The Skyhook Podcast

NOTE: THIS PODCAST WAS RECORDED PRIOR TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE SKY WILL NOT BRING EMRE VATANSEVER BACK AS ITS HC/GM James Kay and Chris Pennant return to go over their thoughts on how the Sky's season went and what its fans will remember from a chaotic 2023 campaign (0:00) before they discuss what the team's offseason priorities should be (6:43).  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Chicago Sky's loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game One of the first round of the WNBA playoffs and Chicago's chances in Game 2 (2:09). They dive into what comes next after Kahleah Copper signed a two-year extension, how the Sky build around her over the next two seasons and predict how the rest of the playoffs will shake out (15:40).  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss how the Sky have fared as they try to make the playoffs (0:00) before diving into the Chicago Sun-Times' report that the organization has spoken with potential candidates to fill a possible head coach/general manager vacancy at the season's end (24:47).  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

*Recorded Aug. 14* James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the pulse of this up-and-down Chicago Sky team and how important making the playoffs is this year (1:21) before going over who their award picks would be with 10 games left in the regular season (29:00).  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss how Kahleah Copper has elevated her game since the all-star break (1:05) and the Aces' outlook the rest of the way after Candace Parker said she is out indefinitely (16:15). They then go back and forth going over Sophie Cunningham's play being called out after another incident with an opponent (29:06) and what it would be like if Jewell Loyd signed with the Chicago Sky next season (43:20). They wrap up the show going over playoff odds and if there are any logical bets as the Aces continue to dominate the field (53:45).  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to give their final thoughts on James Wade's departure from the Sky (3:25) before discussing the importance of Dwyane Wade joining the Sky as an investor (20:55). They go over what adjustments they would like to see the Sky make in the second half of the year (32:55) and finish discussing whose stock they are buying/selling in the final 20 games of the season (47:40).  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast  

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to talk about James Wade leaving the Sky 16 games into the season, his legacy after 4+ seasons with the team and where the Sky go from here.  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss how the Sky need to build off the progress they made versus the Sparks on June 28 before they share their thoughts on the all-star game starting lineups.  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

Tony East (The Next, Forbes, WTHR.com, SIPacers) joins James Kay to talk about the Sky's overtime win versus the Fever, Lexie Hull and Alanna Smith's improvement and Aliyah Boston already looking like an all-star.  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

*RECORDED ON JUNE 5* James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky splitting a two-game slate with the Liberty and their miraculous 19-point comeback before diving into Courtney Vandersloot's return to Wintrust Arena (35:31).  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss what is (and isn't) working for the Chicago Sky early on in the season (00:57) and what WNBA teams/players have surprised them so far in 2023 (44:43). They go over what Courtney Vandersloot's return to Chicago will be like after the former Sky guard signed with the New York Liberty this past offseason (1:06:18) and more! Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant return to the mic to discuss their takeaways from the Sky's first two games of the 2023 WNBA season.  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

*Recorded on May 17* James Kay discusses what it was like being in Toronto for the first-ever WNBA game in Canada (00:20) before being joined by Chris Pennant to discuss how the Sky and the rest of the league stack up against one another and what the ceiling is for Chicago in the playoffs (7:44). Afterwards, they share their award predictions (47:24).  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay is joined by Stephen Garner (Twitter: @StayTrueSDot3) from The Bright Side and Madhouse on Madison to discuss the latest news of Astou Ndour's departure from the Sky ahead of training camp.  Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant return to the mic to discuss their thoughts on the picks they liked and didn't like in this year's WNBA draft (3:52), the presentation of the draft itself (35:29) and what Chicago's training camp is going to look like after the Sky drafted Kayana Traylor and Kseniya Malashka (52:00).  Sponsor: Betstamp (promo code: theskyhookpod) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss how LSU was able to take out Iowa for its first NCAA title (2:16) the discourse surrounding Angel Reese's trash talk (23:07) and how tough it is for the WNBA that it won't benefit from the momentum of this year's record-setting NCAA tournament (44:49).  Sponsor: Betstamp (promo code: theskyhookpod) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

Recorded on March 25 Christian Braswell joins Chris Pennant to give out free agency grades for the Dallas Wings (3:23) and Indiana Fever (15:37) before they discuss which WNBA prospects have enhanced their stock during the NCAA Tournament (34:28). They finish up going over the complexity of the situation involving a Memphis basketball player punching an opponent after a WNIT game.  Sponsor: Betstamp (promo code: theskyhookpod) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

