1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:02,840 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're still 2 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:06,200 Speaker 1: in our fields thinking about Sophia Smith crying while talking 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:09,719 Speaker 1: about Christine Sinclair's impact on her during the duo's postgame 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,280 Speaker 1: interview Friday night. On today's show, we'll get you all 5 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 1: up to date on the final weekend of NWSL regular 6 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:18,720 Speaker 1: season action, Who squeezed in, who got squeezed out, and 7 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,959 Speaker 1: the playoff seating ahead of this weekend's quarterfinals. Plus the 8 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 1: return of No Dumb Questions, some mother daughter duos you 9 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: should Know, and Sneaky Rips. It's all coming up right 10 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:42,319 Speaker 1: after this Welcome Back, Happy Monday. Here's what you need 11 00:00:42,360 --> 00:00:47,519 Speaker 1: to know today at NWSL News. The playoff picture is 12 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:50,159 Speaker 1: complete and it came down to the wire. Here's how 13 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: the final seeding and the last two playoff spots shook 14 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 1: out in the final weekend of the season. First, the 15 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:58,279 Speaker 1: Portland Thorns beat Angel City three nil on Friday. They 16 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 1: end up grabbing the sixth seed. BAFC locked up the 17 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 1: seventh seed with a three to two win over the 18 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: Houston Dash on Saturday. That was their eleventh win of 19 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:08,679 Speaker 1: the year, the most regular season wins in an expansion 20 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 1: season in NWSL. History, and they became just the second 21 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,760 Speaker 1: expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in their first year. Meantime, 22 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 1: the Chicago Red Stars lost to the Kansas City Current 23 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 1: three to one on Sunday. That drops the Red Stars 24 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: down to the eighth and final seed. Now that things 25 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: are set in stone, this weekend's quarterfinal matchups look like this. 26 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,320 Speaker 1: Number one Orlando Pride versus number eight Chicago Red Stars, 27 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 1: Number two Washington Spirit versus number seven BFC, number three 28 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: got them FC versus number six Portland Thorns, and number 29 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: four Kansas City versus number five North Carolina Courage. We'll 30 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 1: link to the full standings and the first round schedule 31 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:45,959 Speaker 1: in our show notes. Okay, back to Friday and that 32 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 1: Portland postseason clinching win. It was a special game for 33 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 1: reasons beyond that playoff berth Legendary Canadian forward Christine Sinclair, 34 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 1: the greatest scorer in the history of the game, was 35 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 1: playing in the last regular season NWSL match of her 36 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 1: career for the Thorns and her last game in Portland, 37 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:07,160 Speaker 1: and both she and Nike met the moment first. Sinclair, Okay, so, 38 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 1: she scored a goal in the sixteenth minute of the game, 39 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: a perfect bookend for her regular season career in the 40 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:15,079 Speaker 1: NWSL because she scored in her very first game and 41 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 1: her last, which happened to be her two hundredth. We 42 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 1: love those round numbers, and we love the emotion from 43 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:25,079 Speaker 1: Sophia Smith postgame, as Sinclair and her little triple Espresso 44 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 1: protege tried to get through an interview together without crying 45 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 1: but couldn't take a listen the brief pauses you hear 46 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 1: are Soph's crying breaks. I mean there's yeah, there's not 47 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 1: a lot of words. 48 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:41,080 Speaker 2: I just sink has mentored me in so many ways. 49 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: I don't even think she knows it. Look what you did. Sorry, 50 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 1: It's okay. 51 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:57,400 Speaker 3: She's the best for a reason and she's I mean, 52 00:02:57,480 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 3: she is Portland and it's not going. 53 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: To be the same. I'm not like dying. As for Nike, 54 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: the brand stepped up. They sent out t shirts to 55 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 1: some of the keepers who are undoubtedly celebrating the all 56 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 1: time leading international goal scorers retirement. Houston dashkeeper Jane Campbell 57 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:19,240 Speaker 1: posted hers to Instagram, and the tea read quote It's 58 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: a great day to be a keeper. Sinclair is retiring 59 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 1: with a card that said, in part, cheers hope you 60 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 1: find comfort in knowing that sink will never score on 61 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: you again. Ugh, it's so good. Also a record of 62 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 1: note in the Kansas City Current Red Stars game we 63 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: mentioned the regular season finale gave the Current something to 64 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 1: celebrate as the team set a new NWSL single season 65 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 1: team scoring record, adding three goals on Sunday to reach 66 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 1: fifty seven, breaking the previous record of fifty four goals 67 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 1: held by the twenty nineteen North Carolina Courage. So remember 68 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: during the WNBA when there was records being broken, we 69 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 1: told you about the context of how many games they 70 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 1: were broken in. That's worth noting here too, because teams 71 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 1: played twenty six matches this season in the NWSL. That's too, 72 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:02,480 Speaker 1: more than the twenty nineteen season that saw the Courage 73 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 1: set that record for goals. And also that expansion team 74 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 1: record we mentioned from BFC that was done in four 75 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 1: more games than when the Waves said it last year. 76 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 1: Still impressive, but good context to have. Casey Current also 77 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 1: set another record in yesterday's game. That was for the 78 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: number of different goal scorers they've had this season. Eighteen 79 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: different players have put the ball in the back of 80 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: the net. Some more NWSL congratulations are in order for 81 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 1: Red Stars midfielder Shay Groom, who has celebrated yesterday for 82 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:31,480 Speaker 1: hitting one hundred and fifty regular season appearances in her 83 