Sideline Stories

In this special live episode, the Can't Retire Crew sits down with three legends of the game—Charlene McWhorter Jackson, Liz McQuitter, and Adrian Newell—to honor the women who helped lay the foundation for professional women’s basketball in the U.S. Long before the WNBA, there was the WBL (Women’s Professional Basketball League), the first pro league for women, active from 1978 to 1981. These tra...

The Sideline Stories crew is back and buzzing ahead of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis! Misha, Melanie, and Tanisha link up (in their iconic orange tees, of course) to talk predictions for this year. Who ya'll got? There is so much to look forward to this weekend, including a exclusive All-Star event, The Assist , where they'll be honoring WBL legends and building community through...

In this episode of Sideline Stories, we continue to reflect on the 5th anniversary of the Can't Retire From This Documentary. We sit down with Ashley Koranteng, GM and owner of the Virginia Vitesse, a new women’s semi-professional basketball team in the WABA. Ashley walks us through her journey from playing and coaching to launching a team rooted in purpose, community, and intention. She shares ho...

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can’t Retire From This crew dives into the money behind the madness. From NCAA tournament “units” finally being awarded in the women’s game to NIL chaos, conference shakeups, and a long history of being shortchanged, we ask: who’s really cashing in? And who’s still getting left behind? It’s a raw, honest look at the business of college hoops and the price o...

In this special anniversary episode of Sideline Stories, the original CRFT crew reunites to reflect on the journey that began during the pandemic that came from a simple Facebook post. We talk about the trials, triumphs, and transformations over the last five years. You'll hear never-before-told stories about the early days, the power of community, favorite moments from the doc, and how this proje...

In this special episode of Sideline Stories, we’re back — this time with a powerful reunion conversation featuring two DMV legends: Christy Winters Scott and Ayana Ball-Ward. From raising sons who are now heading to Michigan State University as D1 athletes we reflect on how much has changed — and how much hasn’t — in women’s basketball, motherhood, and the impact of coaching in a post-COVID world....

In this special episode of Sideline Stories, we reflect on the 5th anniversary of the Can’t Retire From This documentary. Melanie sits down with Coach Diane Richardson—an icon in the DMV women’s basketball scene whose impact spans generations. From walking away from a high-powered role at Bank of America to mopping gym floors and mentoring future WNBA stars, Coach Rich shares her journey, her purp...

In this episode of Sideline Stories, we sit down with Ashley Koranteng — founder, GM, and visionary behind the Virginia Vitesse, a brand-new semi-professional women’s basketball team in the WABA (Big love to all my Northern VA folks!). From showing up to a documentary screening with a dream, to building a franchise rooted in community, culture, and care — Ashley breaks down what it really takes to...

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can't Retire From This crew gets real about one of the hardest pills to swallow in the WNBA: being waived. From rookies with promising college careers to vets battling injuries and roster cuts, the crew also unpacks the emotional and professional toll of not making the final squad. They name names, shout out players who deserved more time, and even get pers...

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can't Retire From This crew dives into the wild, weird, and wonderful pregame routines that helped some of the best in women's hoops get locked in. From red lipstick and Diet Cokes to hot toddies before tipoff (yes, really) the crew share their own habits, memories, and superstitions on and off the court. Plus, Mel gives us an inside look at Ulta Beauty Wor...

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can’t Retire From This crew breaks down which teams we’re keeping our eyes on this 2025/2026 WNBA season, which players have something to prove, and why some of y’all might be sleeping on the Sparks. From hot takes on the Aces and Liberty to the rise of Paige Bueckers, Skylar Diggin's divorce tour, and the arrival of Dominique Malonga to America—no one is s...

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the CRFT crew welcomes WNBA guard of the Connecticut Sun, AND DMV legend Lindsay Allen! From making noise in high school to locking down the point in the pros, Lindsay chops it up with the crew about her deep hoops roots, her transition from idolizing stars to competing against them, and what makes the DMV such a basketball powerhouse. With a few call-outs (Mel...

In this episode of Sideline Stories, the Can't Retire From This crew gets real about the rising tide—and backlash—of DEI in the women’s basketball space. Plus a break down of the brand moves that matter, the ones that miss, and why multi-year deals are critical to protect the sport. Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming Soon! Sideline Stories - a Can't Retire From This Podcast. Founder and Creator of Can't Retire From This, Melanie Page, is joined by host Misha Jones, along with Jazmine Dallas, and Tenishia Benson. We really can't retire from this. Can you?! Learn more: https://cantretireproject.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices