1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:02,840 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're saying 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:05,560 Speaker 1: I told you so, don't judge a team by their 3 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,160 Speaker 1: first game. Welcome back Aces. 4 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:09,400 Speaker 2: That's more like it. 5 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: It's Tuesday, May twelfth than On today's show, co founder 6 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: and commissioner of the Upshot League and former WNBA president 7 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:18,360 Speaker 1: Donna Orender joins us to discuss adding to the pro 8 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: women's hoop space, when to expect a roster drop, and 9 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:23,639 Speaker 1: what she wants the new league to look like in 10 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: ten years plus. Jose the Coyote can't be stopped. 11 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 2: It's out of here and getting. 12 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,160 Speaker 1: Back in the saddle. It's all coming up right after 13 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 1: this welcome back slices, here's what you need to know today. 14 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: Let's start with hoops and the final games from the 15 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,879 Speaker 1: WNBA's opening weekend. After dropping their opener to the Valkyrie, 16 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 1: the Seattle Storm got their first win of the season 17 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: on Sunday, beating the Connecticut Sun eighty nine eighty two. 18 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:56,680 Speaker 1: Friend of the show and co host of the Full 19 00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: Circle podcast right here on Iheartwomen's Sports, Lexi Brown was 20 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: on fire in this one, leading the team with seventeen 21 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:07,040 Speaker 1: points off the bench, including five May threes. Lage Johnson 22 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 1: put up sixteen points and Jade Melboyn had fifteen sons 23 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:13,680 Speaker 1: Front tooth still. Also on Sunday, the New York Liberty 24 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 1: improved to two and zero with an overtime win over 25 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:19,039 Speaker 1: the Washington Mystics ninety eight ninety three. Marine Johanns and 26 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:21,559 Speaker 1: Brianna Stewart led the way with twenty five and twenty 27 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 1: three points respectively. As for the Sticks, recent UCLA grad 28 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:27,680 Speaker 1: Lauren Betts settled in a little bit better in her 29 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 1: second pro game, grabbing her first w buckets. She finished 30 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: with seven points in eighteen minutes. Also, Kiki erie Fen 31 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: and Shakira Austin both got their second double doubles. 32 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:37,560 Speaker 2: In as many games. 33 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: Erie Fen had twenty points twelve rebounds. Austin went sixteen 34 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 1: to ten. The La Sparks finally made their regular season 35 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 1: debut on Sunday, fall into the reigning champs, the Las 36 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: Vegas Aces one oh five seventy eight. The Sparks Kelsey 37 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: Plump put up twenty seven points in the loss, but 38 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 1: wasn't happy with her team's effort, saying after the game quote. 39 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 2: They punched us in the face. 40 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: We didn't respond when someone is shooting sixty three percent. 41 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 1: It's going to be hard to win that game. I'm 42 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:06,880 Speaker 1: disappointed in our effort end quote. Asas center, Asia Wilson 43 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,240 Speaker 1: had nineteen points and four rebounds on the night, putting 44 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 1: her at twenty five hundred and two career rebounds in 45 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 1: two hundred and sixty nine w games. 46 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:15,320 Speaker 2: She's now tied. 47 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:17,679 Speaker 1: With Lisa Leslie for the third fastest player to reach 48 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: twenty five hundred boards in WNBA history. Finally, in the 49 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:25,000 Speaker 1: nightcap on Sunday, Olympian Eileen Goo did the ceremonial banging 50 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:28,520 Speaker 1: of the drum. Sheila e performed at halftime, and MNBA 51 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:32,360 Speaker 1: legend Pau Gasol and Stanford coaching Legendara Vanderveer were among 52 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 1: those on hand as the Golden State Valkyries had their 53 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:36,119 Speaker 1: home opener. 54 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 2: The Valx improved to two. 55 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 1: And zero with a ninety five seventy nine went over 56 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,240 Speaker 1: the Phoenix Mercury and that one. Janel Salon stayed hot 57 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 1: with twenty one points, and Bay Area native Gabby Williams 58 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 1: added nineteen points in her home debut with the team. 59 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:51,400 Speaker 1: More w The action continues tonight with the Atlanta Dream 60 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:54,399 Speaker 1: taken on the Dallas Wings at eight pm Eastern. Minnesota 61 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:56,520 Speaker 1: Links play in the Phoenix Mercury at ten eastern, and 62 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 1: the New York Liberty facing expansion team, the Portland Fire 63 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,919 Speaker 1: that one also at ten pm Eastern to hockey. Monday 64 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: night's decisive Game five of the PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs 65 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:09,919 Speaker 1: semi final series between the Minnesota Frost and Montreal Victoire 66 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:13,960 Speaker 1: was postponed due to player safety concerns related to illness. 67 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:17,240 Speaker 1: As of Monday afternoon, the league hadn't revealed details on 68 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 1: a rescheduled date or the illness, but did report that 69 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 1: a medical assessment has determined the symptoms are not consistent 70 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:27,079 Speaker 1: with hantavirus. Whenever that game is played, the winner will 71 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 1: advance to play the Ottawa Charge in the Walter Cup Finals. 72 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 1: We'll keep you updated as soon as we have more information. Meantime, 73 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 1: we'll all try to stay calm and not think about 74 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: the last time we were closely monitoring reports, wondering if 75 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: a mysterious and terrifying illness might be nearing our cities 76 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 1: and ports to soccer. On Sunday night, the Washington Spirit 77 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 1: won their fifth game in a row, beating the Seattle 78 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: Rain one nil thanks to a late goal from Claudia Martinez. 79 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: There was a brief scare for the Spirit's Trinity Rodman 80 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 1: early in the second half. The star forward fell to 81 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 1: the ground going for a ball in front of the 82 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 1: goal on a cornerkick. She clutched her right ankle, had 83 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: a brief check in from the staff's physios, got up 84 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 1: limping and tried to continue playing, but was ultimately replaced 85 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 1: shortly after and spent the rest of the game on 86 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 1: the bench, where she was seen smiling, at least for 87 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 1: what it's worth. Next up for the Spirit, it's a 88 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 1: trip to California for a game against the San Diego 89 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 1: Wave on Friday, and you have to assume Jose the 90 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 1: Coyote will be getting his own first class seat on 91 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 1: that plane. The Spirit's good luck charm has certainly earned it. 92 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 1: The only midweek NDWSL game is tonight, when the Boston 93 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 1: Legacy take on the Orlando Pride. That's a seven pm 94 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:36,840 Speaker 1: Eastern start to softball. UCLA felt to Nebraska seven to 95 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:40,239 Speaker 1: two in Saturday's Big Ten Championship, but Bruin senior Megan 96 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 1: Grant broke the NCAA single season home run record with 97 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 1: her thirty eighth dinger break in a thirty one year 98 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:50,559 Speaker 1: old record previously set by Arizona's Laura