The IX Sports Podcast Basketball Edition: Alyssa Thomas Suspension, Caitlin Clark & WNBA Injuries

The IX Sports Podcast Basketball Edition: Alyssa Thomas Suspension, Caitlin Clark & WNBA Injuries

Jackie Powell rides solo this week hosting The IX Sports Podcast Women's Basketball Edition. First she reflects on the latest discourse surrounding WNBA officiating especially following contact between Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark on Wednesday night. Was the league right to fine and suspend Thomas? What did we learn about the state of the WNBA following the situation. Later Jackie is joined by Lucas Seehafer, the creator of The IX Sports' WNBA injury tracker. The two discuss why injuries are up right now in addition to what provisions the new CBA has to address player health, safety and injuries. And last but not least, Jackie shares with listeners how she made her own WNBA All-Star ballot, including which players she chose. 0:00 - Introduction 1:52 - # 1 at The IX 4:59 - Spotlighting pieces from Seerat Sohi and Maitreyi Anantharaman 10:57 - Layshia Clarendon on physicality in the WNBA 16:07 - Lucas Seehafer joins the show to discuss the current state of WNBA injuries 24:57 - What does Lucas make of the WNBA expanding to 50 regular season games? 27:55 - How can the new CBA help with player health and safety? 33:21 - Jackie Powell's All-Star ballot process 35:40 - Marina Mabrey's unifying story Photo Thumbnail: Left: Phoenix Mercury Alyssa Thomas (25) talks to a teammate across the court during a game against the Seattle Storm at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on June 20, 2026. Photo Credit: Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Right: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts in the first half against the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images. Links to click that are referenced throughout the show:  The WNBA’s Problem Isn’t Caitlin Clark. It’s Trust. by Seerat Sohi’s  https://www.theringer.com/2026/06/26/wnba/caitlin-clark-foul-alyssa-thomas-wnba-cathy-engelbert [https://www.theringer.com/2026/06/26/wnba/caitlin-clark-foul-alyssa-thomas-wnba-cathy-engelbert] Don’t Let Bored Football Fans Tell The Story Of Caitlin Clark’s Season by Maitreyi Anantharaman https://defector.com/dont-let-bored-football-fans-tell-the-story-of-caitlin-clarks-season [https://defector.com/dont-let-bored-football-fans-tell-the-story-of-caitlin-clarks-season] Jackie’s WNBA All-Star ballot explanation:  https://www.nbcsports.com/wnba/news/wnba-2026-all-star-game-olivia-miles-rhyne-howard-featured-in-jackie-powells-ballot [https://www.nbcsports.com/wnba/news/wnba-2026-all-star-game-olivia-miles-rhyne-howard-featured-in-jackie-powells-ballot] Lucas Seehafer’s WNBA injury tracker:  https://www.theixsports.com/features/wnba-injury-tracker-who-gets-hurt-how-often-and-why-it-matters/ [https://www.theixsports.com/features/wnba-injury-tracker-who-gets-hurt-how-often-and-why-it-matters/] Layshia Clarendon on physicality in the WNBA  https://youtu.be/dYDDrLSRig0?si=5AMIy0D6ks7WpYx0 [https://youtu.be/dYDDrLSRig0?si=5AMIy0D6ks7WpYx0] Follow us & Subscribe on:  YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@TheIXSports [https://www.youtube.com/@TheIXSports] Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0vn5r287B0oS3wX2fHmLZ8?si=39f2fd261ec1467f [https://open.spotify.com/show/0vn5r287B0oS3wX2fHmLZ8?si=39f2fd261ec1467f] Apple Podcasts  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ix-sports-podcast/id1845604905 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ix-sports-podcast/id1845604905] BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/theixsports.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/theixsports.bsky.social] Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/theixsports/ [https://www.instagram.com/theixsports/]