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 1: nine year NWSL career. She suited up for four other squads, FC, 84 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 1: Kansas City, Skyblue, FC, RAINFC, and the Houston Dash. Some 85 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: NWSL attendance news to report. In the last week of 86 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:47,039 Speaker 1: the regular season, the league officially passed two million regular 87 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 1: season attendees for the first time in league history. A 88 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:53,120 Speaker 1: sellout crowd at Providence Park for that last regular season 89 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:55,640 Speaker 1: match for Christine Sinclair that we mentioned that helped put 90 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: the league over the two milli mark. According to a 91 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,200 Speaker 1: league statement, eighty nine matches this year have se seen 92 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 1: over ten thousand fans compared to just fifty five last year, 93 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 1: and league wide average attendants exceeds eleven thousand fans per 94 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: match for the very first time in history. Keep showing 95 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 1: up and showing out people. Finally, not all good news 96 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 1: in the NWSL. Due to concerns around player well being 97 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 1: and safety. Regarding field conditions, the league and the Players 98 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:23,039 Speaker 1: Association moved Sunday's game between San Diego Wave and Racing 99 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: Louisville from the Wave's snap Dragon Stadium to Racing's Lynn 100 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:30,360 Speaker 1: Family Stadium, now attacking third at CBS. Sportswriter Sandra Herrera 101 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 1: is reporting on x that the Wave has quote accruede 102 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 1: finds throughout the twenty twenty four NWSL season due to 103 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 1: ongoing field concerns, Snap Dragon Stadium has been asked for 104 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,840 Speaker 1: changes timing and consistent poor conditions led to a last 105 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 1: minute change in venue for the final week of regular 106 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,679 Speaker 1: season play end quote. Glad to see a strong stance 107 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: against unacceptable playing conditions by both the league and the PA, 108 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 1: and this is yet another reminder that teams and organizations 109 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:58,599 Speaker 1: will be expected to step things up as the level 110 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,159 Speaker 1: of play, the popularity of the game, and the amount 111 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:05,680 Speaker 1: of investment keeps growing. College hoops news, Yeah that's right, baby, 112 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:09,600 Speaker 1: College basketball is back. Two season opening matchups are going 113 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 1: to be played at Paris, France today as part of 114 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: the AFLAC WE Play event OHI we Number twenty Mississippi 115 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 1: will take on number three USC and then number seventeen 116 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,360 Speaker 1: Louisville will face number five UCLA. Both games are at 117 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 1: Adidas Arena, the eight thousand seat home for the EuroLeague's 118 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 1: Paris Basketball. You can watch the action on ESPN starting 119 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,280 Speaker 1: at noon Eastern today and lots more to come this 120 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 1: week on one of the most highly anticipated college basketball 121 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:39,799 Speaker 1: seasons maybe ever. In WNBA news on Friday, the Indiana 122 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: Fever announced that Stephanie White will be the franchise's next 123 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 1: head coach. This comes, of course, after the Fever parted 124 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:48,280 Speaker 1: ways with Christy Sides last week, followed by the news 125 00:06:48,279 --> 00:06:51,120 Speaker 1: that White was leaving the Connecticuts on you remember anti costable. 126 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: Chicago Sun Times reported this a couple of weeks ago. Well, 127 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 1: it came to fruition, and it's really not a surprise. 128 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:59,599 Speaker 1: White is no stranger to Indiana or to the Fever organization. 129 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 1: She's homegrown. In nineteen ninety five, she was named Miss 130 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:05,360 Speaker 1: Basketball for the state of Indiana. She stuck around and 131 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 1: played at Purdue, helping them to a national championship in 132 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 1: nineteen ninety nine, and then was a member of the 133 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 1: Fever's inaugural roster in two thousand, playing there through two 134 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 1: thousand and four. White was part of the coaching staff 135 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:17,960 Speaker 1: for the Fever from twenty eleven to twenty sixteen, serving 136 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:20,239 Speaker 1: as head coach for the last two years of her tenure, 137 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 1: and now she's back in a statement white set of 138 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 1: the new gig. Quote, I am incredibly proud and honored 139 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 1: to return home to Indiana and lead the Fever during 140 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 1: such a pivotal moment in this franchise's history, as well 141 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: as during such an important time throughout women's athletics, She continued. 142 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,760 Speaker 1: This franchise has and always will be committed to winning, 143 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 1: and I look forward to working every day to help 144 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 1: deliver another WNBA title to the greatest basketball fans in 145 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: the world. End quote. Can't wait to see how she 146 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 1: and this young, hungry Fever squad mesh. In twenty twenty five, 147 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 1: more WNBA news, the Chicago Sky filled their head coach 148 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:55,160 Speaker 1: vacancy as well. The organization announced that Tyler Marsh will 149 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 1: be the team's fourth head coach in three years. Yep, 150 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 1: you heard that right. This Marsh's first professional head coaching job, 151 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 1: but his resume is full. He most recently spent three 152 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 1: seasons as an assistant on Becky Hammond's staff and won 153 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 1: back to back WNBA titles with the Aces. He was 154 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 1: the head of player development there as well, and has 155 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 1: been credited for helping players like Asia Wilson and Jackie 156 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 1: Young hone their skills He's also done stints with the 157 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 1: mnba's Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors, as well as four 158 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,440 Speaker 1: G League teams now. Shortly after the news broke, sky 159 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 1: Forward Angel Rees took to Twitter to approve of the move, 160 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 1: posting a tweet that read just w In response, friend 161 00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: of the Show and Aces guard Sidney Colson quoted Reese's 162 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: tweet and typed, excuse me, we're grieving. Have some respect. 