Good Game with Sarah Spain

Sarah sat down with WNBA legend Nneka Ogwumike this week as part of the Women’s Sports Foundation’s annual Athlete Leadership Connection event. They discuss why Nneka’s not *really* retired, her proudest moment as a WNBA player and leader, and the question everyone is asking: Will she go from Madame President to Commissioner Ogwumike? Plus, Nneka names a woman, we’re asking for earnestness, and Halloween and...

College volleyball players (and sisters!) Kendall and Elle Schara join Sarah to discuss how a diagnosis upended Kendall’s world, Elle’s life-saving donation, and the work that went into getting back on the volleyball court this season. Plus, a request for a vagueposting moratorium.

• Listen to The Gist’s “How I Got the Call Up” here

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It’s time for another Big Citrus women’s sports potluck! On the menu today: Producer Alex has a spicy main, Bianca’s got a sweet dessert, and Sarah brought a regional dish from Chicago. (No, it’s not a green bean casserole.) Plus, thick skin to the front, the end is near, and a win streak for the record books. 

• The NCAA volleyball committee’s in-season top-16 list is here 
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ESPN basketball reporter Alexa Philippou joins Sarah to discuss the WNBA Finals. They talk about the Golden State Valkyries’ game one win over the Atlanta Dream, what Angel Reese and company need to do to win game two, and how things might shift when the series heads to Atlanta. Plus a delayed return, backflipping on the world stage, and trading places down the stretch. 

• Check out NBC’s WNBA Fina...

Architect Avi Greene and sports investor Asrat Alemu join Sarah to discuss their respective roles in bringing to life new facilities built specifically for women’s sports, how the Kansas City Current serves as a model for other franchises, and the way architecture and design impact everything from performance on the field to fan experience. Plus, the shield is in sight, signing the union cards, and this one’s for the gi...

ProPublica investigative reporter Molly Hensley-Clancy joins Sarah to discuss the outstanding work she did for The Washington Post exposing abuse in the NWSL, the focus of her current work at ProPublica, and her latest bombshell reporting on the AAU and youth sports. Plus, the Dream is getting bigger, Momma Mal gets on the board, and two leagues, one cup. 

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Cyclist and viral Instagrammer Laini Multer (aka Laini Bones) joins Sarah to discuss taking over the internet one men’s Strava record at a time. They talk about her athletic beginnings, the time she fangirled a gold medalist mid-race, and the most unhinged comments she’s received for taking men’s cycling crowns. Plus, good reads from a pair of big brains.

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NBC Sports Coordinating Producer Betsy Riley joins Sarah to discuss bringing the WNBA back to the network after a 24-year hiatus, how she’s preparing for the upcoming WNBA Finals, and what it’s really like inside the truck during a broadcast. Plus, progress in a loss, movement at the deadline, and everyone watches women’s sports – well, at least everyone who can get in the building.

Duke women’s basketball and Team USA head coach Kara Lawson joins Sarah to talk about leading the national team to gold at the FIBA World Cup, how she stays locked in and ignores outside noise, and why her Duke team is still a bit of an unknown as the NCAA season nears. Plus, a dramatic reading, 100 MILL-ion dollars, and we’ve got a Fever that won’t come down. 

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Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello joins Sarah to discuss coaching the WNBA’s only Canadian team in its inaugural season, how she’s handling not making the postseason for the first time in 13 years, and her tips for future expansion teams. Then, she gives her scouting report on the four remaining teams in the playoffs. Plus, stats that tell the story, a veteran follows an itch, and stars – they’re just...

Jackie Johnston, aka Coach Jackie, joins Sarah to discuss her brand new podcast, “Is She Game?” The internet’s favorite women’s sports yapper shares highlights from the last year of covering women's sports, talks about becoming besties with Michelle and Barack Obama, and discusses how she views the relationship between journalists and content creators. Plus, Sarah explains why Good Game already has a beef wi...

Women’s hoops journalist, podcaster, and author Jordan Robinson returns to the show to chat all things WNBA playoffs. She joins Sarah to discuss her takeaways from the first round, including the Lynx’s shocking early exit and comments from the Fever front office and players about Indiana fans. She also reacts to Sunday's semifinal openers, shares whether she thinks the Aces have what it takes to win again, and reveals w...

PWHL Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod joins Sarah to discuss how a routine mammogram led to a breast cancer diagnosis and a transformational year, the way her team surrounded her with love and support while she underwent treatment, and how she’s preparing for the upcoming PWHL season with four more expansion teams in the mix. Plus, East and West divisions, a bunch of Easter eggs we still haven’t found, and another...

Women’s Sports Foundation CEO Danette Leighton and Cole Brauer, the first female American sailor to race solo around the world, join Sarah to talk about the inaugural WSF Sport Report. They discuss what the findings tell us about a girl’s journey from youth sports to elite competition and why we should be worried about the pipeline fueling pro women’s sports. Cole always shares some memories of her sa...

Canopy Talent CEO Jack Liechtung joins Sarah to talk all things NIL. Jack explains why he left a fancy law firm to join the sports world, how the NIL space is still the wild wild west, and why he thinks Nebraska volleyball is a standout example in the space. Plus, that’s a hot Fever, the Lynx sink, and wake up, babe – a new USWNT roster just dropped.

• The full USWNT roster is here
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Big Citrus circles up for an end-of-summer potluck! There are a few topics from the last couple of months that we haven’t stopped thinking about or haven’t had time to talk about, so we’re bringing them to the Good Game table to chew on ‘em a bit more. Plus, the WNBA playoffs march on, fallen angels, and two more reasons to hate what’s happening in Washington, D.C. 

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Kim Stone, CEO of the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, and Alycen McAuley, chief business officer for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, join Sarah to reflect on Capital Queens, the first-ever joint women’s sports week in Washington, D.C. McAuley also talks about the Mystics’ future arena plans, and Stone shares the secrets of Rowdy Audi and looks ahead to D.C. hosting the upcoming NWSL Championship. Plus, the WNBA pla...

Sara Haines, co-host of The View, former college athlete, and Sarah’s newest bestie, joins the show after the pair recently met IRL in New York City. Sara compares her college experience at Smith to making taffy, shares how she ended up as MVP of a gay men’s volleyball league, how she decides which controversies to respond to on The View, and the mantra she wears on a bracelet as a daily reminder. P.S. - Tune in tomorro...

With the WNBA Playoffs getting underway this weekend, ESPN’s Andraya Carter joins Sarah to discuss what each team needs to do to make it out of round one, the most noteworthy surprises following the FIBA break, and her biggest, boldest predictions for the Finals, the next W commissioner, and more. Plus, this WNBA legend deserves some flowers – and a whole lot more.

• The WNBA schedule is h...