The IX Sports Podcast Hockey Edition: New Investors + Big Free Agency News

Free agency is more frenzied than ever, and the PWHL has its first outside investors. Host Maya Smith and guest host Alyssa Turner start by talking about the new investments. Kilmer Sports Ventures and Ilitch Companies have both invested in the league, with the investments being upwards of $100m. But the league isn't turning a profit. What does this mean, and is it to be expected? Then, they break down some of the biggest free agent moves, including Emma Maltais heading to the Montreal Victoire, and her thoughtful TikTok about her experience in Toronto. They also talk about Blayre Turnbull's pregnancy and what that means for the Toronto Sceptres. Read more about the new investors: https://www.theixsports.com/the-ice-garden/pwhl/pwhl-announces-historic-first-outside-pwhl-investors/ [https://www.theixsports.com/the-ice-garden/pwhl/pwhl-announces-historic-first-outside-pwhl-investors/] Watch Emma Maltais' TikTok: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSCFP4Njx/ [https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSCFP4Njx/] Follow Maya on X: https://x.com/mayaxeverysport [https://x.com/mayaxeverysport] Follow Alyssa on X: https://x.com/aturnz11 [https://x.com/aturnz11] Photo credit: PWHL

The IX Sports Podcast Soccer Edition: NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga locks in with Kansas City Current

Host Kathleen Gier reports from Kansas City, where the Current signed two-time MVP and Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga to a contract extension through the 2029 season. She shared a clip from coach Chris Armas' availability and discussed the team's upcoming appearance in the Challenge Cup as well. Photo credit: William Purnell | Imagn Images Video credit: Kansas City Current

The IX Sports Podcast College Basketball Edition: Florida women's basketball coach Tammi Reiss

On this week's edition of The IX Sports Podcast, Michael Waterloo and Melissa Triebwasser are joined by new University of Florida women's basketball head coach Tammi Reiss. After a highly successful run turning around the program at Rhode Island, Tammi is making the leap to the SEC. She sat down with us to talk about the timing behind the move, how she leveraged community support to build a completely new roster through the transfer portal, and the exact cultural pillars she’s establishing in Gainesville this summer. We also dive deep into player development, including her specific plan to refine Kyomi McMiller's elite skill set, what it was really like rooming and practicing with Dawn Staley at Virginia, and her journey from acting in LA to being a first-round pick in the inaugural 1997 WNBA draft.

The IX Sports Podcast Basketball Edition: WNBA expands to 50 games, Aces vs. Liberty Cup Final Set

The WNBA makes history once again??!! Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell are back on The IX Sports Podcast Women’s Basketball Edition to break down the recent news that the WNBA will be expanding to 50 regular season games in 2027. Also, Howard and Jackie react to the two teams facing off in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game, the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces. Later in the show The IX Sports’ Dallas Wings beat reporter Drake Keeler joins the show to shine light on all things Wings leading up to this point. And finally for our Court Vision segment, Jackie reveals what stands out to her most following the first returns of WNBA All-Star voting.  0:00 - Introduction 2:47 -  # 1 at The IX 3:42 - What 50 regular season games means for the WNBA  12:31 - Liberty vs. Aces in Commissioner’s Cup Championship 17:30 - Drake Keeler joins the show to discuss the Dallas Wings 25:08 - What is the ceiling of the Wings? 27:29 - Court Vision: Reaction to WNBA All-Star returns 34:41 - Join Howard on Zoom on Monday to discuss his All-Star votes Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates a shot after being fouled against the Phoenix Mercury in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Links to click that are referenced throughout the show:  Howard’s column from 2024 about the WNBA and NBA schedules:  https://www.theixsports.com/features/rethinking-the-wnba-nba-seasons-kelly-krauskopf-talks-indiana-fever/ [https://www.theixsports.com/features/rethinking-the-wnba-nba-seasons-kelly-krauskopf-talks-indiana-fever/] Read Drake’s coverage of the Dallas Wings: https://www.theixsports.com/author/drake-keeler/ [https://www.theixsports.com/author/drake-keeler/] WNBA All-Star returns:  https://www.wnba.com/news/2026-all-star-voting-first-returns [https://www.wnba.com/news/2026-all-star-voting-first-returns] Follow us & Subscribe on:  YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@TheIXSports [https://www.youtube.com/@TheIXSports] Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0vn5r287B0oS3wX2fHmLZ8?si=39f2fd261ec1467f [https://open.spotify.com/show/0vn5r287B0oS3wX2fHmLZ8?si=39f2fd261ec1467f] Apple Podcasts  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ix-sports-podcast/id1845604905 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ix-sports-podcast/id1845604905] BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/theixsports.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/theixsports.bsky.social] Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/theixsports/ [https://www.instagram.com/theixsports/]