163 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,559 Speaker 1: Sid fired off a barrage of other cackleworthy tweets and 164 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 1: responses after the news broke. So we'll link to our 165 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 1: account on x in our show notes so you can 166 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 1: take a look for yourself. More hoops. Unrivaled, the new 167 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 1: three on three league coming in twenty twenty five, announced 168 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 1: that it's expanding from thirty players to thirty six for 169 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,679 Speaker 1: season one. Per co founder and Ifisa Collier, the league 170 00:08:57,679 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 1: out did expected financial projections and can afford to carry 171 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: more players in its first season instead of having to 172 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 1: wait to expand as initially planned. The league will still 173 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 1: have the same six teams excuse me, sorry, basketball clubs, 174 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 1: but each club is gaining an extra player. The news 175 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: came just before Unrivaled unveiled the thirtieth player to join 176 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:19,680 Speaker 1: the league, Aliah Boston. So buckle up, folks, this means 177 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:22,400 Speaker 1: we still have six more names to go. We'll link 178 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: to the first thirty in our show notes more basketball news. 179 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 1: A week ago, you may recall that I conducted a 180 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 1: very scientific poll about whether it's possible to be both 181 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: a superstar and a dog, and a fair number y'all 182 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 1: weighed in saying that only Kelsey Plum aka Plum Dog 183 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:42,679 Speaker 1: can be both. And now Plum is gaining lifetime dog status, 184 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:46,839 Speaker 1: specifically lifetime Husky status. That's because her alma mater, the 185 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: University of Washington, announced over the weekend they are retiring 186 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:53,319 Speaker 1: her jersey number ten. She's the first women's hoops player 187 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 1: to receive that honor from the school. Volleyball. On Friday, 188 00:09:57,120 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 1: for the first time in eleven years, Nebraska volleyball beat 189 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 1: Wisconsin in Madison. The number two Huskers swept number seven 190 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: Wisconsin at the UW Fieldhouse twenty five, twenty one, twenty five, 191 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:10,800 Speaker 1: twenty two, twenty five nineteen, ending the Badger's twenty five 192 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 1: match win streak at home while they were at it. 193 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:15,640 Speaker 1: Nebraska followed that up with another three zero sweep on 194 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 1: Sunday take it out Northwestern. They improved a twenty two 195 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:20,679 Speaker 1: to one on the year. Wisconsin bounced back with the 196 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:23,320 Speaker 1: sweep of Illinois yesterday. They are now sixteen to five 197 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 1: and zero. Meantime, another disappointing outing for the defending national 198 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 1: champion Texas Longhorns, as they dropped a five setter to 199 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 1: unranked Oklahoma. The Longhorns have gone to five sets in 200 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: their last three home games against Texas, A and M, 201 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:40,199 Speaker 1: Missouri and Oklahoma, and have lost each time. They started 202 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,880 Speaker 1: the season at number one after winning it all last year, 203 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 1: and now they're number nine in the AVCA Coaches pol 204 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:48,320 Speaker 1: likely to drop even further after the loss to the 205 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: Sooners on Sunday. Finally, baseball news women's baseball is joining 206 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:56,559 Speaker 1: the US pro sports scene. The Women's Pro Baseball League 207 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:59,559 Speaker 1: WPBL announced in a statement that the league will launch 208 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty six and is working to secure a 209 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: national broadcast deal for its inaugural season, which will include 210 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:08,440 Speaker 1: a regular season, playoffs and championship throughout the summer. While 211 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: the WPBL seeks to be a national league with teams 212 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,559 Speaker 1: based across the US in the future, for the twenty 213 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 1: twenty sixth season, It will consist of six teams, predominantly 214 00:11:16,559 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 1: in the Northeast. The league is co founded by Justine Siegel, 215 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 1: the first woman to coach professional men's baseball in the 216 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:25,319 Speaker 1: US when she joined the MLB's Oakland Athletics in twenty fifteen. 217 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 1: She's also the founder of a nonprofit organization called Baseball 218 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 1: for All, which helps girls play in coach baseball across 219 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 1: the country. We got to take a quick break when 220 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 1: we come back the latest edition of No Dumb Questions. 221 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 1: Welcome back, Slices. We have been so busy over here 222 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 1: with post finals, liberty celebrations, the NWSL playoff push, and 223 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 1: my trip out to the espnW summit, so we haven't 224 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:57,199 Speaker 1: had time to tie up some final WNBA related questions. 225 00:11:57,280 --> 00:11:59,199 Speaker 1: Y'all sent in, but we would never leave you hang in. 226 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:06,680 Speaker 1: Here is the latest edition of No Dumb Questions. All right, meshe, 227 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 1: we're dealing with hoops here, so I'm calling you in 228 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:10,440 Speaker 1: to help me answer this very not dumb question from 229 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:13,960 Speaker 1: certified slice Alyssa Obradovich. She's full of good questions, and 230 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:17,440 Speaker 1: this time, she says quote. After an amazing w season 231 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: and nail biting finals, there's a lingering question that keeps 232 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:22,760 Speaker 1: bugging me. How are we talking about the need for 233 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:26,440 Speaker 1: the league to expand the talent that gets cut and 234 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:29,760 Speaker 1: the lack of bench depths on teams like Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago, 235 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: et cetera. If the league is as talented as it's 236 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:34,400 Speaker 1: ever been, and so talented to expand to at least 237 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 1: three new teams, how are we still discussing the lack 238 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: of benches? Y'all make it make sense. Thank you, Melissa 239 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 1: as always for the question. Meche. My thought on this 240 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 1: is that's a really good question and very not dumb, 241 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:50,079 Speaker 1: and I don't have the specific answer that maybe an 242 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 1: expert on expansion and league bench depths would have. But 243 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:56,800 Speaker 1: my hunches that some of those players that we see 244 00:12:56,840 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 1: sitting there that are not getting in in those big 245 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: games in the playoffs are young players that still need 246 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: time to develop that those teams want to have on 247 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 1: their roster and claim the rights to and develop, but 248 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: they don't feel are ready to go in those moments. 