1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,079 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're still 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:06,600 Speaker 1: picking confetti out of our undies from Sunday's national title game. 3 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:09,400 Speaker 1: It's Wednesday, April ninth, and on today's show will be 4 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:12,720 Speaker 1: taking a break from college hoops madness Olivia Miles to 5 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:16,600 Speaker 1: TCU to Naya Lats into South Carolina. Oh, we got 6 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: a lot to get to tomorrow, but today we're going 7 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:22,279 Speaker 1: to pivot back to the NWSL and get right into 8 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 1: my conversation with the Washington Spirits vice President of Fan 9 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:27,880 Speaker 1: Growth in Community Rashauna Hamilton. We caught up with their 10 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:30,160 Speaker 1: a couple weeks ago to discuss a brand new season. 11 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: What made her pivot from coaching aspirations to community engagement work, 12 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 1: Why it's so crucial for teams and franchises to listen 13 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:41,240 Speaker 1: to their fans and being intentional about uplifting cultures across 14 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: the DMV area with the Spirits events and theme nights. 15 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 2: That interview's coming up right after this. 16 00:00:56,640 --> 00:00:58,960 Speaker 1: Joining us now, she's the vice president of Fan Growth 17 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: and Community for the washer Rington's Spirit of the National 18 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 1: Women's Soccer League, with previous stops at the Miami Dolphins 19 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:06,760 Speaker 1: and Atlanta Hawks. She's a George Mason University alum and 20 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 1: got her master's at VCU. 21 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 2: She could be a food photographer. 22 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: Based on the snapshots of a recent trip to Austin, 23 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 1: she was eating good and snapping good picks. 24 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:18,839 Speaker 2: It's Rashaanna Hamilton. Hirashaana, Hi, how are you good? 25 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 1: Except I was also recently in Austin and I didn't 26 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:22,840 Speaker 1: have nearly as much time as you did to go 27 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 1: to some good restaurants. 28 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 2: Based on those photos, well, I. 29 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 3: Do love to eat. I feel like the only way 30 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:30,119 Speaker 3: to know a city is to eat your way through it, 31 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 3: and I definitely put on a few calories that should 32 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:36,319 Speaker 3: require a couple of jogs once I got home. 33 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,319 Speaker 1: That is my strategy too, But it's also walk, so 34 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: I have to walk everywhere so I could see everything 35 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 1: and then break up the walk in with the eaton. 36 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:47,360 Speaker 1: So I'm jealous of your trip. It looked awesome. I 37 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 1: want to go back to the beginning and talk about 38 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:52,200 Speaker 1: your relationship with sports, whether playing or watching growing up, 39 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 1: and how you ended up on this path to working 40 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 1: in them. 41 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 2: Yeah. 42 00:01:55,560 --> 00:02:00,040 Speaker 3: Absolutely. My dad was a college basketball coach, and so 43 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 3: I played sports growing up. I watched him. He was 44 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 3: at Yukon and won a national championship at Yukon, actually 45 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 3: won two national championships at Yukon, and so I just 46 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 3: sat on the sidelines watching such great sports happen. That's 47 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 3: why I started playing. I was like, if the boys 48 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 3: can do it, I can do it too. And from 49 00:02:19,919 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 3: there it just I fell in love with it and 50 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 3: I figured it's time to explore it from a business side. 51 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 3: And it's very different, but I knew that I wanted 52 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:29,960 Speaker 3: to find a way to contribute when my playing days 53 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:30,360 Speaker 3: were over. 54 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, you actually spent some time when you were at 55 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 1: VCU as a women's basketball grad assistant. 56 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:38,239 Speaker 2: Was that the path originally was to get into the 57 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 2: coaching side. 58 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 3: Of course, I was like, Okay, my career is over. 59 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 3: I don't want to go play overseas. I said, I'll 60 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 3: just teach other women how to do this game at 61 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 3: a high level. And what I realized is, hats off 62 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 3: to every college basketball coach on the world, because it 63 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 3: is a tough, tough gig and I feel like nowadays 64 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 3: it's gotten even tougher with the poor and nil It's 65 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 3: just you're really seeing the landscape change in college sports. 66 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:06,359 Speaker 3: And so I thought I was going to be a 67 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 3: college basketball coach, and I took a very hard left 68 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 3: once I got into it. 69 00:03:10,880 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 2: What did you like about it coaching? 70 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 3: Well, I think what's cool about coaching is that you 71 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 3: really get to connect with players. I think that part 72 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 3: is cool, and honestly, they keep you young. I like 73 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 3: to consider myself like fresh and hip. And I was like, 74 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:26,799 Speaker 3: all right, I know all the slang, like I know 75 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 3: what outfits to wear. Right, So I was like, all right, 76 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 3: this will keep me young and keep me cool. Like 77 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 3: to this day, my dad is still probably the coolest man. 78 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 3: I know. I'm like, he's the coolest grandpa in the 79 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 3: world because he's in college, so you know, he always 80 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 3: is telling me what's going on, and I'm like, man, 81 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 3: I need this to rub off on me. 82 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 2: Yeah. 83 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 1: It's like a job that will both aid you quickly 84 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 1: and keep you young somehow at the same time. 85 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 2: Yeah. 86 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, And we thought wine was the only thing that 87 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 3: could do that. No college coaching. 88 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 2: That's right, that's right. Let's talk about the Washington spirit. 