March 26, 2026 • 37 mins
Founder and CEO of the Women’s Premier Basketball Association and Team Jamaica point guard Faatimah A joins Sarah to talk about how a Golden State Warriors basketball camp changed her life at a young age, the highs and lows of playing ball around the world, why she wanted to create a league for aspiring pro hoopers, and what to expect at the first-ever WPBA combine during NCAA Final Four Weekend. Plus, winter sports in the spring, a game of hot potato, and A-Town is getting ready.
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- Check out the full schedule and results for the Figure Skating World Championships here
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to a good game with Sarah Spain, where we're
buying some peanuts and cracker jacks. It's opening day for
Major League Baseball and we're one hundred and twenty eight
days from the long awaited return of women's professional baseball.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
It's Thursday, March twenty sixth. Then, on today's show, we'll
be speaking.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
With global hooper Fatima A, the founder and CEO of
the Women's Premier Basketball Association and a point guard for
Team Jamakeup. We talk about how a Golden State Warriors
basketball camp changed her life at a young age, the
highs and lows of playing ball around the world, why
she wanted to create a league for aspiring pro hoopers,
and what to expect at the first ever WPBA combine
(00:37):
during NCAA Final four weekend. Plus winter sports in the spring,
a game of hot potato, and a town is getting ready.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
It's all coming up right after this welcome back slices.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Here's what you need to know today, starting with some
wins her sports news.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
For those of us.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Still going through some Olympic withdrawal, Mikhayla Schiffrin has done
it again. On Tuesday in Norway, Schiffrin snagged her one
hundred and tenth career World Cup victory in dominant fashion
in the women's slalom. The wind caps off an incredible
slalom season for her. Not only did she win Olympic
gold in the discipline, she also won nine of her
ten World Cup slalom races, setting a new record for
(01:23):
most slalom victories in a single season.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
And on Wednesday, she took home the big trophy.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Schiffrin clinched her sixth overall World Cup title, tying the
record for most overall titles ever, originally set by Austrian
legend on Marie Moser prol in the seventies. Going into
the final race giant slalom, Schiffrin had an eighty five
point lead, meaning she only needed to finish fifteenth or
better to clinch the overall title. She ended up taking eleventh,
(01:49):
and in the emotional moment when she realized her victory,
she dropped to her knees, asking are you sure? Are
you positive all of this after two of the toughest
seasons of her life.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Way to go, Mikayla. We'll link to that video in
the show notes if you want to check it out.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
To figure skating, the twenty twenty six World Figure Skating
Championships are happening right now in Prague, and Team USA
sent a full crew to represent, including Olympians Amber Glenn
and Isabelle Loveto. Glenn is the reigning US champ and
finished fifth overall in Italy. She's now looking to win
her first world medal in Prague. After Wednesday's short program,
she sits in third place, behind Team Japan's Cawri Sakamoto
(02:27):
and Mone Chiba in first and second respectively. Team USA
is Libdo sits just behind Glenn in fourth place after
the short program, and she's looking for some.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Redemption on the world stage.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
In twenty twenty four, Leveto won silver at the championships,
and she finished just off the podium in fourth last year.
Olympic champion Alyssa lou is opting to sit out of
the Worlds this year, which is pretty common for gold
medal winners and Olympic years. Team USA's Sarah Everhart rounds
out the US women's team. She's in ninth going into
the free skate, which you can watch Friday at one
pm Eastern on Peacock.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
We'll link to the full results and scale in the
show notes to hockey.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
The business magazine Fast Company has named the PWHL the
number one most innovative company in Sports and number thirty
eight on their World's fifty Most Innovative Companies list. Nearing
the final month of the PWHL's third season, the league
is on the cusp of surpassing two million fans in
all time attendance. This season, average attendance across the league
(03:22):
is up twenty three percent over last year. Definitely own
a bit to the Olympic bump after that thrilling USA
Canada final. That's certainly part of the reason I could
get nineteen friends to join me at last night's Takeover
Tour game in Chicago.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Slices, are you doing.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Your part reaching out to friends to hit up women's
sporting events? Send that email invite organize those folks in
the group. Chat to running, and an update on the
controversy we first told you about earlier this month.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Quick reminder.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
At the US Half Marathon Championships, the top three women
were accidentally led off the course by race officials with
just about a mile to go. By the time the
race organizers notified runners and they returned to the actual course,
it was too late. Other runners had passed them by,
and the previously top three athletes finished way off the podium.
They lost prize money, which they were later awarded in
(04:11):
a good faith move by race organizers, but they also
lost a ticket to the World Championships. Each year, the
top three finishers of the US Championships make up the team,
along with one other athlete selected based on world rankings.
While on Wednesday, track and field's global governing body, World Athletics,
announced a solution. In a historic move, they approved an
expanded seven women US team for Worlds, up from the
(04:33):
standard four person team. So at Worlds this year, the
athletes selected based on rankings, plus the three athletes who
were let off the course at the US Championships and
the three athletes who officially crossed the finish line first
at the US Championships, we'll all get to compete. If
you remember from a few episodes ago, this was my solution.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
I love it. But wait, here's where things get tricky.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
World Athletics says before the race, USA track and Field
needs to designate four of those athletes as the quote
unquote scoring athletes, and the other three will be non
scoring athletes. The non scoring trio will be official team members,
but they can't contribute to team scoring or win medals.
They'll also wear a distinct uniform, so they're officially part
of the team, but can't contribute in any meaningful way.
(05:17):
So what happens if a non scoring athlete ends up
crossing the line in first, second, or third.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
They're just invisible. We pretend it didn't happen.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
I get that this is an extraordinary circumstance, and I'm
glad that all the runners are at least able to
go to Worlds and get that experience on the global stage.
But it kind of feels like the USATF and World
Athletics are just hot potatoing who gets to be the
final bad guy. USATF passed the ball to World Athletics. No,
it's tossed back to USATF. We'll keep an eye out
to see if the athletes themselves comment on this outcome,
(05:47):
plus how other countries feel about a US team nearly
double the size of everyone else's. To the WNBA, we're
one step closer to tip off, y'all. Is Both the
WNBA Board of Governors and the league's players have unanimously
agreed to ratify the new CBA, a deal that's set
to run through twenty thirty two. Now the league just
has to take a look at the rest of its
to do list, including I don't know, tackling an expansion
(06:11):
draft for new teams Portland and Toronto, free agency for
more than eighty percent of the players in the league,
the college draft on April thirteenth, training camp all before
the season starts May eighth.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
But we don't have to wait until May to get
some action on the court.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
We've got the preseason, and this year a few of
the preseason friendlies will make history. Minnesota Links had already
announced its own history making friendly. They'll be the first
ever WNBA team to play an African national team when
they take on Nigeria on April twenty seventh, and the
Chicago Sky have now announced in April twenty fifth friendly
against the Phoenix Mercury in Sioux Falls, bringing WNBA action
(06:48):
to South Dakota for the first time to the NWSL.
The Atlanta expansion team, set to begin play in twenty
twenty eight, has announced plans for a thirty three acre
combination headquarters and training center City Leaders in the town
of Marietta, Georgia. Approved a twenty million dollar land deal
last week for a development that will include a thirty
eight thousand square foot facility and four full fields. You
(07:10):
remember we told you the club already announced a record
breaking Front of Jersey sponsor deal too, so the atl
ain't messing around. Speaking of expansion teams, fans of one
of the NWSL's newest clubs, the Boston Legacy, have another
women's sports bar pop up come into town. We mentioned
earlier this week the sports Bra was doing pop ups
for March Madness, while the Envoy Hotel is getting in
(07:31):
on the action, turning its on site bar Para Maria
into two sixty one Para Maria, a nod to the
BIB number of Boston Marathon hero Katherine Switzer. Now through
the end of April, you could stop by for a
Catherine Spritzer and an Aaron Caesar salad in honor a
friend of the show in Fleet goalie Aaron Frankel, A
spritz and a Caesar throwing some French fries and it
(07:51):
sounds like the perfect lunch to me. All right, slices,
we got to take a break when we come back.
