August 19, 2024 • 43 mins
Join Kate and Megan on this exciting episode of Her Table, where we dive into the world of sports reporting with the dynamic Vanessa Richardson, sideline reporter for the Houston Rockets. Vanessa’s journey is a testament to passion and perseverance. She shares how her love for sports was ignited by attending games with her late father and how that early passion shaped her career.
From her beginnings at a smooth jazz radio station to her roles as a sports talk host and NFL reporter for ESPN Radio, and a sports anchor/reporter for NBC, Vanessa’s path to sports journalism is both inspiring and enlightening. She’s covered some of the biggest events in sports, including the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the Indy 500, and her stories offer a rare glimpse into the high-energy world of sideline reporting.
Vanessa also opens up about her typical game day routine, her travels with the team, and the key to her success—never saying "no" to an opportunity. Plus, she offers invaluable advice for young women aspiring to enter the sports industry and shares her commitment to championing other women in the field.
Tune in for a conversation full of wisdom, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a sports reporter who’s truly made her mark.
From her beginnings at a smooth jazz radio station to her roles as a sports talk host and NFL reporter for ESPN Radio, and a sports anchor/reporter for NBC, Vanessa’s path to sports journalism is both inspiring and enlightening. She’s covered some of the biggest events in sports, including the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the Indy 500, and her stories offer a rare glimpse into the high-energy world of sideline reporting.
Vanessa also opens up about her typical game day routine, her travels with the team, and the key to her success—never saying "no" to an opportunity. Plus, she offers invaluable advice for young women aspiring to enter the sports industry and shares her commitment to championing other women in the field.
Tune in for a conversation full of wisdom, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a sports reporter who’s truly made her mark.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
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This episode is brought to you by Tina's vodka.
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Hi everybody, I'm Vanessa Richardson. I am the sideline reporter for the Houston Rockets on
Space City Home Network and this is her table. Now you see her.
You are magnificent!
Welcome to her table, the podcast that shines a spotlight on the badass women who are redefining
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the game. Join host Kate Foley and Megan Martinez as pay on lock the secrets of success
for the brightest female pioneers in the industry.
Hi everyone, welcome back to her table. We are so excited to be here and lost Vegas for
NBA Summer League. I am so excited to welcome in our guest, Vanessa Richardson. She is the
sideline reporter for the Houston Rockets. Vanessa is such a great energy. I've seen her
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many times over. We actually figured out that we've known each other for a little bit longer than
we expected, so more than just today. But I'm so excited to see what her passion is, how she got
where she is and just how amazing her experience has been. She is a go-getter. She wanted to learn and
earn her way through this business and I cannot wait to break down where she started, where she is,
but more importantly, where she's going. Exactly and she's done so much in short amount of time.
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So I'm excited for our listeners to hear more about how she has found success in the sports world.
So Vanessa pull up a chair and let's get started at her table.
Well, welcome to her table. I'm so excited. I'm pumped. I know we're in Las Vegas hot.
Las Vegas is the lights are hot. The lights are hot. The arena is hot. We are making it work.
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The energy is hot. The energy is hot. That's wild. Good basketball, good people.
You and I, we were all able to walk around. The people watching in Vegas is second to none.
It's one of my favorite places to say Vegas when you go to, and you're like, I have a little bit
of time in the airport. I'm like, yeah. Well, you see at the airport, you see people that are just
fighting for their lives. Yeah, I've been one of those people. I'm sure someone to watch. Let's be
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honest. We all have my life in the airport. I do have struggled in the Vegas airport.
Okay, well, I'm so excited to get you on the show. I want to dive in and celebrate you. Tell us
how you got where you started in sports. Like walk us down the path of like started here and
here. I am at the rocket. Well, I love my job. And so I feel super fortunate. I started, I'm from
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TeraHode, Indiana. So it's about an hour from an enapolis. Okay. And just loved, loved sports.
Growing up, my late father would take me to Colts training camp and we went to every high school
basketball game imaginable. Went to a lot of college basketball game. So I knew that I wanted to do
this from the time I was in like, you did it. Great. Did you see somebody on TV and were like,
this is who I want to be like, did you have a, I want to be her mom? It's funny because like,
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this is why I say representation with women in sports is so important, not just for on TV,
for, for every industry because I saw that and knew that I could do it. And so, I mean, there were,
there were so many great, you know, Michelle Tafoya and Lisa Salters and women that have been at it
for a long time, but they, they, you know, maybe weren't allowed in locker rooms at first or
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whatever. So it's been cool to see that. And I have obviously reaped the benefit of, you know,
women being able to be in these spaces. So yeah, I mean, I, I knew I wanted to do it in high school.
I went to college and did, got a job as a freshman in college at a, actually jazz and classical radio
station. What? I, yeah. What were you doing there though? I, like, picking music or all the above.
