Ben Pickman
@benpickman.bsky.social
Staff writer at The Athletic covering WBB | the athletic WBB show | Prev: Sports Illustrated, CNN Sports |[email protected] | he/him
🚨 SOME PERSONAL NEWS 🚨
This is my last week at The Athletic...
More to come soon!
This is my last week at The Athletic...
More to come soon!
January 15, 2026 at 3:22 PM
🚨 SOME PERSONAL NEWS 🚨
This is my last week at The Athletic...
More to come soon!
This is my last week at The Athletic...
More to come soon!
The WNBA has released the following statement re: the WNBPA's strike authorization vote.
"While we acknowledge the players’ right to authorize a future work stoppage, we strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the current state of negotiations"
"While we acknowledge the players’ right to authorize a future work stoppage, we strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the current state of negotiations"
December 18, 2025 at 10:45 PM
The WNBA has released the following statement re: the WNBPA's strike authorization vote.
"While we acknowledge the players’ right to authorize a future work stoppage, we strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the current state of negotiations"
"While we acknowledge the players’ right to authorize a future work stoppage, we strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the current state of negotiations"
Liberty coach Chris DeMarco has concluded his intro press conference and is set to appear at a youth clinic across the street.
The kids participating all made him welcome signs
The kids participating all made him welcome signs
December 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Liberty coach Chris DeMarco has concluded his intro press conference and is set to appear at a youth clinic across the street.
The kids participating all made him welcome signs
The kids participating all made him welcome signs
mong the BTS stories we told on the podcast today, was of Michigan AD Warde Manuel meeting a few @michigandaily.bsky.social reporters after Friday night's thriller between Michigan and UConn, and then Geno Auriemma asking to take a photo of them!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodo...
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
mong the BTS stories we told on the podcast today, was of Michigan AD Warde Manuel meeting a few @michigandaily.bsky.social reporters after Friday night's thriller between Michigan and UConn, and then Geno Auriemma asking to take a photo of them!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodo...
Packed New No Offseason Ep!
@zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I discuss:
-Liberty HC hire
-Lack of Black women W HCs
-Michigan v UConn
-TA's W Mock Draft
-Who goes #1?
-Who could slide to 6/7? (Clearly, Sabreena wasn't a fan of that 😂)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodo...
@zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I discuss:
-Liberty HC hire
-Lack of Black women W HCs
-Michigan v UConn
-TA's W Mock Draft
-Who goes #1?
-Who could slide to 6/7? (Clearly, Sabreena wasn't a fan of that 😂)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodo...
November 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Packed New No Offseason Ep!
@zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I discuss:
-Liberty HC hire
-Lack of Black women W HCs
-Michigan v UConn
-TA's W Mock Draft
-Who goes #1?
-Who could slide to 6/7? (Clearly, Sabreena wasn't a fan of that 😂)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodo...
@zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social and I discuss:
-Liberty HC hire
-Lack of Black women W HCs
-Michigan v UConn
-TA's W Mock Draft
-Who goes #1?
-Who could slide to 6/7? (Clearly, Sabreena wasn't a fan of that 😂)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sodo...
The WNBPA in statement w/ @theathletic.com re: the 30-day CBA extension said:
"While we believed negotiations would be further along, the players are more focused, united, and determined than ever to reach an agreement that reflects their value and undeniable impact on the league.”
"While we believed negotiations would be further along, the players are more focused, united, and determined than ever to reach an agreement that reflects their value and undeniable impact on the league.”
October 31, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The WNBPA in statement w/ @theathletic.com re: the 30-day CBA extension said:
"While we believed negotiations would be further along, the players are more focused, united, and determined than ever to reach an agreement that reflects their value and undeniable impact on the league.”
"While we believed negotiations would be further along, the players are more focused, united, and determined than ever to reach an agreement that reflects their value and undeniable impact on the league.”
