April 15, 2024 • 51 mins
This week, Kate and Megan sit down with Riley Sager, a rising star in the sports broadcasting world! Following in her legendary father's footsteps, she's making waves as the host of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience. Join her inspiring journey as a freshman at USC, where she's carving her path in broadcasting and adding her unique touch to the courts through her colorful shoe choices. From interviewing superstar athletes to honoring her late father, Riley shares her passion for sports and dedication to creating her own opportunities. Tune in for a heartwarming story of growth, resilience, and pursuing your dreams!
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Hi, I'm Riley Sager, host of Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience, and this is her table.
(00:06):
Now you see her.
You are magnificent!
Welcome to her table, the podcast that shines a spotlight on the badass women who are redefining the game.
Join hosts Kate Foley and Megan Martinez as Pay On Lock, the Secrets of Success,
the brightest female pioneers in the industry.
(00:27):
Welcome to another amazing episode of her table, this week we are welcoming in Riley Sager to the show.
Riley is the daughter of the legendary sideline reporter Craig Sager.
She is now following in her dad's footsteps and entering the world of working in sports.
Riley is currently a student at the University of Southern California, and she has already had so many experiences in sports,
(00:49):
and even more we're going to learn about here today.
She has been an intern at the NCAA.com where she worked on sports riding, video editing, and so much more,
and then had one of the hardest internships to get, the NBA Summer League internship.
She currently works as a sports anchor for SBC Audio Experience.
We can't wait to hear more about Riley Sager's story and what made her want to create her own path in the sports world.
(01:13):
Let's get to it Riley, welcome to her table.
Okay, Riley we are so glad to have you here today.
It's a little warm on the set today.
It is, but I am so excited to be here.
I think she just brought the hotness in here.
Yeah she did.
I mean it really is the hot seat now.
Hey!
I like it.
(01:34):
I like it.
We're so excited you're here.
No thank you for having me.
Oh my gosh of course.
It's funny we always say sometimes our guests range in age and you're 19.
Right?
Okay.
Okay so we're going to, she is our target audience.
Yeah.
Okay.
You are the girl listening to this.
Yeah.
So you're inspiring yourself at this point.
Yeah.
You are the target demo.
(01:55):
It's so special.
Just be that.
You got it.
You got it.
You have grown up in the sports world.
Yes.
And are you a sports girl?
Like do you like to play sports or just work in sports?
Yes.
So I always tell people I grew up on the basketball court.
You know I would just watch you my dad and work in the NBA.
And like I loved being in the tunnel.
I love the energy of the fans.
(02:16):
So I was surrounded by it but then also throughout school played basketball.
Tennis was my main sport.
volleyball here and there.
So just you know the sports that I could use my tallness.
I was going to say your tall.
So tell me five eleven.
Yeah.
I'm so glad I wore my heels for this because normally I'm the shrimp.
(02:37):
And like I'm surrounded by Kate and somebody else but like like you yourself who's tall.
But now I can compete with you guys.
I'm five six.
I'm not even short.
Yeah.
But it's just like I got you Kate you're like five eight five nine and.
Riley your five.
You're gonna be a lot of hype right now.
I think I'm only like five seven.
But I just always have heels on so it's a extract it.
Yeah.
It's like a fake thing.
And you four five eleven so.
(02:58):
I think she is.
Say less.
Say less.
Yeah.
The closet has a lot of Jordans.
Not many heels.
And I'm like, okay so you're a sneaker girl.
Yes.
Okay.
I love color just you know the shoes like I'll be walking by and guys will be like oh my god like six shoes.
And I'm just like thank you you know.
I know.
That's so cool.
Do you think you got so your dad was really known for fashion.
(03:19):
He had a ton of like outfits like that.
Yeah.
Break it down for me.
Was he wearing that great stuff at home or was he?
Oh yeah.
Oh yeah.
God.
I couldn't decide if he was gonna be like at home he's in just like gray sweats all the time because he's like super extra out there because some people are like that.
It's like on and off.
Or is he just like wild out twenty four seven that is just him.
So we actually played golf together and like we do tournaments together like father daughter tournaments.
(03:44):
And now he'd be on the golf course in his polka dot shorts.
You know chevron striped golf pants.
So yeah it was that was just his personality like he expressed his personality through clothes.
I did pick out the ties though.
Okay.
So yeah.
That's cute.
You always get me credits for that.
And so he coordinated his outfits around like the team logo the players in the team colors.
(04:11):
So I just picked out the ties but he did all the other stuff.
And are you gonna be falling in this lead like when you're you know already on the courts and everything.
Are you wearing like these crazy outfits or are you kind of like staying in your own lane and like creating your own shoes.
She's wearing same for us today.
Yeah.
I'm John a man.
I kind of love it right now.
I do love like an old black you know with like accessories.
Yeah.
I'm like oh do you know what I'm like yeah.
(04:33):
I'm just describing you looking you like I don't know what to say so I'm just gonna say what bag is right now.
No I have an old black outfit that I did wear and I was like that would be too much.
Oh alright.
It would be the Kate show just the two of us.
Yeah.
That's true.
Good to see you guys twins.
(04:55):
Yeah.
Okay so are you gonna get into like the super fashion or are you more of a muted tone down girl.
Um I love a pop of color but I like the shoes to be the main focus.
Okay you know.
Okay.
A little unexpected you look down you're like oh you know grab the attention.
I don't know like I haven't really figured it out yet.
Yeah.
Um love shopping.
Me too.
Are you an online shopper or are you a like in store shopper.
(05:19):
See the problem with online shopping is I just order everything.
Oh like all return whatever.
And you don't.
And that way do you so that I just have way too much stuff.
Shopify is the death of me where it's like two clicks and like click click and I'm like no no no wait I just want to put in my
cart so I felt good.
I didn't mean actually like get it here.
Yeah.
Yeah it is it's honestly it's changing the world.
(05:41):
Sometimes all orders something and I'll order it to I said I'll be like I already have that.
Yeah.
We're like it took so long to come.
Yeah.
I love it that much I needed to.
I know it's like Christmas morning you forgot you were.
It is and I'm like I should return it.
But I don't like it.
Don't return it.
What's been the most exciting thing for you is you've made this transition.
I mean I think one of the most interesting things your US team.
(06:03):
Yes.
Fight on.
Fight on.
Is you know you are in a place where there's not a lot of female sideline reporters.
Um there's is growing and it's changing.
But you are really taking a path that is near and dear to your heart.
Is that something that's like attribute to your dad or is it something that you're always
(06:24):
had a passion for and it's just you know what I mean are you an opportunity.
I think it's an opportunity you want to go down.
Right.
So I did grow up around it.
Um I know the ins and outs of the industry.
Um the NBA family they're just the best people like I feel so comfortable around
them and just like walking into an arena.
But I wanted to play college tennis originally.
Okay.
(06:45):
And then software year of high school at a really bad backcountry and I couldn't work out or play tennis for two years.
So at that moment I had already been doing like journalism stuff writing articles for my school.
Um but I was like okay.
You know I got to rethink this like it's college tennis is just not in my future.
It was like okay like let's just go down this broadcast path.
(07:06):
So software year of high school I was terrified.
But I signed up for my school's broadcast production WCAT and I mean the guys that were doing the commentating and the
sign line reporting.
I mean it's an Emmy winning broadcast and so I was you know very scared.
It was so intimidating.
Um but I signed up I was like okay you know I can start small.
(07:30):
Um I started off with a sideline interview.
Actually my brother was like co-hosting with me on the sidelines so that was fun.
That's awesome.
Um and then I just kind of got into it and from there um writing for the school and doing like stand up videos for the news,
the weekly news and then that moved to pregame and halftime per varsity football and then hosting the sports report for the weekly news.
(07:54):
So I just kind of like found what I like to do.
I love being on air.
Um what do you love about it?
It's intimidating.
It is.
It's so intimidating.
We've had a couple of guests that are like it'll shock you to your core because I can't believe I just said that and I can't take it back.
Yeah and then I gotta keep talking and get this out of my head that I totally just messed the shit up but I have to keep going.
(08:17):
Yeah and like I was saying okay talk for 30 more seconds and you're like uh it could like come up with something.
Uh on air I just I love the way that you can express yourself because I mean I'm good at writing because I practice a lot.
I feel like it's just something that I've naturally been good at too.
Um I enjoy doing it so like when you have the the care and you know whenever you're doing something you're gonna be better at it.
(08:43):
Um so I was always good at writing but then on air it's just a new level of being able to express like what you want to get across to the audience.
You know like they're looking at you they can hear your voice so it's really coming through in like the words you're saying and how you're presenting it.
Um so I think that's the difference with on air and it is exciting um intimidating a lot of adrenaline though so that keeps you going.
(09:06):
You touched on writing and you worked with the NCAA.com.
Talk to us about like how you even got started with that kind of what advice you'd give to the you know girls in high school that are looking to have fall in your footsteps.
So NCAA.com the studios were actually in Turner studios and Atlanta which is where my dad worked and so I'd always go with him when I was younger.
(09:27):
Um and so I just reached out and I wanted to do something.
This was um junior year of high school and I didn't know exactly what you know whether that was behind the camera on air.
Um I was like I just need to start somewhere and so NCAA.com that was more behind the scenes and like doing audits for the website and writing.
(09:48):
Um I did do like a self-standup video um about a recap for I guess 2022 March madness.
Um so it was a lot of behind the scenes and just seeing how you know putting up the live stats and you know what happened with this game and especially March madness like there's so much going on.
Every day 24/7.
(10:09):
Oh yeah.
Um so it was very chaotic but I just love having that information you know I feel like on air.
You can be on air and just like read a script or memorize a script but like it's so important to know behind the scenes stuff and like what everyone else's job is in order to do yours.
Yeah I think that's so true and a lot of industries right and I say especially for me on the agent side is easy to take a test.
(10:33):
It's hard to execute the industry.