Doorless rooms in El Salvador and libraries at Dartmouth.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
We globe hop with Fatima A joining us now.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
She's the founder and CEO of Women's Premier Basketball Association.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
And the point guard for Team Jamaica.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
She's played ball in Egypt, Greece, Norway, Australia, France, l Salvador, Mexico, Canada, Spain,
and Ireland. A twenty twenty five Bay Area Host Committee
Trailblazer Impact Award winner, she got pink hair, fast feet
and a nasty crossover.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
It's Fatima A. Hi, Fatima, Hey Sarah.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
So great to be here today.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Yeah, I'm so excited to chat.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
We've run into each other at so many events, and
I've had so much curiosity about the WPBA, but we
haven't had a chance to sit down and really talk
about it. So this is a perfect time ahead of
the combine that you're throwing.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
But before we.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Get to that, and before we get to the WPBA,
I want to talk about your basketball routs. So tell
me when you first fell in love with the game.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
I would have to say maybe fifth grade. I ended
up going to this park and wanted to to make
my basketball team at that time, and ended up meeting
this girl that had this amazing crossover, and I wanted
to be just like her because it was kind of
like she was at Allen Iverson, you know player that
I grew up like loving and watching and adoring. But
(09:14):
I started to fall in love with the game more
when I got to middle school, just because of you know,
basketball playing such an instrumental role in my life at
that time. It helped me to really put things into
perspective and to just see the game and just see
life through a different lens.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
That's that's probably when it all happened for me.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Yeah, tell me about the role in particular that a
Golden State Warriors camp you went to played in giving
you just a safe, happy place to be a kid.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
Yeah, you know, I try not to think of this
as just like a moment of weakness. At a point
in my life, my family and I were living in
a homeless shelter and if you've been in that type
of situation, you know what it's like. And at that
point of my life, I really just needed some sort
of happiness.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
I needed to win. And the Golden State Warrior as.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
They ended up giving all of the kids in the
shelter that week scholarships to go to camp amazing.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
I had no idea where I was going that week, but.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
I just knew I wanted to get out of that place.
So I ended up pulling up to this camp. I
had jeans on, and I'm like, oh my god, we
are playing basketball right now right And it was just
so beautiful because no one knew what I was going through,
but they treated me like someone they cared about. And
I think, you know, those moments, that's why we play
sports like we get to be around community, we get
(10:30):
to have people pour into us, we get to have
people just reaffirm what our value was. So that was
that was that special moment for me that really helped
me to put things in a perspective.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
And how old are you then, God eleven?
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Yeah, that's a tough age that I mean, it is
fascinating to think about. And sometimes I have to be
reminded by someone that a lot of what athletes experience
throughout life, if you're playing sports your whole life, it's
a constant affirmation when you're doing great, it's a constant
adjustment to work on things and want to get better better.
It's an ability to take criticism in pursuit of greatness.
(11:04):
In pursuit of being better. And there's a lot of
people who kind of go through life without the good
and the bad. There they are not being affirmed repeatedly
by the fans or their coaches or their teammates. And
they're also not really great at taking feedback in the
goal of getting better at something because they're not used
to it.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Yeah, and like the game teaches us so many amazing
things just with character building. Like that week alone, I
was just like, oh my god, I can't get.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Enough of this.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
So it got me to play and pick up after
school and I ended up getting like a job, you know,
working in a food truck just so that I can
have money to buy new basketball shoes because I was.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
It just taught me to like invest in myself at
that point, you know.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Yeah, and look where it took you. I mean, it
really took you all over the world. I listed off
all those countries. I need a couple memorable stories from
your many stops, and I want you to start in
Al Salvador because the disconnect between oh my god, I'm
going to play professional basketball and then what you arrived
to find when you got there probably pretty shocking.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
It was.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
And I'm just like, excuse my language, but I busted
my ass that summer just so that someone could take
a chance on me. Right, I'm going to camps and
going to clinics, I'm trying to play on teams. I'm traveling,
you know, around the country, trying to see, you know,
what opportunity is going to help me lead me to
my next opportunity. And you know, when you're in it
and you kind of are figuring out what this new
(12:23):
space looks like, like there's a lot of anxiety around it.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
But when I got that first call that someone.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Was willing to pay me to play basketball and that
they trusted me to like lead their team, it was
the best feeling. Like I can't explain the feeling, but
it was probably one of the best feelings I've ever
had in my life. And then I get there, mind you,
Like I tell every player, now, do research on where
you're going, because I had no idea where else Salberto was.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
I just knew that I was about to go play basketball.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Yeah, and I'm doing my research. I'm like okay. And
then I get out there and I'm like okay, right,
Like the first place we played in, I don't even
think it had like a door, like an actual door
on the house, so like they had to move us
into a different location.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Well, and you were supposed to be alone, right, but
you had a roommate in a room without a door.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Like yes, Like I'm living with my teammate and it's
great that we both got along and we were just
like let's make it through, Like let's do it whatever
we need to do to make it through, because like
this is just one of those building blocks that going
to help us get to where we want to be.
So that season, like we really kept each other accountable.
But like it was tough, but I had kind of
(13:32):
been through similar situations like this. I was just like
I'm just going to get through this. Like we didn't
even have our hot water, like woa, yeah, but I'm
like I'm going to be able to get through this
because i know, like this isn't my destination, Like I'm
meant for bigger and better things. And I'd already gotten
prepped before even leaving from other pros that are like, hey,
you need to kill this league so that you can
(13:52):
make it into Europe.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
And that's exactly what I did.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
Like I was a second leading scorer in the conference,
and it's thing I was averaging like thirty points per game.
The team had never been with playoffs, Like helped the
team go to playoffs. But like I grinded it out
because I just I loved it so much and I
wanted it so much, and I could see the trajectory
of where I was going to be if I just
handled business.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
At that time, I didn't read much about your college
hoops experience.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Can you tell me about that?
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Yeah, I will say I played for a good amount
of championship type of teams, like maybe out of the
five schools I went to, four out of the five,
we always made it to tournament time, like only one conference.
So like I'd always been a part of like winning culture.
So I knew that like what was expected of me,
(14:41):
whether I was playing or not, I needed to give
one hundred and fifty percent because when my name was called,
like I was going to do my best to do
whatever I needed to do so that I could show
the coach that you know, they should keep me on
the floor.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Yeah. But five different colleges.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
Five Yeah, So when did ju goo?
Speaker 4 (14:55):
I went to City College of San Francisco. My first year,
we did well. We ended up being you know, state
running around one conference that year. Ended up going to
Santa Rose Junior College after that, then it got a
full ride to go play at Texas A and M International.
That one was tough because I'd never really been out
of like the state of California.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
I mean, I'm from Toronto, but like we hadn't traveled.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Yeah, and you moved to the Bay Area pretty young, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
When I was like five, so kind of like the
Bay was just really like all I knew, and like
that year was really really tough for me. And I
feel like that's kind of when I started understanding like
what depression was. Okay, but I had some really amazing
teammates that just really helped me like stay in it.
But just the way that I am, I'm like, Okay,
(15:39):
I need to get this year back because I'm trying
to get somewhere. And I realized after doing my research
that in Canada they give you five years of eligibility
as opposed to four years of eligibility and c double a.
And I was just like, Okay, I'm gonna get my
year back. I'm going to transfer over. Ended up transferring
to a school over in New York. Ended up having
to red shirt that year because my credit's in a
transfer over from school. But ended up finding the school
(16:02):
that I really wanted to be at after just kind
of reintegrating myself into the Toronto area and I went
to a Ryerson University. My coach Cartly Clark, she is
the assistant coach for Canada basketball for the women's senior
national team. So, like, I was challenged a lot, right,
But I think essentially that's what's allowed me to have
(16:22):
the tough, like the thick skin that I have now
because I was able to get through all of it
and just keep pushing.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Yeah, well, you had a goal, which was to play,
and it took you to a number of stops before
even to all the countries that you went to. But
you ball out in El Salvador, which allows you to
get into some more professionalized leagues. Give me a good,
funny anecdote from Norway, Australia, Egypt, Greece, Mexico one of
those other places.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Oh my god, I was just talking about this earlier today.
Like I've been to some really beautiful countries, like Greece
is a beautiful place, Norway beautiful place, but does get
depressing during the time of like you, three months of darkness,
but like, I really love the food while I'm there.
I love being able to really immerse myself amongst the
people there and just learn about the culture. But yeah,
(17:10):
like every opportunity it just helped me learn a lot
more about myself, but just helped me to learn more
about the game from a global lens, which allowed me
to really like start putting into play, Like what do
I want to create that will be able to help
a lot of you know, these players that you might
have been in my same situation.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Yeah, I mean it's all building and growing towards creating
something for folks like you that maybe don't have a
straight shot to the WNBA but want to keep playing.
Speaking of keeping playing, you're thirty four now, thirty four
years young, Yeah, thirty four years young. You hooped for
a team Jamaica's three x three team last fall.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Is there more playing for you on the horizon?