In a statement to The Athletic, a WNBA spokesperson said that while the league submitted its most recent proposal on Oct. 1, the union did not respond until yesterday.
More below, on the latest in the W CBA
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
More below, on the latest in the W CBA
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
October 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
In a statement to The Athletic, a WNBA spokesperson said that while the league submitted its most recent proposal on Oct. 1, the union did not respond until yesterday.
More below, on the latest in the W CBA
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
More below, on the latest in the W CBA
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
A number of Raman's former players on the Liberty and Grizzlies are already publicly congratulating her on the Storm opportunity.
t.co/rO3qku78Kq
t.co/rO3qku78Kq
October 24, 2025 at 9:07 PM
A number of Raman's former players on the Liberty and Grizzlies are already publicly congratulating her on the Storm opportunity.
t.co/rO3qku78Kq
t.co/rO3qku78Kq
This is either A) Ndamukong Suh hearing about my performance in pickup basketball last weekend... or B) His reaction to me discussing the WNBA CBA tension
You be the judge.
Either way, talked W CBA — updates, meetings, where things go from here on his podcast:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-bL...
You be the judge.
Either way, talked W CBA — updates, meetings, where things go from here on his podcast:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-bL...
October 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This is either A) Ndamukong Suh hearing about my performance in pickup basketball last weekend... or B) His reaction to me discussing the WNBA CBA tension
You be the judge.
Either way, talked W CBA — updates, meetings, where things go from here on his podcast:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-bL...
You be the judge.
Either way, talked W CBA — updates, meetings, where things go from here on his podcast:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-bL...
More CBA news/updates @theathletic.com
During the WNBA Finals, a number of WNBPA executive committee members, including Napheesa Collier, met in-person with Cathy Engelbert.
More on that meeting, and subsequent meetings in our story:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
During the WNBA Finals, a number of WNBPA executive committee members, including Napheesa Collier, met in-person with Cathy Engelbert.
More on that meeting, and subsequent meetings in our story:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
October 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
More CBA news/updates @theathletic.com
During the WNBA Finals, a number of WNBPA executive committee members, including Napheesa Collier, met in-person with Cathy Engelbert.
More on that meeting, and subsequent meetings in our story:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
During the WNBA Finals, a number of WNBPA executive committee members, including Napheesa Collier, met in-person with Cathy Engelbert.
More on that meeting, and subsequent meetings in our story:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Here is the pool report from Game 4 of the 2025 WNBA Finals.
Per crew chief Roy Gulbeyan, Tibbetts was assessed two seperate technicals for yelling, "that's fuck--- terrible," twice.
Per crew chief Roy Gulbeyan, Tibbetts was assessed two seperate technicals for yelling, "that's fuck--- terrible," twice.
October 11, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Here is the pool report from Game 4 of the 2025 WNBA Finals.
Per crew chief Roy Gulbeyan, Tibbetts was assessed two seperate technicals for yelling, "that's fuck--- terrible," twice.
Per crew chief Roy Gulbeyan, Tibbetts was assessed two seperate technicals for yelling, "that's fuck--- terrible," twice.
“Peanut butter and jelly! Breakfast of champions,” Mark Davis said.
October 11, 2025 at 3:24 AM
“Peanut butter and jelly! Breakfast of champions,” Mark Davis said.
Nate Tibbetts said it was “bullsh—“ that he got ejected. He said it was one of the “weakest” double technicals he’s ever seen. He added that he did not get an explanation as to why he was ejected, though, he said he deserved a first technical. But a second? He said was “weak”
October 11, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Nate Tibbetts said it was “bullsh—“ that he got ejected. He said it was one of the “weakest” double technicals he’s ever seen. He added that he did not get an explanation as to why he was ejected, though, he said he deserved a first technical. But a second? He said was “weak”
A’ja Wilson.
What a time for her first basket in more than four minutes.
What a time for her first basket in more than four minutes.
