1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: Levels to This is an iHeart women's sports production in 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 1: partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. 3 00:00:05,559 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 2: You can find us on the iHeartRadio. 4 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:16,800 Speaker 1: App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 5 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 2: Hey, everybody, what's going on? It's your girl? Treka Foster 6 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:24,600 Speaker 2: Brasby what it do? Y'all? Is your girls? Cheryls woops. 7 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:27,319 Speaker 3: We in this thing, We in this thing at this 8 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 3: eight is levels to this. This is the show where 9 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 3: we share all of the levels to the shit that 10 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,440 Speaker 3: women go through. And we have such a fun show 11 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 3: lined up today. We have a great guest who's gonna 12 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:43,600 Speaker 3: break down some things for us about some really great 13 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 3: upcoming news and event and things happening in the WNBA 14 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 3: for twenty twenty six. 15 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 2: So we're gonna get into that when we get to 16 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 2: the next level. 17 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 3: But first, I just want to say thank you guys 18 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 3: to everybody who showed me love this week. Your girl 19 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 3: turned forty one on Sunday. I had such a great 20 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 3: time celebrating my birthday. I didn't do anything super spectacular, 21 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 3: at least not to my standards, like I. 22 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 2: Had a part. 23 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 3: Let me let me make sure I clarify that my 24 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:18,679 Speaker 3: standards of spectacular. Maybe a little different because I'm a Leo, 25 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:21,760 Speaker 3: But for the most part, I had a house party 26 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 3: which was great, which was supposed to just be like 27 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,840 Speaker 3: fifteen people. He ended up being like fifty. And then 28 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 3: I had and then I went to dinner on Sunday, 29 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 3: which was great. I had this cute little dress on 30 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 3: and sure, let me tell you how excited I was 31 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:38,319 Speaker 3: about my birthday dress because I bought my birthday dress 32 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 3: last year in September because I was going to a 33 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 3: white party and I needed something to wear, and I 34 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 3: bought this dress and I. 35 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 2: Tried to dress on. I went to Ross. 36 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 3: Now, if anybody out there don't know about Ross, Ross 37 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 3: is like the that's the store. It's like you can 38 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 3: get all of the good stuff, like it's the store. 39 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 1: So I got much to look for it, but you 40 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: can do too, you do. 41 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 3: And so in my in my head, I was like, 42 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 3: I really want this dress, but I don't know if 43 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 3: I could fit this dress. Sure enough, I got home, 44 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:10,120 Speaker 3: put the dress on. Girl, everything was hanging out of 45 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:12,400 Speaker 3: everywhere in this dress. So I ain't never wore this dress. 46 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:16,360 Speaker 3: But because I've been going through the weight loss and 47 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 3: really trying to get my shit together. A couple of 48 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 3: days ago. I was like, dang, when am I gonna 49 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 3: work for my birthday? I tried to dress on and 50 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:25,360 Speaker 3: the dress fit perfectly. 51 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, you was wearing a dress. 52 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 4: I said. 53 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: You can't tell me shit today, honey, this is this 54 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:35,320 Speaker 1: is I saw your picture. 55 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 2: But let me also say the. 56 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 1: Shoes that you had on with that dress, yeah, I said, 57 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 1: I since think she grown grown tonight because it's her birthday. 58 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: I had to act a fool. I had to active 59 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:51,959 Speaker 1: it's beautiful. Well, thank you, absolutely stunning. 60 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. 61 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:56,359 Speaker 3: But I will tell you, though, that them shoes almost 62 00:02:56,440 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 3: had me out here like half the w NBA with 63 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 3: an injury because your girl, oh your girl, was about 64 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 3: about two steps away from twisting an ankle. 65 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,960 Speaker 2: I say, listen, I didn't see you walking in them. 66 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:13,639 Speaker 1: I just saw your polls and I was like, okay, dress, 67 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 1: come on. 68 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:19,360 Speaker 2: Shoes, Yeah, there's one post. I'm on Green Shot rocking 69 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 2: hills like that. I can't do it anymore. 70 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: And I'm mad at you for talking about almost like 71 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:27,519 Speaker 1: the WNBA with all these injuries. 72 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 2: Because half the league is on. 73 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 1: The bench at this point, Like my goodness, injuries are ridiculous. 74 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:37,680 Speaker 3: I have not seen a season in a very long 75 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 3: time where so many people have either been sidelined because 76 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 3: of an injury or out for the season because of 77 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 3: an injury. And lord knows, the Indiana fever. They can't 78 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 3: take no more, like I can't catch a break. 79 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 2: They cannot catch a break. 80 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:58,000 Speaker 3: First it was Caitlin, then now it's Sydney Colson, and 81 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 3: it's Arry McDonald, and now it's it's Sophie Cunnyham. Like 82 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 3: dang h, my goodness, Like who has left on the 83 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 3: team at this point, Like it is so sad to 84 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 3: see from a team that was expected to be such 85 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 3: a top contender and now they're fighting for their life 86 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 3: at the sixth seventh spot because we don't know and 87 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:23,039 Speaker 3: and bless God, bless you Kelsey Mitchell, God bless you. 88 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 1: Oh wait, because I was about to say, yes, all 89 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: the injuries to every team in the league, right, but 90 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: the fever girl, they have caught a fever mm hmm 91 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: or or something. 92 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 2: But let me just echo what you just said for 93 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:45,040 Speaker 2: those of you who may not know. 94 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:53,799 Speaker 1: Kelsey Mitchell has always all ways been that girl mm hmmm, 95 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:58,960 Speaker 1: m hm, always the other day and here to me, 96 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,839 Speaker 1: here's here's what that was so impressive about her last game. 97 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: The first half was not a typical Kelsey Mitchell half, right, 98 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 1: but she had zero or two. 99 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:13,039 Speaker 3: Like she has zero points in the first quarter and 100 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 3: two in the second. 101 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:18,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, it ended up with who thirty thirty six I 102 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:21,160 Speaker 2: think or thirty eight eight one of those two. 103 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:26,480 Speaker 1: But the thing about Kelsey Mitchell is she is always 104 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:28,440 Speaker 1: going to play compete. 