Katie Barnes
@katiebarnes.bsky.social
ESPN Feature Writer and author of FAIR PLAY, which chronicles policy and legal developments affecting transgender and intersex athletes | I mostly talk about basketball and bourbon | they/them
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been wondering what players think of the WNBA CBA negotiations. I went to Nashville to talk with a bunch of them at AU. Here’s why i found out www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
WNBA players CBA confidential: Negotiations get mixed reviews
Athletes Unlimited players underscore the importance of housing and retirement plans but swear they won't sweat a missed paycheck or two.
www.espn.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:18 PM
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been wondering what players think of the WNBA CBA negotiations. I went to Nashville to talk with a bunch of them at AU. Here’s why i found out www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
Today is the perfect LOTR day (until football obviously)
January 25, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Today is the perfect LOTR day (until football obviously)
Reposted by Katie Barnes
Tuned into live updates from the Supreme Court on the trans athlete bans from @katiebarnes.bsky.social, the pivotal expert on this topic
Supreme Court live updates: Cases on transgender athlete bans
Live updates from oral arguments at the Supreme Court in Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J.
www.espn.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Tuned into live updates from the Supreme Court on the trans athlete bans from @katiebarnes.bsky.social, the pivotal expert on this topic
Two cases involving transgender athletes and laws prohibiting transgender girls and women in girls’ and women’s sports will be argued at the Supreme Court tomorrow. Here’s what you need to know about the cases, the laws, and the arguments.
www.espn.com/espn/story/_...
www.espn.com/espn/story/_...
Supreme Court transgender athlete cases FAQ: What to expect
The national debate over transgender athlete participation will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Here's what you need to know.
www.espn.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Two cases involving transgender athletes and laws prohibiting transgender girls and women in girls’ and women’s sports will be argued at the Supreme Court tomorrow. Here’s what you need to know about the cases, the laws, and the arguments.
www.espn.com/espn/story/_...
www.espn.com/espn/story/_...
Reposted by Katie Barnes
This Q&A from @katiebarnes.bsky.social with Nneka Ogwumike and Napheesa Collier is worth your time today:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
WNBA CBA Q&A: Nneka Ogwumike, Napheesa Collier on 'standstill'
WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike and VP Napheesa Collier applaud player solidarity but bemoan a lack of progress in CBA negotiations.
www.espn.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:32 PM
This Q&A from @katiebarnes.bsky.social with Nneka Ogwumike and Napheesa Collier is worth your time today:
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
Reposted by Katie Barnes
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/_...
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
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.
www.espn.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
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/_...
www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
Reposted by Katie Barnes
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...
www.espn.com/womens-colle...
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.
www.espn.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:14 PM
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...
www.espn.com/womens-colle...
Reposted by Katie Barnes
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 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 Aces Are WNBA Champions! What Happens Now?
spotify.link
October 15, 2025 at 3:24 PM
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 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 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 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.
www.espn.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
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/_...
Reposted by Katie Barnes
@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.
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.
www.espn.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:31 PM
@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.
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?
September 24, 2025 at 5:46 PM
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?
Reposted by Katie Barnes
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/_...
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.
www.espn.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
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/_...
Y’all I wrote about the StudBudz and it was just as fun as I imagined 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.
www.espn.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Y’all I wrote about the StudBudz and it was just as fun as I imagined www.espn.com/wnba/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.
August 22, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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!
August 13, 2025 at 11:58 PM
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 :)
July 21, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Y’all! Im writing another book! I can’t wait to dive into reporting and writing about this incredible moment in women’s basketball :)
Who is watching the ultimatum queer love?!? I need people with whom to discuss!
June 26, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Who is watching the ultimatum queer love?!? I need people with whom to discuss!