Espinosa. Grant could 99 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: add to her total two as the Bruins hope to 100 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,560 Speaker 1: make a run in the Women's College World Series. Grant, 101 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 1: by the way, is a dual sport athlete at UCLA. 102 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:00,479 Speaker 1: She joined the Bruins basketball program as a go slash 103 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 1: forward this year, and prior to the start of the 104 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: softball season, she played in thirteen games with the team, 105 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,359 Speaker 1: making three of six field goal attempts for six points, 106 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: snagging four rebounds, and dishing out one assist. The Bruins, 107 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: of course, went on to win the national title more softball, 108 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:17,680 Speaker 1: the D one NCUBLEA Softball tournament bracket is set with 109 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 1: sixty four teams on deck. After selection Sunday, Alabama edged 110 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 1: out Texas and Oklahoma for the number one overall seed, 111 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,919 Speaker 1: and after managing all the conflicting softball rankings throughout the 112 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 1: regular season, isn't it nice to just have one singular 113 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:35,840 Speaker 1: number we can use when describing each team. So heading 114 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: into the postseason, Alabama number one, twenty twenty five champions, 115 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 1: the Texas Longhorns number two, and regular season champion Oklahoma 116 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 1: sits at number three after losing last week's SEC tournament 117 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: in an upset to number ten Georgia. We'll link to 118 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 1: the full bracket in the show notes so you can 119 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:52,719 Speaker 1: check out the rest of the seeds. The twenty twenty 120 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:56,160 Speaker 1: six Ncuba Softball Championship kicks off Friday at eleven am 121 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:59,160 Speaker 1: Eastern on ESPN. Later this week, we'll get you an 122 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:02,719 Speaker 1: in depth preview of what to expect. Finally, in golf, 123 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 1: Thailand's Gino Titskun fought until the end to win the 124 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: Mizuho America Is Open in New Jersey on Sunday. Titskun 125 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 1: had a two shot lead at the start of the 126 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: final round, but China's Ruining Yin managed to rally from 127 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:16,160 Speaker 1: four back to get within one shot. Titskun used a 128 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 1: pair of late birdies to get the job done, and 129 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 1: the victory marks her second LPGA Tour victory this year. 130 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: This is her fourth season with multiple wins since joining 131 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 1: the LPGA in twenty twenty two. The Mizuho America's Open 132 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 1: also marked the return of US pro Michelle we West, 133 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,680 Speaker 1: who left competitive golf in twenty twenty three to focus 134 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: on her family. At a press conference after the first round. 135 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 1: We West described what it was like to step back 136 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 1: into competition for the first time in years. 137 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:42,239 Speaker 2: Take a listen. 138 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 3: I wasn't nervous really going in, and then I get 139 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 3: to the first team. I'm like, holy shit, I now 140 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,279 Speaker 3: spell my curse words and I'm my mom and I 141 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:53,919 Speaker 3: was like, wow, my whole all of a sudden, it 142 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 3: looks tho small. It's like I got to a two 143 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 3: foot I was like, I'm not going to hit the hole. 144 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:57,600 Speaker 2: There's no way. 145 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:01,120 Speaker 3: But you know, honestly, I'm so happy that I applied 146 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 3: today because as much practice as you can do, as 147 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:08,600 Speaker 3: money money games as you can play, there's literally nothing 148 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 3: in the world that compares to the first round of 149 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 3: a tournament. 150 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 2: So I thought today was great experience. 151 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 1: We Wes ended the tournament in one hundred and eighteenth 152 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 1: out of one hundred and nineteen players. Her next test 153 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 1: will be June's US Open, a tournament she won back 154 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 1: in twenty fourteen. 155 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 2: Oh and one more thing slices. 156 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 1: Congrats to former US women's national team star Alex Morgan 157 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 1: and her partner Servando Carrasco, who announced on Mother's Day 158 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: that they're expecting their third child together. Morgan made the 159 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 1: announcement on Instagram and the San Diego Wave, the NWSL club. 160 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 1: She ended her career with commented, OMG, the hat trick classic. 161 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 1: All right, we're going to take a break. When we 162 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 1: come back, we talk Upshot with Donna Rinder joining us now. 163 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 1: She's the co founder and commissioner of the Upshot League, 164 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: professational women's developmental basketball league that begins played this week, 165 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 1: co founder and CEO of Generation w former president of 166 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 1: the WNBA. 167 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 2: She was an All. 168 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 1: American hooper at Queen's College and played professionally for all 169 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 1: three seasons of the Women's Pro Basketball League the WBL. 170 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 1: She was a member of the team that played in 171 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 1: the first women's game at Madison Square Garden. 172 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 2: It's Donna orunder Hi, Donna, thanks for joining us. 173 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, sah Waite, thanks for all that great research. 174 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 2: I like that. 175 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 4: That's wonderful. 176 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, we've heard a lot about that first game at MSG, 177 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 1: and I did not know that you were one of 178 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 1: the players. 179 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 2: And that's so cool. It's really cool. 180 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 4: Not only was I one of the players, I was 181 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 4: the leading scorer of that game. Cast I had a guard, 182 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 4: Mary Ann Crawford Stanley. She was like, you know, the 183 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 4: most celebrated Garden the nation and I was like a 184 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:46,920 Speaker 4: just turned seventeen year old freshman. It was awesome. I 185 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 4: love it. 186 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 2: I actually want to talk about that. 187 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: What I feel like must be a through line from 188 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 1: your experience playing pro to creating this league. 189 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 2: Because you were an all star. 190 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:57,200 Speaker 1: In the WBL, you dropped out of your master's program 191 00:08:57,280 --> 00:08:58,439 Speaker 1: to get to play pro. 192 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 2: This was clearly something very meaningful to you. 193 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: But the league disbanded in nineteen eighty one, so you 194 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:06,080 Speaker 1: understand what it feels like to want to play and 195 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:09,560 Speaker 1: not have an opportunity, which definitely feels like something you're 196 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 1: now fixing with this new league. So take me back 197 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:14,600 Speaker 1: to that time before we ever get to the Upshot League. 198 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 2: Take me back to nineteen. 199 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 1: Eighty one and to that disappointment of looking around and saying, 200 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 1: where do I put this talent? 