105 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:32,840 Speaker 2: It don't matter how many points she has. And I've heard. 106 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 1: A lot of players in the W right now because 107 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 1: you know, they always do their whole starr bitch cut 108 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 1: type thing. And also who's one of the toughest to 109 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 1: guard And a lot of the guards that I've heard 110 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 1: say Kelsey Mitchell is the toughest guard for them. And 111 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 1: you understand why she's quick. She stops at the drop 112 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 1: of a dime and pull Listen, Kelsey Mitchell, Yeah you 113 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:57,360 Speaker 1: said it, God bless you. 114 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 2: Yes, yep, yeh back. That got the beat. 115 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 3: Because she has been carrying this team for I mean 116 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 3: they have even Stephanie White said it. They just played Connecticut. 117 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:11,919 Speaker 3: They were up, Connecticut was up twenty one points. Now, 118 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 3: I ain't even gonna go on how you don't lose 119 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 3: a twenty one point league team, come on, fam but 120 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 3: and at home and at home and at home, and 121 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 3: they're down three guards at this point, Like, yeah, neither 122 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 3: here nor there. Point though, is for Kelsey to put 123 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:31,599 Speaker 3: on that kind of a performance in that moment when 124 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:34,720 Speaker 3: her team needed her most, because for the first half, 125 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,160 Speaker 3: it was all Natasha Howard and she couldn't give al 126 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 3: Jash couldn't do it by us. So but Kelsey, girl, 127 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:45,239 Speaker 3: God bless you. You've been balling all year. Every flower 128 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 3: that we have you deserve, Like it's just. 129 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 2: Just that simple, just that simple. 130 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 3: So but anyway, Yes, it has been a very difficult 131 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 3: season for a lot of teams in the WNBA because 132 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 3: of injuries, and hopefully people are able to get healthy 133 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 3: in the off season and for those who are going 134 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 3: to be able to come back. Were looking at the 135 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:07,720 Speaker 3: FISA Collier who should be able to come back soon, 136 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 3: Brianna Stewart, Hopefully she'll be able to come back soon. 137 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 3: Like it's just it's it's so many angel rees. Hopefully 138 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:15,400 Speaker 3: she'll be. 139 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 2: Able to play, to start playing more. 140 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 3: It's just there are so many faces that we want 141 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 3: to see before this season is over. So we're wishing 142 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 3: the best for all of them that everybody gets healthy 143 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 3: and that we can start the playoffs, but everybody as 144 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 3: best as they possibly can be. But next season, as 145 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 3: we look ahead to next season, hopefully not only do 146 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 3: we have less injuries, but we are certainly going to 147 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 3: have more spots for people who have to wait for 148 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:50,679 Speaker 3: these hardship contracts and have to wait for these seven 149 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 3: day contracts to wait for folks to give them a spot. 150 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 3: Hopefully next year, with the addition of two new teams, 151 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 3: that means that there are more for some of these 152 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 3: players to actually be able to rise grow. I look 153 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 3: at a team a person like a Veronica Burton, who 154 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 3: for me is leading the conversation and. 155 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 2: Mip M I P yes, ma'am. 156 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 3: Y'all look at a Veronica Burton, and I'm like, she 157 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 3: is telling y'all right now KT before she got hurtings 158 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 3: or ACL. 159 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 2: They're showing you the blueprint. 160 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:27,600 Speaker 3: Y'all can make a name for yourselves in this league 161 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 3: if you had the chance, and they might get the chance. 162 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 1: Heryl and all of that, assuming there is a next 163 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 1: season with the CBA. 164 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:41,199 Speaker 2: That's a great point. 165 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:43,960 Speaker 3: So assuming that we have a next season and assuming 166 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:48,119 Speaker 3: that the WNBA and the players come to an agreement. 167 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:51,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, because I let me get this off my test 168 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 2: real quick so we can move on. 169 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:57,640 Speaker 1: Because you know all the hoopla around the Connecticut Sun 170 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 1: being sold not sold, all the things, and you know 171 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: now the w saying we want to buy the team 172 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 1: for two hundred and fifty million. Well, if you got 173 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,319 Speaker 1: two hundred and fifty million to buy the Sun, why 174 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 1: don't you have the money to pay the players. 175 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 2: Let's talk about it. Let's talk about it, like, make 176 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 2: that make sense. Where does money come from? 177 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 3: Where y'are pooling this money from? 178 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 2: Interesting? That's interesting. I just found that very interesting. 179 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 1: Right, we have two hundred and fifty mil to buy 180 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:32,560 Speaker 1: the Sun, but we ain't got we ain't got no 181 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:33,680 Speaker 1: more money to pay the players. 182 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 2: We ain't got no money to play the players. 183 00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:37,079 Speaker 3: We ain't got no money to actually lock in these 184 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 3: charter flight contracts. We ain't got no money for any 185 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 3: you know what. Let that marinate, do what that do 186 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 3: with that info as you will? 187 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 2: People do with that info as you will. 188 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, but we are looking at some teams that already 189 00:09:52,760 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 3: are existing in terms of expansion. In one of those 190 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 3: is the Portland Fire, and we're very excited to see 191 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:03,439 Speaker 3: the Portland Fire in twenty twenty six, assuming that there 192 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:06,720 Speaker 3: is a twenty twenty six season, and today we have 193 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 3: the pleasure to have a next level conversation with interim 194 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 3: executive President Claire hammil And I know that you and 195 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 3: Claire go back from your days at Nike and her 196 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 3: days at Nike. Look, she I see how I add 197 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 3: on them ways, see she had it on them. 198 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 1: Ways I did add the way. 199 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:30,080 Speaker 2: You didn't have to add the way. It was just 200 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:32,680 Speaker 2: the way you said. I know you and Claire go back. 201 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:38,000 Speaker 1: I just threw the way in there for you, says 202 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: oh Man. 203 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 3: But I'm excited to talk to Claire, just you know, 204 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:46,679 Speaker 3: wanting to know more about what the direction is of 205 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:49,440 Speaker 3: this fire team, having a team back in the road 206 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 3: city where so many fans loved the Portland Fire back 207 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 3: when it was in its initial existence. So it's going 208 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 3: to be an exciting conversation and I'm excited to chat 209 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 3: with her. And so with that, let's just go ahead 210 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 3: and take this to the next level. So joining us 211 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 3: today on today's show very excited about I will also, 212 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:25,199 Speaker 3: even before I get off into the introduction, say I'm 213 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 3: a little jealous that our last few guests have been 214 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 3: people who Cheryl kind of knows and has a relationship 215 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 3: with before me so serious. 