1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: Full Circle is an iheartwoman's sports production and partnership with 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 1: Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on 3 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:08,719 Speaker 1: the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 4 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,280 Speaker 1: What's Good, Joe, Welcome back to Full Circle Today. 5 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 2: We have a little bit of a throwback for you. 6 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:29,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, we do. A lot has changed since this episode aired. 7 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 4: It is our interview with Miss Terry Jackson from the 8 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:37,680 Speaker 4: Players Association, everything that you need to know about the CBA. 9 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 4: But I do want to give y'all a quick little 10 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 4: update of what's been going on since I think January 11 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 4: or February. 12 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 3: It's crazy that the. 13 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:53,240 Speaker 4: Energy from that interview was very optimistic. It was very 14 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 4: oh yeah the CBA, like we're going to get this done. 15 00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 4: And you fast forward to December, almost a year later. 16 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 4: We are not remotely close to getting a CBA done unfortunately. 17 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 4: So if you guys need any if you guys have 18 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 4: any questions about the CBA, what Terry's role is, what 19 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 4: our role is in all the CBA negotiations, tune into 20 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 4: this repeat episode. I promise you will leave wiser, smarter 21 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 4: in understanding our CBA a little bit more. 22 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:20,039 Speaker 3: So. 23 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:28,160 Speaker 1: Enjoy Hey, y'all, welcome back to another episode of Full Circle. 24 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 1: I am so excited today we have a very special 25 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: guest and I'm going to kick it to Lexi to 26 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: do the intro. 27 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 4: Hey, y'all, welcome back to our show. I hope you 28 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 4: guys have been enjoying it so far. I'm so excited 29 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 4: to introduce our very first guests of this season. She 30 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 4: really needs no introduction, but I'm gonna guess her up 31 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 4: a little bit because she deserves one. We have Terry 32 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:54,000 Speaker 4: Jackson in the building with us. Terry is the current 33 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 4: executive director of the Women's National Basketball Players Association. She 34 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 4: joined the deb you NBPA after four years with the NCAA. 35 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 4: She has also taught courses on women's in sports at 36 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:11,920 Speaker 4: American University, Trinity University, and Tulane University. She earned her 37 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 4: Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and her Bachelor 38 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 4: of Arts from Georgetown University. And she is the proud 39 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:22,280 Speaker 4: mama bear of Jaron Jackson Junior, who plays for the 40 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 4: Memphis Grizzlies. Welcome Terry, Welcome. 41 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 2: Thank you ladies, Yes all of that, and thanks for 42 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 2: the problem at the end. 43 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 4: Yes, Oh my gosh, I'm so happy that you're here. 44 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 4: I remember I asked you weeks ago to be one 45 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 4: of my first guests, and you said yes immediately, which 46 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 4: is why I love you so much. 47 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:44,760 Speaker 3: And I'm just so happy and excited that you're here. 48 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,359 Speaker 2: Well, I'm happy and excited that you are doing this. 49 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 2: I'm happy and excited to be the first and of 50 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 2: course I said yes. Of course I said yes. 51 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 4: Oh my god, I'm so excited because I feel like 52 00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:00,240 Speaker 4: people see your name attached to all these monumental things 53 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:02,240 Speaker 4: that we're doing in the WNBA, but they don't really 54 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 4: know who Terry is. And I think that this episode, 55 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,959 Speaker 4: we want people, our listeners to get to know you 56 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:11,839 Speaker 4: a little bit more, because there is no US without you, 57 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 4: like absolutely not. 58 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 2: Ah, thank you for that. Yeah, let's pick out the 59 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 2: layers a little bit. 60 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 3: Yes, let's get into it. 61 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 4: How long have you been with the Players Association and 62 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 4: what made you want to get involved if. 63 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,519 Speaker 2: The Oh love this question. Love this question because twenty 64 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:34,400 Speaker 2: twenty four marked my ninth season, LEXI, my ninth season 65 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 2: with the league. And so when I say that, the 66 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 2: staff team here says start claiming twenty twenty five, and 67 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:45,120 Speaker 2: they're right right, Like I'm headed into my tenth season 68 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 2: serving the most amazing professional athletes on the planet, the 69 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 2: badass women of the w LEXI included, Yeah, this is 70 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 2: an amazing job. And I got here because I read 71 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 2: an email like that's the short answer to the question. 72 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 2: I was at the NCAA. I was working for the 73 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 2: best boss in the building, the chief legal officer. At 74 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 2: the time, I was kind of like his chief of staff. 75 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 2: And then I got this email. And I'm in the 76 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 2: middle of NCAA convention and I'm like, I don't have 77 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:23,359 Speaker 2: time to read this. And a friend of mine, she said, 78 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:25,280 Speaker 2: did you read that email? And I said, no, I 79 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:27,919 Speaker 2: don't have time. She said, no, read the email. I 80 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:31,719 Speaker 2: start reading the email. I click on the attachment. It's 81 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 2: a job notice for this position. And I'm like, okay, 82 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:39,279 Speaker 2: I got to call you back. And that's how I 83 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 2: learned about the opportunity. And from there it was like 84 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 2: preparing for war, like I wanted this job, though seriously 85 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:52,719 Speaker 2: I wanted it, working out, preparing, working out twice a day, 86 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,359 Speaker 2: reading everything I could read, texting everybody I knew, saying 87 00:04:57,400 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 2: do you know anybody? Because I want this job, do 88 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 2: you know anybody like put a good word in that 89 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:03,480 Speaker 2: really is. That's prepare for war. 90 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:06,159 Speaker 4: You guys might think she's joking, but every time we 91 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 4: get off of a call with Terry about the CBA, 92 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,480 Speaker 4: which we'll get into in a minute, she's. 93 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 3: Literally like, buckle up, prepare for war. 94 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:16,280 Speaker 4: Like that's how passionate she is about that and that's 95 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 4: why she is who she is, and that's where the 96 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 4: league is where it's at now. 97 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 3: But like y'all, she's not joking. 98 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: Well, I'm curious, Terry, because a lot of my audience 99 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: is new to being a fan of the W, which 100 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: is so incredible that there's so many new fans. Thank 101 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 1: you for the new A lot of people know what 102 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 1: Lexi does and what the players do on the court. 