Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 23h

I’m sorry ☹️ my editors decide what’s paywalled and what’s not. We can’t make all our stuff free, especially stories that take time and expertise, because we have families to feed at the end of the day.

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 23h

The WNBA coaching carousel is once again spinning, with five jobs currently up for grabs.

There's a lot of factors to weigh when evaluating each opportunity. Here's my ranking of the most desirable opportunities: nypost.com/2025/10/13/s...

Where Liberty vacancy falls in most desirable WNBA coaching spots

The WNBA coaching carousel is once again spinning, with five jobs currently up for grabs.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 3d

Negotiations for a new CBA are far behind schedule, with a work stoppage at this point seemingly inevitable.

With all eyes on the Finals, the Aces put on a show and sent a message:

"When you have great players, you need to treat them like that." nypost.com/2025/10/11/s...

WNBA commissioner greeted with heavy boos during Aces championship trophy ceremony

The chorus of boos showered on WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert when she presented the Aces their championship trophy was deafening and unrelenting.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 3d

There’s a lot of uncertainty regarding what happens next in the WNBA.

But on Friday night, it was all about the Aces, who secured their third title in four years.

Story from Phoenix: nypost.com/2025/10/11/s...

Aces solidify dynasty status in impressive fashion

As the final buzzer sounded Friday night, Jackie Young heaved the ball to the sky, and no one even bothered to grab it for a long while.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 3d

Kristi Toliver had an impressive audition Friday night when thrusted into a difficult situation.

The Mercury trailed by 15 when Tibbetts was ejected. Phoenix pulled within six of the Aces in the 4th.

Toliver is set to interview for the Liberty's HC job. nypost.com/2025/10/10/s...

Kristi Toliver ‘ready’ for first head coaching shot with Liberty interview now on horizon

PHOENIX — Mercury associate head coach Kristi Toliver’s name has come up in a lot of WNBA circles as an interesting candidate for any of the league’s five head coaching vacancies. She’s even in the…

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 4d

WNBA commissioner greeted with heavy boos during Aces championship trophy ceremony nypost.com/2025/10/11/s...

WNBA commissioner greeted with heavy boos during Aces championship trophy ceremony

The chorus of boos showered on WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert when she presented the Aces their championship trophy was deafening and unrelenting.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 4d

Aces solidify dynasty status in impressive fashion nypost.com/2025/10/11/s...

Aces solidify dynasty status in impressive fashion

As the final buzzer sounded Friday night, Jackie Young heaved the ball to the sky, and no one even bothered to grab it for a long while.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 4d

Kristi Toliver, the Mercury's acting head coach right now in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, said she's "ready" for first head coaching shot with Liberty interview now on horizon. nypost.com/2025/10/10/s...

Kristi Toliver ‘ready’ for first head coaching shot with Liberty interview now on horizon

PHOENIX – Mercury associate head coach Kristi Toliver’s name has come up in a lot of WNBA circles as an interesting candidate for any of the league’s five head coaching vacancies. She’s even…

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 6d

A’ja Wilson’s last-second bucket propels Aces to 3-0 lead in WNBA Finals nypost.com/2025/10/08/s...

A’ja Wilson’s bucket in closing seconds propel Aces to 3-0 lead in WNBA Finals

A’ja Wilson’s only basket in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals Wednesday night was her biggest one yet.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 6d

Good evening from Phoenix

Game 3 of the WNBA Finals 🔜

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 6d

With the Aces boasting one of the most efficient offenses in the league, Becky Hammon said some of her influences include Brad Stevens, Pop, Kerr and Sandy Brondello.

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 6d

Breanna Stewart was named to All-Defensive second team. It’s her sixth consecutive year making all-defensive.

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 7d

What separates A’ja Wilson from the rest of the pack is her ability to inflict fear into opposing teams like an apex predator staring down its prey.

Story on the 4x MVP’s unteachable trait powering Aces’ dominance and growing her legend: nypost.com/2025/10/08/s...

A’ja Wilson’s unteachable trait powering Aces’ dominance and growing her legend

Aces star A’ja Wilson is worthy of the attention that comes with being a four-time league MVP, two-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 12d

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 12d

Quick newser on Caitlin Clark's exit interview today, during which she backed Napheesa Collier after her scalding criticism of WNBA leadership.

"Phee said it all." nypost.com/2025/10/02/s...

Caitlin Clark backs Napheesa Collier after scalding criticism of WNBA leadership: ‘Said it all’

Clark said Collier “made a lot of very valid points” and stressed the importance of having “great leadership in this time across all levels.”

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 13d

I’m well aware he is Cathy’s boss. The column is about having a commissioner who’s a progressive leader and strong communicator.

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 13d

The WNBA needs to find its Adam Silver — but that may have to wait nypost.com/2025/10/01/s...

The WNBA needs to find its Adam Silver — but that may have to wait

Players having a complex and sometimes contentious relationship with the league commissioner is nothing new. The NBA’s Adam Silver is an anomaly.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 13d

Last Liberty newsletter for a minute:

Ten thoughts on Liberty's playoff letdown and WNBA offseason ahead nypost.com/2025/10/01/s...

Ten thoughts on the Liberty’s playoff letdown — and the monumental offseason ahead

The Liberty had so much talent on paper, but never got healthy enough to really put the pieces together.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 18d

Jonathan Kolb: ‘Utmost confidence’ Liberty Big 3 want to return in WNBA’s mega free agency nypost.com/2025/09/25/s...

Jonathan Kolb: ‘Utmost confidence’ Liberty Big 3 want to return in WNBA’s mega free agency

Speculation ran rampant online after Sandy Brondello’s ousting.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 19d

Pressure doesn't intimidate Jonathan Kolb, nor should it considering what the Liberty pride themselves on.

He knows the importance of his next move. “We need to nail this.”

Kolb on why he didn’t keep Sandy Brondello and what his vision is moving forward: nypost.com/2025/09/25/s...

Liberty GM reveals why team fired Sandy Brondello — and the vision for her replacement

The Liberty fired Brondello, the winningest coach in the franchise’s history, on Tuesday after a title defense that fell well short of expectations.

nypost.com

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 20d

Jonathan Kolb said Emma Meesseman is very "mission based." He said she doesn't make decisions before necessary and he doesn't know what Emma's plans are.

In terms of Liberty interest level in bringing her back, Kolb said, "Initially yes" but depends on what new coach wants.

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 20d

Jonathan Kolb: "We need to evolve, we need to be more innovative, we need to be more adaptive right now."

Wants to be "somewhat bullet proof" in the way to approach the season, adjust and have a proper cadence to be peaking come playoff time.

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 20d

Jonathan Kolb said the Liberty have a "very clear vision" of what they're looking for, but doesn't want to publicly share it right now because he doesn't want the qualities they want in their next head coach to insinuate Sandy Brondello was lacking them.

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 20d

Jonathan Kolb: "I have the utmost confidence that [Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones] want to be back" with the Liberty next season.

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Madeline Kenney @madkenney.bsky.social · 20d

Jonathan Kolb said Leonie Fiebich broke her rib in Game 3.

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