216 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 2: It was a little bit like what she gotta know everybody? 217 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:43,079 Speaker 2: You know what I'm saying, like popular, go to the 218 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:46,080 Speaker 2: guests because I love her. I love this guest. 219 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 3: God, she is so popular, you know everybody. But okay, 220 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:59,720 Speaker 3: like good lord. However, joining us today is a trailblazer 221 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 3: with women's sports. 222 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 2: Forty years at Nike, she certainly. 223 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:07,160 Speaker 3: Helped shape the way the world sees athletes in sports, 224 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,880 Speaker 3: and now she's serving as interim president of the Portland Fires. 225 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 3: So we are joined by Claire Hammel. 226 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 4: Hi, Claire tee Hi, thanks for having me. Hey Cheryl, 227 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:20,080 Speaker 4: Hi Claire Ty. 228 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,959 Speaker 1: Let me not necessarily rephrase, but let me add something 229 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 1: to that. 230 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 2: Not yet just athletes, but female. 231 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 1: Athletes in particular, making sure that we are seeing, we 232 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 1: are heard, making a space for us and Claire and I. 233 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 2: Go way back. 234 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: Did you hear how I said, so excited for this 235 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: next chapter for her and Claire, just thank you for 236 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,160 Speaker 1: taking the time out of your day to join us 237 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:54,680 Speaker 1: and we're so super excited to have a conversation with 238 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:55,160 Speaker 1: you today. 239 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 4: Yeah. Thanks, I appreciate it. I'm excited to excited to 240 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 4: do it, always happy to talk about women's sports and 241 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:04,040 Speaker 4: meet new people. So tigue great. 242 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean we obviously have to talk about the 243 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:11,280 Speaker 3: vision and the future of women's basketball in the Road 244 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 3: city because we were all super excited when the announcement 245 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:20,040 Speaker 3: was made that Portland would be receiving a WNBA team again. 246 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 3: For the new fans out there that don't know this 247 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:25,199 Speaker 3: is Portland isn't new to this. They're true to this, right, 248 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:30,200 Speaker 3: They've been doing this for a while and there's just 249 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:34,199 Speaker 3: always been such a rich culture of sports. Just kind 250 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:36,319 Speaker 3: of want to start off of, you know, asking about 251 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:39,839 Speaker 3: you know, why why Portland? What do you think makes 252 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:44,599 Speaker 3: this city just so uniquely suited for a WNBA franchise? 253 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think I usually when I talk about Portland 254 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 4: right now and the Fire, I talk about the fans first. 255 00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:56,160 Speaker 4: I mean, I think Cheryl can tell you this all 256 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 4: the way back in two thousand and one when the 257 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:02,439 Speaker 4: Fire was playing here before there were eight nine thousand 258 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 4: fans showing up to watch those games and not just 259 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 4: come in with a ticket, I mean coming with their 260 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:13,559 Speaker 4: whole hearts, like like it was personal, like this team 261 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:18,559 Speaker 4: mattered and they they were disappointed when the team went away, 262 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:22,040 Speaker 4: and now fast forward to have this team coming back 263 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:26,840 Speaker 4: to Portland, a city that just loves women's sports. You know, 264 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 4: it's a city with I always say, people that have 265 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 4: sort of fierce individuality, like everybody's got their own way 266 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 4: of showing up, but then they come together and women's 267 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 4: sports is just one of those things that brings folks. 268 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 4: So I think the fans I will start there. I 269 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:46,000 Speaker 4: think even players will tell you who used to come 270 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 4: to Portland that this was not this was an arena 271 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 4: where you came in and it was like people are serious, 272 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 4: like you know, this is our house, like like let's go. 273 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 4: And so everybody's excited. There's so much enthusiasm for the 274 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:03,240 Speaker 4: team here. And then this is also a city where 275 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:05,880 Speaker 4: I think we can do some innovative things that maybe 276 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 4: you can't do everywhere. And I think we've got some 277 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 4: opportunities in Portland, and which is why we have both 278 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,680 Speaker 4: a big vision for Portland and a big vision for 279 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:16,359 Speaker 4: the Fire. Yeah. 280 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 2: I will absolutely agree with Claire Tea. 281 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:22,520 Speaker 1: I remember when when the w started and Portland had 282 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:26,120 Speaker 1: a team. First of all, everybody was excited to go 283 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: play Portland because we all wanted to go to the 284 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 1: Nike store, right, So it was like. 285 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:33,520 Speaker 2: Yes, we want to. 286 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:39,160 Speaker 1: So we get to go shopping. But to Clara's point, 287 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 1: like Portland was one of those like the arena, the fans, 288 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 1: it was one of those places where you hate it 289 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:49,320 Speaker 1: to go play, but you loved it right because they 290 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 1: were they were big fans. They just loved great basketball. 291 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:56,160 Speaker 1: But I don't care who you were going into play. 292 00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 1: It was their team and they were going to make 293 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 1: sure you knew you were on the road. 294 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:01,960 Speaker 4: Right. 295 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 1: So I'm I'm super excited that Portland's getting a team back. 296 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: But Claire, I want to go before I get into 297 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 1: the fire, I want to talk a little bit about 298 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: the WIN program. You had this vision right being at 299 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 1: Nike forever to Yeah, I say clear rand Nike, but. 300 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:27,840 Speaker 2: Being at Nike right, you have this, You had this. 301 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:34,000 Speaker 1: Vision of giving former w NBA players an opportunity to 302 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 1: step into corporate America. Can you talk a little bit 303 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 1: about what that vision was, why you thought it was important, 304 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 1: and you know, just just why you felt like it 305 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 1: was the right move for former w NBA players. 