249 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:13,800 Speaker 1: So it's accurate to say in those games they don't 250 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 1: have a bench to go to, or there's a big 251 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: drop off when they go to the bench, And that 252 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:21,199 Speaker 1: doesn't necessarily mean that there isn't talent that's growing there, 253 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 1: it's just not quite ready yet. I think the request 254 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:28,480 Speaker 1: for more bench spots on w teams tends to be 255 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:30,960 Speaker 1: so that you can allow for that young development and 256 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:33,520 Speaker 1: also have more players that you think can impact immediately. 257 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:34,840 Speaker 1: What's your take on it. 258 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:38,080 Speaker 2: I wholeheartedly agree with that. I think that, to me, 259 00:13:38,240 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 2: is a huge part of it. And then the other part, 260 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 2: you know, a big part is coaches and people who 261 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 2: are gms and making decisions for what players that team 262 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 2: select to be on teams. Those folks are still extremely fallible, right, Like, 263 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 2: nobody is perfect. The WNBA is still a very young 264 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:56,640 Speaker 2: league comparative lead to a lot of pro sports leagues 265 00:13:56,679 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 2: in the US, and not to mention like even leagues 266 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 2: and teams that have been around longer still can't seem 267 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:06,000 Speaker 2: to get it right. For example, around here, we have 268 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:08,800 Speaker 2: this MNBA team called the Wizards, and it feels like 269 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:10,439 Speaker 2: they haven't gotten anything right since the. 270 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 1: Day out we're born. 271 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 2: So it's just the fact of the matter is like, 272 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:16,839 Speaker 2: that's what makes sports so hard, that's what makes a 273 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 2: championship so difficult to win. And then you know, there's 274 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 2: also the fact that the WNBA Players Association just opted 275 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 2: out of a CBA. A lot of what people are 276 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,120 Speaker 2: talking about right now is pay. How much money are 277 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 2: these players making. Yes, we've seen improvements, but for those 278 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 2: middle tier players that don't necessarily come and expecting to 279 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 2: be a star, or you know, that don't necessarily stick 280 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 2: on a roster, they still don't really get paid the 281 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 2: kind of money that they need to be able to 282 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 2: sustain themselves. And some of those folks still opt to 283 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 2: play overseas. So if we want to talk about talent, 284 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 2: there's still plenty of talent out there that's been on tap. 285 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 2: You look at AU, you know a lot of the 286 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 2: players that have played in there that aren't in WNBA 287 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:57,440 Speaker 2: rosters right now. 288 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 1: Like, there's still so many different buttons that can be pressed. 289 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 2: But I'm hoping that, you know, with this new CBA, 290 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 2: we'll see a little bit of that change as well. 291 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 1: I think also worth noting if you were watching, particularly 292 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:10,520 Speaker 1: at the end of the season, there are also injuries 293 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 1: that really change the players that are available. So when 294 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 1: you look at people getting pulled off the bench and 295 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 1: the drop off in quality that might be just by 296 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:22,680 Speaker 1: virtue of not being as talented, not having as many 297 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 1: minutes not being as comfortable and crunch time, especially big 298 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:27,280 Speaker 1: pressure games. But it also might be players that you 299 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: normally wouldn't be going to if everybody was healthy, So 300 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 1: that's worth considering as well. It's a great question, and 301 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: I do think I know that there are players that 302 00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:38,840 Speaker 1: are a little bit worried about the potential drop off 303 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: in quality when we do expand in the next two 304 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 1: years three full teams, and that's something to keep an 305 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: eye on. I also we are looking at this upcoming 306 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: college basketball season as an unbelievable batch of talent, both 307 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: in the kinds of players that will be coming into 308 00:15:56,160 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 1: the league next year in pagebackers, but also the sophomore class. 309 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 3: Yeah. 310 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:02,480 Speaker 1: I mean, we were talking about this on the show 311 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: last week. The kind of swagger and confidence and style 312 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 1: of play we're seeing from young players and young athletes 313 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 1: coming up across sports, but particularly in basketball, where they're 314 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: training to dunk in high school, not because of what 315 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:14,520 Speaker 1: they're watching at the pro level. We're just in a 316 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: different league than we used to be, and I think 317 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 1: with each passing year we are going to see the 318 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:21,160 Speaker 1: influx of talent coming in being more ready. We talked 319 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:22,840 Speaker 1: about that with the rookie class this year in the 320 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: w you know, these are players with nil deals that 321 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 1: are essentially already almost behaving as professionals at the collegiate level, 322 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:31,120 Speaker 1: and the expectation for their talent and their skill set 323 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: makes them much more ready to make a difference in 324 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:36,720 Speaker 1: the league right when they arrive than before. And I 325 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 1: think we're going to see that probably made even more 326 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,400 Speaker 1: clear with the incoming classes over the next couple of years. 