OT: 2025 WNBA Playoffs

[DOT]

CBA negotiations are gonna get spicy

That $250 million the league offered to buy the Sun is 100% coming up when they claim they're broke lol.

[WaltFrazier]

yesterday was just ballmageddon for the league. cathy is ****. lol. and they do deserve better.

i thought i was listening before, but this recent conversation has opened my eyes further on the intersections of power and how operations impact both the game and the dignity of the teams.

Notice how Phee invoked Caitlin, Paige and Angel to deliberately turn their fanbases against the league?

The Queen moves with purpose. Cathy is out of her depth.

i think more importantly, they're all aligned and in unison against the current administration. we know these women respect each other and work hard to get what they deserve and for that rising tide to lift all boats -- in spite of the W's administrative shortcomings. CC is always measured enough to not be the tip of the spear vocally, but she has the respect of her peers because they're all in on this together and it's obvious there's collective strategy. really really fascinating to watch.

the success of unrivaled really puts pressure on the whole ting.

There's two issues here. The CBA and increased salaries is one thing. The referees and the way the game is played and called, is another. There's been an increasing drumbeat among coaches and players about the rough physical play that Cathy seems to encourage. The game would be better to watch with more freedom of movement, if they cleaned up the moving screens and holding and grabbing off ball. The women play below the rim so overly physical defense really limits their game.

Sue Bird had Ryan Ruoco the announcer on her podcast today. He's in favor of cleaning up the physicality and improving the refereeing, which is interesting from an ESPN guy whose employer kind of sponsors the league. Bird made a great point, saying when she played for team USA different times they would play exhibition games against college teams and use NCAA refs and rules. She said they had to adapt to far less contact allowed, and were able to do it. The league could easily direct its refs to clean up offball play, and call illegal screens like the ones MVP Wilson sets almost every time.

[MrDollarBills]

CBA negotiations are gonna get spicy

That $250 million the league offered to buy the Sun is 100% coming up when they claim they're broke lol.

CC just threw Cathy under the bus in her exit interview.

The league has no leverage.

[Jeff Van Gully]

Game 1 of the finals was ham

Best of 7 format is gonna make this brutal

[MrDollarBills]

Game 1 of the finals was ham

Best of 7 format is gonna make this brutal

Those missed FTs by Thomas

3pm EST game 2. Another exciting sports day. This low key might be the best time of the year. NFL underway, MLB playoffs, WNBA Finals, NBA preseason ramping up...

[Jeff Van Gully]

i think we all had to be reminded this is still a'ja wilson's league.

not calling the outcome, though i do think the aces are here to make a statement. phoenix needed to close that game 1 out. i don't think vegas will be caught lacking again.