Talia Goodman on the Transfer Portal, NIL Chaos & the Future of Women’s College Basketball

Talia Goodman joins The Mid Majors to break down the transfer portal, NIL chaos, roster movement, and the rapidly changing landscape of women’s college basketball. Tacarra and Courtney sit down with one of the sharpest reporters covering women’s college basketball to discuss how NIL and revenue sharing have transformed the transfer portal, how agents are influencing the market, what happens when players enter the portal and don’t find a new home, and why mid-major programs still have an important place in the sport. Talia also explains how the transfer portal market is actually being set behind the scenes — including how a single program entering the race can dramatically change a player’s value. The conversation gets into whether NIL has gone too far, why the old amateurism model no longer works, and whether college basketball eventually needs a salary cap, collective bargaining agreement, or another system to create structure. The crew also discusses the Colorado ruling, NCAA Tournament expansion to 76 teams in 2027, and whether additional tournament bids will actually benefit mid-majors or simply create more opportunities for power-conference programs. Plus, Talia gives her mid-major teams to watch, including Grand Canyon, Murray State, Fairfield, Colorado State, Toledo, Miami (Ohio), and UNLV. If you follow women’s college basketball, the transfer portal, NIL, or mid-major hoops, this conversation gives you a look at where the sport is now — and where it could be headed next. IN THIS EPISODE • How Talia Goodman became a women’s basketball reporter • Building credibility through transfer portal coverage • How NIL changed the transfer portal • Why money now plays such a major role in player movement • Agents, lawyers, and representation in the portal • What happens when portal players don't find another school • How the transfer portal market is actually set • Why NIL needs more structure • How mid-majors can compete in the NIL era • Why development can become a major selling point for mid-majors • The Colorado ruling and player eligibility • NCAA Tournament expansion to 76 teams • Why expansion could favor power conferences • Mid-major teams to watch • Advice for aspiring women’s basketball journalists • The future of women’s college basketball ️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro: Why Talia Goodman is one of the reporters to watch in women’s college basketball 1:14 – From theater kid to women’s basketball reporter 2:55 – Building her own lane in sports journalism 3:26 – Accuracy, relationships, and doing reporting the right way 4:58 – How NIL money changed the transfer portal 6:04 – Money, fit, playing time, and coaching changes 6:44 – Agents, lawyers, and portal representation 9:15 – What happens when portal players don't find another school 11:12 – How the transfer portal market is really set 12:12 – Is NIL officially out of control? 13:36 – Where NIL money comes from 14:14 – Why Talia loves mid-major basketball 15:20 – How mid-majors can sell player development 16:46 – Building women’s portal coverage 18:39 – What portal season is really like for a reporter 19:58 – Talia’s process for tracking player movement 20:21 – The Colorado ruling and player eligibility 24:28 – Why Talia doesn't like NCAA Tournament expansion 25:19 – Will 76 teams actually help mid-majors? 27:35 – Mid-major teams to watch next season 31:03 – Advice for aspiring journalists 31:46 – Where women’s basketball could be in five years THE MID MAJORS Where the real hoop talk happens — unfiltered and unapologetic. Subscribe for women’s college basketball, WNBA coverage, transfer portal news, mid-major hoops, interviews, reactions, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.