327 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, I feel like from when I first came 328 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 2: to consciousness, because the league started basically the same year 329 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 2: I was born, to now, the level has only gotten 330 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:52,480 Speaker 2: better exponentially. 331 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:53,560 Speaker 1: It seems like every year. 332 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 2: I think this season, at the beginning of the season, 333 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 2: one of the things I was saying was the middle 334 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 2: was so wide because we had never seen seen that 335 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:05,320 Speaker 2: much depth, the opportunity for so much parity. Because another 336 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 2: thing we need to be looking at is the franchises 337 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:08,439 Speaker 2: that this league has. 338 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:09,840 Speaker 1: Right There's some franchises like. 339 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 2: The Phoenixes, the Vegases, you know, the ones that are 340 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:16,560 Speaker 2: able to give players everything they need to be functioning 341 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:19,440 Speaker 2: professionals without having to worry about X, Y and Z. 342 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:21,919 Speaker 2: We're also seeing a discrepancy in that as well, So 343 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,080 Speaker 2: I think that also plays into what kind of players 344 00:17:24,080 --> 00:17:25,400 Speaker 2: you can bring into your organization. 345 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,439 Speaker 1: But yeah, I'm. 346 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 2: So excited for the next about three years of WBA basketball, folks. 347 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:33,800 Speaker 1: Get ready gonna be awesome. By the way, I heard 348 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:35,200 Speaker 1: you try to sneak in how young you are, and 349 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 1: it's been a real long time since we hit you 350 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:39,159 Speaker 1: with that baby noise, So let's go ahead and do 351 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:39,640 Speaker 1: that right now. 352 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 2: I'm editing today's episode for those who are on the so, 353 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 2: so this is this is doubly cruel, actually. 354 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 1: Baby noise going in. We got another question from Alexandra 355 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:55,040 Speaker 1: Hand who wrote new w Fan. But my quick analysis 356 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:56,879 Speaker 1: is Connecticut it's a hard place to have a team, 357 00:17:57,080 --> 00:17:59,639 Speaker 1: a place with not tons to do or amenities. Arena 358 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:01,439 Speaker 1: that's not very big, and after seeing them in a 359 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:04,640 Speaker 1: community gym before the playoff game, seems to facilities aren't 360 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: as good as some other teams. Considering travel bringing in 361 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,080 Speaker 1: fans and players, has there been consideration to move to 362 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:13,120 Speaker 1: a bigger city sort of nearby, like Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland. 363 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 1: I get Yukon and their dominance being initial reasoning, wondered 364 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:19,320 Speaker 1: your thoughts. First of all, I love that Cleveland is nearby. 365 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:22,240 Speaker 1: That's hilarious to me. I guess it's just like all 366 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: kind of in the middle. Alex We chatted with you 367 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:26,479 Speaker 1: a little bit about this after you went to the 368 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:28,640 Speaker 1: W game at TD Garden in Boston. This is your 369 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 1: neck of the woods, your nape of the neck, your 370 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:31,879 Speaker 1: neck of the nape. What are your thoughts? 371 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 3: First off, I want clarification from slice Alexandra. She gives 372 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 3: off such big state energy. Yes, in California, Texas, Alaska 373 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:47,560 Speaker 3: for sure, Philadelphia, far away from Connecticut. Actually, let's make 374 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:51,359 Speaker 3: this clear, Yukon in stores, also far away. It's a 375 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:55,920 Speaker 3: full forty five minute drive to get from Yukon to Uncasville, Connecticut, 376 00:18:56,560 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 3: which is where the Sun plays. So you know, yeah, 377 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:02,879 Speaker 3: there's a Yukon connection, but it's not quite as simple 378 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:05,080 Speaker 3: as oh, we're just going down the road. Forty five 379 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:07,160 Speaker 3: minutes to me feels like long drive at this point 380 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,639 Speaker 3: in my life. Bigger picture though, I'm going to go 381 00:19:10,680 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 3: back to Emily Adams, who writes for the Hartford Current, 382 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 3: when she came on the show a couple weeks ago, 383 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 3: and she talked about how the Sun has a really 384 00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:21,920 Speaker 3: unique ownership structure, right they are owned by a tribe, 385 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 3: and even if they weren't owned by a tribe, it's 386 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:26,439 Speaker 3: not just like, oh, let's pick up this team and 387 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:29,720 Speaker 3: move them, you know, like the owners have not only 388 00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 3: a say in it, but the say in it. 389 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 1: And so if the. 390 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 3: Tribe wants to keep the team right where it is, 391 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:38,400 Speaker 3: that's going to be where the team stays. 392 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 1: Now. 393 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 3: I don't know enough into their thinking and business decisions. 394 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 3: I think it's likely that we will see the team 395 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:47,360 Speaker 3: continue to play more games like they did this year 396 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 3: in Boston, given what a big success that was. But 397 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 3: I do think that there's also an interesting point here, 398 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 3: which is that I don't think most players for Connecticut 399 00:19:56,640 --> 00:20:00,239 Speaker 3: actually live in Connecticut outside of the WNBA season. And 400 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:02,679 Speaker 3: that's probably true for a lot of WNBA teams. This 401 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:06,200 Speaker 3: season is so short that your home base doesn't necessarily 402 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 3: need to be the franchise where you play, but I 403 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:12,199 Speaker 3: think that's especially true for players from Connecticut, and so 404 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 3: I think a bigger priority for the team compared to 405 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:18,120 Speaker 3: where they play is what amenities they have, because those 406 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:20,880 Speaker 3: are the things that players are willing to travel for 407 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,680 Speaker 3: and want to travel for, and are willing to say okay, 408 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 3: Connecticut's going to be my home for these four months, 409 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 3: but I also have a dedicated locker room. 410 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:30,640 Speaker 1: I agree with you on that. I mean, I think 411 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:32,679 Speaker 1: also not just for the players, but in terms of 412 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:35,560 Speaker 1: like fans, not having a ton to do, not being 413 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 1: a destination where it's like, Oh, I'm going to go 414 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 1: to New York catch a Liberty game and do all 415 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:41,879 Speaker 1: these other things. Is part of what she's saying. And 416 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:45,560 Speaker 1: I don't know what the WNBA bylaws are in terms 417 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:48,199 Speaker 1: of if they do have any power to take a 418 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:52,200 Speaker 1: team from existing ownership as a result of any metrics, right, 419 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:54,639 Speaker 1: whether it be you need to provide a stadium with 420 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:57,720 Speaker 1: x amount of fans, or you need to have amenities 421 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:00,160 Speaker 1: or whatever like as we see in other leagues, sometimes 422 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:02,960 Speaker 1: there are expectations of you need to be able to 423 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 1: hit these marks, or you need to be able to 424 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:08,320 Speaker 1: invest as much money or prove this much attendance whatever 425 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:09,960 Speaker 1: in order to keep a team. I don't know what 426 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:11,680 Speaker 1: the rules are on the w on that. It doesn't 427 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:14,159 Speaker 1: feel like Connecticut's at risk of that right now. In 428 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:17,280 Speaker 1: the past, Miche, it really did feel like that connection 429 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: to Yukon basketball was so huge for them. But now 430 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:22,960 Speaker 1: we are seeing the game be so much more of 431 00:21:23,000 --> 00:21:25,520 Speaker 1: a national game, both at the professional level and also 432 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 1: fandom across the college game that you know, it's it's 433 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:31,680 Speaker 1: a worthwhile exploration to consider if it would be better 434 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 1: served being in a place like Boston. But I would 435 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:37,800 Speaker 1: imagine because of and again I do not know this, 436 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:40,679 Speaker 1: but because of the tribal ownership and that specific to 437 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 1: that state, that land, that area, I don't know if 438 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:45,879 Speaker 1: it would require a change of ownership in order to 439 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:47,520 Speaker 1: be able to function in any other state. 440 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:51,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm honestly not sure either. This is, you know, 441 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:53,720 Speaker 2: not my wheelhouse. But what I will say to add 442 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:55,920 Speaker 2: on to the points you've both already made, is that 443 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:59,920 Speaker 2: I've been to connecticuts on games and yes, while it's 444 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:02,480 Speaker 2: it's out there, you know, it is even a drive 445 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:05,399 Speaker 2: from the nearest airport. I can't remember which one it is, 446 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:07,719 Speaker 2: but I've done the drive myself and it's you know, 447 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 2: it's not insignificant, but the vibe inside the arena, like 448 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 2: the fans show up and show out worth hating. 449 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 1: I just looked up the Chicago Sky Arena only seats 450 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 1: about four hundred more than the Connecticut Sun and that's 451 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:23,359 Speaker 1: in a massive city that has other options. So I 452 00:22:23,359 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 1: think a lot of it too is what's the space 453 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:27,119 Speaker 1: in which you're playing based on your average attendance. The 454 00:22:27,160 --> 00:22:28,879 Speaker 1: Sky do sell out a lot of games, but not 455 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,200 Speaker 1: all of them, So would they rather have a packed 456 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:34,359 Speaker 1: building every game or have the kind of place that 457 00:22:34,359 --> 00:22:36,520 Speaker 1: if you're not filling it out, the energy isn't quite there. 458 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:38,840 Speaker 1: Because going to a Sky game when it's sold out 459 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:41,879 Speaker 1: or close to is a great time, which is what 460 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 1: you're saying about going to a Sun game, And so 461 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:46,560 Speaker 1: in some ways maybe it's a matter of growth when 462 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:49,159 Speaker 1: you need it and continuing to grow as there's demand 463 00:22:49,240 --> 00:22:53,600 Speaker 1: for it. Not a dumb question though from newfan Alexandra 464 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:56,920 Speaker 1: hand I just rhyme that we'll keep taking all your 465 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 1: not dumb questions, so make sure you keep sending them. 466 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:02,359 Speaker 1: Good game at wondermedianetwork dot com is where you can 467 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,840 Speaker 1: ask us questions about really anything. It doesn't even need 468 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:06,919 Speaker 1: to be about sports. Maybe we'll give you some advice 469 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:10,399 Speaker 1: on life too. Try us, try us. We got to 470 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:12,200 Speaker 1: take another break. When we come back, we dive into 471 00:23:12,200 --> 00:23:21,360 Speaker 1: the gene pool and resurface with some mighty oppressive duos. 472 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:24,280 Speaker 1: Welcome back, Orange slices. If you remember when Lebron and 473 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:26,480 Speaker 1: his son Bronni took the court together for the Lakers 474 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 1: in their season opener. We asked you for your inspiring 475 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:32,720 Speaker 1: mother daughter duos in sport. Not necessarily a plan at 476 00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 1: the same time, that's pretty wild, but just famous mothers 477 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:38,760 Speaker 1: and daughters in sport, and you guys came through with 478 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 1: a few. Olga Harvey, the CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation, 479 00:23:42,119 --> 00:23:43,879 Speaker 1: reached out with a pair of mothers and daughters that 480 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:46,639 Speaker 1: have been a part of the Foundation's celebrations in the past, 481 00:23:46,920 --> 00:23:50,560 Speaker 1: starting with Patty and Jalen Koff, both mogul skiers. So 482 00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:52,680 Speaker 1: Patty won a pair of titles on the World Pro 483 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,680 Speaker 1: Moguls Tour, and her daughter Jalen competed at the twenty 484 00:23:55,720 --> 00:23:59,440 Speaker 1: eighteen and twenty twenty two Winter Olympics in women's moguls 485 00:23:59,480 --> 00:24:02,560 Speaker 1: and two silver in twenty twenty two. And the other 486 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:05,520 Speaker 1: was Tana and Coco Vandaway So. Tana is a nineteen 487 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:08,879 Speaker 1: seventy six Olympic swimmer, also won silver and volleyball in 488 00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:12,000 Speaker 1: the nineteen eighty three Pan American Games, and her daughter Coco, 489 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:14,679 Speaker 1: you might remember, former pro tennis player. She was the 490 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:18,120 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen US Opened doubles champion with Ash Bardi, and 491 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:20,479 Speaker 1: in twenty seventeen made it to the Australian Open and 492 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: US Open semi finals and singles, reaching a career high 493 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 1: singles ranking of world number nine. Shouts to the Coffs 494 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 1: and the Vandeways. Also certified slice and regular emailer Pamela 495 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:34,600 Speaker 1: Mudway chimed in. She wrote, quote sent up from Massachusetts. 