June 6, 2025 • 46 mins
National Softball Hall of Famer and Athletes Unlimited Softball League advisor Jennie Finch joins Sarah to discuss the inaugural AUSL season starting on Saturday, the beauty of softball stakeholders all working toward the same goal, and Major League Baseball’s groundbreaking investment in the AUSL. Plus, the PWHL is moving and shaking, the Seattle Storm is under the microscope again, and a special treat for all you puzzle lovers.
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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're welcoming
the world of softball to our city tonight for a
big party celebrating opening weekend at the AUSL millort shots
for everybody. It's Friday, June sixth, Happy Friday Slices. On
today's show, we'll be talking with National Softball Hall of
Famer and Athletes Unlimited Softball League Advisor Jenny Finch about
(00:21):
the inaugural season beginning on Saturday, the beauty of softball,
stakeholders all working toward the same goal, and Major League
Baseball's groundbreaking investment in the AUSL. Plus the PWHL expansion
window opens with some huge moves, the NWSL is back
in action, and at the end of the show, a
special treat for all you puzzle lovers out there. It's
(00:41):
all coming up right after this. Welcome mack y'all. Here's
what you need to know today, leading off with softball
and the Women's College World Series. We're recording this episode
(01:04):
before Game two of the Championship Series between Texas and
Texas Tech on Thursday night, So as you're listening to this,
we're all either thinking congratulations to Texas for winning the
program's first ever national championship. And wow was Sarah's pre
series prediction right or we're all getting geared up for
Game three of the series. Whichever way things went, We
(01:25):
hope everyone had fun. Hey, speaking to that, y'all have
to check out the brand new album Hope We have
Fun from my friends and my faves Mountjoy.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
It's so good.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Shameless plug, but you gotta support the RTS, y'all to hockey.
Holy cow, The moves are moving in the PWHL. The
league's new Seattle and Vancouver expansion teams are taking full
advantage of the five day signing window ahead of Monday
Night's expansion draft, just snaggin top players left and right.
Remember how we told you that the Boston Fleet opted
(01:56):
not to make ten time world champion Hillary Night one
of their protected players. Well, she became the first player
to sign with Seattle on Wednesday, inking a one year
deal for the twenty twenty five to twenty twenty sixth season.
And after she told us right here on this show
how much she wanted to bring a title to Boston, Well,
feels like you're one in Seattle. Might be a bit
(02:18):
of a scorched earth tour making them pay for letting
her go. Then there's two time defending champions Minnesota Frost,
who saw both Sophie Jake's and friend of the Show
Claire Thompson leave to sign with Vancouver Jakes for three
years and Thompson for one year. With two players from
Minnesota getting scooped up, the Frost were eligible to protect
a fourth player, which they did on Wednesday, protecting Britack
(02:40):
kral Salemi. Vancouver is also signing Ottawa Golie Emirates mash Meyer,
and per the Athletic Sley Salvian is also expected to
sign Toronto Sarah Nurse. And that was all just on
day one of the signing window, y'all. By the time
you slaces hear this, it's possible even more signings have
been announced. Each expansion team can sign a maximum of
five players before Sunday Eastern. Just a reminder, any unprotected
(03:03):
player or player on an expiring contract is eligible to
be signed. More PWHL. On Tuesday, the league's players Association
announced that players voted overwhelmingly to disclose player salaries moving forward.
As of now, salaries won't be published publicly, but they
will be available to players and agents upon request. The
decision is expected to give players more clarity and more
(03:25):
information during contract negotiations. It's a big move from the
PWHL Players Association and comes at a key moment given
the ongoing expansion draft negotiation window. Moving on to hoops,
the Seattle Storm is under a microscope once again. We
first saw a report from Christina Williams, which was later
built upon by reporting from Annie Costable, that the WNBA
(03:46):
is reviewing a complaint from a former Seattle Storm player
alleging that a current Seattle Storm assistant coach directed profanity
at them. The encounter in question occurred when the Storm
hosted the Aces on Sunday. There's no official investigation underway,
but this is the second time Seattle's coaching staff has
been the subject of a complaint in the last calendar year.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
You might remember that in November of.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Last year, Constable, then with the Chicago Sun Times, reported
that Seattle's coaching staff was under investigation for alleged player
harassment and bullying. That complaint was filed by former Storm
guard Jewel Lloyd, but an external investigation concluded without finding
any violations. Lloyd requested a trade and is now with
the Las Vegas Aces, per a post from Costable on
(04:28):
x yesterday. Fines and suspensions are not expected in relation
to this incident. Seattle is currently four and four on
the season. We'll keep you updated on this situation as
we hear more to soccer. The NWSL is back in
action tonight after the international break.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Two games on the schedule.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
First up Utah Royals at Racing Louisville at seven thirty
pm Eastern. That'll be available on NWSL Plus, Paramount Plus
and CBS Sports Galazzo. Then at ten pm Eastern, we've
got a prime video showdown between the San Diego Wave
and Seattle Rain. Five more contests over the course the
weekend as well, so we'll link to the NWSL schedule
in our show notes. More footy our show side. Minnesota
(05:06):
Aurora FC is still undefeated. The squad is four to
oh this season after a four nail victory over the
Chicago City Dutch Lions on Sunday. The Aurora are back
in action at home tonight against Sioux Falls City FC.
That game begins at eight pm Eastern. And in softball,
as I mentioned, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League AUSL starts
(05:26):
up tomorrow a quick refresher on this new league. While
Athletes Unlimited has been in the softball game since twenty twenty,
this new league will use a more traditional format. Four
teams will play in the inaugural season, touring in ten
cities across the United States. In the past, AU has
crowned an individual player as a champion, while this new
league will award the inaugural.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Trophy to a team.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
The first game on the schedule Saturday is The Talents
Versus the bandits up in Rosemont, Illinois. That one starts
at three Eastern on MLB dot Com, MLBtv, and the
MLB app No subscription required. Its Eastern The Volts play
the Blaze in Wichita, Kansas. Catch that game airing live
on MLB Network and on MLBtv. Lots more AUSL chatter
(06:09):
coming up later in the show with the Great Jenny Fitch.
Slices want to let you know the flights are booked
and the Aurora jersey is washed and ready. I'm headed
to Minnesota next week to watch our show side the
Minnesota Aurora FC in person. So if you're anywhere near Egan,
Minnesota and Tco Stadium, just about twenty minutes outside Minneapolis
(06:31):
Saint Paul. Come hang out and support the Aurora on Thursday,
June twelfth against the Chicago City Dutch Lines. Team owners,
you gotta wear your exclusive Onma Slight's hat if you
got one excited to see y'all there. We're gonna take
a quick break. When we come back, we're talking AUSL
with the legendary Jenny Fitch.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Be right back joining us now.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
She's one of the greatest softball players of all time,
in a National Softball Hall of Famer, an advisor for
the upcoming inaugural season of Athletes and Limited Softball League
the AUSL. She was a collegiate All American, helping the
Arizona Wildcats win the two thousand and one Women's College
World Series, a member of the US national team that
won gold at the two thousand and four Olympics in
silver at the two thousand and eight Games. She played
pro with the Chicago Bandits of the National Professt Pitch.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
League from five to twenty ten.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
We've seen around the Real Housewives of Orange County, dancing
with the stars and famously striking out the world's best
Major League baseball players.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
It's Jenny Bench Hi, Jenny.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Hey Sarah, how are you.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
I'm good. Thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
I am so excited to talk all things AUSL.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Because we are finally here. We've been hearing about this league.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
But this weekend in my hometown of Chicago, I'm helping
throw a big bash to celebrate the start of the
league on Friday night and then Saturday the action begins.
So tell us a little bit about what you've been
working on when it comes to being an advisor for
the league.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah. Absolutely, we couldn't be more excited for our score.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
I feel like now's the time we have all hands
on deck and it's going to be exciting. Yeah, and
I can't wait to join you in Chicago. What in
two days? Crazy up here before we know it.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
So yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
So my main role has been kind of just building
the league from the ground up over the under the
direction of Kimming, with the other advisors as well, cat
Offhanjus Windows and Natasha Wattley and so just kind of
figuring out I mean, building a league from the ground up.
It's a huge, huge, enormous project and we couldn't be
(08:34):
under better leadership. And it's just a matter of you know,
finding the general managers. We did a ton of interviews
and then head coaches, because who do we want.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
In these roles leading our league?
Speaker 4 (08:45):
And there's only fourteens, and I think that was the
hardest part, was narrowing it down until only four, which
I hope this is the only beginning, and we plan
to expand hopefully next summer. But yeah, and just how
many games and the whole world, what cities do we
play in? And so a lot of decisions were made
in a short period of time. But I think for
(09:05):
the first time ever, we have everyone working in the
same direction, and I think that's what excites me the most.
Where in the past it's been different ownership, and it's
been kind of honestly being in a survival mode of
how do we make this work with limited funds? But
now we're here and doing it the right way, and
I couldn't be more thrilled.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
We had Jessica Mendoza on last weekend. She said the
same thing. She just kept saying, it's just everyone together.
We have everyone in the same place together, working toward
the same thing. It reminds me a little bit of
the PWHL, which is this incredible hockey league that now
has all the best stars in one place instead of
these disparate leagues that are trying to pull people all
with great intention, but it's obviously so much better when
(09:47):
you could have one destination. You mentioned four initial teams,
the Volts, Bandits, Blaze, and Talons. So tell us about
the format for this season.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Where are the game is going to be? How many games?
And how did the playoffs?
Speaker 3 (10:01):
So there's ten different cities.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Actually we're coming They're going to come to sulf for Louisiana,
which is their hometown, so really excited, and ten ten
cities again, like how do you pick into ten cities
for our sport.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
To go in?
Speaker 4 (10:14):
But Chicago, Wichita, Round Rock and then the championship series
will be in Tuscaloosa in Alabama. And so I believe
it's twenty four games, all televised on major networks ESPN,
MLB Network, which is really really exciting, and MLB dot
Com just announced that they are opening it up for
(10:34):
completely free for viewerships to be able to tune in
and all of the games will be broadcasted there.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
So just really really excited for just.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
The platform that we'll have now, and we've had leagues,
but there was the consistency was never there, and so
how do you follow? And I think our biggest hurdle
in the past fifteen years was the.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
College game is at its all time high.
Speaker 4 (10:57):
It just continues to increase year after year after year,
and we've never been able to kind of bridge that
gap from the college game to the pro league. And
so now being able to broadcast these games on TV,
you know, fans will actually get to know the players,
and they'll have a team to get behind, a mascot
to get behind, and eventually the cities will come. But
(11:20):
I think it's an extremely smart move to be able
to do this tour first and kind of find out
where the league will succeed and be at its best.
