1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,239 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're still 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 1: screaming like her superfan Lil Luca. We haven't quite accepted 3 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: that she hung up her boots for good yesterday. Wait, 4 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:21,080 Speaker 1: did somebody tell Luca? No, it's fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. 5 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: On today's show, we'll wrap up a busy weekend in sports, 6 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: say O refar to the Paralympics and get fired up 7 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 1: about a new rugby league. Plus one half of the 8 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: hotly contested Rookie of the Year race sees her season 9 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:36,280 Speaker 1: end early. We'll explain it's all coming up right after 10 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:50,000 Speaker 1: this welcome back. Here's what you need to know today. 11 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 1: The Paralympics concluded on Sunday, and of course, it was 12 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,080 Speaker 1: the women who led Team USA. Of the one hundred 13 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: and four total medals the US will bring home from Paris, 14 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: fifty six percent were one in women's events and eight 15 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 1: percent were one in mixed gender events. As for gold medals, 16 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 1: sixty one percent came from the women. Two of those 17 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 1: gold medals belonged to swimmer Jessica Long. After winning gold 18 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:15,040 Speaker 1: in the S eight four hundred meter freestyle last week, 19 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 1: she won the say one hundred meter butterfly on Saturday. 20 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:20,960 Speaker 1: She now holds four golds in the event. All time, 21 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 1: she has earned eighteen total golds in Paralympic competition. She's 22 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 1: a thirty one time medalist. And you want to know 23 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: the wildest part. She won her first gold medal at 24 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 1: age twelve in Athens in two thousand and four. She's 25 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 1: thirty two now. That is a long two decades of 26 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:42,040 Speaker 1: dominance in sitting volleyball. The three peat is complete. Team 27 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:45,680 Speaker 1: USA won its third straight Paralympic gold medal, defeating China 28 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 1: three cets to one in the final, and there was 29 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:50,280 Speaker 1: a little deja vu given that the US team's previous 30 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 1: two gold medals also were one against China. The US 31 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:57,120 Speaker 1: women's wheelchair basketball team came up just short of a 32 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: US four peat in Olympic and Paralympic basketball. They fell 33 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 1: to the Netherlands sixty three forty nine in the final. 34 00:02:04,600 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 1: Rose Hollerman was the top scorer for the US and 35 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,799 Speaker 1: said postgame quote, as a team, I don't really think 36 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: that we peaked and we have a lot left in 37 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 1: our tank. I never felt we got into that flow 38 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 1: state as a team, but I'm proud that we finished 39 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 1: with a silver medal. There's a lot more left for us, 40 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: and that's a great feeling as a team that we 41 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:22,640 Speaker 1: can get back to work. End quote. That team has 42 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: now won three straight Paralympic medals. We got some dude 43 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 1: news in the Paralympics. Paris long jump gold medalist Tara 44 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:32,920 Speaker 1: Davis Woodhall's husband Hunter now has a gold medal of 45 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 1: his own. Hunter won the men's T sixty two to 46 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: four hundred meter race at Stad de France on Friday, 47 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: and the two were, of course, unbelievably adorable. In the 48 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: post race interview, they made their gold medals kiss Trey Romantique. 49 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:49,359 Speaker 1: We'll put the link to that interview in the episode 50 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 1: notes in case you missed it. Meanwhile, I spent the 51 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:53,640 Speaker 1: weekend wondering what the hell my husband and I have 52 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 1: ever done. Certainly not back to back gold medals, that's 53 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 1: for sure. That's a wrap on the Paralympics, folks. It 54 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 1: was another spectam tacular display of talent, creativity, and competitive 55 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:05,920 Speaker 1: fire from a crop of exceptional athletes. We hope you 56 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: enjoyed all the events and you'll be tuned in again 57 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 1: when the Games hit the US in twenty twenty eight. 