1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we are 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: never not going to trip over the work, where we 3 00:00:07,240 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 1: are never going to not trip over the words Rivalry Week, Rivalry, 4 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:18,959 Speaker 1: the Rural juror, shout out thirty Rock. It's Wednesday, July thirtieth, 5 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 1: and on today's show, we'll be skipping the needs to 6 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:23,640 Speaker 1: know and jumping straight into my conversation with ESPN soccer 7 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 1: reporter and friend of the show Jeff Cassou. He returns 8 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:28,680 Speaker 1: to the show to talk about me officials, big money 9 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: move to the Seattle Rain, his thoughts on Denver Summit 10 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,360 Speaker 1: FC's rollout, and the top storylines he's keeping an eye 11 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: on in the second half of the NWSL season and beyond. 12 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:50,639 Speaker 1: It's all coming up right after this, joining us now 13 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: for a return visit to the show. He's been covering 14 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:55,640 Speaker 1: soccer with an emphasis on advancing the women's game since 15 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:57,560 Speaker 1: two thousand and eight. In two thousand and nine, he 16 00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: launched The Equalizer, the leading website dedicated to exclusively to 17 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 1: comprehensive women's soccer coverage in North America, before joining ESPN 18 00:01:04,720 --> 00:01:07,839 Speaker 1: to become the outlet's lead NWSL and US Women's National 19 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: team reporter. He's happier than anyone that the NWSL finally 20 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:14,679 Speaker 1: released a season schedule footprint with months to spare. 21 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 2: It's Jeff casup Hi, Jeff. 22 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:19,479 Speaker 3: You know me, Well, Sarah, this is like I mean, 23 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:22,399 Speaker 3: it's amazing news that we can plan for next year. 24 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:25,039 Speaker 3: This summer truly unprecedented. 25 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm going to have to just fold up my 26 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 1: wear's the schedule meg shirt and never wear it again. 27 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 3: You know. 28 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:33,039 Speaker 2: Well, thanks for coming back to the show. 29 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:35,600 Speaker 1: How was the NWSL hiatus for you, because I know 30 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 1: a couple break in news moments sort of interrupted your piece. 31 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:41,479 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think I had one as it ever goes 32 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:43,039 Speaker 3: that while I was trying to get away, I'm going 33 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:45,960 Speaker 3: to think, you know, as the cycle of covering this 34 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:48,440 Speaker 3: sport goes. I mean obviously there were Euros and everything, 35 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 3: but it's at least from a US perspective, more of 36 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 3: a down summer in the cycle. So yeah, attempted to 37 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 3: do a little bit more family stuff than I would 38 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 3: in like a World Cup. 39 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:00,880 Speaker 1: Year, And you almost made it until the me official 40 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 1: news hit and we found out she was leaving Chelsea 41 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 1: and signing with Seattle Rain through twenty twenty nine. Actually, 42 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 1: I got to see her in the Thorns Rain friendly 43 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 1: last Saturday. Can you tell us more about why you 44 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 1: think that move happened now and talk about what she 45 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:16,799 Speaker 1: adds to this Seattle team. 46 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think one hundred percent that her eyes are 47 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 3: on the twenty twenty seven World Cup. I mean, you 48 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 3: look at Chelsea and you know, I think saying this 49 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 3: obviously knowing that and acknowledging that she's a high quality, 50 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:30,399 Speaker 3: international caliber forward is just that is you know, one 51 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:33,239 Speaker 3: of the elite club teams in the world. It's it's stacked. 52 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 3: Obviously some uncertainty waiting to see if Sam Kirr comes back, 53 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:40,040 Speaker 3: but you know, it's it's a place where she not 54 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 3: necessarily guaranteed to be the everyday starter, I think, and 55 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 3: I think at this phase where she's trying to maybe 56 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 3: be the everyday starter for the US, she needs that 57 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 3: in the club environment. And you know, obviously I think 58 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 3: I mean I reported on some of the financials. That's 59 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 3: a big piece of this. I think, as you know 60 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 3: what we believe to be the highest paid aggregate contract 61 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 3: so far in league history, but also you know, the 62 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:06,079 Speaker 3: everyday experience of being the number nine for a club 63 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,920 Speaker 3: where that might not have been the case, I'm assuming 64 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 3: she read that writing on the wall a little bit 65 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:13,200 Speaker 3: at Chelsea and you know, needs that With this year 66 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 3: and a half or so build up into the twenty 67 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 3: twenty seven World Cup, I. 68 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: Think some folks might be surprised to hear she's the 69 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:22,080 Speaker 1: highest paid player ever in the NWSL based on the 70 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:25,920 Speaker 1: accounting that was done unofficially. What is she capable of 71 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:28,640 Speaker 1: when healthy and why was the price so high? 72 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,080 Speaker 3: Well, I think some of the economics are really a 73 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:33,880 Speaker 3: state of the ongoing evolution. I mean, this is, you know, 74 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:36,920 Speaker 3: the Naomi Garma transfer to a degree in the winter, 75 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 3: and that's the biggest ever, and then that's immediately you know, 76 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 3: captain the summer. So I think that's just the state 77 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 3: that we're in where things are changing so rapidly that 78 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:48,080 Speaker 3: we're in an environment where there's a record upon a 79 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 3: record relatively every transfer season. 80 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 2: It's like NFL quarterbacks at this point. 81 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah, every time a really good one signs, the 82 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: number goes up. 83 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly. And I don't know when that stops, exactly, 84 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 3: because obviously the nwsls operate in their cap world, which 85 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 3: is supposed to be future proof. Maybe it is, maybe 86 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 3: it isn't but I think that informs the economics a 87 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 3: little bit, like at a at a large scale. And 88 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:13,120 Speaker 3: then forficial specifically, yeah, I mean I think, you know, 89 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:17,479 Speaker 3: rising top American forward. You know, I think there's probably 90 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 3: there's only so many players available at a given time, 91 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:22,919 Speaker 3: right Seattle is a team that is in the middle 92 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 3: of a rebuild, has a chance to kind of get 93 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 3: a younger franchise player here, and you know, I think 94 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 3: it's an opportunity for them to make a move for 95 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 3: the long term. So I think there's a lot of 96 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 3: sort of outside factors. And then obviously for her, yeah, 97 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 3: I think she's proven in the time that we've seen her, 98 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 3: which has been a little bit limited so far, that 99 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,840 Speaker 3: that she's a very good number nine, can play as 100 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:48,040 Speaker 3: a back to goal forward and can score goals. She's 101 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:50,160 Speaker 3: a poacher in front of net, and now she'll look 102 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 3: to prove that in the n OFBSL quickly. 