89 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: You're a DMV Natives, So what did it mean to 90 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 1: come back to work for a hometown team. 91 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 3: The spirit is crazy, crazy, crazy big. Right now we 92 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 3: are growing and to come back home and be able 93 00:04:11,320 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 3: to be part of a club with an owner that 94 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 3: is really growing the game for women is absolutely phenomenal. 95 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 3: I will tell you when I got the call and 96 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 3: I was in Miami, and I said to myself, is 97 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 3: this the time to really take a big jump and 98 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 3: take a leap a little bit of faith because the 99 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 3: NWSL is an emerging league And I looked around at 100 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 3: the ownership, I looked around at what the NWSL was doing, 101 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 3: and it was a no brainer. It also helps that 102 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:45,159 Speaker 3: my mom is still here and I've got two little ones, 103 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:48,800 Speaker 3: so whenever you can live close to a grandma, that's 104 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:52,039 Speaker 3: an easy yes. So I think it was a combination 105 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 3: of right place, right time, but also being a part 106 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 3: of this magnificent growth. 107 00:04:58,480 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 2: Yeah. 108 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: I want to get into some the differences from your 109 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: previous positions, but first, like just set the stage a 110 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 1: little by telling us what your main responsibilities are. Some 111 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,679 Speaker 1: people might not really know what someone with your job does. 112 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 3: That is totally fair. I get that question all the time. 113 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,279 Speaker 3: What I say is I really kind of work in 114 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 3: three spaces and so fan growth. For us, the first 115 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:23,280 Speaker 3: piece is our operations and running any match at Audifield. 116 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:26,200 Speaker 3: So for us, we have one of the best fan 117 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:29,760 Speaker 3: experiences in the city. Our fans truly love coming to 118 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 3: see us, and my team helps to put on that 119 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 3: experience and helps to really make sure fans are falling 120 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:37,480 Speaker 3: in love with us one game at a time. And 121 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,720 Speaker 3: the second space really is our community impact space, and 122 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 3: that's what we do philanthropically to show DC how we 123 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 3: support them. And then the third space that's super important 124 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 3: and this little sliver I think unique right now to 125 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 3: women's sports, is that fan engagement in growth, and that's 126 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 3: where we bring the brand externally to the market and 127 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,919 Speaker 3: we meet people where they are to introduce them to us, 128 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 3: but also to get them to get a little taste 129 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:08,039 Speaker 3: of who we are. That is what I like to 130 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:11,479 Speaker 3: call our personality, and so I get a chance to 131 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:13,839 Speaker 3: bring the personality out and about to streets. 132 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:16,040 Speaker 1: I was a minority owner of the Red Stars for 133 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 1: a couple of years and one of the things that 134 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: we talked about is how do we make the game 135 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 1: day experience a little bit more exciting or informative for fans. 136 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: How do you use the JumboTron or screens around the 137 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 1: field to be informing them about something that's happening or 138 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,920 Speaker 1: a player that's playing because it's really difficult compared to 139 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 1: something like basketball, where you have built in breaks, timeouts, quarters, 140 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 1: et cetera. A lot more opportunities in basketball to have 141 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: someone go out and juggle plates or you know, throw 142 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 1: it fris me to a dog or do whatever else 143 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 1: you do to add some entertainment, and some of it 144 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 1: has to feel organic to to the team, even if 145 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 1: it's a new team or only as a couple of 146 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: years under its spelled. You also don't want to feel 147 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,520 Speaker 1: like you're forcing these activations or moments during the game 148 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 1: onto face and they need to sort of create them themselves. 149 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: How do you respond to those restrictions? How do you 150 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 1: make sure that the game day isn't just about pre 151 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 1: and post but also during the game. What's a value 152 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 1: add for fans, especially maybe some who don't know soccer 153 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 1: as well need something to jar them back awake or interested, 154 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: you know the newbies that are like, I'm not sure 155 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 1: what's even happening out there. 156 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 3: Well, I think one thing that we've done that has 157 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 3: been super interesting is in your traditional American sports that 158 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 3: we're used to seeing on TV on prime time, they 159 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 3: have all this entertainment that's kind of roaming through the stadium. 160 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 3: We do that as well. So we've created our Spirit Crew, 161 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 3: which is our hype crew, and so they're roaming the concourse, 162 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 3: they're going up into the stands and engaging fans. We're 163 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 3: really taking every opportunity that a person is at the 164 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 3: building to connect with them. So we do your typical 165 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 3: things pre and post because that's important. It's really important time. 166 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 3: But when we have milestone moments within a match, we 167 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 3: make sure to put that on the video board. We're 168 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 3: sending our entertainment crews out so they can be capturing 169 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 3: moments with fans so we can share those as well, 170 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 3: and we try to make a really strong atmosphere. We 171 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 3: try to get the fans prepared to chant and cheer. 172 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 3: We have our supporters teaching all of the chants and 173 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:21,559 Speaker 3: cheers pregame so that by the time the ball goes 174 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 3: in and we start kicking off, everybody's ready. Everybody's knowledgeable 175 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 3: and excited to join us on this journey. 