58 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 1: That's right, Los Angeles, twenty twenty eight. In the meantime, 59 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 1: be sure to follow your faves and keep up with 60 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:17,800 Speaker 1: their other competitions, because the work don't stop when the 61 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:22,920 Speaker 1: Paralympic flame is extinguished. To the WNBA and the weekend 62 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 1: had some bad news for my Chicago Sky and rookie 63 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: phenom Angel Reese. She's done for this season with a 64 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: wrist injury. Angel posted about the news on social writing quote, 65 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 1: what a year. I never would have imagined the last 66 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: bucket of my rookie season would be a three. But 67 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 1: maybe that was God saying give them a taste of 68 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 1: what they'll be seeing more of a year two. Lol. 69 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 1: Through it all, I've showed that I belong in this league, 70 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 1: even when no one else believed. All I've ever wanted 71 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: was to come into the w and make an impact. 72 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 1: I can confidently say I've done that and will strive 73 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 1: to keep doing so. I'm filled with emotions right now 74 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:57,320 Speaker 1: that I have a season ending injury, but also filled 75 00:03:57,360 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 1: with so much gratitude for what's next. Although this has 76 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 1: got timing and not mine, I'm finally able to give 77 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 1: myself a physical and mental break. Quote. God gives his 78 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. You'll still see me 79 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: being the biggest cheerleader on the sideline and unrivaled league, 80 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: see you soon. So interesting to see and hear that 81 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: she hopes to be back for that unrivaled league, but 82 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: a bummer that she'll see her season end earlier, and 83 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 1: she mentioned it. There were some question marks about how 84 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:26,479 Speaker 1: she would measure up at the WNBA level before the 85 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 1: season started, and while there are plenty of conversations to 86 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 1: have about how her efficiency isn't always the same as 87 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 1: her efficacy, she has certainly shushed a lot of haters 88 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:39,560 Speaker 1: with what she's been able to do in her rookie season, 89 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:43,799 Speaker 1: including setting a WNBA record with fifteen consecutive double doubles, 90 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: notching twenty six double doubles in total, the second most 91 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: in a season in WNBA history, the first player in 92 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: league history to record three consecutive games of twenty or 93 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: more rebounds. In thirty two and a half minutes tonight, 94 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 1: she averaged thirteen point six points, thirteen point one rebounds, 95 00:04:57,839 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: one point nine as sis, and one point three steals. 96 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: Oh and those thirteen point one total rebounds plus the 97 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 1: five point one offensive rebound she averaged per game, both 98 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: the highest averages by any player in WNBA history in 99 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 1: those categories. Unbelievable. It's just the beginning for Shytown Barbie, 100 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 1: and I'm sad for the long haul. In the meantime, though, 101 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:22,600 Speaker 1: she might have a bright future, but her absence will 102 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 1: be very much felt in the present. The Sky entered 103 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: Sunday barely clinging to the eighth playoff spot, and they're 104 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:30,600 Speaker 1: trying to fight off teams like The Dream and the Mystics. 105 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: Doing so without Angel Reese will be a tall task. 106 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: More injury dues to keep an eye on, as Las 107 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 1: Vegas as to star Asia Wilson was ruled out of 108 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:40,839 Speaker 1: a finals rematch against the New York Liberty on Sunday. 109 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 1: It's her first missed game since twenty nineteen. She took 110 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: a hard spill and injured her right ankle in the 111 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: final minutes of Friday's game against the Connecticut Sun. Now 112 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: Aces coach Becky Hammond told press that the team's approach 113 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: will be very cautionary, that it's just a tweak no 114 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 1: long term concerns, but we do not like seeing Asia 115 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 1: walking around in a boot. Vegas Is next game is 116 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 1: Wednesday against the Indiana fever, so she'll have a few 117 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 1: days to rehab and see how things feel. We've spoken 118 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 1: a lot about the wear and tear on players like 119 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:10,160 Speaker 1: Wilson played for Temosa and Paris, how banged up their 120 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:12,919 Speaker 1: bodies must be. So we're really hoping the best for Asia, 121 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: especially with the playoffs looming. In