March 25, 2025 • 47 mins
Allison Galer, founder and president of sports agency Disrupt the Game, joins Sarah to share the story of starting her agency a year out of college, the failures that fueled her success, and the scripted TV show she’s working on with hooper turned analyst Chiney Ogwumike. Plus, Women’s Elite Rugby scrumming commences, our Starch Madness Final Four is set, and The More You Know about balls.
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Read about the scripted series Allison is working on with Chiney Ogwumike here
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The video of the Toronto Sceptres watch party is here
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to good Game with Sarah Spain, where we've never
felt so old. We just had to google Rapper Plies
after seeing him sit behind the bench at South Carolina's
tourney game and see him gift Daunce Dally with this
super sick gold chain flies. Have you guys heard Applies?
What's next? You're going to tell me nineteen ninety one
wasn't twenty years ago. It's Tuesday, March twenty fifth, and
(00:21):
on today's show, we'll be talking to sports agent Alison
Gaylor about launching her own agency straight out of college,
betting on herself, navigating the new look college sports space,
and the new scripted show that she's launching with longtime
client Chaneo Guma Kay plus a team of divided loyalties.
A slice gets us caught up on another type of balls,
and it's time to join the scrum. It's all coming
(00:42):
up right after this Welcome back Slices. Here's what you
need to know today. Let's start with March Madness, where
the Sweet sixteen is set. So let's tie a little
bit on some of these second round games. Shall We
(01:02):
First up Sunday's TCU Louisville matchup The so called Hailey
van Lyth revenge game, with the TCU grads suiting up
against one of her two former schools, as she spent
the first three years of her career playing for the
Cardinals and last season playing for LSU. In this one,
Van Let's current team, TCU, a two seed, defeated number
seven Louisville eighty five seventy worth remembering that TCU went
(01:24):
one in seventeen in Big twelve Conference play just two
seasons ago, and last year they had to hold open
tryouts after forfeiting two games. Now well, now, the Underfrogs,
aided by a few big name transfers including Van Lith,
are headed to the programme's first ever Sweet sixteen appearance
of any gender. Vanlth, a fifth year senior, has never
(01:44):
had her season end before the Elite eight meantime. Number
one overall seed UCLA is also headed to the Sweet
sixteen thanks to an eighty four to sixty seven win
over number eight seed Richmond, with Lauren Betts recording thirty
points on fourteen of seventeen shooting and adding fourteen rebounds
become the first UCLA player with at least thirty points
and ten boards in an NCAA tournament game. This was
(02:05):
a close one for a while. It was actually tied
at thirty six at the half before UCLA pulled away
and Richmond's Maggie Dugan did go out fighting after thirty
points in the first round. She put up twenty seven
points for the Spiders in the loss. On Sunday night,
Next up for the Bruins a meeting with number five
Mississippi in Region one. The action really heated up last
night with the best game of the tournament so far,
(02:27):
a double overtime thriller between Maryland and Alabama that saw
Brenda Frees and the Terps fall behind by as much
as seventeen in the third quarter before they battled back
to force overtime and then hung on in the second
extra session to win one eleven to one oh eight.
Sarah Tibiasu came up huge down the stretch for Maryland,
taking advantage of literally any little bit of daylight to
(02:48):
drain threes and step back jays, and Sarah Ashley Barker
shined in the loss. She put Bama on her back
with a school record forty five points, the kind of
game that honestly, you don't want to see either team lose.
It was a thrill ride and shout out to front
of the show and Maryland fan Kalayine Connigan, who is
likely barely standing after that one. But the Terps advance
(03:10):
where they will face Dawn Staley in South Carolina in
the Sweet sixteen, that's going to be a tough one.
Rest of the top seeds took care of business pretty
handily on Monday. Number two LSU top number six Florida
State one oh one seventy one, speaking of big performances
and a loss to Nia lats in the nation's top
score pretty much all season long. She had thirty in
the loss for FSU number one Texas speat number eight
(03:32):
Illinois sixty five forty eight, Number three Oklahoma top number
six Iowa ninety six sixty two, and number two NC
State bested number seven Michigan State eighty three to forty nine.
Rest of the games happened later than our recording, so
we'll catch you up on the rest of Monday's matchups
tomorrow and we'll preview the Sweet sixteen later this week.
To the Land of Scrums and Rocks, Women's Elite rugby,
(03:55):
the new fifteen A side US based league launched over
the weekend. The Boston Vanshie opened up play with the
twenty nine twenty seven winner for the New York Exiles,
while the Twin Cities Gemini defeated the Chicago Tempest twenty
to fifteen. The two other teams in the league, the
Denver Onyx and the Bay Breakers, will both hit the
field for the first time this coming weekend. The thirty
game Weer regular season continues through June fourteenth, followed by playoffs.
(04:19):
Fans can watch every game for free on his own.
A little more rugby news too, USTR. Alona Mar, who
plays club rugby across the Pond, has a podcast launching
today called The House of Mar. The show will feature
Alona and her sisters Olivia and Adriana. We're sure it's
going to be unhinged. Can't wait to listen. We got
(04:40):
to take a quick break when we come back. We
talked to agent Alison Gaylor joining us now. She's the
founder and president of sports and entertainment agency Disrupt the Game,
representing top female athletes including current and former Hoopers Cheneogumkay
Kelsey Mitchell, Agelani Lisa Leslie, Kiki Eriefen, Anissa morro and
(05:03):
soccer star Crystal Done. She's a graduate of Brown University
and UCLA Law School, licensed by the California State Bar.
We've kicked at Poolside and can and we've chopped it
up at the Opera House in Sydney. It's Alison Gaylor.
Thanks for joining us, Allison.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Wow, we've been to several continents together. That's pretty exciting.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
What should we do next? Antarctica?
Speaker 2 (05:23):
We could Shelley's Alice actually went to Antarctica, but that's
really story.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Yes, all right, add it to the list. I want
to go back to the beginning, and I don't think
we've ever talked about this, but I'm curious about how
you got started in the agent game, because I know
a lot of kids grow up wanting to be ballplayers,
and you did play basketball at Brown. When did the
shift happen from dreaming of being maybe a pro baller
to dreaming of being a pro agent.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Well, growing up five eight, white and Jewish and being
from LA I didn't have high hopes of my professional
career and was reminded at a very young age that
I better get to it on academics because my basketball
career was only going to go so far, and to
be honest, it got more.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
You got one? Come on. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Look, it's an ongoing joke with most of my clients
that I have five points to my NCAA Division one
record books. But what I like to say is five
more than most. That's right anyways. Usually usually Chiney will
be like, I scored five in five seconds, but I'm like, okay, cool,
that's nice anyways. But yeah, I got lucky. I grew
up around the business, so I started interning for the
(06:29):
La Sparks when I was seventeen, getting ready to go
play it round. And my uncle has been in the
business forever. He's a legend. He's Magic Johnson's longtime agent
and best friend. And now yeah he's the uvpn CMO
the Dodgers. So I'm very lucky that my uncle Lawn
helped plug me early and then kind of open the
door so I could run through it more or less.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
So I'm curious when you have an uncle, Lon Rose,
than you're talking about who's working in the space. Not
only do you probably get some cool perks in terms
of game tickets, agetting to meet folks like Magic Johnson,
but what was about what he was doing that appealed
to you, especially as a kid. What did you see
in the work he did that was like that looks awesome,
really interesting question.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Honestly, Sarah, no one's ever asked me that, which is fascinating.
I think so because he was my uncle, right, he
wasn't my parent. I got like enough access where I
was like, oh, I don't want like anything but this,
like it's VIP or nothing from the rest of my life.
But at the same time, I didn't get handed everything
because obviously, you know, his kids would come first, as
(07:31):
it should, like I was his niece and I got
I got lucky that he took me in, you know,
and helped help me a ton, but I still kind
of itched for more, I think to a certain degree.
And my parents are amazing and my stepdad is an entrepreneur.
My mom was a longtime civil litigator. Like you know,
they're amazing, but they weren't necessarily in the business of sports,
and so I think for me. When I started interning
(07:54):
at seventeen, I was a senior in high school and
excited to go play, like I you know, I was
very focused on basketball at that point and my playing career,
but I hadn't ever been around the WNBA. I hadn't
really seen the product. I hadn't been around you know,
I got lucky. I was I was around practice, I
was around games. I was around the players, I was
around the GM, I was around the owners. I had
I had access, and I realized that my I guess,
(08:18):
my brain and my personality would be a really good
fit for working in the business of sports. From that
point on, it wasn't necessarily watching my uncle's career. It
was more well, first of all, as a kid, he's
pretty tall, He's like six', three SO i couldn't understand
why he wasn't a player like he since me as a.
Kid and THEN i, realized, like, okay he has a different,
role but he still gets to live in the. Space
AND i loved.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Basketball, YEAH i mean just being around sports when it's
something that you, love one thing THAT i find interesting
and If i'm being completely honest and revealing a dark
piece of my, SOUL i tried to get into pr
WHEN i wanted to do like acting in comedy and.
STUFF i thought, like, Oh i'll be near it and
it's not as hard of a. Path AND i found
it really hard to spend my time working on other people's.
Dreams AND i think that's a very very specific skill
(09:02):
set for an, agent is to be able to take
a backseat to somebody else getting all the. Shine is
that natural for you BECAUSE i love a. Spotlight It's
i'm good at putting it on other people. Too BUT
i don't know IF i could always be in the.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Background, Yeah i'm Probably i'm probably too good at at
putting my clients, first probably to a, fault, honestly to
my own detriment at some, level because because of starting
my own company and being on my OWN i should
have done a better job kind of putting me front and.
Center but even like being on this, podcast you, know
you AND i have a great rapport and you know
(09:34):
you've been proactive and reaching, out And i'm not good
at putting myself out. THERE i. Should so maybe this
is the start of a new era Of alison getting
out there and.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
The good game bomb out.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
There, yeah, yeah, Exactly i'll give you all the. Credit but,
YEAH i JUST i Think i've always been of the,
mindset if you, know IF i put my clients first
AND i do what they, need you, KNOW i do
what needs to get done for, them Then i'll get
WHERE i need to, go, Right like it's a natural.
Byproduct if they, win you, KNOW i. Win and at
some point IF i ever want a, linelight you know
(10:04):
some limelight cool like, this even you Know chene AND
i partner up on the, show like Ultimately china will
get the. LIMELIGHT i mean that is the way we
designed it that you, know we're partners in the company
that we, started the production company and. Victorious But i'm
always going to put my clients. First it's.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Working my agent's not even on social. Media he's shady as.
Hell he like, you he would you never see him
on an, interview like how do you do? THAT i
couldn't do. That you started shady as? Hell, well not
just in the sense that he like he's he's always,
there he sees it. All BUT i don't know from
where he's viewing, It like what account are you looking
at this? From if you're not on anything, anywhere we
(10:38):
can't can't be found very Stakle.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Well not since digress on that, point BUT i think
agents are at an interesting juxtaposition in the business sports right,
now where you have some very high profile agents that
have put themselves out, there and then you still have
some that are kind of in the shadows and purveying
from a, distance like your agent is what it sounds.
Like BUT i try to hit the middle ground where
Like i'm visible but not visible to the. Detrina you, know,
(11:02):
ultimately slients have to come, first.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Exactly, yeah you started your own agency a year out of.