176 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:32,480 Speaker 1: Nice you're a year into the job. You started and 177 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:35,199 Speaker 1: join the team in March of last season. How was 178 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 1: the learning curve after years in the NFL and the NBA. 179 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:39,439 Speaker 2: I will be. 180 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 3: Honest, it was a little rough. I was like, what 181 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 3: when do we take a break? Like it just keeps going. 182 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 3: I think that was probably the biggest thing to get 183 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 3: used to, which also made me realize I could never 184 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 3: have been a high level athlete in soccer, right. I 185 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 3: played when I was younger, But I was like, oh no, 186 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:00,720 Speaker 3: they just they keep running. That's like their condition for this. 187 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:01,320 Speaker 2: That's the sport. 188 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:07,360 Speaker 3: Yeah yeah, So I think for me adjusting to that 189 00:09:07,559 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 3: was great. But what was the same, I think is 190 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 3: the passion. So I think when you are sitting in 191 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 3: a match, watching soccer match amongst nineteen thousand people, it 192 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 3: is a truly electric atmosphere. And I thought because we 193 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 3: didn't have these manufactured moments, that that atmosphere would take 194 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 3: a dip. So I kept assuming to myself. I was like, oh, 195 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 3: you know, we don't have a time out, we don't 196 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:35,840 Speaker 3: have this, we don't have that. Like people are going 197 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 3: to fall asleep, people are going to be uninterested. And 198 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 3: I found that to be untrue in the best of ways. 199 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 3: I think because soccer is such a nail biting sport, 200 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 3: right you just you're waiting and waiting for that magic moment. 201 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 3: I think it keeps fans so interested because they feel 202 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 3: like they cannot leave their seat, because if you leave 203 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 3: your seat and there's that one goal, it's like you 204 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 3: waited all this time to miss the moment. And so 205 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 3: I think that is shocking, but also with shocking to 206 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 3: me coming from these more traditional sports that have so 207 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 3: much stoppage time, But it's also kind of nice. I'm 208 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 3: not sitting in the stands for four or five hours, right, like, 209 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 3: it feels very achievable for our fans. 210 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 2: What do you think's the biggest difference when you're looking 211 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:24,199 Speaker 2: to serve fans of women's sports in the women's sports 212 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 2: space versus serving fans in men's sports. 213 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 3: We have done a lot of learning about our fans, 214 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:35,600 Speaker 3: and the biggest difference I see is that our fans 215 00:10:35,679 --> 00:10:39,320 Speaker 3: are truly immune to the wins and losses. So I 216 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:43,439 Speaker 3: think in these bigger sports, you see a team has 217 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:46,960 Speaker 3: a bad year, their stadium starts to empty out right, 218 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 3: There's very few of these legacy teams that are fighting, 219 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,320 Speaker 3: fighting and fighting for fans. And what we have found 220 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,160 Speaker 3: in our segmentation studies is that our fans are really 221 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:00,240 Speaker 3: with us because of what we represent, because of who 222 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 3: we are, because of what we believe in because of 223 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:07,439 Speaker 3: the message that we provide. We are talking about strong 224 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:11,320 Speaker 3: role models with our athletes, we are talking about all 225 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:15,319 Speaker 3: of the community and philanthropic giving that we're doing, and 226 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:18,800 Speaker 3: that message resonates with fans. And what we find as 227 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 3: well is that the soccer community is very tribal, and 228 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 3: so people want to come and they want to be 229 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 3: with their fellow people. That's really what we found, and 230 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 3: so they are there for the experience. But it is 231 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:37,200 Speaker 3: a social gathering as much as it is an entertainment opportunity. 232 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,719 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, I think, of course it helps a 233 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 1: little with newer, younger leagues because the suffering has only 234 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: gone on for so long for the teams that do 235 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:51,680 Speaker 1: struggle in you know, established men's sports. I'm literally wearing 236 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:54,080 Speaker 1: a cubsat right now. You can go one hundred and 237 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: eight years without winning it all, and then it does 238 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: start to feel like, listen, I love you, I'm going 239 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: to keep coming, but figure it out. 240 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 3: Yeah. Yeah. 241 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 1: What's interesting is it's a positive, of course that fans 242 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:07,200 Speaker 1: are so aligned with their teams and they stand for 243 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 1: so much more than just soccer. At the same time, 244 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 1: that's a lot of pressure on teams and leagues in 245 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:16,079 Speaker 1: the women's space, to not screw up, to not offend, 246 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: to not drop the ball. When it comes to important 247 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:24,680 Speaker 1: social engagement, community engagement, intersectional issues. How intentional do you 248 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 1: have to be because you know that you will hear 249 00:12:26,920 --> 00:12:29,960 Speaker 1: it from your fans if you step in it. 250 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:32,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think soccer fans are very vocal, but listen, 251 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 3: they are representing a generation where that is the norm. 252 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 3: I think the reality is is as we look at 253 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 3: Generation Z becoming a bigger population of not just the 254 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:50,960 Speaker 3: workforce but consumers, they are an informed generation. They purchase intentionally, 255 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 3: and so what it requires is accountability. And I think 256 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,679 Speaker 3: what the brands that are doing it really well, ourselves included, 257 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:01,680 Speaker 3: is that even when we make a misstep, it's about 258 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:06,359 Speaker 3: being accountable within that misstep, right, And so we desperately 259 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,560 Speaker 3: try not to and we will always try to be 260 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:11,959 Speaker 3: on the right side of history because that's what our 261 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 3: brands stand for. But it's not to say that these 262 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 3: that behind these brands aren't human beings that make mistakes. 