WNBA Eyes Ownership Shift

^{January 17, 2025 | Edition #179}

Hey, Hoophead!

First things first, women’s basketball showed out in The Athletic’s Top 40 Most Admired Leaders in Sports list. Geno Auriemma, Dawn Staley, Becky Hammon, and four of your favorite WNBA stars all earned their spots. And while the sport continues to rack up recognition off the court, there’s movement happening behind the scenes, too. After months, the WNBA finally made a move that has fans feeling a bit hopeful.

WNBA’s Power Play?

It looks like most fans have tuned out the CBA talks. At this moment, they just want a deal. But while support is still largely pro-union, a WNBA legend thinks certain messaging might actually be turning fans against the players. Big time.

Check out the ‘troublesome’ words she’s talking about.

Back to today’s agenda: what if we told you the league is making an effort to meet the WNBPA’s demands? For that, you need to stick with us for a quick history lesson.

So, as we already know, COVID-19 hit a lot of businesses hard, and the W, which had always been operating at a loss, was no exception. To keep the league afloat, Cathy Engelbert struck a deal in 2022 and sold a 16 percent stake worth $75 million in what was called the largest deal ever for a women’s sports property.

With the move, the previous 50–50 split between WNBA and NBA ownership was revised, with 16 percent allocated to new investors and the WNBA and NBA retaining 42% each.

Additionally, it was revealed that the new teams would dilute the WNBA owners’ equity stake. The revenue-sharing model ensured W teams still got a slice of NBA team revenue.

Now, it may read clear on paper, but the model is so tangled that it may be one of the reasons the league has not been able to deliver on the players’ demands.

Interestingly, the league is now looking at buying back the same 16% stake it sold. Please take note that the product has grown massively since then, so the cost will likely be much higher than $75 million. But the upside would be huge.

If the WNBA gets that 16% back, it gains more control, more freedom to invest, and more flexibility to grow.

Do you think that’s realistic?

Showdowns You Can’t Miss

Thursday gave us some of the best basketball you could ask for. And if you think the action is slowing down anytime soon… think again. This is just the beginning of what you can only call a ranked rampage.

We kick things off with No. 6 LSU taking on the Oklahoma Sooners, marking just the third meeting between these two programs. In their last meeting, LSU bagged the 107–100 win. So, if Sunday at 3 p.m. ET looks anything like that, we’re in for one wild ride!

We just know that Kim Mulkey’s side will be much more confident heading into this matchup after beating then-No. 2 Texas. While that matchup had broadcasters saying that both coaches might need a therapist afterward, it was still a huge boost for the Tigers.

Expect the Tigers to be led by Mikaylah Williams or Flau’ja Johnson… and don’t even think about counting out the Sooners. In case you forgot, they’ve got Aaliyah Chavez this time.

Moving on, No. 3 UCLA welcomes No. 12 Maryland to LA, as the Terps make their first trip west for Big Ten play since the conference expanded.

Maryland already handled the first part of their LA trip by beating USC, but facing UCLA will be a much tougher challenge. Plus, it might bring back some memories. Really bad memories. Remember Lauren Betts vs Terrapins last year? She was absolutely unstoppable. One of her career-best performances!

On top of that, the Terps are without four key players, including last season’s top scorer, Kaylene Smikle. The Bruins couldn’t have drawn up a better scenario. And this matchup has a little extra meaning. Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez get to face their hometown school.

There’s plenty more action to catch in the coming days:

• No. 11 Iowa vs. No. 15 Michigan State

• No. 20 Tennessee vs. No. 21 Alabama

• No. 1 UConn vs. No. 23 Notre Dame

• No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 8 Michigan

• No. 10 TCU vs. No. 14 Ohio State

Hilarious! Geno Auriemma’s Post-Villanova Frustration Had Nothing To Do With His Team

Game Winners

Unrivaled has turned into the place to be for free agents showing off talent. So, sure, everyone’s noticing how players are leveling up their games, but people are also starting to realize just how physical Unrivaled has gotten.

Hard blocks, dirty plays… they’re becoming a new normal. You might want to watch a few!

Meanwhile, the story on the court was clear: all good things come to an end. When undefeated Rose BC met Hive BC, a team still searching for their first win, you’d think it would be smooth sailing. Not really. From tip-off all the way through the third quarter, it was a tight, edge-of-your-seat battle.

Hive finally built a 66–54 lead heading into the fourth, only for the defending champs to outscore them 15–7. But, of course, Kelsey Mitchell delivered when it mattered most.

Needing a single point, she turned on her signature speed and nailed the game-winner! Mitchell finished with 24 points, while Chelsea racked up 36. Final: 78-75, Hive.

Kelsey wasn’t the only Fever making moves that day, though.

Earlier in the day, another game came down to a single point, Laces vs. Phantom BC. It almost looked like Laces were cruising early, jumping out to a 27–18 lead after the first quarter. But Phantom BC weren’t about to just let that happen.

Kelsey Plum and Aliyah Boston combined for 48 points and pushed the score to 75–73 in Phantom’s favor. They had it in the bag… until Brittney Sykes happened.

On the final out-of-bounds possession, Phantom bet on their defense to close out Laces. But Jackie Young and Alyssa Thomas created just enough confusion for Phantom to lose Brittney Sykes, who drilled a huge clutch three to win it. Final: 76-75, Laces.

Heartwarming! Alex Bazzell Shared Kelsey’s Sweetest Moment of the Day

NBA x WNBA

Fashion and Angel Reese are basically synonymous now, and Berlin got an exclusive taste of that. The Bayou Barbie was courtside at Uber Arena for Grizzlies vs. Magic. And as usual, the fit did not disappoint.

The cameras couldn’t stop showing Angel Reese during the broadcast, and you really can’t blame them. She stunned courtside in that furry outfit, perfectly matching the Magic colors. Why the Magic colors? Well… we don’t have to wonder anymore.

Elsewhere, Steph Curry might have already found his favorite pair of sneakers to hoop in. Against the Knicks, Curry showed off his second custom pair of Nikes, featuring his jersey number and “ICDAT” (“I can do all things”) inscribed on the heel.

After 27 points, 7 assists, 4 threes, and a comfortable Warriors win, he gave a shoutout to the WNBA star whose shoe line he was wearing. But it wasn’t just about the shoes; it was about the friendship they share. You already know the name!

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2. Brittney Griner Turns Her Darkest Chapter Into Something Bigger - Full Story 

3. USC HC Lindsay Gottlieb ‘Felt Seen’ In Mark Pope’s Words As Season Slips -  Full Story 

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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