103 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 1: But could you describe for people who are new to 104 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 1: being a fan of the W what you do? 105 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 3: Wow? 106 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:44,599 Speaker 2: Yeah, could I describe it? I don't know if I 107 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 2: could describe it, honestly. Being the executive director, let me 108 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:53,159 Speaker 2: start first and foremost means that as leads staff for 109 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 2: the union of the first Union for Professional Women Athletes, 110 00:05:56,760 --> 00:06:01,480 Speaker 2: means I report to the players hard stop. Everybody understand 111 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:03,600 Speaker 2: what that means. We have a governance structure that's really 112 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 2: quite easy. We have a board of player representatives, two 113 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 2: player representatives from each of the teams. We have an 114 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 2: executive committee. They are large and in charge of this union. 115 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 2: I report to them. That's the way it goes. And 116 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 2: so the vision that they have for this union, the 117 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 2: agenda they look to set as staff, I look to 118 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 2: execute and implement it. So it's a lot about monitoring 119 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 2: the CBA and ensuring that we're holding the team and 120 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 2: the leagues accountable to the things that we've negotiated, getting 121 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:42,600 Speaker 2: the players paid and paid on time, talking about the 122 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 2: drug policy, housing, how they travel, making sure that their 123 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 2: working conditions are safe. That's the CBA, that's the collective 124 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 2: Bargaining Agreement. That's what we're largely responsible for monitoring. They're 125 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 2: also a group licensing rights that we get to monitorize 126 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:04,359 Speaker 2: and produce additional revenue for this union. But for the 127 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 2: players directly, there's so many parts to this job. And 128 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 2: you know, as a lawyer, I couldn't have a better 129 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 2: job in the world than doing what I get to do, 130 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 2: making a difference every single day, making it Yeah. 131 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, Well, you've basically explained a simple way of what 132 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 4: the CBA is, and I remember the last CBA that 133 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 4: we negotiated. I was only in my second season, so 134 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 4: I was young. I had no idea what was going on. 135 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 4: I was just listening to veterans and they're like, this 136 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:37,600 Speaker 4: is what we're doing, this is what we. 137 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:40,320 Speaker 3: Need to do, and I was just like, okay, okay, okay. 138 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 4: Fast forward four years later, we're opting out, which I 139 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:47,440 Speaker 4: think we all knew was going to happen. What do 140 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 4: you think is like the biggest difference between that negotiation 141 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 4: period and this. 142 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 2: Ooh great question. First of all, I didn't assume that 143 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 2: the players were opting out. I know everybody else is 144 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 2: that the players were going to opt out. Of course 145 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 2: they were going to opt out. I wasn't there because 146 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 2: we had to do the work right. We had to 147 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 2: understand the business. We had to review the financials, We 148 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:12,280 Speaker 2: had to understand the CBA. We were in now, the 149 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 2: twenty twenty CBA, what was that going to look like 150 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 2: over the long term. We had to assemble a group 151 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 2: of badass experts to do the crystal ball thing and 152 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 2: predict were the players going to start gaining were they 153 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 2: going to start realizing the success that they are contributing to. 154 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 2: And so we had to do all that and understand 155 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 2: how to advise the players and help them. Also understand 156 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:38,960 Speaker 2: that this negotiation was going to look very different from 157 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 2: before that there was going to be a fight this time, 158 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,560 Speaker 2: and everybody had to be aware of that. Last time, 159 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 2: we were looking to fix so many things. It was salary, 160 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 2: it was compensation, it was player health and safety, it 161 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 2: was the player experience, and we did so much. I'm 162 00:08:57,720 --> 00:09:00,480 Speaker 2: proud of the twenty twenty CBA with oh No for 163 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:05,440 Speaker 2: the system that we had, we made significant gains. Players 164 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 2: aren't sharing hotel rooms anymore. We're supporting player moms in 165 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 2: a big way. There were more dollars, but there were 166 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:13,520 Speaker 2: limited dollars that were coming in. We had to kind 167 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 2: of rebuild this system and show the league that marketing 168 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 2: w players was key and how to do that and 169 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:25,439 Speaker 2: do the storytelling in a way that resonated with fans 170 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 2: and that would drive commerce and all the metrics. So 171 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 2: we did that, and so here we are, having done 172 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 2: that groundwork, here we are seeing the business thriving year 173 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:40,320 Speaker 2: over year, and so now we're in a position where 174 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 2: there are real dollars flowing through here, and so we 175 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 2: have to talk about the business model again. Is there 176 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 2: an opportunity to do another shift, another change, and make 177 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 2: sure that the players are valued again for their contributions 178 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 2: on and off the court, because they are the. 179 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 1: What's an area that you feel like going into this 180 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 1: next round you are really focused on honing it on? 181 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: Because I know you said last time you're focused on 182 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: just overall player safety, players being happier. But now with 183 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: all of these new eyes and some of these new 184 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 1: dollars that you were referring to, what is a huge 185 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:21,760 Speaker 1: area that you think needs to be focused. 186 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:24,960 Speaker 4: I want you, I want Mariah to answer that because 187 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:25,679 Speaker 4: she has a difference. 188 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 2: Maybe she does what has everybody seemingly been laser focused on, 189 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 2: and maybe there's a top two or top three. So 190 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:37,320 Speaker 2: name one of the things you think, Mariah. 191 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 5: The biggest thing I hear about. Number one is travel. 192 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 1: Obviously I heard that the w is now chartering flights, 193 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:48,320 Speaker 1: but then there was reports that it wasn't for every 194 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: single team. 195 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:52,760 Speaker 5: And then I would say the second thing would. 196 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: Just be facilities, like being pretty equal across the board, 197 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 1: because it's like some teams have these incredible expensive and 198 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 1: then some teams don't have practice facilities. And then the 199 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 1: third thing I would say is pay. 200 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 2: Okay, we're done. You named them as one, two, three. 201 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 2: I know you didn't actually do them in any order. 