Yeah because you can read anything you want out of a book and pass a 20 you know question test. We have no actual experience and I think a lot of what media is is reps.
You know literally just reps and you're gonna get it right you're gonna get it wrong and you know Ali Clifton came on as she talked to us about how like you know she in almost intimidated her own self out of returning at one point because it was so difficult for her to just keep you have a good game.
(11:04):
You have a bad game. You have to approach people when they're not happy. You know eventually it becomes a job and you care for these people but you have a job to do right so it's creating that balance.
What for you is you've kind of gone down this path and you want to get into this industry for you's been one of the most intimidating parts of it.
Um it's just like no one's gonna tell you you need to do this opportunity. You need to get this as a rep.
(11:32):
So I think that's one important thing that I focus on it has been challenging like knowing when just like seeking out those opportunities so for example I guess summer 2022 going into my senior year.
Um we were at this event long story short we had a Bentley car wrapped in one of my dad signature coats the design and so went around the country and athletes and coaches.
(11:58):
Um you know TB personality they all sign the car hall of famous and so the very first signature was Stefan Curry and so we were going to meet him to sign the car and I was like how many people have this opportunity I stopped myself I was like I need to interview Curry like you know and so on the way over I was just brainstorming questions.
And he was filming the S.B.s the next day so it was in July and they had just won the championship and so I was like okay I'm just going to do it so we were waiting for him in the lobby.
(12:28):
It's like pacing the lobby going over my question but like it's hard because you know as you guys know it's you can have questions but you have to listen you have to know it's a conversation at the end of the day.
And so just opportunities like that I got my interview that was like my first professional interview um you got a good one then because he I know he be interviewed is a very I worked with him for many years he's a very easy going am liqueable guy that will give you the time of day compared to some of these guys where it's like.
(13:00):
Ask a question they answer and then you're not another thought so I'm so happy that was like your first was a nice entry point and he's a big name to what a big name to yeah so sweet about it um and so that was just kind of story and I was like okay if i'm traveling around with his Bentley car like we're going to be seeing people just get the reps.
So then we were at the basketball hall of fame interview Adam silver like that kind of thing it's not so much about like who I'm interviewing it's how can I get better you know it's like I do want to have a conversation with these people because they did mean a lot to my dad.
(13:34):
And of course me and just their legacy and what they're doing for sports but it was more of like okay I got to get used to this yeah what is hard to start that conversation I think that is the hardest part about an interview is starting it.
Because it's like kind of sets the tone and it's like it people are uncomfortable they're not sure and then you're unsure and it's just this whole thing and I found that like when you just start it and you realize they're just people yeah you're like I just want to know and if it comes from a place of curiosity it's less intimidating because I'm just asking because I don't know like break it down for me help me understand unpack that like what does that mean because sometimes they do so many interviews that they forget that they need to help explain it.
(14:16):
Again because they don't realize that was somebody else right and you're like no no for my listeners what yeah like help us understand connect the dots all the way through for that what has been one of your hardest interviews for you to do.
Because you've had some big ones you you go through your list come on yeah and silver self-carry.
(14:37):
I'm sure you have to come drop a few more in here but one of the hardest was last year in Utah for all star with the honest and so he was signing the car and it was on the spot and like he's one of my favorite players he's just such a sweet human and I was like I got to interview him.
(14:58):
Just the excitement I was terrified I was on the spot I had no preparation I was like oh my gosh like I cannot mess this up so that was just hard because it was spontaneous you know and I felt like there was just so much I wanted to ask wanted to say but I kind of had to put my own like
I just asked him the questions I wanted the answer to what you ask him well see the thing about most times I blank out like I know I'm saying in the moment and then after I have to rewatch it because I'm like what do you mean you blank out you just like black out like you're just out of body experience you're just like robotic going through it and you're like wait what that was awesome was like that yeah and it's like in the moment I have my thoughts I know what I'm trying to say but then like
(15:47):
it's terrifying at first so that's something I've had to get used to and so for him I was just talking about there's basic questions like the bottom level questions like what's your favorite part about this you know but you just have to go deeper and it's like okay for example like if we said what's your favorite part about all star that's just a question right not a bad question but then you can also ask like
(16:10):
what is so special about all star for you and then like how does that translate to the audience like why do people want to show up just like going that extra step and so thinking about that during an interview it just has to come second second nature so like that was a tough interview because it was so on the spot and I was nervous obviously I really cared about it I always wanted to interview him so it's just that that's terrifying
(16:36):
I'm sure you're like you grow so much because like where you're like stepping out of your comfort zone yeah now for you kind of on that topic you grew up around basketball you have the experience with tennis do you want to say in the basketball world you have knowledge the football I'm assuming working in like Atlanta with NCAA you're doing basketball so like what do you want to stay in one lane or are you kind of open to whatever sport you know kind of comes your way I mean not to say this but I am so young you know like
(17:05):
y'all I'm so young yes you're here and young yes you have see us guys a limit but is there so you like cover right now looking at basketball and football I just I love the energy of the two sports yeah I definitely want to be where the action is you know I mean I think being an analyst is so cool and like on the production side with TV
(17:29):
but just being on the field on the court like I just like an energy yeah I create a big and so just using that energy to kind of relate how I tell the story of the game is so important for me but open to anything you know I think that's the beauty of it now is you are in a space and time in your career and the world is there so many opportunities to try
(17:57):
and I think it's intimidating for people to try and I always say it's not somebody always is like oh should I get an internship can I get this I'm like I don't hire people based off internships I hire them based off the character and experience because if you come to me with like 30 different things I'm like damn you got like 30 different ways of trying who knows how this is going to play out but if you're like I just did this one thing for six months you're not opening yourself up to be curious and learn and grow because you might learn one thing from football and one thing from basketball
(18:26):
and you're like oh I did this here and it worked or that's great I'm going to take it here and I think you especially USC and the programs you guys have there are so blessed to be in a place that you can get experience but also you can get classes that are applicable to how you want to grow as a person in your career.
I was so grateful in high school to have WCAT because I could do anything so like there were some days where I was doing camera for four hours for the football game was it the most fun job? No but like I was on the field I got to see the plays and it was so important because you know every job like that matters without that you can do the show for sure.
(19:06):
So I think now whether I want to go on air or something else it's important to know like how to do other things and so when I was building my real yeah I have the interviews for the real but then I had to learn how to put it together and like you know merge clips and that kind of thing the video editing sound and all that and so like you said it's just so important to try different things you know like you can have a passion you can stick with one interest but you know explore a little.
(19:35):
Yeah learn the business do you feel like for you you know there's already a lot of pressure for women in sports to come into this space and perform be educated and kind of lead do you feel a little bit more pressure because of your last name to kind of execute faster and is it something you have found that you embrace now or something that you are like okay I'm still learning how to navigate this.
(20:04):
I think it's definitely a blessing I mean learning so much from him but also like having the connections like introducing myself if someone doesn't know me at first and then like I introduce myself they're like oh yeah and they're much more like open and welcoming so I'm very grateful for that and just like knowing the people everyone's amazing and so they've been very kind to me so I'm very lucky for that.
(20:32):
Yeah I'm sure there's pressure I don't focus on it though. Yeah like I just I try to do my best you know whatever I'm doing preparation is key like for example if I'm doing an article on USC men's basketball like yeah I can do the three or four interviews post game and write it during the game but like I will study stats for like six hours on Sunday just so I know the game.
(20:59):
Because like once you see the stats then you can watch the game with a different perspective you can see how things are moving on the court you can look at the box score and like see different trends and that kind of thing so I'm sure there's pressure on me but I like to see it as you know an opportunity because it's gotten me so far already and like having my last name that doesn't mean I'm going to have every opportunity it's not going to open every door for me.
(21:26):
It may get me there but like I'm the one who has to get the execute it I get you to the door and I think that's true for anyone right you can you can get to a door but you have to what it takes to get through the door and keep going right it's not just standing there looking at it wide open like cool what are you going to do with this you have to actually like go forth and do and that's where I think a lot of times especially in sports it's interesting for me and she's at the NFL network to be kind of on the hybrid side of I'm on the talent side.
(21:55):
So I'm the one that's like we're not doing this interview today we usually let's talk about this tomorrow or these are the off limit topics but I think it's so important to have that relationship with just like you're saying all the facets that go into running what a production looks like to what that team looks like around that athlete because understanding and navigating the people that are creating a safe space for you to have that access is so so important because they're like I'm not going to be there and I'm not going to be there.
(22:24):
Because they're like it's not just the out that you have to get to like six people sometimes to get where you want to go to that athlete and then they're like you're like how that was hard to get to they have no idea takes you get in the six people to them they think they just sit down and they're like sweet right like to talk to eight people to get to you like come on and I know especially as a woman in sports like you're so much more respected when you know all of that versus showing up and thinking like I just got to get this interview in and out you know like once you know
(22:53):
everyone's job once you respect what they're doing like you'll be respected so much more so much.
Yeah, it's preparation. I mean it's I say all the time women there's that quote we talked about another show it's you always be prepared for a pop quiz.
Yeah, like literally it's coming. Yeah, don't know when we're at how but you dang well ready be ready.
As you're in school what are you focusing on for you like where you're taking gen classes now but as you obviously going to broadcast is that what you want to get a broadcasting degree what degree you're going for and what classes do you have to take
(23:23):
to get to there. So I'm a journalism major. Okay, I'm a freshman so it's a lot of those gen classes but I am seeking one journalism class it's called the responsibility of the press.
Oh, I'm pack that what's that about we uncover everything it's more like journalism writing that kind of thing and like your responsibility is a journalist whether that's ethics or you know framing someone's story in like your place in the process of story.
(23:53):
Telling basically because most times it's it's not your story but like you have that connection of how to tell it and so I do want to go on air but I thought this would be an important class to take because just knowing my place in the industry and that kind of thing if I wanted to do writing.
So that's actually been my favorite class. Really? Yeah, you know what I call the fun glasses which like all the upper class.