496 00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:37,959 Speaker 1: I have to mention Beth Craig and Barbara Singleton. So 497 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:40,280 Speaker 1: this is a good one, Pamela. So these are Boston 498 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 1: Marathon competitors. This mother daughter duo became the first mother 499 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:46,320 Speaker 1: daughter duo to run the race as one team with 500 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:49,680 Speaker 1: a racing chair. They went to the name Team Babzie. 501 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:52,119 Speaker 1: And this was Beth Craig, the daughter running the twenty 502 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 1: six point two while she pushed her mother, Barbara, who 503 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:59,160 Speaker 1: has multiple sclerosis, in especially designed three wheeled chair known 504 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:02,119 Speaker 1: as a team Running Chair. You might have heard of 505 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:06,280 Speaker 1: Team Hoyt and their marathons. Pretty cool, as Pamela says, 506 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:08,920 Speaker 1: wicked awesome, Alex, I think you had a few too, 507 00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:09,879 Speaker 1: right mother daughters. 508 00:25:10,359 --> 00:25:13,960 Speaker 3: Absolutely I do. And I went back to the record 509 00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 3: books as well as my own personal memory to find 510 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:20,119 Speaker 3: a few examples of mothers and daughters who competed at 511 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:23,919 Speaker 3: the same time in the same event, and we go 512 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:28,760 Speaker 3: all the way back to the nineteen hundred Paris Olympics. 513 00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:33,960 Speaker 3: Mary Abbot and her mother, Margaret Abbot. They both competed 514 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:36,679 Speaker 3: in women's golf as some of the first women to 515 00:25:36,720 --> 00:25:37,640 Speaker 3: compete at the Games. 516 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 1: I was trying to figure out what sport was likely 517 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:42,480 Speaker 1: to have a mother and daughter in an Olympics. Golf 518 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:45,120 Speaker 1: makes sense and get this. 519 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:50,920 Speaker 3: So Mary became the first American woman to win Olympic gold. 520 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:56,879 Speaker 3: Her mom finished tied for seventh. But Mary only traveled 521 00:25:56,880 --> 00:25:59,679 Speaker 3: to France to study art and music, and it was 522 00:25:59,720 --> 00:26:02,600 Speaker 3: only once she was in France that she discovered that 523 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 3: the Olympics were having a golf event and that she 524 00:26:05,600 --> 00:26:07,359 Speaker 3: decided to enter. And to be clear, she was a 525 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:10,080 Speaker 3: talented golfer. It's not like she just like learned how 526 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:11,760 Speaker 3: to pick up a club on the day of the 527 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:15,119 Speaker 3: golf tournament at the Olympics. But like wild story, there 528 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:17,359 Speaker 3: only something that could happen in the nineteen hundreds. 529 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:19,359 Speaker 1: I was gonna say, I feel like I really would 530 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:20,920 Speaker 1: have thrived in nineteen hundred sports. 531 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:25,080 Speaker 3: What a time to be alive. 532 00:26:26,119 --> 00:26:26,879 Speaker 1: Thanks exactly. 533 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:30,679 Speaker 3: My other example is a personal story from back in 534 00:26:30,720 --> 00:26:34,240 Speaker 3: the day of doing Olympic research. So in twenty seventeen, 535 00:26:34,280 --> 00:26:36,720 Speaker 3: I went to the Women's World Championship in ice hockey 536 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:40,360 Speaker 3: and I interviewed Alexandra of vaf Fina, who competes for Russia. 537 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:45,479 Speaker 3: And I think women's hockey players of my generation, for 538 00:26:45,520 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 3: the most part, they all got into the sport because 539 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:50,760 Speaker 3: they had a brother or father who played and got 540 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:52,920 Speaker 3: them into the game. But that was not the case 541 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:57,040 Speaker 3: for Alexandra. She got into the sport because her mother, Lubov, 542 00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:01,120 Speaker 3: played and her mother competed for Kazakhstan, and she competed 543 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:03,920 Speaker 3: at the two thousand and two Salt Lake Games. Alexandra 544 00:27:04,200 --> 00:27:06,840 Speaker 3: was eleven at the time, and she told me about 545 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:09,280 Speaker 3: how she used to write notes for her mom and 546 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,560 Speaker 3: hide them in her gear bag before big games. Yeah, 547 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:16,280 Speaker 3: which so adorable on its own. But then as Alexandra 548 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 3: got older, she started playing on the same club team 549 00:27:20,119 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 3: as her mom, and they were even on the same 550 00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:25,640 Speaker 3: line together for a few years. I'm like, oh, amazing, 551 00:27:25,720 --> 00:27:26,760 Speaker 3: fantastic story. 552 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:29,560 Speaker 1: That is a great story. I once played field hockey 553 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 1: alongside my mom actually was opposite my mom and a 554 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:35,040 Speaker 1: mother daughter game in seventh or eighth grade, and I 555 00:27:35,040 --> 00:27:39,159 Speaker 1: accidentally gave her a black eye. Oh my gosh, sorry mom. Anyway, 556 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:41,080 Speaker 1: shout out to the moms and the daughters. If you 557 00:27:41,080 --> 00:27:42,680 Speaker 1: have any others, you can always send them to us, 558 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:44,560 Speaker 1: because you know, we always love that you're listening. But 559 00:27:44,600 --> 00:27:46,160 Speaker 1: we want you to get in the game every day too, 560 00:27:46,200 --> 00:27:48,480 Speaker 1: So send us those. And we have another good game 561 00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:52,000 Speaker 1: play of the day, specifically timed to this likely very 562 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:55,520 Speaker 1: stressful election week. So in addition to reminding you yet 563 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:59,160 Speaker 1: again to make sure you vote on Tuesday, make a plan, 564 00:27:59,320 --> 00:28:01,760 Speaker 1: take the time off work, find your polling place, you 565 00:28:01,800 --> 00:28:04,480 Speaker 1: know the drill, we also want to crowdsource some feel 566 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:07,240 Speaker 1: good to offset the post voning nerves. So we're counting 567 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:09,640 Speaker 1: on you for the slices. So tell us Number one, 568 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 1: what's your go to trick for relieving anxiety or settling nerves. 