Megan Oyster is a defender for the Houston Dash of the NSWL, who just last week returned to training for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Oyster spoke with Just Women’s Sports about what it was like to be back on the field, how the Dash are keeping players safe, and what happens next.  

The Dash are officially the first team back in training. What has that process been like and how has it been communicated to the players? 

It’s definitely been a whirlwind. The league has broken up our schedule and our timeline into phases, which I think has really helped all of us with our mindset. The communication has come mainly from the NWSLPA. They’ve done a phenomenal job keeping us in the loop. As players, we’re just trying to take everything day by day. There’s phases that we have to go through, and right now we’re in phase 1B, which just means individual training and being able to get back out to the facility. Mentally and emotionally it’s definitely been a lot of ups and downs, because we still really don’t know what’s going to happen next. But our team, and the girls around the league that I’ve spoken to, are all on the same page. We’re just trying to stay focused, trying to stay sharp, and doing all that we can to just stay sane. We still don’t know if there’s going to be a season, so we just have to take it day by day and wait for the next phase to be implemented. Keep communicating with each other, and just make sure that everyone’s kind of doing their part and staying with it.

What was that first practice back like? How was safety enforced? 

It was pretty crazy. I’m very thankful that they opened the fields for us, because quality field space has been really tough to find. Going into practice, we had to wear a mask. We got our temperature checks before we took the field. Everything’s six feet apart, obviously. All of the different fields at our training grounds have been sectioned off into different quadrants. I was on field 5B and could only be in that quadrant. If players are roommates, they can share a quadrant, but otherwise we’re not even allowed to pass to each other. It’s all really regulated, and we know we have to follow the protocols for safety measures.

And the club is really strict, too. It’s not like, “Oh, hey, we’re going to look the other way. Do you whatever you’re going to.” There’s actual people, like field marshals, watching our workouts and making sure we’re staying in our quadrants. And then after training the Dash and Dynamo equipment managers go around to wipe down all the goals with sanitizer. It’s really, really intense. They’re not messing around.

Yeah, today was a really good day ????⚽️#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/HP7Si1hPES

— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) May 7, 2020

How would you describe the team’s overall reaction to being back on the field? 

It was tough to be next to each other and not be able to play with one another, but I think everyone was just really excited to be out on the field. It’s kind of a weird feeling, but to see your teammates doing what they do behind the scenes in their own homes, working extremely hard, setting up technical drills to work on their game, and to up their game, and shooting, and sprinting, and doing agility drills just to stay sharp — It was really inspiring. And it was really cool just to know that we’re all in it together and that we’re all working towards the same goal.

Were there any moments of frustration or were you just happy to be back? 

There are definitely moments. When you’re sectioned into your own quadrant and you look to the right and left and you see your teammates right there but you’re not allowed to pass them a ball — that doesn’t really make sense. I know that this is what has to happen right now, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t moments of frustration. But obviously the whole world is going through this, so what are you going to do? It’s easy to lose perspective, but it quickly comes back.

I’m actually really impressed. This is a huge organizational effort on behalf of the club. 

Totally. The club is really mindful about the protocols that have to be followed, and I think they’re setting the tone for the rest of the league. Because obviously everyone wants to play and everyone wants to get back out there. But if we’re going to do it we have to do it the right way. We can’t take any shortcuts when peoples’ health is at stake. There can’t be anyone going behind the scenes and doing things that aren’t sanitary or not taking it seriously. And right now the club is taking it very seriously and I really appreciate it.

⚽️⚽️⚽️ #DashOn pic.twitter.com/tP0P7EGsea

— Megan Oyster (@MeganOyster) May 6, 2020

Things are opening up in Texas, but, for example, in New Jersey they’re still under shelter in place. What do you think that means for the league? 

Yeah, Chicago’s in the same boat. Portland, Seattle, they’re all still under stay at home orders. I mean, it’s going to take a long time. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I can’t predict the future, because no one really knows. But, again, I think the league is doing all they can for us as players to give us the resources that we need to stay ready, and stay prepared for whenever this is over. I feel very thankful to be able to be a step ahead, but I think it’s just going to take time for the league to come together.

Do you think a May 16th start for preseason is realistic or ambitious? 

I think it’s pretty ambitious, I’m not going to lie. They leave a huge window, though, for the preseason start date. That’s been a big improvement for the NWSL. In the past they’ve been quick to say, “This is the date, this is what’s going to happen.” And then, you have that expectation and then you’re let down when it doesn’t. I think this time going around, they’ve been very cautious of that. There’s a giant window for an actual start date. May 16th is there and that’s the goal, but we obviously know that things can change and it’s not just about us. It’s about our country and about making sure that everything is safe. It’s not just our specific city.

How have you mentally dealt with all the uncertainty? You’ve basically been asked to stay ready for weeks on end training by yourself, even though there’s still a chance the season won’t happen. That can’t be fun. 

Honestly, I see it two ways. I mean, yes, it does suck big time. We were all in top shape, ready to go for preseason. I was finally ramped up, all the way ready, had the first week of preseason under my belt, and then quarantine started. And that’s been its own journey. But I’m good, honestly. I’ve stayed busy. Like a lot of people, during that first week I was kind of intrigued, like, this is new, I get to stay home and just kind of chill. Then week two goes by and it’s like, “Wow, this is real. We’re going to be here for a bit.” Then after those two weeks I gave myself a bit of rest and settled into a routine. I’m just treating this as a new normal and trying to make the most of it, trying to see the positive in each day. I work with Athletes for Hope, which is a nonprofit, and have been spending a lot of my time doing that.

These workouts have also kept me sane and motivated. Yes, the situation sucks, but having these workouts during the day means I have something to look forward to because I know that I’m making myself better. And knowing that your teammates are also doing it and that we’re in it together helps a lot. It’s really hard to stay fit and stay ready, and to go through all these ups and downs, but to know that you’re not the only one is definitely helpful.

There’s talk that the NWSL could be the first league back. What are your thoughts on that? 

I’m very hopeful. I’m not going to lie. I’m hesitant to say for sure that our league will have a season, but I think that if we do what we need to do, not only within our league, but as a country, I think we can rally and bring this together. I know that all of the girls in the league, not just myself, not just the Dash, are going to be extremely excited whenever any kind of soccer opens up. It’s going to be extremely competitive, just because of how long we’ve waited. We’re ramping up and if you release us, we’ll be ready.

The Chicago Sky showed up in a big way on Tuesday night, taking down 2023 WNBA Finals runners-up New York Liberty by an impressively wide margin. 

The Sky walked away with a 101-53 win, boasting a 48 point swing that still looms large despite the fact that it's only preseason. Perhaps the team felt extra pressure to perform — not only did WNBA League Pass follow through on their promise to stream the game for free, but Chicago Bears rookies Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze also happened to be watching on from the stands.

“I’m gonna just say — it’s about time," said Sky guard Dana Evans in response to the star-studded turnout at Wintrust Arena. "Everybody wants to watch women’s basketball. I feel like we’ve been doing a really good job of doing stuff on the court and off the court. So just having them support us is great — but keep bringing them out."

Chicago's Marina Mabrey was lights out with four threes and 20 points on the night, while training camp addition Chennedy Carter racked up 11 points and two steals. 

Sky rookie Angel Reese proved that she can do it all, putting up 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals in 19 minutes — all less than 24 hours after she walked the Met Gala red carpet in New York. The 6-foot-3 top draft pick out of LSU even knocked down a layup over 2023 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart in one of the night's many highlights.

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"So now yall can delete them drafts & tweets saying i shouldn’t have gone to the met gala & i can’t do both," she later wrote on social media. 

While some may chalk it up to preseason coaching choices and the fact that it was the Liberty’s first real game outside of training camp scrimmages, New York head coach Sandy Brondello still voiced disappointed in her team’s result.

"We just got our butts kicked, everywhere. I mean everything. It’s an embarrassing effort, I don’t care that it’s preseason," she said in a postgame press conference. "Our starters didn't get us off to a good start. We missed a lot of layups early, but they just took us out of everything."

On a lighter note, the third-year Liberty coach had some kind words for undrafted rookie Jaylyn Sherrod, who showed real effort on defense.

"She has speed," remarked Brondello. "She could guard Dana Evans. No one else could."

As the WNBA plans to implement league-wide charter flights, the NWSL is struggling with some travel issues of its own. 

Missed flights, inclement weather, and a stretch of midweek games have spurred workload and logistical concerns for a number of NWSL teams. Last week, three games were played Wednesday night, while another three games are set to be played tonight. 

"You can't play your best XI right now because of the amount of games you have," said Red Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson after last Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Washington. Donaldson emphasized the importance of rotating through the team’s depth so as to avoid injury.

"You have to get to about 16 deep where you can," he continued. "Or else your best XI is going to be injured or walk off the field and they can’t finish the season."

Kansas City has faced some of the league's most extreme turnaround times this season. On Sunday, the Current missed an evening flight to Seattle due to a multi-hour rain delay in Houston, throwing off their training schedule ahead of their midweek match against the Reign. The NWSL eventually gave them the green light to charter a plane, but not before frustration spread throughout the team.

"We lost the whole day of the opportunity to recover," said Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski after the Current's weekend draw against the Dash. "So the schedule, it's already challenging to begin with. We have by far the worst schedule in the league, and this just made it even worse.