263 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 3: And I think what's really really nice is that gen 264 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 3: Z sees effort, and gen Z ces progress, and gen 265 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:28,240 Speaker 3: Z is empathetic. And so when brands do make a 266 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:30,680 Speaker 3: misstep as long as they're willing to own that. I 267 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 3: think that these consumers and these fans they get it. 268 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 3: They understand. They're like, we are with you, and we 269 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 3: get that. And I think really the NWSL is doing 270 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 3: a great job of being player centric now and so 271 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 3: it's really hard to misstep when you let your players 272 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 3: have a voice. And the NWSL and especially the Spirit 273 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 3: does a really good job of giving the players their voice. 274 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 3: I think we've seen that in the CBA, in this 275 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 3: new CBA, and I think that is what's promising, is 276 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:05,320 Speaker 3: that we are really testing and piloting something different and 277 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:08,760 Speaker 3: saying we think different is better, and let's give it 278 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 3: a chance and see if that is the case. 279 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I would agree with you. 280 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: I think the player centric league and then also listening 281 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 1: to fans. And we've seen an example of that of 282 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 1: late with the Boston and WSL team. Right, they rolled 283 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 1: out a name and a brand that was poorly received, 284 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:26,840 Speaker 1: and they said, all right, bet let's go back, let's 285 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 1: listen to y'all, let's try to think about how we 286 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:31,120 Speaker 1: did this and come back and try again. How much 287 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 1: engagement does the Spirit have with supporters groups, fans, message boards, 288 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: social media, chats. How much are you trying to keep 289 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 1: up with that, either directly to them or just hovering 290 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 1: behind the scenes and watching to make sure you know 291 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:44,560 Speaker 1: what your fans are saying and thinking about the team 292 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 1: and the choices you're making constantly. 293 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 3: The easy answer in the one word is constant. 294 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 2: You got a lot of fence? Does? 295 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,880 Speaker 3: We got a lot of fence does? There's a lot 296 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 3: of us And the best part about being a lean 297 00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 3: staff too, is that you have a lot of people 298 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:01,240 Speaker 3: here that are p passionate about the brand, and so 299 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 3: when we are kind of circulating and watching what's happening, 300 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:08,239 Speaker 3: we're doing it because we genuinely care about this organization. 301 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:12,520 Speaker 3: But what's important is that our fans they do They 302 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 3: tell us exactly what they think, They tell us exactly 303 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 3: what they want. And we're also super intentional about not 304 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 3: talking about fans as these groupings of people where they're 305 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 3: not human. Right. Sometimes you hear a lot of marketers 306 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 3: start saying our demographic or this group right, like we 307 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 3: when we talk about them, we truly say our fans. 308 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 3: We do a survey after every match and we go 309 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:40,440 Speaker 3: through and we read the verbatims because we want to 310 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:44,120 Speaker 3: know that a dad brought his daughter, his eight year 311 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 3: old daughter to the match for her birthday with her 312 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,640 Speaker 3: eight friends, and he was so overwhelmed and exhausted by 313 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 3: the time that night was over, but it is something 314 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 3: she's going to remember. We get pictures of you know, 315 00:15:56,440 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 3: ladybugs soccer that came to visit us, and there are 316 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:03,840 Speaker 3: so many of those stories, and that's what we hold 317 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:07,960 Speaker 3: on to, is those individual stories, because every fan matters 318 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,280 Speaker 3: to us and we care about every single one of 319 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 3: their journeys and touch points with us. 320 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 1: I remember talking to former Bull's employee at the time 321 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: he was still employed. They're just talking about how important 322 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 1: it is not to look at demographics but instead to 323 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:24,800 Speaker 1: look at behaviors. Because i might be a certain demographic, 324 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: but when I'm taking my niece and nephew to a game, 325 00:16:27,520 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 1: I might be buying more food and candy, you know 326 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:32,760 Speaker 1: that kind of stuff maybe merch for them, and if 327 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 1: I'm going with my friends, I'm buying more beer and 328 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: I'm engaging with the product differently. So needing to look 329 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 1: at how someone's behavior impacts how you want to serve 330 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 1: them instead of how they're demographic, might tell you what 331 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 1: you think that they're going to behave as is super important. 332 00:16:46,560 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 2: I was reading an interview and you talked. 333 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: About being willing to fail in order to see progress right, 334 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:53,640 Speaker 1: and that you have to sort of take some big 335 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:55,880 Speaker 1: swings and see how they work out. Is there an activation, 336 00:16:56,480 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 1: an event, a promotion that you remember taking a big 337 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 1: swing on that didn't work and what did you learn 338 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:01,560 Speaker 1: from that? 339 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:04,800 Speaker 3: Oh, my gosh, I mean so many. You have to 340 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 3: be willing to do it. I think this year we 341 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:12,879 Speaker 3: last year we had a giant American flag that we 342 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:16,520 Speaker 3: had out on the field, and operationally it was tough 343 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:19,439 Speaker 3: for us to do. I think it was you know, 344 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:25,400 Speaker 3: soccer fans, especially Spirit fans, are patriotic and definitely care 345 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 3: about our country, but they're also very informed, and so 346 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:32,680 Speaker 3: I think for them, because that was the only representation 347 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:34,679 Speaker 3: on the field, they were like, well, what about what 348 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 3: about the Spirit? What about? And so to say that 349 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:39,800 Speaker 3: we failed would be accurate because I think they were 350 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:43,000 Speaker 3: expecting so much more of us, And so what we 351 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 3: said is what else can we provide that makes them 352 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:48,840 Speaker 3: feel like they are truly here for a Spirit match? 