103 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,839 Speaker 1: Is it necessary to be local to the NWSL in 104 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 1: terms of being seen for the US women's national team 105 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:00,840 Speaker 1: in the same way anymore, or is it just as 106 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 1: likely if you're playing in the European League and crushing 107 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:06,159 Speaker 1: it that you're going to get the same opportunity. 108 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, I don't think it's as essential these days, especially 109 00:05:08,960 --> 00:05:14,279 Speaker 3: with maas in charge and global scouting, global availability of games. 110 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 3: I think I think it's unique to every individual, but 111 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 3: I think the days of you have to be here 112 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 3: are probably gone. 113 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 1: You mentioned Naomi Germa the first million dollar transfer in 114 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 1: women's soccer, and then this summer we saw the first 115 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:29,359 Speaker 1: million euro transfer from Arsenal for Liverpool's Olivia Smith. Can 116 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:32,039 Speaker 1: the NWSL keep up with that kind of spending well 117 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:34,560 Speaker 1: restrained by a salary cap or will they start to 118 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 1: fall behind and getting those players if they don't change 119 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 1: the system. 120 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:40,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the system's going to need ongoing evolution. 121 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 3: So I think I would guess the short answer of 122 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 3: like as it's written now, I'm going to say no, 123 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:48,159 Speaker 3: and that's you know, they've tried to future proof it. 124 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 3: The cap goes up every year. There is a caveat 125 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 3: there for if they're profitable with the media rights, and 126 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 3: you know that can increase some more. But I think 127 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:01,279 Speaker 3: they're going to have to come up with a system. 128 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 3: We see it in MLS right. I mean they got 129 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 3: rid of allocation money, but now expansion teams have come 130 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 3: in without a draft and suddenly there's allocation money again, right, 131 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,200 Speaker 3: So I think we're in this space, you know, similar 132 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 3: to I said of the market evolving NonStop. I think 133 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 3: the NWSL is in a place where they're going to 134 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 3: be evaluating these rules on an annual basis, and the 135 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 3: cap itself is written in stone. But we're probably looking 136 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 3: at a scenario where whether it's allocation money or some 137 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 3: kind of other sort of funny money, like, they're going 138 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 3: to have to come up with ways to keep up. 139 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:36,000 Speaker 3: And you know, there's not many people, like very few 140 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 3: teams could spend a million on a transfer right now. 141 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 3: I mean San Diego's got some money in the bank 142 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 3: from the Germa outgoing transfer, but like that's a very 143 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 3: difficult prospect. So as far as the World Elite Stars, 144 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 3: which obviously Trini Rodman is probably the one we're all 145 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,480 Speaker 3: watching this summer and going into winter, that is, that's 146 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 3: going to be a difficult one for all these teams. 147 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 1: You mentioned Trinity Rodman, she's back to training for the Spirit. 148 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:00,279 Speaker 1: What have you heard about her health and expectation for 149 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:01,120 Speaker 1: her in the second half. 150 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I think, look, health is going to 151 00:07:03,920 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 3: be an ongoing situation. I mean, I think she said 152 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:10,360 Speaker 3: to herself that she doesn't know for back will ever 153 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 3: be one hundred percent, And I think that's that's tough 154 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 3: to hear for a relatively young player. And hopefully whatever 155 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 3: club in the you know, short and long term future 156 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 3: she's with can manage that alongside the US, And you know, 157 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:25,239 Speaker 3: I think that's going to be something for the US 158 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 3: to to monitor and maybe worry about a little bit, 159 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 3: because it's it's you know, I mean to come back 160 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 3: for one US game, to come back for a few 161 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 3: games in the NWSL and then be back on the 162 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 3: sideline is an issue for her, for the US, for 163 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,120 Speaker 3: the SPIRIT, and then obviously the big question that we're 164 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 3: looking at, I think at large from AFAR is just 165 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:47,120 Speaker 3: what happens next. I mean, we're into July first, is 166 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 3: coming gone, so she's free to talk with anybody in 167 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 3: the world. I'm sure that has logically begun to some degree, 168 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 3: and I think that, you know, she is very much 169 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 3: emerging as the superstar of this league. So I think 170 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 3: this is a spirit question and problem potentially, but it's 171 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 3: also one for the league as well. 172 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, and she has said on the record, I anticipate 173 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: I'm going to just play in Europe at sometime. It's 174 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 1: just a matter of when it's experience I want to have, 175 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,960 Speaker 1: you know, as we're paying attention to the WNBA and 176 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 1: players trying to renegotiate a CBA and get a higher 177 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 1: percentage of revenue, and the conversation around pay is such 178 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: a big one. In the NWSL. The players now have 179 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 1: access to an internal database that details player salaries, but 180 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: we don't see them and know most of them publicly. 181 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 2: This was made to help with. 182 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: Salary negotiations, but it means that folks like you are 183 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,719 Speaker 1: trying to source that type of information, you don't have 184 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 1: it actually laid out for you. Do you think it 185 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 1: would help increase player salaries and be beneficial for the 186 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,440 Speaker 1: players if there was more transparency and if there could 187 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 1: be a public fight around their worth. 