Loading episode…
Loading episode…
Listen now
Listen in the appEpisode context
Listen here or keep browsing the show and related sport coverage from here.
Annie Costabile of The Athletic, who covers the WNBA and women’s basketball at large, joins John to discuss the league’s growing pains as it makes the leap from niche product to mainstream juggernaut. Annie explains why, despite record TV ratings, attendance, and sponsorships, the WNBA remains mired in internal conflict—from online harassment to the breakdown in communication between star players and commissioner Cathy Engelbert, whose future in the role is very much in question.
Next listen
All from The Varsity →
Next listen
Netflix’s NFL Booth & CBS’s Romo Conundrum
Listen guide
"Can the WNBA Survive Its Own Success?" is an episode of The Varsity. Runtime 43 min. Published August 2, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.
