The Athletic launches No Offseason women's basketball newsletter and hub
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 5
The Athletic launches No Offseason women's basketball newsletter and hub
4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 5
The first weekly edition arrives before Friday's WNBA opener, as the league enters its 30th season after a new collective bargaining agreement ended a protracted labour deadlock.
The hub will deliver Tuesday analysis, reporting and podcast tie-ins across the WNBA, college basketball, Unrivaled and Olympic storylines, reflecting what it calls an unprecedented women's basketball news cycle.
Its debut also highlights key season developments, including a record 216 nationally broadcast WNBA games, Sabrina Ionescu's foot injury and the NCAA Tournament's planned expansion to 76 teams in 2027.
As Unrivaled's player salaries grow, will it become a competitor or a key partner to the WNBA?
With team valuations soaring past $1 billion, is the WNBA entering a golden age or a speculative bubble?
Can an influx of star rookies and retooled rosters finally dethrone the dominant Las Vegas Aces dynasty?
How "No Offseason" Became The Definitive Year-Round Voice for Women’s Basketball Amid WNBA’s $2.2B Media Boom
Overview
The 2026 WNBA season launched on May 5th after resolving a tense deadlock in player negotiations, marking a new era of growth fueled by record attendance and a landmark $2.2 billion media deal. This surge in women's sports revenue and investment created a strong demand for year-round coverage, which The Athletic met by launching its "No Offseason" initiative. Combining expert hosts and exclusive content, the initiative fills a critical gap in consistent, in-depth women's basketball journalism. With plans to expand its audience and build a vibrant fan community, "No Offseason" aims to set a new standard for comprehensive coverage beyond the season's end.