188 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 3: Well, look, selfishly, I'd love to see it. It is 189 00:08:57,120 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 3: a I would say, very sort of limited dialogue that 190 00:08:59,880 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 3: is existed internally between some of us in media and 191 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:07,319 Speaker 3: leadership at a at a league level. I don't foresee 192 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,280 Speaker 3: it happening anytime soon, frankly, and yeah, I think it 193 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 3: would help on this end of the job. Would it 194 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:16,080 Speaker 3: help ultimately the player and the you know, I guess 195 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 3: from their perspective, I mean, you know, they could they 196 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:21,680 Speaker 3: already see it internally, so they know, right, So that 197 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 3: means the agents know, the teams know. You know, I 198 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 3: do think that there is I will always argue for 199 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 3: these things that there is a level of benefit to 200 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 3: public information when it comes to you know, salaries, contract 201 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 3: terms at minimum, to know when people are expiring. So yes, 202 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 3: I do think there's a level of benefit. The fact 203 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:44,920 Speaker 3: that exists internally, I think actually makes it probably a 204 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 3: harder sell to make it public because they can negotiate 205 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 3: like that already and know each other's salaries. So yeah, 206 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:54,600 Speaker 3: but I do think from a fan perspective it helps. 207 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 3: There are a lot of benefits, and we're no longer 208 00:09:57,360 --> 00:09:59,520 Speaker 3: in the days where like like I think we all 209 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:01,400 Speaker 3: are are humans. The very few of us who have 210 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 3: done this long enough to remember those days, like the 211 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 3: six thousand dollars minimum contract in twenty thirteen, Does anybody 212 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 3: need that public? Probably not, But you know, we're in 213 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:13,439 Speaker 3: a day where that has obviously changed. It's not we're 214 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 3: not talking about million dollar contracts across the board. But 215 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 3: you know, I think that the contracts are respectable now. 216 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 3: People are increasingly wanting to talk about the financials, especially 217 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 3: when they're records, of course, and I think that we 218 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:27,160 Speaker 3: should be headed there. I don't think it's imminent though. 219 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: As we talk about players going to Europe and back, 220 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 1: we also see coaches doing that, including the transfer of 221 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:37,360 Speaker 1: Spirit head coach Jonathan Heraldez to Michelle Kang's other team, 222 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:39,840 Speaker 1: Oh el Leon. So what do you make of Michelle 223 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:43,000 Speaker 1: Kang's multi club ownership. How can she run the Spirit 224 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: and run another women's pro team without there being a 225 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 1: conflict of interest there? 226 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I think that's that's ultimately the question, right, 227 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:54,320 Speaker 3: And I don't think you know, I would say both 228 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 3: things true in that scenario. Is I do think that 229 00:10:56,559 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 3: was an individual case that was not necessarily one person 230 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:03,679 Speaker 3: moving the chess pieces as they pleased. But I also 231 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 3: think it's it's obviously a very tough pr hit when 232 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:09,480 Speaker 3: you know, the messaging is that we're not going to 233 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:12,000 Speaker 3: move pay players, at least from place to place, and 234 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:15,200 Speaker 3: you know, arguably the one of the best club coaches 235 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:17,400 Speaker 3: in the world is moving from one side to the 236 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:22,439 Speaker 3: other and within the organization. So I think it's a 237 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:25,560 Speaker 3: huge it's a potentially big optics problem when when these 238 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:27,439 Speaker 3: types of things happen, I don't think it's the last 239 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:29,960 Speaker 3: time it'll happen, whether it's player or coach. I mean 240 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 3: it's not the only one either, right. You look at 241 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 3: the flip side. Kansas City just started this with HP 242 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 3: Ker in Denmark and they've openly said we are going 243 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:41,200 Speaker 3: to do it, and they've already had a handful of 244 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:42,320 Speaker 3: players move over there. 245 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:45,559 Speaker 1: So yeah, for those who don't know the current owners, 246 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:48,680 Speaker 1: the owners of the current who are also the current 247 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: owners of the current have purchased another team and are 248 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 1: now making some player moves between the teams, which we've 249 00:11:56,280 --> 00:12:00,840 Speaker 1: of course seen partnerships between teams before abroad and the NWSL, 250 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 1: but now having shared ownership makes it a little stickier, right, Yeah. 251 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 3: But I mean they've been pretty open about it, whereas 252 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:09,680 Speaker 3: like Michelle Kang has said, very much best team in 253 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 3: each country, we're not going to move parts around. So yeah, 254 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:15,959 Speaker 3: I think that's difficult, and it's particularly difficult when you 255 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 3: talk about historically the best club in the world in 256 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 3: Lyon and then one of the best teams right now 257 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 3: or you know, fighting to be so inarguably the best 258 00:12:26,440 --> 00:12:28,960 Speaker 3: league in the world who they are. There's no obvious 259 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:31,319 Speaker 3: front and center. And then London City is now in 260 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:33,360 Speaker 3: the top flight. I'm sure there's going to be a 261 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:36,839 Speaker 3: push there financially and otherwise to make that team competitive 262 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:39,559 Speaker 3: and get to Europe. So I think it's a difficult task, 263 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 3: if nothing else from an optics perspective, but yeah, it's 264 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 3: going to be difficult to manage. I do think that 265 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:49,040 Speaker 3: there's there are differences from like the Red Bull or 266 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:52,320 Speaker 3: City Football Group model in that maybe on the men's 267 00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:54,559 Speaker 3: side it's made to be a farm system versus on 268 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:57,319 Speaker 3: the women's side it's maybe meant to be a sort 269 00:12:57,320 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 3: of monopoly more so than it advancement. So I think 270 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:03,520 Speaker 3: there are differences. But yeah, it's a challenge. I know 271 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 3: it's not for everybody. It's not and not everybody's a 272 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:08,280 Speaker 3: fan of it, you know. I think it's too early 273 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 3: to say that it's like the most amazing thing or 274 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 3: some evil thing. Either way, it's just we need to 275 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 3: see how it develops. 276 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 2: Time will tell. 277 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 1: NWSL in general has struggled with coach turnover. What do 278 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 1: you think the main reason is for the lack of 279 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 1: long tenured managers. 