Episode Details

Host Jackie Powell is joined by Ben Pickman of The Athletic where the pair breaks down some of The Athletic’s latest reporting about the cities and ownership groups in the running for the WNBA’s highly coveted 16th team and fourth expansion team during Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s tenure. Has this ever happened before and why now are we hearing about all of these potential ownership groups? Which cities have the best shot at landing the 16th team according to recent history? Philadelphia, Detroit or Kansas City? What about Charlotte? Later, Jackie and Ben shift over to discuss the final four players that remain in Unrivaled’s 1 on 1 Tournament. Can Uconn alumnae Aaliyah Edwards and Azurá Stevens pull off major upsets or will league founder Napheesa Collier and perennial WNBA All-Star Arike Ogunbowale have something to say about that?

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Left: Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK, Right: Em Johnson | Unrivaled

Further reading and listening:

Ben Pickman and Mike Vorkunov broke down which cities are in the running for the WNBA’s 16th team:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6127614/2025/02/11/wnba-expansion-cities-submitted-bids-16th-team/

Mitchell Northam dives into the bid coming from the Charlotte Hornets owners:
https://www.wunc.org/sports/2025-02-10/hornets-wnba-expansion-bid-charlotte-sting-berman-family

Ben’s Unrivaled 1v1 Tournament Predictions
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6123605/2025/02/10/unrivaled-wnba-one-on-one-tournament-guide/

Find The Athletic Women’s Basketball show here:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/

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