1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:02,960 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're turning 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:07,120 Speaker 1: trolling into trademarks like Angel Reese. It's Tuesday, June seventeenth, 3 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 1: and on today's show, Big Citrus is reconvening to discuss 4 00:00:10,119 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: Misha's trip to this year's athlete Ally Summit, the revolving 5 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:16,800 Speaker 1: door of WNBA players on short term contracts, and how 6 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: one NWSL team's bold move has us considering the role 7 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 1: of women's sports and activism going forward. Plus PWHL free 8 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:27,639 Speaker 1: agency is a go a TimewARP of a schedule, and 9 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: a proven formula that finally determines the gayest team in 10 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 1: the WNBA. It's all coming up right after this welcome 11 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:44,160 Speaker 1: back slices. Here's what you need to know today. Let's 12 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 1: start with the PWHL, where the expansion Draft is done 13 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: and the free agency's signing window is now open. As 14 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: of Monday, all eight teams can begin signing free agents 15 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,160 Speaker 1: and making trades. Just a reminder, free agents were not 16 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: eligible for selection as part of the expansion Draft, so 17 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 1: we could see a lot of big moves or lots 18 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 1: of players just resigning with their existing teams. Some of 19 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:08,279 Speaker 1: the biggest names to keep tabs on are Toronto's Hannah 20 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: Miller and Natalie Spooner, Ottawa's Theresa Venizeva, Boston Susannah Topany, 21 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:15,399 Speaker 1: and Minnesota's Matti Rooney and Mikayla Cava. 22 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 2: As of this. 23 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 1: Recording, there are already reports from the athletics Hailey Salvian 24 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 1: that Hannah Miller is signing with Vancouver, so it seems 25 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 1: like we can expect some big news to report soon. 26 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 2: To the WNBA, there are six, count them, six. 27 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: WNBA games tonight, and wouldn't you know it, the league 28 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 1: space to mount nicely say you can watch them, just kidding. 29 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 1: If there's ever a time to borrow your neighbors tablet, 30 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: it's tonight. There are two games at seven pm Eastern 31 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 1: and three at eight pm Eastern, and one ten pm 32 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:44,560 Speaker 1: Eastern contest. 33 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 2: First the seven pm games, the. 34 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 1: New York Liberty will look to start a new win 35 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 1: streak when they tip off against the eight and three 36 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 1: Atlanta Dream, while the two and eight Connecticut Sun are 37 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 1: traveling to the five and five Indiana Fever. Then at 38 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: eight pm, the struggling Las Vegas Aces take on the 39 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: ten and one Minnesota and for a third straight game, 40 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: the Aces are going to be without Asia Wilson. Wilson 41 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 1: was placed in concussion protocol last week. No word yet 42 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 1: when she's expected to return. Also at eight pm Eastern, 43 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:12,519 Speaker 1: the Red Hot Golden State Valkyries are traveling to the 44 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 1: Dallas Wings, where Page Beckers is back and could have 45 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 1: a nice little on court reunion with former Yukon teammate 46 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 1: Caitlin Chen, who was re signed by the Balks over 47 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 1: the weekend. Also at eight Big Citrus bragging rights are 48 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 1: on the line with Mesha's four and seven Washington Mystics 49 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: taking on my three and seven Chicago Sky. 50 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 2: Battle of the Struggle Squads. Let's do this, meche. 51 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: Finally, at ten pm Eastern and West Coast battle between 52 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:38,840 Speaker 1: the La Sparks and the Seattle Storm. We'll link to 53 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:40,920 Speaker 1: the full WNBA schedule in the show notes so you 54 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 1: can drop some x's and o's to figure out your 55 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: game viewing plan. The onew team not in action tonight 56 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 1: the Phoenix Mercury. They're back in action tomorrow against the 57 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 1: Sun and they're currently enjoying the return of some of 58 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 1: their biggest names. Alyssa Thomas came back from injury last week, 59 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:00,080 Speaker 1: followed by the return of Kalia Copper on Sunday. The 60 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:03,519 Speaker 1: Mercury's leading score last season, underwent a knee procedure in May, 61 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: which kept her out for the first eleven games. In 62 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 1: the mercury seventy six to seventy win over the Las 63 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: Vegas Aces Sunday, Copper played eighteen minutes, recording eleven points. 64 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 2: Glad to see a backca and not just because you're 65 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:16,239 Speaker 2: on my fantasy roster. 66 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 1: A little more w news as Chicago Skystar Angel Rees 67 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: turned in attempted trolling into a money making opportunity. Reese's 68 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: critics have oft claimed that her rebounding numbers are buoyed 69 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:31,359 Speaker 1: by grabbing her own missus, actually leading reporter Stephen Noe 70 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 1: to publish a report last season disproving the theory. We'll link 71 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: to that story in our show notes, but as we know, 72 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 1: folks do their own research. So the trolling has continued, 73 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 1: including people calling Angels rebounds me bounds. But she turned 74 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 1: their trash talk into a trademark idea, officially filing to 75 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 1: trademark the word mee bounds on Saturday for t shirts, sweatshirts, 76 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 1: and hats, and she posted this video thanking the trolls 77 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 1: for the idea. 78 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 2: Whoever came up with the mee bounce thing, y'all ain't 79 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:02,280 Speaker 2: that up? 80 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 1: Because rebounds, met mound, cree bound, keep rose brow reading. 