306 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'd love to talk about WIN. I could talk 307 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 4: probably talk about it all day if you ask me 308 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 4: to Yeah, I think I go all the way back 309 00:16:56,920 --> 00:17:00,440 Speaker 4: to the fact that I started playing basketball very very 310 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:04,600 Speaker 4: young age and had the opportunity to literally build my 311 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 4: entire career around women's sports. And you know, yes, it's 312 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,639 Speaker 4: not the only thing I worked on at Nike, But 313 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:16,919 Speaker 4: what I learned was that athletes are different that you know, 314 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:20,800 Speaker 4: they bring something to the table. There's a there's a power, 315 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 4: there's a leadership profile, they know how to win, they 316 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:28,439 Speaker 4: are resilient, and so it was almost pretty simple in 317 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 4: some ways, like, wow, you know, we've got a lot 318 00:17:31,280 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 4: of tables at Nike, a lot of places where the 319 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 4: voice of the athlete and everything there is about being 320 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 4: an athlete could make a difference. There's a WMBA where 321 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:45,160 Speaker 4: we've got players retiring and it's very hard to transition 322 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,919 Speaker 4: from being a professional athlete into that next step. I 323 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:51,159 Speaker 4: mean you got to grind at it. I mean I 324 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 4: learned a lot about that talking to players talking and 325 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:57,119 Speaker 4: I'm still I still hear that all the time, and 326 00:17:57,200 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 4: even though things have changed a little bit, that transition 327 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,680 Speaker 4: is a big deal. And so it was a pretty 328 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,040 Speaker 4: much a perfect marriage, Like we needed more athletes and 329 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:11,959 Speaker 4: more women leaders at the table, and there are a 330 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 4: lot of athletes that were looking to transition, So I 331 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:17,480 Speaker 4: just knew it was going to work right from the start. 332 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,360 Speaker 4: I spent a lot of time around innovation, and sometimes 333 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:23,040 Speaker 4: you're like, I think we're solving a big problem, but 334 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 4: let's try it. In this case, I'm like, we are 335 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 4: solving a big problem, which is how do we get 336 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 4: more women leaders at Nike? How do we help athletes transition? 337 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:36,520 Speaker 4: And it's been amazing the impact that the athletes that 338 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 4: have come to Nike, the WNBA players have had on 339 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:43,840 Speaker 4: Nike's business. Like I use the example of the Asia 340 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 4: Wilson work that just launched this year. I mean, one 341 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:50,960 Speaker 4: of my all time favorite Nike ads, Like that is impressive. 342 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 4: That doesn't happen, That does not happen, That shoot does 343 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 4: not happen, That brand campaign does not happen without the 344 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:02,600 Speaker 4: WIN that worked on that campaign. And WIN stands for 345 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:06,160 Speaker 4: Women in Nike, and there are probably ten or twelve 346 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:09,199 Speaker 4: W players and WIN members who were a part of 347 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 4: helping make Asia's campaign successful and pushing that forward. So 348 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:18,879 Speaker 4: just one example right down to like the kids version 349 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,320 Speaker 4: of the Asia issue that one of the WIN members 350 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 4: worked on. That's so good. So the impact has been 351 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 4: great and for me it was my God, it's just 352 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,120 Speaker 4: like game changer for me to get to work on that, 353 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:35,880 Speaker 4: to be around all these players. And the only thing 354 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:38,240 Speaker 4: I'd say is one of the things that's been great 355 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:40,200 Speaker 4: about being at Nike for a long time, it has 356 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 4: given me a platform where I can make a difference. 357 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:47,400 Speaker 4: And so if this is one example of being able 358 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:50,680 Speaker 4: to do something and make a difference, then I'm happy 359 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:51,160 Speaker 4: about that. 360 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:55,680 Speaker 2: I love that, honestly. And can I throw in a suggestion? Please? 361 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 2: Can we get a blue and gold version of the 362 00:19:57,560 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 2: A ones? Thanks? 363 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 4: Okay, we'll get Yeah. I was like, where's my phone, 364 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 4: where's my phone? Let me just text them, text somebody. Yes, 365 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:13,639 Speaker 4: but how about her birthday colors? How do you like 366 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 4: the birthday cake colors? 367 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:19,159 Speaker 1: I was like, it looks it seems like Asia has 368 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 1: a different color every game. 369 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:23,920 Speaker 4: You started the game, Cheryl, So it's just like now 370 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 4: we're now, we're in the big time. It's like, yeah, 371 00:20:26,119 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 4: she has at least one color every game. I think, 372 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:31,240 Speaker 4: what is it, twenty two or three games at home? 373 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:32,400 Speaker 2: There we go. 374 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:38,639 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, Cheryl knows, Cheryl. Cheryl had an amazing, amazing 375 00:20:39,119 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 4: partnership with Nike forever, like we started working back in 376 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:45,840 Speaker 4: nineteen ninety five, like change the game for women's basketball, 377 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 4: changed the game within Nike, and then came to work 378 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:51,880 Speaker 4: at Nike. I mean, it's amazing, Like it's a kind 379 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:55,080 Speaker 4: of full circle thing and it's having and had a 380 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 4: big difference when she came in, And so I think 381 00:20:58,320 --> 00:20:59,840 Speaker 4: that's what that program is all about. 382 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 1: I know that every single win member, we will forever 383 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:08,879 Speaker 1: being debted to you, and we all are so grateful 384 00:21:08,920 --> 00:21:12,160 Speaker 1: and thankful that you have that vision and you made 385 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 1: space for all of us. 386 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:15,040 Speaker 2: So I just want to say thank you. 387 00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:17,679 Speaker 4: Yeah, you're welcome. 388 00:21:18,320 --> 00:21:18,880 Speaker 2: I love that. 389 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:23,240 Speaker 3: I literally and genuinely love that because I don't think 390 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:26,879 Speaker 3: that this is something that you know, the men have 391 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:29,840 Speaker 3: to think about when they're done playing, like what is 392 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:31,560 Speaker 3: their next step? 393 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:33,680 Speaker 2: You know what I mean, And not like that they. 394 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 3: Don't have like vision or drive or goals to do 395 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:39,879 Speaker 3: something outside of basketball. But I think the necessity of 396 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 3: needing to have a life outside of when you retire. 397 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:48,360 Speaker 3: It's just very different for women and women athletes than 398 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:52,600 Speaker 3: it is for men for obvious reasons sometimes. So I 399 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:55,919 Speaker 3: love that there is a space and someone has the 400 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 3: forethought to say, we need to make sure that these 401 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 3: women are taking care of and put in position to 402 00:22:01,280 --> 00:22:04,919 Speaker 3: have opportunities to be successful outside of the success they 403 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:06,240 Speaker 3: found on the basketball court. 