So it’s relatively well known that I got my start in writing through fanfiction when I was a teenager. I deleted that shit a decade ago. Imagine my surprise to find a google drive of it on a subreddit last night. It was like opening a time capsule but full of old, terrible writing lol
June 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
So it’s relatively well known that I got my start in writing through fanfiction when I was a teenager. I deleted that shit a decade ago. Imagine my surprise to find a google drive of it on a subreddit last night. It was like opening a time capsule but full of old, terrible writing lol
Reposted by Katie Barnes
Today:
- @katiebarnes.bsky.social on trans women in sports,
- @cancerletter.com's Paul Goldberg on 100 years of oncology,
- Exploring the state of cancer research, w/ @aaas.org's Sudip Parikh, @jhu-bdps.bsky.social's Otis Brawley & @julierovner.bsky.social
Live at 10 on 93.9 FM, AM820 or @wnyc.org
- @katiebarnes.bsky.social on trans women in sports,
- @cancerletter.com's Paul Goldberg on 100 years of oncology,
- Exploring the state of cancer research, w/ @aaas.org's Sudip Parikh, @jhu-bdps.bsky.social's Otis Brawley & @julierovner.bsky.social
Live at 10 on 93.9 FM, AM820 or @wnyc.org
June 3, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Today:
- @katiebarnes.bsky.social on trans women in sports,
- @cancerletter.com's Paul Goldberg on 100 years of oncology,
- Exploring the state of cancer research, w/ @aaas.org's Sudip Parikh, @jhu-bdps.bsky.social's Otis Brawley & @julierovner.bsky.social
Live at 10 on 93.9 FM, AM820 or @wnyc.org
- @katiebarnes.bsky.social on trans women in sports,
- @cancerletter.com's Paul Goldberg on 100 years of oncology,
- Exploring the state of cancer research, w/ @aaas.org's Sudip Parikh, @jhu-bdps.bsky.social's Otis Brawley & @julierovner.bsky.social
Live at 10 on 93.9 FM, AM820 or @wnyc.org
From my side quest of a Christmas novel lol
Favorite: puppy love is temporary but lopsided wood-carved hearts are forever.
Last: Nicholas smiled down at his grandchild and squeezed their hand. “Welcome to the North Pole.”
Favorite: puppy love is temporary but lopsided wood-carved hearts are forever.
Last: Nicholas smiled down at his grandchild and squeezed their hand. “Welcome to the North Pole.”
Authors, let's hear it!
-What is your favorite line from your WIP?
-What was the last line you wrote?
#writingcommunity #writersky #writingprompt #WIP #fantasy #author #booksky #writing #writer #authors #worldbuilding #storydevelopment
-What is your favorite line from your WIP?
-What was the last line you wrote?
#writingcommunity #writersky #writingprompt #WIP #fantasy #author #booksky #writing #writer #authors #worldbuilding #storydevelopment
May 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
From my side quest of a Christmas novel lol
Favorite: puppy love is temporary but lopsided wood-carved hearts are forever.
Last: Nicholas smiled down at his grandchild and squeezed their hand. “Welcome to the North Pole.”
Favorite: puppy love is temporary but lopsided wood-carved hearts are forever.
Last: Nicholas smiled down at his grandchild and squeezed their hand. “Welcome to the North Pole.”
I just saw something about Earth’s core possibly leaking and to be totally honest there is just some news I can do without
May 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I just saw something about Earth’s core possibly leaking and to be totally honest there is just some news I can do without
Reposted by Katie Barnes
Just in time for the start of the WNBA season, please welcome the great @michaelvoepelespn.bsky.social to BlueSky! And if you're not already, follow my colleagues @alexaphilippou.bsky.social, @kendra-andrews.bsky.social and @katiebarnes.bsky.social
May 14, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Just in time for the start of the WNBA season, please welcome the great @michaelvoepelespn.bsky.social to BlueSky! And if you're not already, follow my colleagues @alexaphilippou.bsky.social, @kendra-andrews.bsky.social and @katiebarnes.bsky.social
I almost forgot how fun Marine Johannes is 😭
May 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
I almost forgot how fun Marine Johannes is 😭
I love the wbb fan girlies but ima need y’all to cool it with the RPF on main. It’s getting weird.
May 9, 2025 at 12:36 AM
I love the wbb fan girlies but ima need y’all to cool it with the RPF on main. It’s getting weird.
Reposted by Katie Barnes
The FAIR PLAY syllabus is up ahead of our Out of Your League book club meeting with @katiebarnes.bsky.social this Sunday!
OOYL Book Club: THE 'FAIR PLAY' SYLLABUS
plus, registration link for the discussion
www.thefrankiedlc.news
April 24, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The FAIR PLAY syllabus is up ahead of our Out of Your League book club meeting with @katiebarnes.bsky.social this Sunday!