Speaker 3 (17:50):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (17:51):
I Mean it's been tough, especially this last year with
really investing into being an entrepreneur, being a CEO, so
I've kind of have to like put my playing career
a little bit, you know, on the back burner. But
last year it felt really good to be able to
get back out there. And yeah, we've got Commonwealth Games
(18:12):
coming up again in Scotland this year and then I'll
be back be back out there playing professionally for the
upcoming season in the fall.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Don't know where yet, but okay, yeah, somewhere the world
knows Jamaican athletes. A lot for track stars, soccer players
now Bob's led, of course, but how big is the basketball.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
There is there a lot of support for the team.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
It's getting there.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
I think with the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation stepping
in and really looking to pour into the federation, they're
now starting to see the value. And again just with
the amazing growth that's happening in women's sports, I'm hoping
that they're pouring more into that as well. I know that,
you know the men, they just hosted the Feeble qualify
over in Kingston, So I believe moving forward they're going
(18:57):
to put more time, energy and resources into the women's
back because we've bought some talented up and coming players
getting ready to graduate from university that are ready to
you know, start representing.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
And you got connected with Team Jamaica because of your
mom's roots.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Yeah, so my mom from Jamaica.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
Yeah, and that was a part of just like being
able to understand being a pro in this space, Like
there's certain loopholes. If you hold a European or just
any type of citizenship for a country, like you can
be considered a local or a Bosman player, and that
allows you to now instead of having a fight for
these import spots, because some of these teams only allow
like one of more imports depending on what country you're
(19:34):
playing in, Like Mexico, they can have I played Top League,
like they had around like six of us on the
team right that were considered import players. But if you're
an actual like like resident, not resident, but citizen of Mexico, like,
you don't have to fight four spots. If you're good,
you can play like they're going to pick you up.
And that's the same thing for every other country.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
There's a lot of different leagues that have different rules
around that that people aren't aware of. Like you might
have a couple great Americans, but only two two of
them can be playing at a time, so if one's injured,
you can swap the other one in, but one might
be sitting on the bench and they're much better player
than someone else. But it's because of those rules about
how many important players can be like rostered at a time.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
It's complicated.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
So you have played in just about every situation set up, country, continent,
and it causes you to start to think about what's missing.
So tell me about the Women's Premier Basketball Association. And
before we even get to what it is, like, what
inspired you to say I want to create a whole
damn league.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Oh my god.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
I was in Mexico playing at this time, but like
even before then, I had really started building up my
network and understanding just the landscape of women's basketball, especially
at like the international level. And I can't tell you
enough how many times I come back home during my
off season and there's no place for us really to
be able to play. Yes, there's a pro am, but
(20:53):
it's not helping you get to somewhere. And I have
players that are in college or you know, players that
were cut from a pro team reaching out to me
asking me like, how are you still getting a job
because it's just like one I wasn't highly recruited, Like
my path isn't the traditional pathway, but somehow I'm still
able to stay employed every single year since I've graduated.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
But I understood that.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
There were so many people in this space that were
misinformed about what it takes to be a pro, the
professionalism of being a pro, and just really understanding what
it takes to also just build that longevity within your career.
And at the time, it really just came to me,
like I was in Mexico. I looked up the name
first because I was I prayed on the name, dreampt
about it, came into mind, went on go Daddy.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
I was like, oh, it's available.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (21:42):
So I'm like going down this rabbit hole of just like, Okay,
this is something. Now, what do I envision the perfect
lead to be based on my experience with some of
the clubs I didn't have the best experience with in
comparison to the clubs that I've had the best experiences with.
So I started putting it together. I reached out to
the people in the Bay Area that really believe in
what I was doing, and I asked them to just
(22:02):
like help me, like help me bring this to life.
And I'm in Mexico at the time, so I'm away
for like the first five weeks, but I'm facilitating and
having people, you know, help me out with just putting
the stuff together, and I ended up receiving award from
the Women of Courage by Congressman and Jackie Spear, So
I had twenty five thousand.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
Dollars to play with them.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Amazing.
Speaker 4 (22:23):
Yeah, like the timing of it, it was so clutch,
and I appreciate them so much for just believing in
me because the year before I had applied for it
and I didn't get the grant, and then the next
year I applied for it and I got the grant,
and it just kind of was just like it made
me think about the power of the universe and sometimes
you're not ready for that blessing at that time, but
we keep working, You're going to be ready for the
(22:44):
blessing when it's ready.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
And that was that sign for me.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
So that first year we ended up helping you know,
ten athletes, especially the ones that have been off of
the RAIDAR for so long, be able to get pro
contracts for the first time and really.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Turn their dreams into reacit awesome.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
So yeah, that that's kind of like the story about
how we guys started.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
Yeah, so we started it in twenty twenty two as
a developmental league so exclusively devoted to advancing women's basketball,
creating a pipeline that allows players to either get to
the WNBA to athletes unlimited to other top tier pro
leagues around the world, kind of the gap between college
and those professional opportunities, so that those who are just
on the CUSP keep playing, keep getting their name out there,
(23:26):
and create like this little ecosystem for folks to see,
meet network, et cetera. Also for coaches and officials, which
is a great opportunity for folks like that too who
are trying to get those reps to move up as well.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
So tell me who's eligible to play in the league.
Speaker 4 (23:41):
So we take players that are graduating seniors, and then
we also have players in the league that are pro athletes,
whether they have WNBA overseas experience to come back. And
then we have a small chunk of players that are
working professionals. So we have players that are lawyers and
doctors that can still compete at a high level, but
they can't quit their day jobs. So they're here, you know,
showing their friends and family that they can still do both.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
And so eight teams, twelve players per roster, and it's
pretty quick.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Just June to August, Yes, June August.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
I put it at that time because if players are
away from the WNBA, gives them the opportunity to kind
of just get their mental right, but also figure out
what their next steps are going to be. That way,
they can stay close to the game as possible. If
they get a call up, amazing, they're in shape, they're
ready to go, and if not, we're going to help
them get ready for their next European or overseas season.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
Okay, so you've had four seasons, have you had a
handful of players that have either gone to the w
Athletes Unlimited or other pro leagues?
Speaker 3 (24:35):
Almost?
Speaker 4 (24:36):
Actually, so we only had We have Rebecca Harris at
has played. She's a part of Athletes Unlimited. We almost
had a player go but they unfortunately got injured. They
were a training camp invite. But this year we're going
to make sure we have some of those players get
there this year. For sure, really excited about this year.
We're up leveling everything in terms of the talent, the
resources of venue that we're playing in. So this is
(24:59):
going to be a very tractive destination for anyone looking
to play this summer and really get better.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
You've partnered with our friend Jenny Wynn too from the
Sports BRA. Tell me about that.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 4 (25:11):
Jenny and I met maybe a few years back during
WNBA All Star and I had been a fan and
admire of what she was able to build with the
Sports BRA because I'm just I'm looking at everybody that's
contributing to this ecosystem from AFAR and I tell her
every time, I'm just like, I'm so proud of the
cultural impact that you guys have been able to create
(25:31):
with the sports Bra and really being able to amplify stories.
But you know, the platform of these leagues and these athletes.
So like I saw her again at the NWSL Championship,
ran the idea by her right, and then I ran
the idea by her again maybe about a month ago,
and at that time it was alignment, Like I'm really
(25:52):
much in this space of alignment right now, like what's
for me is going to be for me? And who
is on the same page as me, like them on
my team, And it just clicked and it just worked
at that time, so really excited that the Sports Brawn,
Jenny felt that this is something of value for them
just as not as we feel that as something of
value for us.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
So cool, we put it together.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Jersey logos and all that.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Yes, yea, yeah, it looks good. We got them on
our combine jerseys. So I can't wait to share that
with you.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
Guys, how do you afford those trips?
Speaker 1 (26:25):
I do see you at different conferences and end up
your cell championships, Like you're hustling trying to play ball.
You're trying to run a league and fund it, Like
where's your money coming from?
Speaker 3 (26:34):
You want me to be honest?
Speaker 4 (26:35):
Yeah, I I ref a lot.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Okay, I ref a lot.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
And I know a lot of people don't get to
see like the behind the scenes, but like I'm reffing,
I'm coaching on the side, like wherever I can make
money so that I can keep this going, because this
is something that's like it's tough, especially if you don't
have the right backing. But like I'm doing all of
those things so that I can make sure that I
(27:02):
continue to build this in the right way, because this
is how much I believe and care about this. But
you know, playing overseas allows me to free up a
lot more of my time because I'm getting paid to play,
so I'm able to allocate more of my time into
building the league. But this year we've started raising for
pre seed to be able to you know, get to
meaningful capital behind this because up until this point it's
(27:23):
been bootstrapped.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
Yeah, sponsors at all to help pay for salaries and stuff.
Speaker 4 (27:27):
Yeah, so like even before then, like players haven't been
paid to play, Like they've come here based on the
opportunity because you know, one, it's a great environment, but
they believe in wanting to invest in themselves and they
know if they do what they need to do and
they're here, we're going to help them get to where
they want to be.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
So right, so it's a pre pro situation that you're
not paying them, but they know that you're helping them
get to those paid gigs.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
Yeah, it's the brand building, it's the professional development, Like
it's putting them in that networks now that they have
the tools so that they can you know, continue to built.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
But this year we will be paying our athletes.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Oh great, awesome.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
Do you aspire to have an official relationship with the
WNBA like the G League and the NBA.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
I think like whenever I talk to people about this,
and I'm a firm believer of speaking things into existence,
like that's something I want to come to fruition, But
I know that there's work that needs to be done.
Are we providing value to the ecosystem?
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (28:23):
Do I want this to you know, this partnership to happen, Yes,
because I want to create an even more linear pathway
to helping players achieve their goals and aspirations of being
you know, playing in the w or if not, like
playing in these other big time leagues like Unrivaled than Athletes,
Unlimited and Project B. That's getting started, I think, you know,
with us being you know, backed by FOBA as well,
(28:43):
and being able to compete in off season competition internationally,
like that is something that is incredibly valuable to this
space that I don't think anyone else is doing.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
So your teams out of your league can play spun
out into international competitions.
Speaker 4 (28:58):
Yeah, in FOBA, WBL, so FIBA, they're a huge supporter
of what we're doing because again it's about growing the
game and being able to be within being officially recognized
within that world, Like that's huge. You only see FEBA
anything whenever we see national team stuff, but now with
them wanting to pour into more of the club play
(29:21):
so that the teams are getting ready, the players are
going to be in a better position to get ready
for when actual national team play starts. Like that's huge
and we get to be a part of that with
the only league in the US that is able to
be a part of the FEBA WLA cool.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
So have you had conversations with folks at the w
about partnership.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
I've run it by them, but again, like I want
them to see that my heart's in the right place
when I'm building this because at the end of the day,
like alignment, the partnership is right, is going to happen.
I know there's more work for us to be done,
but I know that I'm going in the right direction
because you know, we we have people asking the questions
we have you know the players now more players look
(30:00):
at this as a destination.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Yeah, it feels like, of course the WNBA would want
like proprietary everything, would want ownership of everything, so it
probably would be like a purchasing of your league situation.
But there's also this new upshot league that's launching in May.
Feels like they're kind of going to be a direct
competitor of WPBA.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
What do you know about them?
Speaker 4 (30:20):
I know a little obviously, like they have their stuff
that's up on their website. But again, just like any
other emerging league that's coming into this space, they have
to prove out their model and have to prove that
they're generating more value for the women in this ecosystem.
So it's great, like there's always going to be competition.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
It just makes us.
Speaker 4 (30:40):
Work that much harder to make sure we're at the
top of the pack. So yeah, I'm excited for all
the opportunities coming for the women's game.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
Well, and it feels like with multiple leagues now sort
of proving and pushing for the idea that there needs
to be a G League type situation, and with so
many conversations around the w's roster spots and players from
situations when they run short as opposed to having this
feeder system, it does need to be a little bit
more professionalized like it is on the men's side. So
(31:09):
the proof is in the leagues that are building, and
now it's just a matter of you know, the w
choosing one or working with or combining a few into
creating that thing that they need You've got this first
ever WPBA combine coming up during Final four weekend in Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
What's on the docket.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
Oh my goodness, I'm so excited.
Speaker 4 (31:26):
So we've invited the top ninety athletes in NCAA this
year to be able to.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Do that aren't in the Final four.
Speaker 4 (31:31):
I presume that aren't in the Final four, but that
are still very high on the roster for potential training
camp invites.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Right, I'm super excited about this.
Speaker 4 (31:40):
A lot of time and energy has been put into
putting on a very intentional production so that we can
get these players to the next phase of what their
careers are.
Speaker 3 (31:52):
Right.
Speaker 4 (31:52):
So we've got Bridget Pettis with us. That's a huge
pickup for us. I'd talked to her about the idea
back in August when she was down here on the
panel for my documentary screening, and she was like, let's
do it. And I just started putting it together and
we started working it all out. But we've got some
really good athletes connecting coming through. So I'm just I'm
(32:13):
excited to see who else is in the building. Reached
out to some of the WNBA teams for them to come,
and you know, Scout talent as well, but we're able
to put something together where we're trying to incorporate tech
and all of these health and wellness components so that
we're really helping to streamline the scouting that's being done
so that you know, teams can identify talent a lot
(32:34):
more efficiently at the W.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
So Bridget pettis former WNBA player, she's coming on kind
of coaching and facilitating the.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Combine absolutely as well as scouting talent and evaluating talent
as well.
Speaker 3 (32:45):
Cool.
Speaker 1 (32:46):
So then you invited folks from w teams in the
hopes that some of these players that maybe aren't the
obvious lottery picks for the draft might get seen as
potential developmental players or folks to just be on the radar.
Maybe there's some diamonds in the rough there or some
talent that needs to be cultivated with a couple of years.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Work to get to that level. Absolutely, yeah, I mean
it makes sense.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
There's such a quick turnaround from the college game to
the draft to training camp that it is the players
who obviously are going to be lottery picks that everyone
knows are some of the best in the world that
are going to make that leap but there is a
place for folks to fall through the cracks if they're
not in that group. And there's also, like a fascinating
thing about women is because of hormonal changes and the
(33:28):
so called second puberty, a lot of women actually peak
in their late twenties and early thirties physically, and yet
our college system is designed and set up as if
everyone is peaking at that twenty one twenty two, and
so that little gap in between might mean that a
player just a couple of years after graduating is actually
performing at her very best, and if she drops off
(33:48):
and doesn't have somewhere to play in the middle, you've
lost someone that has tremendous opportunity and talent to play
twenty seven, twenty eight through thirty eight. So this opportunity
for them to get in front of some of these
folks could be a really big to just keep them
in the game, give them the affirmation that they need
to believe that they're on the right path to go
playoffswhere and hopefully come back around, which is really cool.
(34:08):
Anything else you want to tell us about the league
and your future plans.
Speaker 4 (34:12):
Definitely looking to expand into different markets in the future,
looking to be introduced to a cohold new different fan base,
but really excited for the players that we are going
to be working with this season.
Speaker 1 (34:25):
Yeah, and you're in this very scholarly room right now
speaking at Dartmouth, so there might be some people there
with some funding, some connections at the very least some
very smart, good ideas for you. So hopefully it'll all
tie to this upcoming combine and the next season for
the WPBA.
Speaker 2 (34:41):
Thanks so much for the time.
Speaker 3 (34:42):
Thank you, Sarah, I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
Thanks again to Fatima for the chat.
Speaker 1 (34:48):
We have to take another break when we return, raise
your polls for one iconic victory lab.
Speaker 2 (35:01):
Welcome back, slices.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
We love that you're listening, but we want you to
get in the game every day too, So here's our
good game play of the day. We told you earlier
this week how legendary cross country skier Jesse Diggins ended
her career by winning her fourth World Cup overall season title.
But it's worth watching her last ever lap for yourself.
The US Ski team posted a video on Instagram showing
the ski community raising their ski poles in the air
(35:22):
as Diggins goes by. It's just a super fun and
touching sign of respect. Diggins got emotional in an interview
with NBC, sharing her big feelings as she said goodbye
to the sport and talking about the moment she was
honored by her fellow skiers.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
We'll link to both videos in the show notes. Also Slices.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
With the return of the W comes the return of
a particular brand of tea Who's Dating Who? And some
internet slooths spotted Dja Carrington and Jackie Young posting almost
the exact same photo from a high rise overlooking a
river with a sunset in the background.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
Boat going by.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
Slices, I'm gonna need you all that dive into those
mess boards and get us the deats.
Speaker 2 (36:02):
Is Jackie really dating her teammate Melissa Smith's X the
drama God. I'm so glad the W's back.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
We always love to hear from you, so hit us
up on email good game at wondermedianetwork dot com or
leave us a voicemail at eight seven two two oh
four fifty seventy and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review, y'all.
It's so easy. Watch the Women's Pro Baseball League linking
up with the Boston Red Sox rating seventy two out
of seventy two years in the making. Review players from
(36:32):
each of the four teams in the new Women's Pro
Baseball League spent a few days last week at Boston
Red Sox spring training camp in Fort Myers, Florida. They
trained alongside former MLB players, working on skills, building strength,
and getting to know each other head of the wpbl's
historic inaugural season, launching August first, the first Women's Professional
Baseball League play in seventy two years. Down in Florida,
(36:55):
there was practice, an inter squad scrimmage, and a WPBL
FanFest during theirsday night Socks game. It was all part
of the WPBL Countdown Tour event, and the league promises
several more cities and stops for the Countdown Tour leading
up to the season. Now it's your turn, y'all, Rate
and Review, Thanks for listening, See you tomorrow. Good game, Fatima,
(37:15):
good game, Mikayla Schiffrin, you, Jesse Diggins for making us cry.
But also you know, good game, good career, good life.
Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You
can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or
(37:36):
wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 2 (37:37):
Production by Wonder Media Network. Our producers are alex Azzi
and Bianca Hillier.
