Ben Pickman
Verified- Staff Writer, The Athletic
- Podcast Host, No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
New York
Articles by Ben Pickman
Unrivaled’s viewership on season-opener drops slightly from last year’s average Original
After a strong debut season in the women’s basketball space, Unrivaled opened its 2026 campaign with viewership that largely held steady from last year’s season, albeit a slight drop. Unrivaled’s two primetime season-opening games drew an average of 175,000 viewers, a decrease from last year’s regular season average viewership of 208,000 viewers, according to sources briefed on the numbers. The afternoon window averaged 107,000 viewers. The Lunar Owls vs.
WNBA, players union remain in CBA deadlock nearing deadline. Is work stoppage looming? Original
Despite Friday’s deadline approaching, neither the WNBA nor the Women’s National Basketball Players Association has offered an extension of the collective bargaining agreement to the other party as of Thursday morning, sources with knowledge of the talks told The Athletic.
Unrivaled's viewership on season-opener drops slightly from last year's average
After a strong debut season in the women's basketball space, Unrivaled opened its 2026 campaign with viewership that largely held steady from last year's season, albeit a slight drop. kAm&?C:G2=65VD EH@ AC:>6E:>6 D62D@?\@A6?:?8 82>6D 5C6H 2? 2G6C286 @7 `fd[___ G:6H6CD[ 2 564C62D6 7C@> =2DE J62CVD C68F=2C D62D@? 2G6C286 G:6H6CD9:A @7 a_g[___ G:6H6CD[ 244@C5:?8 E@ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^I]4@>^36?A:4<>2?^DE2EFD^a__hbfhhhf`e`d`ba_bQmD@FC46D 3C:6765 @? E96 ?F>36CDk^2m] %96 27E6C?@@?
Paige Bueckers as WNBA MVP, UConn goes undefeated and more 2026 women’s basketball predictions Original
It’s 2026 and women’s basketball is at a critical moment in the sport’s history. The WNBA and the league’s players union are steeped in a tense labor negotiation, Unrivaled is looking to build on its debut campaign while a new entity, Project B, could impact the winter landscape. Interest in college basketball continues to surge, but there isn’t a clear-cut face of the sport as the NCAA Tournament nears.
Paige Bueckers as WNBA MVP, UConn goes undefeated and more 2026 women's basketball predictions
It's 2026 and women's basketball is at a critical moment in the sport's history. The WNBA and the league's players union are steeped in a tense labor negotiation, Unrivaled is looking to build on its debut campaign while a new entity, Project B, could impact the winter landscape. Interest in college basketball continues to surge, but there isn't a clear-cut face of the sport as the NCAA Tournament nears. kAmq67@C6 E@@ >F49 92AA6?D[ k6>m%96 pE9=6E:4k^6>mVD q6? !:4<>2?
What to know about Unrivaled women’s basketball league as its second season tips off
2 hours ago The 2026 Unrivaled season kicks off on Monday, Jan. 5, with more teams, competition and prize money.The Miami-based 3-on-3 league debuted in 2025 with 3 million viewers its opening weekend. Unrivaled highlighted some of the best players in the WNBA with game-winning shots, historic dunks and an …
What to know about Unrivaled women’s basketball league as its second season tips off Original
Unrivaled will begin its second season Monday afternoon, but it will be without one of its star cofounders on the floor. Lunar Owls forward Napheesa Collier, an All-Star with the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA, was ruled out for the season due to multiple ankle injuries that require surgery. It is a blow for Collier’s team, but the professional 3×3 league is hopeful that it has more than enough star power to flourish.
What to know about Unrivaled women's basketball league as its second season tips off
Unrivaled will begin its second season Monday afternoon, but it will be without one of its star cofounders on the floor. kAm{F?2C ~H=D 7@CH2C5 }2A966D2 r@==:6C[ 2? p==\$E2C H:E9 E96 |:??6D@E2 {J?I :? E96 (}qp[ H2D k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]?JE:>6D]4@>^2E9=6E:4^ehbafce^a_ae^_`^_`^?2A966D2\4@==:6C\2?<=6\:?;FCJ\=J?I\F?C:G2=65^QmCF=65 @FE 7@C E96 D62D@?k^2m 5F6 E@ >F=E:A=6 2?<=6 :?;FC:6D E92E C6BF:C6 DFC86CJ] xE :D 2 3=@H 7@C r@==:6CVD E62>[ 3FE E96 AC@76DD:@?2= b×b =628F6 :D 9@A67F= E92E :E 92D >@C6 E92?