College why did you want to start your own shop
and not join an existing? Agency get your feet wet
for a while before you spun.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Out i'm going to try to say this in a
way that doesn't make me sound Like i'm feeling.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Myself BUT i, MEAN i just literally SAID i could
never do a job WHERE i just helped other people
get the. Spotlight so, space this is the honest.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Space safe space in front of. Everybody but that's. Fine
SO i interned a lot through, school AND i was
very naive and fullish and believed THAT i could figure things,
out you, know along the. Way basically the best way
to learn is child by, fire as long as you
do your preparation and your research and you asked the right.
Questions AND i felt pretty confident THAT i could do.
(11:48):
THAT i definitely originally THOUGHT i was going to work
at THE nba in their associate. Program that was my original.
Thought i'll go do, That i'll work a little bit
on THE, wnba and Then i'll start my. Agency and
then the lockout. Happened this is. UH i graduated in twenty,
eleven and SO i actually wrote a thesis about the
potential for a lockout happening Because i'm nerdy like. That
(12:09):
and then it. Happened and SO i think the social
program like wasn't hiring or whatever it. Was AND i
went to work for one other company for ten. Months
it was like a subsidiary of this guy Named Jim
plata and his, investments and he's a partnerwner of the
Bust At celtics and Bought. Acerooma, anyway, BASICALLY i could
have either gone to work at a bigger company or
started my own. Thing AND i chose to start my own,
(12:32):
thing bet on, myself BECAUSE i was, young AND i
had a lot of relationships And i'm you, Know i'm
good in a room And i'm good around. People AND
i was basically told like they're either going to steal
your clients or eat you. Alive so if you want
to do it, yourself do it. Now do it when you're,
young and you, know you can always fall back and
(12:54):
go work for a bigger, agency but you might as
well might as well. Try and If i'm gonna bet on,
anyone it's it's gonna. Be. YEAH i love, that BUT
i also HAD i had a backstop, too of you,
know my parents helped pay for my life AS i
was putting money into my, business which most people don't.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Have, YEAH i love. That you admit. That it's so
important because so many people listen to folks stories of
getting started and they leave, out conveniently some of the
things that allow that to. Happen how did you get
your first?
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Client, so my first client was a woman Named sammy
Pra hallis and She ohio. State was That ohio, state, yep,
see you, know you know all the. Things she actually
had a tattoo on her index finger that SAID sajj
dot dot dot that she used to put to the
crowd and.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Ro that is absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Sick she shoot badass for. Sure so SHE i met
through two of my really close friends At brown that
played on the men's team were close To Evan, turner
And Evan turner was Dating. Sammy So evan AND i are.
COOL i Met sammy at like his draft. Party we became,
friends and then she kind of quickly, realized, oh Like
alison knows THE, wnba she knows a lot of these,
(13:58):
gms LIKE i trust to you, know kind of asked,
me would you be my? Agent and then. Yeah and
then at my first, JOB i basically took my first
job AND i told my boss, like, Hey i'm going
to work here for ten months and Then i'm going
to start my own. Agency this Is june of twenty.
ELEVEN i literally just, graduated AND i told, Him i'm
going to work here for ten months and Then i'm
(14:19):
going to go start my own agency in women's basketball
with this like one player That i'm going to, represent
who's going to be a top six overall. Pick she
ended up being the six overall. Pick and he literally
THOUGHT i WASNTS i, mean most people THOUGHT i was.
Nuts this is this is thirteen years, ago when women's
basketball was not a hot commodity at.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
All what did you learn in the early. Years because
to your point about getting help from your, PARENTS i
also love when people actually admit to. Failures if people
are hearing about successful folks and think it's been an,
easy breezy. Ride then when they have, failures they're, like,
Oh i'm not cut out for. This SO i, wonder
if you made a mistake on a contract or you
lost a potential client due to, something what's something you
learned having to learn on the?
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Fly knock on. Wood SO i did go to law
school along the, way and that. Important i've never never
messed up on a. CONTRACT i will ask any of
my clients, Like i've never never done a bad, deal
never made a mistake on their behalf that would cost,
them you, know a. Dollar thank. God i'm maniacal when
it comes to. Contracts but my biggest early failure besides
(15:23):
like not you, know playing basketball through four years At
brown and quitting after a, year which was not that
has nothing to do with the show up the, game
BUT i think that definitely did a lot to fuel
me to, success you, know in the world of basketball,
postgrad BECAUSE i didn't have it on the. Court and
it's still it's still one of my biggest. FAILURES i,
mean to be, fair we were two and twenty. Six we're,
trash and so it was easy to walk, AWAY i
(15:45):
guess in that, respect but sort of. Easy my first
failure was my first. Client sammy fired me before the
end of that first, season her risky, season and and
that was a really tough, blow But i'm better for,
it and it's probably the best thing that could have
happened to, me is experiencing that type OF i GUESS i.
(16:07):
WAS i JUST i thought we, were you, know because
we were so close AND i started this, thing and
like it just, yeah like other agents kind of started
poking around LIKE i. WAS i was twenty two and
had never been you, Know i've never been a top
player in THE. WNBA i wasn't a top player in.
College like people were, like who the fuck is? It you,
know basically, like, oh she only knows, things because one
(16:27):
agent went and ran his mouth THAT i only knew
things because my cousin was in the, Business like you,
idiot at least get the family, number. Right but, basically
When sammy fired, me that was that was a tough
blow for. Sure BUT i had already Signed Lisa leslie
at that, point AND i was, like you know, What
i'm gonna put my head down And i'm gonna take
this out even if, yeah you, Know lisa gave a
(16:49):
lot to my name at a very early age and
trusted in me when she didn't have. To that's for.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Sure it's easy to get in a young person's ear
about oh you picked. Wrong you need someone with more,
experience you need SOMEONE i don't almost blame her at
all for getting scared and going and running to something
that seemed more stable and more like long, lasting or
something that had more of proof of. Concept but what's
great About lisa she had been around for a long
time and gave you that credibility by joining you and
(17:13):
believing that you could do something something. SPECIAL i know
every day is, different but just for the listener who
maybe don't understand where lawyer versus agent versus manager and
can you just tell us a big picture what you
do as an agent for these top level athletes and.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Broadcasters, sure so we do everything pretty. Much it's three.
Sixty it's everything from playing contract to nil stuff which
is all like marketing to you, know from endorsements to
speaking engagements to broadcast. Work you, know we represent Obviously
Lisa leslie and Then Gheneg, womckay who are both both.
(17:49):
Broadcasters so it really spans the. Gamut but that that's, purposeful,
Right so if we sign a kid in high, school
to a, kid you, know to a player that's about
to retire and go into their second, career we really
can and what what offerings are to best help them
navigate where they're at in their. Career and SO i
would say we're new to the high school, game which
is a little bit, different but we have gotten pretty
(18:11):
pretty active in college and you, know figuring out THE
nil space and then helping players navigate THE nil space
to the you KNOW wnba space and THEN wnba to
kind of post. Career what does that look.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Like about how many athletes you have right?
Speaker 2 (18:27):
NOW i think it's, sixteen about to be.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
SEVENTEEN i want to break any news right, now OR
i need to get a contract side. First but, COOL
i get, THAT i get. That how big is the
disrupt The game?
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Team that's pretty. Small we are very small and, nimble
but WE i would argue that relative to the bigger,
agencies we have just as much time and resources and.
Production it's just we're a smaller team with a smaller client,
list and so we can give more of ourselves to those.
Clients probably to a fault.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Back To jackie.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Exactly, yeah it all comes full. Circle So Jackie, jamalis
who was a longtime client and played THE wnba in
overseas for over a. Decade she started working At disrupted
The game a couple of years ago and is just
as a star and obviously you, know having been a former.
Player she's also been an assistant coach in THE wnba
for The New York. Liberty there's nobody that has the like,
(19:23):
coach player and now agent that doesn't. Exist so her
perspective is, super super rare and amazing and you'd love
her when you guys, MEET i can't. Wait and then
we have a small support staff otherwise like, logistics, accounting other.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Stuff as an, Agent i'm sure you have felt acutely
aware of the shift of the whole business of women's
sports in the year since you got started back in twenty.
Twelve where do you feel it? Most where is it
Most Noticeablehere you're, like, wow this almost feels like a
different business WHEN i, started.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Literally right. NOW i MEAN i couldn't couldn't have. Predicted
first of, all Like chane AND i is selling a
scripted show based on our lives that hopefully will become
what impact rage has. Had or you, Know jerry McGuire or.
Whatever like there's never been a female version of. That
And i'm not trying to inflate myself important in search,
aise but like it's just it's never been done. Before
but like that same, week we're closing a couple of
(20:15):
partnerships For Anissa morrow And kikiriri often as they transition
into you, know out of college into the W nba
in the next, month THAT i could have never never saw.
Coming it's it's an extraordinary time for these, women and you,
know as a byproduct for us as. Well IT'S i
could give you a list of the brands that we're
working with right, now like literally in this, moment current
(20:37):
active campaigns that our clients are, doing and it's it's.
Unbelievable brands are showing up and and, Yeah i'm very
fortunate to be Where i'm at right.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
Now is the biggest shift in the amount of? Sponsors
is it the salaries you're? Negotiating is it resources and
support that comes as a part of CBA's like is
it just all of? Them everything is shifted dramatically.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
All of the. ABOVE i would, Say, also just we
have seven N al clients right now and players are
focused on playing In March, Madness, right we just tried
to close every brand partner deal like if you will
get Like niece Or Matty booker's social like you'll See
kava or LIKE cvs or you, Know key's done a
bunch of different. Things but like we had, to you,
(21:21):
know kind of lock those before so that they could
focus on the tournament and just get everything done. Beforehand
at the same, time for the players that aren't seniors
going to play in THE, wnba the transfer portal opens
tomorrow and so there's all this pressure and people circling
around these players of do you want to stay at your?
School how much are you gonna get? Paid are you
(21:43):
going to? Transfer are you going to? Transfer thinking that
you might go back to your. School but just as a,
negotiation it's all it's business at this point and a. Lot,
yeah it's it's a lot at, once for.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Sure so that's an incredible thing to be dealing, with
just in the college side of, things which feels so
professional in so many. Ways so, yeah that shift is
huge for. Agents i'm kind of curious AND i want
to get back to some other stuff around, sponsorships but
you got me thinking about how do you keep up
WITH cba, changes major shifts in college and how they,
(22:14):
operate team dynamics or rumors or news about a team
that might mean an opportunity or a slot is opening
up the, News, like how do you keep up with
all that so that you can negotiate for, clients because as,
media it's hard for us to keep up with the
way that everything is. Changing you have to be ahead
of the game and know the things that aren't even out.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Yet SO i used to THINK i was like a
bit overqualified based on my academic. PEDIGREE i would, say
you are, also and it's a part of what separates
you and makes people want to listen to, you because
you are so smart and went to AN Ivy week.
School And i'm not saying like anyone with AN Ivy
week degree else. More, yeah, yes but, well but the
(22:54):
people that have have the academic SciTE and can and
kind of figure stuff out with their, brain but also
have the personality to figure out the relationship. Side AND
i THINK i would Say i'm pretty good at. That
you're really good at, That like there's not a lot
of people that have. Both but that helps me stay
ahead of the curve for. Sure right, now and like,
NO i Mean i'm very confident about WHAT i do
(23:14):
and HOW i do. It, yeah and every day just
everything's changing really. Fast but as long AS i would,
say law school help with that, too of just my
ability to analyze and also skim things LIKE i can't
read everything all the, Time but as long AS i
know what's happening and where it's going and how HOW
i advocate for my clients accordingly and make sure to your,
point Like i'm ahead of things and not behind, them
(23:36):
that's ALL i can. DO i, MEAN i can't be
perfect all the, time but we, try AND i think
it's an. INEVITABILITY i stayed out of THE nil space
Until jackie AND i got after it last year, recruiting
just in part to see how it was going to
pan out and what the market was looking. Like was it?