81 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 2: Anything that comes off that board. 82 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 3: It's fine. 83 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 2: It's fine, and a brand sire there. Whoever came up 84 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 2: with that. The trolling I love when I'll do it 85 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 2: because like the ideas, be good. 86 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,200 Speaker 1: We'll link to the trademark notice and the video in 87 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 1: the show notes to softball, where we've got two AUSL 88 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 1: games tonight with all four teams in action in Wichita, Kansas. 89 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:30,920 Speaker 1: The top ranked Bandits are taken on the number two Talons, 90 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:34,480 Speaker 1: followed by the number three Volts against the last place Blaze. 91 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 1: We'll link to the full au schedule in the show notes. 92 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 1: And don't forget to check and see if they're coming 93 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: to a city near you. Remember this first season as 94 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 1: a barnstorm and tour, so they might be playing in 95 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: your city. We got to take a quick break. When 96 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:50,919 Speaker 1: we come back, get out the juicer. It's time for 97 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 1: Big Citrus. 98 00:04:58,920 --> 00:04:59,919 Speaker 2: Welcome back slices. 99 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,839 Speaker 1: It's time to bring Big Citrus back together. 100 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 2: Producer Mish, how are you? I'm good? Happy to be back. 101 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:08,840 Speaker 2: Producer Alex feeling good. 102 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:11,040 Speaker 4: Oh yeah, happy to be here. 103 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,400 Speaker 1: I mean as good as we can be right now, 104 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:17,599 Speaker 1: which is not great, Bob, But we're here together talking 105 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:19,599 Speaker 1: and me. I want to hear about this trip you 106 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 1: just took that looked really awesome. You went out to 107 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: an athlete Ally event, and we've talked about them in 108 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 1: a past show. Actually, they're a nonprofit LGBTQ athletic advocacy 109 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 1: group based in the US, and they try to make 110 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:35,039 Speaker 1: athletic communities more inclusive, less discriminatory, and help athletes to 111 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 1: advocate for the community and LGBTQ plus equality. 112 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 2: So I want to hear about the trip you took. 113 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 2: I saw the. 114 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 1: Little photos from your plane ride, but I want to 115 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 1: hear more. 116 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:48,600 Speaker 3: Yes, the athlete Ally Athlete Activism Summit. This has been 117 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:51,560 Speaker 3: the highlight of my summer so far. And that is 118 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:53,040 Speaker 3: saying a lot, because I've done a lot of cool 119 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 3: shit this summer already. But basically, athlete Ally had the 120 00:05:56,920 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 3: summit for student athletes for college university administration in outside 121 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 3: of the athletic space and for coaches to come and 122 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 3: meet in Portland, Oregon and talk about some really important 123 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:14,599 Speaker 3: topics like nil in that house versus NC DOUBLEA settlement 124 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 3: and how that affects folks, how to help those kids 125 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 3: that were in attendance navigate the NIL space, But also 126 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 3: more important things like what do we do now that 127 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:27,919 Speaker 3: trans folks are literally under attack in the NC double 128 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 3: A space, that there are folks who aren't allowed to 129 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:32,799 Speaker 3: play anymore, folks who are getting cut from teams, folks 130 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 3: who are seeing repercussions on their college campuses. How can 131 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 3: we support people in the core community at large, How 132 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 3: can we take advantage of intersectionality within different identity groups 133 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,880 Speaker 3: and marginalized groups, and how can folks work together to 134 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 3: make campuses more welcoming spaces and frankly think about the 135 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:52,680 Speaker 3: future of. 136 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:53,599 Speaker 2: Sport in a different way. 137 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 3: There were a lot of really important and really smart 138 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 3: questions that were asked this weekend by kids and adults alike. 139 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,839 Speaker 3: And I think my biggest takeaway from my experience is 140 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:04,159 Speaker 3: that the. 141 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 2: Kids are the kids are gonna be all right. The 142 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 2: kids are gonna be just fine. 143 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:09,920 Speaker 3: But to give you an idea of what we did, 144 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 3: we had this really cool kind of field trip vibe 145 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 3: going on. We went to a place called Sciomania Lodge. 