FFSN WNBA

Grace and Thomas are finally back with CBA news, and they went from having nothing to discuss to having so much to discuss. They start with the actual nuts and bolts of the new CBA, with a new salary structure, revenue share, and much more. Next, they get into the actual process. Unsurprisingly, they both felt it could've been handled better. A lack of communication from the top down made them get to the third eleventh hour when they had since October 2024 to start working on a deal. Now there's going to be a speedrun offseason in just over a month, and we're all going to have to buckle up for the ride. Finally, they get into the rest of the news from the past few weeks. The expansion draft happened with little fanfare, and some players have already made their intentions clear before free agency has even officially begun (note:this episode was recorded before the beginning of the free agency period). The Chicago Sky made some confusing moves that annoyed both Grace and Thomas. Also, the Connecticut Sun was officially sold, and they have some thoughts and notes. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected].  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are finally back after various maladies to talk about the very little WNBA news. They start with the state of the CBA negotiations. Spoiler alert: there are little to none.  Next, they get into the latest news around the sale of the Connecticut Sun. The owner of the Houston Rockets is trying to buy the team and move it to Houston. The news has created some conflicting feelings with how the whole situation has happened. Finally they end with some women's basketball odds and ends. The W put out its season schedule (which feels hopeful), some injury news, and the Hall of Fame class highlights. They also discuss this year's college superstar, Audi Crooks.You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back after the holiday with some sizable WNBA news. First, they get into the draft lottery, held the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The Wings got their second first overall pick, which spells good news for their future, getting to build on top of the strong foundation started by Paige Bueckers. The rest of the lottery have a good chance of getting good players, though they might have been better served before some pick trades of years past. Next, they get into the other WNBA news (non-CBA genre) of the past two weeks. The New York LIberty finally have a coach, the Phoenix Mercury did a brand refresh, and Team USA is getting an infusion of more top-tier young talent. Plus, Unrivaled starts in less than a month, so they go over the new players and the few who didn't return. Finally, they dive into the recent CBA developments. Another extension of the deadline provided a glimmer of hope of an agreement on the horizon. But The Athletic published an article going over the latest league proposal, and that optimism was extinguished quickly. Will they come to an agreement by the beginning of January, or is a work stoppage on the horizon? You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are finally back with quite a bit to talk about. First they talk about the surprising WNBA Finals. While the end results were not surprising, the method surely was. They then discussed where these teams go from here in free agency.Next, they got into the WNBA news they missed. Coaching hires and rumors, All Star Game news, and a new league that is confusing and vague. Plus, draft lottery news ahead of Sunday night's lottery.Finally it wouldn't be an episode with some amount of CBA discussion. They talk about the two sides' demands and the recent updates that make it feel closer than not that something gets figured out.You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with a lot to discuss. The playoffs have started, and the first round has come and gone. Some good showings from losing teams, a shocking exit or two, and some coaching talk. Next, they begin talking about the currently-underway semifinals. Both series are tied at one game apiece, and there's room for any of the four teams to find their way to the finals. Also, in the midst of the semifinals, a seismic coaching change hit the league and Grace and Thomas have thoughts. Finally, they get into the individual league awards. Some surprises, some good choices, and another moment of Grace knowing ball (despite saying she was surprised). They also discuss the way the league handles these awards and the winners (hint: poorly). You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back, and they've got a lot of ground to cover. First, they start with the end of the regular season and the playoff picture. The state of the seeds, the potential matchups, how health did wreak havoc for one of the major teams. And how did the Aces pull this off? Next, they get into all the drama surrounding the sale of the Connecticut Sun. There's two promising buyers in the Northeast, but the league has their sights set on a different locale for the Sun. But now they've drawn the ire of not just the Mohegan tribe who own the team, but the government as well. Surely this will end well! Finally, they do a little news clean-up. Caitlin Clark is done for the year, which isn't too surprising. Unrivaled has a new gigantic valuation, and of course you know Grace and Thomas had to do CBA chat. The MVP race might be more of a photo finish than expected, and the vibes in Chicago are absolutely rancid. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas back after the All-Star Game. They start with a discussion of the weekend's festivities. They didn't watch the game but between the skills competitions, the Studbudz stream, and the CBA meeting, the weekend had a host of headlines besides just the game.Next, they get into some news of the week. Next year's All-Star Game's location is being decided (and it's somewhere they've already been recently). There's been some player news with waiver claims and a season-ending injury for an All-Star. And Saniya Rivers had an altercation with a fan at the TD Garden. Finally, they talk about some of the bigger news of the week. Emma Meeseman is heading to the Liberty, which is good news for a Liberty team currently facing some injury issues again. And the Fever have their own crisis in the health of Caitlin Clark. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with another week's worth of W news. Angel Reese is BACK and had a very big week! Tina Charles became the second player to get to 8,000 career points. And there were some notable waivers and big injuries this week that could have knockdown effects. Next, the 3-Point Contests and Skills Competition announced their participants. The Athletic is doing their annual player poll in the most confusing way possible. The Portland Fire is officially BACK and A-Rod talked about his plans for the Lynx. Finally, they discuss the recent developments regarding the previously unknown hat rule and what it says about the league. Why the leagues rules are often ridiculous and the uneven levying of fines. And with the league potentially staring down the barrel of a work stoppage, it could get worse from here. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back and have a week's worth of All Star Game news to talk about. They start by talking about the rosters: who were named starters, who were named reserves, and who didn't make it but should have. They then discuss the coaches, the coaching trade, and the draft of the teams by Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier, who had different team building philosophies, it seemed. Next, they go into some more general news. The Lynx lost the Commissioner's Cup to the Clarkless Fever, the Mystics are trying to trade Aaliyah Edwards, and DeWanna Bonner has shockingly returned to the Mercury. The Mercury who are also currently being sued on the grounds of discrimination.Finally, there's been some CBA news recently, so you know they're going to cover it. The league has finally made a counter offer to the first WNBPA proposal, and the players are not happy. They discuss where the biggest differences lie, how stupid it is to that the league is set up this way to begin with, and where they go from here. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with a big episode with some even bigger news. First, the league has officially announced THREE new expansion leagues that will be up and running by 2030. It was done in typical WNBA fashion, and it raises the question now for where they should expand next (the south!). Next, they get into the Liberty injury issues plaguing the team, and how Jonquel Jones is incredibly underrated. They have some breaking Aces news, with trades and waivers, and they also discuss the DeWanna Bonner/Indiana Fever drama which came out of nowhere so fast. Finally, they talk about Sabrina Ionescu's statements about wanting to spend her career in New York, and why that makes perfect sense. They also talk about Caitlin Clark's injury issues this year and why it might be a little concerning if they continue. And why the Sky is such a uniquely terrible organization. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back and there are officially no more undefeated teams this season. The Liberty and Lynx have both suffered a loss but they still look to be the clear strongest teams in the league. On the other side, the Sky and Wings are battling for biggest disappointments this season. Next, they discuss the Aces  odd, disappointing season and how the mighty have fallen. Jewell Loyd in particular is looking like last season wasn't an aberration but just the new her. They also discuss the weird Li Yeuru trade situation and how unrealistic certain expectations may have been for her. Finally, they get into the Storm investigation that wasn't and a missed meme opportunity. There's also even more major injuries, including more ACL injuries, and how that is leading to more discussion about extending the season instead of just cramming more games into the schedule as is. And finally they touch on the Sun-Fever beef and how hilarious it is. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with their first podcast of the (real) W season. They begin by talking about how fantastic the LIberty have been thus far, and how their additions have amplified the teams bonafides. They also discuss the disappointment thus far of the Aces, and the pesky (and kinda good?) Mystics. Next, they talk about the Wings and Sun and the different disappointments they've been thus far. The Sparks are building something, the Mercury feel unsustainable. And the Lynx are every bit as good as they were last season, remaining in the undisputed top-tier of the league. In the final segments, they start with the Valks who sure are Valking. The Dream are doing as expected but in a fun way. The Storm are a bit better than their offseason vibes would've led one to believe, and the Sky and Fever are once again locked into irritating and (at times) disgusting discourse. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with the last preseason episode. They begin with some general news. The Liberty made some moves, suspending contracts, exercising options. There's some college news, a lot of injury news, and more developments in the Aces discrimination lawsuit. Next, they discuss the breaking news of a potential sale of the Connecticut Sun. It's been a few years since the last team sale, and team values have skyrocketed since then. There's also the added layer of near-certain relocation should the control sale happen, so Grace and Thomas look at those possibilities too. Finally, ESPN put out an article about the CBA negotiations and any chance Grace and Thomas get to spend a half hour on the CBA, they take. They break down what the players want, what the owners want, where compromise will be easy and what issues may prove to be sticking points. They also bring up a few issues they'd personally like to see addressed, with Thomas proving very passionate about one in particular. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with the second part of their 2025 WNBA team previews. They start with the Aces who feel different than years past, with a bench still full of question marks but in a more interesting way. And the Sparks, who feel better than last year, with a lot of young talent that could help propel the team quickly. Next, the Minnesota Lynx mostly stood pat, but standing pat as the second seed last year means they're still very, very good. And the Liberty made one major addition that may actually make them a better team than last year, at least on paper.In the final sement, they start with the Phoenix Mercury who are somehow more top-heavy than last year. Then they talk about the Seattle Storm, which have some very good players but a still odd roster construction and noticeably worse vibes than this time last year. And finally the Washington Mystics, whose youth movement may make them fun and pesky, if not good. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back post-WNBA draft. Paige BUeckers went first, obviously, the mystics had a great draft too. Some notable jumps, some notable falls, and the end of the Sedona Prince draft saga was incredibly satisfying in the opinion of this show. Next, they begin with their 2025 team previews. The Atlanta Dream have a bunch of good players but the team's overall build does have a pretty clear ceiling, while still probably being better than last year. The Chicago Sky have put together a good roster, and the drafting of Hailey Van Lith is exciting, but they have some notable deficiencies that will keep them from truly ascending. And the Connecticut Sun...well, they can probably look forward to being in the mix for JuJU Watkins in a few years. The next part of this week's team previews starts with the Dallas WIngs. They obviously had the advantage of drafting first overall, and getting a generational player in Paige Bueckers, but they also put a lot of good work into building a great roster to put around her and will probably be a mid-tier playoff contender. THe Golden State Valkyries have some good young talent but they're shaping up to be like most first-year expansion teams and aiming for the lottery instead of the playoffs. And Grace and Thomas discuss what the real expectations might be of the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston notwithstanding. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back and are creeping towards the WNBA season. First, they talk about the Final Four and the Championship game for March Madness. Three games, and three beatdowns. South Carolina was a machine, but UConn was a monster. They discuss what this potentially meant to this UConn squad and also how much fun the Bird and Taurasi Show is. Next, they get into the WNBA Draft this week. There's a clear first overall pick, but the rest is kinda up in the air, both with players and teams. It's not as much of a name brand draft as last year, either. And there's one potential pick who is a scandal (or scandals) waiting to happen for whatever team decides she's worth the risk. Finally, they cover some general women's basketball news. There's a retirement, some Hall of Fame elections, pregnancy, and a docuseries. Plus, Unrivaled continues to impress with how it treats its players, which of course leads to a bit of CBA discussion, as hardly a week can go by without discussing the CBA. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back in the midst of a wild March Madness so far. THey begin by talking about the tournament itself. THe crazy games, the unfortunate injury to JuJu Watkins, and the now-set Final Four. Who's going to win? Well, it's anyone's guess in a pretty even group. Next, they get into the draft drama thus far. Azzi Fudd is taking an extra year, which is not super surprising. Olivia MIles taking one is however, and it's compounded by her transferring out of Notre Dame. LSU could lose some major firepower, too. Paige Bueckers is definitely entering the draft, but the field behind her is much more muddy now. Finally, there's some WNBA news to get into. The Liberty dominated the WNBA news week once again, first announcing their state of the art $80 million facility to be opened in 2027. They also re-signed Stewie (finally), and lost Betnijah Laney-Hamilton for the lion's share of the season. And the Sparks announced the retirement of Candace Parker's number this June. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with another episode. First, they discuss the notable pieces of WNBA news of late. The Liberty finally made the Natasha Cloud trade and re-signed Marine Johannes, which means aside from the Stewie re-signing, they've completed their moves for the offseason. Where does this put them in terms of this year and in comparison to last year's championship winning team? And wouldn't you know it, more CBA discussions! Next, they get into the start of March Madness. Upsets, blowouts, storylines, it's not even into the Sweet 16 and it's already igniting plenty of discussions. They also discuss the latest bit of "will she won't she" surrounding Paige Bueckers (or lack thereof) in the WNBA draft. Does it make sense? Will it happen?  Lastly, they discuss the end of Unrivaled. Three great playoff games capped off an inaugural season that was, pardon the pun, Unrivaled. How will the new league help players (and potentially pose problems down the line) both generally and in negotiations with the league? Where do they go from here? You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are finally back after technical difficulties and sickness, with a lot of free agency to discuss. They get into all the teams free agency moves, and in the first part focus on the big Satou Sabally/Alyssa Thomas trade and fallout. In the second part they delve into more free agency stuff, including whatever the Sun think they're doing, how the Liberty may be forced to do more, and the Mystics trade that seems to get worse and worse for the Sky. Finally, they get into some miscellaneous WNBA news. There's a new potential expansion team, new shoes, and some very disturbing allegations against a collegiate star that may force fans to confront a truth about the WNBA they weren't aware of. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with a lot of free agency news. First they discuss the two big trades of the past week. Jewell Loyd was traded in the same trade as Kelsey Plum, and there was an unexpected third team involved. And Alyssa Thomas was traded to the Phoenix Mercury after being cored by the Connecticut Sun. Next, they get into other free agency news. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Brittney Griner have both found their ways to Atlanta, Satou Sabally is taking meetings, and Courtney Vandersloot is playing her free agency in a somewhat confusing manner. Finally, they talk about the past week of Unrivaled. There were two bonkers matches, and the reveal of confusing relief contract rules in the league. They also discuss the upcoming 1v1 tournament and what they're looking forward to. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with a lot to discuss. They start with some WNBA news, there's been cores and qualifying offers given out. They also talk about Athletes Unlimited roster, the Fever's new practice facility, and the sad news about Diana Taurasi's alleged retirement. Next, they do their second annual free agency preview. From major free agents down to interesting bench pieces they get into the various players and possible fits. They also touch on a few sign-and-trades and the major trade everyone is expecting at some point soon. Finally, they talk the first week of Unrivaled. Some surprising starts, for teams and players alike. And they preview the next weeks games and potential storylines to keep an eye on. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with a lot of WNBA news to discuss. They begin with a retirement and some assistant coach news. They then pivot into talking about what will surely be one of the biggest stories of this free agency period, which is where Satou Sabally goes. Next, they get into some other pre-free agency contract news, with core designations beginning to be handed out and reserved qualifying offers being offered. They also discuss the news that the Sixers and Comcast are teaming up to bid for a WNBA franchise in Philadelphia. FInally, they get into some Unrivaled news. The broadcast teams have been announced, the prize for the 1v1 tournament has been announced and is sizable, and the rules are different from the WNBA in some interesting ways. And they end by previewing the upcoming weekend slate of Unrivaled games. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back, and they've got a lot to cover. First they get into the expansion draft results. Some expected picks, some surprises, and what's next for the Valkyries and the rest of the league. Next, they discuss the windfall of Unrivaled news that has come in the last few weeks. Funding, trades,and some wild card signings, including one that Grace has been manifesting for months. Finally, they get into some odds and ends. CBA discussions have begun, the Naismith Hall of Fame has announced their nominees, and the rest of the league coaching spots have been filled. Which leads to another discussion about the lack of diversity in the coaching positions across the league, and how and why the league needs to get better with it. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with an extended expansion draft preview. They go alphabetically with the first six clubs and talk about teams with too few decisions, teams with too many, and teams that are just right. They come back with the second half of the league. They also discuss some possible trades for teams with too many important players and the possibility of a big fish being picked by the Valkyries. Finally, they wrap up some odds and ends. There are some new coaches in the league, TCU looks great, Kelsey Plum is taking some time to herself, and the Seattle Storm have ended one chapter in their alleged bullying saga and begun another. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back after a packed week of news. First, they delve into Unrivaled's now constructed teams. They discuss which teams look like the slight favorites and which may be sneaky good. They also discuss the merchandise they have which is less than stellar, but at least they have some great hats! Next, they break down the draft lottery results. They talk about the suggestions of Bueckers not entering the draft to avoid Dallas and why that feels a bit far-fetched. They also discuss college basketball a bit and how the upcoming expansion draft could change the look of next year's draft a bit. Finally, they discuss all the reporting that has come out about the allegations of harassment and bullying within the Seattle Storm. They also discuss the somewhat public aspect of it and lament how disheartening it is to see such a storied franchise devolve to this, as well as how this could change the team in the very near future. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with quite a bit of news to discuss. First, they get into all we've gotten from Unrivaled in the last few weeks. A whole bunch of new players (and a potential big fish still coming), team names, head coaches, and a truly fascinating draft set-up that seems primed for a fun first season. Next, they dig into so much WNBA news. Several head coach and front office vacancies have been filled and even more are open now. The league has apparently 12-15 bidders for the next expansion franchise, with some we've known and other new locations. And Sabrina Ionescu's struggles in the last two games of the Finals are explained by a pretty serious injury. There's so much WNBA news it's too much for one segment. New Hall of Famers, new potential olympians, a new job for Katie Smith. The Seattle Storm have hired an outside law firm to investigate claims of bullying and harassment by their coaching staff (this was recorded before more information came out about the specifics). Maddie, former Liberty mascot, is the first dog to come back from the farm upstate, Sabrina Ionescu has new shoes on the way. And we've officially entered "comically large college women's basketball point spread szn," as Grace has dubbed it. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod, on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with an entire finals to recap (which creates a slightly longer episode than usual). They get into the best of five series that may have been the best of all time. There were two overtime games, a dramatic buzzer beater, and questionable officiating that led to massive amounts of controversy and claims of a stolen championship. Next, they discuss the WNBPA's official opt-out of the collective bargaining agreement. They have just over a year to get something done before a work stoppage, which the league absolutely shouldn't want and the players are willing to do to meet their (fair) demands. Finally, there are a few more odds and ends to cover. Yet another coach was fired, along with a GM, so now there are four (as of this recording) head coach vacancies. The Valkyries aren't one, having hired their head coach ahead of the offseason. And Unrivaled has a media partner in a great deal for their league and women's basketball in general. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back after a brief absence to break down the playoffs thus far. The first round went mostly as expected, but the semifinals were chaotic, but we have (as of recording) one finals team. They get into the good and bad of the playoffs thus far and where teams who have been eliminated may have to look inwards over the coming months. Next, they discuss the WNBA awards. By and large the winners were expected, but Grace has a bone to pick with when and how they released the information on winners. They discuss how the split season may have played into voters minds,a nd they both give their thoughts on why forcing every ballot to be public may not be a good or productive idea and may just lead to worse harassment in a league already dealing with too many harassment issues as is. Finally, they get into some miscellaneous news of the past few weeks. First, Christine Brennan's targeting of DiJonai Carrington over a basketball play in which Caitlin Clark got hit in the eye and how framing like Brennan's leads to worse harassment, specifically of the racial variety (with some homophobia added in). They discuss the recent news of Cheryl Reeve confronting the Connecticut Sun over what she viewed as excessive celebration after a win. And they discuss the retirement of Layshia Clarendon and the trio of coach firings and their varying levels of surprise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back, and Cathy Engelbert gave them plenty to discuss. She was recently interviewed and was asked about the insidious racism creeping into the WNBA this season in large part thanks to the Clark/Reese "rivalry" and her comments...did not pass the vibe check. They talk about what she should've said, what she eventually said, and how this continues to be disheartening in the more positive larger picture of league growth. Next, they break down the playoff picture as it stands heading into the final week of the season. The excitement around the eight seed, the worries surrounding a potential Liberty/Lynx playoff showdown (for these Liberty fans at least), and the important games in regards to general seeding that remain. Finally, they discuss some miscellaneous notes. An update on the Hamby lawsuit against the Aces and the league, A'ja Wilson's chase of several records in this final week, and the lack of Unrivaled reveals for a week. And Grace has a bone to pick with the insane raise in playoff ticket prices. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with more expansion news! The Portland expansion is back on, with a new ownership group. Grace and Thomas dig into all the details as of now, and talk about where expansion can go, both in a general sense and specifically where the league may go next. Next, they discuss the playoff field as it stands as of recording. The Liberty are ahead of the pack, and the final seed is a toss-up. They look ahead to how the rounds may play out, who could upset, and a potential blockbuster matchup in the semifinals. They also use that as a way to discuss the latest Finals rematch that was a little too close for anyone's liking. Finally, they talk about various news across the league. The Rookie of the Year competition is over, with Clark the clear winner, especially in the wake of Angel Reese's season-ending injury. Grace touches on the disturbing amount of casual homophobia and misogyny surrounding Christie Sides' coaching decisions this year. And they discuss the next batch of Unrivaled players, who they're excited to see, what it could mean for Athletes Unlimited, and who else they would like to see. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back after an (inadvertent) week off with a lot to talk about. First, they discuss the two medalling USA women's basketball teams. They talk about how happy they are for the 3x3 team for medalling after a dismal beginning of the tournament. Then they get into the 5x5 team, the gold medal match, and how the near loss to France should be a wake up call to USA Basketball that they have to make some tough decisions in the upcoming years for the benefit of the team and program. Next, they get into the multiple updates on the two different Aces scandals that happened in the days following the end of the Olympics. Dearica Hamby officially filed her federal lawsuit against the Aces and the WNBA, which has a few new details and continues to make the Aces and league look bad. They also have a new Howard Megdal update about the cap circumvention investigation to talk about, and how the Aces seem like the world's dumbest criminals in update after update. Finally, they cover the last bit of league miscellany right before the second half of the season starts. They talk about the news about the 2025 WNBA All Star Game, and how unsurprising it is (and where they'd like to see future games and where they may end up for promotional reasons). There's a Gabby Williams free agency sweepstakes to pay attention to, and a playoff clinch scenario already. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with some Olympics basketball to discuss. They talk about the USA women's team's first two games and the positives and negatives (and why the negatives might not even matter). They also touch on the 3x3 team's struggles and how they may be unable to recover at this point. Next, they finally get into the new media rights deal that was reported on a couple weeks ago. They first break down all the major pieces of the deal, then get into what it means for the league going forward, what they could've gotten, and what the CBA might look like when it almost certainly gets renegotiated after next season. Finally, they discuss the newest information from Howard Megdal on the Las Vegas Aces investigation. There's a lot of information that doesn't actually have any information, and that seems a little suspicious. They also talk about why the league might take this very seriously at this important crossroads for the league. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back after a surprisingly packed last week. They begin by getting into the surprise Marina Mabrey trade that happened just before the All Star weekend kicked off. They talk about the package, the circumstances that led to it, and what this means for the teams and league in general going forward. Then, they talk about the All Star weekend festivities. They begin with Friday night's programming: the Skills Challenge, 3 Point Contest, and the 3x3 showcase. They also get into the pay problems in the league for what feels like the thousandth time in 35 episodes, brought starkly into view again by way of Allisha Gray's winnings. They also touch on the All Star Game itself, which neither of them watched much of. Finally, they discuss the deluge of information that has been coming out about the new Unrivaled League, founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. They talk about who's already taking part, how it'll work, and who they'd like to see join in the coming weeks. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back and there's a bunch to discuss. They begin with the injuries potentially threatening several Olympic players. Cameron Brink is already out, and Rhyne Howard and Napheesa Collier have injuries that seem somewhat serious. What would the procedure be, who would replace them, and does it even matter in the USWBNT's quest for an 8th straight gold medal? Next, they get into the state of the league at the break. The best team, and the top of the league's dominance. The mid-tier teams that will find a way into the playoffs most likely, and the bad teams that seem to have little hope of improving this season but are in a good position to get better soon. At least, most of them. Finally, they get into the All-Star Game and the surrounding festivities. With less than a week before the weekend there have been no announcements around the 3-Point Contest or the Skills Challenge, which feels like an own goal from a marketing perspective. They also discuss what they may do during the somewhat leaner Olympic period. There will still be basketball to discuss, but not quite as much. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with a week-ish of basketball news to discuss. They start by getting into the Commissioner's Cup game, which was won by the Minnesota Lynx 94-89. They break down what went right for the Lynx and wrong for the Liberty, and how this game showed the necessity for Nyara Sabally. Next, they break down the All-Star rosters just an hour after they were revealed. Team USA is the roster that was out a few weeks ago, but Team WNBA had some surprises, good and bad. The vote totals demonstrated how much growth the league has seen, but it still wasn't enough to get DiJonai Carrington or Ezi Magbegor in the mix. They also touch on what team might win based on the last time this format was used. And they briefly discuss where the next All-Star Game might occur. Finally, it's near the halfway point for most teams this season, so they do a heat check on four of the major awards. The MVP race feels locked up statistically at this point, but depending on team results there might be narratives at play. Rookie of the Year is way closer than most anticipated even a few weeks ago, with Angel Reese chasing history. Most Improved Player is a fascinating race because depending on how the voters define "improved" there are multiple different candidates. And Defensive Player of the Year is similar to the MVP race but Grace and Thomas make the case for guard defenders whose contributions aren't easily tracked on the stat sheet. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The long hiatus is over, Grace and Thomas are back. They missed a lot in three weeks. They begin by doing a Caitlin Clark Discourse speed round, which turns into a discussion on how everyone needs to chill out and Clark needs to learn to better use her place of privilege to tamp down the bigotry seeping further into the women's basketball sphere as of late. Next, they dive into the latest developments in the Las Vegas Aces investigation. Outside law firms, changing stories, and fluid "facts" make this case confusing and shady. And the man at the center of all of it is doing a lot of talking without making a lot of sense. Finally, they get into some general league notes. The injuries around the league have been somewhat more serious of late, with Cameron Brink notably losing the rest of her season (and her first Olympics trip) to an ACL tear. They also discuss whether the Liberty are the best team in the league, and what's going on with the Aces on the court struggles. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back after a very busy first week of WNBA action. First, they get into the non-game news. Toronto has officially been named the 14th WNBA team, to begin in 2026, and in a way they're Canada's team. The league media rights are now back to looking like they will be bundled with the NBA rights. And the Aces are being investigated for suspected salary cap circumvention...again. Next, they get into the good stuff from this week. The Sun are off to a very hot start, in large part due to DiJonai Carrington and Alyssa Thomas. Napheesa Collier and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton both look like early awards contenders, and Sabrina Ionescu looks like she might have finally made the defensive leap she's needed for years. And the rookies are impressing, as well as the entirety of the Chicago Sky. Finally, they get into the not so good of the first week. The Fever and Mystics are off to tepid starts, and the condensed schedule is clearly having a negative trickle down, with fatigue setting in and injuries mounting and being more impactful. Also, Aaliyah Boston and Skylar Diggins-Smith have been uncharacteristically struggling so far. And the league is growing but it's leading to a lot of disingenuous chatter from people who don't pay attention and has led to a false narrative of a vendetta against Caitlin Clark. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the first games of the WNBA season, and Grace and Thomas have so much to talk about. First, though, they cover the biggest non-game stories of the week. The upcoming Golden State expansion team finally has an identity, and Grace and Thomas are really into it. And the charter flights have started...kinda? It's definitely not the best or most organized rollout, but it is the most Cathy Engelbert rollout. Next they start getting into the first games for every team. They both watched the entirety of the Liberty/Mystics game, and as such they have a lot of thoughts on it. They discuss some positives and some negatives (that don't seem to be too long lasting, in one case at least). Next the Fever/Sun game, the incredible defense of DiJonai Carrington and the incredible offense of basically everyone on the Sun. And the Lynx Storm game, where they see a lot of similarities to the Liberty's start last year and why superteams built this way need time to gel. Finally, they get into the other three games. First, the Mercury/Aces game, and what the concerns are for the Mercury (and there are a few), and what the concerns are not for the Aces. Then the games from the second day, starting with a closer than initially thought Sky/Wings game, and how the Sky may not be good but they will be annoying. They end with the Dream/Sparks game and the comeback of a Liberty legend (legitimate) . You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back to cover an unexpectedly eventful week of WNBA news. First they get into some Aces roster moves, in a segment that was supposed to be about more than just the Aces but when discussing the recent Jackie Young contract extension ended up evolving into salary cap and CBA discussions (as it is often wont to do with that subject). Next, some of the other preseason moves and news gets its spotlight. The Chicago Sky have two major injuries to draft picks. The Wings and Dream made a trade as well as the Mystics and the Sun, both of which make sense for the respective teams. And Marine Johannes is no longer under contract with a French basketball team, which makes her path forward in the WNBA in coming years a little clearer. Finally, there was some pretty seismic news from beyond the roster limits of the twelve WNBA teams. The new Golden State team announced their GM, Ohemaa Nyanin, who was last in the New York LIberty front office as an assistant GM. And then the surprise of the week was Cathy Engelbert announcing within a week of the season's start that they would be phasing in charter airfare for the entire league with no limits. It happened in pretty typical Cathy fashion so obviously there was a LOT to discuss. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with a packed episode. First, they discuss the stunning announcement this week of Candace Parker's retirement. They discuss her legacy, the way that the teams she's played for and the league at large should grapple with and celebrate her immense legacy, and the position this might leave the Aces in, having to fill massive shoes like that on the fly. Next, they begin season previews for each team. They start with the Eastern conference, discussing Atlanta's team make-up post Jordin Canada's injury, the Chicago Sky's highs and lows, and the Connecticut Sun's high return rate. They also get into what the Liberty may be looking for in their 11th (and in the coming months, 12th) roster spot, the backend of the Fever's roster, and the Mystics interesting position within the league this year. In the final segment they do season previews for the Western Conference. They begin with the Dallas Wings and their continuing flaws, the Aces and their continuing near-flawless construction, and the Sparks' baffling roster that is somehow second in the league in cap allocation. They also get into the Lynx's continuing improvements, the Mercury's odd roster build, and the Storm's quick, impressive rebuild. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with another episode! It's the last episode before training camps begin, so there's a relative lack of news. The Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings each sold out their allotments of season tickets, making them the second and third teams to do so, after the Las Vegas Aces earlier in the offseason. The WIngs will also be moving arenas to be closer to the heart of downtown Dallas, a good move both for fans and the team. Epiphanny Prince retired and joined the New York Liberty front office, and Sue Bird joined the Seattle Storm ownership group. Then, they get into some draft aftermath. First, the Lynx made a statement about their long standing interest in Alissa Pili that makes Chicago Sky's side in their draft pick swap look...less good. Caitlin Clark got a large shoe deal from Nike and Grace and Thomas discuss how good it is for the sport, who should be next (both players and brands), and briefly touch on the definition of marketability in regards to the WNBA. Finally, they touch on the little college news they've gotten. Hailey Van Lith has not actually committed to TCU or any school, Kiki Iriafen and Raegan Beers seem to be narrowing down their decisions. They also looked ahead at possible players in the 2025 WNBA Draft. It's never too early! You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back after the 2024 WNBA draft. They begin with the first round, and the Caitlin Clark of it all. They also discuss how they know ball, the Sky's game plan going forward, and the future outlook of several teams after their big first round picks. Next, they discuss the rest of the draft and an overview of various team's selections. They talk about NIka Mühl's fit on the Storm, the great draft the Aces had, the priorities of certain teams and the way some picks have better shots on rosters than others. Finally, they discuss the record breaking viewership numbers the draft had. They also get into more jersey chat, with the announcement of six new Rebel Edition jerseys, and pitch ideas for new (and old) jerseys to be incorporated. They end by touching on the Hailey Van Lith transfer news, and what it means for her and her new program. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with a tournament wrap-up and draft preview. To start, they go through the Final Four and Finals games of the NCAA tournament. Dawn Staley is one of the great coaches of this era and maybe all time, Caitlin Clark is transcendent but had a shaky last couple games due to incredible defense, and they discuss The Call in the Iowa/UConn game. Next, they get into the WNBA Draft. First they discuss the obvious first overall pick, and discuss some of the discourse surrounding Clark and the WNBA players that some comments from players caused. They talk how she might fare in her first season and how she may adjust. They also discuss the rest of the first round, including a baffling late trade between the Sky and Lynx. Finally, they go into some other players of note and how the setup of the draft and league leaves a lot of talent on the outside looking in when the season starts. They also discuss some big post-tournament college news, with transfers, retirements, and the dissolution of the PAC 12 conference leading to misfortune for multiple programs. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas back and they're right in the thick of the NCAA Tournament. The Sweet Sixteen and Elite 8 have brought some upsets, some thrillers, and some great games. South Carolina finally felt a challenge, Stanford got knocked out, and UConn has not only survived, but at times, thrived. The Iowa-LSU rematch was all it was billed to be. Grace and Thomas break down the game, the players, and the storylines. They also discuss the Kim Mulkey Washington Post article, and how, while it was not what was expected (given Mulkey's reaction), it did provide insight and painted her as a deeply unpleasant, vengeful person, not to mention a homophobe. Finally, they get into some draft news. There are some declarations of major names, including a very high-profile declaration that signals great things for the growth of the sport and coverage. They also discuss the news of Georgia Amoore and Hailey Van Lith's entries into the transfer portal, and what they could be looking for at their new schools. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with a lot to talk about after the first two rounds of the NCA Women's Tournament! First, they get into some of the major upsets of the tournament so far, discuss some of the terrible refereeing, and get into Georgia Amoore's looming decision. Then, they talk about the instant classics of the tournament so far, and how Iowa STate has a very bright future. Whose future isn't looking as bright is Kim Mulkey, and they discuss the LSU struggles in the tournament so far and the news that a big exposé seems to be staring down the barrel at Mulkey. Finally, they discuss the drama that unfolded this week online about Caitlin Clark's coverage, and why Clark's coverage may rub some the wrong way, however deserved the coverage might be, given the way sports media centers a certain type of person over another. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back on the eve of the NCAA tournament! They begin by breaking down some of the biggest narratives and stories surrounding this year's bracket. They also touch on the struggles that UConn and Virginia Tech will face missing key pieces of their teams. Then they go into the recent news of the WNBA potentially negotiating their own media rights deal. The league is at an inflection point, and with Caitlin Clark's arrival, the New York/Las Vegas rivalry, and the exponential growth in fans and viewership recently, the league looks poised to capitalize. They compare their situation to the recent NWSL media deal, and discuss how a bigger media deal will be a net positive for everyone involved. Finally, they wrap up with some miscellaneous notes. The Liberty hats dropped, and while some are pretty good, others are pretty mid. They discuss Odyssey Sims' performance in Athletes Unlimited and how and when she may end up joining a WNBA team this year. And the recent Maya Moore number retirement news allows them a little more discussion on a topic they began last week. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with quite a bit of news to discuss. First, they discuss the latest college news, with Cameron Brink going into the WNBA Draft and Kateri Poole entering the transfer portal (and how this LSU drama seems to be going on ice, for now). Then, they go into the WNBA news of the week. A bunch of announcements that have demonstrated the growth of the league, some salary news, and a trade that Grace and Thomas like for the Liberty, Sky, and Rebekah Gardner herself. Finally, they cover some miscellaneous topics. The Sue Bird documentary will be available to stream soon (and Grace and Thomas discuss the possibility of reviewing it on the show), more WNBA teams need to retire numbers, and they do several minutes on the failure of the WNBA to capitalize on the new popularity by providing very little in the way of merch. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back and there's, again, expansion news. They discuss the new Toronto bid for a WNBA team, and how it will help balance the league in multiple ways. They also get into why Toronto makes sense specifically, and where they'd like to see the league go after this. Then, they get into the college news of the week, dominated by who else: Caitlin Clark. A record leads to a discussion about why college records are harder to break. they also celebrate Dawn Staley and discuss the upcoming NCAA tournament dates. Finally, they start with some Athletes Unlimited Chat, which devolves into Grace complaining about website design. Then they chat a bit about the new Las Vegas Aces jerseys, which devolves into general jersey chat. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back with some expected breaking news! They dig into Caitlin Clark's draft declaration, and what it means for all parties involved. THey also dig into other players hemming and hawing over their futures, and Dyaisha Fair's under-the-radar scoring record. Then, they get into some league news. Stewie signed, and now there's more of an idea of where the Liberty stand in regards to roster and cap space. They pour one out to Rebekah Gardner who has suffered another terrible injury. They also discuss an article that went into the Liberty's pursuit of Nneka Ogwumike and their potential plans with regards to Marine Johannès. Finally, they discuss the upcoming AU Pro Basketball season, and the excitement that comes when there's actual professional basketball to watch. They also discuss the recent PWHL draft and tournament announcement and what it says about the ability for women's sports to innovate in their rules the way more established leagues can't. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grace and Thomas are back after a bit of a week for women's basketball! First, they cover the heavy WNBA presence at the NBA All-Star Game, with the focus being on the Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu 3-Point Contest, which was great entertainment with terrible announcing. Then, they dive into the league news of the week, There was a Liberty signing, a Chicago trade for another 2024 draft pick, but most importantly: the confirmation from our dear commissioner Cathy Engelbert that there would only be one expansion team in 2025, leading to an odd number of 13 teams. Cathy! Finally, they cover the biggest news of the week, that Paige Bueckers will be returning to UConn for her COVID eligibility year. THis shakes up this year's draft, gives an early first overall pick prediction for next year, and puts an eye on a title run for a hopefully healthy UConn team in 2025. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod and email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices