Madeline Kenney

Madeline Kenney

Madeline Kenney is an experienced reporter who covers women's sports, including the WNBA, NWSL and college hoops.

Background

Madeline has chronicled some of the most thrilling sports moments of the past decades, including Cubs playoff series, an improbable Final Four run and Steph Curry winning his fourth NBA Finals. She graduated from Loyola University of Chicago and has worked at the Chicago Sun-Times, Bay Area News Group and Detroit News over the years. When she’s not working, you can find her browsing sneaker stores or getting upset over Nebraska football.

Latest Articles

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever dribbles past Tiffany Hayes of the Golden State Valkyries.

Caitlin Clark still on a minutes restriction to start back-to-back before Liberty clash

July 17, 2026 | 9:18pm

Caitlin Clark’s workload has been limited and carefully monitored because of a nagging back issue that flared up at the beginning of the season.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Sabrina Ionescu says it "sucks" the Liberty had travel issues against the Wings this week, but that the team has to make a strong push in the final three games heading into the All-Star Game, Image 2 shows The Liberty’s net rating when Leonie Fiebich is on the court is 7.8 and minus-1.7 when she’s off it

Travel woes become the latest hurdle in Liberty’s up-and-down season

July 17, 2026 | 6:41pm

Perhaps there’s no better metaphor for the Liberty’s season than their travel disruption to Dallas this week.

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Betnijah Laney-Hamilton #44 of the New York Liberty warms up prior to game against the Minnesota Lynx during a regular season matchup at Barclays Center, Image 2 shows Kaila Charles #6 of the Golden State Valkyries defends Aneesah Morrow #24 of the Connecticut Sun during a game on May 25, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA, Image 3 shows Sika Kone #23 of the Atlanta Dream looks to pass the ball during the game against the Seattle Storm on July 9, 2026 at Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia

What Betnijah Laney-Hamilton trade could look like — as deadline looms for Liberty

July 17, 2026 | 1:10pm

The WNBA’s Aug. 2 trade deadline is a little more than two weeks away, and the Liberty are one of the most intriguing teams to monitor.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) with the ball against the Tempo on July 12, 2026, Image 2 shows Paige Buckers (5) of the Dallas Wings drives against the Sky on July 12, 2026

WNBA postpones Liberty game after team’s travel issues

July 16, 2026 | 11:51am

The Liberty’s game against the Dallas Wings Thursday has been postponed to next week after New York experienced significant travel delays due to mechanical issues with the team’s charter plane.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Libertyâs Pauline Astier (18) drives to the basket past Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Friday, May 29, 2026, Image 2 shows Two young women in hoodies eating on an airplane

Liberty experience brutal flight delay before game vs. Wings

July 16, 2026 | 1:10am

The Liberty experienced significant travel delays Wednesday en route to Dallas, where they are scheduled to play the Wings on Thursday night.

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Breanna Stewart (left) and Sabrina Ionescu wear dejected expressions on the bench during the Liberty's loss to the Wings on July 7, 2026

Struggling Liberty seeking elusive first win over rival this season

July 16, 2026 | 12:45am

The Liberty head to Dallas to take on the Wings on Thursday in hopes of salvaging the second half of what’s been a rough road trip.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A shoe is thrown at Marina Mabrey by Betnijah Laney-Hamilton during the Liberty-Tempo game on Sunday, Image 2 shows Betnijah Laney-Hamilton #44 of the New York Liberty drives to the basket during the game against the Toronto Tempo in Montreal on July 12, 2026

Shoe-throwing kerfuffle overshadowed Liberty veteran’s breakthrough performance

July 14, 2026 | 12:10pm

A heated back-and-forth with Marina Mabrey, a thrown shoe and a subsequent first career ejection overshadowed what had been a relatively solid showing from Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) drives to the net against the Toronto Tempo.