(24:18):
Yeah, she's like Matt 101 not. Yeah, but that's one. Yeah, yeah, not really going to use that but you never know. Yeah, maybe.
Is there like a clear path for like women like or young women who are trying to get into like or going through school your age.
Is there a clear path that like USC or other colleges give students like this if you want to be broadcast you broadcast or you have to follow these.
(24:43):
This course these classes these extracurricular clubs you know kind of like.
Settle light on that for like the woman who want to get into that role. Yeah, so USC.
I mean Annemburg the journalism communication school it's amazing. One of the best in the country and so that's why chose USC actually.
And I think yes, there's courses that are going to teach you things and the professors are amazing and a lot of them have been in the field have their own experience that they can teach you.
(25:12):
But it's what you do outside the classroom. You know like you can do all the assignments and you know do an interview for your project but like you have to be the one to discover the things that you're not going to find in the classroom.
So it's not a clear path you know it's not like take these courses do this outside for me. I've just tried to do everything you know.
(25:36):
Whether that was the you know internships you mentioned from high school or now.
I wanted to cover men's basketball like that was my priority and so I was actually brought freshman first year first semester freshman year.
And so I just came to campus in January and I was like okay you know what's available what can I do.
And so they're like okay you know you're a freshman like you got to work your way out basically.
(26:02):
You know show that you're committed that kind of thing so I did do a basketball article but I've also been covering men's tennis and volleyball and baseball.
Just trying to show them like wherever you need me like I'll be there I'll cover it's Army knife. Yeah exactly you know I have the assets that you need whether it's something that is my focus or not you know that doesn't matter.
(26:23):
I'm going to do everything so that I can do what I want to do you know.
And then if that's coming basketball then I'll prove that I'm so important for you because I think it's easy for people to stay like of course you want to do basketball.
Yeah right and you're like got it. Thank you. So but I think it's important for you because you can recognize that and be like okay someone could say that so I'm going to go in addition to that and say no no I'm not going to give you that opportunity to say that I'm going to go over here and cover these other things so that I'm multi-pass it and I can plug and play because you never know when you might have to
(26:58):
plug and play and it's that shining moment that's defining your next step and I think that's what's so cool about sports is it's much like an athlete and a time and place on a team like literally the team could suck for five entire years and then all the sudden the right puzzle pieces fit together.
And they're winning the championship and you're just like what like it's fascinating to watch these teams build and I think any especially I think one of the most under aware communities is broadcast and journalism of how many people it takes to actually go on air.
(27:34):
I mean literally this podcast has like five people running it. Yeah literally. Like it doesn't happen without Casey and Morgan and everyone else in production not a babbling head.
Not even live. Yeah like the people doing it and then you look at what is live take what is written take what is an editor take like it's not just one person making it happen and so I think it's so interesting for young girls to understand you might see Aaron Andrews but who were the 10 people producing Aaron Andrews.
(28:02):
That doesn't mean she is not doing living her truth it just means it takes camera people wardrobe people make up people producers.
Show runners editors right like camera operators it takes a lot of people to get what you see yeah but the regular person just sees the one lane.
And I'm like no there's so many people like it's funny when I see people who go to events you mentioned all star. And they watch it on TV and they're like this event is so amazing yeah and I'm like it is but then when you watch it live you're like this is not what I watched at home because they're seeing the edited cut version and we're seeing like stages broke down and people running around and there's no commercial break you're just running in arena ads during the TV break like.
(28:50):
It's a different experience for the viewer at home than the viewer live but it's the same for broadcasting it's the same experience in arena and on TV is not any different so it's all a mechanism of what your perspective is if you weren't doing journalism broadcasting what would you be doing.
Well besides tennis I don't know I just I love storytelling so writing in any way science is always one of my favorite classes when I was younger what part.
(29:26):
Like which I love the experiments so like I was yeah fathered my mom and my name when I was younger just like you know putting random crap together making a science.
I'm like how did you make that like where did you think that I was never that.
(29:57):
I just love being creative and like whether that was art painting I think broadcast a lot of creativity but I just always want to do something like that so science I could be creative I could design my own thing with our you know just those hobbies that I still like to keep.
It's just how I can express my creativity I would never go in art I have so much respect for artists but I just I could not do that I need the energy of other people and so sports I've seen it's just yeah so much energy some of the storytelling so yeah yeah yeah you got to go I know I was going to ask like for you like how do you see women and sports right now like how do you see that growing and like obviously you know you're young in your career you know you're in your first year of college.
(30:42):
But are there a lot of other women looking have like a similar role are you guys supportive and what's that like like and college I you know obviously I'm a little fire moved from that stage but yeah kind of touch on that.
See my college experience with sports I'd say it's only really two months.
Yeah the tough thing about Paris it was amazing travel was amazing but there wasn't the opportunities for broadcast for journalism and so I for me I feel like college started two months ago.
(31:10):
And so just noticing that there are people who are doing stand-ups and writing and USC really has everyone every kind of person who wants to do everything whether that's broadcast or something else and so I think that's a great part about the school is like you can meet everyone you can connect with those people in high school.
(31:33):
I was I started off doing sports reports so this was senior year by myself so it's just me I kind of took over and then one of my close friends and doubles partners actually Kate she was like oh my gosh I'm so interested in that I was like wait really like no one else none of my friends had been interested in that kind of thing.
And so I wanted her over it and she was like I'd love to watch you film the sports report and so like the next week I threw on the desk and from that moment until I graduated like we did it together side by side on the desk I know it was so sad when I graduated but now she's doing it herself and I kind of take it.
(32:10):
It was inspired her yeah I know it isn't that a cool thing is when you're like something you love someone sees you doing it yeah and they fall in love with it because they see it themselves through you.
I mean I don't credit myself with all of that but just showing her like yeah you know this is how you do it this is how you write a script and now watching her do it by yourself it's crazy so I know I know it's very special but you know there is more awareness now but I think the important thing is whatever you're doing like I said earlier you have to know what other people are doing like if you just show up just to be on air people are going to think you're you know just that.
(32:50):
Just that girl who just wants to be on air so like you have to know your stuff you have to know your stats yeah and people will be impressed the respect you so much more and so it's tough like you do have to work a lot harder but it pays off I think that's honestly I think for me especially in my career is you have to work really hard and you have to be ready for people to doubt you you have to be ready for people to push you to go a different direction then what you feel you should be going and you're like no.
(33:19):
I want to do that I want to do this and I can do this and I should do this.
One of the things I've tried is like better self talk where it's instead of it saying like what should I do this and it's like hell yeah I should do this why am I not doing this like what would I say to Megan if she came to me and said I wanted to say yes girl go do it but then I find I don't say that to myself yeah being in the position you're in and you're kind of navigating such high profile.
(33:48):
I think that's a really great thing to do is to really run your own show right you're doing all of it editing probably when you were in high school doing all the editing reporting notes all of that you've kind of parallel path those things do you think that one has been influenced by the other.
(34:09):
I think my writing background is definitely helped just to prepare me and like especially as woman like you have to be prepared like you said expect that doubt like it's going to come and so the more confident you are the more prepared you are like the less that someone else is going to doubt you like if they see that you're confident.
(34:30):
Then you're kind of closing that gap that room for them you know what is like if you're unsure of yourself your own abilities then they kind of have the right to be because they're expecting it from you and so like the more other skills you have like writing and camera and all that then the more prepared you feel the more confident you are and then the more expected to be I use that same mantra Kobe told us one time was at all star and you they all have to walk places and it's just like that.
(34:59):
And it's insane they get stopped it's you can't go anywhere like it's just but Kobe was always able to just walk through a thousand people and get to the other side and a lot of my guys are like what why do we get stopped why what are you not doing is doing.
I don't know ask him I don't know and his role is just you just keep walking like walk like you have a purpose yeah and people will leave you alone.
(35:24):
You don't have to fight them off is just like keep going and so the know the guys are like wow that's really smart I'm like yeah it's not you don't talk to everybody just keep moving there you follow you are not and I think it's it's an interesting way to look at life when you're like look walk in a room like you're supposed to be there yeah not like can I be here saying I'm here what's up what you doing and it's a different mindset when you bring that kind of energy it comes everybody down because not like there's no room left for question of can she do it is like well damn she thinks she can.
(35:53):
So let's go that's why I don't know.