some positive news, another 122 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 1: one a record broken. That is, on Saturday, Skyler digg 123 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:23,160 Speaker 1: and Smith top Sue Birds record for most assists in 124 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:25,920 Speaker 1: a single season in Storm history in Seattle's win over 125 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: the Phoenix Mercury. She's now got two hundred and twenty 126 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 1: seven and counting. Not bad for her first year in 127 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,680 Speaker 1: a Storm uniform. Digg And Smith currently sits fourth in 128 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:37,479 Speaker 1: the league and assists per game, behind Caitlin Clark, Alissa Thomas, 129 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,839 Speaker 1: and Natasha Cloud. Speaking of Cloud, with six assists and 130 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:43,280 Speaker 1: that Mercury loss to the Storm, she moved into the 131 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 1: league's top ten all time in assists and shout out 132 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:49,719 Speaker 1: to across the timeline for this Nugget. Attendance in the 133 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:53,040 Speaker 1: WNBA this regular season is now over two million total, 134 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 1: just the fifth season to reach that mark in the 135 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:58,919 Speaker 1: first since two thousand and three. Two tennis on the 136 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 1: hard courts at Flushing at Osbelarus's Arena. Sablenka defeated American 137 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: Jessica Bagoula in straight sets in the singles final on Saturday. 138 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:08,839 Speaker 1: Sablenka finished the job just a year after losing to 139 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: Coco Goff in the final. It's her third career Grand 140 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: Slam title and her first ever at the US Open. 141 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 1: Also in mixed doubles, friend of the Show Taylor Townsend 142 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,119 Speaker 1: and her partner Donald Young lost in the mix final 143 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 1: in the last match of Young's career. The two runner 144 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 1: ups have been good friends since childhood. Both are Chicago 145 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: natives Whoop woop and Townshend even became a left handed 146 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 1: player due to Young's influence. They were given a wild 147 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:34,679 Speaker 1: card into the Open, and when asked about the decision 148 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: to play with him, Townshend said him winning Junior Wimbledon, 149 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: Junior Australian Open, going on to the tour, breaking out 150 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: on tour, and then coming home and being able to 151 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:46,120 Speaker 1: bring that accomplishment to us and being able to see 152 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 1: that stuff. It was the closest that I ever had 153 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:51,119 Speaker 1: to being near anyone that was doing this at this level. 154 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 1: So when he asked me to play. I just felt 155 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: like it was an honor to be able to close 156 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 1: that book for him because he kind of opened that 157 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: for me. Such a wonderful sentiment. They're up at the 158 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: US Open. Ain't a bad way to go out, So 159 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 1: congrats to young in college volleyball, y'all, it is a 160 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 1: scary time to be a top seed. We have seen 161 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: some wild stuff at the beginning of this season, and 162 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 1: we got another upset this weekend. This time it was 163 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:18,120 Speaker 1: Miami beating number one Texas in a five set shocker. 164 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 1: Texas won the first two sets, but then the Hurricanes 165 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:23,600 Speaker 1: came through in a big way, winning the final three 166 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 1: sets and defeating last season's national champs. Meantime, we did 167 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 1: get a step in the right direction for preseason number 168 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 1: three Wisconsin, who started the season a shocking and three. 169 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: They got in the win column with two big victories 170 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:38,960 Speaker 1: over the weekend, defeating TCU and Baylor in the Big 171 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 1: Ten Big Twelve Challenge. To soccer, Alex Morgan's final footy 172 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: match got all the coverage it deserved. The Sunday night 173 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:49,560 Speaker 1: tilt between her San Diego Wave and the North Carolina 174 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 1: Courage aired on all of the league's media partners CBS 175 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 1: Sports Network, Paramount Plus, NWSL Plus Prime Video, ESPN two, 176 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: and Local TV all carried the game, the first time 177 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:06,079 Speaker 1: a women's sporting event was shown across multiple outlets simultaneously 178 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: in the US. We're going to talk more about Alex 179 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 1: and the very sudden end to her legendary career a 180 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 1: little bit more this week. Sunday also saw Gotham FC 181 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: honor Shanad Fairley. Fairley originally retired back in twenty sixteen, 182 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:24,199 Speaker 1: and in twenty twenty one, she went public with her 183 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 1: story of alleged sexual coersion by former Portland Thorns coach 184 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 1: Paul Riley, sparking league wide investigations that led to several suspensions, 185 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 1: lifetime bands from the league of four coaches including Riley, 186 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:39,439 Speaker 1: and the forced sale of the Thorns. The reckoning reshaped 187 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 1: the NWSL and ushered it into a new era of 188 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 1: player empowerment and a much needed revamp of player safety 189 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:49,120 Speaker 1: rules and resources. In twenty twenty three, Fairly, after nearly 190 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 1: seven years away from the game, came back, and she 191 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 1: came back to a new look NWSL that she'd helped create, 192 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:59,080 Speaker 1: signing with Gotham and helping them win the NWSL Championship 193 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:01,199 Speaker 1: plus going to the World Cup as a member of 194 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:03,960 Speaker 1: the Ireland national team. In June of this year, she 195 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 1: announced her retirement from soccer due to post concussive syndrome, 196 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:10,199 Speaker 1: but said she was grateful and at peace that her 197 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 1: career included a final chapter on her own terms. On Sunday, 198 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:15,960 Speaker 1: she was celebrated with a fan fest, a meet and 199 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:19,440 Speaker 1: greet with fans, and a Gotham win. They defeated the 200 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 1: Houston Dash two to one. Those two players getting honored 201 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:25,440 Speaker 1: on the same day feels very appropriate as they both 202 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: had such a tremendous impact on helping bring to the 203 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:33,400 Speaker 1: forefront the issues with the NWSL with toxic coaches and environments, 204 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 1: and changing the landscape of professional women's soccer in the 205 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 1: United States. So to Alex Morgan and Shineade Fairley, the 206 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:41,720 Speaker 1: league and all of its players and fans owe you 207 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 1: a great debt of gratitude. Finally, in NWSL news, last week, 208 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,400 Speaker 1: the Washington Spirit announced that former Los Angeles Laker and 209 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 1: Hall of Famer Magic Johnson joined the ownership group headed 210 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 1: by Michelle King. Now this isn't the first women's franchise 211 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:56,679 Speaker 1: that Magic is invested and He's also got chairs in 212 00:10:56,720 --> 00:11:00,600 Speaker 1: the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. In celebration of the new venture, 213 00:11:00,960 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 1: Magic attended the Spirit Game against the Portland Thorns at 214 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 1: Audi Field over the weekend and was off in this 215 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: little side area just off the field, so when Trinity 216 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:13,120 Speaker 1: Rodman scored a goal in the sixtieth minute, she made 217 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:15,680 Speaker 1: sure to show him some love. After the equalizer, she 218 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:17,680 Speaker 1: ran over to a spot on the sideline, hit a 219 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: slam dunk Selly and then high fives and hugs for 220 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 1: Michelle and Magic. We'll link to that video in our 221 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 1: episode notes if you didn't see it. And finally, an 222 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 1: NWSL news congrats to the league on an attendance milestone. 223 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:32,720 Speaker 1: On Sunday, the league total regular season attendance went past 224 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,959 Speaker 1: one and a half million for the first time in history, 225 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:39,840 Speaker 1: with seven regular season weeks of games remaining pretty awesome. 226 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 1: In surfing, eighteen year old American Katie Simmers won the 227 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 1: World Surf League Championship over the weekend, defeating reigning Olympic 228 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 1: gold medalists and defending World champ Caroline Marks in the 229 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: best of three finals. With the win, Simmers becomes the 230 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 1: youngest ever female World champ in the sport by six 231 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:57,439 Speaker 1: days Chris and Moore was nearly one week older when 232 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 1: she won her first world title back in twenty eleven. 233 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:03,479 Speaker 1: Two Hockey, the Professional Women's Hockey League, enjoyed a spectacular 234 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:07,200 Speaker 1: inaugural season last year, breaking multiple attendance records for women's hockey. 235 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: And they did it all without team names and with 236 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: generic jerseys. But that is about to change. The social 237 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:17,600 Speaker 1: accounts and websites for every PWHL team that's Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, 238 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 1: New York, Boston and Minnesota have been teasing a big 239 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:25,000 Speaker 1: announcement that's expected to beat names and logos, so look 240 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 1: for that on social media today. Rugby, a new women's 241 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: professional rugby league Women's Elite Rugby, will play its inaugural 242 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: season in twenty twenty five, with teams in New York, 243 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Denver and the Twin Cities. The 244 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:41,960 Speaker 1: existing women's Premier League was established in two thousand and nine, 245 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:45,320 Speaker 1: but the players aren't paid. Doctor Jessica Hammond Graff, who's 246 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:48,560 Speaker 1: the president of the new wer and a former international 247 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:51,040 Speaker 1: rugby player, set up the decision to launch a pro 248 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 1: league quote for fifteen years, women's rugby players and the 249 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 1: Women's Premier League have played in an amateur pay to 250 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 1: play cross country league, and the consensus is that model 251 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: is no longer sustainable. We are so proud of everything 252 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 1: the WPL has done since two thousand and nine to 253 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: become such a strong blueprint for us, and we're ready 254 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:10,959 Speaker 1: to take our bold, exciting and empowering sport to the 255 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 1: next level. End quote. The WER is driving excitement for 256 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 1: its first season with the twenty twenty four WER Legacy Cup. 257 00:13:17,960 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 1: Now that's featuring the top four WPL teams and they 258 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 1: say it's to honor quote the founding people who dedicated 259 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:26,840 Speaker 1: their energy and time to the growth of women's plus rugby. 260 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:29,800 Speaker 1: So this past Saturday, the number three Colorado Gray Wolves 261 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 1: beat the number two New York Rugby Club and the 262 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:34,240 Speaker 1: number one Berkeley All Blues beat the number four Life 263 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 1: West Rugby. So that sets up a Legacy Cup Vinyl 264 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 1: next Saturday in Greensboro, North Carolina between the All Blues 265 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 1: and the Gray Wolves, and you could check that out 266 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: and get super excited for the upcoming Women's Elite Rugby 267 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:50,200 Speaker 1: League next year. Finally, just a little more dude news, 268 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:53,959 Speaker 1: as it was a big weekend for NFL habs, husbands 269 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 1: and boyfriends. Congrats to mister Simone Biles aka Jonathan Owens 270 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:01,560 Speaker 1: on a touchdown in my Chicago Bears win over the Titans. 271 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 1: Told you Coach Low and congrats to Sophia Smith's fiance 272 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:08,760 Speaker 1: aka Michael Wilson on scoring a touchdown in his Cardinals 273 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 1: loss to the Bills. We're gonna make some money. We'll 274 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: be right back with more good game with Sarah Spain. 275 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: Welcome back, slices. We got another really good question from 276 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:27,160 Speaker 1: one of you. Ria Jankowski wrote, I saw on Instagram 277 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:30,080 Speaker 1: post on Together about athletes who have competed in both 278 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: the Paralympics and Olympics, which was interesting included the years 279 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 1: they competed in each. I didn't expect to see multiple 280 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 1: athletes who competed in the Olympics after having competed in 281 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 1: the Paralympics. Tell us more about them, sure thing, Ria, 282 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 1: Alex take it away. 283 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, thank you so much for asking the question, Riya. 284 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:49,280 Speaker 2: So for those who didn't see it, and we'll make 285 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 2: sure to link to it in our show notes Together 286 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 2: posted about the fourteen women who have competed at both 287 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 2: the Olympics and the Paralympics. And to be completely honest, 288 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:00,960 Speaker 2: I didn't know a bunch of these athletes, So shout 289 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 2: out to together for raising it to my attention to 290 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 2: And so I'll back up for a second and say 291 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 2: these athletes essentially fall into two categories. The first is 292 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 2: athletes who initially competed at the Olympics as non disabled 293 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 2: athletes and then sustained a disability and returned to the Games, 294 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 2: this time as Paralympians. So Canada's Kate O'Brien is a 295 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:24,000 Speaker 2: great example of this. She competed at the Olympics in 296 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,080 Speaker 2: twenty sixteen in track cycling, and then she had a 297 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 2: very serious accident while training in twenty seventeen, but went 298 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:33,240 Speaker 2: on to make her Paralympic debut a few years later. 