On this week's episode of From the Cheap Seats, Becca and Michelle finally get back on the ball and recap several games. Once again, the Russian teams have demonstrated their dominance over the rest of European teams.

The Spartak celebrating one of their championships

In an effort to expand their knowledge of European basketball, Becca and Michelle have been excavating the depths of the Euroball website and have found a few gems, like Lindsay Whalen's 21 points for the Czech Republic this week.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode! … continue reading

As week two of the WNBA drought continues, Michelle and Becca take this episode of From the Cheap Seats to report on the latest from Russia's top teams, as well as some football talk. There's also a bit of baseball as the World Series gets under way.

Lauren Jackson, Diana Taurasi with Sue Bird of the Spartak

Also, Becca finds what is perhaps the strangest fantasy league in all of sports.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode! … continue reading

This week, Jennie's on board with Olivia Cruises. On the Mexican Riviera, she takes a walk with former WNBA player Natalie Williams, who discusses what it's like playing basketball at the highest level, her relationship with her father and her basketball camps for kids.

Natalie was also an All-American volleyball player, so she tells Jennie about her Olympic experience in both sports. … continue reading

This week's episode of From the Cheap Seats marks the opening of the European women's basketball season. Becca recaps the most important games, which all happen to involve teams from Russia that are laden with American players. CSKA, Ekaterinbur and Spartak are the three teams to follow in Europe right now, as they include American favorites Diana Taurasi, Ann Wauters, Lauren Jackson, Asjha Jones and Sue Bird.

Sue Bird of the Spartak

Also, this week brings a fresh spate of injuries in the NFL — most importantly the broken-finger cursing Tony Romo. Just how far will players go when it comes to playing with injuries?

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode! … continue reading

On today's episode of From the Cheap Seats, Michelle and Becca round out the season with their commentary on the finals, the MVP and other WNBA award picks. There's plenty of ranting about Candace Parker, raving about Sue Bird and Lindsay Whalen, and plenty of solid reflection on a season well played. WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year, Candace Parker

Check back next week for an update on the NFL, as well as a preview of the European women's basketball season.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode! … continue reading

The line between being a sports fan and being in love with a team or player is so thin that it barely exists most days — which is why I never know how good former Tennessee Lady Vols basketball players are, really. I've obsessively followed the Lady Vols since I was a wee lass, I've played on the floor of Thompson-Boling arena, I've ridden shotgun in Pat Summitt's SUV, twice.

So, I guess what I need is some perspective about Candace Parker.

Take a look at the last six months of Parker's life, won't you? She won an NCAA championship at Tennessee, along with the Naismith Trophy and the AP Player of the Year Award. She won two ESPYs. She went first in the WNBA draft. She won WNBA Rookie of the Year unanimously, and she won WNBA MVP. Oh, and she also helped bring home a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Her jersey was the most popular in the NBA store all year, and once her jersey was available, sales rose 50 percent over last season. … continue reading

In this week’s episode of From the Cheap Seats, Michelle rejoins Becca just in time to wrap up the Western and Eastern Conference Finals. The girls talk about the “miracle shot” seen at the end of game two of the L.A Sparks vs. San Antonio Silverstars series. They also touch on the Liberty vs. Shock series that had the girls split on the result.

Sophia Young joined by teammates after the “miracle shot"

One topic both Becca and Michelle could agree on is their beef with a certain sports network and their coverage, or lack there of, during the most important series of the WNBA season.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode!

This week, Michelle is off on a business trip, so Becca is joined by football enthusiast, Megan. They recap of the latest victories, dramatic losses and disastrous refereeing in the biggest WNBA games of the week.

The Silver Stars; Lindsay Whalen

Megan also updates us on the seemingly endless stream of upsets in the NFL this season.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode!

In case you missed the headlines on the front page of every major newspaper in America yesterday morning, let me sum up the news for you: Your money is still on fire, and if you are an American taxpayer, you're about to win $700 billion worth of private debt. Yet here's something to smile about: One of the few organizations experiencing growth in this plummeting economy is the WNBA.

WNBA.com traffic is up, attendance is up and TV ratings are up 20 percent. While everyone else is downsizing, the WNBA is actually growing.

Part of the league's success can be attributed to the fact that eight teams are now independent of the NBA. (And, in my opinion, the more the WNBA can do to distance itself from the NBA, the better.) The Olympics exposure boosted public interest, leading to a record 46 sellouts. And this rookie class (Candice Wiggins, Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles) has certainly lived up to the hype.

The WNBA is even hoping to grow itself two more teams in the next five years.

Tonight, you can continue to boost the WNBA's numbers by tuning in to ESPN2 to watch the conclusion of the conference semifinals. It's the Fever and the Shock at 7 p.m. ET, and the Sparks and the Storm at 9 p.m. … continue reading

This week, From the Cheap Seats is all about the playoffs. Becca and Michelle talk a little bit about each series and the players to watch out for. They make another outrageous promise to the Monarchs, talk a little bit about the best back court in the playoffs (hello, Detroit) and give you their prediction on who will take each series.

Lindsay Whalen; DeAnna Nolan and Katie Smith

There's also some talk about the NFL, with a brief recap of last weeks games and games to look for this Sunday.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode!

With the playoffs getting closer and closer, From the Cheap Seats is getting intense. This week, Becca and Michelle discuss the ferocity (and resulting injuries) of this past week and the final throw downs in each conference.

With the Sun and Shock tied for first, the Silver Stars and Storm within a game of each other, and several starters out of commission, it's time to get serious.

Seimone Augustus of the Lynx; Sheryl Swoopes of the Storm

Next week, we'll be in between the regular season and post season, so now is the time when you should feel free to ask the ladies anything. They'll do a basketball Q&A, though they wouldn't say no to other sports questions as well.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode!

This week on From the Cheap Seats, Michelle and Becca review the triumphant return of women's basketball. We're getting down to the wire, and a few teams have clearly risen to the top (Silver Stars and Sun), and others are going to have to really fight for it (Indiana, Chicago). Plus, a quick update on the women in the US Open.

Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm; Kara Lawson of the Monarchs

Tune in next week as the girls give a full report from their first ever courtside seat experience. Here' hoping it doesn’t involved getting thrown out of the game for “accidentally” tripping a ref.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode!

This week on From the Cheap Seats, Michelle and Becca bid farewell to the Olympics with a recap of the most important gold medal games. Then the spotlight shifts from handball, soccer and softball to basketball as they hail the returning heroes and preview the return of the WNBA.

U.S. Women’s Basketball Team

Farewell Olympics, and welcome back WNBA teams!

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode!

This week, Michelle and Becca are happy to bring you another Olympics-themed episode of From the Cheap Seats. Tennis, softball and football (otherwise known as soccer) are added to this week's mix, as well as some grumbling from Becca about the gymnastics judging and some belated raving from Michelle on handball.

Norway’s Women's National Handball Team

And as the Olympics draw to an end, Becca and Michelle begin counting the days until the WNBA resumes play.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode!

In this week’s episode of From the Cheap Seats, Michelle and Becca talk about their favorite (and not so favorite) Olympic sports such as basketball, football (soccer) and of course, gymnastics. They touch a little on the schedule (a confusing one, at that!) and break down the “group system” of the basketball tournament.

Lisa Leslie; Candace Parker; U.S Women’s Basketball Team

Come back every Sunday for the girls' take on the current happenings in Beijing. Feel free to leave comments about games you’ve watched, your favorite moments and who you keep our eye on during the games.

This is a vlog by fans for fans, so please leave plenty of comments, questions, rants and raves, or anything else that comes to mind. And check back next weekend for another episode! … continue reading