202 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:12,960 Speaker 2: I thought, actually you were gonna say pay first, because 203 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:15,960 Speaker 2: that's what we really hear a lot about. There's so 204 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 2: many comparisons across sports that help or don't help advance 205 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 2: the conversation. Charter travel, I know, is a big one, 206 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 2: and I think the league LEXI, you tell me if 207 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 2: you agree with this. I think the league helped itself. 208 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 2: The commissioner helped herself and helped the league and the 209 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:34,680 Speaker 2: teams by announcing last year at the beginning of the 210 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 2: season that there was going to be charter travel, and 211 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:39,680 Speaker 2: it was charter for all. To answer that question, Mariah 212 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 2: Charter for all. She had been phasing it in the postseason, 213 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 2: but had announced it for the whole season, from the 214 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:50,559 Speaker 2: regular season through the end of the postseason. That was great. 215 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 2: She announced it for twenty twenty four, and she announced 216 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:55,840 Speaker 2: it for twenty twenty five. Really no problem there. The 217 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:59,080 Speaker 2: only question or concern that we have is are we 218 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 2: going to write that down? Because the announcement of it 219 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 2: is great. It's not in the CBA right now. Of course, 220 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 2: we've opted out of the CBA, so there's opportunity to 221 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:09,040 Speaker 2: put it in there. So we need it in writing. 222 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 2: It's the lawyer in me, and the players understand they've 223 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 2: got contracts. They read their contracts. They know that if 224 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 2: it's in the contract, then they're getting it. So we've 225 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:21,079 Speaker 2: got to get it in the contract. With respect to 226 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:25,240 Speaker 2: charter travel facilities, I think you've seen an arms race 227 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 2: almost right when it comes to the teams and the facilities. 228 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 2: They are finally stepping up in a big way that 229 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 2: is about player health and safety. Quite frankly proud to 230 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 2: see lots of teams taking great, big strides. Hopeful that 231 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 2: we won't have teams holding back the rest of the league. 232 00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 2: Everybody needs to make big strides when it comes to facilities. 233 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 2: And then yes, of course we're going to talk about salary. 234 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 2: We're going to talk about salary separate from compensation. Salary 235 00:12:57,080 --> 00:12:59,720 Speaker 2: is what you get paid for doing the job that 236 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 2: you contracted for, and salary demonstrates your worth, demonstrates your value, 237 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 2: and we've got to put a spotlight on that. And 238 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:12,400 Speaker 2: to your new fans, thank you again for joining us 239 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 2: and being a part of our fight and being part 240 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 2: of this advocacy and part of the fandom. What we 241 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:20,040 Speaker 2: need you to understand is these three things are big. 242 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 2: When the players opted out, they said that this is 243 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:25,600 Speaker 2: what opt out is about. They were very clear on that, 244 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 2: and they said, it's about doing business, and so that's 245 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 2: what we're here to do business. 246 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 3: Absolutely. 247 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:35,440 Speaker 4: I think the one thing that I would add from 248 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:39,200 Speaker 4: a player's perspective, which is something that I personally, in 249 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 4: the last round of negotiations since I was so young, 250 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 4: never really thought about, was the benefits for retired players. 251 00:13:46,520 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 4: And I feel like that has come up recently in 252 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 4: our conversations about the CBA amongst us as teams, and 253 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:58,559 Speaker 4: these past few years, I've gotten really close with Cheryl Swoops, 254 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:02,680 Speaker 4: so I've really gotten a different insight onto life as 255 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 4: a WNBA player and a retired WNBA player and how 256 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:09,400 Speaker 4: she quite literally was kicked to the curb once her 257 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 4: time and the WNBA was done. And I think now 258 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 4: we as this younger generation, you know, taking the responsibility 259 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,480 Speaker 4: of giving the players that built this amazing league their 260 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:24,360 Speaker 4: flowers and protection and the support that they need post career. 261 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 4: You know, I've seen our conversations, obviously, I've been in 262 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 4: those rooms. Where would you rank that as priority, you know, 263 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 4: in comparison to salaries to travel to the facility. 264 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 2: First of all, let's tell the listeners why you're in 265 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 2: the room and why you've heard those conversations, Because you've 266 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 2: gone from being a young player looking up to the 267 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 2: vets and connecting with them and listening to them and understanding, 268 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:52,360 Speaker 2: to now stepping into your own power and claiming the 269 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 2: opportunity to be part of leadership. So Lexi is part 270 00:14:56,640 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 2: of that high discovering body in our union. She's a 271 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 2: member the Board of Player Representatives. And that's right, Yeah, 272 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 2: we made it. 273 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 3: We made it. 274 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 4: I had to survive long enough, and I did. And 275 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 4: I'm like, okay now happy, Yes. 276 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 2: And I was always Lexi that you would recognize and 277 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:15,840 Speaker 2: step into that power and be a part of these 278 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:19,240 Speaker 2: conversations at this high level. And yes, you do know 279 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:22,200 Speaker 2: what's taking place and how folks are talking about it, 280 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:25,360 Speaker 2: how players have been talking about it in our meetings, 281 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:29,800 Speaker 2: but how they've also been connecting with veterans and retired 282 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 2: players and understanding the need to think about this CBA 283 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 2: in a more holistic way. And there are so many 284 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:42,240 Speaker 2: priorities that are top priorities. And I think we've heard 285 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:46,800 Speaker 2: how can we support retired players or players who are retiring, 286 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 2: How can we be creative and what we do for them? 287 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 2: What can that look like now or based in over time? 288 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 2: I don't know, what do you think? What do you 289 00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:57,920 Speaker 2: think it's up there? Isn't it? 290 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:00,880 Speaker 4: I mean, yeah, And I think it's really because for 291 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 4: the first time, these older players are coming back around 292 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 4: the wor a really positive way. They're getting involved, they're 293 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,040 Speaker 4: getting to know us, they're teaching us things. And I 294 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 4: feel like in my early career I didn't really see 295 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 4: very many retired players around. I grew up watching the W. 296 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 4: My dad coached in the W, Like, I don't know 297 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 4: where any of his players are, Like, I never kept 298 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 4: in contact with them, and I'll take ownership of that. 299 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 3: But again, I was just a child, you know. 300 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 4: But I think with