WNBA on the rise

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by LD84

I hope they can reach an agreement, but I would also not be surprised if we see some sort of labor stoppage in the near future.

Uh-oh.

Breanna Stewart explains why players are 'frustrated' by WNBA's initial proposal in critical CBA negotiations

Stewart and the players felt their requests were 'ignored' by the WNBA's first proposal

The 2025 season is a massive one for the WNBA for a few reasons. The league is in the midst of a surge in popularity that has led to six new expansion teams, including the Golden State Valkyries who are in their inaugural season currently, and just secured a new national TV rights deal as part of the NBA's broader contract.

That means money is flowing into the W at a rate never seen before and the players want to ensure they are getting their fair share. Prior to the season, WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike laid out some of the biggest focal points for the players in negotiations, including codifying charter travel and an increase in the share of revenue that goes to the players. However, the preseason optimism that the two sides would be able to work out an agreement that both parties were happy with has waned on the players' side after receiving the WNBA's first proposal.

Satou Sabally called it "a slap in the face" when talking to reporters on Tuesday, and Breanna Stewart echoed that sentiment on Thursday by saying it felt like the players were "ignored" by the WNBA's initial offer.

[Déjà Bru]

Does the quality of WNBA officiating also need to improve? Angel Reese seems to think so. From The Athletic:

Angel Reese fed up with WNBA officiating: ‘I’m tired of this’

By Darnell Mayberry



Angel Reese voiced her displeasure with the way she and the Chicago Sky have been officiated throughout the season.

Reese aired her grievances following the Sky’s 80-75 loss at the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday — a game in which the Lynx outshot the Sky 17-8 at the foul line.

“It’s tough when you talk to officials, and I ask them, ‘Hey, we only shot two — we only been to the free-throw line twice, up until the fourth quarter,'” Reese said. “And she tells me it’s not her job. It’s frustrating because I know how hard we’re battling inside and I think we came down and fought as hard as we could inside. That has to be fixed.

“I don’t give a damn if I get fined because that s— cheap, and I’m tired of this s—. I’ve been nice and I’ve been humble, but I’m tired of this s—.”

The Sky average 18.3 free throws, ranking 10th among the league’s 13 franchises. The Washington Mystics lead the league at 24.6 free throws per game. The Seattle Storm rank last at 15.9 per game.

Reese, who averages 12.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists, is attempting 4.4 free throws per game, ranking 13th among all players.

Sunday’s loss dropped the Sky to 5-12 on the season, while the Lynx, who own the WNBA’s best record, improved to 17-2.

[Cobra Mgr]

NBA officiating is the worst out of the 4 major N.American sports. And they are supposed to be the best basketball refs in the world. Next best would be the major colleges. So how bad would the WNBA refs obviously be?

It starts at the start. As I've said before, the process to become a basketball official is asinine. It doesn't draw in those w/the best qualifications. It draws in those w/the best circumstances.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

Does the quality of WNBA officiating also need to improve? Angel Reese seems to think so.

She's starting to lose sympathy votes with this behavior, though. You don't treat people like this and it's less worthy the lower down the totem pole the person to whom you do.

Angel Reese slaps clipboard from Sky coach's hand, responds to backlash: 'Not happening again'

The phrase "whiny baby" is coming to mind.

[Déjà Bru]

At one point in this article, it says "Reese has become one of the most polarizing athletes in sports". The sentence does not end there, but I will not go any further because I don't want this thread to devolve into that discussion. Suffice for here to say that she certainly is a lightning rod.

Shaquille O'Neal warns Robert Griffin III to stop posting about Angel Reese: 'I'll punch you in the face'

The author also says this: "Personally, if I found myself in a position where Shaq was threatening to punch me in the face if I continue doing something, I would simply stop doing that thing. We'll see if RGIII heeds this warning from O'Neal."

You think?



EDIT: Well, I will leave the post up because I think the story is funny, but what is not so funny is what caused this ruckus. Do your own search; I will not link to it. Let's not talk about it here. As a matter of fact, after this, I am not talking about Angel Reese, either, except in terms of how she plays basketball.

[Déjà Bru]

In the "End of MLB All Star Game" thread, I talked about "a few tweaks and wrinkles to make it something that people actually want to watch" an All-Star game. It seems the WNBA has that in mind, too. How about:

• 4-point shot circles?
• a 20-second shot clock?
• live-play, hockey-style substitutions?
• no free throws until the final two minutes of regulation (penalty points awarded instead)?

2025 WNBA All-Star Game rule changes

[monkeyman576]

How about 1:00 power plays for major fouls?

[Amazin69]

How about a competitive basketball game where everybody tries to win and thus playing defense is allowed?

I know, ridiculous.
********************************

There was a Caitlin Clark featurette on my local news, and so I actually looked at the WNBA for the first time in however long. I see we're now up to shoulder patch AND belly AND lower-back sponsors on the unis. We're halfway to being ****ing NASCAR.

And the Sports I Actually Watch shouldn't be smug either…this disaster is headed our way, too. Get ready for the Valtrex™ Dodgers vs the RectiCare™ Yankees in the Series, with only a tiny sleeve logo visible amongst the ads.

"That's how they do it in Europe!" Yeah, well Europe has had lots of bad ideas, too. Not everything is The Beatles…or even Mungo Jerry.

[Cobra Mgr]

Say what now?

[LD84]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Say what now?

That was pretty funny. I saw the clip going around earlier today.