Liberty staring down a Breanna Stewart workload dilemma

July 14, 2026 | 12:54am

Too often, the star-studded Liberty exhibit an overreliance on one star — Breanna Stewart — to save them.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) dribbles defended by Toronto Tempo forward Laura Juskaite (2) during the second half at the Bell Centre. , Image 2 shows New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu shoots a three-pointer over Toronto Tempo forward Maria Conde

Liberty lament more early game struggles as stars’ late efforts not enough

July 12, 2026 | 11:31pm

Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart’s desperation was evident Sunday.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Marina Mabrey reacts after getting hit by a shoe, Image 2 shows New York Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco watches the game from the sidelines

Liberty coach rips ‘pathetic’ WNBA refs after loss, shoe-throwing incident: ‘Making stuff up’

July 12, 2026 | 10:02pm

The chaotic finish to Sunday’s game, which included a shoe being thrown, a subsequent ejection and what Liberty coach Chris DeMarco called “atrocious” and “pathetic” officiating, ended with New York...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was ejected from the game for throwing a shoe, Image 2 shows A WNBA player on the floor after rolling an ankle while playing, Image 3 shows Two female basketball players on a court, one with a green ball in her hands

Liberty veteran ejected for throwing teammate’s shoe at opponent in bizarre scene

July 12, 2026 | 9:52pm

The Liberty's Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was ejected with 1:48 left in the fourth quarter of the Liberty’s 93-91 loss to the Toronto Tempo after she threw a shoe that hit Marina...

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Breanna Stewart dribbles the ball during the New York Liberty v Toronto Tempo game, Image 2 shows Sabrina Ionescu dribbling the ball during a game between New York Liberty and Toronto Tempo, Image 3 shows Marina Mabrey drives to the basket during the game between Toronto Tempo and New York Liberty

Furious Liberty rally falls short in loss to Tempo as familiar trend too much to overcome again

July 12, 2026 | 6:04pm

Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty on a furious second-half comeback for the second consecutive game. But much like Saturday in Minnesota, the Liberty’s efforts came up short...

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots against Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) in the first quarter at Target Center.

Liberty star finally beginning to find her 3-point range again

July 11, 2026 | 6:47pm

Three weeks ago, Breanna Stewart hit a breaking point. 

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Kayla McBride #21 of the Minnesota Lynx smiles during the game against the New York Liberty on July 11, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Image 2 shows Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty handles the ball during the game against the Minnesota Lynx on July 11, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Image 3 shows New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones (35) works around Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) in the third quarter at Target Center

Liberty’s furious second-half rally falls short in tough road loss

July 11, 2026 | 4:17pm

The Liberty and Lynx sure know how to deliver cinema. Every time these rivals square off, the stakes feel higher, and Saturday’s matinee was no different.

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Han Xu #21 of the New York Liberty reacts to blocked shot against Anastasiia Olairi Kosu #7 of the Minnesota Lynx during a reguar season matchup at Barclays Center

The making of the Liberty’s best rivalry

July 11, 2026 | 8:20am

Those are the games both teams get up for, even in the regular season.

Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve looking on.

Lynx head coach became a rarity while on path to WNBA history

July 10, 2026 | 9:44pm

Cheryl Reeve is the all-time winningest head coach at a time when the WNBA has never been more popular. 

New York Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich (13) on the court.

Liberty will be without key starter again as injury concern continues

July 10, 2026 | 8:54pm

New York will be without two-way wing Leonie Fiebich, who has been sidelined with a left foot injury for the second consecutive game. 

Jonquel Jones #35 of the New York Liberty shoots a three-point shot during the third quarter against the Dallas Wings at Barclays Center on July 07, 2026 in Brooklyn, New York.

Liberty’s uneven first half could be setting up stronger second-half push

July 9, 2026 | 8:46pm

At the halfway point of the regular season, the Liberty are behind last year’s pace by three games. 

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Sabrina Ionescu asks to challenge a call during the Liberty' 88-77 loss to the Wings on July 7, 2026 at Barclays Center

Liberty call for ‘consistency’ from refs after facing tough calls in loss to Wings

July 8, 2026 | 12:25am

Asked about the officiating after the Liberty’s 88-77 loss to the Wings Tuesday, head coach Chris DeMarco said with a smirk the refs “were awesome.”

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Paige Bueckers, who scored 15 points, looks to make a move on Rebekah Gardner during the Liberty's 88-77 loss to the Wings on July 7, 2026 at Barclays Center, Image 2 shows Dallas forward Jessica Shepard, who scored a game-high 22 points, shoots over Han Xu during the Liberty's loss to the Wings

Liberty once again have no answer for Wings in ugly home loss

July 7, 2026 | 10:45pm

The Liberty said they aren’t the same team that got steamrolled by the Dallas Wings on May 24. They didn’t back those words up though.