201 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 4: We don't have to talk about how long ago with this, 202 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 4: but you really raise something that's really powerful because I 203 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 4: do remember coming to play basketball and I played at 204 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 4: Queen's College, which was at it was an elite team, right, 205 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 4: it was a very elite team. My coach, God bless her, 206 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 4: she's still alive. Coach Cavalege just got inducted into them 207 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:41,320 Speaker 4: Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. But I remember getting ready 208 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:44,559 Speaker 4: to leave college and there was no place to play. 209 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:47,319 Speaker 4: There was no place to play, and I'm like, oh, 210 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:51,840 Speaker 4: my goodness. I was twenty one years old. I felt 211 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 4: like I was just starting to learn the game and 212 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 4: where was I going to take it? And I had 213 00:09:56,280 --> 00:09:58,560 Speaker 4: a chance to play overseas and I'm like, oh, you 214 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 4: know not, I'm getting old. I remember thinking that, and 215 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 4: I probably should get a real job if that's what's 216 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 4: going to happen. But I can go to graduate school. 217 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:10,199 Speaker 4: And literally, out of the blue, my phone rang and 218 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 4: it was my AAU coach, Lamar, and he said, listen, 219 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 4: they're starting a women's professional basketball they do want to play. 220 00:10:15,800 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 4: And I couldn't say yes fast enough And what an 221 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:22,520 Speaker 4: experience that was, right, Like what an experience have I 222 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 4: had in my life? And you're right, it was incredibly 223 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 4: special and it represented a pinnacle, a sense of achievement, 224 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:34,439 Speaker 4: accomplishment that was not available to us. And so I 225 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:36,199 Speaker 4: was lucky. I got to play all three years. My 226 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 4: first year I went to school, I'd go to graduate 227 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 4: school in the morning, do my practical whatever, and then 228 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 4: at night I'd go and practice with our team. We 229 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 4: were the New York Stars, and it was a thrill. 230 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:52,959 Speaker 1: Really, you played for the Chicago Hustle, which my AAU 231 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 1: team was named the Chicago Hustle in honor of that 232 00:10:56,920 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 1: WBL league team. 233 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 4: How cool is that? Yes, I played for the Chicago Hustle. 234 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: So we're part of a through line of women's basketball 235 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:05,200 Speaker 1: history history together. 236 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:06,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's pretty cool. 237 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And then and then, of course, as 238 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:11,319 Speaker 4: you know, the league went away. I was one of 239 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 4: very few players who played all three seasons. Again probably 240 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 4: luck of the draw at the time, and then once 241 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:22,679 Speaker 4: again at a very young age. Now do I do right? Transition? Transition, transition, 242 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:26,400 Speaker 4: So yes, I experienced that. And I will say this, 243 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 4: another thing that really added to this for me was 244 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 4: my son was a Division one basketball player played at Cal. 245 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:38,439 Speaker 4: He wasn't an NBA player, but he was an excellent, 246 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:42,320 Speaker 4: talented player and got the opportunity to play overseas. I 247 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 4: spent a lot of time going overseas to watch him 248 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 4: and see how it was done over there. You know, 249 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 4: they had Division one, Division two, Division three, Division four, 250 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 4: and every city and there were little villages loved their 251 00:11:55,400 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 4: team and those athletes loved playing for their city, and 252 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,079 Speaker 4: I said, a lot, there's something beautiful about that. One. 253 00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:06,200 Speaker 4: I saw the pride in the athletes and this opportunity, 254 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:09,199 Speaker 4: if you will, to continue their craft and have their 255 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,760 Speaker 4: dream to get paid to play. And I saw these 256 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:15,080 Speaker 4: communities that were just actually invested in these teams and 257 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 4: what it did for the like, you know what, the 258 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:19,680 Speaker 4: little hustlers like you, Sarah, we got to like, you know, 259 00:12:19,760 --> 00:12:23,080 Speaker 4: watch these these professional athletes play. So both sides of 260 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 4: that really contributed to this idea for me. 261 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, I think if you look at it 262 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,680 Speaker 1: from the top down, you're like, we already have a 263 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 1: women's pro league. If you look at it from the 264 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 1: bottom up, you look at the massive opportunity it disappears 265 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:37,440 Speaker 1: for the majority of players as soon as you whittle 266 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: down to the very small number of players that can 267 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:42,960 Speaker 1: play in the w or even overseas in some of 268 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 1: these leagues. So we know that women's sports are booming, 269 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:48,080 Speaker 1: but we also know there's still so much room for growth. 270 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 2: Compared to the men's side. 271 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: So when you look around the space it's a couple 272 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 1: of years ago, what was it specifically that you thought 273 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 1: was missing that put into your mind the idea of 274 00:12:57,360 --> 00:12:58,480 Speaker 1: a new league. 275 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 4: Well one there was tremendously and I can't tell you 276 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 4: how this both pleases my heart and maybe fixes some 277 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 4: of the breaks that it had along the way. That 278 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:09,880 Speaker 4: everyone wanted a WNBA team, and a time when like 279 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:11,679 Speaker 4: I was running around the country trying to put my 280 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 4: finger in the dam so that people would keep their 281 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 4: teams right, So that was an amazing thing. Everyone wanted 282 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 4: WNBA team. The strategy became kind of clear. I'm going 283 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 4: to go with NBA markets. After all, the NBA owners, 284 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 4: I've invested a tremendous amount of money in the WNBA, 285 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:28,439 Speaker 4: and they realized that there was a tremendous asset here 286 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:31,920 Speaker 4: worthy of investment. And I realized there's so many markets. 287 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 4: Even at the end of the day. Look at all 288 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 4: of our major leagues, if you will, the NHL, you 289 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 4: look at the NBA, you look at Major League Baseball, 290 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:41,679 Speaker 4: and I'm thinking, there's so many wonderful cities and communities 291 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 4: around this country that wouldn't have that. And so if 292 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 4: you take both of that, I'm like, WHOA One other 293 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 4: thing I should mention this is as I was vetting 294 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:52,840 Speaker 4: WNBA teams for other people who would call me, and 295 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:56,240 Speaker 4: then through investment groups that perhaps I would be involved with, 296 00:13:56,640 --> 00:14:01,199 Speaker 4: I realized that I wasn't going to get a team 297 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 4: in my city, and that meant something to me, and 298 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:07,839 Speaker 4: at least that in any short amount of. 299 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:09,959 Speaker 2: Time, Jacksonville is your city. 300 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 4: Jacksonville, Florida. Right, And remember I vented a lot of 301 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:15,200 Speaker 4: cities when I was even at the WNBA. You know, 302 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 4: Shock Detroit moved to Tulsa, Tulsa moved to Dallas, We 303 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 4: started Atlanta Charlotte, which we now are bringing a team to, 304 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 4: which is really just poetic. Justice went away. So it's 305 00:14:26,720 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 4: not like I haven't been in cities and understanding what 306 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 4: makes them good. And I'm convinced that Jacksonville would be great. 