Sustainable are these brands going to keep spending year over
year or is it just a drop in the bucket
(23:56):
and a flash in the pan and then it's going to?
Disappear and it. Is it is, sustainable and it's it's
amazing what these you, know the opportunities are in front
of these players right, now because there's a ton of
brand dollars that are that are out into the. Ether
with that, said there's a lot on their, plate like
they have a lot of.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Pressure you talked about the, relationships the ability to connect with.
People in, part that's just folks around that will inform
you in. Advance, hey just to heads, up this is
coming down the. Pike this is probably an affect your,
clients Or, HEY i don't know if you've heard about,
this but this team said, this who said, this which
is a huge part of being an, agent is sort
of THE i scratch your, back you scratch mind kind
(24:35):
of situation of like we'll give you information if you
tell us, this or can you help out with this
client if you, do you like that part of the
business or is that hard for you to do the
Whole let me take a meeting with someone that sucks
and play.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Nice that's definitely not my biggest strength Because i'm a
straight shooter And i'm very, honest probably to a. FAULT
i don't like all the, bullshit that's for. Sure with that,
said it's an INEVITABILITY i have to deal with every.
Day so SOME i, mean look in the w, space
like it's too small for people to really be like
assholes all the time and completely screw each other. Over
(25:09):
AND i don't you, KNOW i don't really go after
other people's clients like they don't really come after. MINE
a part of WHAT i do have trouble with every
day is how MUCH i could throw in my phone
and actually do meaningful work as opposed to being on
my phone and being accessible to clients and to people
you know that we're working with and partners and all those,
things and then the information you, know sharing of talking to,
(25:31):
gms talking to head coaches and women's college. Basketball, YEAH
i can't be everywhere all the, time but we try
to keep our pulse on. Everything AND i do think
the benefit of being a smaller agency in part is
because there's one person talking to on behalf of our
clients or. Two as it relates To jackie and, me
you don't have like there's not a marketing person who
doesn't talk to our clients or to you, know like
(25:52):
it's just right we move quick because we were in
locks up with our.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Clients it's just fascinating to me how behind the scenes
so much happens that people are unaware. Of and sometimes
it feels like these tentacles exist publicly that people don't
know are part of the machine behind the. Scenes when
a reporter breaks something about someone that's particularly, positive sometimes
that says a thank you for something that that agent
did for them in relation to some other breaking story
(26:17):
that they, wanted and all of that ecosystem is kind
of fascinating to think about from the. Outside you, KNOW
i want to ask back to. Sponsorships for such a long,
time the sponsorship game that did exist for the women's
game was the hot ones, right sex. Sells the women
with sex appeals seem to get the biggest, endorsements regardless
sometimes of how their on field performance might have spoken
(26:39):
to their talent or the size of their. Brand it
feels like that's. Changing we're getting a wider variety of
brands and sponsors in the. Space we're getting more multi
dimensional idea of what these women are, masculine, feminine, villain you, know, funny,
silly et. Cetera what have you seen behind the. Scenes
are there some brands that are still pitching things and
you want to tell, them, hey it's twenty twenty, five,
(27:00):
like that's not how we're doing this.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
Anymore our, clientele we've never gone after The instagram following that,
like isn't necessarily going to translate into THE. Wnba that's
not my bag at all and not not super interesting for,
us to be completely. Honest SO i don't know how
that's going to. Evolve because a lot of players that
do have a huge social media following in college but
(27:22):
don't necessarily pan out in THE. Wnba you, know there's
a dip in their business for, sure and they have
to figure it out and roll into new. THINGS i
think that. There as much AS i wish that there
was more of a meritocracy in who gets brand deals and,
endorsements it's not always a. MERITOCRACY i think the better you, play,
obviously the higher the probability that you're going to get.
(27:44):
Endorsements but it doesn't always work like. That it's doesn't
just happen in. PARALLEL i WISH i wish it. DID i, mean,
obviously social media following is a is a quantitative and
qualitative way to ascertain following and impact and influence and
all those. Things and some of my clients are not
big social media. Girlies they're just not like they'd rather
(28:06):
do what they do on the, court and they still
have to fulfill the brand, stuff but they're not necessarily
thinking every day like how DO i build my, following
how DO i build my. Base hopefully the game will
take care of, itself especially in big moments Like March
madness in THE. Wna it's still not there yet in
terms of you play really well and then you get.
Opportunity And i'll also put an onus on us and
(28:28):
on agents in, general like if you're not reaching, out
brands will go. Elsewhere they kind of go to whoever
they talk to.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
First and personality matters, too even on the men's. Side
it's not just about sex. Cells there are some great
men's players that just aren't great pitch people or don't
have a really interesting and charismatic appeal to. Them and
it certainly was more lopsided on the women's. Side it
is getting, better. Thankfully and the nice thing about some
social media is it is about some player's personality and
(28:54):
not always just about whether they're the. Hottest it's sometimes
about being funny or relatable or something, else and that
is opening up a few more. OPPORTUNITIES i, think what's
the next big change that will help women's sports take
another step? Forward what's still getting in the way or
what do you wish more brands or networks or investors
knew that would help take a next big.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
Step this NEW cpa in THE wnba is going to
be a huge change in a lot of ways if
if we can get it where we need to, go
we MEANING i mean ultimately Obviously i'm on the side
of the players in the union and the rest of,
agents BUT i think that there's such a where it's
such like a pinnacle of, momentum and if we do
(29:34):
a couple of the kind of right things to help
keep building that, momentum the sky is literally the limit
because the, MOMENTUM i, mean it's going to KEEP i
Think chaney says on air all the, time like it's
not a moment it's. Momentum you, Know it's, true it's
it's it's been. BUILDING i would say it was building
in the Last march madness last two years probably in
(29:55):
these matchups and the personalities and the rivalries and all the.
Things and then you take that right into like The
Vegas New York, liberty you, know rivalry that's now a. Thing,
WELL i guess they played In minnesota last. Year but, anyway,
basically just like these these super teams in THE. Wa
all these worlds have been colliding for a while that
that are building up into this, Moment and if we
(30:17):
get THE cba, RIGHT i think it's going to be
LIKE i hate to, say like, cataclysmic but it's it's the.
TRUTH i. THINK i think from like a salary, perspective
from how how players, operate, perspective from a brand, perspective
like if we get the salaries, right everything's going to
go up because the cost to get these players to
(30:37):
do things off the court is ultimately going to go
up as the salaries go, up because the players aren't
going to be as dependent for their income on you,
know on these. ENDORSEMENTS i mean right now for most,
agents or at least for my, business like most most
of our business is. Endorsements that drives most of, what you,
know what these players. Make and so between between salaries
going up in THE wnda with this NEW cba and
(31:00):
then you have this red share that's about to hit
in women's college basketball and THE nil, space like it's it's,
amazing what's happening right?
Speaker 1 (31:06):
Now, YEAH nwsl just renegotiated and updated THEIR. Cba we
haven't seen it, yet have you seen.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
It you're an, AGENT i probably should have seen it by,
Now But crystal's my only soccer client right now and.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
She's A, pesg SO i, guess, yeah you no longer
need To you no longer need to. Know although you
Know crystal going TO, psg it was part of a
lot of, movement and that happens when the draft goes
away in THE, nwsl when there's more international movement between.
Leagues crystal was in the first of a three year
deal it got. Them she just played one season. There
(31:42):
we all expected her to be there for the length
of that. Contract what can you tell us about what
happened there and why she ended up moving TO psg mid.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
Contract, yeah when she signed that, contract we definitely wanted
her to be At gotham for you, know the entirety
year of. Contract that's why we wanted it to be
a three year, deal and so did you Know. Gotham,
unfortunately things don't always go to. PLAN i think for both.
Sides it just didn't work out the way that we
had all envisioned it to, be and you, know Ultimately
(32:09):
crystal needed to be in another. Environment we did the
best we could with the timing we had to figure
it out and make sure that that she was going
to be in a good environment for you, know for
her and ultimately for you, know For gotham also to
kind of move on without her and no hard, feelings
none of. That it just it didn't fit the way
we wanted it. To, yeah and, like, Look New york's
(32:31):
home For, Crystal like we we did want it to,
work but it's, sports and, yeah there's always a lot
of factors that go into, happy successful partnership between a
club and a, player and unfortunately that wasn't one that panned.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
Out, yeah it's nice to have A french, husband so
her other home can be, Uh, paris which is. Decent,
yes you, Know crystal obviously a, legend a veteran who
is so, established and then you're working with up and
comers like we talked about Usc Hooper keeek at your.
Event she's just learning the. Space she's just starting to
think about all the things that you're talking about with
(33:03):
the business of. It how does your relationship change and
how did their needs? Shift because it feels like you
And cheney are like almost. Sisters you came up together
figuring it, Out you've been working together for a dozen
years or, whatever and then you've got someone Like kiki
that maybe you feel a little bit more like a
like a mom or an, aunt or like you got
to take care of.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
Them so it's, interesting, Right lisa AND i started working
together AND i was twenty, two so that dynamic already was, Like,
Okay i'm your, agent but also sometimes you can like
kind of mom me in certain, ways and like that
was an interesting back and, forth and it still is.
Interesting Obviously i'm thirty five, now but we still have
a funny dynamic that. Way as you mentioned with Like
(33:44):
cheney Or Elizabeth williams or other age. Mates let's say
that we did come up together and we're like very
close in, age like two or three years. Apart that's,
different for, Sure and that's definitely the norm of WHAT
i was used to BECAUSE i was mostly recruiting players
through my twenties and now evolving into my, thirties and
(34:06):
all of a, sudden kids are. Younger they're not the
same generation THAT i. AM i don't understand some of
the things they. SAY i have to google it OR
i have to look it. UP i have to look
it up on, TikTok because like you can't just google
like google stuff, anymore and SO i Guess I've i've
definitely had to evolve with the. Times and as much
AS i used to be like the, young you, know
(34:26):
kind of trying to hustle and figure it, out Now
i'm a little bit more like established and to your,
point more like mom Or auntie, vibes but like or
like cool older sister vibes.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
Too, okay, yeah that feels better for. YOU i think.
Cool i'm more fanancy at this. Point you're a coo older.
Speaker 2 (34:43):
Sister probably we're pretty close in.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
Age but that is so, NICE i, know but thank.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
You Now i'm literally asking some of my, Players LIKE
i went to dinner With Avery, howell who's a freshman
AT usc the other. NIGHT i was, Like, avery how
old are? You just like? EIGHTEEN i was, like, WOW
i Hope i'm not like bugging you at this, point
and Like i'm decently.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
Cool because it's impossible to. Tell there's really no way to.
Tell the only way to do it is to just
try to not try to be, cool because that's more
annoying than just existing and not being. Cool like the
tryhard is the worst.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
Part, LOOK i have a broken toe right, now And
i've been scooting around, literally and so that's been hilarious
for all my younger, Clients like Even Maddy booker like
noticed THAT i cut my feet off in a picture
and like commented, about you, know LIKE i just. Look
part of my job is being able to relate to
people and ultimately be able to advocate for, them no
matter if they're sixteen or you, know fifty, Plus like
(35:38):
it is what it, is AND i Think i'm decently
good at, that And jackie on my team is great
at that, too just like we can connect with.