*Recorded Before NCAA Tournament* James Kay and Chris Pennant return to offer their free agency grades for the Atlanta Dream (1:19) and Connecticut Sun (14:38) before discussing the discourse over who the face of women's basketball is (37:56). Sponsor: Betstamp (promo code: theskyhookpod) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back on the mic to give out their grades for each of the Sky's moves over free agency.  Sponsor: Betstamp (promo code: theskyhookpod) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

Where do the Sky rank in the league? Should the Sky retire Candace Parker, Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot's numbers? What's Li Yueru's status? James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to answer listener-submitted questions.  Sponsor: Betstamp (promo code: theskyhookpod) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay shares his thoughts on the Sky's two media availabilities from this past week (1:04) before he is joined by The Next's Jackie Powell to go over some of the overlooked transactions in WNBA free agency (10:42).  Sponsor: Betstamp (promo code: theskyhookpod) The Skyhook Newsletter: (click here) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss their thoughts on the Sky executing a deal to land former Dallas Wings guard Marina Mabrey (00:35); what the next year means for the Sky in trying to retain Kahleah Copper beyond 2023 and media transparency (25:08); and how the other free agents the team signed fit in with the rest of the roster (42:00). Sponsor: Betstamp (promo code: theskyhookpod) The Skyhook Newsletter: (click here) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss Courtney Vandersloot's exit from the Sky and where the franchise goes from here (1:05), Kahleah Copper's future with the franchise (20:55) and whether or not we have seen the last of Allie Quigley in the WNBA (35:10). They wrap up by discussing Azurá Stevens' exit and what it means for Los Angeles.  Sponsor: Betstamp (promo code: theskyhookpod) The Skyhook Newsletter: (click here) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times joins James Kay to discuss Candace Parker's departure from the Sky and the odd discourse around it, Courtney Vandersloot's WNBA future, the timing of Chicago's new ownership announcement and the Sky and WNBA embarking on a new era in 2023.  The Skyhook Newsletter: (click here) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

James Kay hops on the mic to discuss where things stand with the Chicago Sky after Candace Parker announced her intentions to sign with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. The Skyhook Newsletter: (click here) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

Note: This episode was recorded before Dearica Hamby's Instagram post was released. You can find it here. James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss Dearica Hamby getting traded to Los Angeles and what it means for both the Aces and Sparks (2:14), Breanna Stewart taking meetings with the Liberty, Storm, Lynx and Mystics (12:01) and the latest news around Azurá Stevens' market in free agency.  The Skyhook Newsletter: (click here) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

RECORDED ON JAN. 18 James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the three-team blockbuster deal that sent 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones to New York and what to make of the Connecticut Sun now (1:53), a possible Courtney Vandersloot and Breanna Stewart pairing in New York and what it would take to make that happen (22:17) and the news about the Sky and Lynx playing in the first ever WNBA game in Canada (53:17). The Skyhook Newsletter: (click here) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

Note: This episode was recorded on Jan. 10. Courtney Vandersloot signed with Fenerbahce which we do not touch on in this show.  James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's free agency outlook. They each came up with three questions and discuss the future of the franchise, how the 2023 Sky could look and which teams are the biggest threats to sign Chicago's free agents.  The Skyhook Newsletter: (click here) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast

Eight awards. Three candidates per category. James Kay and Chris Pennant go back and forth discussing the best moments of the Chicago Sky's 2022 season.   The Skyhook Newsletter: (click here) Link tree: (click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss Candace Parker's recent comments about her WNBA future and how her decision affects the Sky's free agency plans (1:09). They go over the case for Candace to return to Chicago or Los Angeles (11:42) before Chris gives the listeners an overseas report on what's going on abroad with members of the Sky. (34:00).  The Skyhook Newsletter: (check out here) Link tree: (Click here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod

Recorded Oct. 24 James Kay and Chris Pennant return to the mic to discuss Curt Miller agreeing to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks and potential head coaching candidates for Connecticut (1:17). Ahead of the NCAAW season, they dive into which prospects intrigue them the most (22:10) before ending with Chris going over what is happening overseas with the Sky's players (39:50).  The Skyhook Newsletter: (check out here) Mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Link tree: (Click here)

Recorded Sept. 21 James Kay and Chris Pennant return to discuss the Aces beating the Sun in the Finals (1:02) before discussing what makes a dynasty (11:02). They shift over to the Sky's front and talk about the odds of each of Chicago's free agents returning to the team (22:09) and finish with World Cup chatter (1:07:00).  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

James Kay and Chris Pennant go over the Sky's late fourth quarter collapse vs. the Sun in Game 5 of the Semifinals (0:36) and how DeWanna Bonner led the Sun to an improbable comeback (13:16). They discuss Curt Miller's comments about Candace Parker (21:13) before answering listener submitted questions (30:13). Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