307 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 4: But I know that Jacksonville is a great home for 308 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 4: the league's headquarters and now for the Jacksonville Waves. 309 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 1: So you look around and you have the experience of 310 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: being the w president at a different time in women's 311 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 1: pro sports. 312 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 2: Now you're looking around. Within the last couple of. 313 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: Years, you're getting calls from people asking you is this 314 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 1: a good investment? 315 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 2: Do you want to join our expansion bid? 316 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 1: All these other things, which gives you a modern look 317 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 1: at the landscape and you realize, instead of getting back 318 00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:59,800 Speaker 1: into the W game, I'm going to start my own game, 319 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:01,720 Speaker 1: and I'm going to call it the Upshot League. It's 320 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:04,840 Speaker 1: going to be a professional women's basketball league and another 321 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:07,840 Speaker 1: place to put all the talent that can't find an opportunity. 322 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 2: What's the goal of your league? Are you competing with 323 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 2: the W? Are you a G league for the W? 324 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:17,080 Speaker 1: Are you just professional basketball in cities in which the 325 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: W doesn't exist? 326 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 4: Like? 327 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 2: How do you see what this league is? 328 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 4: Yeah? Well, so first of all, let me just mention 329 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 4: my partner, Andy Kaufman, because he is the one who 330 00:15:24,360 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 4: called me because we were working on this women's basketball 331 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 4: thing together. It's another guy named Mark Walsh and Nanny. 332 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 4: As we went through all the iterations, he calls me 333 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:32,560 Speaker 4: one day he goes, why do we do this on 334 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 4: our own? And I said, I'm in absolutely we should. 335 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 4: Because the other thing was as I was like, you know, 336 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 4: I was at a Liberty game and I had coaches 337 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:43,800 Speaker 4: from major universities saying, you know, we really there's no 338 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 4: place for us to train. And I have gms and 339 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 4: team presidents and owners telling us, you know what, we 340 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 4: don't know where to get talent. We need a place 341 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 4: for our talent we can put them, and we've seen 342 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 4: where teams have gotten to that seven player level, so 343 00:15:56,200 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 4: I was hearing it basically also from that environment as well. 344 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 4: You know the Upshot League. Our ethos is we believe 345 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 4: that everyone deserves a shot to be their best and 346 00:16:06,640 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 4: so what does that fans like to translate to opportunity? 347 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 4: So let's create opportunity. And the opportunity is for the 348 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,720 Speaker 4: WNBA as well, right, Like, we're not here to compete 349 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:17,920 Speaker 4: with them, why would we, We're here to support them. 350 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 4: We're going to build a fan base for women's basketball. 351 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 4: We're going to create great professional women's basketball at markets 352 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,600 Speaker 4: they would never be in. And you know, early on 353 00:16:25,640 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 4: I talked about cross marketing with some of the teams 354 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 4: and the owners liked it. They had to like shake 355 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 4: out of the CBA and that Wow, what an impact. 356 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 4: So we'll see, yeah, we'll see. 357 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 2: Yeah. 358 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: Complimentary is great because you get people on board with 359 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: your teams and your league and they turn their eye 360 00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 1: to the rest of the country and maybe a space 361 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:46,560 Speaker 1: they haven't deeply invested in or watched before. I did 362 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: notice a big name popped up on your Jacksonville waves 363 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 1: squad last week. Former Maryland standout Shyanne Sellers was drafted 364 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 1: by the Valkers two seasons ago, got waived. Has had 365 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: a couple of different WNBA training camp looks, but hasn't 366 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 1: been able to stick. So now she and up in 367 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:03,240 Speaker 1: a place where people can watch her play regularly in 368 00:17:03,320 --> 00:17:06,720 Speaker 1: the US. Someone that they loved who was electric at Maryland. 369 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:09,320 Speaker 1: A couple more names folks might remember from the college game. 370 00:17:09,320 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: I on a more former Notre Dame stand out Asia 371 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:14,160 Speaker 1: dr of Louisville. So you're grabbing some of these players 372 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:16,879 Speaker 1: that maybe couldn't stick on a roster in the W. 373 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,360 Speaker 1: Do you think then that they can get called back 374 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:22,680 Speaker 1: up if a W team is in need, Yes, sir, 375 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,600 Speaker 1: so that can happen mid season even absolutely. 376 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:28,280 Speaker 4: Ranaiah Davis who was just in Seattle camp. And we 377 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 4: have Harmony Turner who just came down. You know what, 378 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:33,639 Speaker 4: isn't that great? Like it's funny we didn't grab onto them. 379 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 4: They grabbed onto us, right, They called us and said, 380 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,160 Speaker 4: oh my goodness. Like we've had players calls and say 381 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,720 Speaker 4: we can't thank you enough, which, by the way, warms 382 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:43,919 Speaker 4: my heart in a way I can't even express to you, Sarah, Like, 383 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 4: when I started doing interviews with some of these players, 384 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:48,159 Speaker 4: literally it would bring me to tears, Like this is 385 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:50,320 Speaker 4: a good thing for a lot of people to do, 386 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:52,400 Speaker 4: so I just want to I want to say that, 387 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:56,280 Speaker 4: so they called us, and if they can go back 388 00:17:56,320 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 4: and get a place in a difference that makes them better, 389 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 4: this opportunity shot to be their best, Yes, why not? 390 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:05,359 Speaker 4: Why not? Well, maybe they find a home in a 391 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 4: community that loves them to greatness and they just want 392 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:09,439 Speaker 4: to stay there and support them and become part of 393 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:12,640 Speaker 4: that and still be a professional athlete, right and still 394 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:14,840 Speaker 4: have things cheer for them and have their families there 395 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:17,240 Speaker 4: and you know, maybe teach the next generation of young 396 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 4: girls about leadership and maybe even the beg game of 397 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 4: basketball that's cool. 398 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:23,600 Speaker 1: And get to start every game and play a bunch 399 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:25,680 Speaker 1: of minutes which they might not at the next level. 