Speaker 1 (35:44):
ANYBODY i want to talk About kiky's part of the
second season Of Full Court PRESS espn doc that's going
behind the scenes with three college basketball players as they
navigate the season last year with such a fun watch
exciting batch this. Year how much pitching are you doing
to get your player featured and how much are they
seeking players out for stuff like?
Speaker 2 (36:01):
That So, HM i don't want to take credit at,
all BUT i think relationships matter for opportunities like, that
especially when there's let's say five players in women's college
basketball THAT i think every network in every brand tries
to go. To, First let's say maybe four and none
(36:21):
of my clients are necessarily in that first four or,
five but they're like that next tier right. After and
that's not in a shot at them by any. Means it's,
just you, know whether It's juju Or page or Flage
a Or hannah A dog, like there's just you, know,
yeah that's how it. Goes and If i'm not advocating
for my next year of clients and making sure that
(36:43):
they are first, up that's on. Me and so the
good thing IS i do advocate for those and fortunately
the powers that be AT, ESPN i, Mean Brian lockhart
And Katzi fernandez were incredible at helping make sure that
That kiki was you, know was prioritized, basically and on
this one for two, PICULAR i wouldn't say That kigy said,
like please go seek that, out BUT i would say
(37:03):
that a lot of my other clients now after Seeing
kiky in, it are, like, OH i want to do,
that or, like, hey let's let's do you, know And
i'm really you, Know i'm really.
Speaker 1 (37:12):
Sak hey where's?
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Mine where's?
Speaker 1 (37:13):
Mine? Hey, hey hey get me? Mine get me? My where's?
My where's?
Speaker 2 (37:16):
My? Look, honest we all do.
Speaker 1 (37:18):
THAT i will do that to my agents And i'm, like,
OH i saw that this person that you represent got,
This like what DO i gotta do to?
Speaker 2 (37:25):
What WHAT i will give credit To jackie AND i
to do is we try to get ahead of that
where we we will try to predict how our clients
will react as anything comes, out and so we try
to tell people in, advance, like, hey this person's getting,
this but like we know what you, know you're in
your own lane and you're getting, This and we always
SAY i always, say, like you, know you have to
create your own lane and you're running your own. Race
(37:45):
and if you comparison is the thief of, joy which
is easy for an agent to say or to cover
their own, ass.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
But it's true. Though that's life and you got to
learn that. Early, yeah speaking of things that your clients
might be jealous of that we're we're leading up to
the big news you and your very special relationship With
cheney has led to something completely, different the starting of
your own production company and now this brand new. Project
(38:10):
tell us about the W i have a question for.
Speaker 2 (38:13):
You, First, yeah when you saw them, news what was your?
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Reaction super excited and also jealous BECAUSE i wanted to
work in comedy and. Television that was my first dream
BEFORE i switched to. Sports and so anytime someone from
the sports dates intersects with, Entertainment i'm, like how did
they know how to do? That and where was their
entry and who did they? Meet Because i'm always thinking
LIKE i would love to help write a show or
consult for shows that work in, sports or like THINGS
(38:38):
i have to do with like comedy and the intersection
of WHAT i. Do so FIRST i was, jealous and
THEN i was like very excited for, y'all AND i
just am like brainstorming all the different ways and hopes
of how it will be. Done because there are shows
that have been in sports and you're, like that's not,
right and if you know, sports you know that they
didn't pull it. Off and then there are sports shows
that nail it and it feels so.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
Authentic do you still? Right? Yeah never say, Never. Sarah
that's the incredible thing about this, world the amount of
inbound inquiries from like god knows, who how about our.
Contacts it's. Wild but, like if you're still, WRITE i,
mean whatever we, can we can sidebar that. Perfect but
to answer your, question So chaney AND i helped create
(39:17):
and produce or think we executive. Produced, technically back in twenty,
Twenty chaney was not playing in the bubble and we
kept hearing all these crazy stories that were coming out
of the bubble and we were, like oh my, god
we need to get a, camera you, know crew in.
There so long story, short we Connected kathy was amazing
(39:37):
and the.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
W W n Bakamish.
Speaker 2 (39:40):
Yes kathy was was. Amazing Like chane AND i literally
just group chatted, her gone on the phone with, her
connected her WITH Espn, films and then they they got
a deal done And shane AND i we were lucky
to be a part of. That what we weren't lucky
about is that if we had a production company we
learned the hard, way we would have gotten paid and
instead we just worked for free for ten months for.
(40:01):
Experience and so as soon as we figured that, OUT
i was, like all, Right, chenee first of, all we
need to create a production company and we need to
figure this out Because i've always felt like entertainment is
what's missing to get women's sports where it needs to.
Go and if you, can entertainment is one of the,
biggest you, know exports we have in this. Country and
really just what you can do to change culture and
(40:22):
make a lasting. Impact AND i know that sounds corny
or cliche or, whatever but so we created a depruction.
Company it's called The Victoria's, company and it's all about
redefining what it means to, win particularly for, women but
not exclusive to. Women jane delivers that part way better
THAN i. Do but, yeah so we. Started we actually
(40:46):
went TO Espn films and we, said, okay like we're
not getting paid on this introduced us to everybody in
The disney family and we want to pitch. Them What
chane originally wanted to pitch was did you remember The
Disney channel original Movie Double? Teamed mm, hmmm all. Right
it was About heather And Heidi bird.
Speaker 1 (41:04):
Producer, yeah younger younger producers remembers.
Speaker 2 (41:08):
Two thousand and. Three it was crystallized in my memory
as a as a kid playing. Basketball, Basically jane wanted
to reboot it about her and you, know her Sister
nika and their. Family and we started pitching it around
and got feedback of, like, no we don't really like,
that but we like your dynamic pitch a something on you.
Guys you guys have a very unique dynamic as as
agent and. Client and SO i was Like, cheney, like
(41:31):
go Watch, entourage like you probably haven't seen it. Yet she's, like, no,
okay she is a prolific television. Consumer, yeah and she Watched,
rage and then we kind of curated our pitch cool
the Reverse, Entrage, entraage the anti On, trage however you
want to call. It not obviously on trage.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
Would non turage that perfect.
Speaker 2 (41:55):
And you, know set set to present day with all
the incredible things that happening with women's, basketball but based
on our, twenties and so we pitched it. Around, well,
no let me back. Up we partnered With Conde nass
and they helped marry us With Liz flayhiv And Carly,
mench who are two incredible showrunners that Created glow On
(42:16):
netflix and then added an overall deal With apple and
they're like big bosses and. Entertainment we've learned a lot from.
Them they they put together just like an unbelievable story
arc with you, know with loosely based on our, dynamic
but like in our you, know just our. Stories so
we would just sit and tell them stories and stories and,
stories and then they built a world in characters around,
(42:37):
it And peacock was awesome and like made an offer
while we were in the room, pitching which was super. Cool.
Speaker 1 (42:44):
Amazing oh, yeah so. EXCITING i CAN'T i can't. WAIT
i just think IT'S i think it's so cool and
it's definitely what's. Needed, like, yes the, documentaries but also
these scripted series that helped tell the stories and get
people in prigued by a life that they don't know
or a world that they're not, in is so key
(43:04):
to unlocking some of the interest in fandom that exists
around men's sports because we've been seeing and watching those
shows forever and. Ever editorial from, me they should have
made the show With china And. Neca they should have
remade that. Show omg f whoever said, NO i never watched.
Speaker 2 (43:21):
It we'll bring it.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
Back maybe this is also just the door that opens
that gets you to that show as. Well we are
out of. TOWN i could talk to you. Forever there
are so many more QUESTIONS i, have so maybe we'll
have you again on in the future to talk about
all the cool things that your job entails and all
the challenges and exciting opportunities to. Come thanks so much
for the Time.
Speaker 2 (43:41):
Allison Thanks, SARAH i appreciate.
Speaker 1 (43:43):
It thanks again To alison for taking the time that joined.
Us we have to take another quick. Break when we come,
back we get a lesson on. Balls welcome, back, slices.
Y'all remember yesterday's show when we asked you for an
alternative to the phrase balls to the. Wall, well as
(44:06):
it turns out we might not need. It shout out
TO i Am Victoria ann On instagram who solved our
balls to the wall tits to the turf. Problem she, wrote,
quote putting on my no it all hat for a,
minute balls to the wall slash balls out refers to
the balls of the piston hitting the walls of a
cylinder when you overtax an, engine so women can also
(44:26):
go balls out end Quote, victoria and oh my, gosh
the more you, KNOW i am admittedly not a, gearhead
So i'm pretty lost on what you said and you
know which balls are hitting which walls in which. Cylinder
BUT i believe, you AND i am also still open
to hearing people's ridiculous suggestions to replace balls to the.
(44:47):
Wall can you beat tits to the? Turf, doubtful but
give it a. Shot send him. In we want to
hear them speaking of sending him. In you did your.
Votes you slices have spoken and are Darch. Madness fintal
four is. Set that's, right the votes are in. In
twice baked potato defeated potato corn. Chowder this is particularly
(45:08):
sad for me because potato corn chowder is my, favorite
BUT i Guess i'm gonna cook it, anyway regardless of
whether it's part of this. Challenge so twice baked potato
it is funeral potatoes topped potato, pigs SO i will
not have to go looking for an electric, drill which is.
Good potato lot key beat out corn. Keish that was
another bummer for. Me that corn keish sounded, delicious So
i'm just gonna have to make that another. Time and
(45:30):
tacos to poppas beat out sweet potato and. Banadas SO
i will be cooking each of the final four recipes
twice baked, potato funeral, potatoes potato lot, key and potato.
Tacos i'm gonna cook all of. Them i'm gonna eat
all of, them and Then i'm gonna name one the
twenty twenty five Starch Madness. Champion don't, WORRY i will
(45:50):
be posting photos of the, results which will test both
my cooking and my food styling. Skills but, guys the
pressure Of march madness doesn't just take place on the.
Court it's gonna happen in the kitchen. Too we always
love to hear from, you so hit us up on
email good game at acast dot. Com that's, right that's
our new email Good game at acast dot. Com acast dot.
(46:12):
Com we're also doing a little tune up on our,
voicemail but we will be soliciting the sound of your
sweet angelic voices again, soon so stay tuned for, that
and don't forget to, Subscribe rate and review scroll. Down
give our podcast five. Stars tell us why you love.
Us it's super. Easy watch The Toronto sceptors watch party
for The College Hockey championship game rating five out of
(46:32):
five stick taps review the Pwhls Toronto scepters had a
little watch party for The frozen Four championship Between wisconsin
And Ohio. State and you knew it was going to
be a tense party because there were players who went
to both rival schools in the. Room it was fun
to watch them watch the. Game we'll link to the
video and the show, notes BUT i think our favorite
moment Was Natalie, spooner who's An Ohio state, alum asking
(46:53):
during overtime is it eventually going to go to a?
Shootout and, honestly it's really good to know that even
the best players in the world sometimes need to Use
google to get a little refresher on the. Rules now
it's your, turn, y'all rate and, Review thanks for. Listening
see you. Tomorrow Good, Game, Allison Good, Game sweet sixteen
Qualifiers you whoever rejected That cheney And nekka double team
(47:14):
to Remake 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 wherever you get your. Podcasts production By Wonder Media,
network our producers Are Alex azzie And Misha. Jones our
(47:37):
executive producers Are Christina, Everett Jesse, Katz Jenny, kaplan And Emily.