James Kay and Chris Pennant return to discuss the Sky being one game away from returning to the WNBA Finals after beating the Connecticut Sun in Game 3 of the Semifinals.  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

Christan Braswell (Twitter: 808sandSnackBreaks) joins Chris Pennant to discuss: -Sky adjustments in Game 2 -What to look for as the scene shifts to Connecticut -The importance of Emma to Chicago's gameplan - Kah's tweets, the excitement of Seattle vs. Las Vegas, and the proper way to prepare meat and greens! Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's 68-63 loss to the Sun (1:53) before going over adjustments for both teams heading into Game 2 (12:17). They talk about Candace Parker's insane performance on both ends of the floor and the Sky needing to feed off the type of energy she brought in the series opener (28:08). They finish up with Game 2 predictions.  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky taking down the Liberty in a pivotal Game 3 in the first round (2:50), their predictions for the semifinals between the Sky and Sun (14:55) and answer listener submitted questions (24:33).  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

Mark Schindler joins James Kay to discuss James Wade winning Executive of the Year (1:52), Game 2 between Sky-Liberty and what adjustments New York could make in Game 3 (8:56) and finish with listener submitted questions (23:37).  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times joins James Kay to discuss Kahleah Copper's non-contact injury at practice the day before Game 2 of the first round and James Wade's comments to the media about it. They finish the show making their predictions along with James sharing a brief message to the audience during the outro.  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

Recorded on Aug. 15 James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the most intriguing playoff matchups in this year's postseason (1:04); Kahleah Copper ascending as the Sky head into the playoffs (14:02); before answering questions their listeners submitted on Twitter (20:47).  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

Recorded on Aug. 10 James Kay and Chris Pennant return to discuss the Sky's most recent game against the Storm and Chicago's short rotations ahead of the playoffs (1:33). They dive into the teams who could threaten the Sky the most with the postseason approaching before finishing with their reoccurring segment, "What Do You Say With Azurá" (16:33).  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

James goes over the Sky's weekend slate against the Liberty and Sun (1:00) before discussing how both local and national media blatantly made a mistake not reporting on Courtney Vandersloot passing Lindsay Whalen on the all-time career assist list (6:34). Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

James Kay and Chris Pennant brought on Stephen Garner (Twitter handle: @StayTrueSDot3) to talk about the Commissioner's Cup and debate whether the media picked the right person for MVP (1:22). They dive into whether this was an eye-opening bump in the road for the team (13:17) and finish up with their new segment "What Do You Say With Azurá" (35:10).  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com  

Subria Whitaker joins Chris Pennant to discuss the Sky's depth, dominance and which team, if any, can match up with the Sky in the WNBA Finals. They also celebrate Rebekah Gardner and her brilliant rookie season and debut a new segment: What Do You Say with Azura!   Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

Recorded on June 30 James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the All-Star game rosters and what the voters did and did not get right (1:50). They talk about which Sky players could be future all-stars (24:32) and finish with their ongoing "Do you agree with Kah?" segment (35:18).  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com  

James Kay is joined by Chicago Sun-Times reporter Annie Costabile to discuss Candace Parker's return to Los Angeles and the atmosphere in the arena (3:44), where their confidence level is with Chicago after it's recent dominance (14:19), the Sky's win versus the Lynx (25:04) and more! Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com  

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's historic 28-point comeback against the Aces on Tuesday night. They go over Las Vegas' lack of depth and debate whether these two teams are a true rivalry yet. They finish up talking about the Sky's tendency to keep games close before wrapping up with their "Do you agree with Kah?" segment.  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back on the mic to discuss the Sky's most recent road trip (0:17) and Emma Meesseman's dominant two-game stretch (8:05). They go into how bad the league's officiating has been across the WNBA (23:00) and Chicago's rotations with the recent arrival of Julie Allemand (31:00). They finish up with answering a listener's email (42:55).  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

James Kay and Chris Pennant return to discuss their takeaways from the Sky's most recent games against the Dream and Mystics. 

James Kay and Chris Pennant reconvene to discuss Sky-Mercury and Chicago learning how to play with new faces on the team (00:32). They dive into Diana Taurasi's ejection and how the bench has performed as of late (10:41) before closing talking about the Aces' most recent stretch (19:15) and Kah's Corner (34:19).  Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com

James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss their feelings about the shooting in Uvalde, Texas the day of the Sky's ring ceremony (00:30), the keys to Chicago's next two matchups between the Aces and Mercury (15:26), James' notes from talking with Commissioner Engelbert (38:29), and more! Venmo: TheSkyhookPodcast Follow the show on Twitter: @TheSkyhookPod Email our mailbag: theskyhookmailbag@gmail.com