400 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:27,399 Speaker 2: Right where it feels great to be on a roster, but. 401 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:29,119 Speaker 1: You just want to hoop and you're not going to 402 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 1: get to hoop nearly as much. Maybe when you're playing 403 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:33,879 Speaker 1: alongside some others. I want to get to the teams 404 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:35,480 Speaker 1: in some of the other format of the league. But 405 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:37,359 Speaker 1: since we just touched on it, you know, one of 406 00:18:37,359 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 1: the reasons the G League works is because it's funded 407 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:42,439 Speaker 1: by the NBA, so makes sense the players can go 408 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 1: back and forth during the seasons. 409 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:45,240 Speaker 2: The Upshot is independent. 410 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:48,880 Speaker 1: So how does it benefit the Upshot if they leave 411 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:50,720 Speaker 1: mid season for the WNBA. 412 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 4: Well, it's interesting. Like, so we had Rania Davis. She's 413 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:56,280 Speaker 4: a local player in Jacksonville. She did have a turn 414 00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 4: a dance with the WNBA in her career. She was 415 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:02,880 Speaker 4: signed to the team and lo and behold Seattle's calls. Okay, 416 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:05,199 Speaker 4: so she leaves us and goes up to Seattle. You 417 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:08,200 Speaker 4: know last night she gets waved. She comes back. Yeah, 418 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 4: she'll build a fan base here and that fan base 419 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:14,120 Speaker 4: will as we know, they'll follow these players, and that's 420 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 4: a good thing for them for us. There's another Renaiah David. 421 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:21,400 Speaker 4: I they're interchangeable, but there's so much talent to come in. 422 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 4: I think our fan base will be shearing these women 423 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:28,159 Speaker 4: on because that's who we are. Yeah, we want to 424 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:29,640 Speaker 4: give a shot to be their best, and if their 425 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:33,000 Speaker 4: best means taking the next step, great, so be it. 426 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:33,480 Speaker 2: Right. 427 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:37,199 Speaker 1: And the w gets players who are playing regularly, consistently 428 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:40,200 Speaker 1: and competitively, and they have an opportunity to grab them 429 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:43,320 Speaker 1: mid season if needed, and in your case, you have 430 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 1: the potential publicity that it gives the Upshot League when 431 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:49,359 Speaker 1: people ask on their w team, where did this person 432 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: come from? And oh, she was playing in the Upshot 433 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: League and that was keeping her way for this opportunity 434 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 1: with us. So there's a little bit of symbiosis there, totally. 435 00:19:56,600 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 4: Even Ze Spearmen, it just came back from Dallas, you 436 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:02,760 Speaker 4: know she was there and how she's with us. Let's 437 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 4: say I'm fans in so many players, like I like Toronto. 438 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:08,560 Speaker 4: I'm fascinated with Toronto. I think what Teresa Resh has 439 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:12,199 Speaker 4: done following Monica Monica right, who like played when I 440 00:20:12,359 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 4: was the president, So like, I have invested interest in 441 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:16,719 Speaker 4: some of these players. But let's just say we have 442 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 4: like Toronto. Fannite and Marina Maybray decides to send us 443 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:23,200 Speaker 4: a video and says, Hello, Jacksonville, I'm up here. You guys, 444 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:24,879 Speaker 4: do what you're doing. I just want to let you 445 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:26,960 Speaker 4: know what our fans will feel like they're in the know. 446 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:32,240 Speaker 4: You a greater women's basketball, you know, worlds. 447 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,960 Speaker 1: Special, it's all connected. Then yeah, that's really cool. Okay, 448 00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:37,920 Speaker 1: So let's start with the four teams that you're beginning 449 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 1: this upshot league with Jacksonville Waves, Savannah Steel, Charlotte Crown, 450 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:45,280 Speaker 1: Greensboro Groove. So why the focus on the southern said 451 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 1: He's why did you want to start down there? 452 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:49,159 Speaker 4: Well, that goes back to my partner Andy. One of 453 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 4: the reasons that he was such a great partner is like, 454 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 4: people think, oh, yeah, we're just going to start a league. Well, 455 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 4: what do you need to start a league? You need arenas, 456 00:20:56,320 --> 00:20:59,359 Speaker 4: and you need leases, and you need leases with dates 457 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:02,040 Speaker 4: that work, and you need leases that are affordable. And 458 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 4: Andy started with the base of minor league hockey teams. 459 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 4: He started with the Jacksonville Iceman and the Savannah Ghost 460 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 4: Pirates and the Greensborough Gargle Wheels love these names, and 461 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:17,400 Speaker 4: the Charlotte Checkers, which have been around for twenty years. So, 462 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:20,360 Speaker 4: and he had teams on the ground, He had marketing 463 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:23,119 Speaker 4: and selling teams on the ground already. So every time 464 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 4: I'd hear saying, oh, we're going to start a new league, 465 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:27,360 Speaker 4: I'm like, Okay, well, good luck to you. We hope 466 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:30,200 Speaker 4: you can be successful. But at the same time, we're 467 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:33,960 Speaker 4: already plugged in. And I thought that was a tremendous advantage, 468 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:35,800 Speaker 4: and so that's why we started with those four teams. 469 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:38,639 Speaker 4: And of course, you know they lend themselves to a 470 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:42,040 Speaker 4: new emerging league that wants to manage expenses, looking to 471 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:44,480 Speaker 4: break even or even cash flow in their first year 472 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 4: for their investors, and so you know, travel is managed 473 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:50,240 Speaker 4: and other other items that would add to the cost 474 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 4: of a league. 475 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:53,240 Speaker 1: And it's markets that don't have a ton of other teams, 476 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:56,119 Speaker 1: So you're going to try to be in places that 477 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 1: are hungry for women's basketball that don't have the options 478 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:01,920 Speaker 1: that some the bigger markets do. You also have announced 479 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:05,119 Speaker 1: already two expansion teams for next season, Baltimore and Nashville, 480 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:09,480 Speaker 1: and a player to eventually get to thirty teams. My goodness, 481 00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:12,520 Speaker 1: that is a very bold plan. What's the timeline on 482 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:13,359 Speaker 1: the thirty teams? 483 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 4: Be Boulder, go home, Siera. Isn't that what we talk about? 484 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 4: Why not? Why not? So I will say this, We're 485 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:23,760 Speaker 4: looking forward to Baltimore, We're looking forward to Nashville. I 486 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:26,800 Speaker 4: would venture to say this summer we could be announcing 487 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 4: two more teams in the next three months six months, 488 00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 4: two more one perhaps for twenty seven one, definitely for 489 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:38,960 Speaker 4: twenty eight. We've got investors in the pipeline and leases 490 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:42,440 Speaker 4: that we're potentially looking at for another ten plus teams. 491 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:43,040 Speaker 2: Got it. 492 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:45,880 Speaker 4: What I love is there's real interest. Right every day 493 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:48,080 Speaker 4: you're hearing about people wanting to invest in women's sports. 