280 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 3: Well, I mean a lot of things. I mean I 281 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 3: think there's a level of patience. There's a level of vetting, right. 282 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:32,560 Speaker 3: I mean, I think if I think of some of 283 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 3: the most recent quick turnovers, which last year we had 284 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 3: several of them, you know, I think from the outside 285 00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 3: most of them, I think those of us who you know, 286 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,200 Speaker 3: are arguably less informed, at least on the sporting side, 287 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:48,000 Speaker 3: were pretty skeptical of them for one reason or another, 288 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:51,440 Speaker 3: and very quickly they you know, they didn't pan out. So, 289 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 3: you know, I think there's there's multiple layers of that, right. 290 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:57,199 Speaker 3: I think you can look at what's the experience level 291 00:13:57,679 --> 00:13:59,679 Speaker 3: higher up the chain, in the in the front office, 292 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 3: and and what does that look like, who do they 293 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 3: bring in? You know, I think there's a level of 294 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 3: patients in a league where you know, we see it. 295 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 3: I mean, I'm thinking of San Diego going from shield 296 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:14,319 Speaker 3: to disaster back to shield contender. This is just kind 297 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,600 Speaker 3: of a yo yo league where things change drastically year 298 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 3: over year. Gotham obviously going from last championship a year 299 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 3: over year. So I think that, you know, it's it's 300 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 3: like it's tough to have that long term view. Very 301 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:29,800 Speaker 3: few people have that patience level, and then you know, 302 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 3: there is kind of a yeah, I mean I think 303 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:35,600 Speaker 3: that there's you have like a recycling of coaches along 304 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 3: with some real wild cards, right, which is where some 305 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:40,720 Speaker 3: of those others come in. And I think it's just 306 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 3: kind of a little bit of an immature landscape in 307 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 3: that perspective. 308 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 1: We got to take a quick break when we come 309 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:58,360 Speaker 1: back more with Jeff Kasouf type. Over the break, we 310 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 1: got some news from the den expansion team. There'll be 311 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,920 Speaker 1: the Denver Summit FC, and per your reporting, they're set 312 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: to soon announced Nick Pushing as the club's first head coach. 313 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:10,040 Speaker 1: Tell us about what you know about him in the 314 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 1: style he's going to bring to the job. 315 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, so long time Manchester City, I guess I just 316 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 3: say City Football Group product between Manchester City Women, the 317 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 3: academy there, New York City FC MLS fans will be familiar. 318 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:24,840 Speaker 3: So I think you know that in that regard brings 319 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 3: a ton of experience. Most recently was the interim with 320 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 3: man City in this spring here. So but you know 321 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 3: the bulk of that experience being I would say, in 322 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 3: a phase of the the WSL where things were a 323 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:40,040 Speaker 3: lot different. It just wasn't necessarily this modern era. So 324 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 3: I think that'll be interesting. I think you can look 325 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 3: there at Denver and say, you know, you've got a 326 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:49,120 Speaker 3: little bit of an American European one two punch, where 327 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 3: I would argue, at least logically, there's a little bit 328 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:55,560 Speaker 3: more experience with the league and understanding there with GM 329 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:58,320 Speaker 3: Kirk Johnson in charge, and you know, some of the 330 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:01,840 Speaker 3: depending on how they stay that up some of the 331 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 3: you know, American influence and backdrop versus a Boston that's 332 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 3: gone all European as the other expansion team, which I 333 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:14,000 Speaker 3: really like Felipa Patum from what I've talked to her about. 334 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:15,880 Speaker 3: But you know, obviously that comes with the risk of 335 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 3: does this group kind of understand the inherently complicated and 336 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 3: ridiculous rules of the NWSL. So I think we'll have 337 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 3: contrasting expansion teams in that regard, But you know, I 338 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 3: think both are I'm excited to see both. I mean, Denver, 339 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 3: you know, to your question about Cushing the experiences there, 340 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,000 Speaker 3: and then obviously there's going to be a pressure I 341 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 3: think to perform from the outset with sort of the 342 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 3: wild wild West of no draft. What's that roster going 343 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 3: to look like? 344 00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 1: A lot of questions I want to get into that, 345 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:48,040 Speaker 1: but I first want to ask, what do you think 346 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 1: are the most ridiculous rules in the NWSL. 347 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 3: Well, I think, I mean the cap and the intricacies 348 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 3: of the financial piece are still ones that exist, you know, 349 00:16:58,280 --> 00:17:00,880 Speaker 3: just having to manage that, you know, right down to 350 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:04,359 Speaker 3: I think, like look at the announcement of the financial 351 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:08,640 Speaker 3: possibilities for Boston and Denver. I mean I remember even 352 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 3: writing that was like for someone who's in it was 353 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 3: difficult to convey to the average fan because it's a 354 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 3: different pot of transfer funds which exist out of allocation money, 355 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 3: which both essentially exist out of the salary cap. And 356 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:26,879 Speaker 3: you have a threshold where you could sell a player, 357 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 3: but then you buy a player. If you go over it, 358 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,399 Speaker 3: you essentially have a luxury tax, which is you know, 359 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:33,280 Speaker 3: the best way I could explain that to like an 360 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 3: MLB or NBA fan. So there's just there's no like, 361 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 3: we want this player, this is what they cost for 362 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 3: a salary, this is what the club wants for a transfer. 363 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 3: You're at times dipping into two to three pots of 364 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:50,119 Speaker 3: money and trying to balance it without getting taxed. So 365 00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:53,879 Speaker 3: that's something that still exists and I think is difficult. 366 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:56,119 Speaker 1: Well, that's why we like people like you figuring it 367 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 1: out for us, because that is not my wheelhouse. 368 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:00,399 Speaker 2: You mentioned that draft. 