Napheesa Collier to miss Unrivaled season and possible WNBA start after ankle surgeries Original
Napheesa Collier will miss the upcoming Unrivaled season and potentially the start of the WNBA season as she plans to undergo surgery on both ankles, Unrivaled announced Thursday. The surgery is expected to occur next week, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic. The league said her expected timeline for recovery is four to six months, which could run into the Minnesota Lynx’s season.
Napheesa Collier to miss Unrivaled season and possible WNBA start after ankle surgeries
Napheesa Collier will miss the upcoming Unrivaled season and potentially the start of the WNBA season as she plans to undergo surgery on both ankles, Unrivaled announced Thursday. The surgery is expected to occur next week, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic. kAm%96 =628F6 D2:5 96C 6IA64E65 E:>6=:?6 7@C C64@G6CJ :D 7@FC E@ D:I >@?E9D[ H9:49 4@F=5 CF? :?E@ E96 |:??6D@E2 {J?IVD D62D@?]k^Am kAmr@==:6C[ 2?
2025 winners vs. losers: Which women’s basketball stars deserve gifts? Who gets coal? Original
It’s late December and another year of women’s basketball is reaching its conclusion. The last 12 months have seen continued growth in women’s college basketball and the WNBA, with new teams launching, historic franchises and players winning titles and new talent entering the scene. But it also included tension in the boardroom, significant injuries and uncertainty entering 2026.
2025 winners vs. losers: Which women's basketball stars deserve gifts? Who gets coal?
It's late December and another year of women's basketball is reaching its conclusion. The last 12 months have seen continued growth in women's college basketball and the WNBA, with new teams launching, historic franchises and players winning titles and new talent entering the scene. kAmqFE :E 2=D@ :?4=F565 E6?D:@? :? E96 3@2C5C@@>[ D:8?:7:42?E :?;FC:6D 2?5 F?46CE2:?EJ 6?E6C:?8 a_ae] q67@C6 H6 =@@< 7@CH2C5[ 2?5 E@ >2C< E96 9@=:52J D62D@?[ k6>m%96 pE9=6E:4k^6>mVD $23C66?2 |6C492?E 2?5 q6? !:4<>2?
WNBPA authorizes executive committee to call for strike ‘when necessary’ amid CBA talks Original
The WNBA players’ association announced Thursday that it had authorized its executive committee to call for a strike “when necessary” as the union continues collective bargaining negotiations with the WNBA, marking the latest development in a tense saga of labor talks between the union and league. As outlined in the WNBPA’s statement, “The players’ vote is neither a call for an immediate strike nor an intention to pursue one.
Breanna Stewart open to NBA commissioner Adam Silver joining WNBA CBA talks Original
New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart didn’t mince words when discussing the WNBA’s ongoing labor negotiations, leadership dynamics and the growing tension between players and the league. Stewart, a vice president of the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association, said she would welcome NBA commissioner Adam Silver stepping directly into the WNBA’s collective bargaining talks, signaling frustration with the current lack of progress.
Breanna Stewart open to NBA commissioner Adam Silver joining WNBA CBA talks
Though I tend to think it's usually a waste of space to devote a column to President Donald Trump's personality -- what more is there to say a…
WNBA Players Association Proposing Receiving 30 perc Of Total Revenue
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association recently proposed that players receive 30% of the total league and team revenue, sources told Ben Pickman of The Athletic. The WNBA's current proposal has players receiving less than 15% of revenue, with the percentage decreasing over the life of the CBA.
WNBA players’ proposal more than double revenue share proposed by league: Sources Original
The WNBA and its players’ union remain far apart in labor negotiations, with the players asking for more than double the share of revenue proposed by the league. The league and the union are both proposing salary systems based on league revenue, but the two sides have distinctly different approaches to calculating player compensation, which has driven a wedge into the extended negotiations.
WNBA players' proposal more than double revenue share proposed by league: Sources
If Germany were invaded, just 38% of its citizens would be willing to fight for their country, according to a recent poll. Fifty-nine percent …
JuJu Watkins attends Team USA camp, remains sidelined with injury Original
USC star JuJu Watkins is participating in her first senior Team USA camp this weekend at Duke. But unlike the other 16 players present, Watkins is not taking the floor as she continues recovering from tearing the ACL in her right knee last March during the NCAA Tournament. As a result, she’s been a keen observer. “It’s definitely a pinch-me moment,” Watkins said. “I’ve dreamt of being a part of this atmosphere.