And so that's what this summer will be, and then
hopefully next summer will be able to kind of plant
those teams in certain cities.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Yeah, I feel pretty good about the chances that Chicago
Bandits will be the team that the Bandits become, based
on the fact that they very smartly use the sort
of light blue and red from the Chicago flag, the star,
all the things that we loved about the Chicago Red
Stars logo, which they changed when they became the Chicago Stars.
So the Bandits are giving us back team to root
(12:00):
for that has the elements of the flag and the
history there. They compete on Jenny Finch Way, for God's
sakes in Rosemont, Illinois, So.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
I feel pretty good about that one.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
You mentioned twenty four games per team, so forty eight
games total for the fourteen league in this first season
and then a best of three championship series in Tescalosa
on June twenty sixth through twenty eighth, So lots to
look forward to, lots of games to watch.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
You know, as a.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Player in an earlier iteration of professional softball, you have
firsthand knowledge of what's been lacking and what was the.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Next step for this sport.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
What did you suggest to athletes unlimited in some of
those meetings. What are some of the most important resources, amenities,
priorities for players that you insisted that they have in
this new league.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Well, I think you know, and honestly, playing in Chicago
it was such a dream and my first call was
to the owners of the Chicago Bandits from way back when,
and just with a huge heart of gratitude and appreciation
because they did it. When I mean it's never going
to be easy, but man, like, they gave us a
(13:03):
shot and we had the opportunity to play. But honestly,
you know, to think of where it is now, like
this is truly professional softball, and you know, honestly, I
had to pinch myself so many times throughout this process
because childcare.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Health insurance, training funding like this stuff was.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
You know, we didn't even have walker rooms. We were
using the same restrooms as the fans pretty much. And
so just to see how far we've come. And then
obviously Athletes Unlimited has had success in the past, but
it was sixty athletes and they were in Chicago, and
then every week they would rotate teams. The top four
(13:48):
athletes according to their point system would then be the
captain head coach of those teams. But I think, you know,
we listened to the fans and the fans of course,
with softball being a team score, I think that is
the most beautiful team sports. And so being able to
really kind of put a name to a team, to
a mascot and eventually a city will be something really
(14:10):
really special. And for me too, I love to see
the adjustments and see how who works together and that
camaradery on the field, and I think being able to
have a team together for a summer that's going to
showcase just the beauty of our game on and off
the field. And so I think that's what and the
players too, you know, it's it's really tough getting to
(14:34):
know teammates that and then the next week you know you're.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Playing against that person. And so kudos to what they've done.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
And we will still have the championship series at the
end of the summer, and those will be the top
athletes from the league, the top right right to play
in that, which will be super exciting, and and they'll
be you know, repping their team, and then the players
of that team. And I think two which is a
really really special dynamic is these athletes, the majority of
(15:06):
them have played together in Athletes Unlimited and all under
the same roof for a couple of summers now, so
these athletes really really know each other, which I think
is a unique dynamic as well.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
You mentioned that you called the owners of the Chicago Bandits.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
What did you want to ask them?
Speaker 1 (15:25):
What did you want to get from them as you
were trying to help build this league.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Mainly it was just just showing gratitude and appreciation, and
you know, we were super close and still are super close,
but it was just kind of showing my respect and
letting them know that we would not be in this
position if it wasn't for them. And I think even
all I think of all of the families and teams
(15:50):
that hosted like my camps when I was going on
tour and we went to like twelve cities a summer,
and it was just like all of the growth of
the game, you know, and that was how we can
kind of we're able to make money and still compete
and train for the Olympic Games. Was doing camps and
clinics and speaking engagement because that allowed us the flexibility
to work around our training schedule and competition schedule and
(16:12):
so just you know, just full circle moment and just
so appreciative of that's cool.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
We're finally here.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
And I think, you know, obviously bringing Kim ing on
was just that next step of Okay, this is legit.
Her MLB background of being a general manager. It's just
you know, you can't compare to her leadership, her knowledge,
her experiences that she has, and then to be able
to bring that over on our side, we're extremely, extremely
(16:43):
blessed to have her.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
I love that sort of looking back and saying, now
that I'm putting together a league, Wow, do I understand
what y'all did for us when you put together those
initial leagues and then looking forward and saying, what does
it look like if we put in place this incredibly
successful MLB exec who has bigger budgets, bigger investments, bigger resources,
and how does that affect the choices we make here
(17:07):
and how big our swings are here? You mentioned Kim
Eng the new commissioner. This signaled a real commitment to
getting the best and doing this right. What do you
make of her first moves at the position and her
approach to the newly going forward? What has sort of
stood out to you?
Speaker 3 (17:22):
I think just her.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Consistency and relatability at the same time being who she
is and what she's done and accomplished.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
And I think her her.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
Passion and she's just she's very even keel And it
hasn't been easy, you know, signing athletes and trying to
get them to buy in and be on board because
it is it is all new for everybody across the board,
and so just really thankful of who she is and
(17:59):
how she goes about her business and her professionalism that
she brings on so many levels.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
And I think to the people.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
She knows as well, and it's not we have to
try it out. You know, she's been there, She's seen
what works, what doesn't work, and how to manage. And
I think I love the mentorship of her with our
general managers as well. So our four general managers have
her on speed dial and have access to her to
(18:29):
help lead their ball clubs as well in this.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
So just really really cool support system. I think on
so many levels that she brings.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Yeah, we'll talk about those gims in a second, but
I want to first talk about the other folks she
has on her speed dow, which is a lot of
people at MLB. And last week we saw the announcement
about the huge MLB investment into the AUSL, an incredibly
exciting development. What does that partnership mean for AUSL and
Pro Softball? The first time MLB has ever invested in
this way in a professional softball league.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
It's a historical, monumental moment movement for us and couldn't
be more thankful for Major League Baseball stepping up to
the plate and not just saying yes, we support it,
but you know, putting money where their mouth is. And
when we were on the call to get the news,
(19:26):
it was Natasha Wattley and I with Kim Ang and
Sarah put Off from MLB as well, who works with
the MLB development side, and there was a room full
of press there to witness this moment and and it
was just like, they're they're going to back this and
(19:47):
they're going to do it the right way. And so
I think that's what excites me the most is it's
not just a headline of you know, MLB supports a
us L. It's it's truly legit and they're they're stepping
up to the plate and good things are coming.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
They're sharing their platforms.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
My feeds are just insane on Emibe Network, MLB dot Com.
I mean, they are truly all hands on deck. And
I love it too because the writers truly have a
passion and care about AUSL and the players, and that's
that's what we need.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
We need to build stars.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
We need to be able to tell their stories and
showcase who they are, what they do and how great
they do it, and just start building those connections with
and I think, obviously we have softball fans on deck,
but we need a wider, broader audience. We need we
need mainstream America to back this and to be behind
it and know the superstars of the AUSL.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Obviously such a great product that's been so clear across
the college landscape and even at the pros the people
who get into it know. But being able to have
a whole brand new, giant audience to tune in and
be introduced to it in this way through the MLB
is really great. I need to ask, what's the dog's name?
The dog made a little appearance with a little bark
in his no. I was hoping he wasn't in the
(21:03):
no he is, and I'm loving it. To be honest
with you, I'm a huge dog person.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
This is Frankie.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Hi, Frankie.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
I appreciate that he literally just came up and sat
next to you, like I would like to be involved
in this interview.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Thank you very much. Ask me my opinion.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
You mentioned the GMS legendary names like kat Osterman and
Lisa Fernandez are among the first four. How important is
it to have those former players in decision making positions
alongside you? Mentioned the incredible ambassadors that were called in
some of the best of the best to ever play.
This is something Athletes Unlimited is known for. They go
to the athletes. They go to the players even while
they're currently playing, and say, what do you want, what
(21:36):
do you need? How do we make this league for you.
They're really thriving in that way, especially at the top
with this new league. What does that mean?
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Yeah, and I truly think it's it's for the athlete,
by the athlete. They've done such and honestly, I was
skeptical at the beginning and I kind of I supported it,
but I wasn't ready to jump on board. And then
you know, just asking the athlete, Hey, what's your experience, like,
like what you know? How is Athletes Unlimited? Everything I
heard was nothing but positive feedback, and they truly do
(22:07):
care about the athletes. The athletes have a voice, and
so it's it's been, you know, pretty special for the
athletes to be so involved.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
And then I think built by athletes.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
And we had coaches, and we had great coaches, but
these athletes all came from the best programs in the country.
And my goal, our goal as advisors was, like I
wanted them to step foot in pro softball and then
get the next level to then.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
Elevate their game. And I think that's what we've never had,
is I mean.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
We're peaking in college basically, and then after that it's
just trying to like sustain and you're you're trying to
get access to coaches and and now with technology and
and you know, and it was it was difficult because
obviously the best coaches have programs that they have to run,
so that for them to then to summer out like
there's no way that they're going to do that. And
(23:02):
so it was a battle trying to figure out, you know,
who's going to lead the way and what coaches will
be able to pull it off.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
And I'm so thankful for our group that did because
they are bar none.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
And I think that's what excites me the most is
for the athletes to now be able to then elevate
their game even greater and take it to the next level.
And talking to some of the athletes just you know,
as they reported last week, they're they're really really excited
to pick the brains.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
And I think, you know, being a former player, that
was something that.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
I loved was getting to sit down and talk the
game with my teammates. Honestly, like the USA Softball bullpen
was like golden for me because we shared information, we
helped each other, we were you know, working, and it
was the best of the best.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Like iron sharpens iron.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
And that's what this pro league will have with the
leadership that it's under, the coaching that it's under, and
then to be able to have the technology and you know,
everything at their team, at.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
Their disposing your kiah to be a success and to
be the best that they can be. So and I
think even thinking down the road even more for me, I.
Speaker 4 (24:10):
Think about USA Softball and this is the training ground
for the Olympics twenty twenty eight will be here before
we know it. And now we have the best in
our sport, the best in our country playing against each other,
and so truly like this is this is the path
And you know, I know coach Gasso and the entire
(24:32):
USA staff is going to be looking at these athletes
and you know, we never had that. It was only
one or two events that the USA played in and
that was what we had to go off for the summer.
But now like they're going to be able to witness
and watch these athletes continue to excel, and I think
be even more prepared.