Speaker 1 (37:42):
Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan
and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rudder, Lucy Jones,
Britney Martinez and Gianna Palmer. Production assistants from Avery Loftus
and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain
Welcome to a good game with Sarah Spain, where we're
buying some peanuts and cracker jacks. It's opening day for
Major League Baseball and we're one hundred and twenty eight
days from the long awaited return of women's professional baseball.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
It's Thursday, March twenty sixth. Then, on today's show, we'll
be speaking.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
With global hooper Fatima A, the founder and CEO of
the Women's Premier Basketball Association and a point guard for
Team Jamakeup. We talk about how a Golden State Warriors
basketball camp changed her life at a young age, the
highs and lows of playing ball around the world, why
she wanted to create a league for aspiring pro hoopers,
and what to expect at the first ever WPBA combine
(00:37):
during NCAA Final four weekend. Plus winter sports in the spring,
a game of hot potato, and a town is getting ready.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
It's all coming up right after this welcome back slices.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Here's what you need to know today, starting with some
wins her sports news.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
For those of us.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Still going through some Olympic withdrawal, Mikhayla Schiffrin has done
it again. On Tuesday in Norway, Schiffrin snagged her one
hundred and tenth career World Cup victory in dominant fashion
in the women's slalom. The wind caps off an incredible
slalom season for her. Not only did she win Olympic
gold in the discipline, she also won nine of her
ten World Cup slalom races, setting a new record for
(01:23):
most slalom victories in a single season.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
And on Wednesday, she took home the big trophy.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Schiffrin clinched her sixth overall World Cup title, tying the
record for most overall titles ever, originally set by Austrian
legend on Marie Moser prol in the seventies. Going into
the final race giant slalom, Schiffrin had an eighty five
point lead, meaning she only needed to finish fifteenth or
better to clinch the overall title. She ended up taking eleventh,
(01:49):
and in the emotional moment when she realized her victory,
she dropped to her knees, asking are you sure? Are
you positive all of this after two of the toughest
seasons of her life.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Way to go, Mikayla. We'll link to that video in
the show notes if you want to check it out.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
To figure skating, the twenty twenty six World Figure Skating
Championships are happening right now in Prague, and Team USA
sent a full crew to represent, including Olympians Amber Glenn
and Isabelle Loveto. Glenn is the reigning US champ and
finished fifth overall in Italy. She's now looking to win
her first world medal in Prague. After Wednesday's short program,
she sits in third place, behind Team Japan's Cawri Sakamoto
(02:27):
and Mone Chiba in first and second respectively. Team USA
is Libdo sits just behind Glenn in fourth place after
the short program, and she's looking for some.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Redemption on the world stage.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
In twenty twenty four, Leveto won silver at the championships,
and she finished just off the podium in fourth last year.
Olympic champion Alyssa lou is opting to sit out of
the Worlds this year, which is pretty common for gold
medal winners and Olympic years. Team USA's Sarah Everhart rounds
out the US women's team. She's in ninth going into
the free skate, which you can watch Friday at one
pm Eastern on Peacock.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
We'll link to the full results and scale in the
show notes to hockey.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
The business magazine Fast Company has named the PWHL the
number one most innovative company in Sports and number thirty
eight on their World's fifty Most Innovative Companies list. Nearing
the final month of the PWHL's third season, the league
is on the cusp of surpassing two million fans in
all time attendance. This season, average attendance across the league
(03:22):
is up twenty three percent over last year. Definitely own
a bit to the Olympic bump after that thrilling USA
Canada final. That's certainly part of the reason I could
get nineteen friends to join me at last night's Takeover
Tour game in Chicago.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Slices, are you doing.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Your part reaching out to friends to hit up women's
sporting events? Send that email invite organize those folks in
the group. Chat to running, and an update on the
controversy we first told you about earlier this month.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Quick reminder.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
At the US Half Marathon Championships, the top three women
were accidentally led off the course by race officials with
just about a mile to go. By the time the
race organizers notified runners and they returned to the actual course,
it was too late. Other runners had passed them by,
and the previously top three athletes finished way off the podium.
They lost prize money, which they were later awarded in
(04:11):
a good faith move by race organizers, but they also
lost a ticket to the World Championships. Each year, the
top three finishers of the US Championships make up the team,
along with one other athlete selected based on world rankings.
While on Wednesday, track and field's global governing body, World Athletics,
announced a solution. In a historic move, they approved an
expanded seven women US team for Worlds, up from the
(04:33):
standard four person team. So at Worlds this year, the
athletes selected based on rankings, plus the three athletes who
were let off the course at the US Championships and
the three athletes who officially crossed the finish line first
at the US Championships, we'll all get to compete. If
you remember from a few episodes ago, this was my solution.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
I love it. But wait, here's where things get tricky.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
World Athletics says before the race, USA track and Field
needs to designate four of those athletes as the quote
unquote scoring athletes, and the other three will be non
scoring athletes. The non scoring trio will be official team members,
but they can't contribute to team scoring or win medals.
They'll also wear a distinct uniform, so they're officially part
of the team, but can't contribute in any meaningful way.
(05:17):
So what happens if a non scoring athlete ends up
crossing the line in first, second, or third.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
They're just invisible. We pretend it didn't happen.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
I get that this is an extraordinary circumstance, and I'm
glad that all the runners are at least able to
go to Worlds and get that experience on the global stage.
But it kind of feels like the USATF and World
Athletics are just hot potatoing who gets to be the
final bad guy. USATF passed the ball to World Athletics. No,
it's tossed back to USATF. We'll keep an eye out
to see if the athletes themselves comment on this outcome,
(05:47):
plus how other countries feel about a US team nearly
double the size of everyone else's. To the WNBA, we're
one step closer to tip off, y'all. Is Both the
WNBA Board of Governors and the league's players have unanimously
agreed to ratify the new CBA, a deal that's set
to run through twenty thirty two. Now the league just
has to take a look at the rest of its
to do list, including I don't know, tackling an expansion
(06:11):
draft for new teams Portland and Toronto, free agency for
more than eighty percent of the players in the league,
the college draft on April thirteenth, training camp all before
the season starts May eighth.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
But we don't have to wait until May to get
some action on the court.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
We've got the preseason, and this year a few of
the preseason friendlies will make history. Minnesota Links had already
announced its own history making friendly. They'll be the first
ever WNBA team to play an African national team when
they take on Nigeria on April twenty seventh, and the
Chicago Sky have now announced in April twenty fifth friendly
against the Phoenix Mercury in Sioux Falls, bringing WNBA action
(06:48):
to South Dakota for the first time to the NWSL.
The Atlanta expansion team, set to begin play in twenty
twenty eight, has announced plans for a thirty three acre
combination headquarters and training center City Leaders in the town
of Marietta, Georgia. Approved a twenty million dollar land deal
last week for a development that will include a thirty
eight thousand square foot facility and four full fields. You
(07:10):
remember we told you the club already announced a record
breaking Front of Jersey sponsor deal too, so the atl
ain't messing around. Speaking of expansion teams, fans of one
of the NWSL's newest clubs, the Boston Legacy, have another
women's sports bar pop up come into town. We mentioned
earlier this week the sports Bra was doing pop ups
for March Madness, while the Envoy Hotel is getting in
(07:31):
on the action, turning its on site bar Para Maria
into two sixty one Para Maria, a nod to the
BIB number of Boston Marathon hero Katherine Switzer. Now through
the end of April, you could stop by for a
Catherine Spritzer and an Aaron Caesar salad in honor a
friend of the show in Fleet goalie Aaron Frankel, A
spritz and a Caesar throwing some French fries and it
(07:51):
sounds like the perfect lunch to me. All right, slices,
we got to take a break when we come back.
Doorless rooms in El Salvador and libraries at Dartmouth.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
We globe hop with Fatima A joining us now.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
She's the founder and CEO of Women's Premier Basketball Association.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
And the point guard for Team Jamaica.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
She's played ball in Egypt, Greece, Norway, Australia, France, l Salvador, Mexico, Canada, Spain,
and Ireland. A twenty twenty five Bay Area Host Committee
Trailblazer Impact Award winner, she got pink hair, fast feet
and a nasty crossover.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
It's Fatima A. Hi, Fatima, Hey Sarah.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
So great to be here today.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Yeah, I'm so excited to chat.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
We've run into each other at so many events, and
I've had so much curiosity about the WPBA, but we
haven't had a chance to sit down and really talk
about it. So this is a perfect time ahead of
the combine that you're throwing.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
But before we.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Get to that, and before we get to the WPBA,
I want to talk about your basketball routs. So tell
me when you first fell in love with the game.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
I would have to say maybe fifth grade. I ended
up going to this park and wanted to to make
my basketball team at that time, and ended up meeting
this girl that had this amazing crossover, and I wanted
to be just like her because it was kind of
like she was at Allen Iverson, you know player that
I grew up like loving and watching and adoring. But
(09:14):
I started to fall in love with the game more
when I got to middle school, just because of you know,
basketball playing such an instrumental role in my life at
that time. It helped me to really put things into
perspective and to just see the game and just see
life through a different lens.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
That's that's probably when it all happened for me.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Yeah, tell me about the role in particular that a
Golden State Warriors camp you went to played in giving
you just a safe, happy place to be a kid.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
Yeah, you know, I try not to think of this
as just like a moment of weakness. At a point
in my life, my family and I were living in
a homeless shelter and if you've been in that type
of situation, you know what it's like. And at that
point of my life, I really just needed some sort
of happiness.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
I needed to win. And the Golden State Warrior as.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
They ended up giving all of the kids in the
shelter that week scholarships to go to camp amazing.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
I had no idea where I was going that week, but.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
I just knew I wanted to get out of that place.