146 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 3: It's actually in Washington I'd never been to Oregon or Washington, 147 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 3: so I got to check both those off the list, 148 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 3: and so we were in there. We had big group 149 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 3: sessions with folks like Lesia Clarendon, who was on a 150 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 3: panel talking about masculinity and how that's affected their journey 151 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 3: as an athlete. We had folks like coach Jackie j 152 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 3: who we just had on the podcast talking about Yeah. 153 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:39,280 Speaker 3: I got to spend a lot of one time with 154 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 3: both Jackie and Lesia and talk about, you know, the 155 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 3: different ways they're trying to have impact and advocate for 156 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 3: the things that they want to advocate for, and all 157 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 3: in all, it was just it was cathartic, you know 158 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 3: what I mean. I think I expected going in for 159 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 3: it to be more about the kids, and it ended 160 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 3: up really touching my heart as well, because you know, 161 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 3: we're all on our own journeys, and I'm on, you know, 162 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 3: a very specific journey to me with my gender and 163 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 3: identity and things, and I got to connect with other 164 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 3: folks who feel that same way and had the same 165 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 3: kind of questions and thoughts and struggles and challenges, and 166 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 3: so all in all it was wonderful. We got to 167 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 3: go on a hike through Skimania's trails. 168 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 2: Was about a two mile hike. It was gorgeous. 169 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 3: I don't know if either of you have ever been 170 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:27,119 Speaker 3: into the mountains in Washington, but I've just never seen 171 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 3: anything like that. 172 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,239 Speaker 2: I'm talking with the snowcaps. Yeah. 173 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: Like I actually when I was in Switzerland posted photos 174 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:35,960 Speaker 1: and someone was like, you know, it's not quite the same, 175 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,559 Speaker 1: but if you go to Washington, there's like areas of 176 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 1: the United States that we underappreciate, yea for how much 177 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:43,440 Speaker 1: they have that similar beauty of the Alps. 178 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 2: And it really made me want to go there. So 179 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 2: I'm jellyfish yes. From from the plane to actually being there, 180 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 2: it was. It was remarkable. It was remarkable. 181 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:53,080 Speaker 1: Wait to have a quick question for you, because you 182 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 1: talked about how you really seem to learn from both 183 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,080 Speaker 1: the students and the people who were running the panels 184 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:01,560 Speaker 1: and the conversations. Is there a specific conversation that stands 185 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 1: out to either a question that no one really had 186 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:07,319 Speaker 1: an answer to but really made you think, or something 187 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,439 Speaker 1: where someone offered up a solution that you were like, wow, 188 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 1: I never thought about that. 189 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 3: Absolutely. I just mentioned that masculinity panel. It was about 190 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:21,080 Speaker 3: all the ways masculinity has affected both CIS and transigender 191 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:24,319 Speaker 3: career non binary folks in the sports space and the 192 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 3: ways masculinity is shaped in our adolescence, how that can 193 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 3: affect the way we move in the world and in 194 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 3: our sport. 195 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:35,440 Speaker 1: Are you speaking about masculinity as a quality that can 196 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 1: be held by any gender? 197 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:37,040 Speaker 2: Yes? 198 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,440 Speaker 3: Okay, yes, absolutely, And I think that was a big 199 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 3: root of the conversation, right, A big bullet point in 200 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 3: there is that masculinity doesn't belong to. 201 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:48,719 Speaker 2: Just a concept, it's just theer. 202 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 3: Indeed, And I think I was really touched by Lesia 203 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 3: Clarendon's openness and willingness to be really transparent, which we 204 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 3: expected nothing less. 205 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,840 Speaker 2: Right is just that's that's what he's known for. 206 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:03,560 Speaker 3: But I was really touched by a question an athlete 207 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 3: named Maggie asked a non binary athlete asked, lay, how 208 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 3: do you exist in the in between when everybody in 209 00:10:12,280 --> 00:10:15,840 Speaker 3: your life wants an answer to your identity questions and 210 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:19,719 Speaker 3: you don't have one, And that is okay to you, 211 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 3: but it's not okay to other people who want to 212 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:23,480 Speaker 3: put you in a box. How do you protect your 213 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:28,839 Speaker 3: peace and also educate folks and bring them into your world? 214 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:30,720 Speaker 3: To the level that you want them to be in 215 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 3: your world. And Lay was just really open and honest 216 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,760 Speaker 3: about the fact that even at thirty five, thirty six, 217 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 3: however old Lay is, it's still hard, right, But there's 218 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 3: so much power and so much creativity and so many 219 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:48,680 Speaker 3: answers we can get just from trans and gender career 220 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 3: people who are living in that intersection. 221 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 2: So yeah, that really touched me. 222 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 1: I'm actually really interested in this too, because I think 223 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 1: when I was growing up, there was so little conversation 224 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 1: about gender and presentation and identity that it felt like 225 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:08,559 Speaker 1: even if you weren't unsure of your identity, I was 226 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:10,840 Speaker 1: sure I was a woman and a girl, but I 227 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 1: was so frustrated by the expectations for girls that I 228 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: often had a friend and we would literally joke about 229 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:18,800 Speaker 1: how we were like, let's start something new, called it 230 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 1: where we can be whatever the hell we want and 231 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 1: play sports. 