Speaker 3 (24:50):
Facing the best. This is the best of the best,
So you're facing the best.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
All summer long now, So come twenty twenty eight, they're
gonna they're gonna be ready.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (24:58):
Yeah. I wonder you're around all these great folks, both
in the ambassador room and as you're prepping for this league.
How often has one or the other of you said, man,
if only I was still playing, or man, I would
have loved this when I was playing.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
I know, I just really like go spend some times
in the time in the bullpen now.
Speaker 4 (25:17):
With just the technology and it's it's it's why. And
I feel like every week there's something new, you know.
And obviously there's that balance of being an out that
you have to kind of I think to the challenge
of the athletes today are like limiting and figuring out
what information you need and then protecting and dismissing the
information that you know is too much.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
But it's just so so cool just to.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
See the depth and what these athletes have and to
see them work and shine. And I'm looking forward to,
you know, seeing them play Saturday in Chicago opening day
and getting the follow them all season.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
Yeah, it's been There's been a lot of that across
women's sports of late, and it is both so exciting
and bittersweet to hear the ones who made the sports
say I'm so I feel great about opening up these
doors for the next generation. I feel great about being
partly responsible for the money they're making and the endorsements
they're getting and the TV deals that are happening. And
(26:14):
also how cool would it have been to be able
to participate and do all these cool things that they're
getting to do when I was playing. So there's always
this feeling of real pride and also just a little
bittersweet of like, oh, that would have been cool.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
That would have been cool when I was around.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
You mentioned this weekend, we got a party, a brunch,
we got games. Tell us a little bit what opening
weekend for the AOSL is going to look like.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Yeah, so Friday night are having just to get together
and I think a celebration of where we're at and
what's to come. Looking forward to that and seeing some
old bandits that were coming in in Chicago, and I
think the leaders in our game, in our sport, the gms,
the head coaches, everybody will be there ready to go,
and so looking forward to that.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
And then Kim Ang's doing I think donuts and.
Speaker 1 (26:59):
Something maybe yess how did I not?
Speaker 3 (27:05):
I failed on that one, but it was so cool.
Speaker 4 (27:07):
Not to repeat that, but dont and dinners with kim
A and then the game. And so we'll be at
the game in Chicago in Rosemond. What a cool stadium
and everything that they've built there. So just that can
be more grateful for the city of Rosemont because they've
really truly backed our score for the last ten years.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
Yeah, for those who don't know, right outside Chicago, and
the stadium is on Jenny Finch Way. So that was
actually a trivia question at a trivia night I was
at a couple months ago, and I was like, I
know this one, don't even I know what street. It's uneven.
Speaker 5 (27:41):
A couple of.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Things before we go.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
At least one player in the league is still competing
in the College World Series, which is going to wrap
up either Thursday or Friday. Have any idea when they'll
be joining things and how they'll be incorporated into the league.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
I don't, I don't. I know. It's been so exciting.
Speaker 4 (27:56):
I mean not exciting that they've lost out the ones
that have twelve golden tickets. We're just really really cool
being able to go into their college programs atmosphere fan
bases and celebrate them and give them the golden ticket
to be drafted to AUSL. But then you know, we
still have to sign them, and so you don't really
know for sure if they're going to be committed. So
(28:17):
just today Sam Landry is signed as a Bolt, and
so that's one more check in the box.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
But yeah, who knows. I don't know.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Hopefully, I'm sure as soon as possible, But then again,
I'm sure they want to go back and celebrate and
have a day or two, so I'm assuming within the
next week hopefully.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
I'll tell you what, for those players whose college careers
are done and they're heartbroken to not be walking away
with a World Series title, there is a nice little
bonus if what's next for them is signing a professional
contract and getting to start in this new league. It's
much better than looking out into the professional landscape and
having to get a real damn job. Last question for
(28:53):
you mentioned the technology. I've been fascinated. I have a
friend who's a coach with the Chicago Cubs and sometimes
lets me peek behind the scenes of what they're working on,
including these like wild proprietary systems that are like basically
a hologram, so when you're pitching, when you're batting against
a pitching machine, it actually looks.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Like the player who's pitch they're recreating.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
It looks like it's coming off the player's hand instead
of just a pitch machine.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
And how different that is.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
What have you seen in the softball world that you're like, Man,
my game would have been different if I had this
back then.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Honestly, I would just be the training aspect of it
for me, like in the.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
Weight room, because we were just doing I mean with
the knowledge that we had.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
I mean, I think we were advanced at that point,
and coach Candrea did such an incredible job with the
Olympic team, and you know, reaching out and we saw
the tiatrist, we saw you know, optometris, like everything and
anything that we needed, but we're still so far behind.
Speaker 3 (29:50):
And so now just I.
Speaker 4 (29:51):
Think and even like nutrition was like we had no
clue and it was terrible, honestly, our diets, and so
I think just now even with like supplements and everything,
and then and then again obviously technique, and I mean
I think just you can see the spin rate, you
can see.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
You know, the tunnel, the you know, the inages of movement.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
It's just it's insane, insane how much information and the
tools and it just keeps continuing and it's so fast.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
But I think about that a lot, Like in college,
we didn't do foam rolling and yoga and pilates and
cryo and any of that stuff. We didn't even watch
that much tape of what we were doing, and especially
in track like field events, where it's like the position
of your leg or your arm matter so much, and
we like never looked and watched it. And now you
could tape every single practice and every single game and
(30:41):
like go back and really analyze. You don't want to
get too obsessed with it, of course, but yeah, it
feels like there's an inevitability to the marching on of
new records and new speeds and everything else because of
all the facilities and resources and everything else. Well, we're
grateful that you came back to help the next generation
and that he came on the show to tell us
(31:02):
all about it. We're super excited for the start of AUSL.
So thanks so much for the time.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
Yeah, absolutely, thank you.
Speaker 1 (31:10):
Thanks again to Jenny for taking the time, and make
sure you tune into the first AUSL games on Saturday.
We had to take another break. When we return, we
received a strongly worded email and we have a strongly
worded response.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Welcome back, Slices.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
I just I have to share this message from Slice
Melissa Tromboor, who wrote quote. While listening to the Hillary
Night episode, I was reminded of Sarah's bucket list item
to appear on SNL. Wanted to share that my golden retriever, Mulligan,
has been on SNL twice. Here's a link to his
appearance on the fiftieth anniversary show. Keep putting your wish
out there in the universe, and I'll have Mulligan put
(31:54):
in a good word for you. Next time he's at
thirty Rock, the appearance will happen. End quote LESA. I'm
dying first of all, Mulligan cute dog. Also sitting next
to Julia Louis Dreyfus, I die amazing. Third, I can't
decide if this makes me feel better or worse about
(32:15):
having never fulfilled my dream to appear on the show.
No wait, I can't decide worse. I feel worse. I'm
so damn jealous of your dog. What does he have
that I don't other than luscious golden locks, an adorable face,
the ability to take direction, and undeniable charisma. Damn it, Mulligan,
(32:35):
you're a star. We love that you're listening, but we
want you to get in the game every day too.
So here's our good game play of the day. Stay
tuned after the few in today's show for a surprise
WNBA puzzle. It's from one of my appearances on the
iHeart podcast The Puzzler.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
With aj Jacobs.
Speaker 1 (32:52):
See if you can get all the w related questions right,
and if you feel so inclined, check out all three
of my episodes on the Puzzler. This week, I had
a whole lot of fun. We'll link to the Puzzler
pod in our show notes. We always love to hear
from you, so hit us up on email good game
at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a voicemail at
eight seven two two four fifty seventy, and don't forget
(33:13):
to subscribe, rate and review. It's easy slices watch the
guy who sent us an email about our Gimme a
Minute segment rating five out of five. I remember you's
review very early on in our show's history. Slice Brett
wrote to us calling us out regarding our interview with
Cheryl Swoops and the mention of complaints that she'd received
about our Kaitlin Clark coverage. Well, he's back with another
(33:36):
editorial suggestion. Unlike many of you, he did not enjoy
our Gimme a Minute segment on how Kitlyn Clark's entry
is being covered. He wrote, in part, good lord, I
was really hoping that this season people would just stop.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
Being weird about Kaitlyn Clark. But here we are again.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
The segment today is not only bad, it's actively working
against what you actually desire. I don't know how many
times you or someone on your show have gone down
this path, suggesting that other players and stories should be
highlighted as opposed to the over coverage of Clark. But
here you are doing the exact same thing. You do
one segment on the show about the WNBA, and it
again is centered on Clark. He continues, whining about people
(34:16):
covering Clark too much? Is still covering Clark? Be the
change you want to see in the world. Tell whoever
came up with this segment to kick Rocks and come
back with some original ideas. There are hundreds of stories
you could have had here. He goes on to list
a bunch of really great WNBA stories, from Kiki Eria
fenn Sonya Citron Bawling out Early to Alessa Thomas Thriving
in Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
So Brett, first, I'm not going.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
To tell myself to kick rocks because I came up
with the segment.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
But also, we.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
Love the passion you have for the WNBA, and we
actually love all your story suggestions, and we agree that
this season shouldn't be spent rehashing the same tired Angel
versus Caitlin Brennan versus the league storylines. That being said,
tackling problematic coverage and narratives is necessary. We saw that
last year when people talked around the issues in the
(35:05):
w for way too long and then things blew up
and started to be truly harmful and sometimes even dangerous
for players. So we will keep calling out issues when
we think it's necessary, even if it means covering the
coverage of Clark, and we will keep highlighting WNBA stories
as well, like we did with the Marina Maybrey interview
that ran the day after we received this email from you,
(35:27):
to be honest and take you behind the curtain a little.
The segment you didn't like was actually inspired by our
desire to incorporate more opinions into the show outside of
just the news, especially more WNBA opinions and some of
those stories that you suggested. The first iteration just happened
to be about the clerk injury, But maybe next time
we'll chat about something like I don't know the Chicago
(35:48):
sky being extremely disappointing, because lord knows, I got plenty
to say about that. Now it's your turn, y'all, rate
and review. Thanks for listening, See you next week. Good Game, Jenny,
Good Game, ausl you puzzles and trivia about the Bible.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
I'm out, I know nothing.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
If you want to know what I mean, listen to
my episodes of the Puzzler. The WNBA quiz they gave
me is coming up next. Good Game with Sarah Spain
is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment. You could find us on the
iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Production by Wonder Media Network. Our producers are Alex Azzie
(36:30):
and Misha Jones. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz,
Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rutterer,
Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch, and Gianna Palmer. Our associate producer
is Lucy Jones. And I'm your host, Sarah Spain.