369 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: Denver and Boston are going to be the first teams 370 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:04,399 Speaker 1: to try to acquire players and build a roster without 371 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:06,919 Speaker 1: a draft. What do you see as the most attractive 372 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:08,439 Speaker 1: draws for each of those teams? 373 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:11,399 Speaker 3: Well, Boston's going to be the city. I mean, I 374 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:14,359 Speaker 3: think that's probably cliche, but they'll have that type of 375 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:17,879 Speaker 3: ability to sell that to an international and probably plenty 376 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:21,240 Speaker 3: of domestic players probably you know, and I say this respectfully, 377 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:23,160 Speaker 3: I like Denver better than Boston, I think as far 378 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:25,560 Speaker 3: as like where am I going to go? But that 379 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 3: probably Denver won't have that exactly equally. But Denver has 380 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:32,440 Speaker 3: the project to sell. I mean, I get that. Boston, 381 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 3: you know, they're coming around on the stadium and the 382 00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:38,040 Speaker 3: training facility. Obviously I think it was you know, they've 383 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:39,800 Speaker 3: got a lot to kind of shed off from the 384 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:42,760 Speaker 3: rough start that they had between branding and stadium. But 385 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 3: Denver's going to be able to sell world class stadium 386 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:49,440 Speaker 3: built for them, the open view to the peaks, and 387 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:53,280 Speaker 3: then obviously the training facility that I think we've seen 388 00:18:53,359 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 3: more at least in terms of renderings and information from 389 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 3: Denver than we have of Boston's. But it does look 390 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:01,360 Speaker 3: like it'll be a little bit more robust, just even 391 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 3: by way of it having the temporary stadium. So I 392 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 3: think that there's like a campus and a project that 393 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:09,479 Speaker 3: can really be sold if you're Denver, and then if 394 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:11,320 Speaker 3: you're Boston, you have that to a degree, but you 395 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:14,879 Speaker 3: also just have kind of a worldly city that can 396 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:18,200 Speaker 3: attract Europeans and frankly, even like geography, you know, from geography, 397 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 3: you know, we see this with scheduling of you of 398 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:24,760 Speaker 3: US games, even like a European it's a shorter flight 399 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:26,679 Speaker 3: to Boston than it is to Denver if they need 400 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:28,879 Speaker 3: to hop back and forth. I mean, that's not like 401 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 3: an end all, be all factor, but it will be 402 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:32,440 Speaker 3: one for players as they make decisions. 403 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:36,199 Speaker 1: You know, we've seen a little bit of expansion in 404 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 1: recent years. Based on what we've seen, is there any 405 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:42,760 Speaker 1: glaring reason why an existing NWSL player or new player 406 00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 1: might not want to join an expansion team from year one? 407 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 2: There's a lot of. 408 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 1: Cool things about being the first. Are there reasons that 409 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:51,800 Speaker 1: they might say, oh wait a couple of years. 410 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 3: Well, yeah, there are a lot of cool things. I mean, 411 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 3: I would say, depending where you are in your career, 412 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 3: if it's like championship now, then you're not going to 413 00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 3: expansion team. I mean, respectfully, even to the ones that 414 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:05,399 Speaker 3: have been competitive, I think that they're in for a 415 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 3: difficult task ahead. I mean, you don't have the draft, 416 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 3: which I'm not saying is necessarily like the only thing 417 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 3: that I mean, by the time we got to the 418 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 3: end of the draft era became a leveraging piece, which 419 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:18,959 Speaker 3: teams leveraged pretty well. And now they don't have that. 420 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 3: And but that combined with look at like Kansas City, 421 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:27,159 Speaker 3: look at Orlando, I think the bar of like what 422 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:29,480 Speaker 3: is a championship team is so much higher now the 423 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:32,520 Speaker 3: league is larger that you're kind of fighting to be 424 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:34,560 Speaker 3: a mid table team, I would say from year one. 425 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:36,680 Speaker 3: So if you're at a point in your career where 426 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 3: like it's winding down, I just need a ring. Now. 427 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 3: I don't think you're going to an expansion team right now. 428 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:45,399 Speaker 3: Let them prove me wrong. Throw it on the poster 429 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 3: board material. But yeah, I think that that's probably not 430 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 3: for everybody in that sense. 431 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:54,359 Speaker 1: We've talked a lot about the Boston rollout, some of 432 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:56,240 Speaker 1: the starts and stops and restarts. 433 00:20:56,280 --> 00:20:58,120 Speaker 2: What have you made of the Denver rollout so far? 434 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:01,480 Speaker 3: I think it's been pretty smooth from a branding perspective. 435 00:21:01,520 --> 00:21:03,520 Speaker 3: I mean, you can't beat that stadium. It's it'll be 436 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:05,639 Speaker 3: the second of its kind. And you know, I know 437 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 3: Boston's is kind of retrofitted in terms of build from 438 00:21:08,560 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 3: the ground, you know. From that perspective, I think the 439 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:15,720 Speaker 3: branding has been on point. Whether they I did ask, 440 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:17,240 Speaker 3: and I mean I don't think we'll ever get a 441 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:19,840 Speaker 3: real answer whether they learned or not from what Boston did. 442 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:22,960 Speaker 3: I think they did it polar opposite with fan input 443 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:25,640 Speaker 3: and and a little bit more organic. So I think 444 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:28,639 Speaker 3: the branding has been right, you know, having been to 445 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 3: Denver and Colorado now, I think it's like they've they've 446 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 3: gotten the local vibe, right, I think from just the 447 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 3: branding and everything. So I think it's been a pretty 448 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:42,639 Speaker 3: good roll out thus far. That you know, that said, 449 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,480 Speaker 3: there's very few people employed at the moment that we 450 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:48,000 Speaker 3: know about obviously, so that'll be a big piece of it. 451 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:49,720 Speaker 3: But yeah, I think what they've done so far it's 452 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:51,920 Speaker 3: as good as you can ask for a really pretty 453 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:53,639 Speaker 3: cool brand for a cool place to be. 454 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:57,440 Speaker 1: I love the Crest. I love the colors and the vibes. 455 00:21:57,560 --> 00:22:00,040 Speaker 1: I think the name's cool too. I was just in 456 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 1: Portland pretty recently hearing a lot about the joint facility 457 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:05,160 Speaker 1: that the Thorns are building along with the Portland fire 458 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:07,440 Speaker 1: of the WNBA. Do you know if there are any 459 00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:10,400 Speaker 1: regulations or there will be any monitoring from the leagues 460 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:12,600 Speaker 1: about that facility being. 