Rudder our editors Are Emily, Rutterer Britney, martinez And Grace.
Lynch our associate producer Is Lucy jones And i'm your
Host Sarah. Spain
Welcome to good Game with Sarah Spain, where we've never
felt so old. We just had to google Rapper Plies
after seeing him sit behind the bench at South Carolina's
tourney game and see him gift Daunce Dally with this
super sick gold chain flies. Have you guys heard Applies?
What's next? You're going to tell me nineteen ninety one
wasn't twenty years ago. It's Tuesday, March twenty fifth, and
(00:21):
on today's show, we'll be talking to sports agent Alison
Gaylor about launching her own agency straight out of college,
betting on herself, navigating the new look college sports space,
and the new scripted show that she's launching with longtime
client Chaneo Guma Kay plus a team of divided loyalties.
A slice gets us caught up on another type of balls,
and it's time to join the scrum. It's all coming
(00:42):
up right after this Welcome back Slices. Here's what you
need to know today. Let's start with March Madness, where
the Sweet sixteen is set. So let's tie a little
bit on some of these second round games. Shall We
(01:02):
First up Sunday's TCU Louisville matchup The so called Hailey
van Lyth revenge game, with the TCU grads suiting up
against one of her two former schools, as she spent
the first three years of her career playing for the
Cardinals and last season playing for LSU. In this one,
Van Let's current team, TCU, a two seed, defeated number
seven Louisville eighty five seventy worth remembering that TCU went
(01:24):
one in seventeen in Big twelve Conference play just two
seasons ago, and last year they had to hold open
tryouts after forfeiting two games. Now well, now, the Underfrogs,
aided by a few big name transfers including Van Lith,
are headed to the programme's first ever Sweet sixteen appearance
of any gender. Vanlth, a fifth year senior, has never
(01:44):
had her season end before the Elite eight meantime. Number
one overall seed UCLA is also headed to the Sweet
sixteen thanks to an eighty four to sixty seven win
over number eight seed Richmond, with Lauren Betts recording thirty
points on fourteen of seventeen shooting and adding fourteen rebounds
become the first UCLA player with at least thirty points
and ten boards in an NCAA tournament game. This was
(02:05):
a close one for a while. It was actually tied
at thirty six at the half before UCLA pulled away
and Richmond's Maggie Dugan did go out fighting after thirty
points in the first round. She put up twenty seven
points for the Spiders in the loss. On Sunday night,
Next up for the Bruins a meeting with number five
Mississippi in Region one. The action really heated up last
night with the best game of the tournament so far,
(02:27):
a double overtime thriller between Maryland and Alabama that saw
Brenda Frees and the Terps fall behind by as much
as seventeen in the third quarter before they battled back
to force overtime and then hung on in the second
extra session to win one eleven to one oh eight.
Sarah Tibiasu came up huge down the stretch for Maryland,
taking advantage of literally any little bit of daylight to
(02:48):
drain threes and step back jays, and Sarah Ashley Barker
shined in the loss. She put Bama on her back
with a school record forty five points, the kind of
game that honestly, you don't want to see either team lose.
It was a thrill ride and shout out to front
of the show and Maryland fan Kalayine Connigan, who is
likely barely standing after that one. But the Terps advance
(03:10):
where they will face Dawn Staley in South Carolina in
the Sweet sixteen, that's going to be a tough one.
Rest of the top seeds took care of business pretty
handily on Monday. Number two LSU top number six Florida
State one oh one seventy one, speaking of big performances
and a loss to Nia lats in the nation's top
score pretty much all season long. She had thirty in
the loss for FSU number one Texas speat number eight
(03:32):
Illinois sixty five forty eight, Number three Oklahoma top number
six Iowa ninety six sixty two, and number two NC
State bested number seven Michigan State eighty three to forty nine.
Rest of the games happened later than our recording, so
we'll catch you up on the rest of Monday's matchups
tomorrow and we'll preview the Sweet sixteen later this week.
To the Land of Scrums and Rocks, Women's Elite rugby,
(03:55):
the new fifteen A side US based league launched over
the weekend. The Boston Vanshie opened up play with the
twenty nine twenty seven winner for the New York Exiles,
while the Twin Cities Gemini defeated the Chicago Tempest twenty
to fifteen. The two other teams in the league, the
Denver Onyx and the Bay Breakers, will both hit the
field for the first time this coming weekend. The thirty
game Weer regular season continues through June fourteenth, followed by playoffs.
(04:19):
Fans can watch every game for free on his own.
A little more rugby news too, USTR. Alona Mar, who
plays club rugby across the Pond, has a podcast launching
today called The House of Mar. The show will feature
Alona and her sisters Olivia and Adriana. We're sure it's
going to be unhinged. Can't wait to listen. We got
(04:40):
to take a quick break when we come back. We
talked to agent Alison Gaylor joining us now. She's the
founder and president of sports and entertainment agency Disrupt the Game,
representing top female athletes including current and former Hoopers Cheneogumkay
Kelsey Mitchell, Agelani Lisa Leslie, Kiki Eriefen, Anissa morro and
(05:03):
soccer star Crystal Done. She's a graduate of Brown University
and UCLA Law School, licensed by the California State Bar.
We've kicked at Poolside and can and we've chopped it
up at the Opera House in Sydney. It's Alison Gaylor.
Thanks for joining us, Allison.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Wow, we've been to several continents together. That's pretty exciting.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
What should we do next? Antarctica?
Speaker 2 (05:23):
We could Shelley's Alice actually went to Antarctica, but that's
really story.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Yes, all right, add it to the list. I want
to go back to the beginning, and I don't think
we've ever talked about this, but I'm curious about how
you got started in the agent game, because I know
a lot of kids grow up wanting to be ballplayers,
and you did play basketball at Brown. When did the
shift happen from dreaming of being maybe a pro baller
to dreaming of being a pro agent.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Well, growing up five eight, white and Jewish and being
from LA I didn't have high hopes of my professional
career and was reminded at a very young age that
I better get to it on academics because my basketball
career was only going to go so far, and to
be honest, it got more.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
You got one? Come on. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Look, it's an ongoing joke with most of my clients
that I have five points to my NCAA Division one
record books. But what I like to say is five
more than most. That's right anyways. Usually usually Chiney will
be like, I scored five in five seconds, but I'm like, okay, cool,
that's nice anyways. But yeah, I got lucky. I grew
up around the business, so I started interning for the
(06:29):
La Sparks when I was seventeen, getting ready to go
play it round. And my uncle has been in the
business forever. He's a legend. He's Magic Johnson's longtime agent
and best friend. And now yeah he's the uvpn CMO
the Dodgers. So I'm very lucky that my uncle Lawn
helped plug me early and then kind of open the
door so I could run through it more or less.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
So I'm curious when you have an uncle, Lon Rose,
than you're talking about who's working in the space. Not
only do you probably get some cool perks in terms
of game tickets, agetting to meet folks like Magic Johnson,
but what was about what he was doing that appealed
to you, especially as a kid. What did you see
in the work he did that was like that looks awesome,
really interesting question.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Honestly, Sarah, no one's ever asked me that, which is fascinating.
I think so because he was my uncle, right, he
wasn't my parent. I got like enough access where I
was like, oh, I don't want like anything but this,
like it's VIP or nothing from the rest of my life.
But at the same time, I didn't get handed everything
because obviously, you know, his kids would come first, as
(07:31):
it should, like I was his niece and I got
I got lucky that he took me in, you know,
and helped help me a ton, but I still kind
of itched for more, I think to a certain degree.
And my parents are amazing and my stepdad is an entrepreneur.
My mom was a longtime civil litigator. Like you know,
they're amazing, but they weren't necessarily in the business of sports,
and so I think for me. When I started interning
(07:54):
at seventeen, I was a senior in high school and
excited to go play, like I you know, I was
very focused on basketball at that point and my playing career,
but I hadn't ever been around the WNBA. I hadn't
really seen the product. I hadn't been around you know,
I got lucky. I was I was around practice, I
was around games. I was around the players, I was
around the GM, I was around the owners. I had
I had access, and I realized that my I guess,
(08:18):
my brain and my personality would be a really good
fit for working in the business of sports. From that
point on, it wasn't necessarily watching my uncle's career. It
was more well, first of all, as a kid, he's
pretty tall, He's like six', three SO i couldn't understand
why he wasn't a player like he since me as a.
Kid and THEN i, realized, like, okay he has a different,
role but he still gets to live in the. Space
AND i loved.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Basketball, YEAH i mean just being around sports when it's
something that you, love one thing THAT i find interesting
and If i'm being completely honest and revealing a dark
piece of my, SOUL i tried to get into pr
WHEN i wanted to do like acting in comedy and.
STUFF i thought, like, Oh i'll be near it and
it's not as hard of a. Path AND i found
it really hard to spend my time working on other people's.
Dreams AND i think that's a very very specific skill
(09:02):
set for an, agent is to be able to take
a backseat to somebody else getting all the. Shine is
that natural for you BECAUSE i love a. Spotlight It's
i'm good at putting it on other people. Too BUT
i don't know IF i could always be in the.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
Background, Yeah i'm Probably i'm probably too good at at
putting my clients, first probably to a, fault, honestly to
my own detriment at some, level because because of starting
my own company and being on my OWN i should
have done a better job kind of putting me front and.
Center but even like being on this, podcast you, know
you AND i have a great rapport and you know
(09:34):
you've been proactive and reaching, out And i'm not good
at putting myself out. THERE i. Should so maybe this
is the start of a new era Of alison getting
out there and.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
The good game bomb out.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
There, yeah, yeah, Exactly i'll give you all the. Credit but,
YEAH i JUST i Think i've always been of the,
mindset if you, know IF i put my clients first
AND i do what they, need you, KNOW i do
what needs to get done for, them Then i'll get
WHERE i need to, go, Right like it's a natural.
Byproduct if they, win you, KNOW i. Win and at
some point IF i ever want a, linelight you know
(10:04):
some limelight cool like, this even you Know chene AND
i partner up on the, show like Ultimately china will
get the. LIMELIGHT i mean that is the way we
designed it that you, know we're partners in the company
that we, started the production company and. Victorious But i'm
always going to put my clients. First it's.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Working my agent's not even on social. Media he's shady as.
Hell he like, you he would you never see him
on an, interview like how do you do? THAT i
couldn't do. That you started shady as? Hell, well not
just in the sense that he like he's he's always,
there he sees it. All BUT i don't know from
where he's viewing, It like what account are you looking
at this? From if you're not on anything, anywhere we
(10:38):
can't can't be found very Stakle.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Well not since digress on that, point BUT i think
agents are at an interesting juxtaposition in the business sports right,
now where you have some very high profile agents that
have put themselves out, there and then you still have
some that are kind of in the shadows and purveying
from a, distance like your agent is what it sounds.
Like BUT i try to hit the middle ground where
Like i'm visible but not visible to the. Detrina you, know,
(11:02):
ultimately slients have to come, first.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Exactly, yeah you started your own agency a year out of.
College why did you want to start your own shop
and not join an existing? Agency get your feet wet
for a while before you spun.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Out i'm going to try to say this in a
way that doesn't make me sound Like i'm feeling.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Myself BUT i, MEAN i just literally SAID i could
never do a job WHERE i just helped other people
get the. Spotlight so, space this is the honest.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Space safe space in front of. Everybody but that's. Fine
SO i interned a lot through, school AND i was
very naive and fullish and believed THAT i could figure things,
out you, know along the. Way basically the best way
to learn is child by, fire as long as you
do your preparation and your research and you asked the right.