the growth of social media in 301 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 4: general has allowed all of us become more connected, which 302 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 4: I think, you know, even though we say there's like 303 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 4: a lot of negatives about social media and all this 304 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 4: constant contact, I think that's been really important to us 305 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 4: as a league. And again, like mentioning Cheryl, like I 306 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 4: never in a million years thought that I would have 307 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 4: a relationship with Cheryl swoops and it was so easy, right, yes, 308 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 4: and it was so genuine and she's been great, and 309 00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 4: I'm just glad that, you know, we're able to give 310 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 4: her her flowers show or her love, and that she's 311 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 4: back on the forefront of the w like she's literally 312 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 4: of one of our greats, right and now she's finally 313 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:08,200 Speaker 4: being treated like one. 314 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:11,879 Speaker 2: Jane appel Marinelli also a retired player. So when I 315 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 2: was interviewing for this job and my first season or two, 316 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:18,639 Speaker 2: I was reporting to Jane and other players. She was 317 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 2: part of player leadership. Jane retired soon thereafter and joined us, 318 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 2: joined our staff at the Union. She's mission focused on 319 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:30,520 Speaker 2: retired players, and so I really give credit to her 320 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 2: and the rest of the staff team for how we 321 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:37,639 Speaker 2: have looked to rebuild that bridge between the current players 322 00:17:37,680 --> 00:17:41,040 Speaker 2: the Union and retired players. Of course, they have their 323 00:17:41,080 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 2: own Retired Players Association, but it's something meaningful to be 324 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:48,119 Speaker 2: a part of that alumni group and for us to 325 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 2: recognize them as that alumni group and all the wisdom 326 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,479 Speaker 2: and all the experience and all the stories that they have, 327 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 2: and that was key to us working with Cheryl in 328 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:01,560 Speaker 2: Shattered Class, in the documentary that is still streaming free 329 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:03,960 Speaker 2: on two be by the way, shameless plug, because you 330 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:08,479 Speaker 2: don't move forward without remembering where you've come from and 331 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 2: all the advances, and so their important part again of 332 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 2: who we are, our identity, and our future. 333 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: I wonder because you alluded to this a bit when 334 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 1: you said people make comparisons that are sometimes helpful and 335 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: sometimes not helpful at all. As a mama bear to 336 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 1: an NBA player and also as the collective mama bear 337 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:41,159 Speaker 1: to the w I'm curious when you see those comparisons, 338 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:43,840 Speaker 1: if you could rewrite the narrative, what would you want 339 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:47,680 Speaker 1: people to know about women's basketball separate from those comparisons 340 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: people are always trying to make. 341 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 2: I answered that question when I interviewed for this job, 342 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,919 Speaker 2: and quite frankly, I think it's why the players in 343 00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 2: leadership at that time chose me. They asked me, you know, 344 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:03,520 Speaker 2: the typical interview question that you get at the end, 345 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:05,520 Speaker 2: and I was prepared for all of them. When I 346 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:08,080 Speaker 2: said preparing for war, I was like writing out all 347 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 2: my answers, thinking about I'm like living breathing them. And 348 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:13,199 Speaker 2: then you get the question that you know you're going 349 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:15,360 Speaker 2: to get at the end, Where do you see yourself, 350 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 2: where do you see this union in five to ten years? 351 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:20,800 Speaker 2: And I had an answer ready, and I probably still 352 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:23,040 Speaker 2: have those little index cards I could find out. I 353 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:26,119 Speaker 2: don't remember my answer, but during the course of the interview, 354 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 2: there were so many references, well, in the NBA and 355 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:31,439 Speaker 2: the NBA guys have this, and at the NBPA the 356 00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 2: brother Union, this is what they do. There was so 357 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:37,080 Speaker 2: much comparison. It was about to make my head explode. 358 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:38,600 Speaker 2: I was like, wait, why are we doing this? 359 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 4: Wait? 360 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:42,160 Speaker 2: Where am I? I'm in this interview for the WNBPA 361 00:19:42,320 --> 00:19:45,600 Speaker 2: to talk about w NBA players and why are we 362 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 2: still talking about the NBA guys and what they had? 363 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:51,959 Speaker 2: When they asked me the question where do I see myself? 364 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 2: Where do I see this union in five to ten years? 365 00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:56,919 Speaker 2: I had to decide in a split second was I 366 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 2: going with my prepared answer or was I going to 367 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:04,800 Speaker 2: address what was the moment right there? And I pivoted, 368 00:20:05,280 --> 00:20:08,720 Speaker 2: And I don't usually do that, but I pivoted and 369 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:12,240 Speaker 2: I said, in five to ten years, we are going 370 00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:16,879 Speaker 2: to recognize our game and our identity for what it is. 371 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:20,120 Speaker 2: We are going to recognize that we are different, and 372 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:23,960 Speaker 2: we are going to stop comparing ourselves to the NBA 373 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:28,160 Speaker 2: guys and to the NBA game because our game is different. 374 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:31,080 Speaker 2: Who we are is different, and we need to celebrate that. 375 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:36,440 Speaker 2: Different doesn't mean lesser than It just simply means different. 376 00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 2: That's it. And so what I want to see and 377 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:42,800 Speaker 2: what I want us to do is build brand relationships 378 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:45,840 Speaker 2: based on who we are, not based on what they 379 00:20:45,880 --> 00:20:48,760 Speaker 2: are or what they have. But what I do think 380 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:51,080 Speaker 2: and what I think is helpful to me in this 381 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:53,919 Speaker 2: role is being that mama bear of an NBA player 382 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:57,120 Speaker 2: who happens to be in leadership at his brother union. Right, 383 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:00,239 Speaker 2: it gives me a vision to see what they have, 384 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:03,640 Speaker 2: to see what they're doing, how they're maneuvering, how they're operating, 385 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:07,399 Speaker 2: what they have what we don't have, but to see 386 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:10,640 Speaker 2: how we can do it for ourselves in a way 387 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 2: that's true and authentic to who we are. Not to 388 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:16,200 Speaker 2: play this. We got to catch up with the jones 389 00:21:16,280 --> 00:21:18,960 Speaker 2: Is before the twenty twenty CBA. We kind of had 390 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 2: their CBA that didn't work for us. It was kind 391 00:21:22,560 --> 00:21:26,240 Speaker 2: of a bad cutting pace job of the NBA NBPACBA 392 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 2: that wasn't working for us. That doesn't work for professional 393 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:33,520 Speaker 2: women athletes, and so That's what I told them. I said, 394 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:36,199 Speaker 2: we're going to value who we are. We're gonna value 395 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:39,359 Speaker 2: being different. We're gonna build something different, and we're gonna 396 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:42,560 Speaker 2: wait and let people come to us. And where are 397 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:46,200 Speaker 2: we right now? Women's sports is the new it girl right. 