Permission asked forgiveness just your thing you know it go up for that interview yeah it's funny because I was actually covering he was men's basketball and I walked into Galen Center for the first time and I didn't know where I was going I just walked in and then I went back to the security later I was like hey do not
(36:14):
get to the practice court she's like oh I thought you were supposed to be here I was like I don't know where I'm going she's like you look so serious like you looked like you knew where you were going I thought you were supposed to be here I'm like no so then I have to like sign in and all that I was like okay I should just figure out myself yeah it's like that kind of thing yeah just keep going keep your head straight you know don't hesitate yeah it's how you show up right it's just go with it you allude that what is your we were talking about this earlier we what is your like high pub thought
(36:43):
like do you have a song like I like when I go in a meeting so I'm going to president I have a song and I listen to the same song every time and it makes me feel a kind of way and I will walk with that song going into the meeting don't ask me why I did it one time and it worked and I was like perfect we're just going to keep doing this what's on with that it's
bodhack yellow by hearty be but it's so awesome but it's so not me and I was like walking down most always like just living my best life within on speaker and everyone's like is she okay yeah freaking fine I'm doing I'm about to kill this right now do you have a song like that it depends on the situation like I love country music so a few like Jason Aldin songs I know but hotel lobby by Cuevo and take off yeah yeah get some hotel lobby going I just
(37:30):
it's the right kind of yeah yeah especially like you know like before more mobs and practice in a basketball arena they have like the rap go in that kind of thing so it just puts me in that place yeah it's interesting some arena has have a great vibe some our room for improvement
it'd be better to pet yeah room for improvement there's opportunity there to get better I think sometimes it depends on ownership too of like what they would enjoy and they're like they're putting their playlist out for what they want to listen to
(38:01):
and the rest of the 20,000 people are like one to 20,000 awesome odds here do it what's your favorite arena that you've been to gosh probably night center really why I don't know
I don't know because I have Garrett's popcorn on the car well both my parents are from Chicago so very familiar with Garrett's popcorn yeah I don't know I've been there for games and then also 2020 all star was in Chicago
(38:32):
Chicago is a great city very cold yeah it is no very cold is not even the right adjective it is freaking cold for free is freezing freezing yeah I almost went to college in Chicago
and then she went in January and was like yeah them USC Chicago sunshine snow I tore northwestern in July loved it and I was like use USC it is so Chicago you know ups and downs but the city itself like it's such a basketball city
(39:04):
yeah and I just love it I love being there in the arena you're outside the cool like you know yeah you're in the heat so that's nice but also just during the summer and like everybody I wish I was alive in the 90s like to experience
okay I'm not that bad production she said I wish I would live in the 90s well we were there yeah she likes to know yeah just you're so cute
(39:31):
that's part of my day just watching the bowls play oh yeah like that would have been so cool yeah like you hear about it now yeah you see the replays and all that but like just
stuck in there yeah yeah like it was funny because my dad was covering it and then my mom cheered for the bowls so I feel very connected
oh I didn't know that yeah so cool I feel connected to Chicago I've never lived there but I think that would have been fun
(39:56):
what about like you talked about y'allness was like such a dream interview but like do you have anybody that you would like the ultimate dream person you want to interview
if we could genie anyone and yeah who would be be careful because there's a door over there that we might just I know I know this is an Ellen though
gosh there's so many in basketball coming to rent was always my favorite when I was younger yeah
(40:20):
when I played basketball my number was 35 and so I think right now I tried to get them at all star but you know how they are always running so there's always a
Kate there like yeah sure come yeah we'll get them later and you're right girl come on I know there's a long list I mean three no Williams and just tennis she'd be
(40:42):
very very very that kind of perspective I saw her into the 2012 Olympics in London and so playing in Wimbledon that's I know when I was second grade
so I've grown up watching her and especially just playing the sport that kind of thing yeah there's so many people but I think it's really special to interview those people who you watched growing up yeah
(41:05):
and that you kind of been tied to yeah then also like the new players the new people who are kind of paving a new route in sports it's also important
who do you want to interview that is not an athlete
um um people actually what why break this down break this down I mean I love people that that's also he's like five foot two is he always he's on the he
(41:34):
there's an opportunity for him to be very short yes really I did not know who's that short but so much energy yeah he's really short ja rules really short Kevin Hart count hard very short
uh ludicrous is is I didn't know that okay yeah what's funny because you I see them but yeah but again like in the world of basketball everyone looks the same size
(41:58):
until you're standing next to the owner like you didn't look this big on TV yeah like you looked regular size when you're like to see you way up there okay pit bull
okay so love his music I've been to a few of his concerts and he's just so motivational you know yeah and I don't know if you guys are familiar with Tony Robbins but like that kind of mindset
yeah and just doing your own thing like life short like he just has such good um montras and lessons to live by so like yes I love his music but then just the energy too yeah that's awesome I love that that was not what I was expecting me there
(42:34):
I was not expecting pit bull that was not the answer I thought you were gonna get and quick to you like a little people yeah I was like you're gonna put that in the universe yeah we want to have
people you know people come on on your table right here there's a nice seat next to her I'm just doing it right now they're on the vision board right you know with it I'm totally with it what do you think for you has been one of your biggest challenges
um it's it's tough because I kind of always knew what I wanted to do but then it's just like how do you execute that you know like how do you show up
(43:10):
I was thrown into basketball into the NBA so like I feel like I was already on the big stage um and it's just being prepared like knowing everything is so hard and like most people don't understand that
because you do go on air and you like everyone's like oh yeah those stats that checks out you know that kind of thing that makes sense what you're saying right um so just like figuring it out by myself
(43:36):
um and not having my dad there you know like I grew up when I was younger but then after he passed away I'm like okay I kind of have to think what would he say what would he tell me
and so it's hard because I think you know I wish he was here but then also like if he was here he could be telling me these things so kind of figuring that out my own
and just going back to when I was younger and trying to remember you know what I learned from him so that's been the toughest just not having in there
(44:04):
I think it's really cool to hear you talk about it because it's a nice gut check um I do that with my dad actually and I'm like what would my dad tell me to do yeah
right like what might not be what Kate wants to do but what would my dad say is the right thing to do or how do I handle this because
you know you just have these people that have just such great poise and um ability to handle uncomfortable situations
(44:28):
like okay or you're like okay you're right yep I get it I hear you have yeah and then like damn you are right you're right yeah no
that's so fantastic I'm so excited for you and what's next thank you I know um I do see a lot of opportunities in the future and that kind of thing
but also people ask me you know where do you see yourself in five ten years I'm like I have no idea like three years ago you asked me I'd be here never would have like you know
(44:55):
but that's okay I think so much society puts so much pressure and I felt it when I was younger I'm like figuring it out so early and I have found oftentimes you will find what you don't like faster than what you do like
and that is a great thing too yeah there's so much information and doing things you don't like because then it leads you to what you do want to do
and you know maybe you don't like it but then you're actually good at it and somehow throw it into what you do like yeah no for sure you're like I didn't think I was going to like it but like that
(45:24):
wasn't that bad yeah and it creates a space for you to grow as a person and I think you know especially in broadcasting and a journalism you share so many stories and there's a response ability
it's money there's a class like that I mean it's you are impacting people's lives good or bad based on your ability to tell a story
(45:45):
and it's your story that you're telling of their story so it's like a story of a story of a story right and sometimes that's really bad and sometimes that's really good
I think you know the more media that is out there that is approachable and understanding and views athletes as people the better they're going to be with media because it's it's an invasive space you know you're on a platform you can't get back
(46:08):
and so you're like read another person to tell my story do I trust you or not and gaining that trust how do you feel like you've been able to accomplish gaining that trust or want to have the opportunity to gain athletes trust you put on your career path
I mean a lot of that is because of my dad they trusted him so much and like he had so many stories that you would never tell anyone
just the players and like he saw it all and so I think now the biggest thing you can do is just care because like when you ask those thoughtful questions like the players you're going to know
(46:40):
it's not those surface level questions that anyone could ask you like sometimes I do watch broadcast and I'm like okay that was kind of expected
yeah yeah because like when you're in that you kind of critique it yourself yeah like the people are you know TNT and NBA on TV or just amazing so I try to learn from them and just how they speak to the players
(47:03):
yeah but like if you care they'll notice and like that's how you build the trust is there broadcast that you kind of look at for guidance
right now Allie LaForest yeah yeah just had a baby now she's back working like I think she's so impressive I saw it all start those first time I met her
yeah she was so sweet just people like that who do it because they love it you know Dora Spurck I met her a few years ago
(47:32):
I think actually they're also are summer league I'm not sure yeah but the TNT family like they're so amazing everyone they've made news fun yeah you will like yeah yeah
and so far and follow and Instagram now no one like gosh you didn't hear that no what happened chuck on Instagram what he even Instagram
(47:54):
who allowed that Olivia said okay I know I said Olivia and then we're like you know he was always against it but now he's on Instagram and I love seeing those reels inside the NBA they're so fun
well it's fun to watch it's so fun it's creating a space for people to enjoy it yeah it has been so amazing having you on the show
we're so excited to see what you do next thank you guys for having me it's been a blast we will watch it and check out your show
(48:20):
SBC audio experience yes you're on deck somebody will have to come join you on your table and we'll flip the script on you yeah
so much fun yeah I love having rally on the show she is like such a joy she's a light bright light and she has such a bright future
(48:45):
and just like the fact that her dad is Craig see her he's this amazing broadcaster iconic broadcaster and you know he's helped her open doors and then the NBA and just in her career and broadcasting
but she's really the one who's like pushing those doors down and she's going through and she's like crushing it
yeah it's it's really cool to see somebody who grew up in a business didn't know that's what she wanted to do and was exposed to it for a really really long time
(49:12):
and now she's like and after playing tennis four years varsity in high school wanted to potentially go pro potentially playing college
it wasn't possible and so now she's like okay I love sports and now she wants to go into basketball but it's interesting to me that in high school
she covered and produced and captured a lot of her own stuff instead of being like hey this is what I want to do it's like okay I'm going to learn as much as I can
(49:37):
that's what she kept saying does is be prepared always make sure you're learning and growing and her curiosity I think even off camera like I think that was what was really cute about her
curiosity to learn what goes into it how does it go and her really wanting to perfect her craft and get as many reps as she can
yeah I think that's going to be a difference maker for her
(49:58):
and I think to like people like don't realize how much work you've put into you know your craft and when she's telling me that she's you know studying six hours of stats on a Sunday for fun
like she really like loves what she does yeah she she wants to be the best at her job and I just think she has such a bright future and she was just such a joy to have on this
she had on pink which I was really happy about because not that many people come wear pink and wear a pink wear pink set
(50:21):
if you guys can't talk but it's definitely great for her to be able to also she talked what she talked about
she's humbling herself she's been around a lot of celebrities because of her dad and she's also still nervous to approach
some guys that she's probably met before but this is her as an independent woman in this field meeting them so she's kind of like flip the switch on herself to take it really seriously which is really
(50:47):
honestly it's great to see young women be empowered and have opportunities but then also have these guys lean in to her
but that's just a testament to her dad and how he carried himself and the responsibility he took about sharing stories and narratives
her athletes really set the tone for her and I think that's what she's grounded in is making sure that she's continuing not only her own path but being true to her father's legacy
(51:13):
yeah so special to see yeah definitely and I can't wait to see you know USC such a great program and she's really going to take them by storm
and it's going to be exciting we're going to be following her journey we're excited to see what Riley does I love it and she's like a sad she wears pink so it makes me happy
well that was a great episode for you guys to catch thank you so much for tuning in we love having you guys here each and every week on her table make sure you guys like subscribe and share
(51:36):
we love sharing these amazing stories about these phenomenal women and sports that continue to inspire us each and every week we hope to see you guys again next week that's us for her table
[bell ringing]
[Music]
Hi, I'm Riley Sager, host of Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience, and this is her table.
