How the WNBA became a political prop in the culture wars

10. september 2026 · 46m

Despite record viewership and attendance, and amazing talent across the league, the WNBA has been caught up in the national conversation about the culture wars. Sportswriter Sabreena Merchant says, “everything in the WNBA seems to take on a political lens far beyond what is actually happening on the court.” Merchant spoke with Fresh Air guest interviewer Sam Fragoso (host of Talk Easy) about the expansion of the WNBA, the race and gender politics consuming the narrative, and the departure of commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Merchant writes for The Athletic, from the New York Times.

Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews Practical Magic 2.


Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter 
Follow us on Instagram 
Subscribe to our YouTube channel 
Check out the Fresh Air Archives

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Fresh Air

How the WNBA became a political prop in the culture wars

Play — keeps going as you browse

Ikke vurdert ennå
Hvor du kan lytte

Hvor du kan lytte til Fresh Air