October 9, 2025 at 2:31 AM
A’ja Wilson.
What a time for her first basket in more than four minutes.
What a time for her first basket in more than four minutes.
FROM THE FLOOR OF GAME 2 OF THE WNBA FINALS —
New No Offseason Ep!
@sabreenajm.bsky.social, Marcus Thompson and I break down everything we saw Sunday
-Jackie Young’s Q3
-A’ja’s dominance
-Chelsea Gray’s passing and defense
-Does Phoenix still have a shot?
youtu.be/8bn08D6VM6A?...
New No Offseason Ep!
@sabreenajm.bsky.social, Marcus Thompson and I break down everything we saw Sunday
-Jackie Young’s Q3
-A’ja’s dominance
-Chelsea Gray’s passing and defense
-Does Phoenix still have a shot?
youtu.be/8bn08D6VM6A?...
October 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
FROM THE FLOOR OF GAME 2 OF THE WNBA FINALS —
New No Offseason Ep!
@sabreenajm.bsky.social, Marcus Thompson and I break down everything we saw Sunday
-Jackie Young’s Q3
-A’ja’s dominance
-Chelsea Gray’s passing and defense
-Does Phoenix still have a shot?
youtu.be/8bn08D6VM6A?...
New No Offseason Ep!
@sabreenajm.bsky.social, Marcus Thompson and I break down everything we saw Sunday
-Jackie Young’s Q3
-A’ja’s dominance
-Chelsea Gray’s passing and defense
-Does Phoenix still have a shot?
youtu.be/8bn08D6VM6A?...
Sami Whitcomb had to go back to the locker room in the third quarter of Game 1, but said on Saturday that her right leg injury was "fine" and she doesn't expect it to be an issue.
October 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Sami Whitcomb had to go back to the locker room in the third quarter of Game 1, but said on Saturday that her right leg injury was "fine" and she doesn't expect it to be an issue.
FROM THE FLOOR OF GAME 1 OF THE WNBA FINALS —
New No Offseason Ep!
@sabreenajm.bsky.social react to everything we saw and heard Friday night.
-Cathy Engelbert's pregame address
-Vegas bench
-Aces zone
-AT's FTs
-Game 2 preview
🔈: podfollow.com/no-offseason
📺: www.youtube.com/@No-Offseason
New No Offseason Ep!
@sabreenajm.bsky.social react to everything we saw and heard Friday night.
-Cathy Engelbert's pregame address
-Vegas bench
-Aces zone
-AT's FTs
-Game 2 preview
🔈: podfollow.com/no-offseason
📺: www.youtube.com/@No-Offseason
October 4, 2025 at 2:54 PM
FROM THE FLOOR OF GAME 1 OF THE WNBA FINALS —
New No Offseason Ep!
@sabreenajm.bsky.social react to everything we saw and heard Friday night.
-Cathy Engelbert's pregame address
-Vegas bench
-Aces zone
-AT's FTs
-Game 2 preview
🔈: podfollow.com/no-offseason
📺: www.youtube.com/@No-Offseason
New No Offseason Ep!
@sabreenajm.bsky.social react to everything we saw and heard Friday night.
-Cathy Engelbert's pregame address
-Vegas bench
-Aces zone
-AT's FTs
-Game 2 preview
🔈: podfollow.com/no-offseason
📺: www.youtube.com/@No-Offseason
Went on the Dan Patrick Show this morning talking Napheesa Collier's comments, CBA negotiations, WNBA officiating and what's next in this critical WNBA moment
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeLu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeLu...
October 1, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Went on the Dan Patrick Show this morning talking Napheesa Collier's comments, CBA negotiations, WNBA officiating and what's next in this critical WNBA moment
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeLu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeLu...
The Dallas Wings have relieved Chris Koclanes of head coach duties, team announces.
"As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization."
"As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization."
September 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The Dallas Wings have relieved Chris Koclanes of head coach duties, team announces.