398 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:49,359 Speaker 2: Everybody wants to be our friend, everybody wants to be 399 00:21:49,480 --> 00:21:53,600 Speaker 2: our partner, work with us, support us, and we welcome that. 400 00:21:54,119 --> 00:21:57,080 Speaker 2: The W is the W. It's not trying to be 401 00:21:57,119 --> 00:21:59,959 Speaker 2: the N. We're the Wright period. 402 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:05,159 Speaker 4: And now I'll staying on the topic of comparison. You know, 403 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:08,400 Speaker 4: I didn't think that there would be another women's basketball 404 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 4: league that we could ever compare the W two. 405 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:14,760 Speaker 3: You know, you look at leagues like Athletes unlimited, like Unrivaled. 406 00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 2: I'm a big fan. 407 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:22,119 Speaker 4: From your perspective in our negotiations, does this provide the 408 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:26,680 Speaker 4: players more leverage or is it going to be problematic 409 00:22:26,760 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 4: in your opinion, because honestly, I'm not sure because I'm 410 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:33,800 Speaker 4: seeing the conversations online about un rival is just going 411 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 4: to take over, like there's just going to be no 412 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:39,639 Speaker 4: more W. Like again, these conversations and opinions that people 413 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 4: are throwing out are just coming out of thin air. 414 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:45,880 Speaker 3: So I would love for you to educate us. 415 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:50,680 Speaker 4: On what having these off season leagues means to us 416 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:53,639 Speaker 4: and negotiations, and then also like what that means for 417 00:22:53,680 --> 00:22:55,200 Speaker 4: the W like moving forward. 418 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:58,480 Speaker 2: These are leagues that operate during the off season of 419 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:02,880 Speaker 2: the WNBA Ding Ding Ding. That's a win. That's huge. 420 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:07,000 Speaker 2: And already they're showing that they're not looking to compete 421 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 2: with the W. They have found that sweet spot of 422 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 2: a time to operate during the off season and before 423 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:19,960 Speaker 2: the college tournaments really kick off right or before March Madness, 424 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:24,879 Speaker 2: and so they are flourishing, and they're giving young women 425 00:23:25,359 --> 00:23:28,679 Speaker 2: athletes in the W or looking to be in the W. 426 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:32,240 Speaker 2: They're giving them opportunities to work on their game to 427 00:23:32,320 --> 00:23:35,680 Speaker 2: develop their gain here in the United States. That's got 428 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:37,760 Speaker 2: to be a win. That's what I think is special 429 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 2: about both of them, particularly the timing and the opportunity 430 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:44,200 Speaker 2: that they give, and that there's compensation tie to each 431 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,639 Speaker 2: of them. So players playing with Athletes unlimited or getting paid, 432 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:51,359 Speaker 2: players playing with unrivaled or getting paid. And I think 433 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:55,119 Speaker 2: the unrivaled model is also significant in that this is 434 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:58,360 Speaker 2: started by players. That's what I like about Athletes Unlimited too. 435 00:23:58,560 --> 00:24:02,000 Speaker 4: Right, Yeah, we're in charge we aren't founders like in Unrivaled, 436 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:04,320 Speaker 4: but we are in like leadership positions on. 437 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:07,560 Speaker 2: Unrivaled has taken the model in kind of another direction, right, 438 00:24:07,600 --> 00:24:10,560 Speaker 2: So players are in charge, but players have founded this. 439 00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:13,800 Speaker 2: Players have an equity stake. I mean, when you look 440 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:18,400 Speaker 2: at sports, you look at the landscape, it is shifting constantly, 441 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:22,440 Speaker 2: and women's sports is right there with it. I love 442 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 2: what's happening with AU. I love what's happening and Unrivaled. 443 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:28,880 Speaker 2: I love the narratives that are coming out. The fact 444 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:32,119 Speaker 2: that the average salary and Unrivaled is two hundred and 445 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:36,000 Speaker 2: twenty thousand dollars. I'm paying attention. I hope the league 446 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:39,120 Speaker 2: and the teams are too. I mean that's a statement move. 447 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:42,680 Speaker 2: Like I said, there's equity. I think it's an extraordinary 448 00:24:42,760 --> 00:24:46,920 Speaker 2: move that their games are televised. That's huge. I think 449 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:51,919 Speaker 2: Unrivaled and I think AU are augmenting what the w 450 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:56,520 Speaker 2: has and continuing to make women's basketball at this professional 451 00:24:56,640 --> 00:25:01,920 Speaker 2: level not only relevant, but accessible and exciting to the fans. 452 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:08,000 Speaker 2: I see honestly nothing but positives coming from it. And 453 00:25:08,560 --> 00:25:11,840 Speaker 2: if we're smart on the union player side of the house, 454 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:15,080 Speaker 2: we use it as leverage. And if the league and 455 00:25:15,119 --> 00:25:19,200 Speaker 2: teams are smart, they're paying attention to because there are 456 00:25:19,359 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 2: lessons to be learned. There should not be any hard 457 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:25,879 Speaker 2: feelings here. We should all be pulling in the same 458 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 2: direction to support, to support what's happening here, because as 459 00:25:32,119 --> 00:25:34,959 Speaker 2: you all say all the time, this is more than 460 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:39,080 Speaker 2: a moment, right, It is definitely a movement and it's exciting. 461 00:25:39,600 --> 00:25:41,640 Speaker 3: Yeah. Yeah. 462 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:44,239 Speaker 1: And then for both of you, I think, on an 463 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 1: outside looking in perspective, even with unrivaled in AU and 464 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:51,240 Speaker 1: with this growth the WNBA is experiencing, I think a 465 00:25:51,240 --> 00:25:54,800 Speaker 1: lot of people reach for comparisons or even saying things 466 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 1: like giving credit to younger players coming in while saying 467 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 1: that the league is trying to embrace them or there's 468 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:05,040 Speaker 1: hating going on or whatever. As two people who are 469 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:08,960 Speaker 1: like actually super involved in the league, what are you 470 00:26:09,119 --> 00:26:12,119 Speaker 1: noticing as far as player relationships in this new era 471 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:15,879 Speaker 1: and people welcoming in these new players and what is 472 00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:18,879 Speaker 1: that looking like actually from the inside. 473 00:26:19,119 --> 00:26:22,600 Speaker 2: So I love that you asked this, Mariah, because all 474 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:28,160 Speaker 2: that commentary on social media and in traditional media about 475 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:31,879 Speaker 2: the hate and the nonsupport, like, honestly, that makes us laugh. 476 00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:35,720 Speaker 2: Do the players compete like heck and want to win. 477 00:26:36,359 --> 00:26:40,040 Speaker 2: Are they fierce competitors on the court. Absolutely, But at 478 00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:42,439 Speaker 2: the end of the day, we are a union and 479 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 2: we understand what it means to support each other off 480 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:50,280 Speaker 2: the court too. We have to because we're one of 481 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:52,880 Speaker 2: the smaller unions. We don't have a lot of resources 482 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:55,119 Speaker 2: like those other unions do. We got to rely on 483 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:58,000 Speaker 2: the collective voice and we got to link arms and 484 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:01,400 Speaker 2: be together. So does that mean that Lexi and whomever 485 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:03,399 Speaker 2: you know want to go out there and beat the 486 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:07,399 Speaker 2: Seattle Storm with with Neka Gumake and Skyler Diggens Smith. Yes, 487 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:11,200 Speaker 2: they want to beat their bets. Absolutely, and we all 488 00:27:11,280 --> 00:27:14,040 Speaker 2: understand that as fans like that's the kind of level 489 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 2: of competition we want to see. But off the court, 490 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:21,199 Speaker 2: do they respect what Lexi's doing and how she's moving? 491 00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:27,080 Speaker 2: Do they respect Mekka as their president? Absolutely? So to 492 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:30,159 Speaker 2: those of you who want to say there's jealousy and 493 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:32,760 Speaker 2: they don't like each other and they don't support each other. 