299 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 2: She's now a two time medalist and even picked up 300 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:38,880 Speaker 2: bronze this week in Paris. Then there are a bunch 301 00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 2: of athletes with disabilities who have competed at both the 302 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 2: Olympics and Paralympics, sometimes even in the same year. For example, 303 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 2: you have two table tennis players, Melissa Tapper of Australia 304 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 2: and Bruna Alexandra of Brazil, who competed in Paris just 305 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 2: a few weeks apart, first competing at the Olympics and 306 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 2: then competing at the Paralympics. So shout out to Together 307 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 2: for posting that, and shout out Ria for asking the question. 308 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:03,880 Speaker 1: Good stuff, al and maybe sometime we'll have a conversation 309 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:06,960 Speaker 1: about the interesting times when para Olympians have actually been 310 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 1: denied the ability to compete in the Olympics because their 311 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 1: process were considered like beneficial. That's an interesting angle there too. 312 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:15,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, thank you slices. 313 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:17,920 Speaker 1: Keep them coming. We love those questions. We love to 314 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 1: keep putting al to work. We got to take a 315 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 1: quick break when we come back. Frick and Frack Newparlan 316 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 1: Fonse and sponsorships gone very wrong. It's coming up next. 317 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 1: Welcome back, slices. So last week we asked you for 318 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: your best name twin stories and listener Julia Frick has one. 319 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: She sent us an email that reads, in part, my 320 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: name is Julia Frick. I'm currently playing lacrosse at the 321 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 1: Division III level at Bridgewater College. When I first got 322 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 1: here as a freshman, I was the second Julia to 323 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:51,440 Speaker 1: come on to the team because the other Julia was 324 00:16:51,440 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 1: a year older than me. She got to go by Julia, 325 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:56,240 Speaker 1: and I was blessed with any and all nicknames that 326 00:16:56,280 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 1: revolve around frick. This includes, but is not limited to, frick, 327 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:04,920 Speaker 1: frick delicious, Frickster, and frickles. That's my favorite, by the way. 328 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 1: Fast forward to this year. I'm a senior, I've adjusted 329 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,680 Speaker 1: to the name, and boom, we have a freshman come 330 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:13,800 Speaker 1: in with the last name Fricks. As soon as I 331 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 1: escape being part of a pair of Julia's, I became 332 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:19,520 Speaker 1: a pair of fricks. Okay, what the frick? First of all, 333 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:24,360 Speaker 1: and also Julia's again, that's hilarious. We love this Julia, 334 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 1: and it does feel like a perfect opportunity for a 335 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 1: frick and frack duo name. I mean, you're a senior, 336 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: your teammates a freshmen. You could pretty much cause everyone 337 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: to call her whatever you want. So I think you're 338 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:37,200 Speaker 1: frick and she's freck. That's it. Take her under your wing, 339 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:39,720 Speaker 1: show her the ropes. What it's like to go by 340 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 1: a name that isn't your first name. I say, no, 341 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 1: Julia's never again to a Julia on that team. It 342 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: should always be a different name. Thanks for sending that. 343 00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:49,239 Speaker 1: In last week. I also told you all about how 344 00:17:49,280 --> 00:17:51,920 Speaker 1: soccer's top honor. The Ballon d'Or award for the Player 345 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:54,240 Speaker 1: of the Year often trips people up because of its 346 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 1: French name. Well, right on schedule, Friend of the Show 347 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:00,159 Speaker 1: Sidney LaRue had to call out her boyfriend Dave for 348 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 1: his absolute butchering of the name, and she posted it 349 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:05,800 Speaker 1: on her insta take a listen. I need to know 350 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 1: what you just said to me. Why are so many 351 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:12,199 Speaker 1: people not nominated for what I said? I was the 352 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:13,000 Speaker 1: f on Instagram. 