461 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:15,160 Speaker 3: Shared, like in terms of financials. 462 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't know if there's any rules around that 463 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:23,639 Speaker 1: collaboration being different than every other city. 464 00:22:24,160 --> 00:22:26,200 Speaker 3: There shouldn't be in terms of I mean, the training 465 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:29,000 Speaker 3: facility itself is spend what you want on it, make it, 466 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:30,359 Speaker 3: you know, I think the league will be happy to 467 00:22:30,359 --> 00:22:34,800 Speaker 3: see it made as great as possible. You know. Monitoring, 468 00:22:35,080 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 3: I think is an ongoing thing. I mean we're almost 469 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:40,480 Speaker 3: a year gone from I would say the what was 470 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:43,840 Speaker 3: historically the biggest points the first points deduction and you know, 471 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 3: not quite related, but I think we haven't heard much 472 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:49,359 Speaker 3: since then about what the league is or isn't monitoring. 473 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:52,440 Speaker 1: So and you're talking about the Angel City points deduction. 474 00:22:52,280 --> 00:22:54,639 Speaker 3: Yeah, the Angel City, which is not necessarily related, but 475 00:22:54,680 --> 00:22:56,120 Speaker 3: just to your point of like, what are they doing 476 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 3: to monitor financials It's a good question because to your point, 477 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:01,520 Speaker 3: even on the salaries, we don't hear about any of 478 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:04,320 Speaker 3: it publicly, and I can tell you most people don't 479 00:23:04,320 --> 00:23:07,080 Speaker 3: want to talk about those things. So yeah, but in 480 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:10,480 Speaker 3: terms of the training facility, I think the model is interesting. 481 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:14,879 Speaker 3: I'm curious if we'll see more WNBA NWSL ownership crossover. 482 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:17,959 Speaker 3: I know Kansas City wants that they've been public about it, 483 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:20,920 Speaker 3: and yeah, but in terms of the facility, it should 484 00:23:20,920 --> 00:23:23,640 Speaker 3: be spend what you want to make it great, and yeah, 485 00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:25,400 Speaker 3: I think I don't think there should be any restrictions 486 00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:25,680 Speaker 3: on it. 487 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:29,040 Speaker 1: All Right, We're about to start the second half of 488 00:23:29,080 --> 00:23:31,600 Speaker 1: the NWSL season after this lengthy break. What are your 489 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 1: top three storylines that you're watching for in the second half. 490 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:37,560 Speaker 3: Well, obviously the shield. I mean, I think Kansas City 491 00:23:37,720 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 3: is in a position a bit like Orlando last year 492 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:44,359 Speaker 3: to a degree to really just can they run away 493 00:23:44,359 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 3: with it? Can they do the double? I think that's probably, 494 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:49,800 Speaker 3: you know, top of mind for them after last year. 495 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:53,919 Speaker 3: You know, from an individual standpoint, I do think we 496 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:57,400 Speaker 3: talked about Rodman earlier. I mean that jumps out. It's 497 00:23:57,400 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 3: transfer season, so we could say transfers at large, but 498 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:03,200 Speaker 3: she will be the first, second, third, and one hundredth 499 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:08,040 Speaker 3: sort of priority of importance and prominence for the league 500 00:24:08,119 --> 00:24:11,919 Speaker 3: as a face of the league for one that you know, 501 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,239 Speaker 3: I think is in a point of transition where they 502 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:17,320 Speaker 3: need one. And then you know, I think maybe if 503 00:24:17,359 --> 00:24:20,640 Speaker 3: you look a little bit farther down the table where 504 00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:25,359 Speaker 3: fourteen teams were going to sixteen, superpower is probably a 505 00:24:25,440 --> 00:24:29,520 Speaker 3: term I'm grown old of hearing already from the league, 506 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 3: but it's one they love to talk about, that parody 507 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:35,200 Speaker 3: is the superpower, And you know, I think just I mean, 508 00:24:35,520 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 3: I know we can look at mathematically that parody has 509 00:24:39,119 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 3: been eroding to a degree. It looks different, you know, 510 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 3: all these things, but first to last is a different 511 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 3: world in this league now. So I think looking at 512 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:49,760 Speaker 3: what are these bottom teams going to do? Chicago, I 513 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:51,440 Speaker 3: think you and I have talked about. I know you've 514 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:56,159 Speaker 3: you know, you've had some inside looks at and you know, Chicago, Utah. 515 00:24:56,160 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 3: What are these teams going to do to be competitive 516 00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 3: and even if that means setting themselves up for next 517 00:25:01,880 --> 00:25:03,960 Speaker 3: year at this point, because there are some teams that 518 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:06,159 Speaker 3: are clearly out of it for this season. So I 519 00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:07,960 Speaker 3: think we need to view that with the short and 520 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:12,080 Speaker 3: long term of the league cannot become a tier of 521 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:13,640 Speaker 3: three and everybody else. 522 00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:16,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, we talk about that a lot in women's sports. 523 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:19,440 Speaker 1: There's a lot of secret sharing between teams and front 524 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 1: offices because it is a rising tides lift all boat situation. 525 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:24,960 Speaker 1: It doesn't work the same way as it can in 526 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:28,760 Speaker 1: these long, centuries long or century long established men's leagues 527 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:30,200 Speaker 1: where the top carries the bottom. 528 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:32,399 Speaker 2: You really need a healthy league. 529 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:35,920 Speaker 1: NWSL regular season viewership down about eight percent this year. 530 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:38,480 Speaker 1: The most obvious reason is the absence of some big names. 531 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:41,440 Speaker 1: Triple Espresso all Out Robin's been in and out with injuries, 532 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:44,760 Speaker 1: Chicago Stars Mallory Swanson and the Portland Thorn Sophia Wilson 533 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:47,440 Speaker 1: both pregnant, and then Rose Level has been out with 534 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:49,840 Speaker 1: injury forgot them. Do you see any other reason for 535 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:52,640 Speaker 1: the decline right now? And I do think they anticipated 536 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:54,080 Speaker 1: to go back up in the second half as we 537 00:25:54,119 --> 00:25:55,440 Speaker 1: get closer to postseason runs. 538 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:58,320 Speaker 3: Yeah. I would add to that too. I mean the retirements. 539 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:00,600 Speaker 3: I mean Megan Rapino a couple years now, but Alex 540 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:04,879 Speaker 3: Morgan retiring, you know, Becky Sowerbrun, I mean Morgan above 541 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:06,760 Speaker 3: all of them, I would say, you know, being the 542 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:10,840 Speaker 3: sort of cross cultural draw that you know, could change 543 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:13,080 Speaker 3: a TV number to a degree at least on a 544 00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 3: big game. So I think those all kind of compounds. 545 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:19,400 Speaker 3: So yeah, I think that's a big piece of it 546 00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:22,639 Speaker 3: is just this is a league that it's you know, 547 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 3: I think people look at it as like this negative thing. 