Speaker 6 (36:46):
We're going to mainline. I don't know if that's the
right guy. All right, all right, a family fuzzle showing sip.
We're in savor of puzzle.
Speaker 5 (36:59):
Great.
Speaker 6 (37:00):
Uh, this one is about the w NBA. It's called
hoops groups and every answer is going to be a
rhyming phrase where one of the words is the name
of a w NBA team. So, for instance, if I
gave you the clue bad luck for Minnesota's w NBA team,
that might be Linx Jinks. So they're all going to
(37:21):
have the team and then so are you ready for clues?
Speaker 1 (37:25):
All right?
Speaker 6 (37:26):
And by the way, these are often fictional. I'm not
saying there is a jinx on links, so don't get me.
Speaker 7 (37:32):
There was last finals.
Speaker 6 (37:34):
Oh right.
Speaker 5 (37:35):
If you consider officials a Jigs.
Speaker 7 (37:39):
My physical therapist is for Minnesota and she we have
this fight every time I see her.
Speaker 1 (37:43):
Now, that's great.
Speaker 6 (37:46):
College style housing for Seattle's w NBA team.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
M okay, I see what you're doing there. That would
be uh dorms for the.
Speaker 6 (37:54):
Storm that's right, storm dorm or dorm doorm storm h
Hammer and Great Whites owned by Los Angeles' WNBA.
Speaker 1 (38:04):
Team, Hammerheads and Grazed Whites. Oh, Los Angeles, I thought
you said Las Vegas. I really doubted myself for a second.
There we're talking about the Spark Sharks.
Speaker 6 (38:15):
That is correct, exactly while we're on Vegas. Let me
try a Vegas one. I'll scroll down to that. Oh,
this is what the Las Vegas team has on their
sneakers to keep them from falling off.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Also, the name of one of the teams in the
new Unrivaled three on three league.
Speaker 5 (38:38):
This is the Aces Laces.
Speaker 6 (38:40):
Oh, there's a Laces team.
Speaker 1 (38:42):
There's a Laces in the three on three offseason league
called Unrivaled and they have a really cool logo.
Speaker 6 (38:48):
And where are they from?
Speaker 1 (38:50):
So Unrivaled is everybody just goes to Miami for eight
weeks and plays against each other.
Speaker 5 (38:54):
So they're not affiliated with cities yet, though.
Speaker 1 (38:56):
The belief is that they might keep getting more popular
and then spin often try to get owners to buy
and put them in cities to sort of.
Speaker 7 (39:03):
Like an off season league. That's very cool.
Speaker 6 (39:07):
I also love the boldness of calling it unrivaled when
it is a rival league.
Speaker 1 (39:12):
Yes, yes, yes, yes, But it's three on three, so
I guess it's a technicality that they're really riding.
Speaker 6 (39:17):
Oh very good. Okay, I thought you meant three teams
on three, but no, you're three. Oh very cool. This
is a Catholic woman who lives in a convent who
prays for Connecticut's w NBA team.
Speaker 5 (39:33):
She should be praying hard this season.
Speaker 1 (39:37):
If there's a team that needs divine intervention this season,
it is the Sun.
Speaker 5 (39:41):
So they need help from a Sun's nun.
Speaker 6 (39:44):
There you go. And by the way, I was listening
to a previous Good Game episode where you talked about
an WNBA fan at the announcement of a new pope.
So an actual nun.
Speaker 5 (39:56):
Yes, n she was Actually this was wild.
Speaker 3 (40:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
First of all, I'm from Chicago, so my phone has
not stopped blowing up with memes about the Chicago Pope.
Speaker 5 (40:05):
We will never shut up about this.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Other than New York, we were the last place you
should have delivered my history making.
Speaker 5 (40:12):
We got Obama, we got Peyton, we got Jordan, and
now we've got du Pope.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
But yeah, this woman was a nun in the crowded
Saint Peter Square and on the back of her phone
that she had lifted to take video of the new Pope,
it had an Orlando Pride NWSL, which is women's professional
soccer sticker on the phone, which I just loved and
I would have been shot by except for my mom
was actually a theology major in college and has several
very good friends that became nuns, and they listened to
(40:38):
my show and they're fans of sports and really into it.
So I don't know why I always think nuns and
priests and such.
Speaker 5 (40:44):
Are not regular people. But the Pope was that the
White Sox world.
Speaker 7 (40:47):
The White Sox.
Speaker 5 (40:48):
Yeah, oh you know, they they're just like us, Pope, they.
Speaker 6 (40:51):
Are, They are fantastic.
Speaker 7 (40:53):
But I have to share a story on the same thing.
I went to a Jesuit high school in California and
our college counselor, father Clemo, ran the football pool. Yes, right,
so he was encouraging US high school kids to show
up with you know, a couple bucks and bet on
football with him.
Speaker 5 (41:11):
He wants us to gamble.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
Also, I would never trust the outcome of a religious leader,
a legend that that you know, God wasn't on his side, right,
I don't know. I just would feel like if he
ever lost, I would question his connection good.
Speaker 6 (41:25):
Yeah, what kind of pole does he have?
Speaker 7 (41:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (41:27):
Or she?
Speaker 5 (41:29):
What if?
Speaker 6 (41:29):
We finish up with a couple of w NBA players
so teams uh and some of these are present play
current players, some are past legends. This is a woodwind
instrument owned by a former New York Liberty star. Rebecca
is her first name. These are all last names.
Speaker 1 (41:50):
Yes, I was a I was a clarinet player, but
I am familiar with the woodwinds.
Speaker 5 (41:54):
So this would be Lobo's Obo.
Speaker 6 (41:57):
That's right, Lobo's Obo exactly. And I know, Greg, I
have been wanting to talk about the Liberty, so I'm
giving you there we go.
Speaker 7 (42:06):
I was listening to your you know your your sort
of pre season warm up episode, and I'm psyched for
the Liberty. I have to say, I feel like Natasha
Cloud might even be an upgrade from Courtney Vanderslout.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
Yeah, different style, but defensively very different body type, much taller.
Slute is such a great facilitator though, it'll be interesting
in terms of just a steadying president who sets up
the offense. But Natasha, as the kids would say, she's
got riz anything else. She is bringing personality and excitement
to a team that already has plenty.
Speaker 7 (42:38):
And her girlfriend is on the team too. That was
a very little bit of tea you shared.
Speaker 6 (42:42):
Was Yes, that is so nice. Now has that ever
happened on a men's team? Has there been a couple
on a men's professional.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
You know, we talk about that a lot aj that
one thing people really are sleeping on in women's sports
is that they're sleeping together, and that that is a
very fun twist. And oftentimes announcers who don't quite know say,
what great sportsmanship that those two opponents are so kind
to each other, and we're like.
Speaker 5 (43:04):
They're together, right.
Speaker 1 (43:05):
But no, But in the p WHL, which is women's hockey,
in the WNBA, in the NWSL, in all these leagues,
there are these great stories in back Courtney vandersluteho he
just mentioned who used to be on the Liberty came
back to my Chicago Sky where she used to play
with her wife, and her wife was the one who
she assisted on a three and it helped her break
a record.
Speaker 6 (43:25):
How can you that's so interesting?
Speaker 5 (43:28):
Now?
Speaker 7 (43:28):
We don't know that it's never happened in men's sports,
We don't totally, we don't know. I imagine it surely has,
but it's you know.
Speaker 1 (43:36):
We don't get the fun of being nosy about it though,
So where's the fun in that?
Speaker 7 (43:40):
No fun, no fun at all? All right?
Speaker 6 (43:42):
How about all right? Two more? What about these are
some Burger King burgers eaten by Phoenix Mercury Star Khalia.
Speaker 1 (43:52):
Former Chicago Sky And I'm not sad about it still,
Actually I am Khaliah Coppers Whoppers.
Speaker 6 (43:59):
That's it? You got it?
Speaker 1 (44:01):
All right?
Speaker 6 (44:02):
Well, let's end with how about a chain of luncheonette
restaurants owned by Atlanta dream Star Britney. So we're sticking
with the burgers.
Speaker 1 (44:13):
This is someone who I accidentally called Britney Briner the
other day, and I decided should be a nickname for
when she's playing extra aggressive, when she's real Britney, or
when she's making pickles.
Speaker 6 (44:24):
When she's making pickles very good.
Speaker 5 (44:28):
This would be Griner's Diners.
Speaker 6 (44:30):
You got it all right? Well, Sarah, you cruised.
Speaker 3 (44:33):
What a fun game?
Speaker 5 (44:35):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (44:35):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (44:36):
Well, we are delighted to have you. Uh and we
are lucky we get to have you come back tomorrow.
So don't go, and I do.
Speaker 7 (44:44):
We'll do the Professional Women's Hockey League where they had
no team names last season.
Speaker 5 (44:49):
Yeah, that'll be a little tough.
Speaker 7 (44:51):
They had they just they started the league and they
just were named for the cities. New York played Montreal.
Speaker 6 (44:56):
Oh, I see, But what that's.
Speaker 1 (44:58):
Cool about it was they actually intended to have names,
but the copyrights leaked and the fans were so unimpressed
by and they hadn't really fleshed out what was the
real meaning behind it all, which you really need when
you launch on your team and logo, Like we've got
all these old teams like the Dodgers and the Knicks
and the Yankees that no one really cares about the
(45:20):
name and why it's sort of weird. But now when
you launch a new on, the entire internet wants to
know exactly why you chosen right, And they didn't have
good stories for it, so they just scrapped it, went
with city names and gave themselves a year to come
back and have the proper logos and colors and stories.
Speaker 5 (45:35):
And I think that was a good idea by them.
Speaker 6 (45:39):
Yeah, and you can make it more of a contest
with although then you'll end off with do you.
Speaker 5 (45:44):
Remember like face exactly?
Speaker 6 (45:47):
Sample I was going to say there was some ship
in the British Navy.
Speaker 5 (45:51):
That's now I'm not gonna lie. That logo and that
merch would be fire.
Speaker 1 (45:55):
I think if you ever actually named a team that
you'd sell at a merchant.
Speaker 7 (45:59):
Right right, I might like it better than the New
York Sirens.
Speaker 5 (46:04):
Make both Jesus all right.
Speaker 6 (46:07):
This is the extra credit for the folks at home.
This is a data about the Washington w NBA team.
This is data and numbers about the Washington WNBA team.
Thank you listeners, Thank you Sarah. And if you have
thirty seconds please, we would love it if you would
(46:29):
rate the puzzler on your favorite podcast platform, because it
really it just makes a difference, believe it or not.