353 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:52,160 Speaker 3: And we've embraced their sense of identity in that, and 354 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 3: so this year we've we've failed last year at just 355 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 3: the Flag, we figured out how to kind of make 356 00:17:58,760 --> 00:18:00,880 Speaker 3: it better operationally, and then and this year we did 357 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:03,360 Speaker 3: a center circle with the Spirit branding, and that's been 358 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:07,920 Speaker 3: why we accepted and loved. We've got people asking us 359 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 3: to be part of that group to do it right, 360 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:11,520 Speaker 3: and we just realized that, hey, there was just a 361 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:15,159 Speaker 3: part of our fans identity that just resonated more and 362 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 3: for us, we were. 363 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 2: Like, we love it. 364 00:18:17,119 --> 00:18:21,360 Speaker 3: We absolutely love having the opportunity to bring you more 365 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:25,240 Speaker 3: Spirit branding. We would love to do that with more merch, 366 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:28,920 Speaker 3: all all of that. So that was probably the one 367 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:30,959 Speaker 3: for us that we thought, Okay, this is a flop. 368 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:33,800 Speaker 3: How do we kind of take this flop and turn 369 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:34,800 Speaker 3: it into something better. 370 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 1: Well, on editorial aside just from me that is not 371 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 1: attached to you in any way, I could see why 372 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:42,040 Speaker 1: people maybe don't want the focus to be on American 373 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:46,240 Speaker 1: patriotism right now. So yeah, we're going to take a 374 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:48,639 Speaker 1: quick break. When we come back, I'm talking food and 375 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 1: fan engagement with Rashaanna Hamilton. 376 00:18:50,840 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 2: Keep it here. We do look at data for Washington's 377 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:02,200 Speaker 2: Spirit fans. 378 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:05,400 Speaker 1: Are there any surprises when it comes to different demographics 379 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 1: or fan groups? Like, were there numbers that shifted your 380 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:09,919 Speaker 1: approach to outreach weather because you wanted to serve a 381 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:11,959 Speaker 1: fan base that you didn't realize was as big as 382 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 1: it was, or maybe because you wanted to potentially catch 383 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:15,480 Speaker 1: the eye of a fan base that you think you 384 00:19:15,480 --> 00:19:15,920 Speaker 1: could grow. 385 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:19,600 Speaker 3: Well. I think what is important right in marketing is 386 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,639 Speaker 3: that when you get to know who your core fan is, 387 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:25,199 Speaker 3: that as much as you want to kind of stray 388 00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:29,440 Speaker 3: and try to go out and source these new fans, 389 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 3: you do have to think about what is my potential there? 390 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:35,680 Speaker 3: And can I fish in a pond that I already 391 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:40,680 Speaker 3: know is biting? And so we have decided, because of 392 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:45,200 Speaker 3: really what's available to us and our market, We've decided 393 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,479 Speaker 3: to fish where we know the fish are biting. And 394 00:19:47,560 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 3: so what that means for us is we are just 395 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 3: trying to learn more about the fans that have been 396 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:56,399 Speaker 3: loyal to us. So we know about where they're consuming 397 00:19:56,440 --> 00:20:00,360 Speaker 3: women's sports, but where they're consuming other information, we try 398 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 3: to show up in those places. I mean, I will 399 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:07,600 Speaker 3: tell you DC is a brunch city, and so last 400 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:10,200 Speaker 3: year we had a game where we did a brunch promotion. 401 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 3: We're trying to expand that and now We're like, who 402 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 3: can we partner with to do brunch out? 403 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:17,080 Speaker 1: Oh we've seen that with the Mystics with their mimosa 404 00:20:17,119 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 1: and tickets. 405 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:21,679 Speaker 2: Yeah, it worked out really well. Yeah, you DC folks. 406 00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:26,320 Speaker 3: The DC girl is love, love, love a good brunch. 407 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 2: I'm here, girl. Why try to fight it day drinking? 408 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:31,680 Speaker 2: You know you're not hung over the next day, you 409 00:20:31,840 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 2: just hung over that night. 410 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:38,160 Speaker 3: So we we have kind of leaned into learning more 411 00:20:38,320 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 3: about our fans. But the same thing we find in 412 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:44,959 Speaker 3: our youth soccer world that we get a lot of 413 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 3: youth soccer, we get a lot of girls that want 414 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:50,879 Speaker 3: to become our athletes, but just girls that are seeing 415 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 3: these role models, and so we lean heavy into that. 416 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:58,399 Speaker 3: I will say we we did see a very small 417 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 3: segment that we think about as like a sports generalist, 418 00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 3: so they're just into sports in general. And I was 419 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,919 Speaker 3: I was surprised, I think at that one, but not 420 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:12,560 Speaker 3: surprised that they support us because we're winning. I didn't 421 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:16,480 Speaker 3: want to brag, but we are winning. We did with 422 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 3: the Challenge Cup this year. 423 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:21,920 Speaker 1: We've noticed Yeah, so pretty good over there for y'all 424 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 1: the last couple of years. 425 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:24,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, So I think that helps. 