353 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:16,680 Speaker 2: I keep saying, all these people are a big name 354 00:18:16,840 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 2: nominated for the Balloon d'Or, and I wanted to know 355 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:20,359 Speaker 2: what it is. 356 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: Ah, Yes, the balloon door perfect Dave. Finally, last week 357 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:28,679 Speaker 1: I told you about my fun filled trip to New 358 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:30,800 Speaker 1: York for the US Open and the New York Liberty Game, 359 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:32,879 Speaker 1: And my week included getting to spend a lot of 360 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:35,640 Speaker 1: time with my girl, Jess Smith, formerly of Angel City. 361 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:38,040 Speaker 1: Now she's the president of the WNBA expansion team, the 362 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 1: Golden State Valkyries. Well, we went to dinner on Tuesday 363 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:42,639 Speaker 1: and she was talking about how the next morning she 364 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 1: was going to go on TV and announce the team's 365 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:48,400 Speaker 1: partnership and jersey sponsor. Now she wouldn't leak the news 366 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:50,920 Speaker 1: of the deal at dinner, so I started guessing progressively 367 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 1: more ridiculous sponsors, k y Jelly only fans, you get 368 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 1: the picture. The whole table got in on the game 369 00:18:57,840 --> 00:19:01,080 Speaker 1: and it had me thinking, what are the worst or 370 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:05,320 Speaker 1: most flat out wrong sponsors for a women's pro sports team? 371 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:08,639 Speaker 1: Which is where you come in slices because you know 372 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:10,119 Speaker 1: that we love that you're listening, but we want you 373 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: to get in the game every day too. So our 374 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:15,440 Speaker 1: good gameplay of the day is what's the worst sponsor 375 00:19:15,480 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 1: you can think of for your favorite women's sports team? 376 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:21,119 Speaker 1: Send it to us good game at wondermedianetwork dot com, 377 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:23,200 Speaker 1: leave us a voicemail at eight seven two two o 378 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:25,880 Speaker 1: four fifty seventy, or hit me up on Twitter at 379 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:29,479 Speaker 1: Sarah Spain or on Instagram at Spain two three two three. 380 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 1: By the way, the Valkyrie sponsor was JP Morgan Chase 381 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:36,040 Speaker 1: and their jersey sponsors Chase Freedom, but that's not as funny. 382 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:39,000 Speaker 1: Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review as well. It's 383 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 1: super easy watch this little contract dispute between DirecTV and Disney, 384 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:50,920 Speaker 1: rating zero out of five stars. Review the worst viewers 385 00:19:50,920 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: are getting totally screwed during a crucial time in the 386 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:57,479 Speaker 1: sports calendar. This weekend, producer Meisch couldn't watch half the 387 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 1: WNBA games, and last week my friends and I had 388 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 1: to leave a sports bar to watch a college football 389 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:06,320 Speaker 1: game at my house. The bar was airing stock racing 390 00:20:06,359 --> 00:20:08,640 Speaker 1: that looked like it was from a county fair because 391 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:11,359 Speaker 1: they couldn't get access to the game. Not cool. And 392 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:14,320 Speaker 1: to make matters worse, the disclaimer that pops up on 393 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:18,479 Speaker 1: DirecTV customers screens is so passive, aggressive and finger pointy. 394 00:20:19,040 --> 00:20:21,639 Speaker 1: It says Disney wants you to miss out on Monday 395 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:25,119 Speaker 1: night football on ABC and ESPN while DirecTV works to 396 00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:28,880 Speaker 1: reach a new agreement. My eyes just rolled so far 397 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:32,440 Speaker 1: back there in my ass. Enough of the games, get 398 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 1: a deal figured out. Thank you now it's your turn, 399 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 1: rate and review. Thanks for listening, slices, See you tomorrow. 400 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 1: Good game, NWSL, Good game Angel Reese, Thank you, Erradic 401 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 1: September weather that makes everyone sick me she got a 402 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 1: tickle at the back of her throat all weekend. Mean 403 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:53,680 Speaker 1: she gotta keep that thera flew on deck. Good Game 404 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:56,439 Speaker 1: with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports production in 405 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:59,280 Speaker 1: partnership with Deep Blue Sports and entertainment. You can find 406 00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:02,200 Speaker 1: us on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 407 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:05,880 Speaker 1: you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network. Our 408 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 1: producers are Alex Azzi and Misha Jones. Our executive producers 409 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 1: are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. 410 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:16,879 Speaker 1: Our editors are Jenny Kaplan, Emily Rudder, Brittany Martinez and 411 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 1: Grace Lynch. Production assistants from Lucy Jones and I'm Your 412 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: Host Sarah Spain.