548 00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:28,720 Speaker 3: It's not speaking ill of anybody in it. A generation 549 00:26:28,920 --> 00:26:33,520 Speaker 3: is retired, a newer generation is emerging. They're emerging in 550 00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:35,919 Speaker 3: a little bit of fits and starts to a degree, 551 00:26:35,960 --> 00:26:40,280 Speaker 3: whether that's injury or otherwise, and haven't necessarily yet established themselves. 552 00:26:40,320 --> 00:26:43,360 Speaker 3: I think we see in a Rodman, especially already from 553 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:46,879 Speaker 3: a media perspective, will be, if not already is that superstar, 554 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,600 Speaker 3: but just hasn't yet quite taken hold in the way 555 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:53,440 Speaker 3: that fifteen years of Alex Morgan front and center does 556 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:56,280 Speaker 3: and did. So I think all those things combined kind 557 00:26:56,280 --> 00:26:59,520 Speaker 3: of contribute to making it a little bit difficult to sell, 558 00:26:59,560 --> 00:27:01,840 Speaker 3: whether it's the league at large or just like a 559 00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:04,600 Speaker 3: big game, right, Like I mean Chicago. 560 00:27:04,359 --> 00:27:06,560 Speaker 1: The storylines have been down a little. It feels like 561 00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:08,360 Speaker 1: something to cling to for the casual fan. 562 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:10,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, like a Chicago Washington, I mean as bad as 563 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:13,920 Speaker 3: Chicago isn't has been. You could have sold as Swanson 564 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:17,040 Speaker 3: versus Rodman that cuts through to a degree to somebody 565 00:27:17,040 --> 00:27:20,760 Speaker 3: who doesn't otherwise care. Instead, it was you know, Washington 566 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:22,320 Speaker 3: at the rear the Stars. 567 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:24,160 Speaker 1: I mean, it's it's just not something you can say 568 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:25,320 Speaker 1: color neutral stars. 569 00:27:25,680 --> 00:27:27,720 Speaker 2: Yeah. 570 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:29,840 Speaker 1: We paid a bit of attention to the Euros on 571 00:27:29,880 --> 00:27:32,920 Speaker 1: this show, not as much as the larger US audience did, 572 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: which was really cool to see how invested folks. 573 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:36,720 Speaker 2: Scott and what was going on over there. 574 00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:38,560 Speaker 1: We really didn't pay mu attention at all to the 575 00:27:38,560 --> 00:27:41,160 Speaker 1: Copa America or the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. 576 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 2: So do we miss anything? 577 00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:44,119 Speaker 1: Is there anything that stands out to you as it 578 00:27:44,119 --> 00:27:46,960 Speaker 1: relates to the NWSL or even the future major international 579 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 1: tournaments involving the US women's national team based off of 580 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:51,280 Speaker 1: what you saw at those tournaments. 581 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:54,720 Speaker 3: You know, I think from a Copa America standpoint, I mean, 582 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:57,240 Speaker 3: you know, again some of the headlines of the actual 583 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:01,159 Speaker 3: resources we saw Marta and Company calling those out. You know, 584 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:03,760 Speaker 3: I think when you look at the juxtaposition of those 585 00:28:03,840 --> 00:28:07,320 Speaker 3: running simultaneously of like what's happening in Ecuador, what's happening 586 00:28:07,320 --> 00:28:11,240 Speaker 3: in Switzerland very different. You know, I do think even 587 00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:14,679 Speaker 3: like it makes me think of Conka Calf going from 588 00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:17,440 Speaker 3: I mean, I feel like they've gone backwards in terms 589 00:28:17,480 --> 00:28:21,080 Speaker 3: of like giving real competition. That now qualifying is going 590 00:28:21,119 --> 00:28:23,880 Speaker 3: to be one win and you're in in a mini 591 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:28,720 Speaker 3: tournament versus some of these confederations that have month long 592 00:28:28,840 --> 00:28:32,520 Speaker 3: or roughly month long tournaments. But yeah, I think it's 593 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:37,080 Speaker 3: you know, Europe is has been. I mean, I hate 594 00:28:37,080 --> 00:28:39,120 Speaker 3: the framing of it as like the world is catching up. 595 00:28:39,120 --> 00:28:41,200 Speaker 3: They caught up a while ago. I mean that's a 596 00:28:41,240 --> 00:28:44,840 Speaker 3: totally different time period. So you know, there are better 597 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:48,360 Speaker 3: teams beyond just Spain and England. Now, there are teams 598 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:49,920 Speaker 3: that can give any team to run for their money. 599 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:52,800 Speaker 3: Portugal just got announced for a US opponent. Portugal was 600 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:54,680 Speaker 3: three inches from sending the US home in the group 601 00:28:54,720 --> 00:28:56,960 Speaker 3: stage in the twenty twenty three World Cup, and I 602 00:28:57,000 --> 00:29:00,280 Speaker 3: never thought I would say that, quite frankly. So I 603 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:02,480 Speaker 3: think that there's, yeah, there's just an increase in those 604 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:05,560 Speaker 3: mid tier teams so to speak, that can beat better 605 00:29:05,600 --> 00:29:08,400 Speaker 3: teams on the day. And I think that, you know, 606 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:13,000 Speaker 3: scheduling is difficult now. The US can't schedule these big opponents. 607 00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:15,840 Speaker 3: They just like it's almost impossible to bring Spain here 608 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:18,720 Speaker 3: on a random friendly window. So I think those are 609 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:23,200 Speaker 3: things that jump out just overall rising quality and you know, 610 00:29:23,320 --> 00:29:26,440 Speaker 3: wondering when the US gets like a real competitive game 611 00:29:26,480 --> 00:29:27,560 Speaker 3: because it's getting harder to do. 612 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:30,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I do think to your point about the 613 00:29:30,320 --> 00:29:34,000 Speaker 1: resources across some of those tournaments. We've seen some incredible 614 00:29:34,040 --> 00:29:37,400 Speaker 1: players coming from Africa to the NWSL, and they're oftentimes 615 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 1: coming from federations that give them basically no resources. So 616 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:43,840 Speaker 1: what can it look like if they're actually supported in 617 00:29:43,920 --> 00:29:45,880 Speaker 1: their youth levels that as they're coming up before they 618 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:47,760 Speaker 1: get to the NWSL, it could change everything. 619 00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think some of it's scouting too, Like I mean, 620 00:29:50,400 --> 00:29:53,239 Speaker 3: we see this with you know, I think i'd have 621 00:29:53,280 --> 00:29:56,320 Speaker 3: to look at like we've seen multiple instances of the 622 00:29:56,400 --> 00:29:59,680 Speaker 3: NWSL where a team announces first player in league history 623 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:02,400 Speaker 3: signed from you know, I think we had one even 624 00:30:02,400 --> 00:30:04,200 Speaker 3: from Italy, which was surprising to me. I had to 625 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:06,200 Speaker 3: pull out the archives that we never had one. But 626 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:09,920 Speaker 3: you know, it's just it's not relying on like the 627 00:30:10,040 --> 00:30:14,400 Speaker 3: same sort of tread paths where teams are improving scouting. 628 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:18,200 Speaker 3: We've seen a huge pipeline from Brazil specifically, and not 629 00:30:18,360 --> 00:30:20,880 Speaker 3: just like you know, we all know who Marta is already, 630 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:23,520 Speaker 3: but you know players that are are kind of emerging, 631 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:27,640 Speaker 3: you know, from a Corinthian's, you know, from clubs that 632 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:31,080 Speaker 3: are producing better players. So you know, I think it's 633 00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:34,080 Speaker 3: it's part scouting, it's obviously part resources. But you know, 634 00:30:34,120 --> 00:30:37,080 Speaker 3: you can make that argument across CONCA, CAF too. I mean, 635 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:39,719 Speaker 3: I think it's you know, it's it's a global issue 636 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:42,360 Speaker 3: still of kind of what are those resources? I mean 637 00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 3: even in Europe, I mean Uruguay and in South America, 638 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:48,960 Speaker 3: you know these are are I don't think we're done 639 00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:52,600 Speaker 3: with the stories by any by any stretch of like 640 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:56,720 Speaker 3: players having to fight their federations for basic support. It's just, 641 00:30:57,240 --> 00:30:59,040 Speaker 3: you know, now it's the US kind of set that 642 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:01,640 Speaker 3: bar among some other countries and now it's kind of 643 00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:04,400 Speaker 3: a top down to Okay, we didn't think we could 644 00:31:04,440 --> 00:31:06,240 Speaker 3: do this, but now we can fight for this. 645 00:31:07,680 --> 00:31:07,960 Speaker 2: Okay. 646 00:31:08,040 --> 00:31:10,640 Speaker 1: Last question, potentially toughest question, what do you think is 647 00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:13,200 Speaker 1: the biggest issue the NWSL will face in the next 648 00:31:13,200 --> 00:31:13,840 Speaker 1: five years. 