426 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:26,920 Speaker 2: Right, Like we're Yeah, for sure, we're growing well. 427 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 1: And also I think with the changing dynamic of women's 428 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:33,720 Speaker 1: sports in general, hopefully going to women's events will be 429 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:37,920 Speaker 1: a part of scanning your city for opportunities at entertainment 430 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 1: of all kinds. It used to be very intentional that 431 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:43,639 Speaker 1: it was about being a women's sports fan, so like 432 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:45,240 Speaker 1: in the same way that someone might go to a 433 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:47,640 Speaker 1: baseball game, and if they don't love baseball, just because 434 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:49,880 Speaker 1: it's part of the culture of living somewhere. Now they'll 435 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 1: start going to NWSL games, WNBA games, college women's basketball, like, 436 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:55,800 Speaker 1: hopefully that'll be part of the scan. 437 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 2: Of what are the things you know available to me? 438 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, I have to tell you because I think this 439 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:03,760 Speaker 3: is a great, great story on that is that I 440 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:06,640 Speaker 3: had invited I have friends obviously all over the city. 441 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 3: I had invited a couple of my guy friends out. 442 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:11,119 Speaker 3: There was like four of them. They are a little 443 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:13,760 Speaker 3: younger than me, and so they're still in that age 444 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:15,400 Speaker 3: where they have a good time when they go out 445 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:17,159 Speaker 3: and party, and so I said, just come to a 446 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:20,760 Speaker 3: Spirit game, just come to the home opener. You might 447 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:22,919 Speaker 3: have a good time. I just want you to experience it. 448 00:22:23,040 --> 00:22:25,800 Speaker 3: They were open to it. They came and after I 449 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:29,359 Speaker 3: get four text messages that was so much fun. Please 450 00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:31,119 Speaker 3: let me know when I can come back. But I 451 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 3: think that is the power of women's sports now is 452 00:22:34,359 --> 00:22:37,359 Speaker 3: that it's not a charity. It is entertainment and it 453 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:40,520 Speaker 3: is exciting, it's fun to watch. There's a great environment. 454 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:43,639 Speaker 3: And I tell you, I was like, okay, I have 455 00:22:43,760 --> 00:22:46,840 Speaker 3: converted four Spirit fans that if you would have asked. 456 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:48,520 Speaker 1: Me, it's cool to be a part of yeah, the 457 00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:50,280 Speaker 1: way that it didn't used to be, right. It's part 458 00:22:50,280 --> 00:22:52,160 Speaker 1: of the water cooler talk, and it's part of being 459 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 1: able to keep up with what everyone wants to know 460 00:22:53,880 --> 00:22:56,880 Speaker 1: about and understand and like go to which is cool. 461 00:22:57,480 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: Last year, the Spirit celebrated the Black community in DC 462 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:03,560 Speaker 1: with a Juneteenth celebration that included honoring Lincoln Phillips, legendary 463 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:07,679 Speaker 1: soccer coach at Howard University, engaging with local small business. 464 00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:09,800 Speaker 1: Take us behind the scenes of creating an event like 465 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 1: that and how you can make sure it feels authentic 466 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 1: and not just a one off. 467 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:17,119 Speaker 3: We are very intentional about talking to each community that 468 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 3: we identify and want to celebrate, and so specifically for Juneteenth, 469 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:25,640 Speaker 3: we worked with curators at the Smithsonian African American Museum. 470 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:29,160 Speaker 3: We worked with local community members, members that are running 471 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:34,240 Speaker 3: nonprofits that help tell stories within DC of the black community. 472 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:37,440 Speaker 3: And also, for so long d C had really been 473 00:23:37,480 --> 00:23:39,720 Speaker 3: known as Chocolate City. It had been known as a 474 00:23:39,760 --> 00:23:43,080 Speaker 3: safe haven in a place where black people can thrive 475 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:48,399 Speaker 3: with culture, economically, with homes, and so Juneteenth gave us 476 00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 3: an opportunity to embrace that. And the great thing about 477 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:56,040 Speaker 3: being a DC native is that I already know the inroads, 478 00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:57,919 Speaker 3: I already know where to go. I've been in this 479 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,480 Speaker 3: city for years, and so getting an opportunity to work 480 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 3: with those groups that helps it feel authentic. We're not 481 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:08,560 Speaker 3: just pretending we are living these values. We are living 482 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 3: these moments, and we are really taking the time to 483 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:14,160 Speaker 3: make sure if we are going to celebrate this group 484 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 3: of people and show the world how beautiful their culture is, 485 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:19,879 Speaker 3: that we do that in a way that they would 486 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:22,880 Speaker 3: feel proud of us for helping to do. And so 487 00:24:22,960 --> 00:24:26,080 Speaker 3: I think it's just about if you are not the expert, 488 00:24:26,119 --> 00:24:28,199 Speaker 3: and if you are not the person, then you go 489 00:24:28,320 --> 00:24:32,080 Speaker 3: find that expert and be perfectly okay being a good listener. 490 00:24:33,359 --> 00:24:36,880 Speaker 1: In addition to Juneteenth event, this year, you'll have that again. 491 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 1: You'll also have special theme games for things like Pride 492 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 1: and Hispanic Heritage among others. So there anything you can 493 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 1: tell us about what might be planned for this year 494 00:24:43,800 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 1: in terms of the theme nights you're having. 495 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:49,200 Speaker 3: Listen, theme nights are a big deal over here. Okay, 496 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:52,960 Speaker 3: We've got thirteen opportunities to bring fans out. And when 497 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:55,399 Speaker 3: we say we know how to party for a theme, 498 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:59,280 Speaker 3: we've been it. This year, we have our pitch side 499 00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:03,920 Speaker 3: pups have Pride, as you mentioned, we have Hispanic Heritage month. 500 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 3: We're working with our local Hispanic radio contacts to make 501 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:13,040 Speaker 3: sure that again we're celebrating authentically. We're working with small businesses, 502 00:25:13,359 --> 00:25:16,920 Speaker 3: so we had Hispanic owned food trucks that partnered with 503 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:22,439 Speaker 3: us last year. Anybody who experiences culture knows the number 504 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:24,320 Speaker 3: one way to do it is through food, and so 505 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:28,119 Speaker 3: you will always see us getting fans an opportunity to 506 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:31,320 Speaker 3: have food be part of that culture. And so you'll 507 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:35,080 Speaker 3: see that pregame in our new tailgating space. We have 508 00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:37,680 Speaker 3: just very much up to the ante when it comes 509 00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:40,439 Speaker 3: to theme nights. And I'm like, at this pace, I 510 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:41,920 Speaker 3: don't know what we're going to do next year to 511 00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:42,720 Speaker 3: blow this year. 512 00:25:42,600 --> 00:25:43,200 Speaker 2: Out of the water. 