That's the way these algorithms work. And we'll see here
tomorrow for more puzzling puzzles that will puzzle you puzzlingly.
Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're welcoming
the world of softball to our city tonight for a
big party celebrating opening weekend at the AUSL millort shots
for everybody. It's Friday, June sixth, Happy Friday Slices. On
today's show, we'll be talking with National Softball Hall of
Famer and Athletes Unlimited Softball League Advisor Jenny Finch about
(00:21):
the inaugural season beginning on Saturday, the beauty of softball,
stakeholders all working toward the same goal, and Major League
Baseball's groundbreaking investment in the AUSL. Plus the PWHL expansion
window opens with some huge moves, the NWSL is back
in action, and at the end of the show, a
special treat for all you puzzle lovers out there. It's
(00:41):
all coming up right after this. Welcome mack y'all. Here's
what you need to know today, leading off with softball
and the Women's College World Series. We're recording this episode
(01:04):
before Game two of the Championship Series between Texas and
Texas Tech on Thursday night, So as you're listening to this,
we're all either thinking congratulations to Texas for winning the
program's first ever national championship. And wow was Sarah's pre
series prediction right or we're all getting geared up for
Game three of the series. Whichever way things went, We
(01:25):
hope everyone had fun. Hey, speaking to that, y'all have
to check out the brand new album Hope We have
Fun from my friends and my faves Mountjoy.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
It's so good.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Shameless plug, but you gotta support the RTS, y'all to hockey.
Holy cow, The moves are moving in the PWHL. The
league's new Seattle and Vancouver expansion teams are taking full
advantage of the five day signing window ahead of Monday
Night's expansion draft, just snaggin top players left and right.
Remember how we told you that the Boston Fleet opted
(01:56):
not to make ten time world champion Hillary Night one
of their protected players. Well, she became the first player
to sign with Seattle on Wednesday, inking a one year
deal for the twenty twenty five to twenty twenty sixth season.
And after she told us right here on this show
how much she wanted to bring a title to Boston, Well,
feels like you're one in Seattle. Might be a bit
(02:18):
of a scorched earth tour making them pay for letting
her go. Then there's two time defending champions Minnesota Frost,
who saw both Sophie Jake's and friend of the Show
Claire Thompson leave to sign with Vancouver Jakes for three
years and Thompson for one year. With two players from
Minnesota getting scooped up, the Frost were eligible to protect
a fourth player, which they did on Wednesday, protecting Britack
(02:40):
kral Salemi. Vancouver is also signing Ottawa Golie Emirates mash Meyer,
and per the Athletic Sley Salvian is also expected to
sign Toronto Sarah Nurse. And that was all just on
day one of the signing window, y'all. By the time
you slaces hear this, it's possible even more signings have
been announced. Each expansion team can sign a maximum of
five players before Sunday Eastern. Just a reminder, any unprotected
(03:03):
player or player on an expiring contract is eligible to
be signed. More PWHL. On Tuesday, the league's players Association
announced that players voted overwhelmingly to disclose player salaries moving forward.
As of now, salaries won't be published publicly, but they
will be available to players and agents upon request. The
decision is expected to give players more clarity and more
(03:25):
information during contract negotiations. It's a big move from the
PWHL Players Association and comes at a key moment given
the ongoing expansion draft negotiation window. Moving on to hoops,
the Seattle Storm is under a microscope once again. We
first saw a report from Christina Williams, which was later
built upon by reporting from Annie Costable, that the WNBA
(03:46):
is reviewing a complaint from a former Seattle Storm player
alleging that a current Seattle Storm assistant coach directed profanity
at them. The encounter in question occurred when the Storm
hosted the Aces on Sunday. There's no official investigation underway,
but this is the second time Seattle's coaching staff has
been the subject of a complaint in the last calendar year.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
You might remember that in November of.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Last year, Constable, then with the Chicago Sun Times, reported
that Seattle's coaching staff was under investigation for alleged player
harassment and bullying. That complaint was filed by former Storm
guard Jewel Lloyd, but an external investigation concluded without finding
any violations. Lloyd requested a trade and is now with
the Las Vegas Aces, per a post from Costable on
(04:28):
x yesterday. Fines and suspensions are not expected in relation
to this incident. Seattle is currently four and four on
the season. We'll keep you updated on this situation as
we hear more to soccer. The NWSL is back in
action tonight after the international break.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Two games on the schedule.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
First up Utah Royals at Racing Louisville at seven thirty
pm Eastern. That'll be available on NWSL Plus, Paramount Plus
and CBS Sports Galazzo. Then at ten pm Eastern, we've
got a prime video showdown between the San Diego Wave
and Seattle Rain. Five more contests over the course the
weekend as well, so we'll link to the NWSL schedule
in our show notes. More footy our show side. Minnesota
(05:06):
Aurora FC is still undefeated. The squad is four to
oh this season after a four nail victory over the
Chicago City Dutch Lions on Sunday. The Aurora are back
in action at home tonight against Sioux Falls City FC.
That game begins at eight pm Eastern. And in softball,
as I mentioned, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League AUSL starts
(05:26):
up tomorrow a quick refresher on this new league. While
Athletes Unlimited has been in the softball game since twenty twenty,
this new league will use a more traditional format. Four
teams will play in the inaugural season, touring in ten
cities across the United States. In the past, AU has
crowned an individual player as a champion, while this new
league will award the inaugural.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Trophy to a team.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
The first game on the schedule Saturday is The Talents
Versus the bandits up in Rosemont, Illinois. That one starts
at three Eastern on MLB dot Com, MLBtv, and the
MLB app No subscription required. Its Eastern The Volts play
the Blaze in Wichita, Kansas. Catch that game airing live
on MLB Network and on MLBtv. Lots more AUSL chatter
(06:09):
coming up later in the show with the Great Jenny Fitch.
Slices want to let you know the flights are booked
and the Aurora jersey is washed and ready. I'm headed
to Minnesota next week to watch our show side the
Minnesota Aurora FC in person. So if you're anywhere near Egan,
Minnesota and Tco Stadium, just about twenty minutes outside Minneapolis
(06:31):
Saint Paul. Come hang out and support the Aurora on Thursday,
June twelfth against the Chicago City Dutch Lines. Team owners,
you gotta wear your exclusive Onma Slight's hat if you
got one excited to see y'all there. We're gonna take
a quick break. When we come back, we're talking AUSL
with the legendary Jenny Fitch.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Be right back joining us now.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
She's one of the greatest softball players of all time,
in a National Softball Hall of Famer, an advisor for
the upcoming inaugural season of Athletes and Limited Softball League
the AUSL. She was a collegiate All American, helping the
Arizona Wildcats win the two thousand and one Women's College
World Series, a member of the US national team that
won gold at the two thousand and four Olympics in
silver at the two thousand and eight Games. She played
pro with the Chicago Bandits of the National Professt Pitch.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
League from five to twenty ten.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
We've seen around the Real Housewives of Orange County, dancing
with the stars and famously striking out the world's best
Major League baseball players.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
It's Jenny Bench Hi, Jenny.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Hey Sarah, how are you.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
I'm good. Thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
I am so excited to talk all things AUSL.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Because we are finally here. We've been hearing about this league.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
But this weekend in my hometown of Chicago, I'm helping
throw a big bash to celebrate the start of the
league on Friday night and then Saturday the action begins.
So tell us a little bit about what you've been
working on when it comes to being an advisor for
the league.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah. Absolutely, we couldn't be more excited for our score.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
I feel like now's the time we have all hands
on deck and it's going to be exciting. Yeah, and
I can't wait to join you in Chicago. What in
two days? Crazy up here before we know it.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
So yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
So my main role has been kind of just building
the league from the ground up over the under the
direction of Kimming, with the other advisors as well, cat
Offhanjus Windows and Natasha Wattley and so just kind of
figuring out I mean, building a league from the ground up.
It's a huge, huge, enormous project and we couldn't be
(08:34):
under better leadership. And it's just a matter of you know,
finding the general managers. We did a ton of interviews
and then head coaches, because who do we want.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
In these roles leading our league?
Speaker 4 (08:45):
And there's only fourteens, and I think that was the
hardest part, was narrowing it down until only four, which
I hope this is the only beginning, and we plan
to expand hopefully next summer. But yeah, and just how
many games and the whole world, what cities do we
play in? And so a lot of decisions were made
in a short period of time. But I think for
(09:05):
the first time ever, we have everyone working in the
same direction, and I think that's what excites me the most.
Where in the past it's been different ownership, and it's
been kind of honestly being in a survival mode of
how do we make this work with limited funds? But
now we're here and doing it the right way, and
I couldn't be more thrilled.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
We had Jessica Mendoza on last weekend. She said the
same thing. She just kept saying, it's just everyone together.
We have everyone in the same place together, working toward
the same thing. It reminds me a little bit of
the PWHL, which is this incredible hockey league that now
has all the best stars in one place instead of
these disparate leagues that are trying to pull people all
with great intention, but it's obviously so much better when
(09:47):
you could have one destination. You mentioned four initial teams,
the Volts, Bandits, Blaze, and Talons. So tell us about
the format for this season.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Where are the game is going to be? How many games?
And how did the playoffs?
Speaker 3 (10:01):
So there's ten different cities.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Actually we're coming They're going to come to sulf for Louisiana,
which is their hometown, so really excited, and ten ten
cities again, like how do you pick into ten cities
for our sport.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
To go in?
Speaker 4 (10:14):
But Chicago, Wichita, Round Rock and then the championship series
will be in Tuscaloosa in Alabama. And so I believe
it's twenty four games, all televised on major networks ESPN,
MLB Network, which is really really exciting, and MLB dot
Com just announced that they are opening it up for
(10:34):
completely free for viewerships to be able to tune in
and all of the games will be broadcasted there.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
So just really really excited for just.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
The platform that we'll have now, and we've had leagues,
but there was the consistency was never there, and so
how do you follow? And I think our biggest hurdle
in the past fifteen years was the.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
College game is at its all time high.
Speaker 4 (10:57):
It just continues to increase year after year after year,
and we've never been able to kind of bridge that
gap from the college game to the pro league. And
so now being able to broadcast these games on TV,
you know, fans will actually get to know the players,
and they'll have a team to get behind, a mascot
to get behind, and eventually the cities will come. But
(11:20):
I think it's an extremely smart move to be able
to do this tour first and kind of find out
where the league will succeed and be at its best.