494 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:52,640 Speaker 4: We're not only offering them an excellent competitive product, we're 495 00:22:52,680 --> 00:22:56,440 Speaker 4: also offering them a really viable investment with a potential 496 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:59,919 Speaker 4: return sooner rather than later because of the way our 497 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:00,960 Speaker 4: our deals restructured. 498 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:01,959 Speaker 2: I like that. 499 00:23:02,160 --> 00:23:04,320 Speaker 4: I really do like that. Everybody's a winner. 500 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 1: So you mentioned your partnership with Andy Kaufman and Zoyer Sports. 501 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 1: You also have ninety partners forty million dollars invested. You've 502 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:15,080 Speaker 1: got some pretty big name advisors and investors that include 503 00:23:15,119 --> 00:23:18,680 Speaker 1: TA Make It Catching, Cheryl Miller, and Meyer Streisdale. So 504 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:22,280 Speaker 1: this is something that you are hoping that you've built 505 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:25,879 Speaker 1: the back end for to exist for a couple of years. 506 00:23:26,119 --> 00:23:26,960 Speaker 2: But you also do. 507 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:30,119 Speaker 1: Think maybe revenue right in year one based on the 508 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:32,439 Speaker 1: way that his minor league hockey teams have thrived in 509 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 1: these spaces already. 510 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:36,040 Speaker 4: Yes, we do. Oh, I want to add Neural page. 511 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:38,639 Speaker 4: She's in the process of becoming an advisor. She was 512 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:41,280 Speaker 4: also in my place. Yeah, it's great, and there's a 513 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:45,320 Speaker 4: couple more that will be announcing soon. Yes, I do 514 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 4: think so we'll see the sponsorship has been strong, and listen, 515 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:52,280 Speaker 4: people how to do this. It's funny, having been in 516 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:54,679 Speaker 4: sports and even at in the golf world, you know, 517 00:23:54,720 --> 00:23:57,159 Speaker 4: it's great to sell on the promise, but generally the 518 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:00,600 Speaker 4: promise is built on something they've seen. When you're selling 519 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 4: them the promise, and it's not what people have seen, 520 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:06,440 Speaker 4: they're a little more tentative. And so while a lot 521 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,919 Speaker 4: of the big sponsors in the world of women's basketball like, 522 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 4: we love what you're doing, we love what you're doing, 523 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:13,680 Speaker 4: we love what you're doing, and then you know that 524 00:24:13,880 --> 00:24:15,919 Speaker 4: without saying is you know, show us a little more 525 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 4: about what you're doing. 526 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,159 Speaker 2: Right right, and you're going to get the chance, starting 527 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:19,960 Speaker 2: very soon. 528 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:23,120 Speaker 4: You'll get the chance to see it exactly. And then 529 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:25,960 Speaker 4: from there, I think we'll grow together because there's a 530 00:24:26,119 --> 00:24:29,200 Speaker 4: community elements of this era that people are really loving. 531 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:32,920 Speaker 4: We're truly on the ground with communities in a way 532 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:36,200 Speaker 4: that brands really want to be and so being able 533 00:24:36,200 --> 00:24:39,760 Speaker 4: to able to deliver that is another strong asset of 534 00:24:39,840 --> 00:24:40,760 Speaker 4: the work that we're doing. 535 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:43,000 Speaker 1: So I mentioned a couple of players you pulled from 536 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:46,240 Speaker 1: recent WNBA rosters where they were waived. You also had 537 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 1: tryouts in a couple of places. Final rosters were due 538 00:24:49,359 --> 00:24:52,800 Speaker 1: on Friday, so eleven players per team. Those players are 539 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:55,240 Speaker 1: in theory locked in for the full season, but they 540 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 1: are allowed to leave for those w opportunities. 541 00:24:58,000 --> 00:24:59,320 Speaker 2: Or certain opportunities that they come up. 542 00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 1: And you've got a couple of developmental players waiting for 543 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:04,120 Speaker 1: injury or that or in case of the player getting 544 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:04,439 Speaker 1: called up. 545 00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:07,480 Speaker 4: Okay, don't say waiting for injury, but yes, there are 546 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:08,920 Speaker 4: their next step if you will. 547 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 2: Yes, in case of injury. Okay, that's right. 548 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:16,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, So how many players were found or recruited between 549 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:19,080 Speaker 1: the tryouts and that versus players who came to you. 550 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:21,639 Speaker 4: I would say this are coaches since the moment, and 551 00:25:21,640 --> 00:25:24,600 Speaker 4: we hired them a year ago August, just so you know, 552 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:28,080 Speaker 4: there are full time employees. We believe in investing in 553 00:25:28,119 --> 00:25:31,119 Speaker 4: these coaches in terms of building that only there on 554 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:35,240 Speaker 4: court skills, but they're off court business acumen. They have 555 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:38,480 Speaker 4: been working their networks for quite a long time. So 556 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:41,959 Speaker 4: I would say maybe fifty to fifty. 557 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:45,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, you currently have up on the on the website 558 00:25:45,280 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 1: that the teams are being built. But I know you've 559 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 1: got some of the big names posted and some of 560 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:52,119 Speaker 1: them joined press conference that you had last week. So 561 00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:54,719 Speaker 1: when are the official full rosters going to be made public? 562 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:57,440 Speaker 4: If you check your email, you should be in there 563 00:25:57,600 --> 00:26:00,560 Speaker 4: right now. You should have them in there right now. 564 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:01,920 Speaker 2: Okay, great, yeah, great? 565 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:04,879 Speaker 1: Tell us about player benefits. How much are players making? 566 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:07,399 Speaker 1: What's covered? Did they get housing? What about health insurance? 567 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:08,000 Speaker 1: All that stuff. 568 00:26:08,040 --> 00:26:09,479 Speaker 4: We give them a paycheck. We're not going to talk 569 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 4: about how much of a paycheck, but it's enough for 570 00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:14,840 Speaker 4: them to be willing to play. They get really nice housing, 571 00:26:14,920 --> 00:26:18,320 Speaker 4: of which we cover, and they also get benefits, health benefits. 572 00:26:19,119 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 4: So the package is a pretty nice package. 573 00:26:21,359 --> 00:26:23,000 Speaker 1: And you don't want to tell us the money because 574 00:26:23,119 --> 00:26:26,600 Speaker 1: different players are making a different amount, or because it's. 575 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:28,800 Speaker 4: They are and they are there is you know, there's 576 00:26:28,840 --> 00:26:30,439 Speaker 4: a cap. I don't even know what the cap is 577 00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:32,399 Speaker 4: to tell you at the moment, but there's a budget 578 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:34,400 Speaker 4: that each coach has to spend and they can choose 579 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,919 Speaker 4: to spend it as they see. There's some parameters around that. 580 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 4: All in all, nobody said we're not coming because of 581 00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:44,200 Speaker 4: the money or the package. They said, wow, that's pretty good. 582 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:46,120 Speaker 4: Matter of fact. That matter in fact, someone just called 583 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:48,199 Speaker 4: me and said, wow, the players you're talking about how 584 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:50,639 Speaker 4: nice the housing is, and I'm like, okay, that's good 585 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:50,960 Speaker 4: like that. 586 00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:54,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, and then the health insurance you said is part 587 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:55,800 Speaker 1: of their package too to have them come and be 588 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:57,880 Speaker 1: if Like, I think one of the things we talked 589 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:00,480 Speaker 1: about with these young nascent professional leagues for women is 590 00:27:00,520 --> 00:27:03,960 Speaker 1: things like whether there will be trainers on site for injury, 591 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:06,280 Speaker 1: what it looks like if they get all that stuff. 592 00:27:06,560 --> 00:27:09,400 Speaker 4: So I'm really proud to say that in Jacksonville because 593 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:14,000 Speaker 4: it's where I live. The Male Clinic is our sports 594 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:14,720 Speaker 4: medicine partner. 