232 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:23,920 Speaker 2: We made little cards as a joke. 233 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:25,720 Speaker 1: I think we were in like fourth grade or fifth grade, 234 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: and we were like already aware of how bullshit it 235 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 1: was that we were expected to be certain things and 236 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:30,439 Speaker 1: we weren't. 237 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:31,960 Speaker 2: We were really funny and outgoing. 238 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:34,080 Speaker 1: We wanted to play sports all the time, we didn't 239 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 1: want to have to wear skirts to certain events. And 240 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 1: it wasn't because I thought I wasn't a girl, but 241 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:41,319 Speaker 1: it was because I knew what a girl was was bullshit. 242 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: And it's interesting and it will be interesting to see 243 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: how kids these days either are able to truly embrace 244 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:51,079 Speaker 1: an identity that's more complicated or just be the identity 245 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:55,680 Speaker 1: that's simple and easy but feels more open and less restrictive. 246 00:11:56,120 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 3: Yeah. And the last thing I'll say on this point 247 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 3: is the part of that question that really touched me 248 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 3: that Maggie asked was that I was about to raise 249 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 3: my hand and asked the exact same question. And this 250 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 3: kid is this kid is twenty one? Yeah, you know 251 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 3: what I mean, I'm damn near thirty. I know you're 252 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 3: gonna call me a baby again. Okay, insert crying noise. 253 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 2: All right, but it's. 254 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:17,679 Speaker 1: Only someone who's a couple of years away from thirty 255 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 1: says I'm damn near something. 256 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 2: Meanwhile, I try to go in reverse, I'm. 257 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 4: Also damn near thirty. 258 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:27,680 Speaker 3: Okay, in the opposite Yeah, all right, But it was 259 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 3: just moments like that that really brought, you know, filled 260 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 3: my cup and I want to give a shout out 261 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 3: to all the folks who organize that, from Hudson who's 262 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:39,400 Speaker 3: the founder executive director, to Sydney Fellow, William and Mary 263 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 3: Alum who had the logistics on Locke at f Ujah, 264 00:12:43,960 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 3: Anna Bathe, doctor Anna Bath, excuse me, doctor joe Lyne, 265 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:50,679 Speaker 3: Jordan Lexton, everybody who was involved in making that such 266 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 3: a wonderful experience. 267 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:54,320 Speaker 1: And you got to see Jenny at the sports bra 268 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:56,680 Speaker 1: and I got to see Jenny at the sports Brau. 269 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 2: I had never been to those Jelly Braga y'all. You 270 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 2: got to get their aceet a sip. 271 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:05,560 Speaker 4: All right, Misha, someone that has ten states left on 272 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 4: my list, of which Oregon and Washington are two. I'm 273 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 4: very jealous of that entire weekend. 274 00:13:12,920 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 2: That sounds amazing. 275 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 3: I'm jealous as you get to do it for the first. 276 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:18,320 Speaker 2: Time, Alex, Yeah, I want to do it over again. 277 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 2: All right? What you got for us today? 278 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:23,760 Speaker 4: I have been thinking a lot as we have been 279 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:27,439 Speaker 4: celebrating these players that are coming back to the WNBA. 280 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:30,959 Speaker 4: Caitlin Chen re signing with the Valkyries after getting waived 281 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:34,959 Speaker 4: earlier this season, Aery McDonald playing three games in Indiana, 282 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:38,560 Speaker 4: Hayley Jones playing four games, with the Phoenix Mercury. You know, 283 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 4: these are players that we watched in college. We want 284 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 4: to have success in the W and then their time 285 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 4: in the W is cut short because of roster limits. 286 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 4: And it actually reminded me of a question that we 287 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 4: got a few weeks ago from Slice Samantha Lee. She wrote, 288 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 4: love the Show. I have a question about WNBA waving 289 00:13:56,960 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 4: players and getting players in on two week injury international 290 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 4: backfill contracts. Are there players who continue to practice with 291 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 4: the team and so are in the system to fill 292 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:09,920 Speaker 4: those roles? How are they paid? Or how do you 293 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:12,439 Speaker 4: stay in shape, etc. To be ready to fill those 294 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 4: roles if you're not playing. Is there a lower division league? 295 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 4: I don't know about. I so appreciated this question because 296 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:21,320 Speaker 4: it brought me back to my early days of covering 297 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:24,720 Speaker 4: the W back in twenty twenty one, and I distinctly 298 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:27,440 Speaker 4: remember I was on a press conference with Cheryl Reeve 299 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 4: and somebody asked her, Hey, Cheryl, how does it feel 300 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:33,960 Speaker 4: to go without male practice players for a second straight year? 301 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 4: Because at that point, the WNBA didn't have male practice 302 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 4: players coming in. It was still COVID times, and so 303 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 4: they wanted to just limit the amount of exposure that 304 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 4: players had, and she went on a little rant. I 305 00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:46,680 Speaker 4: don't want to even call it a rant because it 306 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:50,360 Speaker 4: was just a Cheryl Reeve truth to power moment, and 307 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 4: she talked about how she didn't want to have male 308 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,040 Speaker 4: practice players, that she wanted to have female practice players, 309 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 4: and that people just assume that they use male practice 310 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 4: players because men are better. It's actually because they are 311 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 4: not allowed to use female practice players. And it's a 312 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 4: little bit convoluted, but essentially the reason does make sense, 313 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 4: where the WNBA Players Association doesn't want teams stashing players 314 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 4: as practice players and not paying them, and so. 315 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 1: They can from going to other teams right exactly where 316 00:15:20,960 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 1: they might get paid. 317 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 4: And so it's one of those things where it makes sense. 318 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 4: And yet I don't think that the way that it 319 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 4: is being implemented and also the result is fair. In fact, 320 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:32,080 Speaker 4: I would argue that it is exploiting players. So Cassandra 321 00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 4: Negli of Yahoo Sports wrote a great story We'll linked 322 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 4: to it in the show notes, and she looked at 323 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 4: Aary McDonald's journey in the WNBA and how when she 324 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 4: got cut earlier this season by the Sparks, she went 325 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 4: home in her childhood bedroom and was working out with 326 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 4: her brother. And so the reality for these players is 327 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 4: that when they are not playing on WNBA teams, they 328 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 4: are paying their own way. They're trying to find free 329 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 4: gym time, They're looking for old friends and coaches that 330 00:15:57,600 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 4: they can work out with because they have to do 331 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 4: it all on their own. And so then you see 332 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 4: that Airy got paid just six four hundred dollars for 333 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 4: three games with Indiana, and it's like the math doesn't 334 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 4: math here. I hope that it's something that they are 335 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 4: considering in their current CBA negotiations. I realize that they 336 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:17,720 Speaker 4: are way bigger fish to fry here, but it feels 337 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:20,560 Speaker 4: to me like, because these roster spots are so hard 338 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 4: to make, it almost becomes a pay to play model 339 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 4: where only the players that are able to kind of 340 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 4: cobble it together on the back end are able to 341 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 4: stay in shape to get. 342 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 2: Those call ups. 343 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 4: Cassandra also interviewed the Dream General manager to ask, Hey, 344 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:38,360 Speaker 4: as a GM, how are you dealing with calling in 345 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 4: these players? And he basically said he has two lists. 346 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 4: One of the players that he knows our state side 347 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:45,920 Speaker 4: that could be on a flight in ten hours in 348 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 4: order to get to tomorrow's game and then also his 349 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 4: additional list of players if they have more time. So 350 00:16:52,680 --> 00:16:56,800 Speaker 4: anyway to answer your full question, Samantha, it's not a 351 00:16:56,840 --> 00:16:59,160 Speaker 4: fair system as it works right now, and part of 352 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:02,320 Speaker 4: the reason is that WNBA rosters are capped at twelve players, 353 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 4: which is not nearly enough to meet a team's full 354 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:06,639 Speaker 4: season long needs. 355 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, when players get hurt instead of being able to 356 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:11,560 Speaker 1: go to a bench that should be deep enough to 357 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 1: be able to have the players that are there every 358 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 1: single day and have been all season get thrust into action, 359 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:20,200 Speaker 1: they sometimes need to get those hardship players also worth noting, 360 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:21,720 Speaker 1: and I want to have her on the show. There's 361 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:24,200 Speaker 1: a woman I've been a handful of times named Fatima 362 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:27,879 Speaker 1: A and she runs the Women's Premieer Basketball Association, and 363 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:31,120 Speaker 1: she really wants to try to make this essentially a 364 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:34,199 Speaker 1: minor league system, a G league type system for the 365 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 1: w so that there can be a concurrently playing league 366 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 1: at a lower level that will feed players up and 367 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 1: back the same way the glegists in the NBA. So 368 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:45,120 Speaker 1: that'll be worth keeping an eye on and seeing if 369 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:48,040 Speaker 1: she's able to do that. We actually have so much 370 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 1: more we can talk about when it comes to WNBA 371 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:51,880 Speaker 1: policy around a variety of things. 