513 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:46,800 Speaker 1: What's the date on that Pitch side Pups. I will 514 00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:48,199 Speaker 1: attend anything with dogs. 515 00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 3: Pitchside Puffs is coming very very very soon. So that 516 00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:58,200 Speaker 3: is our May second game. May second, We've got you down. 517 00:25:58,359 --> 00:26:01,320 Speaker 3: So we've got you and your down for May second 518 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:05,359 Speaker 3: we go. It's also our celebration of AAPI heritage months. 519 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,440 Speaker 3: So you'll get a combination of really strong food, really 520 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:10,240 Speaker 3: good culture, and some cute pups. 521 00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:12,600 Speaker 2: Perfect. We'll hit the road right now, I'll throw them 522 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:13,080 Speaker 2: in the car. 523 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:17,280 Speaker 1: Women's soccer in the US used to be a predominantly 524 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:18,639 Speaker 1: white sport, but that's changing. 525 00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:21,160 Speaker 2: There are some of the biggest names now women of. 526 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:24,159 Speaker 1: Color, whether that's Triple Espresso like Trinity Rodman, Mausewans, and 527 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:28,280 Speaker 1: Sophia Wilson formerly Sophia Smith, or international stars like Tamushawinga 528 00:26:28,320 --> 00:26:31,960 Speaker 1: and Barbara Banda. How does your approach to community connection 529 00:26:32,359 --> 00:26:35,840 Speaker 1: change because the makeup of the sport is changing. 530 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:40,000 Speaker 3: Now because it is a global game. I think here 531 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:43,440 Speaker 3: we are looking to bring that access to the communities 532 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 3: that historically have not had it, and so we do 533 00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:51,200 Speaker 3: that by partnering with community organizations. For US, that's organizations 534 00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:54,360 Speaker 3: like Boys and Girls Club and DC Scores, they are 535 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:58,159 Speaker 3: already doing programming. They already are engaging with kids in 536 00:26:58,280 --> 00:27:01,840 Speaker 3: programming to help produce better outcomes for those kids. And 537 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:03,800 Speaker 3: so what we do is we work with them to 538 00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:08,080 Speaker 3: help bring soccer as an avenue for them to experience sport. 539 00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:10,359 Speaker 3: And I think what we're finding is as we're going 540 00:27:10,359 --> 00:27:16,000 Speaker 3: into black and brown communities here, it is becoming more accessible, 541 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:20,520 Speaker 3: more acceptable, it's becoming an option. I think they're also 542 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:23,199 Speaker 3: seeing role models that look like them. Right, if you 543 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 3: can see it, you can be it. And so for 544 00:27:25,680 --> 00:27:29,199 Speaker 3: us it really has changed. I mean, our stadium is 545 00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:33,680 Speaker 3: in the Anacostia Navy Yard area, which is a historically 546 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:37,120 Speaker 3: black community in DC, and so instead of going out 547 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:40,440 Speaker 3: to more suburban communities, we've said, hey, if we want 548 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:42,560 Speaker 3: to grow the game in black and brown communities, we 549 00:27:42,560 --> 00:27:45,080 Speaker 3: can actually do that right where Autyfield sits. How do 550 00:27:45,119 --> 00:27:47,760 Speaker 3: we work with DC Parks and rec How do we 551 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:50,639 Speaker 3: work with some of these nonprofits that are in that community, 552 00:27:50,720 --> 00:27:53,760 Speaker 3: because we know that by doing that it helps further 553 00:27:53,840 --> 00:27:57,920 Speaker 3: our game, but it also helps clear that participation gap. 554 00:27:58,200 --> 00:28:00,439 Speaker 3: And I have to tell you that's important because in 555 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:03,879 Speaker 3: a city with such a high minority population. We also 556 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:07,800 Speaker 3: have the largest gap between girls and boys playing sports 557 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 3: in the entire country. We are the smallest space, but 558 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:14,679 Speaker 3: we have a twenty percent difference in the amount of 559 00:28:14,680 --> 00:28:16,960 Speaker 3: girls in the amount of boys that are playing sports 560 00:28:17,000 --> 00:28:19,960 Speaker 3: in general. And so we have looked at that problem 561 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:22,879 Speaker 3: and said, how do we help do our part to 562 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:25,919 Speaker 3: fix it if nothing else in our sport. 563 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:31,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, one of your superstars, Trinity Rodman, the kind of 564 00:28:31,359 --> 00:28:34,199 Speaker 1: player that sells tickets helps with the whole fan growth 565 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:37,880 Speaker 1: part of your jobs. Real nice when she talks about 566 00:28:37,880 --> 00:28:42,440 Speaker 1: how playing club footy overseas is an inevitability, How does 567 00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:46,120 Speaker 1: that change your timeline for promoting her and centering her 568 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:49,000 Speaker 1: in your efforts if you're aware that you might not 569 00:28:49,320 --> 00:28:52,640 Speaker 1: always have a Trinity Rodman in a Washington Spirit Jersey. 570 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:55,880 Speaker 3: Listen, we have the Michelle Kange effect, and I think 571 00:28:55,960 --> 00:28:59,000 Speaker 3: that is more than enough. We are a global brand 572 00:28:59,080 --> 00:29:01,960 Speaker 3: is simply by having the Michelle Kaning effect. And I 573 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:05,520 Speaker 3: think we continue to support our players. We continue to 574 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:10,360 Speaker 3: really highlight our players, understand their talent, and I think 575 00:29:10,400 --> 00:29:13,640 Speaker 3: Michelle has been great at investing in the talent that 576 00:29:13,680 --> 00:29:16,520 Speaker 3: our women have. And we are focused on making sure 577 00:29:16,560 --> 00:29:19,440 Speaker 3: as many fans as possible, and DC could come out 578 00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:22,280 Speaker 3: and see Trinity play. And so I think you know, 579 00:29:22,440 --> 00:29:25,560 Speaker 3: for us, is it is that simple? It's focusing on 580 00:29:25,600 --> 00:29:26,240 Speaker 3: those things. 581 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:28,560 Speaker 2: So is the Michelle Kang effect? 582 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:32,360 Speaker 1: Don't count on Trinity leaving because we're going to convince her. 583 00:29:32,360 --> 00:29:35,000 Speaker 2: To stay, or is it count on Michelle being able 584 00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:36,800 Speaker 2: to get the next Trinity run? 585 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:39,920 Speaker 3: Listen, all I know is I leave the sporting ops 586 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:40,840 Speaker 3: to sporting. 587 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:44,280 Speaker 2: Good answer, Good answer. Let's talk Michelle King. 588 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:47,240 Speaker 1: How involved does she in the team's community outreach and 589 00:29:47,280 --> 00:29:48,120 Speaker 1: engagement with fans? 590 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:51,000 Speaker 2: How much do you interact with her as an owner in. 591 00:29:50,960 --> 00:29:53,320 Speaker 1: The presentation of what your team stands for and how 592 00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:54,640 Speaker 1: you want to engage with the community. 