Geno is annoyingly biased towards his @UConn players. And annoying biased against everyone else. So why has he been silent on Gabby Williams? @WNBA

My friend and colleague Amy Cuddy has a powerful book coming on bullying. Two distinctions relevant to the @WNBA: A bully repeatedly attacks someone’s standing, relationships, and livelihood. An accessory bully amplifies the attacks, joins the exclusion, and shields the bully from consequences. A lone bully gains power when others help enact the cruelty. The antidote is social bravery: standing beside those being attacked.

What I wish the @WNBA would say: “Players broke the rules by leaving the bench and entering the stands in Indiana. But playoff penalties would be disproportionate to the infraction. After the season, we’ll determine appropriate penalties to take effect at the start of next season.”

I have floor seats to give away for tomorrow’s @IndianaFever game. Watching this coach on TV is aggravating enough.

I’ve been puzzling over why old-guard media remains unmoved by the data around CC, contorting itself into pretzels to argue that she isn’t as good as what we are plainly seeing. Our research may help explain it: no amount of logic can overcome an emotional obstacle, and vice versa. Emotional arguments must be met with emotion, and it seems clear to me that the @WNBA old guard’s reaction to @CaitlinClark22 is fundamentally emotional.

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity. @AmberLCox, @StephanieWhite which is it? @IndianaFever

In one week, @StephanieWhite used 2–3 minute spurts for a player returning from a back injury and let a sharp-shooter walk who then went 5-for-6 from three in 10 minutes in her first game with the @LVAces. Even if you're a supporter of the @IndianaFever coach, this week has to give you pause.

As I watch what @LynxCoachReeve has done with Olivia Miles, @SBrondello with @mmabrey1, and perhaps most obviously @BeckyHammon with A'ja Wilson, I’m struck by how they build around their stars, helping each become more magnificently herself. It’s difficult not to lament that the @IndianaFever have a coach with the opposite mindset. @WNBA

I think the @WNBA owners are thrilled with @CathyEngelbert. She negotiated an extraordinarily favorable deal for them, convinced the players to lock it in for eight years, and somehow left the players feeling like they had won. She successfully focused attention on the increase in player salaries (up 400%) while drawing attention away from the billions of dollars the owners stand to make. Players agreed to receive just 20% of future revenue growth, compared with the more typical 50% split. During a period of league expansion, she also negotiated a deal in which all expansion fees remain with the owners. That's a remarkable financial outcome for ownership. In my view, it also insulates her from criticism if the league underperforms on issues such as officiating, player safety, and the overall quality of the game. Unfortunately, those are the very things fans care most about. The pattern seems clear: maximize value for owners, undervalue the talent that creates the product, and treat the customer experience as a secondary concern. That may be a winning strategy in the boardroom, but it's a risky one for the long-term health of the league.

If I wanted to rid basketball of flopping I would review every game within 24 hours and for each instance of flopping: (1) assign a technical to the player (2) assign a fine to the organization Fines: $500k for NBA, $50k for WNBA @WNBA @NBA

Two exciting things this weekend. @TheKingCartier discussing @CaitlinClark22's legendary fourth quarter: youtube.com/watch?v=3TZMWm3y… And @CornellBirds owlets gradually leaving the nest. youtube.com/watch?v=3TZMWm3y… They need only call and their parents arrive.

Two reasons sports leagues have revenue share instead of profit share: they don't have to open books and players don't influence most costs. @WNBA is pushing for profit share despite not opening its books. Something else seems to be going on.

🎙️ Talking Tech: The Entry-Level Set-Up 🎙️ If you’re still using your computer’s built-in camera and microphone, a few simple upgrades will make a dramatic difference in 2026. @elgato Key Light @insta360 Link 2C @shure MV7+ linkedin.com/pulse/talking-t…

Fall semester book list. Something for everyone, just in time for the holidays. 1. Burn Book by Kara Swisher Tech’s power elite explained. From all the way inside. 2. Epic Disruptions by Scott D. Anthony Radical change then and now. Lovingly explained by my former student. 3. Hidden Potential by Adam Grant Raising aspirations and exceeding expectations. From the one who does it and studies it. 4. How to be Bold by Ranjay Gulati Courage by design. From this worldly professor (and his mom). 5. Leadership Unblocked by Muriel Maignan Wilkins Mindset matters. From the coach’s coach. 6. Make Work Fair by Iris Bohnet and Siri Chilazi Fairness wins. From a dynamic duo (and former student!) 7. Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway A love letter to healthy masculinity. For boys and their parents. 8. Pioneers by Neri Karra Sillaman, Ph.D. Building resilient businesses. Through research and lived experience. 9. Strong Ground by Brené Brown Courage and accountability. From the people’s professor. 10. The Canary Code by Ludmila Praslova, Ph.D., The neurodivergent handbook. Through science and lived experience. 11. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins The theory that started a revolution. Tattoos optional. 12. Uncompete by Ruchika T. Malhotra Build a culture of collaboration. In work and play.

Well this is fun. Thanks @thinkers50 for the recognition and support. We love being part of the community.

Negotiations wisdom from @Prof_Malhotra 1. Resist ultimatums 2. Get in the habit of writing their victory speech for them 3. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed 4. I know where I need to get to, but I’m flexible in how I get there. 5. Don’t negotiate the what (you want), negotiate they why (you want it). @WNBA @WNBAPA podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…

Dear @WNBA and @WNBAPA, Please consider investing 30 minutes to listen to @Prof_Malhotra offer negotiations advice. Your situation is #fixable, but perhaps not as you are currently managing it. With love, Frances podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…

The current CBA has allotments for rev share to kick in after certain targets are hit, but they have never been hit. The league wants to continue that into the next CBA, stressing that the rev share is uncapped once the targets are hit. The players’ position is that there should be no targets, that rev share is rev share, as it is in other leagues, including the NBA. The league has proposed a max salary of $850k. A $1 million average salary seems more aligned with the economic data that can be pieced together (none has been shared publicly). I sure hope there are skilled negotiators on both sides. @WNBA @WNBAPA

The @WNBA has an opportunity to do something special right now. The league is at an inflection point with the breakdown in player contract negotiations, and its commissioner is struggling mightily to build (and rebuild) trust with players. In today’s installment of Unsolicited Advice, @annemorriss and I discuss how to *not* waste this crisis. The predictable path is for the WNBA to retreat into its own patronizing defensiveness, a familiar crouch for sports leagues in moments like this. The unpredictable path is to find the courage to listen and do things differently this time. We think the lessons of this moment can be applied well beyond the world of sports. I hope you enjoy. Episode Link: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… @TEDTalks | @HarvardHBS | @pushkinpods | @WNBAPA