372 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:53,280 Speaker 2: But thank you for clearing that up. Al. 373 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:55,119 Speaker 1: We'll get back to you on another one in the 374 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:57,719 Speaker 1: future too, because I'm sure there's more questions coming in 375 00:17:57,760 --> 00:18:00,479 Speaker 1: from slices. What I want to talk about today was 376 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:04,160 Speaker 1: something I mentioned on yesterday's show, Angel City FC responding 377 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: to the immigration raids in Los Angeles. At their home 378 00:18:07,280 --> 00:18:10,679 Speaker 1: game against the North Carolina Courage on Saturday. You remember, 379 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:14,360 Speaker 1: their player's staff and management were wearing Immigrant City T shirts, 380 00:18:14,359 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 1: and the team also handed out ten thousand of those 381 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 1: shirts to fans and flew in one of their owners, 382 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 1: whose pop star and actress Becky g to read a 383 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:25,119 Speaker 1: statement before the game. It was also a statement that 384 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:27,919 Speaker 1: they handed out on cards to all their supporters. It 385 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:30,760 Speaker 1: read quote, the fabric of this city is made of immigrants. 386 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:33,720 Speaker 1: Football does not exist without immigrants. This club does not 387 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: exist without immigrants. This was one of a couple different 388 00:18:38,240 --> 00:18:40,760 Speaker 1: things done across the women's sports space in response to 389 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:44,120 Speaker 1: these raids. Earlier this week, the NWSL Players Association and 390 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:46,320 Speaker 1: the WNBA Players Association released a. 391 00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 2: Joint statement about the raids. 392 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:50,600 Speaker 1: Their statement read, in part quote, we stand with all 393 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 1: people seeking safety dignity and opportunity. No matter where they 394 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: come from or where they hope to go, every person 395 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,159 Speaker 1: deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We know 396 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 1: not every situation is simple, but offering compassion should never 397 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:01,960 Speaker 1: be up for debate. 398 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:02,800 Speaker 2: End quote. 399 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 1: Now, neither the WNBA nor the NWSL the leagues themselves 400 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:09,640 Speaker 1: have issued a statement about the raids or supporting immigrants, 401 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:12,719 Speaker 1: but a few clubs, including that Angel City we just 402 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:15,520 Speaker 1: mentioned and then the Chicago Stars FC, have released statements 403 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 1: and offered up links to resources. Also on the men's side, 404 00:19:19,119 --> 00:19:21,399 Speaker 1: we saw in LA last weekend that fans of the 405 00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 1: MLS team LAFC made an abolish ice TFO and they 406 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 1: unfolded in the stands before kickoff and then sat in 407 00:19:28,960 --> 00:19:33,760 Speaker 1: silence throughout the game against Sporting Kansas City. I guess 408 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:37,399 Speaker 1: there are rules that potentially could have had that TFO 409 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: taken down, and it wasn't, so it sounds like at 410 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 1: the very least LAFC was in supportive or at least 411 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:48,399 Speaker 1: wasn't going to end their statement. Meantime, the Dodgers and 412 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:51,440 Speaker 1: other major men's pro teams in LA have been criticized 413 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:54,199 Speaker 1: for their relative silence and in action In fact, the 414 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:57,320 Speaker 1: Dodgers even told pop artist Nessa, who performed the national 415 00:19:57,359 --> 00:19:59,560 Speaker 1: anthem at a Dodgers game on Saturday, that she couldn't 416 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:02,159 Speaker 1: perform it Spanish, but shout out to her because she 417 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 1: did it anyway, and she posted it behind the scenes 418 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 1: video of her being told that she should sing it 419 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:09,399 Speaker 1: in English and then her singing it in Spanish anyway 420 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:12,679 Speaker 1: to rousing applause from the folks in the stands. So 421 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:15,040 Speaker 1: we'll link to her post about that situation in our 422 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:16,880 Speaker 1: show notes. And the reason I want to talk about 423 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 1: this quickly was, first of all, massive shout out to 424 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:22,280 Speaker 1: Angel City because it takes a lot of guts and 425 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:25,359 Speaker 1: bravery in this moment, and also because it reminded me 426 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:28,720 Speaker 1: of the Minnesota Lynks a couple of years ago, who 427 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 1: really put themselves out there as a team and as 428 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:35,960 Speaker 1: an organization in full, from coach, owner, players on down. 429 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:39,200 Speaker 1: Several notable instances of that that you may or may 430 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:41,840 Speaker 1: not recall was back in twenty sixteen. On July ninth, 431 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:44,640 Speaker 1: the captains for the Links came out in black warm 432 00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:48,359 Speaker 1: up shirts that read Change Starts with US, Justice and Accountability. 433 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:51,920 Speaker 1: That was after the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling, Filando Castile, 434 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 1: and five Dallas police officers. In twenty twenty one, coach 435 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: Cheryl Reeve was outspoken after the shooting death of Dante Wright. 436 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:01,320 Speaker 1: She's also talked to out the rights of transgender women 437 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 1: and nine binary athletes. 