494 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:34,840 Speaker 5: All right, wrap it up. 495 00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:37,199 Speaker 2: That's old. How many games do you go to if 496 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:39,879 Speaker 2: that's what you're saying, Come to a game, check them out, 497 00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:43,000 Speaker 2: and then see how we are moving as a union. 498 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:46,600 Speaker 2: Because we couldn't get it done if that narrative was 499 00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:47,080 Speaker 2: the truth. 500 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:50,719 Speaker 4: Absolutely, to add on to that, we're going to see 501 00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:54,960 Speaker 4: a different w because so many of us are able 502 00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:57,879 Speaker 4: to stay home in the off season. Can you imagine 503 00:27:58,200 --> 00:28:00,679 Speaker 4: being on a team or working in an off and 504 00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:02,840 Speaker 4: you don't see or speak to each other for six 505 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:06,679 Speaker 4: months because y'all are all in different countries making a living, 506 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:10,000 Speaker 4: and then you have to just reconvene when training camps start. 507 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:10,800 Speaker 5: It's a great point. 508 00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:13,879 Speaker 4: That's basically been the reality of the WNBA. And now 509 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:18,120 Speaker 4: y'all see what's going on in Miami all of the 510 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:22,240 Speaker 4: my next question and tampering quote unquote going on down there, 511 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:22,840 Speaker 4: and how much. 512 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 2: There's not tampering. There's just no coffees. 513 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:29,440 Speaker 4: No, there is no coffees and tiktoks. You're gonna see 514 00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:32,160 Speaker 4: the same camaraderie in Au coming up this week when 515 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:36,320 Speaker 4: we start playing, Like these are the relationships that have 516 00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 4: always existed, but nobody has really been able to see 517 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:42,480 Speaker 4: them because they've just been private because everyone's been so 518 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:45,880 Speaker 4: spaced out all the time. So for me, seeing more 519 00:28:45,920 --> 00:28:49,800 Speaker 4: players being able to stay stateside to play, to follow 520 00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:53,800 Speaker 4: different career paths, marketing stuff, brand stuff. That's one of 521 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:56,240 Speaker 4: the biggest difference I've seen and why this league has 522 00:28:56,280 --> 00:28:59,440 Speaker 4: been able to move forward so much quicker than we've 523 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:01,840 Speaker 4: ever seen is because we are all able to just 524 00:29:02,480 --> 00:29:05,080 Speaker 4: be here and be present here together. 525 00:29:05,720 --> 00:29:06,160 Speaker 2: Agreed. 526 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:08,440 Speaker 5: That's a great point. I never thought about that. 527 00:29:08,560 --> 00:29:10,880 Speaker 1: It's not that the relationships weren't there, we didn't really 528 00:29:10,880 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 1: get to see them because. 529 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:13,760 Speaker 5: You were physically apart. 530 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:16,840 Speaker 1: And now I feel like that'll improve the overall just 531 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:19,720 Speaker 1: like health and level of competition too, because you're not 532 00:29:19,760 --> 00:29:22,520 Speaker 1: having to do all that traveling and live somewhere else 533 00:29:22,520 --> 00:29:24,480 Speaker 1: physically and then come back here and have to get 534 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:27,160 Speaker 1: used to your teammates and time changes and all of 535 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:27,640 Speaker 1: that stuff. 536 00:29:27,760 --> 00:29:29,640 Speaker 3: That was insane. It's insane. 537 00:29:29,680 --> 00:29:32,600 Speaker 4: And then on top of that, you are coming from 538 00:29:32,880 --> 00:29:35,280 Speaker 4: overseas straight to training camp. You don't really have the 539 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 4: time to breathe, and it was just like just a 540 00:29:38,480 --> 00:29:41,040 Speaker 4: non stop constant and you never really got to just 541 00:29:41,080 --> 00:29:43,800 Speaker 4: sit back and be like, how can I build a 542 00:29:43,840 --> 00:29:47,080 Speaker 4: relationship with my teammates, how can I help this lead grow? 543 00:29:47,120 --> 00:29:51,120 Speaker 4: Because I'm just moving non stop. So I'm really grateful 544 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:53,440 Speaker 4: that this is all happening. I'm grateful that I'm still 545 00:29:53,480 --> 00:29:56,040 Speaker 4: in the league to experience it, witness it, be a 546 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:59,960 Speaker 4: part of it, because Terry knows there was a moment 547 00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:03,040 Speaker 4: is where I was like, can I come work with you? 548 00:30:03,480 --> 00:30:07,200 Speaker 2: Everybody had these moments. It's a tough league. Think about it. 549 00:30:07,760 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 2: Before expansions, one hundred and forty four jobs. Now there's 550 00:30:10,680 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 2: one hundred and fifty six. We're still swall and mighty, 551 00:30:14,280 --> 00:30:18,200 Speaker 2: but this is the toughest league to make do the 552 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:22,280 Speaker 2: math only one hundred and fifty six jobs. You've got 553 00:30:22,320 --> 00:30:27,360 Speaker 2: to be elite. You've got to be cream of the cream, right, 554 00:30:27,880 --> 00:30:29,280 Speaker 2: you got to be at the top. You got to 555 00:30:29,280 --> 00:30:29,880 Speaker 2: be at the top. 556 00:30:30,160 --> 00:30:33,520 Speaker 4: And thirty six new people coming in every year. That's 557 00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:37,200 Speaker 4: just drafted. So you don't only have to make it. 558 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:38,600 Speaker 4: You got to get can make it, you got to 559 00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:39,040 Speaker 4: keep it. 560 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:43,360 Speaker 2: You got to sustain that level of talent and performance. 561 00:30:44,160 --> 00:30:50,200 Speaker 1: What about the WNBA's moms because obviously, with women performing 562 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:54,880 Speaker 1: at the highest level as athletes, that also poses a 563 00:30:55,040 --> 00:30:58,520 Speaker 1: unique challenge for women, you know, having children, and I 564 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:01,479 Speaker 1: saw that the Fevers new facility is supposed to have 565 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:04,760 Speaker 1: daycare and whatnot. But what are some things in your 566 00:31:04,880 --> 00:31:08,040 Speaker 1: job and your roletary that you feel like need to 567 00:31:08,080 --> 00:31:10,120 Speaker 1: be recognized as far as women, you know, who are 568 00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:12,720 Speaker 1: having children and still are performing at the highest level. 569 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:15,840 Speaker 2: When I first got this job, I remember during the 570 00:31:15,880 --> 00:31:18,920 Speaker 2: interview process, you know, reading the CBA, and I said, wait, 571 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:22,640 Speaker 2: what happens when they're pregnant. I didn't remember reading that 572 00:31:22,720 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 2: in the CBA. And so I go back to the 573 00:31:24,440 --> 00:31:26,800 Speaker 2: CBA and I'm looking at I'm like, Okay, we don't 574 00:31:26,800 --> 00:31:29,600 Speaker 2: really talk about that. That's crazy. The only thing you 575 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:32,960 Speaker 2: really see in that old CBA was players have to 576 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:36,320 Speaker 2: disclose and players only get paid half their salary. And 577 00:31:36,360 --> 00:31:38,840 Speaker 2: I was like, oh, my god, who agreed to that? 578 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:42,640 Speaker 2: And why We've got to fix that. I also thought about, 579 00:31:42,720 --> 00:31:46,120 Speaker 2: you know, when I was a young mom and my 580 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:49,200 Speaker 2: son's dad was playing in the NBA at the time. 581 00:31:49,360 --> 00:31:52,040 Speaker 2: I'd walk into the arena and somebody would scoop him 582 00:31:52,080 --> 00:31:54,760 Speaker 2: up and take him to the family room and he 583 00:31:54,800 --> 00:31:57,440 Speaker 2: could play with the other kids. He would be fed 584 00:31:57,600 --> 00:31:59,560 Speaker 2: if he wanted to sleep, or he could come hang 585 00:31:59,560 --> 00:32:01,640 Speaker 2: out in the sea with me and watch the games. 586 00:32:01,760 --> 00:32:04,920 Speaker 2: And so I'd go in my new job as head 587 00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:08,240 Speaker 2: of this union and I'd say, okay, where's the family room, 588 00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:10,400 Speaker 2: And people would look at me like I was crazy. 589 00:32:10,920 --> 00:32:13,120 Speaker 2: I was like, wait a second, the guys had this. 590 00:32:13,400 --> 00:32:15,880 Speaker 2: Now I'm comparing, right, the guys had this, and we 591 00:32:15,960 --> 00:32:18,640 Speaker 2: don't do this for professional women athletes. Okay, we got 592 00:32:18,680 --> 00:32:21,280 Speaker 2: to fix that. I thought there were so many opportunities 593 00:32:21,320 --> 00:32:25,280 Speaker 2: that we had to demonstrate how we could support women 594 00:32:25,560 --> 00:32:29,080 Speaker 2: who wanted to start a family or who had a 595 00:32:29,160 --> 00:32:33,680 Speaker 2: family and maintain playing in the W And this twenty 596 00:32:33,720 --> 00:32:36,520 Speaker 2: twenty CBA, when Lexi and I talk about, it's good. 597 00:32:36,560 --> 00:32:38,840 Speaker 2: It did a lot of things. It helped fix that, 598 00:32:38,960 --> 00:32:42,200 Speaker 2: and we saw more players who were moms or starting 599 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:47,320 Speaker 2: their families than ever before. And we've got to continue 600 00:32:47,320 --> 00:32:50,960 Speaker 2: that because that's really important. We want young women who 601 00:32:50,960 --> 00:32:53,240 Speaker 2: are in high school getting ready to go to college 602 00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:56,560 Speaker 2: thinking about aspiring to be a w player to say 603 00:32:56,640 --> 00:32:58,720 Speaker 2: I can do that, and I can have it all, 604 00:32:59,080 --> 00:33:02,760 Speaker 2: just like working women and in any industry across this country, 605 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:06,520 Speaker 2: across the globe are saying, how can I have it all? 606 00:33:06,720 --> 00:33:07,480 Speaker 5: We can do that. 607 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:10,920 Speaker 2: It can't be a challenge. It should not be a challenge, 608 00:33:10,960 --> 00:33:12,080 Speaker 2: a hindrance. 609 00:33:11,720 --> 00:33:13,760 Speaker 3: Shouldn't be a chibstacle, right. 610 00:33:14,120 --> 00:33:16,960 Speaker 2: It should be something that we do and that we celebrate. 611 00:33:17,040 --> 00:33:20,160 Speaker 2: And I am celebrating the fact that we see more 612 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:25,400 Speaker 2: player parents in the w than we have in decades 613 00:33:25,480 --> 00:33:27,960 Speaker 2: and we have probably ever in its history, and it's 614 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:31,160 Speaker 2: because of this twenty twenty CBA, but we opted out 615 00:33:31,200 --> 00:33:33,600 Speaker 2: of this one, and I think we have to do 616 00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:34,880 Speaker 2: even better. 617 00:33:35,440 --> 00:33:39,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, and I've heard and I've seen player mothers still 618 00:33:39,880 --> 00:33:44,720 Speaker 4: in twenty twenty four having grievances with how they handle 619 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:47,720 Speaker 4: them as moms, and it is one of the reasons 620 00:33:47,760 --> 00:33:50,200 Speaker 4: why we saw so much moving in the free agency 621 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:54,080 Speaker 4: from some mothers. Was literally like there was no type 622 00:33:54,080 --> 00:33:57,240 Speaker 4: of childcare in place like we were promised, So we 623 00:33:57,280 --> 00:34:00,240 Speaker 4: got to go somewhere that there is one. And I 624 00:34:00,240 --> 00:34:02,520 Speaker 4: think that's so important. You know, for me, I don't 625 00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:05,840 Speaker 4: have any kids, but you know, five years ago I 626 00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:07,520 Speaker 4: was like, am I gonna be able to have kid 627 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 4: and play and be comfortable and be embraced And yeah, 628 00:34:12,080 --> 00:34:13,840 Speaker 4: now the answer is yes, I agree with you. 629 00:34:13,880 --> 00:34:15,399 Speaker 3: We do still have a lot of work to do. 630 00:34:15,640 --> 00:34:16,840 Speaker 4: One of the things I love about you is like 631 00:34:16,840 --> 00:34:20,360 Speaker 4: your candidness and openness. And when I was doing some 632 00:34:20,520 --> 00:34:25,440 Speaker 4: reading prior to this, I was seeing the NWSL they 633 00:34:25,520 --> 00:34:29,200 Speaker 4: just had their renegotiation period and they talked about how 634 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:32,960 Speaker 4: they kept theirs very close to their chest and didn't 635 00:34:32,960 --> 00:34:36,840 Speaker 4: really have people or the media or the outside have 636 00:34:37,080 --> 00:34:40,240 Speaker 4: any type of insight into what they were doing. Where 637 00:34:40,239 --> 00:34:43,920 Speaker 4: obviously the complete opposite of that. What benefits do you 638 00:34:44,000 --> 00:34:47,840 Speaker 4: see of us being so candid and open with so 639 00:34:47,880 --> 00:34:51,240 Speaker 4: many people about what we're trying to achieve in our CV, Well. 640 00:34:51,080 --> 00:34:53,560 Speaker 2: I think there's a balance there. Hopefully you feel that 641 00:34:53,600 --> 00:34:57,200 Speaker 2: this conversation with you and Mariah is candid and open 642 00:34:57,239 --> 00:34:59,799 Speaker 2: and with your listeners, because that's what I always looked 643 00:34:59,840 --> 00:35:03,440 Speaker 2: to be. But I don't look to negotiate in the press. 644 00:35:03,880 --> 00:35:06,440 Speaker 2: I look to negotiate in the war room, right in 645 00:35:06,480 --> 00:35:09,000 Speaker 2: the conference room. That's where we do the work, and 646 00:35:09,080 --> 00:35:13,120 Speaker 2: we do ourselves a favor by maintaining that kind of 647 00:35:13,160 --> 00:35:17,799 Speaker 2: strategy and approach. Will we talk big picture about what 648 00:35:17,960 --> 00:35:22,040 Speaker 2: new can look like. Absolutely, that's part of this candid conversation, 649 00:35:22,239 --> 00:35:25,319 Speaker 2: and I think the players do themselves a service a 650 00:35:25,360 --> 00:35:28,400 Speaker 2: great service to say this is what's on our mind, 651 00:35:28,640 --> 00:35:31,400 Speaker 2: the women of the W. With all due respect to 652 00:35:31,719 --> 00:35:35,640 Speaker 2: our colleagues in soccer, but in the W we lead, 653 00:35:36,239 --> 00:35:39,040 Speaker 2: we really do. We know all eyes are on us, 654 00:35:39,080 --> 00:35:41,839 Speaker 2: and so we've got to do the work and get 655 00:35:41,880 --> 00:35:45,719 Speaker 2: it right and get this CBA to respond to who 656 00:35:45,760 --> 00:35:49,080 Speaker 2: we are, to who you are as players, as professional 657 00:35:49,080 --> 00:35:52,600 Speaker 2: women athletes, to ensure your value, to ensure your rights, 658 00:35:52,640 --> 00:35:55,440 Speaker 2: to ensure you're safe, to ensure that you are able 659 00:35:55,480 --> 00:35:58,640 Speaker 2: to play at that high level. Sure, I will talk 660 00:35:58,680 --> 00:36:01,880 Speaker 2: about that in terms of strokes and big picture, but 661 00:36:01,920 --> 00:36:05,399 Speaker 2: when it comes down to what are we actually talking about, 662 00:36:05,440 --> 00:36:08,120 Speaker 2: what are the actual negotiations and the day to day 663 00:36:08,200 --> 00:36:09,799 Speaker 2: or the week to week or the months to month 664 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:13,440 Speaker 2: meetings and the outcomes. No, that I will hold close 665 00:36:13,480 --> 00:36:16,720 Speaker 2: to the vest, and that I will they in terms 666 00:36:16,719 --> 00:36:19,000 Speaker 2: of the playbook that we had last time and our 667 00:36:19,040 --> 00:36:22,640 Speaker 2: strategy that we had last time, and we had no leaks. 668 00:36:23,440 --> 00:36:26,560 Speaker 2: Let's do that again because I think we do ourselves 669 00:36:26,640 --> 00:36:28,919 Speaker 2: as service and I think that brings a certain level 670 00:36:28,920 --> 00:36:33,239 Speaker 2: of credibility to the negotiations. And so that's what I 671 00:36:33,239 --> 00:36:37,560 Speaker 2: want to repeat again. But telling our stories, making sure 672 00:36:37,600 --> 00:36:41,919 Speaker 2: that our fans still feel connected to you, that's the goal. 673 00:36:51,320 --> 00:36:53,000 Speaker 1: I'm not sure if this is something that happens with 674 00:36:53,080 --> 00:36:56,960 Speaker 1: the CBA or not, But as far as you were 675 00:36:57,000 --> 00:36:59,799 Speaker 1: referring to with mothers and the w LEXI I think 676 00:36:59,840 --> 00:37:04,040 Speaker 1: you said some teams have different type of childcare facilities 677 00:37:04,040 --> 00:37:06,040 Speaker 1: and whatnot in place, and some teams don't. And that 678 00:37:06,120 --> 00:37:09,239 Speaker 1: causes some women who are free agents to go a 679 00:37:09,239 --> 00:37:12,759 Speaker 1: different route because different teams have different availabilities for them. 680 00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:14,760 Speaker 1: And I noticed that come up a lot in free agency, 681 00:37:15,200 --> 00:37:17,800 Speaker 1: not just with mothers, but with players being like, Okay, 682 00:37:17,840 --> 00:37:20,319 Speaker 1: well that team has these facilities and this team has 683 00:37:20,360 --> 00:37:22,040 Speaker 1: that and this comparison game. 684 00:37:22,680 --> 00:37:24,600 Speaker 5: Is there a future in which. 685 00:37:24,520 --> 00:37:27,799 Speaker 1: It becomes uniform across the board what teams have to 686 00:37:27,880 --> 00:37:30,680 Speaker 1: have for their players, because that I feel like it's 687 00:37:30,719 --> 00:37:33,680 Speaker 1: going to cause on the court a difference in the 688 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:36,000 Speaker 1: quality of talent, because some talent are going to be like, 689 00:37:36,040 --> 00:37:37,879 Speaker 1: I don't want to play there because I might want 690 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:39,439 Speaker 1: to have a kid in a couple of years. 691 00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:40,359 Speaker 5: And you know what I'm saying. 692 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:42,279 Speaker 1: So, is there a world in which that becomes more 693 00:37:42,400 --> 00:37:43,439 Speaker 1: uniform team to team? 694 00:37:43,520 --> 00:37:45,120 Speaker 4: I mean I would be like, yes, I would love 695 00:37:45,160 --> 00:37:47,799 Speaker 4: that to be a uniform because it's getting into competitive 696 00:37:47,840 --> 00:37:49,799 Speaker 4: advantage territory. 697 00:37:50,000 --> 00:37:52,200 Speaker 1: I feel like, yeah, so is that a possibility as 698 00:37:52,239 --> 00:37:54,920 Speaker 1: far as you know the paperwork behind the scene. 699 00:37:54,680 --> 00:37:57,120 Speaker 2: And let me ask you this, do you think it's 700 00:37:57,160 --> 00:38:03,080 Speaker 2: a good idea that facility are standardized across a league? 701 00:38:03,480 --> 00:38:09,000 Speaker 2: Any League, WNBA, NBA. Do you think it's helpful to 702 00:38:09,160 --> 00:38:14,239 Speaker 2: see top notch facilities have the kind of equipment, have 703 00:38:14,360 --> 00:38:18,520 Speaker 2: the kind of recovery resources that professional athletes need. This 704 00:38:18,640 --> 00:38:20,759 Speaker 2: is not about being a diva, right, This is not 705 00:38:20,800 --> 00:38:24,719 Speaker 2: about who's got the new shiny But do you think 706 00:38:24,800 --> 00:38:25,520 Speaker 2: it makes sense? 707 00:38:26,560 --> 00:38:29,640 Speaker 1: And it's not even about being a diva as much 708 00:38:29,640 --> 00:38:32,320 Speaker 1: as it is at least holding them to the standard 709 00:38:32,520 --> 00:38:34,600 Speaker 1: that they're used to in college. Me and Luxy have 710 00:38:34,600 --> 00:38:37,920 Speaker 1: talked about this before. Going from college. Seems like they 711 00:38:37,960 --> 00:38:40,960 Speaker 1: have access to everything and more, and so it's like 712 00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:42,759 Speaker 1: that's a standard that they're used to. As far as 713 00:38:42,800 --> 00:38:45,960 Speaker 1: even being prepared to compete on the court, it's not about, Oh, 714 00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:48,200 Speaker 1: I want the shiniest new toy. It's like, no, I 715 00:38:48,239 --> 00:38:49,759 Speaker 1: want to perform at my best. I want to be 716 00:38:49,800 --> 00:38:53,000 Speaker 1: able to win. My worry, though, is I don't want 717 00:38:53,280 --> 00:38:55,800 Speaker 1: them getting undercut by their being. 