404 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:07,920 Speaker 2: And when I think. 405 00:22:07,720 --> 00:22:14,440 Speaker 3: Of that and tying that into what's happening at in Portland, 406 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:17,440 Speaker 3: it makes me think about I mean, I think any 407 00:22:17,600 --> 00:22:20,040 Speaker 3: W fan who is a true W fan and can 408 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 3: remember Portland, the first name that comes to mind is 409 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:29,480 Speaker 3: Jackie Styles, right number ten, And so I think it's all. 410 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:33,159 Speaker 3: I feel like every franchise that has either been an 411 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 3: expansion franchise or come back have talked about the importance 412 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:40,879 Speaker 3: of how alumni members and past members play a role 413 00:22:41,040 --> 00:22:44,520 Speaker 3: in what they're trying to do futuristically. So has there 414 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 3: been a conversation with Jackie or is there any forethought 415 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:53,119 Speaker 3: or vision of bringing back former players to have a 416 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:56,639 Speaker 3: role in some way or encouraging in some way of 417 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:58,400 Speaker 3: what Portland's doing moving forward? 418 00:22:59,440 --> 00:23:03,280 Speaker 4: Absolutely, I think within two weeks of well was it 419 00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:06,160 Speaker 4: actually quicker than that? Within the second week of being 420 00:23:06,160 --> 00:23:08,679 Speaker 4: on the job, I managed to find her, get her 421 00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:10,919 Speaker 4: cell phone number off of one of the players and 422 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:15,320 Speaker 4: called her and and it's almost like we hit her 423 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 4: at exactly the right time. She was like, you know, 424 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,720 Speaker 4: I have I have the She's been working hard to 425 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:24,359 Speaker 4: just you know, do do her thing since she retired, 426 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 4: and she had a short, short but amazing career, fan favorite, 427 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:33,879 Speaker 4: Everybody's MVP. And I asked her if she wanted to 428 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:36,640 Speaker 4: be involved, and she said, absolutely, I want to be involved. 429 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:39,480 Speaker 4: So she did a little shout out off of her 430 00:23:39,480 --> 00:23:42,920 Speaker 4: phone for our launch. But I think there's a bigger 431 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:45,440 Speaker 4: role that she Uh. I've talked to a couple other 432 00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:49,119 Speaker 4: players as well from the Fire. Remember there was also 433 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:52,080 Speaker 4: a team before the Fire called the Power and the 434 00:23:52,160 --> 00:23:56,800 Speaker 4: Aby was in the right Yeah, and I've also talked 435 00:23:56,840 --> 00:24:00,600 Speaker 4: to i think every former GM president or coach of 436 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 4: those teams as well. So yeah, I think there's a 437 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 4: there's a power to that legacy. And I also I 438 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 4: also think Jackie, this just could be the right time. 439 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:14,040 Speaker 4: She said, it's the right time for me to get 440 00:24:14,040 --> 00:24:15,920 Speaker 4: more involved. I'd love to be a part of it. 441 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:18,800 Speaker 4: I think fans are going to love having her about. 442 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:21,280 Speaker 4: So I mean, the easy thing is we bring everybody 443 00:24:21,280 --> 00:24:23,640 Speaker 4: back to some games, or we you know, we bring 444 00:24:23,680 --> 00:24:25,439 Speaker 4: all the alumni back. A lot of teams do a 445 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:29,359 Speaker 4: great job of that in the w right now. You know, 446 00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:32,800 Speaker 4: I was just watching the Liberty had everybody back in town, 447 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:36,159 Speaker 4: you know this week for example, A says everybody does that, 448 00:24:36,359 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 4: but I think tapping into Jackie and bringing her back. 449 00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:44,800 Speaker 4: We definitely intend to do that. Number ten, I know. 450 00:24:45,720 --> 00:24:47,960 Speaker 4: And I took my daughter to the games, to the 451 00:24:47,960 --> 00:24:50,600 Speaker 4: Fire Games, and so you know, first thing she did 452 00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:53,560 Speaker 4: when I got this job, she started to search everywhere 453 00:24:53,560 --> 00:24:56,360 Speaker 4: to find a Jackie Styles number ten shirt, which wasn't 454 00:24:56,359 --> 00:24:59,479 Speaker 4: that easy to find. And she found one, but it 455 00:24:59,520 --> 00:25:03,919 Speaker 4: wasn't the It wasn't easy. So there's definitely there's definitely 456 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:06,440 Speaker 4: a power in that. There's story. There's good stories in that, 457 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:09,680 Speaker 4: you know, I think, but there's you know, there's other 458 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:11,720 Speaker 4: players that we want to tell their stories as well. 459 00:25:11,720 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 4: But yeah, it's definitely number ten. 460 00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:14,800 Speaker 2: Yeah Jackie. 461 00:25:14,920 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 3: Jackie was that girl that was that rookie of the 462 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 3: year and I remember two thousand and one, and it's 463 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,280 Speaker 3: it's just always so interesting to me, like I have 464 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:26,960 Speaker 3: pitched and talked about so often, having some type of 465 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 3: form or platform where we can kind of give flowers 466 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:32,680 Speaker 3: to the players who may not have had the most 467 00:25:32,680 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 3: popular name, you know, not the shirls or the Lisa's 468 00:25:37,240 --> 00:25:41,480 Speaker 3: but still had such a huge impact on women's basketball. 469 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:43,920 Speaker 3: It's like, please don't forget these people, because they were 470 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:48,359 Speaker 3: amazing players and Jackie is certainly one of them. 471 00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:51,800 Speaker 4: We just dropped the social post on the history of 472 00:25:51,840 --> 00:25:54,840 Speaker 4: the Fire that shows a lot of the players and 473 00:25:55,240 --> 00:25:58,600 Speaker 4: there's a photo with Lisa literally playing against the fire 474 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 4: and then you can see jack he and some of 475 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:04,879 Speaker 4: the other players, Sylvia Crawley, and you know, there's a 476 00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:06,760 Speaker 4: bunch of bunch of great players that were in that 477 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:09,399 Speaker 4: in that mix. So now that history is important, That 478 00:26:09,480 --> 00:26:12,880 Speaker 4: history is important. That's why we It's why we came 479 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 4: back to Portland Fire reborn, That's why we felt like 480 00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:18,240 Speaker 4: we needed to come back and go deeper with Portland, 481 00:26:18,320 --> 00:26:23,000 Speaker 4: even more connected to this city, but honor that that history. 482 00:26:23,840 --> 00:26:26,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, can't you talk a little bit more in detail 483 00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 3: about that as it relates to like what were your 484 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:33,040 Speaker 3: inspirations behind the brand relaunch or behind you know, making 485 00:26:33,040 --> 00:26:36,080 Speaker 3: sure to reuse the name and the new design of 486 00:26:36,119 --> 00:26:39,919 Speaker 3: the Rose, Like what were some of the concepts that 487 00:26:39,960 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 3: you guys were thinking about are doing if you were 488 00:26:41,880 --> 00:26:44,000 Speaker 3: while you were talking about the rebrand. 