Is Longevity in the WNBA About Talent, Health, or Both?

Is Longevity in the WNBA About Talent, Health, or Both?

From No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show by The Athletic

May 15, 2026 · 58 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the complexities of health and longevity in the WNBA, focusing on player wellness and the impact of injuries.

Layshia, Annie and Sabreena unpack the complex realities of health in the WNBA — from the physical toll of a demanding season to the mental challenges players face behind the scenes. The trio discusses the impact injuries can have on careers, including ongoing concerns surrounding Caitlin Clark’s back issues and Satou Sabally’s battle to stay healthy. They also dive into why investing in player wellness, recovery, and long-term development is critical for the future of the league — especially for younger stars' development. REFERENCES:  Caitlin Clark, Fever bounce back from tough opening-night loss to beat Sparks by Sabreena Merchant WNBA, NBA Board of Governors approve sale of Sun; Houston relocation set for 2027 by Annie Costabile  __ No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter! YT:  @No-Offseason  IG: @tanooffseason TikTok: @no_offseason Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Layshia, Annie, Sabreena

Topics covered

  • WNBA health
  • player wellness
  • injury impact
  • long-term development
  • mental challenges
  • Caitlin Clark
  • Satou Sabally

Keywords

  • WNBA
  • player health
  • injuries
  • Caitlin Clark
  • Satou Sabally
  • player development
  • mental health
  • sports wellness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Athletic, WNBA, NBA, Fever, Sparks, Acast

More episodes of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show podcast page.