JuJu Watkins attends Team USA camp, but remains sidelined with injury
My researcher, Andrew Trunsky, suggested gummies as a Thanksgiving side dish. He knows the annual toast to President Donald Trump at my family…
WNBA CBA proposal includes mandatory draft combine, new revenue-sharing model: Sources Original
As the WNBA and the players’ union pursue a new collective bargaining agreement, sources with knowledge of the negotiations told The Athletic the league believes it has delivered a salary structure based on revenue rather than being fixed in the CBA. The latest proposals from the WNBA allow total compensation to rise with increased revenue, tie the salary cap to revenue growth and feature massive jumps in player compensation.
WNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select?
WNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select? The 2026 WNBA offseason could feature a historic amount of player movement. In addition to almost every veteran player entering free agency, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will begin to build their inaugural rosters through the expansion draft. Although the biggest stars in the WNBA likely won’t be plucked by the Tempo or Fire, the level of talent shouldn’t be understated.
WNBA mock expansion draft: Who will Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire select?
Vinicius Junior's future has been one of the biggest topics at Real Madrid for months, but things really heated up this week.
WNBA, players union agree to 6-week extension as CBA negotiations continue Original
The WNBA and the league’s players union agreed to a six-week extension on Sunday night, pushing back the expiration deadline for the current Collective Bargaining Agreement until Jan. 9, 2026, the league announced Sunday. Nov. 30 marked the expiration deadline for the 30-day extension that the two sides previously agreed to, creating a need for resolution this past weekend.
WNBA, players union agree to 6-week extension as CBA negotiations continue
Never before have I been so uncertain about the future. Think of all the giant issues that confront us: artificial intelligence, potential fin…
WNBA and players union near extension deadline without CBA resolution. What’s next? Original
The WNBA and the league’s players union have held regular meetings since the sides agreed to a 30-day extension of the current collective bargaining agreement in late October. Sunday night marks the expiration, and significant gaps remain, especially regarding the league’s salary system going forward, sources with knowledge of the discussions told The Athletic.
Phoenix Mercury unveil rebrand ahead of 30th anniversary: ‘We wanted an evolution’ Original
As one of the WNBA’s eight original franchises, the Phoenix Mercury have witnessed a surplus of change in nearly three decades since the league’s founding. Teams have cropped up, then folded. Others have relocated. Phoenix, meanwhile, is one of only three franchises — the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks being the other two — that have remained in the same city. With the league’s 30th season approaching next spring, however, the Mercury are unveiling a significant change of their own.
Don’t sleep on Michigan: Women’s college basketball power rankings Original
Before tipoff of Friday night’s top-10 matchup between No. 1 UConn and No. 6 Michigan, UConn coach Geno Auriemma told Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico he thought this was Barnes Arico’s best team. After 40 minutes, the last 20 of which saw the contest flip from a dud to a dandy, Auriemma had a simple message for his opponent: “I told you,” he said. “Sometimes we play teams that are top-10 teams, and we make it look like this is the easiest thing in the world to play a top-10 team,” Auriemma said.
Dallas Wings win WNBA Draft Lottery for second straight year: Who will join Paige Bueckers?
NEW YORK -- The scion of the Kennedy family has a skeleton. It lurks in the corner of the living room of his Chelsea apartment, wearing a brow…
Dallas Wings win WNBA Draft lottery for second straight year: Who will join Paige Bueckers? Original
The 2026 WNBA Draft will start with the Dallas Wings once again. The Wings won the top pick in the draft lottery held Sunday, and with it the chance to select another potential franchise cornerstone ahead of next season. Dallas also won the lottery last year and drafted 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers with the top selection. Full 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery results: 1. Dallas Wings 2. Minnesota Lynx 3. Seattle Storm 4. Washington Mystics 5.
UConn survives its toughest test after challenge from Michigan
Welcome to The Athletic's 2025 NFL Playoff Simulator, where you'll find everything you need to know about all the ways your favorite team's se…
UConn survives its toughest test after challenge from Michigan Original
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Geno Auriemma said he texted Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico last weekend after the Wolverines’ upset win over Notre Dame. The Huskies’ Hall of Fame coach told Barnes Arico he wasn’t looking forward to playing No. 6 Michigan, who had knocked off the Fighting Irish by 39 points in one of the most impressive performances of the college basketball season thus far. “I’m not looking forward to Friday,” Barnes Arico replied, according to Auriemma.
UConn survives its toughest test after challenge from Michigan
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Geno Auriemma texted Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico last Sunday morning, after the Wolverines’ upset win over Notre Dame. The Huskies’ Hall of Fame coach told Barnes Arico he wasn’t eager to play No. 6 Michigan, which, the night prior, had knocked off the Fighting Irish by 39 points in one of the most impressive performances of the college basketball season thus far.