489 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:48,879 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think the fortunately the first of all, you 490 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 4: have a tremendous ownership group that is incredibly invested in 491 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:58,000 Speaker 4: investing in Portland. So I and one of the decisions 492 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:00,560 Speaker 4: that got made before I started was to work with 493 00:27:00,560 --> 00:27:04,040 Speaker 4: a creative team in Portland, where the lead of that 494 00:27:04,080 --> 00:27:09,000 Speaker 4: creative team is from Portland from basketball. Like passionate about 495 00:27:09,040 --> 00:27:12,159 Speaker 4: it and they crushed it. They went deep into the city, 496 00:27:12,600 --> 00:27:16,320 Speaker 4: like what are those things that make this Portland? You know, 497 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:20,240 Speaker 4: whether it's the Rose Garden, whether it's the bridges. Right, 498 00:27:20,359 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 4: this is a city I'd mentioned of communities right in 499 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 4: very independent communities that are all connected by these set 500 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,879 Speaker 4: of bridges. And so you see in the word Portland fire, 501 00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:33,760 Speaker 4: you see the bridges reflected in the rose which Just 502 00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:36,359 Speaker 4: for the record, I just got tattooed on my arm. 503 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:38,880 Speaker 4: I don't know up I can state did you see? 504 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 4: Oh I can't get it on the screen. Get a 505 00:27:43,080 --> 00:27:47,760 Speaker 4: bad angle, sorry, I promised on stage at the launch, 506 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:51,280 Speaker 4: I've told the fans we had this vilce like Portland 507 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:53,959 Speaker 4: is like this is very Portland tattoos. Well, I mean 508 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:56,200 Speaker 4: other people get them, but we claim to be the 509 00:27:56,240 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 4: tattoo capital anyway, that I couldn't do it at the launch, 510 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:01,159 Speaker 4: and I told everybody I was going to get it. 511 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:05,520 Speaker 4: So but yeah, the Rose, which within the Rose, you 512 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:08,760 Speaker 4: see the architecture at the top of the motor Center years. 513 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:13,800 Speaker 4: You know, everything is tied to Portland deep storytelling, and honestly, 514 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:17,199 Speaker 4: fans got it. You know, we had this launch and 515 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:20,439 Speaker 4: everybody's like, Claire, nobody's going to want to watch you 516 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:24,280 Speaker 4: present a PowerPoint about the brand. I'm like they will. 517 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:27,080 Speaker 4: I'm totally sure. And I didn't know because there's six 518 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:29,399 Speaker 4: thousand people. I'm thinking there's no way. They're busy like 519 00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:32,919 Speaker 4: doing things. Everybody wanted to hear the story of the 520 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:37,240 Speaker 4: Portland fire and the brand, and they did a fantastic job. 521 00:28:37,280 --> 00:28:39,480 Speaker 4: So we've got some new colors, we've got new stories, 522 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:42,840 Speaker 4: and we can tie it back to the past. So 523 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:47,280 Speaker 4: it's fun. I think everybody appreciated it and all the 524 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:52,240 Speaker 4: all the thought that went into it. So yeah, I. 525 00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:53,840 Speaker 1: Just I want to go back and just say, for 526 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:57,720 Speaker 1: those who don't know, Jackie Styles wasn't Her career in 527 00:28:57,760 --> 00:29:01,960 Speaker 1: the w was short, but Jackie Styles was a bucket, 528 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:06,120 Speaker 1: like like she was a problem. 529 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:11,080 Speaker 2: And I think it's great. Yeah, I think it's great that. 530 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:13,600 Speaker 1: You all are bringing her back to have something to 531 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:19,760 Speaker 1: do with the organization. Claire, you just retired from Nike 532 00:29:20,520 --> 00:29:25,000 Speaker 1: last year, and so we thought you're going to just 533 00:29:25,080 --> 00:29:27,360 Speaker 1: ride off into the sunset and just go. 534 00:29:27,320 --> 00:29:28,440 Speaker 2: Do clear things. 535 00:29:29,920 --> 00:29:35,080 Speaker 1: What made you want to get involved with the Portland fire. 536 00:29:38,160 --> 00:29:41,040 Speaker 4: Yeah, well I did. I retired in December from Nike, 537 00:29:41,360 --> 00:29:44,360 Speaker 4: and Cheryl no, she was at my retirement party. All 538 00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:47,800 Speaker 4: the girls were. It was fun and yeah, I mean 539 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:49,800 Speaker 4: I had in my mind that I wanted to do 540 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:54,000 Speaker 4: things related to women's sports and basketball. I been working 541 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:56,400 Speaker 4: on a book, I had, I had some things to do. 542 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:58,480 Speaker 4: It wasn't like I was going to like completely, you know, 543 00:29:58,680 --> 00:30:01,160 Speaker 4: just golf and ride my bike, which of course I 544 00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:07,120 Speaker 4: also like to do. And then this happened and it 545 00:30:07,200 --> 00:30:10,200 Speaker 4: was an easy Yes. I mean, I just think it's 546 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:14,400 Speaker 4: almost like everything I had done and the timing of leaving, 547 00:30:14,520 --> 00:30:18,800 Speaker 4: almost everybody now thinks, well, that's why you left, which 548 00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:23,000 Speaker 4: it isn't exactly why I left, but maybe some subconsciously 549 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:28,160 Speaker 4: something I don't know, the universes were aligning in some way. 550 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:31,880 Speaker 4: But it just feels so great and it's so much 551 00:30:31,880 --> 00:30:34,880 Speaker 4: fun to work on women's basketball and Portland and with 552 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:37,160 Speaker 4: a group of people that have a big vision about 553 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:39,480 Speaker 4: what we can do, you know, and I think what 554 00:30:39,560 --> 00:30:41,800 Speaker 4: we can do for athletes, what we can do for 555 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:44,280 Speaker 4: the city, you know, what we can do for the game. 556 00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:47,880 Speaker 4: I think, Oh yeah, it was an easy yes. And 557 00:30:47,920 --> 00:30:50,400 Speaker 4: as my daughter says, Mom, it's the perfect retirement job 558 00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:53,200 Speaker 4: for you. I am a retirement job. 559 00:30:53,280 --> 00:30:54,800 Speaker 2: I go together. 560 00:30:56,400 --> 00:31:00,560 Speaker 4: But it's great. I certainly wasn't work in this many 561 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:02,560 Speaker 4: hours the last few years of my career at Nike. 562 00:31:02,680 --> 00:31:04,880 Speaker 4: I was working hard, but this is full time. 563 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:08,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah, you retired from Nike. You didn't retire 564 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:09,600 Speaker 2: from working, thank you. 565 00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:12,520 Speaker 4: There you go. I made it six months, tea, I 566 00:31:12,560 --> 00:31:16,640 Speaker 4: made it six months, six months. So no, I'm so, 567 00:31:17,120 --> 00:31:20,560 Speaker 4: I'm really it's so great. It's almost like exactly what 568 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:22,720 Speaker 4: I would have wanted to do. And I'm learning a 569 00:31:22,720 --> 00:31:24,600 Speaker 4: lot of new things about running a team, which I've 570 00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:27,600 Speaker 4: never done. But I also like to be challenged to 571 00:31:27,640 --> 00:31:30,160 Speaker 4: do new things and push myself a little bit, So 572 00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:33,560 Speaker 4: I think that's important. I mean, you want to keep learning, 573 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:37,000 Speaker 4: you want to keep growing. And now we're just building 574 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:39,880 Speaker 4: a team, trying to hire a bunch of people, build 575 00:31:39,880 --> 00:31:44,200 Speaker 4: a whole ticket organization, a marketing organization, so and you know, 576 00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:47,720 Speaker 4: make a difference in the city. So it's fun. But 577 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:51,720 Speaker 4: it was nothing but great would I say about I 578 00:31:51,760 --> 00:31:54,000 Speaker 4: mean not like everything was easy at Nike every time, 579 00:31:54,160 --> 00:31:57,320 Speaker 4: every day in forty three years. But I got to 580 00:31:57,600 --> 00:31:59,120 Speaker 4: I got to do a lot of great a lot 581 00:31:59,120 --> 00:32:03,840 Speaker 4: of great things. So yeah, and here I am, yeah Fire. 582 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:09,959 Speaker 3: When you look at the tremendous growth of women's basketball, 583 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:14,440 Speaker 3: and then add to that, how the Golden State Valkyries 584 00:32:14,520 --> 00:32:20,160 Speaker 3: have done an incredible job of building that. They built 585 00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:22,640 Speaker 3: the fan base before they even had a team, right, 586 00:32:22,760 --> 00:32:27,680 Speaker 3: they built the excitement around what Valkyries basketball would look 587 00:32:27,760 --> 00:32:29,200 Speaker 3: like before they had anything. 