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And I got, I took the job because it allowed me to cover the Indianapolis pro sports scene. So I
get a media credential to cover the Colts, the Indy 500, the Pacers, all of that. The jazz
radio station could get a sports credential. Yeah. Like, girl, you just, and so on, on Friday nights,
you would hear, you would hear, yeah, this is smooth jazz with Vanessa. There's no way. True story,
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but love that. My junior and senior year, I was like the in arena host for the Pacers, did it for
the AAA affiliate in Indy. And so took a job out of college for NBC and Cincinnati, Ohio, doing
morning traffic afternoon news. And then I would come in at night on my own time and do sports.
So I would wake up at 2 a.m. to do the morning show for traffic and be the traffic girl telling you
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where not to go. But it, you know, it made me really get on my feet. Yeah. So it was, it was one of
those jobs where I took it just so I could do sports, but it ended up making me better. And so two years
at NBC and Cincinnati, two years NBC in Houston to come. And that was full time sports. And decided to
kind of take a leap of faith and get out of local news. And I wanted to kind of develop my voice more
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and just challenge myself. So I took a job hosting a sports talk radio show on ESPN Radio in Houston.
And did that and then landed this incredible job with the rockets. We always talk about like how much
people sacrifice, which women's sacrifice to get to where they are. And we've been discussed as
before where you always want this dream job right off the bat. You graduate college and you're
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expected like, I want to be on camera. Yeah. And people forget about how many like smooth jazz with
the messa like these little jobs you would never think. By the way, I'm saving your name on my phone as smooth.
Jazz Vanessa, please do. Can you talk about the sacrifices you've had to make just to get to where
you are today? Well, I always try to put perspective like I'm not out here saving lives. Okay, I'm not
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a neurosurgeon, but it is very time consuming. As you all know, you work on holidays, you travel
nonstop. You know, I was out there with a camera in my hand shooting high school football highlights
in Houston. And, you know, like I said, I woke up at 2 a.m. and did morning traffic for two years,
just so I could cover sports. And so it's a lot of time you do miss a lot. You have to miss some
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weddings, you have to miss some some family things. And, you know, the solution there is you try to
make it up when you can. But yeah, there have been a lot of sacrifices. It has been worth it to get
to where I am now. But, you know, I think the women before me also set a good example of that's
just how it is. And if you're afraid of the grind, you should stay far, far away from our industry.
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It's funny because I always say to like I think one of the things that's interesting for me,
it's a micro, I sacrifice so much like I miss so much stuff that they're early part of my career.
But now I'm in a place where I'm like, I want to send someone else. Yep. I'm like very picky and
choosing now. I'm like, do I want to spend time here? Because it's like, Swincache said the other
day, like where she puts her time and intention is her biggest asset. Absolutely. And I'm like,
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that's so true because you only have so many hours in a day. You only have so much finite time.
And you want to spend it with people that love you, people that encourage you and empower you.
But at the same time, it needs to further your own cause and goal. You touched earlier on,
that's so important, how you took your smooth jazz radio. Oh yeah. But like you took jobs that weren't
at the top. No. Because you wanted to get experience. And I think we talk a lot on the show
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sometimes about how you just get any experience you can. You never know what that's going to add to your
tool. You never know how it's going to like make you better. How did you know you wanted to do that
early on? Cause that's not a normal trait. Most people are like, I just want to be a manager. And
you're like, no, I want to be in the weeds and then get to the manager. What made you take that
route? Well, I appreciate that. I think when you're on air, you know, your reporter, all that,
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like you have to get a lot of rest. You have to get a lot of at bats. And if you get those reps,
and when I say reps, I mean, like you're live on TV, which, you know, you're going to have
embarrassing moments. You're in a mess up like you're good. That's just part of it. And so I knew that
I needed at bats. And I knew that I needed reps. And, you know, I was not afraid to take the jobs.
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Maybe that we're not as glamorous. It really is the relationships paired with the fact that I
didn't say no to anything. And to your point, I love that you brought this up because as you get older,
you can definitely say no to things. Yeah, once you've like earned your striped.
But not at the beginning, but at the beginning, you cannot. You know, and you need to take every job you
can get and you need to figure it out. And that is how you earn the ability to do it. So I think it's,
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it's say yes to everyone's like, Oh, what advice? What advice? Say yes to everything and build
relationships, you know, that are based in trust because it is a relationship based industry.
What I think it's hard because especially for women in sports, you're going to mail sport now,
like, oh, for sure. It's hard because you want to authentically be yourself. And I think
Megan and I talk all the time. My early, my career, like, this is not Kate when she started.
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Like it was like being muted, hide in the back. Don't speak up. Don't raise your hand. Like,
just be happy to be there. And now I'm like, hell no. Like you should be happy to be at my table.
Oh, you don't have a table. By the way, you don't. I mean, and it's hard to ask ladies until you,
it's hard because you don't really know who you are when you're younger and you're trying to
figure it out. And it can either mold you into somebody or not. It can allow you to become
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something you're not or it can really bring to the front of who you actually are. And so many young
girls, that's why I think if you can see or you can be or it's such a great mantra, especially for
us at the show, because if people don't know what you do, how you got here, how do you, it's like,
oh, you joke, all these jobs you apply for them. And I'm like, what is that? Right? Half of the time
the job isn't exactly what it's supposed to be. But you have to have enough confidence in yourself.