And so that's what this summer will be, and then
hopefully next summer will be able to kind of plant
those teams in certain cities.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Yeah, I feel pretty good about the chances that Chicago
Bandits will be the team that the Bandits become, based
on the fact that they very smartly use the sort
of light blue and red from the Chicago flag, the star,
all the things that we loved about the Chicago Red
Stars logo, which they changed when they became the Chicago Stars.
So the Bandits are giving us back team to root
(12:00):
for that has the elements of the flag and the
history there. They compete on Jenny Finch Way, for God's
sakes in Rosemont, Illinois, So.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
I feel pretty good about that one.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
You mentioned twenty four games per team, so forty eight
games total for the fourteen league in this first season
and then a best of three championship series in Tescalosa
on June twenty sixth through twenty eighth, So lots to
look forward to, lots of games to watch.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
You know, as a.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Player in an earlier iteration of professional softball, you have
firsthand knowledge of what's been lacking and what was the.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Next step for this sport.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
What did you suggest to athletes unlimited in some of
those meetings. What are some of the most important resources, amenities,
priorities for players that you insisted that they have in
this new league.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Well, I think you know, and honestly, playing in Chicago
it was such a dream and my first call was
to the owners of the Chicago Bandits from way back when,
and just with a huge heart of gratitude and appreciation
because they did it. When I mean it's never going
to be easy, but man, like, they gave us a
(13:03):
shot and we had the opportunity to play. But honestly,
you know, to think of where it is now, like
this is truly professional softball, and you know, honestly, I
had to pinch myself so many times throughout this process
because childcare.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Health insurance, training funding like this stuff was.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
You know, we didn't even have walker rooms. We were
using the same restrooms as the fans pretty much. And
so just to see how far we've come. And then
obviously Athletes Unlimited has had success in the past, but
it was sixty athletes and they were in Chicago, and
then every week they would rotate teams. The top four
(13:48):
athletes according to their point system would then be the
captain head coach of those teams. But I think, you know,
we listened to the fans and the fans of course,
with softball being a team score, I think that is
the most beautiful team sports. And so being able to
really kind of put a name to a team, to
a mascot and eventually a city will be something really
(14:10):
really special. And for me too, I love to see
the adjustments and see how who works together and that
camaradery on the field, and I think being able to
have a team together for a summer that's going to
showcase just the beauty of our game on and off
the field. And so I think that's what and the
players too, you know, it's it's really tough getting to
(14:34):
know teammates that and then the next week you know you're.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
Playing against that person. And so kudos to what they've done.
Speaker 4 (14:42):
And we will still have the championship series at the
end of the summer, and those will be the top
athletes from the league, the top right right to play
in that, which will be super exciting, and and they'll
be you know, repping their team, and then the players
of that team. And I think two which is a
really really special dynamic is these athletes, the majority of
(15:06):
them have played together in Athletes Unlimited and all under
the same roof for a couple of summers now, so
these athletes really really know each other, which I think
is a unique dynamic as well.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
You mentioned that you called the owners of the Chicago Bandits.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
What did you want to ask them?
Speaker 1 (15:25):
What did you want to get from them as you
were trying to help build this league.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Mainly it was just just showing gratitude and appreciation, and
you know, we were super close and still are super close,
but it was just kind of showing my respect and
letting them know that we would not be in this
position if it wasn't for them. And I think even
all I think of all of the families and teams
(15:50):
that hosted like my camps when I was going on
tour and we went to like twelve cities a summer,
and it was just like all of the growth of
the game, you know, and that was how we can
kind of we're able to make money and still compete
and train for the Olympic Games. Was doing camps and
clinics and speaking engagement because that allowed us the flexibility
to work around our training schedule and competition schedule and
(16:12):
so just you know, just full circle moment and just
so appreciative of that's cool.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
We're finally here.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
And I think, you know, obviously bringing Kim ing on
was just that next step of Okay, this is legit.
Her MLB background of being a general manager. It's just
you know, you can't compare to her leadership, her knowledge,
her experiences that she has, and then to be able
to bring that over on our side, we're extremely, extremely
(16:43):
blessed to have her.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
I love that sort of looking back and saying, now
that I'm putting together a league, Wow, do I understand
what y'all did for us when you put together those
initial leagues and then looking forward and saying, what does
it look like if we put in place this incredibly
successful MLB exec who has bigger budgets, bigger investments, bigger resources,
and how does that affect the choices we make here
(17:07):
and how big our swings are here? You mentioned Kim
Eng the new commissioner. This signaled a real commitment to
getting the best and doing this right. What do you
make of her first moves at the position and her
approach to the newly going forward? What has sort of
stood out to you?
Speaker 3 (17:22):
I think just her.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Consistency and relatability at the same time being who she
is and what she's done and accomplished.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
And I think her her.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
Passion and she's just she's very even keel And it
hasn't been easy, you know, signing athletes and trying to
get them to buy in and be on board because
it is it is all new for everybody across the board,
and so just really thankful of who she is and
(17:59):
how she goes about her business and her professionalism that
she brings on so many levels.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
And I think to the people.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
She knows as well, and it's not we have to
try it out. You know, she's been there, She's seen
what works, what doesn't work, and how to manage. And
I think I love the mentorship of her with our
general managers as well. So our four general managers have
her on speed dial and have access to her to
(18:29):
help lead their ball clubs as well in this.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
So just really really cool support system. I think on
so many levels that she brings.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Yeah, we'll talk about those gims in a second, but
I want to first talk about the other folks she
has on her speed dow, which is a lot of
people at MLB. And last week we saw the announcement
about the huge MLB investment into the AUSL, an incredibly
exciting development. What does that partnership mean for AUSL and
Pro Softball? The first time MLB has ever invested in
this way in a professional softball league.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
It's a historical, monumental moment movement for us and couldn't
be more thankful for Major League Baseball stepping up to
the plate and not just saying yes, we support it,
but you know, putting money where their mouth is. And
when we were on the call to get the news,
(19:26):
it was Natasha Wattley and I with Kim Ang and
Sarah put Off from MLB as well, who works with
the MLB development side, and there was a room full
of press there to witness this moment and and it
was just like, they're they're going to back this and
(19:47):
they're going to do it the right way. And so
I think that's what excites me the most is it's
not just a headline of you know, MLB supports a
us L. It's it's truly legit and they're they're stepping
up to the plate and good things are coming.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
They're sharing their platforms.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
My feeds are just insane on Emibe Network, MLB dot Com.
I mean, they are truly all hands on deck. And
I love it too because the writers truly have a
passion and care about AUSL and the players, and that's
that's what we need.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
We need to build stars.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
We need to be able to tell their stories and
showcase who they are, what they do and how great
they do it, and just start building those connections with
and I think, obviously we have softball fans on deck,
but we need a wider, broader audience. We need we
need mainstream America to back this and to be behind
it and know the superstars of the AUSL.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Obviously such a great product that's been so clear across
the college landscape and even at the pros the people
who get into it know. But being able to have
a whole brand new, giant audience to tune in and
be introduced to it in this way through the MLB
is really great. I need to ask, what's the dog's name?
The dog made a little appearance with a little bark
in his no. I was hoping he wasn't in the
(21:03):
no he is, and I'm loving it. To be honest
with you, I'm a huge dog person.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
This is Frankie.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Hi, Frankie.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
I appreciate that he literally just came up and sat
next to you, like I would like to be involved
in this interview.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Thank you very much. Ask me my opinion.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
You mentioned the GMS legendary names like kat Osterman and
Lisa Fernandez are among the first four. How important is
it to have those former players in decision making positions
alongside you? Mentioned the incredible ambassadors that were called in
some of the best of the best to ever play.
This is something Athletes Unlimited is known for. They go
to the athletes. They go to the players even while
they're currently playing, and say, what do you want, what
(21:36):
do you need? How do we make this league for you.
They're really thriving in that way, especially at the top
with this new league. What does that mean?
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Yeah, and I truly think it's it's for the athlete,
by the athlete. They've done such and honestly, I was
skeptical at the beginning and I kind of I supported it,
but I wasn't ready to jump on board. And then
you know, just asking the athlete, Hey, what's your experience, like,
like what you know? How is Athletes Unlimited? Everything I
heard was nothing but positive feedback, and they truly do
(22:07):
care about the athletes. The athletes have a voice, and
so it's it's been, you know, pretty special for the
athletes to be so involved.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
And then I think built by athletes.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
And we had coaches, and we had great coaches, but
these athletes all came from the best programs in the country.
And my goal, our goal as advisors was, like I
wanted them to step foot in pro softball and then
get the next level to then.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
Elevate their game. And I think that's what we've never had,
is I mean.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
We're peaking in college basically, and then after that it's
just trying to like sustain and you're you're trying to
get access to coaches and and now with technology and
and you know, and it was it was difficult because
obviously the best coaches have programs that they have to run,
so that for them to then to summer out like
there's no way that they're going to do that. And
(23:02):
so it was a battle trying to figure out, you know,
who's going to lead the way and what coaches will
be able to pull it off.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
And I'm so thankful for our group that did because
they are bar none.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
And I think that's what excites me the most is
for the athletes to now be able to then elevate
their game even greater and take it to the next level.
And talking to some of the athletes just you know,
as they reported last week, they're they're really really excited
to pick the brains.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
And I think, you know, being a former player, that
was something that.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
I loved was getting to sit down and talk the
game with my teammates. Honestly, like the USA Softball bullpen
was like golden for me because we shared information, we
helped each other, we were you know, working, and it
was the best of the best.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
Like iron sharpens iron.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
And that's what this pro league will have with the
leadership that it's under, the coaching that it's under, and
then to be able to have the technology and you know,
everything at their team, at.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
Their disposing your kiah to be a success and to
be the best that they can be. So and I
think even thinking down the road even more for me, I.
Speaker 4 (24:10):
Think about USA Softball and this is the training ground
for the Olympics twenty twenty eight will be here before
we know it. And now we have the best in
our sport, the best in our country playing against each other,
and so truly like this is this is the path
And you know, I know coach Gasso and the entire
(24:32):
USA staff is going to be looking at these athletes
and you know, we never had that. It was only
one or two events that the USA played in and
that was what we had to go off for the summer.
But now like they're going to be able to witness
and watch these athletes continue to excel, and I think
be even more prepared.
Speaker 3 (24:50):
Facing the best. This is the best of the best,
So you're facing the best.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
All summer long now, So come twenty twenty eight, they're
gonna they're gonna be ready.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (24:58):
Yeah. I wonder you're around all these great folks, both
in the ambassador room and as you're prepping for this league.
How often has one or the other of you said, man,
if only I was still playing, or man, I would
have loved this when I was playing.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
I know, I just really like go spend some times
in the time in the bullpen now.