588 00:32:29,560 --> 00:32:31,960 Speaker 2: When you think about how. 589 00:32:33,560 --> 00:32:37,920 Speaker 3: People are gravitating towards women's basketball, how do you see 590 00:32:37,920 --> 00:32:41,000 Speaker 3: this momentum maybe influencing what the early years of the 591 00:32:41,040 --> 00:32:43,840 Speaker 3: Fire rebranded can could look like. 592 00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:48,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, first, big shout out to the Valkyries and the 593 00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:59,280 Speaker 4: mascot and by Ellie, step up your game. Yeah Ellie, 594 00:32:59,360 --> 00:32:59,800 Speaker 4: let's go. 595 00:33:02,800 --> 00:33:07,200 Speaker 3: Cat like okay it. 596 00:33:07,800 --> 00:33:12,320 Speaker 4: Yeah yeah, Ellie definitely set the pace here, but guy's 597 00:33:12,400 --> 00:33:14,400 Speaker 4: gonna give and and just the way they did it, 598 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:17,600 Speaker 4: and I think just you know, bringing the fans along, 599 00:33:17,880 --> 00:33:21,640 Speaker 4: you know, building the momentum with the fans, including the fans, 600 00:33:22,440 --> 00:33:26,120 Speaker 4: doing it for the fans, like calling it family, you know, 601 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:28,520 Speaker 4: a part of the family, and they I've talked to 602 00:33:28,600 --> 00:33:30,600 Speaker 4: Jess Smith from the valkyrie Is a number of times 603 00:33:30,640 --> 00:33:34,040 Speaker 4: she's the president down there. She's been like gracious and sharing, 604 00:33:34,120 --> 00:33:37,280 Speaker 4: and you know, I think wanting you know, me to 605 00:33:37,280 --> 00:33:39,760 Speaker 4: be successful in Portland, to be successful, and I think 606 00:33:39,760 --> 00:33:43,080 Speaker 4: you're right. They did a fantastic job with the fans 607 00:33:43,280 --> 00:33:48,040 Speaker 4: and they built an experience in that arena with the 608 00:33:48,080 --> 00:33:52,560 Speaker 4: whole concept around Valhalla and the Valkyries and now the 609 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:58,640 Speaker 4: Raven that's by They just it's brilliant brand work and 610 00:33:58,760 --> 00:34:03,200 Speaker 4: it's just great fan work, and that was their focus. 611 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:05,040 Speaker 4: If you talked to jessh she would tell you that 612 00:34:05,800 --> 00:34:08,720 Speaker 4: they made decisions based on is this going to build 613 00:34:08,760 --> 00:34:11,200 Speaker 4: deeper connections with the fans, you know, is this going 614 00:34:11,239 --> 00:34:13,880 Speaker 4: to bring more fans in? Is this going to energize 615 00:34:13,920 --> 00:34:16,520 Speaker 4: more I might, well, we going to inspire more people, 616 00:34:17,040 --> 00:34:19,960 Speaker 4: more young girls, bring more fans in. And they worked 617 00:34:19,960 --> 00:34:22,839 Speaker 4: hard at that and it's a good it's a good 618 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:25,080 Speaker 4: benchmark for all of us now. But they also showed 619 00:34:25,120 --> 00:34:28,759 Speaker 4: how fast you can move as a new franchise, right 620 00:34:28,840 --> 00:34:30,880 Speaker 4: And I always say, you know, you want to move fast, 621 00:34:30,880 --> 00:34:33,160 Speaker 4: but you want to be patient. Right, there's this like, 622 00:34:33,320 --> 00:34:34,920 Speaker 4: we want to move fast, we have a sense of 623 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:37,920 Speaker 4: urgency to do something great here, but we know we 624 00:34:38,040 --> 00:34:39,799 Speaker 4: have to have a little bit of patience. But they 625 00:34:41,000 --> 00:34:43,440 Speaker 4: did a fantastic job. So yeah, I think we have 626 00:34:43,520 --> 00:34:45,840 Speaker 4: to we have to be connected to the community. I 627 00:34:45,880 --> 00:34:49,280 Speaker 4: think fans and the community have to be are literally 628 00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:51,360 Speaker 4: our number one priority. I think if we do it 629 00:34:51,480 --> 00:34:54,239 Speaker 4: right by the fans, then we will fill the Moda 630 00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:57,560 Speaker 4: Center eighteen thousand strong every game. If you go to 631 00:34:57,600 --> 00:35:00,479 Speaker 4: a Thorns game in Portland, which is the NWS team, 632 00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:04,160 Speaker 4: twenty one thousand fans at that Thorns game on Sunday. 633 00:35:05,040 --> 00:35:09,480 Speaker 4: And what they've done is they the players have connected 634 00:35:09,520 --> 00:35:12,280 Speaker 4: to the fans, not just the team, but the players. 635 00:35:12,320 --> 00:35:15,680 Speaker 4: The players stay around after the game, the fans give 636 00:35:15,719 --> 00:35:19,680 Speaker 4: them their flowers for whoever scored a goal, and everybody 637 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:22,640 Speaker 4: feels like they are a part. They know the fans 638 00:35:22,760 --> 00:35:26,239 Speaker 4: like they talk about them like their their family. They care, 639 00:35:26,360 --> 00:35:30,400 Speaker 4: and so that's a it's on the women's soccer side, 640 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:33,440 Speaker 4: but I think that's a good example in Portland of 641 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:36,759 Speaker 4: how well you can connect with fans. So that's our job. 642 00:35:36,880 --> 00:35:40,520 Speaker 4: That's definitely the job we have to do here. And 643 00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:44,040 Speaker 4: I think we invited the fans to be involved at 644 00:35:44,040 --> 00:35:46,560 Speaker 4: the launch. We said, we want you to be involved, 645 00:35:46,560 --> 00:35:49,759 Speaker 4: we want you to come in. Tell us we're we're 646 00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:53,359 Speaker 4: communicating too much with you, but you know, bring everybody in. 647 00:35:53,440 --> 00:35:57,480 Speaker 4: So yeah, it's a great time to be doing this 648 00:35:57,560 --> 00:35:59,640 Speaker 4: in Portland. And the good news is we have a 649 00:35:59,640 --> 00:36:02,279 Speaker 4: really on fan base, so you just need to build 650 00:36:02,280 --> 00:36:07,839 Speaker 4: on it. Yeah, but again shout out. Yeah. 651 00:36:07,880 --> 00:36:09,960 Speaker 1: The last thing I want to say is when you 652 00:36:10,000 --> 00:36:13,920 Speaker 1: talk about, you know, the community and the fans, to me, 653 00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:17,120 Speaker 1: that's what the WNBA has always been about, right, the 654 00:36:17,160 --> 00:36:21,120 Speaker 1: connection that the players have with the fans. One thing 655 00:36:21,400 --> 00:36:24,760 Speaker 1: I want to ask you is, uh, with the sports 656 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:29,719 Speaker 1: Bra in Portland, what what kind of a relationship have 657 00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:34,640 Speaker 1: you all built with them? 658 00:36:34,760 --> 00:36:38,160 Speaker 4: Now? Jenny's again done a fantastic job. We actually did 659 00:36:38,280 --> 00:36:41,360 Speaker 4: the early morning launch from the sports Bra as you 660 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:45,680 Speaker 4: know with Good Morning America, and now I feel like 661 00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:47,360 Speaker 4: I see Jenny every day somewhere. 662 00:36:47,400 --> 00:36:53,640 Speaker 5: So yeah, I mean, I mean, I mean, yeah, I mean, 663 00:36:53,719 --> 00:36:56,799 Speaker 5: but I mean I think way to go, right, that's 664 00:36:56,880 --> 00:37:00,319 Speaker 5: the sort of innovative spirit that Hey, there's not a 665 00:37:00,320 --> 00:37:02,640 Speaker 5: great place to go to watch women's sports. 666 00:37:03,160 --> 00:37:05,080 Speaker 4: I'm gonna do a literally I think it was a 667 00:37:05,160 --> 00:37:08,960 Speaker 4: Kickstarter campaign and get people to help my money in 668 00:37:09,040 --> 00:37:11,839 Speaker 4: their money and we're going to go for it. And 669 00:37:12,520 --> 00:37:15,400 Speaker 4: she was right there. I mean, and now there is 670 00:37:15,480 --> 00:37:19,400 Speaker 4: a big ground swell within Portland of watch parties, sports 671 00:37:19,880 --> 00:37:23,880 Speaker 4: bars that are like showing women's sports. But Jenny, Jenny, 672 00:37:23,960 --> 00:37:27,400 Speaker 4: somebody has to pave the way sometimes and she she 673 00:37:27,520 --> 00:37:32,640 Speaker 4: did that, she jumped into that space and now she's franchising. 674 00:37:33,840 --> 00:37:36,680 Speaker 4: I'm actually tomorrow there's an LPGA event in Portland that 675 00:37:36,760 --> 00:37:39,319 Speaker 4: she's doing a pop up. Like I said, she's every day. 676 00:37:39,320 --> 00:37:42,960 Speaker 4: I think she's doing something and I think she just 677 00:37:43,000 --> 00:37:45,560 Speaker 4: cares about growing women's sports and she wants to give 678 00:37:45,600 --> 00:37:50,759 Speaker 4: everybody access to seeing it. And so yeah, we're obviously 679 00:37:51,000 --> 00:37:53,200 Speaker 4: I mean, like I said the morning of the launch, 680 00:37:53,360 --> 00:37:56,520 Speaker 4: connected with Jenny, I think, and there's a lot of 681 00:37:56,560 --> 00:37:59,000 Speaker 4: Jenny's in this community, and there's a lot of folks 682 00:37:59,040 --> 00:38:02,399 Speaker 4: that want to be a part of helping, a lot 683 00:38:02,440 --> 00:38:04,680 Speaker 4: of collectives if you like. You know, there's a group 684 00:38:04,719 --> 00:38:08,920 Speaker 4: called Backward Collective that have declared themselves the fan pace 685 00:38:08,960 --> 00:38:13,040 Speaker 4: they do watch parties. I think I think there's plenty 686 00:38:13,080 --> 00:38:15,439 Speaker 4: of people who if they just just have that little 687 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:18,400 Speaker 4: bit of a space, want to come in and do more. So, 688 00:38:18,440 --> 00:38:20,080 Speaker 4: but Jenny's done a fantastic job. 689 00:38:20,840 --> 00:38:23,719 Speaker 3: Yeah, Jenny, I told Jenny all the time every time 690 00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:26,360 Speaker 3: I see her, like you kind of set the standard 691 00:38:26,400 --> 00:38:29,880 Speaker 3: without even knowing it, right, because there are now so 692 00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:35,680 Speaker 3: many different places that have sports bars that are specifically 693 00:38:35,840 --> 00:38:37,320 Speaker 3: to show women's sports. 694 00:38:37,320 --> 00:38:39,080 Speaker 2: There are a nuance popping up all the time. 695 00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:42,160 Speaker 3: And the great thing about it is there are bars 696 00:38:42,239 --> 00:38:45,560 Speaker 3: opening in areas that don't necessarily have a women's sports team, 697 00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:49,000 Speaker 3: So like that just further shows the demand and how 698 00:38:49,040 --> 00:38:52,359 Speaker 3: things are continuing to grow and evolved. But I know 699 00:38:52,840 --> 00:38:55,960 Speaker 3: I am putting it on my calendar, and I've been 700 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:59,799 Speaker 3: saying this to everybody I know that opening day for 701 00:38:59,840 --> 00:39:02,080 Speaker 3: the Fire, I need to be in Portland. 702 00:39:02,160 --> 00:39:04,719 Speaker 2: I have never been to Oregon. 703 00:39:05,200 --> 00:39:10,560 Speaker 4: Okay, you're in, got got you on the short list. 704 00:39:10,600 --> 00:39:15,760 Speaker 4: The invitation list is you have got to. I cannot 705 00:39:15,800 --> 00:39:17,920 Speaker 4: beyl at the game because. 706 00:39:17,760 --> 00:39:22,000 Speaker 2: Okay, I will sell be there. Put me with the goat. 707 00:39:22,040 --> 00:39:22,839 Speaker 2: Put me with the goat. 708 00:39:22,880 --> 00:39:26,680 Speaker 3: That's what I'm saying, because I can't believe every time 709 00:39:26,719 --> 00:39:28,799 Speaker 3: I think about it, I'm like as many times as 710 00:39:28,840 --> 00:39:32,400 Speaker 3: I've been to the Pacific Northwest, I've never been to Oregon. 711 00:39:32,640 --> 00:39:35,200 Speaker 3: So we gotta, we gotta, we gotta fix that. 712 00:39:36,560 --> 00:39:39,000 Speaker 1: You're you're talking to the right person that can make 713 00:39:39,040 --> 00:39:39,480 Speaker 1: it happen. 714 00:39:40,040 --> 00:39:42,759 Speaker 3: I know, I know, like I'm putting it out. Look, 715 00:39:42,840 --> 00:39:45,320 Speaker 3: my mom took me a long time ago. Closed mouths 716 00:39:45,360 --> 00:39:48,760 Speaker 3: don't get fit, So I'm saying it now out loud. 717 00:39:49,120 --> 00:39:50,160 Speaker 3: I'm trying to be there. 718 00:39:52,800 --> 00:39:55,680 Speaker 4: We think we're pretty sure we're gonna be on opening 719 00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:58,560 Speaker 4: day too, So I think the league wants to get 720 00:39:58,960 --> 00:40:01,640 Speaker 4: both of the new franchise. This is out on the 721 00:40:01,640 --> 00:40:04,520 Speaker 4: first day. So love that. We definitely have a well, 722 00:40:04,560 --> 00:40:05,640 Speaker 4: definitely have a space for you. 723 00:40:06,280 --> 00:40:08,080 Speaker 2: Love that. I love that so much. 724 00:40:08,120 --> 00:40:11,040 Speaker 3: Well, Claire, thank you so much for giving us a 725 00:40:11,080 --> 00:40:12,200 Speaker 3: moment of your time today. 726 00:40:12,239 --> 00:40:13,160 Speaker 2: It was a lot of your so on. 727 00:40:14,160 --> 00:40:16,120 Speaker 3: I know our fans are going to be excited to 728 00:40:16,200 --> 00:40:19,000 Speaker 3: learn more about Portland, and we're gonna keep our eyes 729 00:40:19,040 --> 00:40:21,440 Speaker 3: open on you know what the fire does. We know 730 00:40:21,520 --> 00:40:26,200 Speaker 3: that eventually, sometimes this sometime this year, there's gonna be 731 00:40:26,280 --> 00:40:28,640 Speaker 3: expansion draft and all of that good stuff, and that's 732 00:40:28,680 --> 00:40:31,239 Speaker 3: always the fun part for the fans. So thank you 733 00:40:31,280 --> 00:40:34,759 Speaker 3: again for sharing with us. Thank you, Claire, forward to 734 00:40:34,800 --> 00:40:35,839 Speaker 3: having you back for sure. 735 00:40:36,480 --> 00:40:38,800 Speaker 4: You're welcome anytime. Thanks for having me. 736 00:40:52,160 --> 00:40:53,360 Speaker 2: Thank you, thank you, thank you. 737 00:40:53,440 --> 00:40:55,920 Speaker 3: Thank you so much to clear hammil for coming and 738 00:40:55,960 --> 00:40:57,680 Speaker 3: joining us on the show. It was such a great 739 00:40:57,719 --> 00:41:00,600 Speaker 3: conversation to chat with her and and just to get 740 00:41:00,640 --> 00:41:03,080 Speaker 3: a little bit more insight into what we can expect. 741 00:41:03,280 --> 00:41:04,760 Speaker 2: You know, it's funny because. 742 00:41:04,920 --> 00:41:08,880 Speaker 3: I was watching the Golden State Valkyries last night. They 743 00:41:08,880 --> 00:41:11,880 Speaker 3: were playing Phoenix, playing the Mercury and they were at 744 00:41:11,960 --> 00:41:16,640 Speaker 3: home and just the atmosphere their new mascot, Violet, just 745 00:41:16,880 --> 00:41:18,799 Speaker 3: they got this fourth quarter thing that they do now 746 00:41:18,800 --> 00:41:20,400 Speaker 3: where they make you turn all the lights off and 747 00:41:20,400 --> 00:41:22,600 Speaker 3: you like on your phone and they like like the 748 00:41:22,640 --> 00:41:25,120 Speaker 3: building up with your phone. And so what excites me 749 00:41:25,280 --> 00:41:28,360 Speaker 3: is to see how new traditions will be built and 750 00:41:28,440 --> 00:41:31,960 Speaker 3: new traditions will be started. I'm curious and interested in 751 00:41:32,000 --> 00:41:35,440 Speaker 3: seeing what new tradition they're going to bring to Portland 752 00:41:35,680 --> 00:41:38,759 Speaker 3: to kind of make that atmosphere and that arena like 753 00:41:38,880 --> 00:41:41,479 Speaker 3: their own that when you leave there, you'll say, hey, 754 00:41:41,520 --> 00:41:43,840 Speaker 3: you know they do this thing in Portland, where what 755 00:41:44,640 --> 00:41:46,759 Speaker 3: is that thing like that that's exciting to me? 756 00:41:47,640 --> 00:41:49,800 Speaker 2: Well, and they're going to come up with something. 757 00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:53,640 Speaker 1: You know, I was a little falty when Houston didn't 758 00:41:53,640 --> 00:41:56,440 Speaker 1: get a team, but I have to tell you, I 759 00:41:56,480 --> 00:42:00,120 Speaker 1: am so excited about Portland getting a team back, and 760 00:42:00,480 --> 00:42:01,960 Speaker 1: you know, Claire being in the. 761 00:42:01,920 --> 00:42:04,839 Speaker 2: Position she's in is. 762 00:42:04,080 --> 00:42:08,759 Speaker 1: Claire's just phenomenal, right, our history back at Nike and 763 00:42:08,840 --> 00:42:12,920 Speaker 1: all the things she's always done for female athletes, for women, 764 00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:16,200 Speaker 1: and now to be in this position with the Portland Fire, 765 00:42:16,920 --> 00:42:20,440 Speaker 1: I just I know what she's about to build and 766 00:42:20,480 --> 00:42:21,879 Speaker 1: what she's about to do over there. 767 00:42:21,960 --> 00:42:24,040 Speaker 2: So yeah, I'm excited about it too. 768 00:42:24,120 --> 00:42:29,759 Speaker 1: And if the Valkyries haven't shown how expansion teams can 769 00:42:29,840 --> 00:42:32,920 Speaker 1: be built and put together and come in and be 770 00:42:33,040 --> 00:42:34,800 Speaker 1: ready to compete. 771 00:42:34,440 --> 00:42:38,240 Speaker 2: Right away, I don't know who has. 772 00:42:38,560 --> 00:42:44,160 Speaker 1: Like they've absolutely shown that expansion teams can compete immediately. 773 00:42:44,200 --> 00:42:46,279 Speaker 2: So I'm excited to see what Portland does. 774 00:42:46,440 --> 00:42:48,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, for sure, for sure, they definitely have set a 775 00:42:48,880 --> 00:42:51,319 Speaker 3: blueprint that folks can follow if they choose to. 776 00:42:51,800 --> 00:42:55,440 Speaker 2: For sure. But with that, we just thank Claire again 777 00:42:55,480 --> 00:42:56,160 Speaker 2: for joining us. 778 00:42:56,160 --> 00:42:58,160 Speaker 3: We look forward to talking to her once the season 779 00:42:58,160 --> 00:42:59,439 Speaker 3: gets underway next year. 780 00:42:59,760 --> 00:43:02,600 Speaker 2: And on that note, Ery, oh what you got for 781 00:43:02,680 --> 00:43:05,080 Speaker 2: us today? Uh? 782 00:43:05,400 --> 00:43:08,879 Speaker 1: Since I got something that I don't know, it really 783 00:43:08,960 --> 00:43:12,640 Speaker 1: applies to me, and probably someone else out there can 784 00:43:12,680 --> 00:43:13,160 Speaker 1: relate to this. 785 00:43:13,680 --> 00:43:18,200 Speaker 2: You know how so many times when we're pivoting or 786 00:43:18,239 --> 00:43:18,719 Speaker 2: trying to. 787 00:43:18,680 --> 00:43:22,400 Speaker 1: Figure out our plan or what's next, and I've just 788 00:43:22,560 --> 00:43:25,600 Speaker 1: I've been here, like over the last probably month or so, 789 00:43:25,719 --> 00:43:29,479 Speaker 1: I'm like, okay, God, like you keep saying wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, 790 00:43:29,520 --> 00:43:31,920 Speaker 1: like it's not your time, it's not your time. And 791 00:43:32,000 --> 00:43:36,160 Speaker 1: so I found this and it says when the Lord 792 00:43:36,239 --> 00:43:42,000 Speaker 1: says to wait, wait, this is what it means. Wait, 793 00:43:42,280 --> 00:43:47,080 Speaker 1: the W is walk in his timing, the A is 794 00:43:47,640 --> 00:43:52,480 Speaker 1: aligned with his will, the I invest in his word 795 00:43:53,239 --> 00:43:59,120 Speaker 1: and t trust in his plan. M So don't I 796 00:43:59,120 --> 00:44:01,400 Speaker 1: don't know if there's anybody out there who's kind of 797 00:44:01,560 --> 00:44:06,120 Speaker 1: in that position right now where you're like, I've been waiting, Well, 798 00:44:06,440 --> 00:44:10,479 Speaker 1: you got to keep waiting and remember what that stands for. 799 00:44:11,320 --> 00:44:14,960 Speaker 2: I love that. I had to tell myself that. I 800 00:44:15,000 --> 00:44:15,479 Speaker 2: love that. 801 00:44:15,840 --> 00:44:16,200 Speaker 4: Yeah. 802 00:44:16,320 --> 00:44:19,120 Speaker 3: We can be impatience sometimes and want things when we 803 00:44:19,160 --> 00:44:19,640 Speaker 3: want them. 804 00:44:20,040 --> 00:44:22,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, I want them to happen when we want them to. 805 00:44:21,960 --> 00:44:28,759 Speaker 1: Happen immediately, immediately, Yes, but we do we do have 806 00:44:28,920 --> 00:44:31,080 Speaker 1: to remain steadfast and we have to wait. 807 00:44:31,120 --> 00:44:34,000 Speaker 3: And I like that acronym, So thank you for sharing 808 00:44:34,040 --> 00:44:35,200 Speaker 3: that word with us. 809 00:44:35,840 --> 00:44:36,160 Speaker 2: Cheryl. 810 00:44:36,360 --> 00:44:39,240 Speaker 3: I love that we end this show, every every show 811 00:44:39,400 --> 00:44:41,839 Speaker 3: with such a positive thought or a positive note or 812 00:44:41,880 --> 00:44:44,360 Speaker 3: just a word, because you really never know who you 813 00:44:44,440 --> 00:44:48,480 Speaker 3: could be teaching, who you could be reaching, who you 814 00:44:48,520 --> 00:44:51,600 Speaker 3: could be reaching for sure. So with that, folks, thank 815 00:44:51,640 --> 00:44:53,600 Speaker 3: you guys so much for listening to Levels to This. 816 00:44:53,760 --> 00:44:56,239 Speaker 3: We will be back with more next level conversations just 817 00:44:56,280 --> 00:44:58,800 Speaker 3: about the ship that we go through as women. 818 00:44:59,200 --> 00:45:02,000 Speaker 2: And remember this isn't just our show, it's our show, 819 00:45:02,120 --> 00:45:04,520 Speaker 2: so we want to hear from you. Leave us a 820 00:45:04,600 --> 00:45:07,400 Speaker 2: reviewing Apple podcasts. I'll be reading some of the reviews 821 00:45:07,440 --> 00:45:08,480 Speaker 2: y'all be cracking me up. 822 00:45:08,920 --> 00:45:11,320 Speaker 3: And on the Little Apple If you go to the 823 00:45:11,320 --> 00:45:14,319 Speaker 3: Little Apple thing and you click review and read some 824 00:45:14,360 --> 00:45:17,200 Speaker 3: of the reviews, some of the reviews be cracking me up. 825 00:45:18,280 --> 00:45:20,560 Speaker 3: But you can also email us at Levels to This 826 00:45:20,680 --> 00:45:22,799 Speaker 3: Podcast at gmail dot com and tell us what you 827 00:45:22,840 --> 00:45:24,759 Speaker 3: think of the show or what you might want to 828 00:45:24,800 --> 00:45:27,480 Speaker 3: talk about next, and please continue to follow us on 829 00:45:27,520 --> 00:45:31,520 Speaker 3: Instagram at lttpod So until then, keep your mentals ground 830 00:45:31,640 --> 00:45:33,800 Speaker 3: level and we'll be back next week. 831 00:45:34,800 --> 00:45:39,200 Speaker 1: Please listen to Levels to This on America's number one 832 00:45:39,239 --> 00:45:43,000 Speaker 1: podcast network iHeart, open your free iHeart app and search 833 00:45:43,200 --> 00:45:46,040 Speaker 1: levels to this with Cheryl Swoops and Tarika Foster Brasby, 834 00:45:46,200 --> 00:45:47,040 Speaker 1: and start listening.