595 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:16,199 Speaker 2: How great you know? 596 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:19,320 Speaker 4: Nice? Yeah, it's no van to Health in Charlotte, which 597 00:27:19,320 --> 00:27:21,400 Speaker 4: is one of the big caretakers there. So I want 598 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 4: to love our players, and I say that quite a 599 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:28,439 Speaker 4: maternal way as opposed to this hardcore business woman right 600 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:30,960 Speaker 4: to greatness Sarah, like, you want to be in a 601 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:33,359 Speaker 4: place that wants you, all right. It gives you the 602 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:36,640 Speaker 4: opportunity to do what you do best. I can't make 603 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:38,480 Speaker 4: you do your best, but I can give you a 604 00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:40,240 Speaker 4: place where it feels good to try. 605 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:41,360 Speaker 2: Yeah. Absolutely. 606 00:27:41,480 --> 00:27:45,160 Speaker 4: With Taj McWilliams Franklin here, and we all know Taj's 607 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:48,520 Speaker 4: history and how much he means to the game and 608 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:50,920 Speaker 4: her work on behalf of the WNBA and it's players. 609 00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:53,640 Speaker 2: Two time w Champ, six time All Star. 610 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:57,640 Speaker 4: Right, these are things that are really important to us 611 00:27:57,720 --> 00:27:59,679 Speaker 4: and how we want to be seen and show up 612 00:27:59,680 --> 00:28:00,240 Speaker 4: in the world. 613 00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:03,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, listen, I think it's really hard for 614 00:28:03,080 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 1: nascent leagues to be able to have the investment to 615 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:08,919 Speaker 1: hit the ground running, and you're obviously not going to 616 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:10,719 Speaker 1: be on the same level with teams that have decades 617 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:13,679 Speaker 1: of experience, But it is important to make sure that 618 00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:16,600 Speaker 1: it's professionalized in a way that's safer players. 619 00:28:16,520 --> 00:28:18,920 Speaker 2: And sets them up for success. 620 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:20,520 Speaker 1: Like you said, you want to love them into being 621 00:28:20,520 --> 00:28:22,679 Speaker 1: their best, but you also have to have, you know, 622 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 1: things in writing that will make sure that if something 623 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:30,080 Speaker 1: does happen injury or otherwise, that they have agency. You know, 624 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:32,520 Speaker 1: what we've seen in women's sports unfortunately too much is 625 00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:35,399 Speaker 1: if there is a power dynamic that doesn't allow the 626 00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:39,000 Speaker 1: players to feel empowered in whatever space they're and that 627 00:28:39,040 --> 00:28:43,640 Speaker 1: can lead to really problematic issues toxicity or abuse or otherwise. 628 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:47,440 Speaker 1: And so yes to the idea and the mindset being 629 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:49,959 Speaker 1: a positive one and one that's rooted in love, and 630 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:53,120 Speaker 1: of course also having everything buttoned up enough so that 631 00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 1: they feel like they're showing up somewhere that's got their back. 632 00:28:55,800 --> 00:28:58,200 Speaker 1: You know, that balance is so key, especially across the 633 00:28:58,200 --> 00:28:59,760 Speaker 1: women's space, you know exactly. 634 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:03,160 Speaker 4: And I will say even during the contracts, we got 635 00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:06,520 Speaker 4: feedback from agents and I would call up one and say, 636 00:29:06,560 --> 00:29:09,120 Speaker 4: tell me, tell me what doesn't sound or feel right, 637 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:12,080 Speaker 4: and what would you like it to say? Yeah, And 638 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:15,560 Speaker 4: they gave me the feedback and we employed it, you know, 639 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:17,560 Speaker 4: to the degree that you can. In the business structure 640 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:19,080 Speaker 4: we had, we were and they came back and said, 641 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:20,640 Speaker 4: this is good. We're ready to go. 642 00:29:20,840 --> 00:29:23,320 Speaker 1: You're gonna have a thirty four game season championship weekend 643 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:26,520 Speaker 1: August twenty eighth to thirtieth, and the games Wednesday through Sunday. Right, 644 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:29,800 Speaker 1: so you're trying to hit people on mostly weekends and nights. 645 00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:31,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, great, yes, great. 646 00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:33,800 Speaker 4: Yes, yep, you're coming. Would I just want to know 647 00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 4: what game you're coming? I know, right, I'm sending your schedule. 648 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:38,280 Speaker 4: I got to check the schedule. 649 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, yes, you got to do that. 650 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:42,080 Speaker 4: I want to know. Maybe you know and you heard 651 00:29:42,120 --> 00:29:42,600 Speaker 4: about Shack. 652 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:42,800 Speaker 3: Right. 653 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:45,040 Speaker 4: You heard that Shack's doing our uniforms, right, the dunk Man. 654 00:29:45,120 --> 00:29:46,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, tell me more about that. 655 00:29:46,240 --> 00:29:49,560 Speaker 4: How cool is that? Right? He has his own he 656 00:29:49,640 --> 00:29:52,280 Speaker 4: has his own label, and we had we end up 657 00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 4: getting connected and conversations just wet really quickly, and I'm like, okay, 658 00:29:58,680 --> 00:30:00,560 Speaker 4: so let's see what you got. Us have to bring 659 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 4: Taj in because she's like, oh, we gotta know what 660 00:30:02,400 --> 00:30:04,880 Speaker 4: fabric we gotta of course we do. And they just 661 00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:09,200 Speaker 4: they showed up big time the quality of the designs, 662 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:13,880 Speaker 4: their innovation. So we're really excited to debut in Dunctman attire. 663 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:14,760 Speaker 2: That's awesome. 664 00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:18,000 Speaker 1: So how will folks watch the players in those jerseys 665 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:20,240 Speaker 1: and maybe Shack court side if you can lure them over? 666 00:30:20,440 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 4: But I have lured them over. We don't know the date, 667 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:24,560 Speaker 4: but we do. I'll let you know. We have lord 668 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:26,720 Speaker 4: them over sure, and we don't have the lord too hard. 669 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:28,680 Speaker 4: He really wants to come. He's a big fan, which 670 00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:32,440 Speaker 4: is great. We're launching our YouTube channel as we speak, 671 00:30:33,160 --> 00:30:35,400 Speaker 4: and so every game will be streamed on YouTube. We 672 00:30:35,440 --> 00:30:37,800 Speaker 4: have so we have a three prong kind of approach. 673 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:42,800 Speaker 4: We have streaming basic, we have over the air in 674 00:30:42,840 --> 00:30:44,680 Speaker 4: each of the local markets. We have a package in 675 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:46,200 Speaker 4: each of them, and I love all of our over 676 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:48,120 Speaker 4: the air broadcast. For me, it's like back in the future, 677 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:51,720 Speaker 4: having done media and negotiations for a lot of my career, 678 00:30:51,840 --> 00:30:53,920 Speaker 4: so it's really fun. And then on top of that, 679 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:57,400 Speaker 4: we will be announcing in two days a national League partner, 680 00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:00,960 Speaker 4: which will kind of us put us the side the 681 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:03,400 Speaker 4: big girls, if you will, and I'm really excited about that. 682 00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:06,200 Speaker 4: And then of course we'll augment with with social which 683 00:31:06,200 --> 00:31:10,640 Speaker 4: we're still developing. But we're out there and you know, 684 00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:12,640 Speaker 4: people will know we're here and they can find us, 685 00:31:12,680 --> 00:31:14,040 Speaker 4: and that's the most important thing. 686 00:31:14,240 --> 00:31:18,560 Speaker 1: Season openers Jacksonville Waves hosting the Charlotte Crown, Greensboro Groove 687 00:31:18,560 --> 00:31:19,600 Speaker 1: hosting the Savannah Steel. 688 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:21,800 Speaker 2: What can folks expect from the season openers? 689 00:31:22,120 --> 00:31:25,880 Speaker 4: A lot of excitement, right, That's what I'm hearing. I 690 00:31:26,040 --> 00:31:28,440 Speaker 4: just feeling a lot of enthusiasm. I believe Greensboro is 691 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:32,920 Speaker 4: already sold out. I had, Yeah, I had may Or 692 00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:34,800 Speaker 4: Mary Kay. She called me the other day wonder if 693 00:31:34,800 --> 00:31:37,000 Speaker 4: I was okay. I said, I'm just launching a league, 694 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:38,480 Speaker 4: You're running a city. She goes, I know, but I 695 00:31:38,480 --> 00:31:43,040 Speaker 4: am so excited. I mean, oh on, that is so fantastic, 696 00:31:43,560 --> 00:31:45,320 Speaker 4: and so I'll meet her up there on the sixteenth. 