438 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:04,080 Speaker 2: She's been out on. 439 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:06,080 Speaker 1: Front of a number of major issues, and of course 440 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:08,480 Speaker 1: we know about Maya Moore's work to help with the 441 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 1: wrongfully imprisoned. So the links sort of became this place 442 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:15,200 Speaker 1: in sports, this team in sports that you knew was 443 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:16,679 Speaker 1: going to step out in front of these things. And 444 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:19,320 Speaker 1: it feels like angel City, at least in this case 445 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 1: and in their short history, have sort of established themselves 446 00:21:23,320 --> 00:21:25,800 Speaker 1: as a team that's going to do that too. And 447 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:27,800 Speaker 1: I think the biggest thing I want to say is 448 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,879 Speaker 1: that I just have a question about whether women's sports 449 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:35,199 Speaker 1: will still be able to have this position in terms 450 00:21:35,240 --> 00:21:38,960 Speaker 1: of society and the intersection of these major issues with sport, 451 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 1: because with new investment comes potentially more conservative owners. We're 452 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:46,040 Speaker 1: at the very least owners who don't come from or 453 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:48,200 Speaker 1: know the women's sports space the same way and might 454 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:52,240 Speaker 1: be reticent to allow for protests and activations like this. Also, 455 00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:55,520 Speaker 1: more coverage means more eyeballs from everyone, and that includes 456 00:21:55,560 --> 00:21:58,320 Speaker 1: the administration. There is now more weight than ever in 457 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:00,960 Speaker 1: using women's sports as a political not just when it 458 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:04,920 Speaker 1: comes to trans inclusion, but everything. And I worry about 459 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: the ability for teams to stand up understanding they will 460 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: be under a microscope that's much closer to the one 461 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:12,360 Speaker 1: that men's teams are under when they want to make 462 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 1: statements like this. And I really hope we see these 463 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 1: teams and these players and these coaches and these owners 464 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:20,560 Speaker 1: continue to be on the forefront of this because we 465 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:23,439 Speaker 1: saw how powerful it could be in flipping the Senate. 466 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:26,119 Speaker 1: We've seen how much of a difference it makes in 467 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:31,360 Speaker 1: sports where there's so many different people from every single race, religion, 468 00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 1: background coming together to watch and care about something, and 469 00:22:34,880 --> 00:22:36,600 Speaker 1: how it gets them to discuss things they might not 470 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:40,280 Speaker 1: otherwise talk about. And I don't know, I just I'm 471 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 1: a little worried and I'm hopeful at the same time 472 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:44,359 Speaker 1: about what the future could look like for activism in 473 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:45,720 Speaker 1: women's sports. Yeah. 474 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:49,360 Speaker 4: I think it's an interesting moment because this move by 475 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 4: Immigrant City FC, also known as ahel City, is different 476 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:56,359 Speaker 4: to me in some respects from the Minnesota links in 477 00:22:56,400 --> 00:22:59,000 Speaker 4: twenty sixteen, and it's one of those things that I 478 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:01,760 Speaker 4: think maybe newer fans to the w don't realize because 479 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:04,960 Speaker 4: they think, oh, the WNBA is this really progressive league, 480 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:07,680 Speaker 4: And I think there's a slight correction that's needed there. 481 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:11,119 Speaker 4: Of the WNBA is a league with very progressive players 482 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 4: that the league has at time attempted to hold back. 483 00:23:14,880 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 4: And you can even point to that twenty sixteen example 484 00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:21,359 Speaker 4: when initially the league fined those Minnesota players for wearing 485 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:23,800 Speaker 4: those shirts, along with players from other teams that did 486 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 4: the same thing. Following their lead. The finds were ultimately rescinded, 487 00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:30,639 Speaker 4: but it shows you that this is a league that 488 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:32,520 Speaker 4: has been led by players, and so the fact that 489 00:23:32,560 --> 00:23:36,680 Speaker 4: the Angel City show up support for immigrants, as far 490 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:38,520 Speaker 4: as we know, has been led kind of by the 491 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 4: front office feels different to me. Of course, it has 492 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:45,000 Speaker 4: the player support as well, but I do think that 493 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:47,959 Speaker 4: it's important to note who's leading those conversations and what 494 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:50,240 Speaker 4: it means about the structures that they're operating within. 495 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:52,960 Speaker 1: I completely agree it's worth noting, and Glenn Taylor has 496 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:56,639 Speaker 1: never stepped in or tried to stop anything that was 497 00:23:56,640 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 1: said or done by the Links players, so while the 498 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:01,679 Speaker 1: league itself, and I think when we think of that, 499 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:03,680 Speaker 1: we think front office, commissioner, etc. 500 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:05,720 Speaker 2: Hasn't always been in step. 501 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:08,800 Speaker 1: There has been a belief from a lot of players 502 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 1: that their owners will align with them or at least 503 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 1: support them in those moments, which isn't always the case 504 00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:15,320 Speaker 1: in other leagues. 505 00:24:15,359 --> 00:24:16,040 Speaker 2: So I agree with you. 506 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:20,920 Speaker 1: But also there is more top down progressivism in women's 507 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:24,520 Speaker 1: leagues than say men's. Even where we consider the NBA 508 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:28,199 Speaker 1: a very progressive league, it's really only in relation to 509 00:24:28,240 --> 00:24:31,760 Speaker 1: other leagues because the MNBA still has a majority of 510 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 1: owners who donated to the Trump campaign and would consider 511 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: themselves Republican and conservative. 