Inside the WNBA: Freedom of Movement, Power Plays, and the Portland Fire’s Fumble
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In this episode of Her Game Her Voice, Kaari goes inside the WNBA to unpack one of the sport’s most misunderstood concepts: freedom of movement. What does it actually mean, and why does it matter so much for players — especially in a league that’s becoming more physical by the game? Kaari breaks it down in plain terms.
Freedom of Movement runs right into one of the biggest headlines in the WNBA: the growing feud between Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. What started as a conversation about player treatment and transparency has turned into a public power struggle that raises big questions about leadership, player's voices, and what it means to grow the league responsibly.
Then, in this week’s Awards Segment:
- 🏆 Buzzer Beater Award: A’ja Wilson continues to set the standard — and she's just getting started.
- ❌ Airball Award: Cathy Engelbert again… this time for announcing Chicago as the 2026 WNBA All-Star host city, leaving fans scratching their heads.
- 🚨 Flagrant Foul Award: The new WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire, for hiring a head coach with zero experience in women’s or girl's basketball — ZERO.
It’s an episode about freedom, friction, and the future of the WNBA — where every whistle, headline, and hiring decision tells a deeper story about the game and the women who shape it.
“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson
17 episodes