718 00:38:55,600 --> 00:38:58,040 Speaker 5: A uniform standard, if that makes sense. 719 00:38:57,840 --> 00:39:00,920 Speaker 1: Like my worry would be like the NCAA tournament situation 720 00:39:01,080 --> 00:39:03,680 Speaker 1: years ago where they had won rackawights and that was 721 00:39:03,719 --> 00:39:06,080 Speaker 1: what was required, the one rack of dumbells. 722 00:39:06,239 --> 00:39:09,000 Speaker 5: I don't want that to happen. So that's my one Well, well. 723 00:39:08,920 --> 00:39:11,520 Speaker 2: I mean that's why you have a standard that's at 724 00:39:11,640 --> 00:39:14,280 Speaker 2: least at a level that makes sense. I'm not talking 725 00:39:14,320 --> 00:39:17,920 Speaker 2: about something that is below basic. You have a standard 726 00:39:18,320 --> 00:39:22,600 Speaker 2: that puts everybody unnoticed that this is the way you 727 00:39:22,719 --> 00:39:26,280 Speaker 2: treat professional athletes and that this is what is expected 728 00:39:26,320 --> 00:39:30,200 Speaker 2: of you if you're going to have a WNBA or 729 00:39:30,320 --> 00:39:31,600 Speaker 2: name a team franchise. 730 00:39:31,719 --> 00:39:34,160 Speaker 1: But like Legacy said, that bleeds into the competition on 731 00:39:34,200 --> 00:39:36,600 Speaker 1: the court because if one team all is training with 732 00:39:36,640 --> 00:39:38,680 Speaker 1: the same training staff and it's getting in the sauna 733 00:39:38,719 --> 00:39:41,640 Speaker 1: after and the ice bath together and he ha ha, 734 00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:43,640 Speaker 1: and then one team is all getting trained by their 735 00:39:43,680 --> 00:39:44,600 Speaker 1: own separate trainers, that. 736 00:39:44,560 --> 00:39:48,719 Speaker 3: Affects exactly bare minimum. 737 00:39:49,040 --> 00:39:51,880 Speaker 4: And I want people to also understand that it's not 738 00:39:52,080 --> 00:39:55,359 Speaker 4: the league, Like obviously we can put what we want 739 00:39:55,360 --> 00:39:59,600 Speaker 4: in the CBA negotiations, but it's on the ownerships to 740 00:39:59,640 --> 00:40:01,560 Speaker 4: put the money into these facilities. 741 00:40:01,600 --> 00:40:04,200 Speaker 3: Everyone is always just like the WNBA needs to do this, the. 742 00:40:04,160 --> 00:40:08,680 Speaker 4: Wakers like one designated person giving money to each team 743 00:40:08,760 --> 00:40:10,880 Speaker 4: like no, these are the different ownership groups, which is 744 00:40:10,880 --> 00:40:15,239 Speaker 4: why you're seeing such a disparity between franchises right now, 745 00:40:15,280 --> 00:40:18,840 Speaker 4: because you have owners that care and are investing in 746 00:40:18,880 --> 00:40:23,239 Speaker 4: their teams like Phoenix in Las Vegas and now Indiana 747 00:40:23,280 --> 00:40:26,879 Speaker 4: that we're seeing, and then you have other franchises who 748 00:40:26,880 --> 00:40:29,080 Speaker 4: I won't name because we're not going to throw anybody 749 00:40:29,120 --> 00:40:32,640 Speaker 4: under the bus right now, and they their owners look 750 00:40:32,719 --> 00:40:35,880 Speaker 4: like they just don't care. And I think this is 751 00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:38,680 Speaker 4: a very important part of our next round of negotiations 752 00:40:38,800 --> 00:40:42,920 Speaker 4: is standardizing what players need to compete at the highest 753 00:40:43,000 --> 00:40:47,200 Speaker 4: level to win championships, because, like Mariah said, we're used 754 00:40:47,200 --> 00:40:49,640 Speaker 4: to it in college and no universe should we be 755 00:40:49,719 --> 00:40:52,520 Speaker 4: able to comprehend that you get to the highest level 756 00:40:53,200 --> 00:40:54,920 Speaker 4: and everything is downgraded. 757 00:40:55,440 --> 00:40:56,120 Speaker 5: That's why it's. 758 00:40:55,960 --> 00:40:59,640 Speaker 1: Important for our listeners and fans and the public to 759 00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:03,120 Speaker 1: hear from Terry, from you to understand that it's not 760 00:41:03,160 --> 00:41:05,560 Speaker 1: like when fans say the WNBA needs to do this, 761 00:41:05,600 --> 00:41:08,120 Speaker 1: and that it's not like the WNBA is the enemy 762 00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:10,040 Speaker 1: of the players and they don't want the players to 763 00:41:10,040 --> 00:41:11,759 Speaker 1: do well and have nice like It's not like that. 764 00:41:11,800 --> 00:41:13,560 Speaker 1: I'm not saying that about the ownership either, but it's 765 00:41:13,560 --> 00:41:16,800 Speaker 1: important that fans understand that there are bodies in place 766 00:41:17,200 --> 00:41:19,759 Speaker 1: that are fighting for the players to have what they 767 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:21,960 Speaker 1: need and what they want and what they desire. It's 768 00:41:22,000 --> 00:41:23,680 Speaker 1: not like the WNBA just like, Oh, we don't want 769 00:41:23,719 --> 00:41:24,640 Speaker 1: them to have practiacilities. 770 00:41:24,640 --> 00:41:25,520 Speaker 5: That doesn't make sense for us. 771 00:41:25,640 --> 00:41:27,320 Speaker 4: At the end of the day, it is a business, 772 00:41:27,360 --> 00:41:29,480 Speaker 4: and we do all understand that we've just done a 773 00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:32,279 Speaker 4: really good job navigating this new time, in this new era, 774 00:41:32,320 --> 00:41:36,320 Speaker 4: and I think we just have positioned ourselves to take. 775 00:41:36,160 --> 00:41:38,560 Speaker 3: A leap with these next negotiations. 776 00:41:38,600 --> 00:41:41,800 Speaker 4: So the last question before we get off of here, 777 00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:46,440 Speaker 4: we'll circle back to your interview question, Terry, where do 778 00:41:46,520 --> 00:41:50,360 Speaker 4: you see the WNBA in the next five to ten years? 779 00:41:51,520 --> 00:41:53,840 Speaker 4: God willing that this CBA goes the way that we 780 00:41:53,880 --> 00:41:54,560 Speaker 4: wanted to go. 781 00:41:54,800 --> 00:41:57,160 Speaker 3: What do you envision for us in the next five. 782 00:41:57,040 --> 00:42:00,399 Speaker 2: Well, let me go to the it's business comments. There 783 00:42:00,480 --> 00:42:06,120 Speaker 2: is no better time for workers to collectively organize and 784 00:42:06,200 --> 00:42:10,160 Speaker 2: become a part of a union. And I am hopeful 785 00:42:10,480 --> 00:42:14,080 Speaker 2: that there is a resurgence of the labor movement that 786 00:42:14,200 --> 00:42:18,640 Speaker 2: is driven by the leadership of you, Lexi and the 787 00:42:18,640 --> 00:42:21,880 Speaker 2: women of the w That is my hope, that is 788 00:42:21,960 --> 00:42:26,000 Speaker 2: what I believe will truly happen, that through these negotiations, 789 00:42:26,040 --> 00:42:30,840 Speaker 2: we will once again show not just the sports world, 790 00:42:30,920 --> 00:42:35,239 Speaker 2: but the world generally what you can do when even 791 00:42:35,280 --> 00:42:38,520 Speaker 2: when you are a small but mighty group, small but 792 00:42:38,719 --> 00:42:43,520 Speaker 2: mighty labor union. What you can do when you collectively organize, 793 00:42:43,520 --> 00:42:46,759 Speaker 2: when you work together, when you understand the power of 794 00:42:46,840 --> 00:42:50,080 Speaker 2: consensus and you understand the power of your collective voice, 795 00:42:50,400 --> 00:42:54,120 Speaker 2: the labor movement will have a resurgence. Mark my words, 796 00:42:54,520 --> 00:43:01,040 Speaker 2: mark this moment in mastery. That it will be because 797 00:43:01,040 --> 00:43:04,040 Speaker 2: of you all and what you do this time. And 798 00:43:04,080 --> 00:43:06,600 Speaker 2: that's the other reason why I say all eyes on us. 799 00:43:07,120 --> 00:43:10,440 Speaker 2: I think we're also going to see a stronger movement 800 00:43:11,080 --> 00:43:16,000 Speaker 2: of player advocacy. The power of the player has been 801 00:43:16,120 --> 00:43:21,040 Speaker 2: growing and it's going to reach great heights in the W. 802 00:43:21,760 --> 00:43:25,080 Speaker 2: I think that you will finally be seen as you 803 00:43:25,120 --> 00:43:30,640 Speaker 2: should always have been seen as respected business women in 804 00:43:30,760 --> 00:43:33,759 Speaker 2: this league, because it is quite clear to me as 805 00:43:33,800 --> 00:43:37,840 Speaker 2: your executive director, that you know the business of sport, 806 00:43:38,440 --> 00:43:41,680 Speaker 2: you know the business of this league, you care about it, 807 00:43:41,800 --> 00:43:45,120 Speaker 2: you look to protect it, and you are going to 808 00:43:45,320 --> 00:43:50,600 Speaker 2: finally be seen as the respected players and business women 809 00:43:51,600 --> 00:43:52,200 Speaker 2: of the W. 810 00:43:53,120 --> 00:43:55,880 Speaker 3: Power to the players, Power to the players. 811 00:43:56,360 --> 00:43:59,239 Speaker 4: Oh my gosh, that is the perfect title, and it's 812 00:43:59,239 --> 00:44:02,000 Speaker 4: going to be the time of our epil. Right, Terry, 813 00:44:02,040 --> 00:44:05,760 Speaker 4: thank you so much for coming on. I am honored 814 00:44:05,840 --> 00:44:08,759 Speaker 4: I'm grateful. I love you so much. I would not 815 00:44:08,880 --> 00:44:11,280 Speaker 4: be here without you. I tell you all the time, 816 00:44:11,560 --> 00:44:13,160 Speaker 4: so thank you so much. I'm so excited for this 817 00:44:13,200 --> 00:44:16,400 Speaker 4: episode to drop and we can educate our listeners and 818 00:44:16,560 --> 00:44:19,360 Speaker 4: you guys, thanks for tuning in for another episode of 819 00:44:19,400 --> 00:44:20,040 Speaker 4: Full Circle. 820 00:44:20,120 --> 00:44:21,160 Speaker 3: We will see you next week. 821 00:44:21,280 --> 00:44:24,560 Speaker 2: Thank you, Thank you, Mariah. 822 00:44:24,760 --> 00:44:27,000 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to Full Circle. We'll be back next 823 00:44:27,000 --> 00:44:28,920 Speaker 1: week with more basketball. 824 00:44:28,520 --> 00:44:30,040 Speaker 5: For the girls. By the girls. 825 00:44:30,360 --> 00:44:31,359 Speaker 2: We want to hear from you. 826 00:44:31,680 --> 00:44:33,920 Speaker 1: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and tell us 827 00:44:33,960 --> 00:44:36,319 Speaker 1: what you want us to talk about. Full Circle is 828 00:44:36,320 --> 00:44:39,680 Speaker 1: hosted by Lexi Brown and Mariah Rose. Our executive producer 829 00:44:39,760 --> 00:44:43,319 Speaker 1: is Jesse Katz. Our supervising producer is Grace Fuse. Our 830 00:44:43,360 --> 00:44:47,400 Speaker 1: producer is Zoe Danglab. Listen to Full Circle on America's 831 00:44:47,440 --> 00:44:51,000 Speaker 1: number one podcast network, iHeart, open your free iHeart app 832 00:44:51,040 --> 00:44:53,439 Speaker 1: and search Full Circle with Lexi Brown and Mariah Rose 833 00:44:53,480 --> 00:44:54,280 Speaker 1: and start listening.