593 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:57,480 Speaker 3: Michelle really sets the tone for the team. The one 594 00:29:57,480 --> 00:30:00,360 Speaker 3: thing I will say is that Michelle King as an owner, 595 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:03,840 Speaker 3: and the one word I will use is visionary. She 596 00:30:04,320 --> 00:30:08,040 Speaker 3: is involved in what we're doing. She is invested in 597 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:11,200 Speaker 3: what we're doing, and she also understands the importance of 598 00:30:11,280 --> 00:30:14,400 Speaker 3: doing it in the nation's capital in DC. And so 599 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:18,320 Speaker 3: she has invested in women's sports, but she's also looking 600 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:21,640 Speaker 3: around DC and making sure that she's investing in DC. 601 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:24,520 Speaker 3: So it's been exciting I think to have such a 602 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:27,920 Speaker 3: visionary woman really helping the city. 603 00:30:28,520 --> 00:30:30,240 Speaker 1: When I think of Michelle King, the one word that 604 00:30:30,280 --> 00:30:33,880 Speaker 1: comes to mind for me is fits. Legendary fits. Do 605 00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:36,120 Speaker 1: you have a favorite and doesn't involve a cape? 606 00:30:36,680 --> 00:30:40,200 Speaker 3: Okay, my favorite Michelle look as I like to say 607 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 3: that eliewuk K is really anytime she gives me a sunglasses, 608 00:30:46,520 --> 00:30:50,640 Speaker 3: like any sunglass she gives me, I'm like, when we 609 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:52,880 Speaker 3: have a meeting or or I shouldn't say a meeting. 610 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:55,680 Speaker 3: When we are at a match and Michelle throws on 611 00:30:55,680 --> 00:30:59,120 Speaker 3: one of her glasses, I'm like, I'm here for this energy. 612 00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:02,000 Speaker 3: The thing amazing is about to happen and I'm about 613 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:05,520 Speaker 3: to witness it. And I think, what's really cool is 614 00:31:05,560 --> 00:31:10,400 Speaker 3: that Michelle knows that her fashion is iconic and she 615 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:15,480 Speaker 3: owns it. And she's like, don't believe me, just watch right. 616 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:17,240 Speaker 2: No, it's a power play for sure. 617 00:31:17,280 --> 00:31:19,880 Speaker 1: I remember meeting her and being introduced to hers one 618 00:31:19,880 --> 00:31:21,200 Speaker 1: of the owners of the Red Stars, and I was 619 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:23,920 Speaker 1: wearing jeans and a like zip up and she had 620 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:27,200 Speaker 1: one of her looks on and I was like, yeah, 621 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:31,000 Speaker 1: these are not the same people economically and otherwise. 622 00:31:32,080 --> 00:31:33,440 Speaker 2: Rashana, thanks so much for joining us. 623 00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:35,480 Speaker 1: It's so fun to get a peek behind what teams 624 00:31:35,520 --> 00:31:37,280 Speaker 1: are doing, and there's so much good stuff happening at 625 00:31:37,280 --> 00:31:39,080 Speaker 1: the Spirit. It's nice to hear how y'all are getting 626 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:39,560 Speaker 1: it done. 627 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:42,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, we are trying, I will say, we are trying 628 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:45,520 Speaker 3: to build little Spirit fans everywhere, big Spirit fans everywhere. 629 00:31:45,800 --> 00:31:47,720 Speaker 3: We are trying to do our part on the field. 630 00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:49,800 Speaker 3: But I think what's really cool is that we are 631 00:31:49,840 --> 00:31:53,320 Speaker 3: really trying to engage fans in a different way. We 632 00:31:53,320 --> 00:31:56,360 Speaker 3: are trying to show them how fun soccer is. And 633 00:31:56,600 --> 00:32:00,040 Speaker 3: I will tell you being able to witness even the 634 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:05,680 Speaker 3: smallest how Hirschfeldt fan has been ultimately life changing. I 635 00:32:05,720 --> 00:32:08,720 Speaker 3: mean when you see a kid start crying because of 636 00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:12,400 Speaker 3: the way that how brought us into that extra time 637 00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:16,320 Speaker 3: and got some penalty kick action in the semi final 638 00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:19,720 Speaker 3: last year. I think it's just really symbolism of things 639 00:32:19,760 --> 00:32:22,080 Speaker 3: to come with this club, and I'm excited to see 640 00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:24,800 Speaker 3: how we keep growing and keep progressing and moving forward. 641 00:32:25,320 --> 00:32:25,880 Speaker 2: I love it. 642 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:31,520 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for Shauna. Yes, we have to take 643 00:32:31,560 --> 00:32:34,560 Speaker 1: another quick break when we return. Highlights that eat meet 644 00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:48,160 Speaker 1: a song that slaps welcome back slices first, a quick 645 00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:50,320 Speaker 1: shout out to Mary Zee, who won the Good Game 646 00:32:50,360 --> 00:32:54,080 Speaker 1: with Sarah Spain bracket challenge, and not only that, she's 647 00:32:54,120 --> 00:32:56,760 Speaker 1: a Connecticut resident and Yukon fan who made the trek 648 00:32:56,800 --> 00:32:59,719 Speaker 1: to Tampa and got to see her squad win in person. 649 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:04,080 Speaker 1: Who's the big winner, clearly, Mary, Prize coming your way 650 00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:05,520 Speaker 1: just as soon as they get my ass to the 651 00:33:05,520 --> 00:33:06,120 Speaker 1: post office. 652 00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:06,400 Speaker 2: Mary. 653 00:33:06,680 --> 00:33:08,160 Speaker 1: We love that you're listening, but we want to get 654 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:09,800 Speaker 1: you in the game every day too, So here's our 655 00:33:09,840 --> 00:33:12,400 Speaker 1: good gameplay of the day. If you find yourself in 656 00:33:12,440 --> 00:33:14,960 Speaker 1: the DMV area, or if you live there like meish 657 00:33:15,320 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 1: make your way to some Washington Spirit games and community 658 00:33:17,880 --> 00:33:20,600 Speaker 1: events this season. Sounds like Rashana's got some really amazing 659 00:33:20,600 --> 00:33:22,520 Speaker 1: things planned, so you don't want to miss out. We 660 00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 1: always love to hear from you slices, so hit us 661 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:26,880 Speaker 1: up on email. Good Game at Wondermedia network dot com 662 00:33:27,120 --> 00:33:29,960 Speaker 1: and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review. It's easy. 663 00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:33,160 Speaker 1: Watch the folks who gave the women's tourney their one 664 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:36,560 Speaker 1: Shining Moment review ten out of ten, given the people 665 00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:40,360 Speaker 1: what they want rating. Every year, the Men's NCAA Hoops 666 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:43,240 Speaker 1: Tournament ends with a video montage of highlights set to 667 00:33:43,280 --> 00:33:48,040 Speaker 1: the now iconic song one shining moment. The women don't 668 00:33:48,040 --> 00:33:50,840 Speaker 1: get the same treatment, so someone stepped in to make 669 00:33:50,880 --> 00:33:54,160 Speaker 1: things right. Shout out at Trilly Donovan two on Twitter 670 00:33:54,200 --> 00:33:57,000 Speaker 1: for creating their own montage of highlights from The Big Dance, 671 00:33:57,320 --> 00:34:00,480 Speaker 1: appropriately set to I Want to Dance with Somebody and 672 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:05,680 Speaker 1: all time banger truly Whitney Houston forever and honestly Trollie 673 00:34:05,680 --> 00:34:06,600 Speaker 1: Donovan two forever. 674 00:34:07,000 --> 00:34:08,759 Speaker 2: Thanks for doing that. We'll link to the video in 675 00:34:08,800 --> 00:34:11,280 Speaker 2: our show notes. Now it's your turn to rate and review. 676 00:34:11,520 --> 00:34:12,880 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening. See you tomorrow. 677 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:17,840 Speaker 1: Slices, Good Game, Rashaana, Good Game, Washington Spirit, few sports 678 00:34:17,880 --> 00:34:21,319 Speaker 1: teams smiling and taking photos at the White House as 679 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:24,799 Speaker 1: if the world, our savings, our healthcare, our rights, and 680 00:34:24,880 --> 00:34:28,000 Speaker 1: our due process aren't all completely and totally right now 681 00:34:28,040 --> 00:34:30,920 Speaker 1: because the man you're smiling with looking at you Dodgers. 682 00:34:33,400 --> 00:34:36,040 Speaker 1: Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports 683 00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:39,239 Speaker 1: production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You 684 00:34:39,280 --> 00:34:42,160 Speaker 1: can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 685 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:45,560 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, 686 00:34:45,680 --> 00:34:48,760 Speaker 1: our producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our Executive 687 00:34:48,760 --> 00:34:52,440 Speaker 1: producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. 688 00:34:52,640 --> 00:34:55,680 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rutterer, Britney Martinez and Grace Lynch. 689 00:34:55,960 --> 00:34:58,960 Speaker 1: Our associate producer is Lucy Jones and I'm Your Host 690 00:34:59,160 --> 00:34:59,800 Speaker 1: Sarah Spain