(00:06):
Now you see her.
You are magnificent!
Welcome to her table, the podcast that shines a spotlight on the badass women who are redefining the game.
Join hosts Kate Foley and Megan Martinez as Pay On Lock, the Secrets of Success,
the brightest female pioneers in the industry.
(00:27):
Welcome to another amazing episode of her table, this week we are welcoming in Riley Sager to the show.
Riley is the daughter of the legendary sideline reporter Craig Sager.
She is now following in her dad's footsteps and entering the world of working in sports.
Riley is currently a student at the University of Southern California, and she has already had so many experiences in sports,
(00:49):
and even more we're going to learn about here today.
She has been an intern at the NCAA.com where she worked on sports riding, video editing, and so much more,
and then had one of the hardest internships to get, the NBA Summer League internship.
She currently works as a sports anchor for SBC Audio Experience.
We can't wait to hear more about Riley Sager's story and what made her want to create her own path in the sports world.
(01:13):
Let's get to it Riley, welcome to her table.
Okay, Riley we are so glad to have you here today.
It's a little warm on the set today.
It is, but I am so excited to be here.
I think she just brought the hotness in here.
Yeah she did.
I mean it really is the hot seat now.
Hey!
I like it.
(01:34):
I like it.
We're so excited you're here.
No thank you for having me.
Oh my gosh of course.
It's funny we always say sometimes our guests range in age and you're 19.
Right?
Okay.
Okay so we're going to, she is our target audience.
Yeah.
Okay.
You are the girl listening to this.
Yeah.
So you're inspiring yourself at this point.
Yeah.
You are the target demo.
(01:55):
It's so special.
Just be that.
You got it.
You got it.
You have grown up in the sports world.
Yes.
And are you a sports girl?
Like do you like to play sports or just work in sports?
Yes.
So I always tell people I grew up on the basketball court.
You know I would just watch you my dad and work in the NBA.
And like I loved being in the tunnel.
I love the energy of the fans.
(02:16):
So I was surrounded by it but then also throughout school played basketball.
Tennis was my main sport.
volleyball here and there.
So just you know the sports that I could use my tallness.
I was going to say your tall.
So tell me five eleven.
Yeah.
I'm so glad I wore my heels for this because normally I'm the shrimp.
(02:37):
And like I'm surrounded by Kate and somebody else but like like you yourself who's tall.
But now I can compete with you guys.
I'm five six.
I'm not even short.
Yeah.
But it's just like I got you Kate you're like five eight five nine and.
Riley your five.
You're gonna be a lot of hype right now.
I think I'm only like five seven.
But I just always have heels on so it's a extract it.
Yeah.
It's like a fake thing.
And you four five eleven so.
(02:58):
I think she is.
Say less.
Say less.
Yeah.
The closet has a lot of Jordans.
Not many heels.
And I'm like, okay so you're a sneaker girl.
Yes.
Okay.
I love color just you know the shoes like I'll be walking by and guys will be like oh my god like six shoes.
And I'm just like thank you you know.
I know.
That's so cool.
Do you think you got so your dad was really known for fashion.
(03:19):
He had a ton of like outfits like that.
Yeah.
Break it down for me.
Was he wearing that great stuff at home or was he?
Oh yeah.
Oh yeah.
God.
I couldn't decide if he was gonna be like at home he's in just like gray sweats all the time because he's like super extra out there because some people are like that.
It's like on and off.
Or is he just like wild out twenty four seven that is just him.
So we actually played golf together and like we do tournaments together like father daughter tournaments.
(03:44):
And now he'd be on the golf course in his polka dot shorts.
You know chevron striped golf pants.
So yeah it was that was just his personality like he expressed his personality through clothes.
I did pick out the ties though.
Okay.
So yeah.
That's cute.
You always get me credits for that.
And so he coordinated his outfits around like the team logo the players in the team colors.
(04:11):
So I just picked out the ties but he did all the other stuff.
And are you gonna be falling in this lead like when you're you know already on the courts and everything.
Are you wearing like these crazy outfits or are you kind of like staying in your own lane and like creating your own shoes.
She's wearing same for us today.
Yeah.
I'm John a man.
I kind of love it right now.
I do love like an old black you know with like accessories.
Yeah.
I'm like oh do you know what I'm like yeah.
(04:33):
I'm just describing you looking you like I don't know what to say so I'm just gonna say what bag is right now.
No I have an old black outfit that I did wear and I was like that would be too much.
Oh alright.
It would be the Kate show just the two of us.
Yeah.
That's true.
Good to see you guys twins.
(04:55):
Yeah.
Okay so are you gonna get into like the super fashion or are you more of a muted tone down girl.
Um I love a pop of color but I like the shoes to be the main focus.
Okay you know.
Okay.
A little unexpected you look down you're like oh you know grab the attention.
I don't know like I haven't really figured it out yet.
Yeah.
Um love shopping.
Me too.
Are you an online shopper or are you a like in store shopper.
(05:19):
See the problem with online shopping is I just order everything.
Oh like all return whatever.
And you don't.
And that way do you so that I just have way too much stuff.
Shopify is the death of me where it's like two clicks and like click click and I'm like no no no wait I just want to put in my
cart so I felt good.
I didn't mean actually like get it here.
Yeah.
Yeah it is it's honestly it's changing the world.
(05:41):
Sometimes all orders something and I'll order it to I said I'll be like I already have that.
Yeah.
We're like it took so long to come.
Yeah.
I love it that much I needed to.
I know it's like Christmas morning you forgot you were.
It is and I'm like I should return it.
But I don't like it.
Don't return it.
What's been the most exciting thing for you is you've made this transition.
I mean I think one of the most interesting things your US team.
(06:03):
Yes.
Fight on.
Fight on.
Is you know you are in a place where there's not a lot of female sideline reporters.
Um there's is growing and it's changing.
But you are really taking a path that is near and dear to your heart.
Is that something that's like attribute to your dad or is it something that you're always
(06:24):
had a passion for and it's just you know what I mean are you an opportunity.
I think it's an opportunity you want to go down.
Right.
So I did grow up around it.
Um I know the ins and outs of the industry.
Um the NBA family they're just the best people like I feel so comfortable around
them and just like walking into an arena.
But I wanted to play college tennis originally.
Okay.
(06:45):
And then software year of high school at a really bad backcountry and I couldn't work out or play tennis for two years.
So at that moment I had already been doing like journalism stuff writing articles for my school.
Um but I was like okay.
You know I got to rethink this like it's college tennis is just not in my future.
It was like okay like let's just go down this broadcast path.
(07:06):
So software year of high school I was terrified.
But I signed up for my school's broadcast production WCAT and I mean the guys that were doing the commentating and the
sign line reporting.
I mean it's an Emmy winning broadcast and so I was you know very scared.
It was so intimidating.
Um but I signed up I was like okay you know I can start small.
(07:30):
Um I started off with a sideline interview.
Actually my brother was like co-hosting with me on the sidelines so that was fun.
That's awesome.
Um and then I just kind of got into it and from there um writing for the school and doing like stand up videos for the news,
the weekly news and then that moved to pregame and halftime per varsity football and then hosting the sports report for the weekly news.
(07:54):
So I just kind of like found what I like to do.
I love being on air.
Um what do you love about it?
It's intimidating.
It is.
It's so intimidating.
We've had a couple of guests that are like it'll shock you to your core because I can't believe I just said that and I can't take it back.
Yeah and then I gotta keep talking and get this out of my head that I totally just messed the shit up but I have to keep going.
(08:17):
Yeah and like I was saying okay talk for 30 more seconds and you're like uh it could like come up with something.
Uh on air I just I love the way that you can express yourself because I mean I'm good at writing because I practice a lot.
I feel like it's just something that I've naturally been good at too.
Um I enjoy doing it so like when you have the the care and you know whenever you're doing something you're gonna be better at it.
(08:43):
Um so I was always good at writing but then on air it's just a new level of being able to express like what you want to get across to the audience.
You know like they're looking at you they can hear your voice so it's really coming through in like the words you're saying and how you're presenting it.
Um so I think that's the difference with on air and it is exciting um intimidating a lot of adrenaline though so that keeps you going.
(09:06):
You touched on writing and you worked with the NCAA.com.
Talk to us about like how you even got started with that kind of what advice you'd give to the you know girls in high school that are looking to have fall in your footsteps.
So NCAA.com the studios were actually in Turner studios and Atlanta which is where my dad worked and so I'd always go with him when I was younger.
(09:27):
Um and so I just reached out and I wanted to do something.
This was um junior year of high school and I didn't know exactly what you know whether that was behind the camera on air.
Um I was like I just need to start somewhere and so NCAA.com that was more behind the scenes and like doing audits for the website and writing.
(09:48):
Um I did do like a self-standup video um about a recap for I guess 2022 March madness.
Um so it was a lot of behind the scenes and just seeing how you know putting up the live stats and you know what happened with this game and especially March madness like there's so much going on.
Every day 24/7.
(10:09):
Oh yeah.
Um so it was very chaotic but I just love having that information you know I feel like on air.
You can be on air and just like read a script or memorize a script but like it's so important to know behind the scenes stuff and like what everyone else's job is in order to do yours.
Yeah I think that's so true and a lot of industries right and I say especially for me on the agent side is easy to take a test.
(10:33):
It's hard to execute the industry.
Yeah because you can read anything you want out of a book and pass a 20 you know question test. We have no actual experience and I think a lot of what media is is reps.
You know literally just reps and you're gonna get it right you're gonna get it wrong and you know Ali Clifton came on as she talked to us about how like you know she in almost intimidated her own self out of returning at one point because it was so difficult for her to just keep you have a good game.