Questions AND i felt pretty confident THAT i could do.
(11:48):
THAT i definitely originally THOUGHT i was going to work
at THE nba in their associate. Program that was my original.
Thought i'll go do, That i'll work a little bit
on THE, wnba and Then i'll start my. Agency and
then the lockout. Happened this is. UH i graduated in twenty,
eleven and SO i actually wrote a thesis about the
potential for a lockout happening Because i'm nerdy like. That
(12:09):
and then it. Happened and SO i think the social
program like wasn't hiring or whatever it. Was AND i
went to work for one other company for ten. Months
it was like a subsidiary of this guy Named Jim
plata and his, investments and he's a partnerwner of the
Bust At celtics and Bought. Acerooma, anyway, BASICALLY i could
have either gone to work at a bigger company or
started my own. Thing AND i chose to start my own,
(12:32):
thing bet on, myself BECAUSE i was, young AND i
had a lot of relationships And i'm you, Know i'm
good in a room And i'm good around. People AND
i was basically told like they're either going to steal
your clients or eat you. Alive so if you want
to do it, yourself do it. Now do it when you're,
young and you, know you can always fall back and
(12:54):
go work for a bigger, agency but you might as
well might as well. Try and If i'm gonna bet on,
anyone it's it's gonna. Be. YEAH i love, that BUT
i also HAD i had a backstop, too of you,
know my parents helped pay for my life AS i
was putting money into my, business which most people don't.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Have, YEAH i love. That you admit. That it's so
important because so many people listen to folks stories of
getting started and they leave, out conveniently some of the
things that allow that to. Happen how did you get
your first?
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Client, so my first client was a woman Named sammy
Pra hallis and She ohio. State was That ohio, state, yep,
see you, know you know all the. Things she actually
had a tattoo on her index finger that SAID sajj
dot dot dot that she used to put to the
crowd and.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Ro that is absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Sick she shoot badass for. Sure so SHE i met
through two of my really close friends At brown that
played on the men's team were close To Evan, turner
And Evan turner was Dating. Sammy So evan AND i are.
COOL i Met sammy at like his draft. Party we became,
friends and then she kind of quickly, realized, oh Like
alison knows THE, wnba she knows a lot of these,
(13:58):
gms LIKE i trust to you, know kind of asked,
me would you be my? Agent and then. Yeah and
then at my first, JOB i basically took my first
job AND i told my boss, like, Hey i'm going
to work here for ten months and Then i'm going
to start my own. Agency this Is june of twenty.
ELEVEN i literally just, graduated AND i told, Him i'm
going to work here for ten months and Then i'm
(14:19):
going to go start my own agency in women's basketball
with this like one player That i'm going to, represent
who's going to be a top six overall. Pick she
ended up being the six overall. Pick and he literally
THOUGHT i WASNTS i, mean most people THOUGHT i was.
Nuts this is this is thirteen years, ago when women's
basketball was not a hot commodity at.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
All what did you learn in the early. Years because
to your point about getting help from your, PARENTS i
also love when people actually admit to. Failures if people
are hearing about successful folks and think it's been an,
easy breezy. Ride then when they have, failures they're, like,
Oh i'm not cut out for. This SO i, wonder
if you made a mistake on a contract or you
lost a potential client due to, something what's something you
learned having to learn on the?
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Fly knock on. Wood SO i did go to law
school along the, way and that. Important i've never never
messed up on a. CONTRACT i will ask any of
my clients, Like i've never never done a bad, deal
never made a mistake on their behalf that would cost,
them you, know a. Dollar thank. God i'm maniacal when
it comes to. Contracts but my biggest early failure besides
(15:23):
like not you, know playing basketball through four years At
brown and quitting after a, year which was not that
has nothing to do with the show up the, game
BUT i think that definitely did a lot to fuel
me to, success you, know in the world of basketball,
postgrad BECAUSE i didn't have it on the. Court and
it's still it's still one of my biggest. FAILURES i,
mean to be, fair we were two and twenty. Six we're,
trash and so it was easy to walk, AWAY i
(15:45):
guess in that, respect but sort of. Easy my first
failure was my first. Client sammy fired me before the
end of that first, season her risky, season and and
that was a really tough, blow But i'm better for,
it and it's probably the best thing that could have
happened to, me is experiencing that type OF i GUESS i.
(16:07):
WAS i JUST i thought we, were you, know because
we were so close AND i started this, thing and
like it just, yeah like other agents kind of started
poking around LIKE i. WAS i was twenty two and
had never been you, Know i've never been a top
player in THE. WNBA i wasn't a top player in.
College like people were, like who the fuck is? It you,
know basically, like, oh she only knows, things because one
(16:27):
agent went and ran his mouth THAT i only knew
things because my cousin was in the, Business like you,
idiot at least get the family, number. Right but, basically
When sammy fired, me that was that was a tough
blow for. Sure BUT i had already Signed Lisa leslie
at that, point AND i was, like you know, What
i'm gonna put my head down And i'm gonna take
this out even if, yeah you, Know lisa gave a
(16:49):
lot to my name at a very early age and
trusted in me when she didn't have. To that's for.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Sure it's easy to get in a young person's ear
about oh you picked. Wrong you need someone with more,
experience you need SOMEONE i don't almost blame her at
all for getting scared and going and running to something
that seemed more stable and more like long, lasting or
something that had more of proof of. Concept but what's
great About lisa she had been around for a long
time and gave you that credibility by joining you and
(17:13):
believing that you could do something something. SPECIAL i know
every day is, different but just for the listener who
maybe don't understand where lawyer versus agent versus manager and
can you just tell us a big picture what you
do as an agent for these top level athletes and.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Broadcasters, sure so we do everything pretty. Much it's three.
Sixty it's everything from playing contract to nil stuff which
is all like marketing to you, know from endorsements to
speaking engagements to broadcast. Work you, know we represent Obviously
Lisa leslie and Then Gheneg, womckay who are both both.
(17:49):
Broadcasters so it really spans the. Gamut but that that's, purposeful,
Right so if we sign a kid in high, school
to a, kid you, know to a player that's about
to retire and go into their second, career we really
can and what what offerings are to best help them
navigate where they're at in their. Career and SO i
would say we're new to the high school, game which
is a little bit, different but we have gotten pretty
(18:11):
pretty active in college and you, know figuring out THE
nil space and then helping players navigate THE nil space
to the you KNOW wnba space and THEN wnba to
kind of post. Career what does that look.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Like about how many athletes you have right?
Speaker 2 (18:27):
NOW i think it's, sixteen about to be.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
SEVENTEEN i want to break any news right, now OR
i need to get a contract side. First but, COOL
i get, THAT i get. That how big is the
disrupt The game?
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Team that's pretty. Small we are very small and, nimble
but WE i would argue that relative to the bigger,
agencies we have just as much time and resources and.
Production it's just we're a smaller team with a smaller client,
list and so we can give more of ourselves to those.
Clients probably to a fault.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Back To jackie.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Exactly, yeah it all comes full. Circle So Jackie, jamalis
who was a longtime client and played THE wnba in
overseas for over a. Decade she started working At disrupted
The game a couple of years ago and is just
as a star and obviously you, know having been a former.
Player she's also been an assistant coach in THE wnba
for The New York. Liberty there's nobody that has the like,
(19:23):
coach player and now agent that doesn't. Exist so her
perspective is, super super rare and amazing and you'd love
her when you guys, MEET i can't. Wait and then
we have a small support staff otherwise like, logistics, accounting other.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Stuff as an, Agent i'm sure you have felt acutely
aware of the shift of the whole business of women's
sports in the year since you got started back in twenty.
Twelve where do you feel it? Most where is it
Most Noticeablehere you're, like, wow this almost feels like a
different business WHEN i, started.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Literally right. NOW i MEAN i couldn't couldn't have. Predicted
first of, all Like chane AND i is selling a
scripted show based on our lives that hopefully will become
what impact rage has. Had or you, Know jerry McGuire or.
Whatever like there's never been a female version of. That
And i'm not trying to inflate myself important in search,
aise but like it's just it's never been done. Before
but like that same, week we're closing a couple of
(20:15):
partnerships For Anissa morrow And kikiriri often as they transition
into you, know out of college into the W nba
in the next, month THAT i could have never never saw.
Coming it's it's an extraordinary time for these, women and you,
know as a byproduct for us as. Well IT'S i
could give you a list of the brands that we're
working with right, now like literally in this, moment current
(20:37):
active campaigns that our clients are, doing and it's it's.
Unbelievable brands are showing up and and, Yeah i'm very
fortunate to be Where i'm at right.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
Now is the biggest shift in the amount of? Sponsors
is it the salaries you're? Negotiating is it resources and
support that comes as a part of CBA's like is
it just all of? Them everything is shifted dramatically.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
All of the. ABOVE i would, Say, also just we
have seven N al clients right now and players are
focused on playing In March, Madness, right we just tried
to close every brand partner deal like if you will
get Like niece Or Matty booker's social like you'll See
kava or LIKE cvs or you, Know key's done a
bunch of different. Things but like we had, to you,
(21:21):
know kind of lock those before so that they could
focus on the tournament and just get everything done. Beforehand
at the same, time for the players that aren't seniors
going to play in THE, wnba the transfer portal opens
tomorrow and so there's all this pressure and people circling
around these players of do you want to stay at your?
School how much are you gonna get? Paid are you
(21:43):
going to? Transfer are you going to? Transfer thinking that
you might go back to your. School but just as a,
negotiation it's all it's business at this point and a. Lot,
yeah it's it's a lot at, once for.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Sure so that's an incredible thing to be dealing, with
just in the college side of, things which feels so
professional in so many. Ways so, yeah that shift is
huge for. Agents i'm kind of curious AND i want
to get back to some other stuff around, sponsorships but
you got me thinking about how do you keep up
WITH cba, changes major shifts in college and how they,
(22:14):
operate team dynamics or rumors or news about a team
that might mean an opportunity or a slot is opening
up the, News, like how do you keep up with
all that so that you can negotiate for, clients because as,
media it's hard for us to keep up with the
way that everything is. Changing you have to be ahead
of the game and know the things that aren't even out.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Yet SO i used to THINK i was like a
bit overqualified based on my academic. PEDIGREE i would, say
you are, also and it's a part of what separates
you and makes people want to listen to, you because
you are so smart and went to AN Ivy week.
School And i'm not saying like anyone with AN Ivy
week degree else. More, yeah, yes but, well but the
(22:54):
people that have have the academic SciTE and can and
kind of figure stuff out with their, brain but also
have the personality to figure out the relationship. Side AND
i THINK i would Say i'm pretty good at. That
you're really good at, That like there's not a lot
of people that have. Both but that helps me stay
ahead of the curve for. Sure right, now and like,
NO i Mean i'm very confident about WHAT i do
(23:14):
and HOW i do. It, yeah and every day just
everything's changing really. Fast but as long AS i would,
say law school help with that, too of just my
ability to analyze and also skim things LIKE i can't
read everything all the, Time but as long AS i
know what's happening and where it's going and how HOW
i advocate for my clients accordingly and make sure to your,
point Like i'm ahead of things and not behind, them
(23:36):
that's ALL i can. DO i, MEAN i can't be
perfect all the, time but we, try AND i think
it's an. INEVITABILITY i stayed out of THE nil space
Until jackie AND i got after it last year, recruiting
just in part to see how it was going to
pan out and what the market was looking. Like was it?