Speaker 4 (25:17):
With just the technology and it's it's it's why. And
I feel like every week there's something new, you know.
And obviously there's that balance of being an out that
you have to kind of I think to the challenge
of the athletes today are like limiting and figuring out
what information you need and then protecting and dismissing the
information that you know is too much.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
But it's just so so cool just to.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
See the depth and what these athletes have and to
see them work and shine. And I'm looking forward to,
you know, seeing them play Saturday in Chicago opening day
and getting the follow them all season.
Speaker 1 (25:54):
Yeah, it's been There's been a lot of that across
women's sports of late, and it is both so exciting
and bittersweet to hear the ones who made the sports
say I'm so I feel great about opening up these
doors for the next generation. I feel great about being
partly responsible for the money they're making and the endorsements
they're getting and the TV deals that are happening. And
(26:14):
also how cool would it have been to be able
to participate and do all these cool things that they're
getting to do when I was playing. So there's always
this feeling of real pride and also just a little
bittersweet of like, oh, that would have been cool.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
That would have been cool when I was around.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
You mentioned this weekend, we got a party, a brunch,
we got games. Tell us a little bit what opening
weekend for the AOSL is going to look like.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Yeah, so Friday night are having just to get together
and I think a celebration of where we're at and
what's to come. Looking forward to that and seeing some
old bandits that were coming in in Chicago, and I
think the leaders in our game, in our sport, the gms,
the head coaches, everybody will be there ready to go,
and so looking forward to that.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
And then Kim Ang's doing I think donuts and.
Speaker 1 (26:59):
Something maybe yess how did I not?
Speaker 3 (27:05):
I failed on that one, but it was so cool.
Speaker 4 (27:07):
Not to repeat that, but dont and dinners with kim
A and then the game. And so we'll be at
the game in Chicago in Rosemond. What a cool stadium
and everything that they've built there. So just that can
be more grateful for the city of Rosemont because they've
really truly backed our score for the last ten years.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
Yeah, for those who don't know, right outside Chicago, and
the stadium is on Jenny Finch Way. So that was
actually a trivia question at a trivia night I was
at a couple months ago, and I was like, I
know this one, don't even I know what street. It's uneven.
Speaker 5 (27:41):
A couple of.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Things before we go.
Speaker 1 (27:42):
At least one player in the league is still competing
in the College World Series, which is going to wrap
up either Thursday or Friday. Have any idea when they'll
be joining things and how they'll be incorporated into the league.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
I don't, I don't. I know. It's been so exciting.
Speaker 4 (27:56):
I mean not exciting that they've lost out the ones
that have twelve golden tickets. We're just really really cool
being able to go into their college programs atmosphere fan
bases and celebrate them and give them the golden ticket
to be drafted to AUSL. But then you know, we
still have to sign them, and so you don't really
know for sure if they're going to be committed. So
(28:17):
just today Sam Landry is signed as a Bolt, and
so that's one more check in the box.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
But yeah, who knows. I don't know.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Hopefully, I'm sure as soon as possible, But then again,
I'm sure they want to go back and celebrate and
have a day or two, so I'm assuming within the
next week hopefully.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
I'll tell you what, for those players whose college careers
are done and they're heartbroken to not be walking away
with a World Series title, there is a nice little
bonus if what's next for them is signing a professional
contract and getting to start in this new league. It's
much better than looking out into the professional landscape and
having to get a real damn job. Last question for
(28:53):
you mentioned the technology. I've been fascinated. I have a
friend who's a coach with the Chicago Cubs and sometimes
lets me peek behind the scenes of what they're working on,
including these like wild proprietary systems that are like basically
a hologram, so when you're pitching, when you're batting against
a pitching machine, it actually looks.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Like the player who's pitch they're recreating.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
It looks like it's coming off the player's hand instead
of just a pitch machine.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
And how different that is.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
What have you seen in the softball world that you're like, Man,
my game would have been different if I had this
back then.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Honestly, I would just be the training aspect of it
for me, like in the.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
Weight room, because we were just doing I mean with
the knowledge that we had.
Speaker 4 (29:36):
I mean, I think we were advanced at that point,
and coach Candrea did such an incredible job with the
Olympic team, and you know, reaching out and we saw
the tiatrist, we saw you know, optometris, like everything and
anything that we needed, but we're still so far behind.
Speaker 3 (29:50):
And so now just I.
Speaker 4 (29:51):
Think and even like nutrition was like we had no
clue and it was terrible, honestly, our diets, and so
I think just now even with like supplements and everything,
and then and then again obviously technique, and I mean
I think just you can see the spin rate, you
can see.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
You know, the tunnel, the you know, the inages of movement.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
It's just it's insane, insane how much information and the
tools and it just keeps continuing and it's so fast.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
But I think about that a lot, Like in college,
we didn't do foam rolling and yoga and pilates and
cryo and any of that stuff. We didn't even watch
that much tape of what we were doing, and especially
in track like field events, where it's like the position
of your leg or your arm matter so much, and
we like never looked and watched it. And now you
could tape every single practice and every single game and
(30:41):
like go back and really analyze. You don't want to
get too obsessed with it, of course, but yeah, it
feels like there's an inevitability to the marching on of
new records and new speeds and everything else because of
all the facilities and resources and everything else. Well, we're
grateful that you came back to help the next generation
and that he came on the show to tell us
(31:02):
all about it. We're super excited for the start of AUSL.
So thanks so much for the time.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
Yeah, absolutely, thank you.
Speaker 1 (31:10):
Thanks again to Jenny for taking the time, and make
sure you tune into the first AUSL games on Saturday.
We had to take another break. When we return, we
received a strongly worded email and we have a strongly
worded response.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Welcome back, Slices.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
I just I have to share this message from Slice
Melissa Tromboor, who wrote quote. While listening to the Hillary
Night episode, I was reminded of Sarah's bucket list item
to appear on SNL. Wanted to share that my golden retriever, Mulligan,
has been on SNL twice. Here's a link to his
appearance on the fiftieth anniversary show. Keep putting your wish
out there in the universe, and I'll have Mulligan put
(31:54):
in a good word for you. Next time he's at
thirty Rock, the appearance will happen. End quote LESA. I'm
dying first of all, Mulligan cute dog. Also sitting next
to Julia Louis Dreyfus, I die amazing. Third, I can't
decide if this makes me feel better or worse about
(32:15):
having never fulfilled my dream to appear on the show.
No wait, I can't decide worse. I feel worse. I'm
so damn jealous of your dog. What does he have
that I don't other than luscious golden locks, an adorable face,
the ability to take direction, and undeniable charisma. Damn it, Mulligan,
(32:35):
you're a star. We love that you're listening, but we
want you to get in the game every day too.
So here's our good game play of the day. Stay
tuned after the few in today's show for a surprise
WNBA puzzle. It's from one of my appearances on the
iHeart podcast The Puzzler.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
With aj Jacobs.
Speaker 1 (32:52):
See if you can get all the w related questions right,
and if you feel so inclined, check out all three
of my episodes on the Puzzler. This week, I had
a whole lot of fun. We'll link to the Puzzler
pod in our show notes. We always love to hear
from you, so hit us up on email good game
at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a voicemail at
eight seven two two four fifty seventy, and don't forget
(33:13):
to subscribe, rate and review. It's easy slices watch the
guy who sent us an email about our Gimme a
Minute segment rating five out of five. I remember you's
review very early on in our show's history. Slice Brett
wrote to us calling us out regarding our interview with
Cheryl Swoops and the mention of complaints that she'd received
about our Kaitlin Clark coverage. Well, he's back with another
(33:36):
editorial suggestion. Unlike many of you, he did not enjoy
our Gimme a Minute segment on how Kitlyn Clark's entry
is being covered. He wrote, in part, good lord, I
was really hoping that this season people would just stop.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
Being weird about Kaitlyn Clark. But here we are again.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
The segment today is not only bad, it's actively working
against what you actually desire. I don't know how many
times you or someone on your show have gone down
this path, suggesting that other players and stories should be
highlighted as opposed to the over coverage of Clark. But
here you are doing the exact same thing. You do
one segment on the show about the WNBA, and it
again is centered on Clark. He continues, whining about people
(34:16):
covering Clark too much? Is still covering Clark? Be the
change you want to see in the world. Tell whoever
came up with this segment to kick Rocks and come
back with some original ideas. There are hundreds of stories
you could have had here. He goes on to list
a bunch of really great WNBA stories, from Kiki Eria
fenn Sonya Citron Bawling out Early to Alessa Thomas Thriving
in Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
So Brett, first, I'm not going.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
To tell myself to kick rocks because I came up
with the segment.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
But also, we.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
Love the passion you have for the WNBA, and we
actually love all your story suggestions, and we agree that
this season shouldn't be spent rehashing the same tired Angel
versus Caitlin Brennan versus the league storylines. That being said,
tackling problematic coverage and narratives is necessary. We saw that
last year when people talked around the issues in the
(35:05):
w for way too long and then things blew up
and started to be truly harmful and sometimes even dangerous
for players. So we will keep calling out issues when
we think it's necessary, even if it means covering the
coverage of Clark, and we will keep highlighting WNBA stories
as well, like we did with the Marina Maybrey interview
that ran the day after we received this email from you,
(35:27):
to be honest and take you behind the curtain a little.
The segment you didn't like was actually inspired by our
desire to incorporate more opinions into the show outside of
just the news, especially more WNBA opinions and some of
those stories that you suggested. The first iteration just happened
to be about the clerk injury, But maybe next time
we'll chat about something like I don't know the Chicago
(35:48):
sky being extremely disappointing, because lord knows, I got plenty
to say about that. Now it's your turn, y'all, rate
and review. Thanks for listening, See you next week. Good Game, Jenny,
Good Game, ausl you puzzles and trivia about the Bible.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
I'm out, I know nothing.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
If you want to know what I mean, listen to
my episodes of the Puzzler. The WNBA quiz they gave
me is coming up next. Good Game with Sarah Spain
is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment. You could find us on the
iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Production by Wonder Media Network. Our producers are Alex Azzie
(36:30):
and Misha Jones. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz,
Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rutterer,
Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch, and Gianna Palmer. Our associate producer
is Lucy Jones. And I'm your host, Sarah Spain.
Speaker 6 (36:46):
We're going to mainline. I don't know if that's the
right guy. All right, all right, a family fuzzle showing sip.
We're in savor of puzzle.
Speaker 5 (36:59):
Great.