(11:04):
You have a bad game. You have to approach people when they're not happy. You know eventually it becomes a job and you care for these people but you have a job to do right so it's creating that balance.
What for you is you've kind of gone down this path and you want to get into this industry for you's been one of the most intimidating parts of it.
Um it's just like no one's gonna tell you you need to do this opportunity. You need to get this as a rep.
(11:32):
So I think that's one important thing that I focus on it has been challenging like knowing when just like seeking out those opportunities so for example I guess summer 2022 going into my senior year.
Um we were at this event long story short we had a Bentley car wrapped in one of my dad signature coats the design and so went around the country and athletes and coaches.
(11:58):
Um you know TB personality they all sign the car hall of famous and so the very first signature was Stefan Curry and so we were going to meet him to sign the car and I was like how many people have this opportunity I stopped myself I was like I need to interview Curry like you know and so on the way over I was just brainstorming questions.
And he was filming the S.B.s the next day so it was in July and they had just won the championship and so I was like okay I'm just going to do it so we were waiting for him in the lobby.
(12:28):
It's like pacing the lobby going over my question but like it's hard because you know as you guys know it's you can have questions but you have to listen you have to know it's a conversation at the end of the day.
And so just opportunities like that I got my interview that was like my first professional interview um you got a good one then because he I know he be interviewed is a very I worked with him for many years he's a very easy going am liqueable guy that will give you the time of day compared to some of these guys where it's like.
(13:00):
Ask a question they answer and then you're not another thought so I'm so happy that was like your first was a nice entry point and he's a big name to what a big name to yeah so sweet about it um and so that was just kind of story and I was like okay if i'm traveling around with his Bentley car like we're going to be seeing people just get the reps.
So then we were at the basketball hall of fame interview Adam silver like that kind of thing it's not so much about like who I'm interviewing it's how can I get better you know it's like I do want to have a conversation with these people because they did mean a lot to my dad.
(13:34):
And of course me and just their legacy and what they're doing for sports but it was more of like okay I got to get used to this yeah what is hard to start that conversation I think that is the hardest part about an interview is starting it.
Because it's like kind of sets the tone and it's like it people are uncomfortable they're not sure and then you're unsure and it's just this whole thing and I found that like when you just start it and you realize they're just people yeah you're like I just want to know and if it comes from a place of curiosity it's less intimidating because I'm just asking because I don't know like break it down for me help me understand unpack that like what does that mean because sometimes they do so many interviews that they forget that they need to help explain it.
(14:16):
Again because they don't realize that was somebody else right and you're like no no for my listeners what yeah like help us understand connect the dots all the way through for that what has been one of your hardest interviews for you to do.
Because you've had some big ones you you go through your list come on yeah and silver self-carry.
(14:37):
I'm sure you have to come drop a few more in here but one of the hardest was last year in Utah for all star with the honest and so he was signing the car and it was on the spot and like he's one of my favorite players he's just such a sweet human and I was like I got to interview him.
(14:58):
Just the excitement I was terrified I was on the spot I had no preparation I was like oh my gosh like I cannot mess this up so that was just hard because it was spontaneous you know and I felt like there was just so much I wanted to ask wanted to say but I kind of had to put my own like
I just asked him the questions I wanted the answer to what you ask him well see the thing about most times I blank out like I know I'm saying in the moment and then after I have to rewatch it because I'm like what do you mean you blank out you just like black out like you're just out of body experience you're just like robotic going through it and you're like wait what that was awesome was like that yeah and it's like in the moment I have my thoughts I know what I'm trying to say but then like
(15:47):
it's terrifying at first so that's something I've had to get used to and so for him I was just talking about there's basic questions like the bottom level questions like what's your favorite part about this you know but you just have to go deeper and it's like okay for example like if we said what's your favorite part about all star that's just a question right not a bad question but then you can also ask like
(16:10):
what is so special about all star for you and then like how does that translate to the audience like why do people want to show up just like going that extra step and so thinking about that during an interview it just has to come second second nature so like that was a tough interview because it was so on the spot and I was nervous obviously I really cared about it I always wanted to interview him so it's just that that's terrifying
(16:36):
I'm sure you're like you grow so much because like where you're like stepping out of your comfort zone yeah now for you kind of on that topic you grew up around basketball you have the experience with tennis do you want to say in the basketball world you have knowledge the football I'm assuming working in like Atlanta with NCAA you're doing basketball so like what do you want to stay in one lane or are you kind of open to whatever sport you know kind of comes your way I mean not to say this but I am so young you know like
(17:05):
y'all I'm so young yes you're here and young yes you have see us guys a limit but is there so you like cover right now looking at basketball and football I just I love the energy of the two sports yeah I definitely want to be where the action is you know I mean I think being an analyst is so cool and like on the production side with TV
(17:29):
but just being on the field on the court like I just like an energy yeah I create a big and so just using that energy to kind of relate how I tell the story of the game is so important for me but open to anything you know I think that's the beauty of it now is you are in a space and time in your career and the world is there so many opportunities to try
(17:57):
and I think it's intimidating for people to try and I always say it's not somebody always is like oh should I get an internship can I get this I'm like I don't hire people based off internships I hire them based off the character and experience because if you come to me with like 30 different things I'm like damn you got like 30 different ways of trying who knows how this is going to play out but if you're like I just did this one thing for six months you're not opening yourself up to be curious and learn and grow because you might learn one thing from football and one thing from basketball
(18:26):
and you're like oh I did this here and it worked or that's great I'm going to take it here and I think you especially USC and the programs you guys have there are so blessed to be in a place that you can get experience but also you can get classes that are applicable to how you want to grow as a person in your career.
I was so grateful in high school to have WCAT because I could do anything so like there were some days where I was doing camera for four hours for the football game was it the most fun job? No but like I was on the field I got to see the plays and it was so important because you know every job like that matters without that you can do the show for sure.
(19:06):
So I think now whether I want to go on air or something else it's important to know like how to do other things and so when I was building my real yeah I have the interviews for the real but then I had to learn how to put it together and like you know merge clips and that kind of thing the video editing sound and all that and so like you said it's just so important to try different things you know like you can have a passion you can stick with one interest but you know explore a little.
(19:35):
Yeah learn the business do you feel like for you you know there's already a lot of pressure for women in sports to come into this space and perform be educated and kind of lead do you feel a little bit more pressure because of your last name to kind of execute faster and is it something you have found that you embrace now or something that you are like okay I'm still learning how to navigate this.
(20:04):
I think it's definitely a blessing I mean learning so much from him but also like having the connections like introducing myself if someone doesn't know me at first and then like I introduce myself they're like oh yeah and they're much more like open and welcoming so I'm very grateful for that and just like knowing the people everyone's amazing and so they've been very kind to me so I'm very lucky for that.
(20:32):
Yeah I'm sure there's pressure I don't focus on it though. Yeah like I just I try to do my best you know whatever I'm doing preparation is key like for example if I'm doing an article on USC men's basketball like yeah I can do the three or four interviews post game and write it during the game but like I will study stats for like six hours on Sunday just so I know the game.
(20:59):
Because like once you see the stats then you can watch the game with a different perspective you can see how things are moving on the court you can look at the box score and like see different trends and that kind of thing so I'm sure there's pressure on me but I like to see it as you know an opportunity because it's gotten me so far already and like having my last name that doesn't mean I'm going to have every opportunity it's not going to open every door for me.
(21:26):
It may get me there but like I'm the one who has to get the execute it I get you to the door and I think that's true for anyone right you can you can get to a door but you have to what it takes to get through the door and keep going right it's not just standing there looking at it wide open like cool what are you going to do with this you have to actually like go forth and do and that's where I think a lot of times especially in sports it's interesting for me and she's at the NFL network to be kind of on the hybrid side of I'm on the talent side.
(21:55):
So I'm the one that's like we're not doing this interview today we usually let's talk about this tomorrow or these are the off limit topics but I think it's so important to have that relationship with just like you're saying all the facets that go into running what a production looks like to what that team looks like around that athlete because understanding and navigating the people that are creating a safe space for you to have that access is so so important because they're like I'm not going to be there and I'm not going to be there.
(22:24):
Because they're like it's not just the out that you have to get to like six people sometimes to get where you want to go to that athlete and then they're like you're like how that was hard to get to they have no idea takes you get in the six people to them they think they just sit down and they're like sweet right like to talk to eight people to get to you like come on and I know especially as a woman in sports like you're so much more respected when you know all of that versus showing up and thinking like I just got to get this interview in and out you know like once you know
(22:53):
everyone's job once you respect what they're doing like you'll be respected so much more so much.
Yeah, it's preparation. I mean it's I say all the time women there's that quote we talked about another show it's you always be prepared for a pop quiz.
Yeah, like literally it's coming. Yeah, don't know when we're at how but you dang well ready be ready.
As you're in school what are you focusing on for you like where you're taking gen classes now but as you obviously going to broadcast is that what you want to get a broadcasting degree what degree you're going for and what classes do you have to take
(23:23):
to get to there. So I'm a journalism major. Okay, I'm a freshman so it's a lot of those gen classes but I am seeking one journalism class it's called the responsibility of the press.
Oh, I'm pack that what's that about we uncover everything it's more like journalism writing that kind of thing and like your responsibility is a journalist whether that's ethics or you know framing someone's story in like your place in the process of story.
(23:53):
Telling basically because most times it's it's not your story but like you have that connection of how to tell it and so I do want to go on air but I thought this would be an important class to take because just knowing my place in the industry and that kind of thing if I wanted to do writing.
So that's actually been my favorite class. Really? Yeah, you know what I call the fun glasses which like all the upper class.
(24:18):
Yeah, she's like Matt 101 not. Yeah, but that's one. Yeah, yeah, not really going to use that but you never know. Yeah, maybe.
Is there like a clear path for like women like or young women who are trying to get into like or going through school your age.