So I ended up pulling up to this camp. I
had jeans on, and I'm like, oh my god, we
are playing basketball right now right And it was just
so beautiful because no one knew what I was going through,
but they treated me like someone they cared about. And
I think, you know, those moments, that's why we play
sports like we get to be around community, we get
(10:30):
to have people pour into us, we get to have
people just reaffirm what our value was. So that was
that was that special moment for me that really helped
me to put things in a perspective.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
And how old are you then, God eleven?
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Yeah, that's a tough age that I mean, it is
fascinating to think about. And sometimes I have to be
reminded by someone that a lot of what athletes experience
throughout life, if you're playing sports your whole life, it's
a constant affirmation when you're doing great, it's a constant
adjustment to work on things and want to get better better.
It's an ability to take criticism in pursuit of greatness.
(11:04):
In pursuit of being better. And there's a lot of
people who kind of go through life without the good
and the bad. There they are not being affirmed repeatedly
by the fans or their coaches or their teammates. And
they're also not really great at taking feedback in the
goal of getting better at something because they're not used
to it.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Yeah, and like the game teaches us so many amazing
things just with character building. Like that week alone, I
was just like, oh my god, I can't get.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Enough of this.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
So it got me to play and pick up after
school and I ended up getting like a job, you know,
working in a food truck just so that I can
have money to buy new basketball shoes because I was.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
It just taught me to like invest in myself at
that point, you know.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Yeah, and look where it took you. I mean, it
really took you all over the world. I listed off
all those countries. I need a couple memorable stories from
your many stops, and I want you to start in
Al Salvador because the disconnect between oh my god, I'm
going to play professional basketball and then what you arrived
to find when you got there probably pretty shocking.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
It was.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
And I'm just like, excuse my language, but I busted
my ass that summer just so that someone could take
a chance on me. Right, I'm going to camps and
going to clinics, I'm trying to play on teams. I'm traveling,
you know, around the country, trying to see, you know,
what opportunity is going to help me lead me to
my next opportunity. And you know, when you're in it
and you kind of are figuring out what this new
(12:23):
space looks like, like there's a lot of anxiety around it.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
But when I got that first call that someone.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Was willing to pay me to play basketball and that
they trusted me to like lead their team, it was
the best feeling. Like I can't explain the feeling, but
it was probably one of the best feelings I've ever
had in my life. And then I get there, mind you,
Like I tell every player, now, do research on where
you're going, because I had no idea where else Salberto was.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
I just knew that I was about to go play basketball.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Yeah, and I'm doing my research. I'm like okay. And
then I get out there and I'm like okay, right,
Like the first place we played in, I don't even
think it had like a door, like an actual door
on the house, so like they had to move us
into a different location.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Well, and you were supposed to be alone, right, but
you had a roommate in a room without a door.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Like yes, Like I'm living with my teammate and it's
great that we both got along and we were just
like let's make it through, Like let's do it whatever
we need to do to make it through, because like
this is just one of those building blocks that going
to help us get to where we want to be.
So that season, like we really kept each other accountable.
But like it was tough, but I had kind of
(13:32):
been through similar situations like this. I was just like
I'm just going to get through this. Like we didn't
even have our hot water, like woa, yeah, but I'm
like I'm going to be able to get through this
because i know, like this isn't my destination, Like I'm
meant for bigger and better things. And I'd already gotten
prepped before even leaving from other pros that are like, hey,
you need to kill this league so that you can
(13:52):
make it into Europe.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
And that's exactly what I did.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
Like I was a second leading scorer in the conference,
and it's thing I was averaging like thirty points per game.
The team had never been with playoffs, Like helped the
team go to playoffs. But like I grinded it out
because I just I loved it so much and I
wanted it so much, and I could see the trajectory
of where I was going to be if I just
handled business.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
At that time, I didn't read much about your college
hoops experience.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
Can you tell me about that?
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Yeah, I will say I played for a good amount
of championship type of teams, like maybe out of the
five schools I went to, four out of the five,
we always made it to tournament time, like only one conference.
So like I'd always been a part of like winning culture.
So I knew that like what was expected of me,
(14:41):
whether I was playing or not, I needed to give
one hundred and fifty percent because when my name was called,
like I was going to do my best to do
whatever I needed to do so that I could show
the coach that you know, they should keep me on
the floor.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Yeah. But five different colleges.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
Five Yeah, So when did ju goo?
Speaker 4 (14:55):
I went to City College of San Francisco. My first year,
we did well. We ended up being you know, state
running around one conference that year. Ended up going to
Santa Rose Junior College after that, then it got a
full ride to go play at Texas A and M International.
That one was tough because I'd never really been out
of like the state of California.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
I mean, I'm from Toronto, but like we hadn't traveled.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Yeah, and you moved to the Bay Area pretty young, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
When I was like five, so kind of like the
Bay was just really like all I knew, and like
that year was really really tough for me. And I
feel like that's kind of when I started understanding like
what depression was. Okay, but I had some really amazing
teammates that just really helped me like stay in it.
But just the way that I am, I'm like, Okay,
(15:39):
I need to get this year back because I'm trying
to get somewhere. And I realized after doing my research
that in Canada they give you five years of eligibility
as opposed to four years of eligibility and c double a.
And I was just like, Okay, I'm gonna get my
year back. I'm going to transfer over. Ended up transferring
to a school over in New York. Ended up having
to red shirt that year because my credit's in a
transfer over from school. But ended up finding the school
(16:02):
that I really wanted to be at after just kind
of reintegrating myself into the Toronto area and I went
to a Ryerson University. My coach Cartly Clark, she is
the assistant coach for Canada basketball for the women's senior
national team. So, like, I was challenged a lot, right,
But I think essentially that's what's allowed me to have
(16:22):
the tough, like the thick skin that I have now
because I was able to get through all of it
and just keep pushing.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Yeah, well, you had a goal, which was to play,
and it took you to a number of stops before
even to all the countries that you went to. But
you ball out in El Salvador, which allows you to
get into some more professionalized leagues. Give me a good,
funny anecdote from Norway, Australia, Egypt, Greece, Mexico one of
those other places.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Oh my god, I was just talking about this earlier today.
Like I've been to some really beautiful countries, like Greece
is a beautiful place, Norway beautiful place, but does get
depressing during the time of like you, three months of darkness,
but like, I really love the food while I'm there.
I love being able to really immerse myself amongst the
people there and just learn about the culture. But yeah,
(17:10):
like every opportunity it just helped me learn a lot
more about myself, but just helped me to learn more
about the game from a global lens, which allowed me
to really like start putting into play, Like what do
I want to create that will be able to help
a lot of you know, these players that you might
have been in my same situation.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Yeah, I mean it's all building and growing towards creating
something for folks like you that maybe don't have a
straight shot to the WNBA but want to keep playing.
Speaking of keeping playing, you're thirty four now, thirty four
years young, Yeah, thirty four years young. You hooped for
a team Jamaica's three x three team last fall.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Is there more playing for you on the horizon?
Speaker 3 (17:50):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (17:51):
I Mean it's been tough, especially this last year with
really investing into being an entrepreneur, being a CEO, so
I've kind of have to like put my playing career
a little bit, you know, on the back burner. But
last year it felt really good to be able to
get back out there. And yeah, we've got Commonwealth Games
(18:12):
coming up again in Scotland this year and then I'll
be back be back out there playing professionally for the
upcoming season in the fall.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Don't know where yet, but okay, yeah, somewhere the world
knows Jamaican athletes. A lot for track stars, soccer players
now Bob's led, of course, but how big is the basketball.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
There is there a lot of support for the team.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
It's getting there.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
I think with the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation stepping
in and really looking to pour into the federation, they're
now starting to see the value. And again just with
the amazing growth that's happening in women's sports, I'm hoping
that they're pouring more into that as well. I know that,
you know the men, they just hosted the Feeble qualify
over in Kingston, So I believe moving forward they're going
(18:57):
to put more time, energy and resources into the women's
back because we've bought some talented up and coming players
getting ready to graduate from university that are ready to
you know, start representing.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
And you got connected with Team Jamaica because of your
mom's roots.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Yeah, so my mom from Jamaica.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
Yeah, and that was a part of just like being
able to understand being a pro in this space, Like
there's certain loopholes. If you hold a European or just
any type of citizenship for a country, like you can
be considered a local or a Bosman player, and that
allows you to now instead of having a fight for
these import spots, because some of these teams only allow
like one of more imports depending on what country you're
(19:34):
playing in, Like Mexico, they can have I played Top League,
like they had around like six of us on the
team right that were considered import players. But if you're
an actual like like resident, not resident, but citizen of Mexico, like,
you don't have to fight four spots. If you're good,
you can play like they're going to pick you up.