"As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization."
"As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization."
The WNBPA has issued a statement re: Napheesa Collier's comments.
"The leaders of the league and its teams would benefit from listening to her powerful statement. The players know their value even if the league does not."
"The leaders of the league and its teams would benefit from listening to her powerful statement. The players know their value even if the league does not."
September 30, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The WNBPA has issued a statement re: Napheesa Collier's comments.
"The leaders of the league and its teams would benefit from listening to her powerful statement. The players know their value even if the league does not."
"The leaders of the league and its teams would benefit from listening to her powerful statement. The players know their value even if the league does not."
Cheryl Reeve has been suspended for Sunday's Game 4 against the Phoenix Mercury.
September 27, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Cheryl Reeve has been suspended for Sunday's Game 4 against the Phoenix Mercury.
In honor of the Mercury's Game 4 on Sunday forcing the Jonas Brothers to move their Phoenix concert to Monday, I debuted a game at the end of our No Offseason Ep:
Jonas Brothers lyric or Diana Taurasi quote.
CC: @zenakeita.bsky.social/ @sabreenajm.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx-m...
Jonas Brothers lyric or Diana Taurasi quote.
CC: @zenakeita.bsky.social/ @sabreenajm.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx-m...
September 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
In honor of the Mercury's Game 4 on Sunday forcing the Jonas Brothers to move their Phoenix concert to Monday, I debuted a game at the end of our No Offseason Ep:
Jonas Brothers lyric or Diana Taurasi quote.
CC: @zenakeita.bsky.social/ @sabreenajm.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx-m...
Jonas Brothers lyric or Diana Taurasi quote.
CC: @zenakeita.bsky.social/ @sabreenajm.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx-m...
Breanna Stewart didn’t practice on Tuesday, according to Sandy Brondello, but is a “game-time decision” for Wednesday’s game.
“If she’s able to go, she’ll go.”
“If she’s able to go, she’ll go.”
September 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Breanna Stewart didn’t practice on Tuesday, according to Sandy Brondello, but is a “game-time decision” for Wednesday’s game.
“If she’s able to go, she’ll go.”
“If she’s able to go, she’ll go.”
"Yet another day of being grateful to be their coach."
Mystics coach Sydney Johnson took time during shootaround to reflect on the season. He also has a tradition of not going into the locker room postgame before he high-5s every player. Some thoughts on the year:
Mystics coach Sydney Johnson took time during shootaround to reflect on the season. He also has a tradition of not going into the locker room postgame before he high-5s every player. Some thoughts on the year:
September 10, 2025 at 3:03 AM
"Yet another day of being grateful to be their coach."
Mystics coach Sydney Johnson took time during shootaround to reflect on the season. He also has a tradition of not going into the locker room postgame before he high-5s every player. Some thoughts on the year:
Mystics coach Sydney Johnson took time during shootaround to reflect on the season. He also has a tradition of not going into the locker room postgame before he high-5s every player. Some thoughts on the year:
H/T to @zenakeita.bsky.social for giving me the chance to talk about my half-court trickshot
New No Offseason Ep! Me, @zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social. We talk rivalry week?, WNBA MVP debate?, W half-court shooting traditions.
Subscribe/follow!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOR0...
New No Offseason Ep! Me, @zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social. We talk rivalry week?, WNBA MVP debate?, W half-court shooting traditions.
Subscribe/follow!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOR0...
August 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
H/T to @zenakeita.bsky.social for giving me the chance to talk about my half-court trickshot
New No Offseason Ep! Me, @zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social. We talk rivalry week?, WNBA MVP debate?, W half-court shooting traditions.
Subscribe/follow!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOR0...
New No Offseason Ep! Me, @zenakeita.bsky.social, @sabreenajm.bsky.social. We talk rivalry week?, WNBA MVP debate?, W half-court shooting traditions.
Subscribe/follow!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOR0...