697 00:31:45,360 --> 00:31:47,840 Speaker 4: And here in Jacksonville we will be sold out as well, 698 00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:51,120 Speaker 4: and people are talking, and that's what you want. Everyone's 699 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:53,320 Speaker 4: talking about it. They want to be there, and I 700 00:31:53,360 --> 00:31:57,600 Speaker 4: think that's great. The players don't get the high quality basketball, 701 00:31:58,080 --> 00:32:00,240 Speaker 4: and I always worry about the first game because you know, 702 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:01,760 Speaker 4: it takes a little while to get some mojo and 703 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:04,760 Speaker 4: rhythm together. I saw that watching some of the WNBA 704 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:08,040 Speaker 4: teams this weekend. But it's not because of the talent. 705 00:32:08,080 --> 00:32:09,920 Speaker 4: It's just a question of having the time. We even 706 00:32:09,960 --> 00:32:12,560 Speaker 4: added a week for sure training camp just so the 707 00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:14,640 Speaker 4: players can have more time to get, you know, to 708 00:32:14,680 --> 00:32:15,360 Speaker 4: play with each other. 709 00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:17,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, we know some of these players just coming off 710 00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:20,600 Speaker 1: w rosters and heading over to join these teams. So 711 00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:23,560 Speaker 1: these Friday Saturday games will be early, but a great 712 00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:26,040 Speaker 1: fun look at some of the talent. People you know, 713 00:32:26,280 --> 00:32:29,240 Speaker 1: remember from college and have been playing overseas and or 714 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:31,600 Speaker 1: excited to be playing here. Watching the press conference that 715 00:32:31,720 --> 00:32:35,400 Speaker 1: y'all did via YouTube the other day, it was really 716 00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:37,480 Speaker 1: nice to hear from the players talking about how excited 717 00:32:37,520 --> 00:32:39,560 Speaker 1: they are for family to be able to come. You know, 718 00:32:39,600 --> 00:32:41,760 Speaker 1: when you play overseas, it's hard to get folks to 719 00:32:41,760 --> 00:32:44,320 Speaker 1: come over and see all the time. And to your point, 720 00:32:44,440 --> 00:32:47,560 Speaker 1: there's something very special about playing in small markets and 721 00:32:47,640 --> 00:32:50,720 Speaker 1: the fans having access to the players that they're watching 722 00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:54,640 Speaker 1: and really seeing an opportunity for the future self in 723 00:32:55,080 --> 00:32:57,680 Speaker 1: the people playing in their backyard. Okay, last question for you, 724 00:32:57,720 --> 00:32:59,720 Speaker 1: what does an upshot league look like in ten years? 725 00:32:59,760 --> 00:33:02,400 Speaker 2: What is success look like to you? Ten years from now? 726 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:06,560 Speaker 4: Will fulfill our thirty eighteen Mitch and I believe our 727 00:33:06,600 --> 00:33:11,280 Speaker 4: teams will be professionally run, They'll be financially successful, and 728 00:33:11,360 --> 00:33:14,600 Speaker 4: will be a great destination for all the athletes that 729 00:33:14,600 --> 00:33:19,000 Speaker 4: the WNBA is now truly inspiring to play. I mean, listen, 730 00:33:19,040 --> 00:33:21,440 Speaker 4: I just have to share this. I remember Lisa Leslie 731 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:23,760 Speaker 4: telling me early on that I don't want my daughter 732 00:33:23,840 --> 00:33:26,160 Speaker 4: to play women's basketball. There's not enough money. She'll be 733 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:28,680 Speaker 4: a tennis player. I think her daughter is on the 734 00:33:28,680 --> 00:33:30,920 Speaker 4: way to be a tennis ball right. Moms are not 735 00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:32,840 Speaker 4: going to be saying that now, So I think there's 736 00:33:32,880 --> 00:33:35,160 Speaker 4: going to be such growth in terms of the desire 737 00:33:35,240 --> 00:33:39,360 Speaker 4: to play women's professional basketball, women's basketball. So I just 738 00:33:39,680 --> 00:33:43,280 Speaker 4: see us as being a desired and targeted destination for 739 00:33:43,400 --> 00:33:45,680 Speaker 4: the elite players of the world. And I think that's 740 00:33:45,720 --> 00:33:48,840 Speaker 4: going to be pretty excited and we will be connected 741 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:51,360 Speaker 4: to the w NBA in the way that makes sense 742 00:33:52,240 --> 00:33:55,200 Speaker 4: for both of us, and I think that will reveal 743 00:33:55,240 --> 00:33:57,320 Speaker 4: itself in time. I always like, you know, sometimes you 744 00:33:57,400 --> 00:34:01,000 Speaker 4: just don't know and will enough to find out. 745 00:34:01,160 --> 00:34:03,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, we've been talking about the need for 746 00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:07,160 Speaker 1: some sort of established G league type league for the 747 00:34:07,320 --> 00:34:09,560 Speaker 1: w for some time now, and it'd be great if 748 00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:13,320 Speaker 1: that's what this grew into and became really the place 749 00:34:13,360 --> 00:34:16,920 Speaker 1: for all the talent to go and keep playing. Donna, 750 00:34:16,920 --> 00:34:19,480 Speaker 1: thanks so much for the time, and good luck getting 751 00:34:19,520 --> 00:34:21,920 Speaker 1: everything ready, and good luck this weekend with the openers. 752 00:34:22,200 --> 00:34:24,359 Speaker 4: Hey Sarah, it is great to talk to you. You 753 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:26,200 Speaker 4: are special, you know I think that. 754 00:34:26,400 --> 00:34:26,719 Speaker 2: Thank you. 755 00:34:26,800 --> 00:34:30,319 Speaker 4: I really appreciate spending the time and listen, I'll see 756 00:34:30,360 --> 00:34:30,880 Speaker 4: you this summer. 757 00:34:33,280 --> 00:34:35,000 Speaker 2: Thanks again to Donna for taking the time. 758 00:34:35,239 --> 00:34:37,600 Speaker 1: And don't forget you could now watch full length good 759 00:34:37,600 --> 00:34:41,120 Speaker 1: game interviews on the iHeart Women's Sports YouTube channel. We 760 00:34:41,200 --> 00:34:43,719 Speaker 1: have to take another break when we return. It's more 761 00:34:43,719 --> 00:34:44,480 Speaker 1: fun in person. 762 00:34:52,680 --> 00:34:53,680 Speaker 2: Welcome. Max Sla says. 763 00:34:53,680 --> 00:34:55,120 Speaker 1: We love that you're listening, but we want you to 764 00:34:55,120 --> 00:34:57,160 Speaker 1: get in the game every day too, So here's our 765 00:34:57,200 --> 00:34:59,520 Speaker 1: good game play of the day. Get tickets to an 766 00:34:59,600 --> 00:35:02,160 Speaker 1: upshot lead game near You will link to the ticket 767 00:35:02,200 --> 00:35:04,120 Speaker 1: site in the show notes, and while you're there you 768 00:35:04,120 --> 00:35:05,759 Speaker 1: get check out the teams who will tip off this 769 00:35:05,840 --> 00:35:09,200 Speaker 1: Friday as part of the inaugural season. We always love 770 00:35:09,200 --> 00:35:10,840 Speaker 1: to hear from you, so hit us up on email 771 00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:13,719 Speaker 1: Good game at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a 772 00:35:13,800 --> 00:35:17,480 Speaker 1: voicemail at eight seven two two four fifty seventy and 773 00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:19,560 Speaker 1: don't forget to subscribe, rate and review. 774 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:21,560 Speaker 2: I tell you this every day. Have you done it yet? 775 00:35:21,600 --> 00:35:23,279 Speaker 2: Have you done it? Have you done it? Have go 776 00:35:23,440 --> 00:35:24,279 Speaker 2: do it? 777 00:35:24,280 --> 00:35:29,600 Speaker 1: It's easy watch my own personal support Rhino Rating Infinity 778 00:35:29,719 --> 00:35:33,680 Speaker 1: Levels of Cuteness review. When I find myself in times 779 00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:37,480 Speaker 1: of trouble, so like pretty much always these days, I 780 00:35:37,520 --> 00:35:40,400 Speaker 1: turn to the Instagram account for the Lincoln Park Zoo. 781 00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:42,840 Speaker 1: It's right here in Chicago, and I check out the 782 00:35:42,880 --> 00:35:45,960 Speaker 1: latest clips of baby rhino Huzina, who was born to 783 00:35:46,000 --> 00:35:49,960 Speaker 1: the zoo's Eastern black rhinoceros Kapuki. And I can't explain it, 784 00:35:50,200 --> 00:35:53,880 Speaker 1: but the little rhinos feet and chunky legs and wrinkles 785 00:35:53,920 --> 00:35:58,000 Speaker 1: and squeaky little voice are instantly healing and calming. I 786 00:35:58,120 --> 00:36:00,759 Speaker 1: highly recommend you go see if Baby Rhino works for you. 787 00:36:01,200 --> 00:36:03,280 Speaker 1: We'll link to the Zoos account in the show notes. 788 00:36:03,680 --> 00:36:06,960 Speaker 1: Now it's your turn, y'all, rate and review. Thanks for listening, 789 00:36:07,080 --> 00:36:11,319 Speaker 1: See you tomorrow. Good game, Donna, Good game, UCLA Softballs 790 00:36:11,360 --> 00:36:16,680 Speaker 1: and Basketball's Megan grant you a broken computer, held hostage 791 00:36:16,719 --> 00:36:19,240 Speaker 1: in the shop, a leak in my upstairs bathroom, tripping 792 00:36:19,239 --> 00:36:22,400 Speaker 1: into my kitchen, and spending one hundred and fifteen dollars 793 00:36:22,440 --> 00:36:22,920 Speaker 1: to fill. 794 00:36:22,800 --> 00:36:23,360 Speaker 2: Up my gas. 795 00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:26,880 Speaker 1: Take that's enough for today, Satan, Thank you very little. 796 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:33,040 Speaker 1: Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports 797 00:36:33,040 --> 00:36:36,200 Speaker 1: production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You 798 00:36:36,200 --> 00:36:39,160 Speaker 1: can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 799 00:36:39,200 --> 00:36:42,560 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, 800 00:36:42,760 --> 00:36:46,160 Speaker 1: our producers are Alex Azzi and Bianca Hillier. Our executive 801 00:36:46,160 --> 00:36:49,800 Speaker 1: producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. 802 00:36:50,040 --> 00:36:52,920 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rudder, Lucy Jones, Britney Martinez and 803 00:36:52,920 --> 00:36:56,760 Speaker 1: Gianna Palmer. Production assistants from Avery LOFTUS and I'm your host, 804 00:36:56,880 --> 00:36:57,560 Speaker 1: Sarah Spain.