Speaker 6 (37:00):
Uh, this one is about the w NBA. It's called
hoops groups and every answer is going to be a
rhyming phrase where one of the words is the name
of a w NBA team. So, for instance, if I
gave you the clue bad luck for Minnesota's w NBA team,
that might be Linx Jinks. So they're all going to
(37:21):
have the team and then so are you ready for clues?
Speaker 1 (37:25):
All right?
Speaker 6 (37:26):
And by the way, these are often fictional. I'm not
saying there is a jinx on links, so don't get me.
Speaker 7 (37:32):
There was last finals.
Speaker 6 (37:34):
Oh right.
Speaker 5 (37:35):
If you consider officials a Jigs.
Speaker 7 (37:39):
My physical therapist is for Minnesota and she we have
this fight every time I see her.
Speaker 1 (37:43):
Now, that's great.
Speaker 6 (37:46):
College style housing for Seattle's w NBA team.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
M okay, I see what you're doing there. That would
be uh dorms for the.
Speaker 6 (37:54):
Storm that's right, storm dorm or dorm doorm storm h
Hammer and Great Whites owned by Los Angeles' WNBA.
Speaker 1 (38:04):
Team, Hammerheads and Grazed Whites. Oh, Los Angeles, I thought
you said Las Vegas. I really doubted myself for a second.
There we're talking about the Spark Sharks.
Speaker 6 (38:15):
That is correct, exactly while we're on Vegas. Let me
try a Vegas one. I'll scroll down to that. Oh,
this is what the Las Vegas team has on their
sneakers to keep them from falling off.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Also, the name of one of the teams in the
new Unrivaled three on three league.
Speaker 5 (38:38):
This is the Aces Laces.
Speaker 6 (38:40):
Oh, there's a Laces team.
Speaker 1 (38:42):
There's a Laces in the three on three offseason league
called Unrivaled and they have a really cool logo.
Speaker 6 (38:48):
And where are they from?
Speaker 1 (38:50):
So Unrivaled is everybody just goes to Miami for eight
weeks and plays against each other.
Speaker 5 (38:54):
So they're not affiliated with cities yet, though.
Speaker 1 (38:56):
The belief is that they might keep getting more popular
and then spin often try to get owners to buy
and put them in cities to sort of.
Speaker 7 (39:03):
Like an off season league. That's very cool.
Speaker 6 (39:07):
I also love the boldness of calling it unrivaled when
it is a rival league.
Speaker 1 (39:12):
Yes, yes, yes, yes, But it's three on three, so
I guess it's a technicality that they're really riding.
Speaker 6 (39:17):
Oh very good. Okay, I thought you meant three teams
on three, but no, you're three. Oh very cool. This
is a Catholic woman who lives in a convent who
prays for Connecticut's w NBA team.
Speaker 5 (39:33):
She should be praying hard this season.
Speaker 1 (39:37):
If there's a team that needs divine intervention this season,
it is the Sun.
Speaker 5 (39:41):
So they need help from a Sun's nun.
Speaker 6 (39:44):
There you go. And by the way, I was listening
to a previous Good Game episode where you talked about
an WNBA fan at the announcement of a new pope.
So an actual nun.
Speaker 5 (39:56):
Yes, n she was Actually this was wild.
Speaker 3 (40:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
First of all, I'm from Chicago, so my phone has
not stopped blowing up with memes about the Chicago Pope.
Speaker 5 (40:05):
We will never shut up about this.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Other than New York, we were the last place you
should have delivered my history making.
Speaker 5 (40:12):
We got Obama, we got Peyton, we got Jordan, and
now we've got du Pope.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
But yeah, this woman was a nun in the crowded
Saint Peter Square and on the back of her phone
that she had lifted to take video of the new Pope,
it had an Orlando Pride NWSL, which is women's professional
soccer sticker on the phone, which I just loved and
I would have been shot by except for my mom
was actually a theology major in college and has several
very good friends that became nuns, and they listened to
(40:38):
my show and they're fans of sports and really into it.
So I don't know why I always think nuns and
priests and such.
Speaker 5 (40:44):
Are not regular people. But the Pope was that the
White Sox world.
Speaker 7 (40:47):
The White Sox.
Speaker 5 (40:48):
Yeah, oh you know, they they're just like us, Pope, they.
Speaker 6 (40:51):
Are, They are fantastic.
Speaker 7 (40:53):
But I have to share a story on the same thing.
I went to a Jesuit high school in California and
our college counselor, father Clemo, ran the football pool. Yes, right,
so he was encouraging US high school kids to show
up with you know, a couple bucks and bet on
football with him.
Speaker 5 (41:11):
He wants us to gamble.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
Also, I would never trust the outcome of a religious leader,
a legend that that you know, God wasn't on his side, right,
I don't know. I just would feel like if he
ever lost, I would question his connection good.
Speaker 6 (41:25):
Yeah, what kind of pole does he have?
Speaker 7 (41:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (41:27):
Or she?
Speaker 5 (41:29):
What if?
Speaker 6 (41:29):
We finish up with a couple of w NBA players
so teams uh and some of these are present play
current players, some are past legends. This is a woodwind
instrument owned by a former New York Liberty star. Rebecca
is her first name. These are all last names.
Speaker 1 (41:50):
Yes, I was a I was a clarinet player, but
I am familiar with the woodwinds.
Speaker 5 (41:54):
So this would be Lobo's Obo.
Speaker 6 (41:57):
That's right, Lobo's Obo exactly. And I know, Greg, I
have been wanting to talk about the Liberty, so I'm
giving you there we go.
Speaker 7 (42:06):
I was listening to your you know your your sort
of pre season warm up episode, and I'm psyched for
the Liberty. I have to say, I feel like Natasha
Cloud might even be an upgrade from Courtney Vanderslout.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
Yeah, different style, but defensively very different body type, much taller.
Slute is such a great facilitator though, it'll be interesting
in terms of just a steadying president who sets up
the offense. But Natasha, as the kids would say, she's
got riz anything else. She is bringing personality and excitement
to a team that already has plenty.
Speaker 7 (42:38):
And her girlfriend is on the team too. That was
a very little bit of tea you shared.
Speaker 6 (42:42):
Was Yes, that is so nice. Now has that ever
happened on a men's team? Has there been a couple
on a men's professional.
Speaker 1 (42:48):
You know, we talk about that a lot aj that
one thing people really are sleeping on in women's sports
is that they're sleeping together, and that that is a
very fun twist. And oftentimes announcers who don't quite know say,
what great sportsmanship that those two opponents are so kind
to each other, and we're like.
Speaker 5 (43:04):
They're together, right.
Speaker 1 (43:05):
But no, But in the p WHL, which is women's hockey,
in the WNBA, in the NWSL, in all these leagues,
there are these great stories in back Courtney vandersluteho he
just mentioned who used to be on the Liberty came
back to my Chicago Sky where she used to play
with her wife, and her wife was the one who
she assisted on a three and it helped her break
a record.
Speaker 6 (43:25):
How can you that's so interesting?
Speaker 5 (43:28):
Now?
Speaker 7 (43:28):
We don't know that it's never happened in men's sports,
We don't totally, we don't know. I imagine it surely has,
but it's you know.
Speaker 1 (43:36):
We don't get the fun of being nosy about it though,
So where's the fun in that?
Speaker 7 (43:40):
No fun, no fun at all? All right?
Speaker 6 (43:42):
How about all right? Two more? What about these are
some Burger King burgers eaten by Phoenix Mercury Star Khalia.
Speaker 1 (43:52):
Former Chicago Sky And I'm not sad about it still,
Actually I am Khaliah Coppers Whoppers.
Speaker 6 (43:59):
That's it? You got it?
Speaker 1 (44:01):
All right?
Speaker 6 (44:02):
Well, let's end with how about a chain of luncheonette
restaurants owned by Atlanta dream Star Britney. So we're sticking
with the burgers.
Speaker 1 (44:13):
This is someone who I accidentally called Britney Briner the
other day, and I decided should be a nickname for
when she's playing extra aggressive, when she's real Britney, or
when she's making pickles.
Speaker 6 (44:24):
When she's making pickles very good.
Speaker 5 (44:28):
This would be Griner's Diners.
Speaker 6 (44:30):
You got it all right? Well, Sarah, you cruised.
Speaker 3 (44:33):
What a fun game?
Speaker 5 (44:35):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (44:35):
Thank you.
Speaker 6 (44:36):
Well, we are delighted to have you. Uh and we
are lucky we get to have you come back tomorrow.
So don't go, and I do.
Speaker 7 (44:44):
We'll do the Professional Women's Hockey League where they had
no team names last season.
Speaker 5 (44:49):
Yeah, that'll be a little tough.
Speaker 7 (44:51):
They had they just they started the league and they
just were named for the cities. New York played Montreal.
Speaker 6 (44:56):
Oh, I see, But what that's.
Speaker 1 (44:58):
Cool about it was they actually intended to have names,
but the copyrights leaked and the fans were so unimpressed
by and they hadn't really fleshed out what was the
real meaning behind it all, which you really need when
you launch on your team and logo, Like we've got
all these old teams like the Dodgers and the Knicks
and the Yankees that no one really cares about the
(45:20):
name and why it's sort of weird. But now when
you launch a new on, the entire internet wants to
know exactly why you chosen right, And they didn't have
good stories for it, so they just scrapped it, went
with city names and gave themselves a year to come
back and have the proper logos and colors and stories.
Speaker 5 (45:35):
And I think that was a good idea by them.
Speaker 6 (45:39):
Yeah, and you can make it more of a contest
with although then you'll end off with do you.
Speaker 5 (45:44):
Remember like face exactly?
Speaker 6 (45:47):
Sample I was going to say there was some ship
in the British Navy.
Speaker 5 (45:51):
That's now I'm not gonna lie. That logo and that
merch would be fire.
Speaker 1 (45:55):
I think if you ever actually named a team that
you'd sell at a merchant.
Speaker 7 (45:59):
Right right, I might like it better than the New
York Sirens.
Speaker 5 (46:04):
Make both Jesus all right.
Speaker 6 (46:07):
This is the extra credit for the folks at home.
This is a data about the Washington w NBA team.
This is data and numbers about the Washington WNBA team.
Thank you listeners, Thank you Sarah. And if you have
thirty seconds please, we would love it if you would
(46:29):
rate the puzzler on your favorite podcast platform, because it
really it just makes a difference, believe it or not.
That's the way these algorithms work. And we'll see here
tomorrow for more puzzling puzzles that will puzzle you puzzlingly.
Host
Sarah Spain
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