Sustainable are these brands going to keep spending year over
year or is it just a drop in the bucket
(23:56):
and a flash in the pan and then it's going to?
Disappear and it. Is it is, sustainable and it's it's
amazing what these you, know the opportunities are in front
of these players right, now because there's a ton of
brand dollars that are that are out into the. Ether
with that, said there's a lot on their, plate like
they have a lot of.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Pressure you talked about the, relationships the ability to connect with.
People in, part that's just folks around that will inform
you in. Advance, hey just to heads, up this is
coming down the. Pike this is probably an affect your,
clients Or, HEY i don't know if you've heard about,
this but this team said, this who said, this which
is a huge part of being an, agent is sort
of THE i scratch your, back you scratch mind kind
(24:35):
of situation of like we'll give you information if you
tell us, this or can you help out with this
client if you, do you like that part of the
business or is that hard for you to do the
Whole let me take a meeting with someone that sucks
and play.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Nice that's definitely not my biggest strength Because i'm a
straight shooter And i'm very, honest probably to a. FAULT
i don't like all the, bullshit that's for. Sure with that,
said it's an INEVITABILITY i have to deal with every.
Day so SOME i, mean look in the w, space
like it's too small for people to really be like
assholes all the time and completely screw each other. Over
(25:09):
AND i don't you, KNOW i don't really go after
other people's clients like they don't really come after. MINE
a part of WHAT i do have trouble with every
day is how MUCH i could throw in my phone
and actually do meaningful work as opposed to being on
my phone and being accessible to clients and to people
you know that we're working with and partners and all those,
things and then the information you, know sharing of talking to,
(25:31):
gms talking to head coaches and women's college. Basketball, YEAH
i can't be everywhere all the, time but we try
to keep our pulse on. Everything AND i do think
the benefit of being a smaller agency in part is
because there's one person talking to on behalf of our
clients or. Two as it relates To jackie and, me
you don't have like there's not a marketing person who
doesn't talk to our clients or to you, know like
(25:52):
it's just right we move quick because we were in
locks up with our.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Clients it's just fascinating to me how behind the scenes
so much happens that people are unaware. Of and sometimes
it feels like these tentacles exist publicly that people don't
know are part of the machine behind the. Scenes when
a reporter breaks something about someone that's particularly, positive sometimes
that says a thank you for something that that agent
did for them in relation to some other breaking story
(26:17):
that they, wanted and all of that ecosystem is kind
of fascinating to think about from the. Outside you, KNOW
i want to ask back to. Sponsorships for such a long,
time the sponsorship game that did exist for the women's
game was the hot ones, right sex. Sells the women
with sex appeals seem to get the biggest, endorsements regardless
sometimes of how their on field performance might have spoken
(26:39):
to their talent or the size of their. Brand it
feels like that's. Changing we're getting a wider variety of
brands and sponsors in the. Space we're getting more multi
dimensional idea of what these women are, masculine, feminine, villain you, know, funny,
silly et. Cetera what have you seen behind the. Scenes
are there some brands that are still pitching things and
you want to tell, them, hey it's twenty twenty, five,
(27:00):
like that's not how we're doing this.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
Anymore our, clientele we've never gone after The instagram following that,
like isn't necessarily going to translate into THE. Wnba that's
not my bag at all and not not super interesting for,
us to be completely. Honest SO i don't know how
that's going to. Evolve because a lot of players that
do have a huge social media following in college but
(27:22):
don't necessarily pan out in THE. Wnba you, know there's
a dip in their business for, sure and they have
to figure it out and roll into new. THINGS i
think that. There as much AS i wish that there
was more of a meritocracy in who gets brand deals and,
endorsements it's not always a. MERITOCRACY i think the better you, play,
obviously the higher the probability that you're going to get.
(27:44):
Endorsements but it doesn't always work like. That it's doesn't
just happen in. PARALLEL i WISH i wish it. DID i, mean,
obviously social media following is a is a quantitative and
qualitative way to ascertain following and impact and influence and
all those. Things and some of my clients are not
big social media. Girlies they're just not like they'd rather
(28:06):
do what they do on the, court and they still
have to fulfill the brand, stuff but they're not necessarily
thinking every day like how DO i build my, following
how DO i build my. Base hopefully the game will
take care of, itself especially in big moments Like March
madness in THE. Wna it's still not there yet in
terms of you play really well and then you get.
Opportunity And i'll also put an onus on us and
(28:28):
on agents in, general like if you're not reaching, out
brands will go. Elsewhere they kind of go to whoever
they talk to.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
First and personality matters, too even on the men's. Side
it's not just about sex. Cells there are some great
men's players that just aren't great pitch people or don't
have a really interesting and charismatic appeal to. Them and
it certainly was more lopsided on the women's. Side it
is getting, better. Thankfully and the nice thing about some
social media is it is about some player's personality and
(28:54):
not always just about whether they're the. Hottest it's sometimes
about being funny or relatable or something, else and that
is opening up a few more. OPPORTUNITIES i, think what's
the next big change that will help women's sports take
another step? Forward what's still getting in the way or
what do you wish more brands or networks or investors
knew that would help take a next big.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
Step this NEW cpa in THE wnba is going to
be a huge change in a lot of ways if
if we can get it where we need to, go
we MEANING i mean ultimately Obviously i'm on the side
of the players in the union and the rest of,
agents BUT i think that there's such a where it's
such like a pinnacle of, momentum and if we do
(29:34):
a couple of the kind of right things to help
keep building that, momentum the sky is literally the limit
because the, MOMENTUM i, mean it's going to KEEP i
Think chaney says on air all the, time like it's
not a moment it's. Momentum you, Know it's, true it's
it's it's been. BUILDING i would say it was building
in the Last march madness last two years probably in
(29:55):
these matchups and the personalities and the rivalries and all the.
Things and then you take that right into like The
Vegas New York, liberty you, know rivalry that's now a. Thing,
WELL i guess they played In minnesota last. Year but, anyway,
basically just like these these super teams in THE. Wa
all these worlds have been colliding for a while that
that are building up into this, Moment and if we
(30:17):
get THE cba, RIGHT i think it's going to be
LIKE i hate to, say like, cataclysmic but it's it's the.
TRUTH i. THINK i think from like a salary, perspective
from how how players, operate, perspective from a brand, perspective
like if we get the salaries, right everything's going to
go up because the cost to get these players to
(30:37):
do things off the court is ultimately going to go
up as the salaries go, up because the players aren't
going to be as dependent for their income on you,
know on these. ENDORSEMENTS i mean right now for most,
agents or at least for my, business like most most
of our business is. Endorsements that drives most of, what you,
know what these players. Make and so between between salaries
going up in THE wnda with this NEW cba and
(31:00):
then you have this red share that's about to hit
in women's college basketball and THE nil, space like it's it's,
amazing what's happening right?
Speaker 1 (31:06):
Now, YEAH nwsl just renegotiated and updated THEIR. Cba we
haven't seen it, yet have you seen.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
It you're an, AGENT i probably should have seen it by,
Now But crystal's my only soccer client right now and.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
She's A, pesg SO i, guess, yeah you no longer
need To you no longer need to. Know although you
Know crystal going TO, psg it was part of a
lot of, movement and that happens when the draft goes
away in THE, nwsl when there's more international movement between.
Leagues crystal was in the first of a three year
deal it got. Them she just played one season. There
(31:42):
we all expected her to be there for the length
of that. Contract what can you tell us about what
happened there and why she ended up moving TO psg mid.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
Contract, yeah when she signed that, contract we definitely wanted
her to be At gotham for you, know the entirety
year of. Contract that's why we wanted it to be
a three year, deal and so did you Know. Gotham,
unfortunately things don't always go to. PLAN i think for both.
Sides it just didn't work out the way that we
had all envisioned it to, be and you, know Ultimately
(32:09):
crystal needed to be in another. Environment we did the
best we could with the timing we had to figure
it out and make sure that that she was going
to be in a good environment for you, know for
her and ultimately for you, know For gotham also to
kind of move on without her and no hard, feelings
none of. That it just it didn't fit the way
we wanted it. To, yeah and, like, Look New york's
(32:31):
home For, Crystal like we we did want it to,
work but it's, sports and, yeah there's always a lot
of factors that go into, happy successful partnership between a
club and a, player and unfortunately that wasn't one that panned.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
Out, yeah it's nice to have A french, husband so
her other home can be, Uh, paris which is. Decent,
yes you, Know crystal obviously a, legend a veteran who
is so, established and then you're working with up and
comers like we talked about Usc Hooper keeek at your.
Event she's just learning the. Space she's just starting to
think about all the things that you're talking about with
(33:03):
the business of. It how does your relationship change and
how did their needs? Shift because it feels like you
And cheney are like almost. Sisters you came up together
figuring it, Out you've been working together for a dozen
years or, whatever and then you've got someone Like kiki
that maybe you feel a little bit more like a
like a mom or an, aunt or like you got
to take care of.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
Them so it's, interesting, Right lisa AND i started working
together AND i was twenty, two so that dynamic already was, Like,
Okay i'm your, agent but also sometimes you can like
kind of mom me in certain, ways and like that
was an interesting back and, forth and it still is.
Interesting Obviously i'm thirty five, now but we still have
a funny dynamic that. Way as you mentioned with Like
(33:44):
cheney Or Elizabeth williams or other age. Mates let's say
that we did come up together and we're like very
close in, age like two or three years. Apart that's,
different for, Sure and that's definitely the norm of WHAT
i was used to BECAUSE i was mostly recruiting players
through my twenties and now evolving into my, thirties and
(34:06):
all of a, sudden kids are. Younger they're not the
same generation THAT i. AM i don't understand some of
the things they. SAY i have to google it OR
i have to look it. UP i have to look
it up on, TikTok because like you can't just google
like google stuff, anymore and SO i Guess I've i've
definitely had to evolve with the. Times and as much
AS i used to be like the, young you, know
(34:26):
kind of trying to hustle and figure it, out Now
i'm a little bit more like established and to your,
point more like mom Or auntie, vibes but like or
like cool older sister vibes.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
Too, okay, yeah that feels better for. YOU i think.
Cool i'm more fanancy at this. Point you're a coo older.
Speaker 2 (34:43):
Sister probably we're pretty close in.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
Age but that is so, NICE i, know but thank.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
You Now i'm literally asking some of my, Players LIKE
i went to dinner With Avery, howell who's a freshman
AT usc the other. NIGHT i was, Like, avery how
old are? You just like? EIGHTEEN i was, like, WOW
i Hope i'm not like bugging you at this, point
and Like i'm decently.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
Cool because it's impossible to. Tell there's really no way to.
Tell the only way to do it is to just
try to not try to be, cool because that's more
annoying than just existing and not being. Cool like the
tryhard is the worst.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
Part, LOOK i have a broken toe right, now And
i've been scooting around, literally and so that's been hilarious
for all my younger, Clients like Even Maddy booker like
noticed THAT i cut my feet off in a picture
and like commented, about you, know LIKE i just. Look
part of my job is being able to relate to
people and ultimately be able to advocate for, them no
matter if they're sixteen or you, know fifty, Plus like
(35:38):
it is what it, is AND i Think i'm decently
good at, that And jackie on my team is great
at that, too just like we can connect with.
Speaker 1 (35:44):
ANYBODY i want to talk About kiky's part of the
second season Of Full Court PRESS espn doc that's going
behind the scenes with three college basketball players as they
navigate the season last year with such a fun watch
exciting batch this. Year how much pitching are you doing
to get your player featured and how much are they
seeking players out for stuff like?
