Katie Barnes

WNBA CBA negotiations: Why team-provided housing has become a flashpoint As both sides continue negotiations ahead of the Jan. 9 deadline, housing emerged as an issue in the latest proposal.

Team-provided housing has emerged as a flashpoint in CBA talks. @katiebarnes.bsky.social and I explored how housing works in the WNBA, why the league may no longer want to provide it and the potential ramifications:

www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...

The real Azzi Fudd? 'None of you have seen it' The Most Outstanding Player of last year's Final Four has shown her peak powers only in small glimpses. Now Azzi Fudd is ready to level up for the Huskies' repeat bid.

Don't miss @katiebarnes.bsky.social on Azzi Fudd before she and the Huskies officially begin their title defense tonight

www.espn.com/womens-colle...

The Aces Are WNBA Champions! What Happens Now?

new pod with the great @katiebarnes.bsky.social

-the Aces dynastic trio and Becky Hammon’s bet on culture
-a history of distrust between the union and Engelbert
-is “commissioner” an obsolete position?

spotify.link/NDWYTdFmuXb

The three stars who made the Aces three-time WNBA champs Las Vegas won its third title on the shoulders of A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, and the star trio has no plans to stop there.

The Aces are officially a dynasty. I went behind the scenes on how the Las Vegas Big 3 delivered. Again. www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...

The biting barb that spurred Chelsea Gray and the Aces Aces "Point Gawd" Chelsea Gray has returned to form in the WNBA Finals. She traces her late-season upswing to a comment from A'ja Wilson.

@katiebarnes.bsky.social wrote a great piece on Chelsea Gray and the way the Aces hold each other accountable. I love seeing Chelsea play at the level she’s at right now. Of active players, she leads the league in W Finals games played. Tonight is #20.

Just put it on!

It’s (almost) that time of year! I build a Christmas playlist every year that I make public on Black Friday. To make this happen, I start listening to Christmas music on Oct 1 (or now apparently). Tell me your faves! What should I be listening to this year?

Thank you so much!!!

What's next for New York Liberty after firing Sandy Brondello? Sandy Brondello seemingly had support from her players, but she's out after four seasons, including the 2024 WNBA title.

Teamed up with @katiebarnes.bsky.social and @michaelvoepelespn.bsky.social to discuss why the Liberty moved on from Sandy Brondello, who could be next on the sidelines in New York and where Brondello might land (Seattle?): www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...

'We got that vibe about us': Inside the StudBudz WNBA takeover With pink hair, lively banter and bold basketball, Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman champion Black, gay, masc representation in the WNBA.

Y’all I wrote about the StudBudz and it was just as fun as I imagined www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...

Also a favorite! How’d I forget it?!

I’m so proud of these stories and all the others. I hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane as much as I did.

Transgender athlete debate rolls on six months after executive order Six months after President Trump signed an executive order banning trans women from women's sports, these athletes are still trying to find ways to compete, and battles around their participation cont...

A look at the impact of President Trump’s executive order affecting transgender athletes after 6 months. www.espn.com/olympics/sto...

Angel Reese knows you're watching LSU's hopes for a repeat national championship could depend on whether Angel Reese can find the right blend of fire and fun.

A profile of Angel Reese, back when she was still No. 10 at LSU. www.espn.com/womens-colle...

More than a shooter: How Azzi Fudd lifted UConn to title Azzi Fudd has long been considered a superb shooter. Now the UConn guard is also an NCAA champion.

A postgame feature on Fudd, using some reporting from another story that never ran. www.espn.com/womens-colle...

Inside San Jose State's polarizing volleyball season A controversial volleyball season that has included protests, forfeits and lawsuits over a player who is said to be transgender gets its next chapter this week at the Mountain West tournament.

A chronicle of San Jose State’s volleyball season www.espn.com/college-spor...

The 'magic' and faith within the WNBA's most powerful player Player. Parent. Activist. Pioneer. Faith is the driving force for the WNBA's first openly nonbinary and transgender player.

A profile of Layshia Clarendon, the most consequential player in WNBA history. www.espn.com/espn/feature...

Who gets to be the face of the WNBA? Jonquel Jones is ready for her close-up. She's the reigning MVP of the WNBA and a virtual unknown. Jonquel Jones wants to turn a spotlight on the WNBA's underplayed stars.

Jonquel Jones and the struggles of masculine of center WNBA players. www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...

Inside Maya Moore's extraordinary quest for justice Maya Moore paused a Hall of Fame career to pursue the fight of her life. This is the behind-the-scenes story of her battle to free a man serving 50 years for a crime he says he didn't commit.

A profile of Maya Moore as she sought justice for her now, husband. www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...

Can this one super-prospect revive the greatest dynasty in sports? Will No. 1 recruit Paige Bueckers be the new star to return UConn women's basketball to its dynastic glory? Perhaps. But if it's up to her, she'll do it with a little help from a friend.

A look at Paige Bueckers right before she came to UConn. www.espn.com/womens-colle...

How Azzi Fudd became the best prospect in a generation Basketball's best prospect in decades couldn't be derailed by a devastating knee injury or a pandemic. The next step in Fudd's ascension: teaming with Paige Bueckers at UConn.

A cover story on Azzi Fudd, exploring loss, recovery, and resilience. www.espn.com/espn/feature...

Ronda Rousey's forgotten competitor She's the defending UFC women's bantamweight champion and could halt Ronda Rousey in her quest to become the undisputed top dog. Meet the other half of UFC 207's main card fight.

A profile of Amanda Nunes before her fight with Ronda Rousey at UFC 207. It’s one of the first profiles of a woman who would become the greatest ever. www.espn.com/espnw/cultur...

How two transgender athletes are fighting to compete in the sports they love In the face of fear and anger, two young transgender athletes fight to compete in the sports they love.

My first story on transgender athlete policy. www.espn.com/espn/story/_...

Missed it by a few days, but Aug. 17 was my 10th anniversary at ESPN. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work here and grow up here, really. Thank you to my editors for putting up with me and to the athletes who have trusted me. Here are some of my favorite stories from the past decade.

The roof is about to pop of Mohegan as the Sun take a 16-point lead over the Sky into halftime. My ears are ringing!

Y’all! Im writing another book! I can’t wait to dive into reporting and writing about this incredible moment in women’s basketball :)

That’s so rude lol

I finally finished and I fully agree

Nice! I’ll have to check it out. I liked last years but was disappointed by dynasty mode after a bit

Are there any new features this year?