WNBA Dimes
Hosted by Cookie
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Cookie based on prompt: Daily WNBA news. Scores, highlights, and general news. Call it WNBA Dimes
Transcript
Hey! It's Cookie O'Clock! Welcome back to WNBA Dimes, the podcast where we serve up the hottest hoops news with a dash of humor and just a sprinkle of sass. I'm Brooke, your guide through the world of the WNBA, and today we've got a jam-packed episode.
Let’s dive into the big finale, shall we? The Las Vegas Aces just wrapped up a historic sweep, taking down the Phoenix Mercury in the first-ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals. Yep, you heard right—a sweep! They clinched their third championship in four years with a 97-86 victory in Game 4. Talk about a dynasty!
A’ja Wilson was on fire, racking up 31 points and snagging nine rebounds. She didn’t just walk away with the win—she snagged the Finals MVP trophy for a second time. And she’s got some stellar backup. Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young both poured in 18 points to seal the deal. With a squad like this, Game 5 was left in the dust, setting its sights on an unused Sunday spot on ABC.
Now, turning from the court to the conference room, the collective bargaining talks are heating up. With the agreement expiring at the end of October, players are pushing for a fairer share of the pie. They’re eyeing a 50 percent revenue split, a big leap from the current 9 percent. And why not, with those record revenues and that jaw-dropping $2.2 billion media rights deal? Ownership, however, is playing it cautious, pointing to complicated accounting, and it's causing quite the public stir.
Speaking of stir, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier just canceled a meeting with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, citing “lack of accountability.” Drama! Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever backed her up, saying Collier's points were "very valid." Looks like Engelbert has some explaining to do.
Now, let’s talk coaching. The trend is clear: NBA experience is the golden ticket for WNBA coaching gigs. Teams like the New York Liberty and Toronto Tempo are on the hunt for candidates with NBA or G-League backgrounds. This fresh focus has some longtime WNBA coaches a bit jittery. The traditional route to head-coaching slots seems to be narrowing, but hey, if Becky Hammon’s success is any indication, it’s hard to argue with results.
To wrap it all up in style, let's chat about the unexpected drama at the trophy presentation. Things got a bit spicy when one cheeky fan aimed an, uh, unfriendly gesture at Commissioner Engelbert. ESPN had to hit the censorship button fast! The boos and gestures underscored growing frustration among players and fans over league leadership. It seems this controversy is a new chapter in the ongoing saga of governance and player relations.
So there you have it—another thrilling week in the world of the WNBA. Thanks for tuning in to WNBA Dimes. Keep it locked here for more buzzer-beating news, and remember, if you're gonna shoot for the moon, make sure you grab that rebound! Catch you next time!
## Finals Recap & Game 5 Status
The Las Vegas Aces completed a historic 4–0 sweep of the Phoenix Mercury in the first-ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals, securing their third championship in four years with a 97–86 victory in Game 4 on October 10 , 2025. A’ja Wilson led all scorers with 31 points and added nine rebounds, earning Finals MVP honors for a second time, while Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young each chipped in 18 points to help close out the series decisively ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_WNBA_Finals?utm_source=openai)). Though Game 5 was scheduled for Sunday, October 12 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, the Aces’ four-game sweep rendered that contest unnecessary ([espnpressroom.com](https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2025/10/you-bet-espn-and-abc-to-exclusively-present-the-2025-wnba-finals-presented-by-youtube-tv-las-vegas-aces-phoenix-mercury-beginning-friday-oct-3/)).
## Collective Bargaining Talks Heat Up
With the current WNBA collective bargaining agreement set to expire on October 31 , 2025, league and players’ association representatives are locked in negotiations that could reshape the offseason landscape. Players are pushing for a revenue-sharing model closer to 50 percent—far above the current 9 percent—citing record league revenues and a landmark $2.2 billion media rights deal as justification. Ownership and league executives have resisted, pointing to complex accounting practices under shared NBA/WNBA ownership ([sfchronicle.com](https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/wnba-owners-players-craft-new-cba-free-agency-21092984.php?utm_source=openai)). This standoff has spilled into public view, with Minnesota Lynx All-Star Napheesa Collier canceling a scheduled meeting with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert over “lack of accountability,” a dispute later endorsed by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who called Collier’s critique “very valid” ([nbcsports.com](https://www.nbcsports.com/wnba/news/caitlin-clark-says-collier-made-valid-points-and-commissioner-engelbert-hasnt-contacted-her/?utm_source=openai)).
## Coaching Carousel: NBA Résumé Rising in Value
As teams prepare for the 2026 season, a growing number of front offices are prioritizing head‐coaching candidates with NBA or G-League experience, a shift highlighted by the successful NBA transitions of Becky Hammon (Las Vegas Aces) and Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury). According to industry insiders, franchises such as the New York Liberty, Portland Fire, and Toronto Tempo are actively scouting coaches who have served as NBA assistants, valuing perceived tactical acumen and familiarity with modern analytics ([swishappeal.com](https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/65733/wnba-head-coaching-vacancies-hire-fire-liberty-brondello-wings-koclanes-storm-nba-experience-candidates-rumors-reports?utm_source=openai)). This trend has sparked concern among longtime WNBA coaching veterans—often dubbed “WNBA lifers”—who fear their traditional paths to leadership roles may narrow, even as luminaries like Becky Hammon continue to demonstrate success at the highest levels ([poundingtherock.com](https://www.poundingtherock.com/spurs-discussion-threads/88439/open-thread-congratulations-to-becky-hammon-and-the-las-vegas-aces?utm_source=openai)).
## Broadcast Controversy: Censored Gesture at Finals Trophy Presentation
During the post-championship trophy presentation following Game 4 on October 10, a fan in the crowd directed an obscene gesture at Commissioner Engelbert, prompting ESPN producers to briefly censor the live ABC broadcast. The incident occurred amid a chorus of boos aimed at Engelbert as she approached the podium, reflecting mounting player and fan frustration with league leadership ([the-sun.com](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15332996/espn-wnba-commissioner-cathy-engelbert/?utm_source=openai)). The backlash is intertwined with broader debates over league governance and player relations, underscored by recent public disputes between Collier and Engelbert over comments made behind closed doors ([nbcsports.com](https://www.nbcsports.com/wnba/news/caitlin-clark-says-collier-made-valid-points-and-commissioner-engelbert-hasnt-contacted-her/?utm_source=openai)).
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