649 00:31:17,360 --> 00:31:21,440 Speaker 3: I would say, I mean we've talked about expansion on 650 00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:24,280 Speaker 3: this show. I mean, it does come top of mind 651 00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:27,840 Speaker 3: to me when we talk about a potential thirty team 652 00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:32,960 Speaker 3: league of what that looks like. You know, I know 653 00:31:33,080 --> 00:31:34,880 Speaker 3: people have said, where's the data on it? I do 654 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:38,520 Speaker 3: worry about dilution of talent if that happens too fast. 655 00:31:39,400 --> 00:31:41,440 Speaker 3: I do worry what that looks like if you continue 656 00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:44,800 Speaker 3: to have that gap growing to forty points or whatever 657 00:31:44,840 --> 00:31:47,880 Speaker 3: it might be from first to last. So I think 658 00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:51,080 Speaker 3: that balance is going to be tough because like, there's 659 00:31:51,080 --> 00:31:52,960 Speaker 3: nothing wrong with that. We should encourage teams to be 660 00:31:52,960 --> 00:31:56,120 Speaker 3: the best in the world. And if Kansas City or Orlando, 661 00:31:56,200 --> 00:31:58,440 Speaker 3: Whoever's going to go do that, they should go do it, 662 00:31:58,480 --> 00:32:01,080 Speaker 3: and they shouldn't be restrained by a team that just 663 00:32:01,120 --> 00:32:04,280 Speaker 3: can't do it. But the way that that's going to 664 00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:08,080 Speaker 3: work if you've got Kansas City here, Chicago, Utah, whoever 665 00:32:08,320 --> 00:32:12,320 Speaker 3: down there and consistently so is to some degree they've 666 00:32:12,320 --> 00:32:15,320 Speaker 3: at least got to be really relevant locally, have some 667 00:32:15,360 --> 00:32:19,320 Speaker 3: deep inroads where even if they're terrible, people care about them. 668 00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:20,680 Speaker 2: And there's no draft. 669 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:23,640 Speaker 1: So if you get to that kind of system where 670 00:32:23,640 --> 00:32:25,520 Speaker 1: you've got that many teams and no one wants to 671 00:32:25,560 --> 00:32:29,400 Speaker 1: go there, then you just have no real way to 672 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:31,240 Speaker 1: fix the problem. Yeah, because you're not going to pick 673 00:32:31,280 --> 00:32:33,920 Speaker 1: up a superstar player unless they maybe are from there 674 00:32:34,000 --> 00:32:35,600 Speaker 1: and they decide they want to, you know, bring some 675 00:32:35,640 --> 00:32:37,840 Speaker 1: glory to their hometown club that's been struggling. 676 00:32:37,960 --> 00:32:41,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, and it's on that management, that ownership group 677 00:32:41,120 --> 00:32:42,640 Speaker 3: to to fix that. I mean, I think, you know, 678 00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:46,120 Speaker 3: credit to Orlando for being a bit of a doormat 679 00:32:46,160 --> 00:32:48,400 Speaker 3: for that long turning it around and look at Haley 680 00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:50,719 Speaker 3: Carter coming in and being a big piece of that. 681 00:32:50,920 --> 00:32:53,600 Speaker 3: So it can be done. The right hires can be made, 682 00:32:53,600 --> 00:32:56,080 Speaker 3: but it leaves it in the hands of that club, 683 00:32:56,120 --> 00:33:00,200 Speaker 3: which isn't always a successful outcome. So yeah, I think 684 00:33:00,480 --> 00:33:02,240 Speaker 3: that's top of mind. I mean, there's plenty of things 685 00:33:02,280 --> 00:33:06,040 Speaker 3: to worry about, so to speak, from branding and otherwise, 686 00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:09,680 Speaker 3: but yeah, I think that comes to mind as it's 687 00:33:09,720 --> 00:33:11,560 Speaker 3: just a topic that's always front and center. They want 688 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:13,360 Speaker 3: to be the NFL. They want to be the NFL. Well, 689 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:15,440 Speaker 3: that obviously comes with a lot of catching. 690 00:33:15,720 --> 00:33:18,240 Speaker 1: How long is the season, how many games are they playing? 691 00:33:18,320 --> 00:33:19,200 Speaker 2: Is there enough talent? 692 00:33:19,480 --> 00:33:21,400 Speaker 1: Do you just usurp the talent from all the other 693 00:33:21,520 --> 00:33:24,000 Speaker 1: professional leagues that are growing and building right now that 694 00:33:24,040 --> 00:33:26,520 Speaker 1: are trying to sort of be competitor, slash another option. 695 00:33:27,240 --> 00:33:28,840 Speaker 1: Do they all just go away and you take all 696 00:33:28,880 --> 00:33:31,960 Speaker 1: the talent? There's lots, there's lots there, and you always 697 00:33:31,960 --> 00:33:33,280 Speaker 1: have an answer for all of it. So thank you 698 00:33:33,320 --> 00:33:35,280 Speaker 1: so much for the time, Jeff. Always great talking to you. 699 00:33:35,360 --> 00:33:40,640 Speaker 1: Thanks Sarah, Thanks so much to Jeff for joining us. 700 00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:42,040 Speaker 2: We got to take another break. 701 00:33:42,120 --> 00:33:45,200 Speaker 1: When we return, brush out those mains and warm up 702 00:33:45,240 --> 00:33:45,880 Speaker 1: your roars. 703 00:33:53,680 --> 00:33:54,720 Speaker 2: Welcome back, Slices. 704 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:56,560 Speaker 1: We love that you're listening, but we want you to 705 00:33:56,560 --> 00:33:58,200 Speaker 1: get in the game every day too, So here's our 706 00:33:58,280 --> 00:34:00,520 Speaker 1: good game play of the day. Stay up to date 707 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:03,440 Speaker 1: with Jeff's reporting follow him on Blue Sky. We'll link 708 00:34:03,440 --> 00:34:05,719 Speaker 1: to his account in our show notes. We always love 709 00:34:05,760 --> 00:34:07,320 Speaker 1: to hear from you, so hit us up on email 710 00:34:07,520 --> 00:34:10,040 Speaker 1: Good game at Wondermedia network dot com or leave us 711 00:34:10,080 --> 00:34:12,920 Speaker 1: a voicemail at eight seven two two four fifty seventy 712 00:34:13,400 --> 00:34:14,640 Speaker 1: and don't forget to subscribe. 713 00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:16,440 Speaker 2: Rate and review, y'all. It's easy. 714 00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:20,200 Speaker 1: Watch meish not reminding me to be loud and obnoxious 715 00:34:20,239 --> 00:34:23,719 Speaker 1: about the start of Leo's season. Rating zero out of 716 00:34:23,800 --> 00:34:26,600 Speaker 1: zero Leo points. Are you even really a Leo at 717 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:31,080 Speaker 1: this point? Mesh review, We're eight days into Leo season, 718 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:33,520 Speaker 1: and I haven't even mentioned it once on this show. 719 00:34:34,239 --> 00:34:36,840 Speaker 1: Meish gen Z. Folks like you are supposed to be 720 00:34:36,920 --> 00:34:40,280 Speaker 1: reminding me about this stuff, yepin, about your Sun's signs 721 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:44,040 Speaker 1: and your rising signs and mercuries and renaissance or whatever else. 722 00:34:45,040 --> 00:34:48,200 Speaker 1: You've let me down. You've let yourself down, and you've 723 00:34:48,280 --> 00:34:51,719 Speaker 1: let all other Leos down. I command you to make 724 00:34:51,800 --> 00:34:54,920 Speaker 1: up for your transgressions by stepping into several spotlights this 725 00:34:54,960 --> 00:34:58,719 Speaker 1: week and assuming main character energy for every interaction from 726 00:34:58,719 --> 00:35:02,520 Speaker 1: your social feeds to your grocery shopping trips. Oh and 727 00:35:02,600 --> 00:35:04,839 Speaker 1: no good Leo shines alone, So send a little light 728 00:35:04,880 --> 00:35:07,760 Speaker 1: the way of your friends too. Now it's your turn. Y'all, 729 00:35:08,000 --> 00:35:10,680 Speaker 1: rate and review, Thanks for listening. See you tomorrow for 730 00:35:10,760 --> 00:35:13,200 Speaker 1: my conversation with two time Olympian and New York Times 731 00:35:13,239 --> 00:35:17,759 Speaker 1: bestselling author Kara Goucher. Good Game, Jeff, Good Game, Leo's You, 732 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:22,000 Speaker 1: Sexy Mothers, HW, everyone else, Just. 733 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:23,360 Speaker 2: For now, it's not personal. 734 00:35:26,080 --> 00:35:28,760 Speaker 1: Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports 735 00:35:28,760 --> 00:35:31,920 Speaker 1: production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You 736 00:35:31,960 --> 00:35:35,080 Speaker 1: can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 737 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:38,800 Speaker 1: wherever you get Your Podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network. 738 00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:42,400 Speaker 1: Our producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive 739 00:35:42,440 --> 00:35:46,880 Speaker 1: producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rutterer. 740 00:35:47,320 --> 00:35:50,719 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rutter, Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch and 741 00:35:50,760 --> 00:35:51,600 Speaker 1: Gianna Palmer. 742 00:35:51,920 --> 00:35:53,960 Speaker 2: Our associate producer is Lucy Jones. 743 00:35:54,280 --> 00:35:58,080 Speaker 1: Production assistance from Avery Loftis and I'm Your Host Sarah 744 00:35:58,120 --> 00:35:58,400 Speaker 1: Spain