty-Aces highly competitive battle
03:05 Liberty’s challenges without key players
07:16 Breanna Stewart potential return
08:07 Jewell Loyd off the bench is working
09:44 Valkyries’ make history on Wednesday night
10:05 Valkyries unveiled new mascot
16:41 Does the Connecticut Sun have their eyes on Houston?
19:50 CBA negotiations in the NWSL
22:53 The NWSL had the players involved early in the negotiations
25:10 Lessons for the WNBA from the NWSL
27:59 Revenue share and financial transparency
30:23 Public sentiment and its impact
37:20 What can we learn from the NWSL CBA negotiations?
39:21 Injury concerns and player load
43:06 WNBPA taping into other leagues
45:47 Who is the NWSL transcendent player?

#wnba #nwsl #aces

Thumbnail: David Becker, Ethan Miller via Getty Images

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Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com.

You can also find us on socials:
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-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings

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