And that's the same thing for every other country.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
There's a lot of different leagues that have different rules
around that that people aren't aware of. Like you might
have a couple great Americans, but only two two of
them can be playing at a time, so if one's injured,
you can swap the other one in, but one might
be sitting on the bench and they're much better player
than someone else. But it's because of those rules about
how many important players can be like rostered at a time.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
It's complicated.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
So you have played in just about every situation set up, country, continent,
and it causes you to start to think about what's missing.
So tell me about the Women's Premier Basketball Association. And
before we even get to what it is, like, what
inspired you to say I want to create a whole
damn league.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Oh my god.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
I was in Mexico playing at this time, but like
even before then, I had really started building up my
network and understanding just the landscape of women's basketball, especially
at like the international level. And I can't tell you
enough how many times I come back home during my
off season and there's no place for us really to
be able to play. Yes, there's a pro am, but
(20:53):
it's not helping you get to somewhere. And I have
players that are in college or you know, players that
were cut from a pro team reaching out to me
asking me like, how are you still getting a job
because it's just like one I wasn't highly recruited, Like
my path isn't the traditional pathway, but somehow I'm still
able to stay employed every single year since I've graduated.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
But I understood that.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
There were so many people in this space that were
misinformed about what it takes to be a pro, the
professionalism of being a pro, and just really understanding what
it takes to also just build that longevity within your career.
And at the time, it really just came to me,
like I was in Mexico. I looked up the name
first because I was I prayed on the name, dreampt
about it, came into mind, went on go Daddy.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
I was like, oh, it's available.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (21:42):
So I'm like going down this rabbit hole of just like, Okay,
this is something. Now, what do I envision the perfect
lead to be based on my experience with some of
the clubs I didn't have the best experience with in
comparison to the clubs that I've had the best experiences with.
So I started putting it together. I reached out to
the people in the Bay Area that really believe in
what I was doing, and I asked them to just
(22:02):
like help me, like help me bring this to life.
And I'm in Mexico at the time, so I'm away
for like the first five weeks, but I'm facilitating and
having people, you know, help me out with just putting
the stuff together, and I ended up receiving award from
the Women of Courage by Congressman and Jackie Spear, So
I had twenty five thousand.
Speaker 3 (22:21):
Dollars to play with them.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Amazing.
Speaker 4 (22:23):
Yeah, like the timing of it, it was so clutch,
and I appreciate them so much for just believing in
me because the year before I had applied for it
and I didn't get the grant, and then the next
year I applied for it and I got the grant,
and it just kind of was just like it made
me think about the power of the universe and sometimes
you're not ready for that blessing at that time, but
we keep working, You're going to be ready for the
(22:44):
blessing when it's ready.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
And that was that sign for me.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
So that first year we ended up helping you know,
ten athletes, especially the ones that have been off of
the RAIDAR for so long, be able to get pro
contracts for the first time and really.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Turn their dreams into reacit awesome.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
So yeah, that that's kind of like the story about
how we guys started.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
Yeah, so we started it in twenty twenty two as
a developmental league so exclusively devoted to advancing women's basketball,
creating a pipeline that allows players to either get to
the WNBA to athletes unlimited to other top tier pro
leagues around the world, kind of the gap between college
and those professional opportunities, so that those who are just
on the CUSP keep playing, keep getting their name out there,
(23:26):
and create like this little ecosystem for folks to see,
meet network, et cetera. Also for coaches and officials, which
is a great opportunity for folks like that too who
are trying to get those reps to move up as well.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
So tell me who's eligible to play in the league.
Speaker 4 (23:41):
So we take players that are graduating seniors, and then
we also have players in the league that are pro athletes,
whether they have WNBA overseas experience to come back. And
then we have a small chunk of players that are
working professionals. So we have players that are lawyers and
doctors that can still compete at a high level, but
they can't quit their day jobs. So they're here, you know,
showing their friends and family that they can still do both.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
And so eight teams, twelve players per roster, and it's
pretty quick.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Just June to August, Yes, June August.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
I put it at that time because if players are
away from the WNBA, gives them the opportunity to kind
of just get their mental right, but also figure out
what their next steps are going to be. That way,
they can stay close to the game as possible. If
they get a call up, amazing, they're in shape, they're
ready to go, and if not, we're going to help
them get ready for their next European or overseas season.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
Okay, so you've had four seasons, have you had a
handful of players that have either gone to the w
Athletes Unlimited or other pro leagues?
Speaker 3 (24:35):
Almost?
Speaker 4 (24:36):
Actually, so we only had We have Rebecca Harris at
has played. She's a part of Athletes Unlimited. We almost
had a player go but they unfortunately got injured. They
were a training camp invite. But this year we're going
to make sure we have some of those players get
there this year. For sure, really excited about this year.
We're up leveling everything in terms of the talent, the
resources of venue that we're playing in. So this is
(24:59):
going to be a very tractive destination for anyone looking
to play this summer and really get better.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
You've partnered with our friend Jenny Wynn too from the
Sports BRA. Tell me about that.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 4 (25:11):
Jenny and I met maybe a few years back during
WNBA All Star and I had been a fan and
admire of what she was able to build with the
Sports BRA because I'm just I'm looking at everybody that's
contributing to this ecosystem from AFAR and I tell her
every time, I'm just like, I'm so proud of the
cultural impact that you guys have been able to create
(25:31):
with the sports Bra and really being able to amplify stories.
But you know, the platform of these leagues and these athletes.
So like I saw her again at the NWSL Championship,
ran the idea by her right, and then I ran
the idea by her again maybe about a month ago,
and at that time it was alignment, Like I'm really
(25:52):
much in this space of alignment right now, like what's
for me is going to be for me? And who
is on the same page as me, like them on
my team, And it just clicked and it just worked
at that time, so really excited that the Sports Brawn,
Jenny felt that this is something of value for them
just as not as we feel that as something of
value for us.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
So cool, we put it together.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Jersey logos and all that.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Yes, yea, yeah, it looks good. We got them on
our combine jerseys. So I can't wait to share that
with you.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
Guys, how do you afford those trips?
Speaker 1 (26:25):
I do see you at different conferences and end up
your cell championships, Like you're hustling trying to play ball.
You're trying to run a league and fund it, Like
where's your money coming from?
Speaker 3 (26:34):
You want me to be honest?
Speaker 4 (26:35):
Yeah, I I ref a lot.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Okay, I ref a lot.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
And I know a lot of people don't get to
see like the behind the scenes, but like I'm reffing,
I'm coaching on the side, like wherever I can make
money so that I can keep this going, because this
is something that's like it's tough, especially if you don't
have the right backing. But like I'm doing all of
those things so that I can make sure that I
(27:02):
continue to build this in the right way, because this
is how much I believe and care about this. But
you know, playing overseas allows me to free up a
lot more of my time because I'm getting paid to play,
so I'm able to allocate more of my time into
building the league. But this year we've started raising for
pre seed to be able to you know, get to
meaningful capital behind this because up until this point it's
(27:23):
been bootstrapped.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
Yeah, sponsors at all to help pay for salaries and stuff.
Speaker 4 (27:27):
Yeah, so like even before then, like players haven't been
paid to play, Like they've come here based on the
opportunity because you know, one, it's a great environment, but
they believe in wanting to invest in themselves and they
know if they do what they need to do and
they're here, we're going to help them get to where
they want to be.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
So right, so it's a pre pro situation that you're
not paying them, but they know that you're helping them
get to those paid gigs.
Speaker 4 (27:51):
Yeah, it's the brand building, it's the professional development, Like
it's putting them in that networks now that they have
the tools so that they can you know, continue to built.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
But this year we will be paying our athletes.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Oh great, awesome.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
Do you aspire to have an official relationship with the
WNBA like the G League and the NBA.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
I think like whenever I talk to people about this,
and I'm a firm believer of speaking things into existence,
like that's something I want to come to fruition, But
I know that there's work that needs to be done.