512 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:40,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm gonna yes, and your yes, and sera, Yes, 513 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 3: I do think you're right. I think the w and 514 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:46,400 Speaker 3: a lot of women's forts leagues do have owners that 515 00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:49,399 Speaker 3: don't desire to step in and be in the way 516 00:24:49,560 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 3: of you know, advocacy. But this goes back to the 517 00:24:52,560 --> 00:24:56,040 Speaker 3: conversation we've had on the show before. I would love, 518 00:24:56,320 --> 00:24:58,280 Speaker 3: I would love for us to get to a place 519 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:01,040 Speaker 3: where those folks who are the owners, those folks who 520 00:25:01,080 --> 00:25:03,919 Speaker 3: do have the decision making power, are also the ones 521 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:06,560 Speaker 3: who are most closely aligned with the people on the 522 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:08,280 Speaker 3: front lines of these fights. So I just want to 523 00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:11,359 Speaker 3: put that out there. I know we've had discussions about 524 00:25:11,359 --> 00:25:16,480 Speaker 3: when money gets into the system, into the mix, sometimes 525 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:20,919 Speaker 3: things change. Sometimes you know their concessions and compromises you 526 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:23,119 Speaker 3: have to make with people. But I want, and I 527 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:25,760 Speaker 3: really hope for women's sports and all of sports, frankly, 528 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:27,719 Speaker 3: that we get to a point where we do have 529 00:25:27,760 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 3: people in positions of real, real, real power who are 530 00:25:30,840 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 3: making decisions and have advocacy at the heart of those decisions. 531 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:37,639 Speaker 1: Completely agree, and frankly, I'm torn on whether I want 532 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:40,200 Speaker 1: this administration and a whole bunch of the country to 533 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:42,679 Speaker 1: keep ignoring women's sports so that they can keep thriving 534 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:44,960 Speaker 1: in this way, or whether I don't want to wish 535 00:25:45,040 --> 00:25:47,720 Speaker 1: for them to be irrelevant in that way. But I 536 00:25:47,800 --> 00:25:50,159 Speaker 1: do worry about what it means when you get in 537 00:25:50,240 --> 00:25:54,040 Speaker 1: the crosshairs of Donald Trump and this administration and the 538 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 1: literal ways that they can and have financially and otherwise 539 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:04,040 Speaker 1: restraint did their enemies, and so I understand why in 540 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:07,560 Speaker 1: this particular moment there might be some concern about just 541 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:09,280 Speaker 1: how much you want to step up and step out. 542 00:26:09,960 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 1: But props to Angel City for being willing to take 543 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:16,040 Speaker 1: a really big first step in that way, in this 544 00:26:16,200 --> 00:26:19,200 Speaker 1: moment in their city. All Right, we got to take 545 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 1: a break when we come back. The easiest add to 546 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:32,440 Speaker 1: Kart decision I've ever made welcome Max Slaces. We love 547 00:26:32,480 --> 00:26:33,919 Speaker 1: that you're listening, but we want you to get in 548 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:35,880 Speaker 1: the game every day too. So here's our good game 549 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:38,520 Speaker 1: play of the day. I talked about those shirts Angel 550 00:26:38,520 --> 00:26:41,280 Speaker 1: City handed out, Well, they are now on sale, with 551 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:44,960 Speaker 1: net proceeds going to Camino Immigration Services, an organization that 552 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:48,360 Speaker 1: provides free and low cost immigration legal services. We'll link 553 00:26:48,359 --> 00:26:51,000 Speaker 1: to both the t shirts and Camino Immigration Services in 554 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:53,439 Speaker 1: our show notes. And we always love to hear from you, 555 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:55,879 Speaker 1: so hit us up on email good game at wondermedianetwork 556 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:58,080 Speaker 1: dot com or leave us a voicemail at eight seven 557 00:26:58,160 --> 00:26:59,800 Speaker 1: two two O four fifty seventy. 558 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:02,959 Speaker 2: Don't forget to subscribe a rate and review too, y'all. 559 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:07,040 Speaker 2: It's real easy. Watch The Fruit Slice Guide. 560 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:10,200 Speaker 1: To the Gayest teams in the WNBA, rating twenty two 561 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:12,840 Speaker 1: out of twenty two points for the gayest squads, the 562 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 1: Phoenix Mercury and the Dallas Wings. Review The Fruit Slice Magazine, 563 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 1: a quarterly publication featuring exclusively queer writers, artists, and creators, 564 00:27:21,560 --> 00:27:23,919 Speaker 1: released a handy guide to hoops and gay Shit on 565 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 1: their insta a few weeks ago, catching the eye of 566 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 1: a number of WNBA players. The guide breaks down each 567 00:27:30,040 --> 00:27:32,399 Speaker 1: of the teams in the league by gayness, assigning points 568 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 1: for openly gay players plus four, a player with a 569 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:39,880 Speaker 1: them pronouns plus one, an openly gay head coach plus two, 570 00:27:40,640 --> 00:27:43,879 Speaker 1: legend points for a notable retired gay player associated with 571 00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:48,160 Speaker 1: the team plus two, a gay mascot plus one, and hilariously, 572 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:51,760 Speaker 1: a half a point for Isabelle Harrison, who identifies as 573 00:27:51,760 --> 00:27:55,360 Speaker 1: straight but is dating her Liberty teammate Natasha Cloud. We'll 574 00:27:55,359 --> 00:27:57,240 Speaker 1: put the link to the Instagram post in our show 575 00:27:57,240 --> 00:28:00,480 Speaker 1: notes so you can see just how gay your team is. Also, 576 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:03,400 Speaker 1: be sure to peep the comments from players underneath, especially 577 00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 1: the links Alena Smith, who wrote, so sorry to disappoint, 578 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:09,199 Speaker 1: but this is me coming out publicly as straight. I 579 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 1: am a strong ally though. Now it's your turn rate 580 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:15,120 Speaker 1: and review. Thanks for listening. See you tomorrow. Good game, 581 00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:18,560 Speaker 1: Collia Copper, good game, athlete, ally h you stick to 582 00:28:18,600 --> 00:28:23,399 Speaker 1: sports crowd, we never will. Good game with Sarah Spain 583 00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:26,280 Speaker 1: is an iHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep 584 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:28,639 Speaker 1: Blue Sports and Entertainment. You could find us on the 585 00:28:28,680 --> 00:28:32,200 Speaker 1: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 586 00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:36,040 Speaker 1: Production by Wonder Media Network, our producers are Alex Azzie 587 00:28:36,080 --> 00:28:40,240 Speaker 1: and Misha Jones. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, 588 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:43,760 Speaker 1: Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rudder, 589 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 1: Brittany Martinez, Grace Lynch, and Gianna Palmer. Our associate producer 590 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:50,560 Speaker 1: is Lucy Jones and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain