Welcome back to the 6th Women Basketball Podcast for 2026.

In this episode Beza and Tony speak in studio with WNBA veteran Lindsay Allen about her career, the importance of the WNBA CBA, playing internationally and in the WNBA, her greatest teammates and how the global shifts in women's basketball are providing choices for players that didn't exist when she came out of Notre Dame almost a decade ago.

Lindsay Allen is a case study of the modern multi-league career coming out of College into WNBA in 2017, working your way up thru the league and playing internationally in so-called "offseason". A Notre Dame NCAA star leading them to two NCAA Championship games and four Final Four appearances, a WNBA veteran heading into her 10th year across 6 teams, she has also played consistently internationally in EuroLeague, Russia, Poland, Turkey, Australia, just finished in China, and is on her way back to Turkey.

The hosts dive into topics like Angel Reese's brand management, the challenges and perks of playing overseas, and the changing landscape of women's basketball. Allen shares her experiences in different countries, the evolution of her physical conditioning, and her thoughts on the growing prominence of women's basketball globally. The episode also delves into personal anecdotes, her association with renowned athletes, and her aspirations for the future.

She won the 2021-22 WNBL Championship with the Melbourne Boomers where C-Host Tony was part of the ownership group and Executive Chair - so their relationship has plenty of happy memories.

If you care about women’s basketball, athlete rights, the WNBA pipeline or the future of NCAA sports — this is essential viewing.

👉 Subscribe to The 6th Woman Basketball Podcast for more stories on the athletes redefining women’s basketball globally.

Sponsor:

https://www.uncloud.org/whats-uncloud/

Key topics covered

• The WNBA CBA deadline and what uncertainty means for players right now
• Why it’s bigger than money: support staff, facilities, medical care, pensions, parental support
  
• How new USA stateside leagues and NIL are changing the “overseas necessity”
• Will fewer Americans playing overseas impact FIBA and global competition?
• The realities of international hoops: culture shock, styles of play, and support systems
• Longevity as a pro: how Lindsay learned to manage her body and stay consistent
• WNBL pride: what made the Melbourne Boomers championship so special
• Fun rapid-fire: one-word country reviews, best food, wildest travel moment
• The stars: Asia Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Sylvia Fowles, Jewell Loyd, Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark
  
  

Chapters

00:00 Welcome + why women’s basketball is exploding right now
01:10 WNBA CBA talks stall: what happens next?
01:45 League landscape updates: Unrivaled, Athletes Unlimited, Project B, WNBL finals, NCAA surge
03:38 Introducing Lindsay Allen (Boomers champ, WNBA vet, overseas journey)
04:55 What Lindsay follows while playing overseas
06:10 NIL + stateside opportunities: why overseas is shifting from necessity to choice
07:02 What happens globally if fewer Americans go overseas?
09:15 Uncertainty as a free agent: planning a year ahead when everything’s moving
10:00 What being a “vet” really means
11:00 What players want beyond money: support systems + life-after-basketball
13:10 Parenthood, planning, and support structures in pro sport
16:35 Going back: was overseas a goal or a necessity?
17:20 The power of “choice” for women athletes
18:35 How Lindsay chooses teams and countries
19:35 Player network intel: “Do they pay on time?” and what matters
20:20 Tiffany Mitchell + training standards
21:20 Melbourne Boomers championship memories
22:15 One-word country game + best food
24:10 Wildest travel moment overseas
25:05 If everything was equal, where would you play?
26:27 Pros and cons of going international
30:50 Longevity: what changed for Lindsay’s body and performance
32:37 Best players she’s played with / against
33:45 One-word player game (Asia, Collier, Jewell, Angel, Caitlin)

38:59 Fashion and Personal Stories

40:43 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

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Women’s basketball is officially entering a new era. In this episode of The 6th Woman Basketball Podcast, Beza and Tony break down the biggest global shift the sport has seen since the creation of the WNBA in 1997.

Project B has arrived with seven figure salaries, equity for players, a Formula One style global tournament model and some of the biggest names in the game rumoured to be involved. At the same time, the WNBA is deep in its CBA negotiations and players around the world are weighing up their futures.

We look at what is confirmed, what is speculation and what this all means for the WNBA, international leagues like the Australian WNBL and the future of women’s basketball globally.

Plus, we highlight the rise of Chinese superstar Han Xu playing in Australia, the latest WNBL storylines and a few cringe moments that show why the media still needs to catch up.

Sponsor:

https://www.uncloud.org/whats-uncloud/

What We Cover

• The global shake-up caused by Project B and how it rivals the WNBA
  
  
• Why players like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese are the biggest unknowns
  
  
• How the WNBA CBA negotiations and possible lockouts could impact the 2026 WNBA season
  
  
• The rise of Unrivaled, Athletes Unlimited and the shrinking need for WNBA players to go overseas and play in offseason
  
  
• Why the Australian WNBL must pivot to a winter league window to stay relevant globally
  
  
• The Winners and losers of the new landscape in women’s basketball
  
  
• Local highlights in the Australian WNBL including the arrival of Han Xu and the Tasmanian Jewels brand launch

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:41 Global Reach of Women's Basketball
01:49 What is Project B?
03:24 Impact on WNBA CBA Negotiations
06:04 Historical Context: From 2019 to Present
08:26 Project B Details and Player Announcements
10:37 Notable Players and Potential Signings
13:43 WNBA CBA Negotiations
15:48 Impact on International Leagues
17:48 Future of the Australian WNBL
21:03 Strategic Move of Australian WNBL to a Winter Season
26:16 Why Lifestyle and Career are Major Considerations for Players
26:54 Winners and Losers Analysis
33:08 WNBL Highlights and Han Xu
35:06 Closing Thoughts

In this episode, hosts Beza and Tony unpack the future of women’s basketball as Project B emerges with unprecedented money, global ambition and player empowerment. With CBA negotiations in the WNBA reaching a critical moment, players may be forced to choose between stability, lifestyle and history.

We explore what Project B could mean for the WNBA, Australian WNBL, European leagues, China, and for fans worldwide. Big money, big names and big reshuffles are coming, and this episode explains it all in clear, engaging terms.

women’s basketball, Project B league, WNBA CBA, WNBL analysis, Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, Unrivaled basketball, Athletes Unlimited, global women’s sports, Han Xu, WNBL highlights, women’s basketball podcast, basketball news 2025, player equity sports, international basketball leagues

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our latest episode features an interview with one of the most influential figures in women's basketball, a true legend of the game. Her journey from Portugal to becoming an NCAA sensation and later a WNBA icon is a testament to her dedication to the sport. This conversation brings to light her impact on women's college basketball and the broader landscape of womens basketball.

From a small Portuguese town to NCAA superstardom and a decorated career in the WNBA and Europe, Ticha shares rare insight into the evolution of the women’s game, her mission to guide the next generation of athletes and her thoughts on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reece.

Ticha opens up about the global momentum shifting women’s basketball, the emergence of new leagues such as Project B and Unrivalled, and how today’s athletes navigate unprecedented opportunities.

She also reflects on her transition into player representation, the mindset behind major career decisions, and the release of her new feature-length film "Feel the Magic - Ticha Penichiero Against All Odds" documenting her life, legacy and impact on the sport.

If you care about women’s basketball, athlete rights, the WNBA pipeline or the future of college sports — this is essential viewing.

👉 Subscribe to The 6th Woman Basketball Podcast for more stories on the athletes redefining women’s basketball globally.

Sponsor: https://www.uncloud.org/whats-uncloud/

Key Moments:

00:00 – Who Is Ticha? | Portugal → ODU → WNBA Legend

02:00 – The Explosion of Women’s Basketball

04:00 – Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese & the New Wave

06:00 – How Ticha Guides Players Through Career Choices

08:30 – Georgia Amoore: Mentality of a Future Star

14:00 – “Feel the Magic” Documentary — Origin & Meaning

17:00 – Growing Up in Portugal | Playground Lessons

20:00 – Sliding Doors: How ODU Discovered Her

24:00 – Passing Genius: Born or Built?

26:45 – Life After Basketball & The Reality of Being an Agent

33:00 – Rapid Fire: WNBA CBA, Favourite Assist, Underrated Stars, Dream Dinner Guests

38:00 – Caitlin Clark Breaking Ticha’s Rookie Assist Record

References:

Watch "Feel the Magic - Ticha Penichiero Against All Odds"

https://youtu.be/fZNJbnk4MfA?si=lOMhY7YKmtTWL8X9

Ticha Penichiero Top 10 Assists Highlight Reel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieAs4eHps5Y

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