Are we providing value to the ecosystem?
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (28:23):
Do I want this to you know, this partnership to happen, Yes,
because I want to create an even more linear pathway
to helping players achieve their goals and aspirations of being
you know, playing in the w or if not, like
playing in these other big time leagues like Unrivaled than Athletes,
Unlimited and Project B. That's getting started, I think, you know,
with us being you know, backed by FOBA as well,
(28:43):
and being able to compete in off season competition internationally,
like that is something that is incredibly valuable to this
space that I don't think anyone else is doing.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
So your teams out of your league can play spun
out into international competitions.
Speaker 4 (28:58):
Yeah, in FOBA, WBL, so FIBA, they're a huge supporter
of what we're doing because again it's about growing the
game and being able to be within being officially recognized
within that world, Like that's huge. You only see FEBA
anything whenever we see national team stuff, but now with
them wanting to pour into more of the club play
(29:21):
so that the teams are getting ready, the players are
going to be in a better position to get ready
for when actual national team play starts. Like that's huge
and we get to be a part of that with
the only league in the US that is able to
be a part of the FEBA WLA cool.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
So have you had conversations with folks at the w
about partnership.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
I've run it by them, but again, like I want
them to see that my heart's in the right place
when I'm building this because at the end of the day,
like alignment, the partnership is right, is going to happen.
I know there's more work for us to be done,
but I know that I'm going in the right direction
because you know, we we have people asking the questions
we have you know the players now more players look
(30:00):
at this as a destination.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Yeah, it feels like, of course the WNBA would want
like proprietary everything, would want ownership of everything, so it
probably would be like a purchasing of your league situation.
But there's also this new upshot league that's launching in May.
Feels like they're kind of going to be a direct
competitor of WPBA.
Speaker 2 (30:18):
What do you know about them?
Speaker 4 (30:20):
I know a little obviously, like they have their stuff
that's up on their website. But again, just like any
other emerging league that's coming into this space, they have
to prove out their model and have to prove that
they're generating more value for the women in this ecosystem.
So it's great, like there's always going to be competition.
Speaker 3 (30:39):
It just makes us.
Speaker 4 (30:40):
Work that much harder to make sure we're at the
top of the pack. So yeah, I'm excited for all
the opportunities coming for the women's game.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
Well, and it feels like with multiple leagues now sort
of proving and pushing for the idea that there needs
to be a G League type situation, and with so
many conversations around the w's roster spots and players from
situations when they run short as opposed to having this
feeder system, it does need to be a little bit
more professionalized like it is on the men's side. So
(31:09):
the proof is in the leagues that are building, and
now it's just a matter of you know, the w
choosing one or working with or combining a few into
creating that thing that they need You've got this first
ever WPBA combine coming up during Final four weekend in Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
What's on the docket.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
Oh my goodness, I'm so excited.
Speaker 4 (31:26):
So we've invited the top ninety athletes in NCAA this
year to be able to.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Do that aren't in the Final four.
Speaker 4 (31:31):
I presume that aren't in the Final four, but that
are still very high on the roster for potential training
camp invites.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Right, I'm super excited about this.
Speaker 4 (31:40):
A lot of time and energy has been put into
putting on a very intentional production so that we can
get these players to the next phase of what their
careers are.
Speaker 3 (31:52):
Right.
Speaker 4 (31:52):
So we've got Bridget Pettis with us. That's a huge
pickup for us. I'd talked to her about the idea
back in August when she was down here on the
panel for my documentary screening, and she was like, let's
do it. And I just started putting it together and
we started working it all out. But we've got some
really good athletes connecting coming through. So I'm just I'm
(32:13):
excited to see who else is in the building. Reached
out to some of the WNBA teams for them to come,
and you know, Scout talent as well, but we're able
to put something together where we're trying to incorporate tech
and all of these health and wellness components so that
we're really helping to streamline the scouting that's being done
so that you know, teams can identify talent a lot
(32:34):
more efficiently at the W.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
So Bridget pettis former WNBA player, she's coming on kind
of coaching and facilitating the.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Combine absolutely as well as scouting talent and evaluating talent
as well.
Speaker 3 (32:45):
Cool.
Speaker 1 (32:46):
So then you invited folks from w teams in the
hopes that some of these players that maybe aren't the
obvious lottery picks for the draft might get seen as
potential developmental players or folks to just be on the radar.
Maybe there's some diamonds in the rough there or some
talent that needs to be cultivated with a couple of years.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Work to get to that level. Absolutely, yeah, I mean
it makes sense.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
There's such a quick turnaround from the college game to
the draft to training camp that it is the players
who obviously are going to be lottery picks that everyone
knows are some of the best in the world that
are going to make that leap but there is a
place for folks to fall through the cracks if they're
not in that group. And there's also, like a fascinating
thing about women is because of hormonal changes and the
(33:28):
so called second puberty, a lot of women actually peak
in their late twenties and early thirties physically, and yet
our college system is designed and set up as if
everyone is peaking at that twenty one twenty two, and
so that little gap in between might mean that a
player just a couple of years after graduating is actually
performing at her very best, and if she drops off
(33:48):
and doesn't have somewhere to play in the middle, you've
lost someone that has tremendous opportunity and talent to play
twenty seven, twenty eight through thirty eight. So this opportunity
for them to get in front of some of these
folks could be a really big to just keep them
in the game, give them the affirmation that they need
to believe that they're on the right path to go
playoffswhere and hopefully come back around, which is really cool.
(34:08):
Anything else you want to tell us about the league
and your future plans.
Speaker 4 (34:12):
Definitely looking to expand into different markets in the future,
looking to be introduced to a cohold new different fan base,
but really excited for the players that we are going
to be working with this season.
Speaker 1 (34:25):
Yeah, and you're in this very scholarly room right now
speaking at Dartmouth, so there might be some people there
with some funding, some connections at the very least some
very smart, good ideas for you. So hopefully it'll all
tie to this upcoming combine and the next season for
the WPBA.
Speaker 2 (34:41):
Thanks so much for the time.
Speaker 3 (34:42):
Thank you, Sarah, I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
Thanks again to Fatima for the chat.
Speaker 1 (34:48):
We have to take another break when we return, raise
your polls for one iconic victory lab.
Speaker 2 (35:01):
Welcome back, slices.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
We love that you're listening, but we want you to
get in the game every day too, So here's our
good game play of the day. We told you earlier
this week how legendary cross country skier Jesse Diggins ended
her career by winning her fourth World Cup overall season title.
But it's worth watching her last ever lap for yourself.
The US Ski team posted a video on Instagram showing
the ski community raising their ski poles in the air
(35:22):
as Diggins goes by. It's just a super fun and
touching sign of respect. Diggins got emotional in an interview
with NBC, sharing her big feelings as she said goodbye
to the sport and talking about the moment she was
honored by her fellow skiers.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
We'll link to both videos in the show notes. Also Slices.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
With the return of the W comes the return of
a particular brand of tea Who's Dating Who? And some
internet slooths spotted Dja Carrington and Jackie Young posting almost
the exact same photo from a high rise overlooking a
river with a sunset in the background.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
Boat going by.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
Slices, I'm gonna need you all that dive into those
mess boards and get us the deats.
Speaker 2 (36:02):
Is Jackie really dating her teammate Melissa Smith's X the
drama God. I'm so glad the W's back.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
We always love to hear from you, so hit us
up on email good game at wondermedianetwork dot com or
leave us a voicemail at eight seven two two oh
four fifty seventy and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review, y'all.
It's so easy. Watch the Women's Pro Baseball League linking
up with the Boston Red Sox rating seventy two out
of seventy two years in the making. Review players from
(36:32):
each of the four teams in the new Women's Pro
Baseball League spent a few days last week at Boston
Red Sox spring training camp in Fort Myers, Florida. They
trained alongside former MLB players, working on skills, building strength,
and getting to know each other head of the wpbl's
historic inaugural season, launching August first, the first Women's Professional
Baseball League play in seventy two years. Down in Florida,
(36:55):
there was practice, an inter squad scrimmage, and a WPBL
FanFest during theirsday night Socks game. It was all part
of the WPBL Countdown Tour event, and the league promises
several more cities and stops for the Countdown Tour leading
up to the season. Now it's your turn, y'all, Rate
and Review, Thanks for listening, See you tomorrow. Good game, Fatima,
(37:15):
good game, Mikayla Schiffrin, you, Jesse Diggins for making us cry.
But also you know, good game, good career, good life.
Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports
production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You
can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or
(37:36):
wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 2 (37:37):
Production by Wonder Media Network. Our producers are alex Azzi
and Bianca Hillier.
Speaker 1 (37:42):
Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan
and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rudder, Lucy Jones,
Britney Martinez and Gianna Palmer. Production assistants from Avery Loftus
and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain
Host
Sarah Spain
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