Minneapolis is a top women’s sports city. A local champion explains why Original
As the Minnesota Lynx returned home from Atlanta after winning the 2011 WNBA championship, hundreds of fans greeted the team at the airport. The following day, the Lynx were honored on the field at a Minnesota Vikings game. Days later, the franchise held its first championship parade to commemorate the team’s first title. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota’s longtime coach and president of basketball operations, wasn’t sure what to expect when she got on the parade route.
WNBA proposes max salary above $1.1 million in latest proposal to players union: Sources
NEW YORK -- The scion of the Kennedy family has a skeleton. It lurks in the corner of the living room of his Chelsea apartment, wearing a brow…
WNBA proposes max salary above $1.1 million in latest proposal to players union: Sources
Story by WNBA proposes max salary above $1.1 million in latest proposal to players union: Sources As the WNBA and the league’s players union approach the Nov. 30 deadline for the expiration of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league’s most recent proposal to the WNBPA includes a maximum salary of more than $1.1 million, sources with knowledge of the negotiation told The Athletic.
WNBA proposes max salary above $1.1 million in latest proposal to players union: Sources Original
As the WNBA and the league’s players union approach the Nov. 30 deadline for the expiration of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league’s most recent proposal to the WNBPA includes a maximum salary of more than $1.1 million, sources with knowledge of the negotiation told The Athletic. WNBA officials informed the league’s board of governors of the latest details of the proposal earlier this week as the league’s owners met in New York City on Monday and Tuesday, sources said.
Is UConn even more dominant than last season’s national championship team? Original
HARTFORD, Conn. — Reminders of UConn’s 2025 national championship were visible throughout PeoplesBank Arena on Sunday afternoon. A montage aired pregame, replaying scenes from the program’s 12th national title. A commemorative banner was raised to the rafters. No. 5 Paige Bueckers jerseys were scattered throughout the crowd of thousands. Video messages from guards Kaitlyn Chen and Bueckers played on the Jumbotron once the top-ranked Huskies’ matinee against Ohio State tipped off.
Is UConn even more dominant than last season's national championship team?
TORONTO -- How can you tell when you've just been part of the greatest World Series game of your lifetime? Or maybe we should make that anybod…
Which women’s college basketball teams are showing signs for concern in Week 1? Original
The first week of the women’s college basketball season is almost over, with every preseason AP Top 25 team playing at least once. There were plenty of blowouts in the opening action, but also a few eye-catching moments. More complete impressions will come with time, however, The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman share some of their initial thoughts on some of the notable results and performances they’ve watched so far. Do you have any concerns about the top five teams?
Which women's college basketball teams are showing signs for concern in Week 1?
The first week of the women's college basketball season is almost over, with every preseason AP Top 25 team playing at least once. There were plenty of blowouts in the opening action, but also a few eye-catching moments. kAm|@C6 4@>A=6E6 :>AC6DD:@?D H:== 4@>6 H:E9 E:>6[ 9@H6G6C[ k6>m%96 pE9=6E:4k^6>mVD $23C66?2 |6C492?E 2?5 q6? !:4<>2? D92C6 D@>6 @7 E96:C :?:E:2= E9@F89ED @?
Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello: ‘We’re building a world-class franchise’ Original
Sandy Brondello knows firsthand what it is like to join a WNBA expansion franchise. In 1998, she made her WNBA debut as a player with the Detroit Shock in the same season the franchise joined the league. “There was a freshness about it,” Brondello said. “There was just a lot of excitement because it was new.” Then, as is the case now, Brondello recognized the importance of building relationships. She worked to develop genuine connections with her Shock teammates outside the gym.
Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello: 'We're building a world-class franchise'
Sandy Brondello knows firsthand what it is like to join a WNBA expansion franchise. kAmx? `hhg[ D96 >256 96C (}qp 563FE 2D 2 A=2J6C H:E9 E96 s6EC@:E $9@4< :? E96 D2>6 D62D@?
WNBA and players union agree to extension for CBA negotiations
The WNBA and WNBPA agreed on Thursday to a 30-day extension on their labor negotiations, sources with knowledge of the discussions told The Athletic. The current collective bargaining agreement will now expire on Nov. 30. kAm%96 pE9=6E:4 C6A@CE65 @? %F6D52J E92E E96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]?JE:>6D]4@>^2E9=6E:4^efdgdh`^a_ad^`_^ag^H?32\432\?68@E:2E:@?\5625=:?6\6IE6?D:@?\@776C65\A=2J6CD^Qm=628F6 925 @776C65 E96 A=2J6CD F?:@? E96 6IE6?D:@?k^2m] %96 EH@ D:56D 4@?E:?F65 E@ >66E :? A6CD@? @?
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