"We don't have a hotel, we got to figure out a hotel. We don't have flights for tomorrow, we got to figure out flights. We had trainings for some players that we believe needed training time to be able to perform on Wednesday.”

While the team was given permission to charter a plane, navigating such approvals has proven difficult in the past. This past July, the NWSL fined Kansas City $55,000 over the unauthorized use of a charter flight.

Recently retired WNBA superstar Candace Parker has her next gig lined up: president of women’s basketball at Adidas.

Parker announced her retirement at the end of April, bringing a close to a 16-year professional career spanning three WNBA championship titles with three different teams. And now, she’s stepping into a slightly different role — this time off the court — with longtime sponsor Adidas.

"The brand and I have grown together, and we’ve done some amazing things," she told Fast Company in an exclusive interview published Wednesday morning. "I’m excited about what the future holds on this side of things, because I’m so passionate about growing the game of basketball."

Parker initially signed with Adidas at the end of her first professional season in 2008, going on to spend the vast majority of her illustrious WNBA career linked to the German athletic brand. In 2010, she became the first woman to receive a signature Adidas shoe: the ACE Commander.

Her most recent Adidas collaborations include basketball sneakers Exhibit B (2022) and Exhibit Select (2023) in a variety of different colorways, as well as limited edition off-court apparel.

In 2022, Parker led a mentorship program for the brand’s first class of NIL-sponsored college athletes, a stacked roster that involved the likes of rising star Hailey Van Lith, among others. In her new position, she’ll be "overseeing pretty much everything" when it comes to the brand’s women’s basketball operations.

That "everything" includes weighing in on shoe and clothing design, navigating new and existing athlete partnerships, and taking control of Adidas' grassroots growth strategies. She’ll also help with "how we actually speak to the women’s basketball consumer," Eric Wise, who leads the brand’s global basketball business, told Fast Company.

According to Parker, the decision to accept the offer hinged on her desire to be more than just "the face" of Adidas women’s basketball.

"I said to [Adidas], 'I don’t want to be a mascot,'" Parker said. "'I really want to be in the meetings, and I want to be a part of making decisions.'"

Charter flights are on the horizon for the WNBA, with commissioner Cathy Engelbert saying on Tuesday that the league will provide teams with full-time private travel services beginning as soon as this season. 

The move is set to address years of player safety concerns, among other issues. Engelbert told AP Sports Editors that the league aims to launch the program "as soon as we can logistically get planes in place."

The initiative is projected to cost around $25 million per year over the next two seasons.

The WNBA has previously provided charter flights on a limited basis, including during the postseason and when teams were scheduled to play back-to-back regular season games. Individual owners seeking to independently provide their teams with private travel — such as the New York Liberty’s Joe and Clara Wu Tsai back in 2022 — faced significant fines for using unauthorized charters.

While players and team staff have been calling for league-wide charters even before Caitlin Clark and other high profile rookies joined the league, Engelbert has routinely cited steep year-to-year costs as the reasoning behind sticking to commercial flights. 

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However, the WNBA's surging popularity means increased visibility, and a subsequent uptick in security concerns — especially when it comes to big name newcomers like Clark — has Englebert reconsidering her previous decision. 

WNBA Players Association president Nneka Ogwumike called the move "transformational," and credited the WNBPA as well as the league for its implementation. 

"Our league is growing, the demand for women's basketball is growing," Ogwumike told ESPN. "That means more eyes on us, which is what we want, but that means more protection from the organization that we play for, the whole W that we play for.

"Chartering flights not only is a safety measure, the biggest thing, and then obviously what it means to be able to play a game and go home and rest and recover and be the elite athletes that we try to be every single night when we step out onto this court."

Aces coach Becky Hammon called the immediate response to the charter announcement "great" but noted that there are still kinks to be worked out. 

"What it all looks like, we’re still gathering information, we don’t know," she said Tuesday.

Several players emphasized the importance of safety, highlighting how last season the Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner was harassed in an airport while traveling commercial.

"All these players and these faces are becoming so popular that it really is about that as much as it as about recovery," Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier said.

"Above everything else, I think it's the safety of our players," Mercury player Natasha Cloud added. "We have a prime example with BG on our team that needs to be safe. At airports, it's like a madhouse. You see Caitlin Clark walking through airports, people following her, people trying to touch her, get pictures with her. It's just a safety measure, through and through. You would never have an NBA team walk through an airport."

Prior to Tuesday's announcement, the league had said it would charter flights for the playoffs and back-to-back games via a program introduced last year. The latest news, however, promises that teams will also be provided charters to and from all regular season games.

"Our safety is being taken seriously now, finally. In no world should our security not be a priority," Griner told ESPN. "If we want to be the league that we want to be and have the respect that we have, it comes with some risks. Sometimes people want to get close to you and it's not people you want, so I'm just glad that we don't have to deal with that anymore."