Speaker 2 (36:01):
That So, HM i don't want to take credit at,
all BUT i think relationships matter for opportunities like, that
especially when there's let's say five players in women's college
basketball THAT i think every network in every brand tries
to go. To, First let's say maybe four and none
(36:21):
of my clients are necessarily in that first four or,
five but they're like that next tier right. After and
that's not in a shot at them by any. Means it's,
just you, know whether It's juju Or page or Flage
a Or hannah A dog, like there's just you, know,
yeah that's how it. Goes and If i'm not advocating
for my next year of clients and making sure that
(36:43):
they are first, up that's on. Me and so the
good thing IS i do advocate for those and fortunately
the powers that be AT, ESPN i, Mean Brian lockhart
And Katzi fernandez were incredible at helping make sure that
That kiki was you, know was prioritized, basically and on
this one for two, PICULAR i wouldn't say That kigy said,
like please go seek that, out BUT i would say
(37:03):
that a lot of my other clients now after Seeing
kiky in, it are, like, OH i want to do,
that or, like, hey let's let's do you, know And
i'm really you, Know i'm really.
Speaker 1 (37:12):
Sak hey where's?
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Mine where's?
Speaker 1 (37:13):
Mine? Hey, hey hey get me? Mine get me? My where's?
My where's?
Speaker 2 (37:16):
My? Look, honest we all do.
Speaker 1 (37:18):
THAT i will do that to my agents And i'm, like,
OH i saw that this person that you represent got,
This like what DO i gotta do to?
Speaker 2 (37:25):
What WHAT i will give credit To jackie AND i
to do is we try to get ahead of that
where we we will try to predict how our clients
will react as anything comes, out and so we try
to tell people in, advance, like, hey this person's getting,
this but like we know what you, know you're in
your own lane and you're getting, This and we always
SAY i always, say, like you, know you have to
create your own lane and you're running your own. Race
(37:45):
and if you comparison is the thief of, joy which
is easy for an agent to say or to cover
their own, ass.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
But it's true. Though that's life and you got to
learn that. Early, yeah speaking of things that your clients
might be jealous of that we're we're leading up to
the big news you and your very special relationship With
cheney has led to something completely, different the starting of
your own production company and now this brand new. Project
(38:10):
tell us about the W i have a question for.
Speaker 2 (38:13):
You, First, yeah when you saw them, news what was your?
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Reaction super excited and also jealous BECAUSE i wanted to
work in comedy and. Television that was my first dream
BEFORE i switched to. Sports and so anytime someone from
the sports dates intersects with, Entertainment i'm, like how did
they know how to do? That and where was their
entry and who did they? Meet Because i'm always thinking
LIKE i would love to help write a show or
consult for shows that work in, sports or like THINGS
(38:38):
i have to do with like comedy and the intersection
of WHAT i. Do so FIRST i was, jealous and
THEN i was like very excited for, y'all AND i
just am like brainstorming all the different ways and hopes
of how it will be. Done because there are shows
that have been in sports and you're, like that's not,
right and if you know, sports you know that they
didn't pull it. Off and then there are sports shows
that nail it and it feels so.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
Authentic do you still? Right? Yeah never say, Never. Sarah
that's the incredible thing about this, world the amount of
inbound inquiries from like god knows, who how about our.
Contacts it's. Wild but, like if you're still, WRITE i,
mean whatever we, can we can sidebar that. Perfect but
to answer your, question So chaney AND i helped create
(39:17):
and produce or think we executive. Produced, technically back in twenty,
Twenty chaney was not playing in the bubble and we
kept hearing all these crazy stories that were coming out
of the bubble and we were, like oh my, god
we need to get a, camera you, know crew in.
There so long story, short we Connected kathy was amazing
(39:37):
and the.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
W W n Bakamish.
Speaker 2 (39:40):
Yes kathy was was. Amazing Like chane AND i literally
just group chatted, her gone on the phone with, her
connected her WITH Espn, films and then they they got
a deal done And shane AND i we were lucky
to be a part of. That what we weren't lucky
about is that if we had a production company we
learned the hard, way we would have gotten paid and
instead we just worked for free for ten months for.
(40:01):
Experience and so as soon as we figured that, OUT
i was, like all, Right, chenee first of, all we
need to create a production company and we need to
figure this out Because i've always felt like entertainment is
what's missing to get women's sports where it needs to.
Go and if you, can entertainment is one of the,
biggest you, know exports we have in this. Country and
really just what you can do to change culture and
(40:22):
make a lasting. Impact AND i know that sounds corny
or cliche or, whatever but so we created a depruction.
Company it's called The Victoria's, company and it's all about
redefining what it means to, win particularly for, women but
not exclusive to. Women jane delivers that part way better
THAN i. Do but, yeah so we. Started we actually
(40:46):
went TO Espn films and we, said, okay like we're
not getting paid on this introduced us to everybody in
The disney family and we want to pitch. Them What
chane originally wanted to pitch was did you remember The
Disney channel original Movie Double? Teamed mm, hmmm all. Right
it was About heather And Heidi bird.
Speaker 1 (41:04):
Producer, yeah younger younger producers remembers.
Speaker 2 (41:08):
Two thousand and. Three it was crystallized in my memory
as a as a kid playing. Basketball, Basically jane wanted
to reboot it about her and you, know her Sister
nika and their. Family and we started pitching it around
and got feedback of, like, no we don't really like,
that but we like your dynamic pitch a something on you.
Guys you guys have a very unique dynamic as as
agent and. Client and SO i was Like, cheney, like
(41:31):
go Watch, entourage like you probably haven't seen it. Yet she's, like, no,
okay she is a prolific television. Consumer, yeah and she Watched,
rage and then we kind of curated our pitch cool
the Reverse, Entrage, entraage the anti On, trage however you
want to call. It not obviously on trage.
Speaker 1 (41:52):
Would non turage that perfect.
Speaker 2 (41:55):
And you, know set set to present day with all
the incredible things that happening with women's, basketball but based
on our, twenties and so we pitched it. Around, well,
no let me back. Up we partnered With Conde nass
and they helped marry us With Liz flayhiv And Carly,
mench who are two incredible showrunners that Created glow On
(42:16):
netflix and then added an overall deal With apple and
they're like big bosses and. Entertainment we've learned a lot from.
Them they they put together just like an unbelievable story
arc with you, know with loosely based on our, dynamic
but like in our you, know just our. Stories so
we would just sit and tell them stories and stories and,
stories and then they built a world in characters around,
(42:37):
it And peacock was awesome and like made an offer
while we were in the room, pitching which was super. Cool.
Speaker 1 (42:44):
Amazing oh, yeah so. EXCITING i CAN'T i can't. WAIT
i just think IT'S i think it's so cool and
it's definitely what's. Needed, like, yes the, documentaries but also
these scripted series that helped tell the stories and get
people in prigued by a life that they don't know
or a world that they're not, in is so key
(43:04):
to unlocking some of the interest in fandom that exists
around men's sports because we've been seeing and watching those
shows forever and. Ever editorial from, me they should have
made the show With china And. Neca they should have
remade that. Show omg f whoever said, NO i never watched.
Speaker 2 (43:21):
It we'll bring it.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
Back maybe this is also just the door that opens
that gets you to that show as. Well we are
out of. TOWN i could talk to you. Forever there
are so many more QUESTIONS i, have so maybe we'll
have you again on in the future to talk about
all the cool things that your job entails and all
the challenges and exciting opportunities to. Come thanks so much
for the Time.
Speaker 2 (43:41):
Allison Thanks, SARAH i appreciate.
Speaker 1 (43:43):
It thanks again To alison for taking the time that joined.
Us we have to take another quick. Break when we come,
back we get a lesson on. Balls welcome, back, slices.
Y'all remember yesterday's show when we asked you for an
alternative to the phrase balls to the. Wall, well as
(44:06):
it turns out we might not need. It shout out
TO i Am Victoria ann On instagram who solved our
balls to the wall tits to the turf. Problem she, wrote,
quote putting on my no it all hat for a,
minute balls to the wall slash balls out refers to
the balls of the piston hitting the walls of a
cylinder when you overtax an, engine so women can also
(44:26):
go balls out end Quote, victoria and oh my, gosh
the more you, KNOW i am admittedly not a, gearhead
So i'm pretty lost on what you said and you
know which balls are hitting which walls in which. Cylinder
BUT i believe, you AND i am also still open
to hearing people's ridiculous suggestions to replace balls to the.
(44:47):
Wall can you beat tits to the? Turf, doubtful but
give it a. Shot send him. In we want to
hear them speaking of sending him. In you did your.
Votes you slices have spoken and are Darch. Madness fintal
four is. Set that's, right the votes are in. In
twice baked potato defeated potato corn. Chowder this is particularly
(45:08):
sad for me because potato corn chowder is my, favorite
BUT i Guess i'm gonna cook it, anyway regardless of
whether it's part of this. Challenge so twice baked potato
it is funeral potatoes topped potato, pigs SO i will
not have to go looking for an electric, drill which is.
Good potato lot key beat out corn. Keish that was
another bummer for. Me that corn keish sounded, delicious So
i'm just gonna have to make that another. Time and
(45:30):
tacos to poppas beat out sweet potato and. Banadas SO
i will be cooking each of the final four recipes
twice baked, potato funeral, potatoes potato lot, key and potato.
Tacos i'm gonna cook all of. Them i'm gonna eat
all of, them and Then i'm gonna name one the
twenty twenty five Starch Madness. Champion don't, WORRY i will
(45:50):
be posting photos of the, results which will test both
my cooking and my food styling. Skills but, guys the
pressure Of march madness doesn't just take place on the.
Court it's gonna happen in the kitchen. Too we always
love to hear from, you so hit us up on
email good game at acast dot. Com that's, right that's
our new email Good game at acast dot. Com acast dot.
(46:12):
Com we're also doing a little tune up on our,
voicemail but we will be soliciting the sound of your
sweet angelic voices again, soon so stay tuned for, that
and don't forget to, Subscribe rate and review scroll. Down
give our podcast five. Stars tell us why you love.
Us it's super. Easy watch The Toronto sceptors watch party
for The College Hockey championship game rating five out of
(46:32):
five stick taps review the Pwhls Toronto scepters had a
little watch party for The frozen Four championship Between wisconsin
And Ohio. State and you knew it was going to
be a tense party because there were players who went
to both rival schools in the. Room it was fun
to watch them watch the. Game we'll link to the
video and the show, notes BUT i think our favorite
moment Was Natalie, spooner who's An Ohio state, alum asking
(46:53):
during overtime is it eventually going to go to a?
Shootout and, honestly it's really good to know that even
the best players in the world sometimes need to Use
google to get a little refresher on the. Rules now
it's your, turn, y'all rate and, Review thanks for. Listening
see you. Tomorrow Good, Game, Allison Good, Game sweet sixteen
Qualifiers you whoever rejected That cheney And nekka double team
(47:14):
to Remake 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 wherever you get your. Podcasts production By Wonder Media,
network our producers Are Alex azzie And Misha. Jones our
(47:37):
executive producers Are Christina, Everett Jesse, Katz Jenny, kaplan And Emily.
Rudder our editors Are Emily, Rutterer Britney, martinez And Grace.
Lynch our associate producer Is Lucy jones And i'm your
Host Sarah. Spain
Host
Sarah Spain
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