Is there a clear path that like USC or other colleges give students like this if you want to be broadcast you broadcast or you have to follow these.
(24:43):
This course these classes these extracurricular clubs you know kind of like.
Settle light on that for like the woman who want to get into that role. Yeah, so USC.
I mean Annemburg the journalism communication school it's amazing. One of the best in the country and so that's why chose USC actually.
And I think yes, there's courses that are going to teach you things and the professors are amazing and a lot of them have been in the field have their own experience that they can teach you.
(25:12):
But it's what you do outside the classroom. You know like you can do all the assignments and you know do an interview for your project but like you have to be the one to discover the things that you're not going to find in the classroom.
So it's not a clear path you know it's not like take these courses do this outside for me. I've just tried to do everything you know.
(25:36):
Whether that was the you know internships you mentioned from high school or now.
I wanted to cover men's basketball like that was my priority and so I was actually brought freshman first year first semester freshman year.
And so I just came to campus in January and I was like okay you know what's available what can I do.
And so they're like okay you know you're a freshman like you got to work your way out basically.
(26:02):
You know show that you're committed that kind of thing so I did do a basketball article but I've also been covering men's tennis and volleyball and baseball.
Just trying to show them like wherever you need me like I'll be there I'll cover it's Army knife. Yeah exactly you know I have the assets that you need whether it's something that is my focus or not you know that doesn't matter.
(26:23):
I'm going to do everything so that I can do what I want to do you know.
And then if that's coming basketball then I'll prove that I'm so important for you because I think it's easy for people to stay like of course you want to do basketball.
Yeah right and you're like got it. Thank you. So but I think it's important for you because you can recognize that and be like okay someone could say that so I'm going to go in addition to that and say no no I'm not going to give you that opportunity to say that I'm going to go over here and cover these other things so that I'm multi-pass it and I can plug and play because you never know when you might have to
(26:58):
plug and play and it's that shining moment that's defining your next step and I think that's what's so cool about sports is it's much like an athlete and a time and place on a team like literally the team could suck for five entire years and then all the sudden the right puzzle pieces fit together.
And they're winning the championship and you're just like what like it's fascinating to watch these teams build and I think any especially I think one of the most under aware communities is broadcast and journalism of how many people it takes to actually go on air.
(27:34):
I mean literally this podcast has like five people running it. Yeah literally. Like it doesn't happen without Casey and Morgan and everyone else in production not a babbling head.
Not even live. Yeah like the people doing it and then you look at what is live take what is written take what is an editor take like it's not just one person making it happen and so I think it's so interesting for young girls to understand you might see Aaron Andrews but who were the 10 people producing Aaron Andrews.
(28:02):
That doesn't mean she is not doing living her truth it just means it takes camera people wardrobe people make up people producers.
Show runners editors right like camera operators it takes a lot of people to get what you see yeah but the regular person just sees the one lane.
And I'm like no there's so many people like it's funny when I see people who go to events you mentioned all star. And they watch it on TV and they're like this event is so amazing yeah and I'm like it is but then when you watch it live you're like this is not what I watched at home because they're seeing the edited cut version and we're seeing like stages broke down and people running around and there's no commercial break you're just running in arena ads during the TV break like.
(28:50):
It's a different experience for the viewer at home than the viewer live but it's the same for broadcasting it's the same experience in arena and on TV is not any different so it's all a mechanism of what your perspective is if you weren't doing journalism broadcasting what would you be doing.
Well besides tennis I don't know I just I love storytelling so writing in any way science is always one of my favorite classes when I was younger what part.
(29:26):
Like which I love the experiments so like I was yeah fathered my mom and my name when I was younger just like you know putting random crap together making a science.
I'm like how did you make that like where did you think that I was never that.
(29:57):
I just love being creative and like whether that was art painting I think broadcast a lot of creativity but I just always want to do something like that so science I could be creative I could design my own thing with our you know just those hobbies that I still like to keep.
It's just how I can express my creativity I would never go in art I have so much respect for artists but I just I could not do that I need the energy of other people and so sports I've seen it's just yeah so much energy some of the storytelling so yeah yeah yeah you got to go I know I was going to ask like for you like how do you see women and sports right now like how do you see that growing and like obviously you know you're young in your career you know you're in your first year of college.
(30:42):
But are there a lot of other women looking have like a similar role are you guys supportive and what's that like like and college I you know obviously I'm a little fire moved from that stage but yeah kind of touch on that.
See my college experience with sports I'd say it's only really two months.
Yeah the tough thing about Paris it was amazing travel was amazing but there wasn't the opportunities for broadcast for journalism and so I for me I feel like college started two months ago.
(31:10):
And so just noticing that there are people who are doing stand-ups and writing and USC really has everyone every kind of person who wants to do everything whether that's broadcast or something else and so I think that's a great part about the school is like you can meet everyone you can connect with those people in high school.
(31:33):
I was I started off doing sports reports so this was senior year by myself so it's just me I kind of took over and then one of my close friends and doubles partners actually Kate she was like oh my gosh I'm so interested in that I was like wait really like no one else none of my friends had been interested in that kind of thing.
And so I wanted her over it and she was like I'd love to watch you film the sports report and so like the next week I threw on the desk and from that moment until I graduated like we did it together side by side on the desk I know it was so sad when I graduated but now she's doing it herself and I kind of take it.
(32:10):
It was inspired her yeah I know it isn't that a cool thing is when you're like something you love someone sees you doing it yeah and they fall in love with it because they see it themselves through you.
I mean I don't credit myself with all of that but just showing her like yeah you know this is how you do it this is how you write a script and now watching her do it by yourself it's crazy so I know I know it's very special but you know there is more awareness now but I think the important thing is whatever you're doing like I said earlier you have to know what other people are doing like if you just show up just to be on air people are going to think you're you know just that.
(32:50):
Just that girl who just wants to be on air so like you have to know your stuff you have to know your stats yeah and people will be impressed the respect you so much more and so it's tough like you do have to work a lot harder but it pays off I think that's honestly I think for me especially in my career is you have to work really hard and you have to be ready for people to doubt you you have to be ready for people to push you to go a different direction then what you feel you should be going and you're like no.
(33:19):
I want to do that I want to do this and I can do this and I should do this.
One of the things I've tried is like better self talk where it's instead of it saying like what should I do this and it's like hell yeah I should do this why am I not doing this like what would I say to Megan if she came to me and said I wanted to say yes girl go do it but then I find I don't say that to myself yeah being in the position you're in and you're kind of navigating such high profile.
(33:48):
I think that's a really great thing to do is to really run your own show right you're doing all of it editing probably when you were in high school doing all the editing reporting notes all of that you've kind of parallel path those things do you think that one has been influenced by the other.
(34:09):
I think my writing background is definitely helped just to prepare me and like especially as woman like you have to be prepared like you said expect that doubt like it's going to come and so the more confident you are the more prepared you are like the less that someone else is going to doubt you like if they see that you're confident.
(34:30):
Then you're kind of closing that gap that room for them you know what is like if you're unsure of yourself your own abilities then they kind of have the right to be because they're expecting it from you and so like the more other skills you have like writing and camera and all that then the more prepared you feel the more confident you are and then the more expected to be I use that same mantra Kobe told us one time was at all star and you they all have to walk places and it's just like that.
(34:59):
And it's insane they get stopped it's you can't go anywhere like it's just but Kobe was always able to just walk through a thousand people and get to the other side and a lot of my guys are like what why do we get stopped why what are you not doing is doing.
I don't know ask him I don't know and his role is just you just keep walking like walk like you have a purpose yeah and people will leave you alone.
(35:24):
You don't have to fight them off is just like keep going and so the know the guys are like wow that's really smart I'm like yeah it's not you don't talk to everybody just keep moving there you follow you are not and I think it's it's an interesting way to look at life when you're like look walk in a room like you're supposed to be there yeah not like can I be here saying I'm here what's up what you doing and it's a different mindset when you bring that kind of energy it comes everybody down because not like there's no room left for question of can she do it is like well damn she thinks she can.
(35:53):
So let's go that's why I don't know.