569 00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:16,560 Speaker 1: Maybe it's like one thing, like listening to music or 570 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 1: snuggling your dog. Maybe it's a three step plan, some 571 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:22,560 Speaker 1: breath work, a walk, some tea. Whatever it is, share 572 00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 1: it with us and maybe it can help others find 573 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:28,800 Speaker 1: some calming tricks. Number two what's your favorite, don't need it, 574 00:28:28,880 --> 00:28:33,040 Speaker 1: but always buy it. Retail therapy, purchase that non necessity 575 00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:34,520 Speaker 1: that gets you if you see it in a store 576 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:38,840 Speaker 1: every single time. Pumpkin spice candle, quirky dish towel, cool 577 00:28:38,920 --> 00:28:44,040 Speaker 1: match books. I'm just naming mine now. I definitely will 578 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:47,360 Speaker 1: buy pretty much every pumpkin spice or vanilla cake or 579 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 1: any like super sweet, deserty smelling candle that I see. 580 00:28:51,040 --> 00:28:53,080 Speaker 1: And I have an endless supply of dish towels and 581 00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 1: match books. Mesh alex, do you have that go to that, 582 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:56,720 Speaker 1: Like you see it in a store and you're like, 583 00:28:56,720 --> 00:28:58,800 Speaker 1: I do not need this, I have too many of these, 584 00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:00,320 Speaker 1: and yet I will be buying it. 585 00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:06,400 Speaker 3: I really love enamel pins of cats and plants and fruits, 586 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:08,720 Speaker 3: and a few years ago I was like, I'm gonna 587 00:29:08,760 --> 00:29:10,960 Speaker 3: learn how to do digital art so that I can 588 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:13,040 Speaker 3: make enamel pins. But then once you get into that, 589 00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:15,640 Speaker 3: you need to order thousands of them, like a company 590 00:29:15,680 --> 00:29:18,840 Speaker 3: won't just print you one pin, and so I kind 591 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:20,160 Speaker 3: of gave up on that. I think it's the only 592 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:21,960 Speaker 3: time I've ever given up on an art hobby, and 593 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:23,920 Speaker 3: so instead I will just keep buying them. 594 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:26,360 Speaker 1: That's the most Alex answer I've ever heard. 595 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:31,800 Speaker 2: Mesh for me, I try not to buy non necessities 596 00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:33,000 Speaker 2: a lot, because I'm the kind of person. 597 00:29:33,080 --> 00:29:35,800 Speaker 1: Once I start, it's it's gonna be hard to stop. 598 00:29:35,840 --> 00:29:37,840 Speaker 2: And I'm usually stopping in like a I don't know 599 00:29:38,080 --> 00:29:40,720 Speaker 2: target or a place that has everything you already need 600 00:29:40,800 --> 00:29:44,240 Speaker 2: in there. But one thing I find myself like stockpiling 601 00:29:44,320 --> 00:29:47,320 Speaker 2: is incense, which tends to be really useful. 602 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:49,080 Speaker 1: Actually, for the first question, you asked our. 603 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:52,200 Speaker 2: Listeners, which is a trick for relieving anxiety and settling nerves. 604 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:55,280 Speaker 2: Something about a good and sense stick that smells good, 605 00:29:55,320 --> 00:29:56,880 Speaker 2: Not none of those janky ones you get from the 606 00:29:56,880 --> 00:29:57,440 Speaker 2: gas station. 607 00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:01,640 Speaker 1: No real ones. Yeah, the real ones, the real time. 608 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:04,840 Speaker 1: I got some in Bali and Japan this year, so 609 00:30:04,960 --> 00:30:07,720 Speaker 1: I'm also on the I just like nice smelling things. 610 00:30:07,760 --> 00:30:09,880 Speaker 1: I'm more candle than in sense, but I like both. 611 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 1: So let us know yours. You heard ours, Send them 612 00:30:12,840 --> 00:30:14,880 Speaker 1: to me on social at Sarah Spain on Twitter or 613 00:30:14,920 --> 00:30:17,800 Speaker 1: slash x or at Spain two three two three on Insta, 614 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:20,440 Speaker 1: or hit us up on email good game at wondermedianetwork 615 00:30:20,440 --> 00:30:22,480 Speaker 1: dot com. You could also always leave us a voicemail 616 00:30:22,480 --> 00:30:25,320 Speaker 1: at eight seven two, two oh four fifty seventy. We 617 00:30:25,360 --> 00:30:28,440 Speaker 1: could all use those tips on retail therapy and what 618 00:30:28,520 --> 00:30:31,320 Speaker 1: we can do to stay kamala and carry on ala. 619 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:34,400 Speaker 1: As the VP said on SNL this weekend, don't forget 620 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:38,440 Speaker 1: to subscribe rate and review slices. It's easy. Watch that 621 00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:40,720 Speaker 1: thing where you're searching for a good radio station and 622 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:44,280 Speaker 1: you briefly get tricked by Christian rock rating zero out 623 00:30:44,280 --> 00:30:48,880 Speaker 1: of five teasingly good guitar riffs review. So usually I 624 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:51,640 Speaker 1: have either a podcast locked and loaded or a Spotify 625 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:54,440 Speaker 1: playlist ready to go. But in my bathroom, I actually 626 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:58,120 Speaker 1: have an old school radio that's like a rolling button 627 00:30:58,200 --> 00:31:00,720 Speaker 1: on the side to change the volume, and the station 628 00:31:00,960 --> 00:31:03,800 Speaker 1: kind of old school, like that old and it's usually 629 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:06,080 Speaker 1: just stuck on ninety three XRT. Shout out to the 630 00:31:06,080 --> 00:31:08,280 Speaker 1: Goat radio station in Chicago. But every once in a 631 00:31:08,320 --> 00:31:10,920 Speaker 1: while they're on a commercial break and I spin the 632 00:31:10,960 --> 00:31:14,560 Speaker 1: wheel for a little shower tune and it goes like this, 633 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:20,479 Speaker 1: add add crappy smooth groove song, add DJ talking, add 634 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:24,560 Speaker 1: bad rock song, ad ooh, this guitar riff sounds promising, 635 00:31:24,720 --> 00:31:27,440 Speaker 1: what is this? Do I know this song? What? And 636 00:31:27,480 --> 00:31:36,000 Speaker 1: then suddenly indescribable, uncontainable, all powerful, untamable, awestruck, We fall 637 00:31:36,040 --> 00:31:40,920 Speaker 1: to our knees as we humbly proclaim you are amazing. God. 638 00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:42,600 Speaker 1: That's not an actual song. It just made it up. 639 00:31:42,600 --> 00:31:44,600 Speaker 1: But damn it. They tricked me again with the freaking 640 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:46,280 Speaker 1: guitar riffs, and I'm like, oh, I think this might 641 00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:48,080 Speaker 1: be a good song. Do I know this? Damn it? 642 00:31:48,360 --> 00:31:51,680 Speaker 1: Christian rock gets me every time. Now it's your turn, 643 00:31:51,880 --> 00:31:55,080 Speaker 1: rate and review. Thanks for les and slices. See you tomorrow. 644 00:31:55,520 --> 00:31:59,960 Speaker 1: Good Game Sync, Good Game, Ksey Current excu sneaky Christian Guitar. 645 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:04,960 Speaker 1: Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports 646 00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:08,000 Speaker 1: production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You 647 00:32:08,040 --> 00:32:10,680 Speaker 1: can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 648 00:32:10,720 --> 00:32:14,040 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, 649 00:32:14,200 --> 00:32:17,240 Speaker 1: our producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive 650 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:20,960 Speaker 1: producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. 651 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:24,440 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rutterer, Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch, and 652 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:28,160 Speaker 1: Lindsay Cradowell. Production assistants from Lucy Jones and I'm your host, 653 00:32:28,240 --> 00:32:28,840 Speaker 1: Sarah Spain