Top of the Key: Playoff Shockers and Surgers

Top of the Key: CBA, Finally

Grace and Thomas are finally back with CBA news, and they went from having nothing to discuss to having so much to discuss. They start with the actual nuts and bolts of the new CBA, with a new salary structure, revenue share, and much more. Next, they get into the actual process. Unsurprisingly, they both felt it could've been handled better. A lack of communication from the top down made them get to the third eleventh hour when they had since October 2024 to start working on a deal. Now there's going to be a speedrun offseason in just over a month, and we're all going to have to buckle up for the ride. Finally, they get into the rest of the news from the past few weeks. The expansion draft happened with little fanfare, and some players have already made their intentions clear before free agency has even officially begun (note:this episode was recorded before the beginning of the free agency period). The Chicago Sky made some confusing moves that annoyed both Grace and Thomas. Also, the Connecticut Sun was officially sold, and they have some thoughts and notes. You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod [https://twitter.com/totkpod], on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/topofthekey.bsky.social] and email us at totkpodcast@gmail.com [totkpodcast@gmail.com].  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Top of the Key: Do Not Get Sick

Grace and Thomas are finally back after various maladies to talk about the very little WNBA news. They start with the state of the CBA negotiations. Spoiler alert: there are little to none.  Next, they get into the latest news around the sale of the Connecticut Sun. The owner of the Houston Rockets is trying to buy the team and move it to Houston. The news has created some conflicting feelings with how the whole situation has happened. Finally they end with some women's basketball odds and ends. The W put out its season schedule (which feels hopeful), some injury news, and the Hall of Fame class highlights. They also discuss this year's college superstar, Audi Crooks.You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod [https://twitter.com/totkpod], on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/topofthekey.bsky.social] and email us at totkpodcast@gmail.com [totkpodcast@gmail.com]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Top of the Key: Wings Win Big (or Maybe Guard)

Grace and Thomas are back after the holiday with some sizable WNBA news. First, they get into the draft lottery, held the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The Wings got their second first overall pick, which spells good news for their future, getting to build on top of the strong foundation started by Paige Bueckers. The rest of the lottery have a good chance of getting good players, though they might have been better served before some pick trades of years past. Next, they get into the other WNBA news (non-CBA genre) of the past two weeks. The New York LIberty finally have a coach, the Phoenix Mercury did a brand refresh, and Team USA is getting an infusion of more top-tier young talent. Plus, Unrivaled starts in less than a month, so they go over the new players and the few who didn't return. Finally, they dive into the recent CBA developments. Another extension of the deadline provided a glimmer of hope of an agreement on the horizon. But The Athletic published an article going over the latest league proposal, and that optimism was extinguished quickly. Will they come to an agreement by the beginning of January, or is a work stoppage on the horizon? You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod [https://twitter.com/totkpod], on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/topofthekey.bsky.social] and email us at totkpodcast@gmail.com [totkpodcast@gmail.com]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Top of the Key: Even more CBA talk

Grace and Thomas are finally back with quite a bit to talk about. First they talk about the surprising WNBA Finals. While the end results were not surprising, the method surely was. They then discussed where these teams go from here in free agency.Next, they got into the WNBA news they missed. Coaching hires and rumors, All Star Game news, and a new league that is confusing and vague. Plus, draft lottery news ahead of Sunday night's lottery.Finally it wouldn't be an episode with some amount of CBA discussion. They talk about the two sides' demands and the recent updates that make it feel closer than not that something gets figured out.You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod [https://twitter.com/totkpod], on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/topofthekey.bsky.social] and email us at totkpodcast@gmail.com [totkpodcast@gmail.com]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Top of the Key: Playoff Shockers and Surgers

Grace and Thomas are back with a lot to discuss. The playoffs have started, and the first round has come and gone. Some good showings from losing teams, a shocking exit or two, and some coaching talk. Next, they begin talking about the currently-underway semifinals. Both series are tied at one game apiece, and there's room for any of the four teams to find their way to the finals. Also, in the midst of the semifinals, a seismic coaching change hit the league and Grace and Thomas have thoughts. Finally, they get into the individual league awards. Some surprises, some good choices, and another moment of Grace knowing ball (despite saying she was surprised). They also discuss the way the league handles these awards and the winners (hint: poorly). You can follow the podcast on Twitter/X @totkpod [https://twitter.com/totkpod], on Bluesky at topofthekey.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/topofthekey.bsky.social] and email us at totkpodcast@gmail.com [totkpodcast@gmail.com]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]