Permission asked forgiveness just your thing you know it go up for that interview yeah it's funny because I was actually covering he was men's basketball and I walked into Galen Center for the first time and I didn't know where I was going I just walked in and then I went back to the security later I was like hey do not
(36:14):
get to the practice court she's like oh I thought you were supposed to be here I was like I don't know where I'm going she's like you look so serious like you looked like you knew where you were going I thought you were supposed to be here I'm like no so then I have to like sign in and all that I was like okay I should just figure out myself yeah it's like that kind of thing yeah just keep going keep your head straight you know don't hesitate yeah it's how you show up right it's just go with it you allude that what is your we were talking about this earlier we what is your like high pub thought
(36:43):
like do you have a song like I like when I go in a meeting so I'm going to president I have a song and I listen to the same song every time and it makes me feel a kind of way and I will walk with that song going into the meeting don't ask me why I did it one time and it worked and I was like perfect we're just going to keep doing this what's on with that it's
bodhack yellow by hearty be but it's so awesome but it's so not me and I was like walking down most always like just living my best life within on speaker and everyone's like is she okay yeah freaking fine I'm doing I'm about to kill this right now do you have a song like that it depends on the situation like I love country music so a few like Jason Aldin songs I know but hotel lobby by Cuevo and take off yeah yeah get some hotel lobby going I just
(37:30):
it's the right kind of yeah yeah especially like you know like before more mobs and practice in a basketball arena they have like the rap go in that kind of thing so it just puts me in that place yeah it's interesting some arena has have a great vibe some our room for improvement
it'd be better to pet yeah room for improvement there's opportunity there to get better I think sometimes it depends on ownership too of like what they would enjoy and they're like they're putting their playlist out for what they want to listen to
(38:01):
and the rest of the 20,000 people are like one to 20,000 awesome odds here do it what's your favorite arena that you've been to gosh probably night center really why I don't know
I don't know because I have Garrett's popcorn on the car well both my parents are from Chicago so very familiar with Garrett's popcorn yeah I don't know I've been there for games and then also 2020 all star was in Chicago
(38:32):
Chicago is a great city very cold yeah it is no very cold is not even the right adjective it is freaking cold for free is freezing freezing yeah I almost went to college in Chicago
and then she went in January and was like yeah them USC Chicago sunshine snow I tore northwestern in July loved it and I was like use USC it is so Chicago you know ups and downs but the city itself like it's such a basketball city
(39:04):
yeah and I just love it I love being there in the arena you're outside the cool like you know yeah you're in the heat so that's nice but also just during the summer and like everybody I wish I was alive in the 90s like to experience
okay I'm not that bad production she said I wish I would live in the 90s well we were there yeah she likes to know yeah just you're so cute
(39:31):
that's part of my day just watching the bowls play oh yeah like that would have been so cool yeah like you hear about it now yeah you see the replays and all that but like just
stuck in there yeah yeah like it was funny because my dad was covering it and then my mom cheered for the bowls so I feel very connected
oh I didn't know that yeah so cool I feel connected to Chicago I've never lived there but I think that would have been fun
(39:56):
what about like you talked about y'allness was like such a dream interview but like do you have anybody that you would like the ultimate dream person you want to interview
if we could genie anyone and yeah who would be be careful because there's a door over there that we might just I know I know this is an Ellen though
gosh there's so many in basketball coming to rent was always my favorite when I was younger yeah
(40:20):
when I played basketball my number was 35 and so I think right now I tried to get them at all star but you know how they are always running so there's always a
Kate there like yeah sure come yeah we'll get them later and you're right girl come on I know there's a long list I mean three no Williams and just tennis she'd be
(40:42):
very very very that kind of perspective I saw her into the 2012 Olympics in London and so playing in Wimbledon that's I know when I was second grade
so I've grown up watching her and especially just playing the sport that kind of thing yeah there's so many people but I think it's really special to interview those people who you watched growing up yeah
(41:05):
and that you kind of been tied to yeah then also like the new players the new people who are kind of paving a new route in sports it's also important
who do you want to interview that is not an athlete
um um people actually what why break this down break this down I mean I love people that that's also he's like five foot two is he always he's on the he
(41:34):
there's an opportunity for him to be very short yes really I did not know who's that short but so much energy yeah he's really short ja rules really short Kevin Hart count hard very short
uh ludicrous is is I didn't know that okay yeah what's funny because you I see them but yeah but again like in the world of basketball everyone looks the same size
(41:58):
until you're standing next to the owner like you didn't look this big on TV yeah like you looked regular size when you're like to see you way up there okay pit bull
okay so love his music I've been to a few of his concerts and he's just so motivational you know yeah and I don't know if you guys are familiar with Tony Robbins but like that kind of mindset
yeah and just doing your own thing like life short like he just has such good um montras and lessons to live by so like yes I love his music but then just the energy too yeah that's awesome I love that that was not what I was expecting me there
(42:34):
I was not expecting pit bull that was not the answer I thought you were gonna get and quick to you like a little people yeah I was like you're gonna put that in the universe yeah we want to have
people you know people come on on your table right here there's a nice seat next to her I'm just doing it right now they're on the vision board right you know with it I'm totally with it what do you think for you has been one of your biggest challenges
um it's it's tough because I kind of always knew what I wanted to do but then it's just like how do you execute that you know like how do you show up
(43:10):
I was thrown into basketball into the NBA so like I feel like I was already on the big stage um and it's just being prepared like knowing everything is so hard and like most people don't understand that
because you do go on air and you like everyone's like oh yeah those stats that checks out you know that kind of thing that makes sense what you're saying right um so just like figuring it out by myself
(43:36):
um and not having my dad there you know like I grew up when I was younger but then after he passed away I'm like okay I kind of have to think what would he say what would he tell me
and so it's hard because I think you know I wish he was here but then also like if he was here he could be telling me these things so kind of figuring that out my own
and just going back to when I was younger and trying to remember you know what I learned from him so that's been the toughest just not having in there
(44:04):
I think it's really cool to hear you talk about it because it's a nice gut check um I do that with my dad actually and I'm like what would my dad tell me to do yeah
right like what might not be what Kate wants to do but what would my dad say is the right thing to do or how do I handle this because
you know you just have these people that have just such great poise and um ability to handle uncomfortable situations
(44:28):
like okay or you're like okay you're right yep I get it I hear you have yeah and then like damn you are right you're right yeah no
that's so fantastic I'm so excited for you and what's next thank you I know um I do see a lot of opportunities in the future and that kind of thing
but also people ask me you know where do you see yourself in five ten years I'm like I have no idea like three years ago you asked me I'd be here never would have like you know
(44:55):
but that's okay I think so much society puts so much pressure and I felt it when I was younger I'm like figuring it out so early and I have found oftentimes you will find what you don't like faster than what you do like
and that is a great thing too yeah there's so much information and doing things you don't like because then it leads you to what you do want to do
and you know maybe you don't like it but then you're actually good at it and somehow throw it into what you do like yeah no for sure you're like I didn't think I was going to like it but like that
(45:24):
wasn't that bad yeah and it creates a space for you to grow as a person and I think you know especially in broadcasting and a journalism you share so many stories and there's a response ability
it's money there's a class like that I mean it's you are impacting people's lives good or bad based on your ability to tell a story
(45:45):
and it's your story that you're telling of their story so it's like a story of a story of a story right and sometimes that's really bad and sometimes that's really good
I think you know the more media that is out there that is approachable and understanding and views athletes as people the better they're going to be with media because it's it's an invasive space you know you're on a platform you can't get back
(46:08):
and so you're like read another person to tell my story do I trust you or not and gaining that trust how do you feel like you've been able to accomplish gaining that trust or want to have the opportunity to gain athletes trust you put on your career path
I mean a lot of that is because of my dad they trusted him so much and like he had so many stories that you would never tell anyone
just the players and like he saw it all and so I think now the biggest thing you can do is just care because like when you ask those thoughtful questions like the players you're going to know
(46:40):
it's not those surface level questions that anyone could ask you like sometimes I do watch broadcast and I'm like okay that was kind of expected
yeah yeah because like when you're in that you kind of critique it yourself yeah like the people are you know TNT and NBA on TV or just amazing so I try to learn from them and just how they speak to the players
(47:03):
yeah but like if you care they'll notice and like that's how you build the trust is there broadcast that you kind of look at for guidance
right now Allie LaForest yeah yeah just had a baby now she's back working like I think she's so impressive I saw it all start those first time I met her
yeah she was so sweet just people like that who do it because they love it you know Dora Spurck I met her a few years ago
(47:32):
I think actually they're also are summer league I'm not sure yeah but the TNT family like they're so amazing everyone they've made news fun yeah you will like yeah yeah
and so far and follow and Instagram now no one like gosh you didn't hear that no what happened chuck on Instagram what he even Instagram
(47:54):
who allowed that Olivia said okay I know I said Olivia and then we're like you know he was always against it but now he's on Instagram and I love seeing those reels inside the NBA they're so fun
well it's fun to watch it's so fun it's creating a space for people to enjoy it yeah it has been so amazing having you on the show
we're so excited to see what you do next thank you guys for having me it's been a blast we will watch it and check out your show
(48:20):
SBC audio experience yes you're on deck somebody will have to come join you on your table and we'll flip the script on you yeah
so much fun yeah I love having rally on the show she is like such a joy she's a light bright light and she has such a bright future
(48:45):
and just like the fact that her dad is Craig see her he's this amazing broadcaster iconic broadcaster and you know he's helped her open doors and then the NBA and just in her career and broadcasting
but she's really the one who's like pushing those doors down and she's going through and she's like crushing it
yeah it's it's really cool to see somebody who grew up in a business didn't know that's what she wanted to do and was exposed to it for a really really long time
(49:12):
and now she's like and after playing tennis four years varsity in high school wanted to potentially go pro potentially playing college
it wasn't possible and so now she's like okay I love sports and now she wants to go into basketball but it's interesting to me that in high school
she covered and produced and captured a lot of her own stuff instead of being like hey this is what I want to do it's like okay I'm going to learn as much as I can
(49:37):
that's what she kept saying does is be prepared always make sure you're learning and growing and her curiosity I think even off camera like I think that was what was really cute about her
curiosity to learn what goes into it how does it go and her really wanting to perfect her craft and get as many reps as she can
yeah I think that's going to be a difference maker for her
(49:58):
and I think to like people like don't realize how much work you've put into you know your craft and when she's telling me that she's you know studying six hours of stats on a Sunday for fun
like she really like loves what she does yeah she she wants to be the best at her job and I just think she has such a bright future and she was just such a joy to have on this
she had on pink which I was really happy about because not that many people come wear pink and wear a pink wear pink set
(50:21):
if you guys can't talk but it's definitely great for her to be able to also she talked what she talked about
she's humbling herself she's been around a lot of celebrities because of her dad and she's also still nervous to approach
some guys that she's probably met before but this is her as an independent woman in this field meeting them so she's kind of like flip the switch on herself to take it really seriously which is really
(50:47):
honestly it's great to see young women be empowered and have opportunities but then also have these guys lean in to her
but that's just a testament to her dad and how he carried himself and the responsibility he took about sharing stories and narratives
her athletes really set the tone for her and I think that's what she's grounded in is making sure that she's continuing not only her own path but being true to her father's legacy
(51:13):
yeah so special to see yeah definitely and I can't wait to see you know USC such a great program and she's really going to take them by storm
and it's going to be exciting we're going to be following her journey we're excited to see what Riley does I love it and she's like a sad she wears pink so it makes me happy
well that was a great episode for you guys to catch thank you so much for tuning in we love having you guys here each and every week on her table make sure you guys like subscribe and share
(51:36):
we love sharing these amazing stories about these phenomenal women and sports that continue to inspire us each and every week we hope to see you guys again next week that's us for her table
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[Music]
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