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You have to have enough willingness to be curious to say, if I don't know, I'm going to figure it out.
Yeah, instead of like, well, I'm not qualified. Right. I've done it my life. I'm not qualified for it.
I'm still not qualified. But we're figuring it out. We're totally not qualified for the show.
I don't know. Absolutely. Well, yes, you are. I always have to tell young women this, though,
that they're like, well, there's a job open and I'm not qualified. Well, the men are going to apply.
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Why do you think that is? Why do you think it is? You know, it's whatever very and whatever term you
want to use in posture syndrome, not having confidence, but, but the men apply. Yeah. So apply,
the worst that can happen is you don't get the job. But you might have something that they really like
or you might have a relationship that the other applicants don't have with, you know, somebody at the top.
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Totally. It's interesting because I went through this and pre-drop for I was like, just messaging GM's
talking to teams, trying to get guys work out. And I felt guilty like, I just text you yesterday,
you didn't respond. I'm going to message you again. I'm going to call you again. Yeah. And I said to
say to myself, no, dude, no, giving a shit that he has called this team three times. Why is a female? Do
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I feel like, oh, am I being too much? Like, are they going to be annoyed and not respond? And I was like,
no, this is my job. Everyone else would do it. And I had to remind myself to do it the way everyone
else would do it is what you have to do. And as women, we second guess ourselves so so much like we
beat ourselves down. We really do. And it's sad. And so I love when we can have women that just
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elevate and support each other. But I love to see a man do that for another woman. Have you had
anybody be that like lean in guy for you? That's like, I have had a lot of male champions in my career
that have been professional and have helped me for the right reasons. One of the first names that
comes to mind is Kevin Burkhart, who obviously hosts pre-game, post-game for the World Series. He's the
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number one Fox, you know, and I thought he's going to be working with Tom Brady this fall. Kevin was,
you know, I met him very early in my career when I was covering the NFL and smooth jazz radio
stationing it, you know, and he just, he is very honest with me early on, you know, when I was trying
to get reps, he would give me honest criticism, introduce me to people. So Kevin has been a really
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big supporter of my career. Yeah, I love that. Yeah, I think it's so important to you have those
those mentors, those people that can give you that advice so you can improve yourself and move on
to the next level. Yeah, exactly. Now, take us through your normal day to day as a rocket silent
reporter. Let's do day in the life. Let's do game day. Yeah, I was going to say, I like it.
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Darryl this down. She's like, well, today, what are you doing today though? Today we had shoot around
in the morning. And then where she got in, I went to work out and then I got my hair done and now I'm
here. You got your hair done and taking fat. It looks so good. Dry bar. Dry bar. And if you look good,
you feel good. Yeah, it's like, good. Pay good. Yeah. It's that mantra. Yeah. All day long. If I feel good,
you cannot stop me. I don't care who you are. I think you should see the girl walking earlier through.
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She's like, you know, she's like, zero. You're so, you're ready. Good. Absolutely. Um, day in the
life game day. So we wake up. And I don't know why I said, we like, you know, this is this is
a way. This is this is just me. Um, you know, you there's you and then there's smooth jazz.
So it's the way. Yes. We, um, yeah, there's shoot around in the morning. Yeah. For, you know, for
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NBA game day, we usually have a shoot around. So you wake up, go to shoot around. And that is where I do
my final interviews before the game that night. So I'll pull, you know, coach or one of our players
to the side to get information that I can just little nuggets for the broadcast that night.
They can help enhance the broadcast. Tell a story. And so do those do those interviews at shoot
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around. And then usually go back to the hotel, do a lot of prep. And I prep a little bit the night
before, but game day, you find out more about injuries and whatnot. So prep in my hotel room,
usually try to get a workout in and eat something semi healthy. And then shower, get ready for
game day. Obviously being on camera, you do have to look your best. So it takes a little while to get
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ready. I'm ready. And then by the time the game starts, usually I have a hit in our pre game show.
And then, you know, I do a pre game presser with head coach. And again, just kind of I might go to
the locker room, ask some guys some final questions. If there's any burning questions I have. And then
obviously the game broadcast begins. I do a half time interview with one of our wonderful
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assistant coaches. And they always give me a lot of great insights. So shout out to our coaching staff.
And then if we win a post game interview, if you lose, what have you lose? Go straight to the locker room.
And then we do interviews in the locker room that go on our post game show. Okay. So
a presser locker. Yeah. Well, we do presser as well. Post game presser locker room. And then, yeah,
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past that, you know, usually at that point, it's it's late. You know, it's home and unplugged. Yeah.
Unsplashly. Put your sweatpants on and watch. Well, I lend you K. Oh, yeah. Talk nothing to me anymore.
For home games, yes. For away games. And where a lot of people don't understand is we usually,
let's say we're on a road trip. We leave after the game for the next place. So if we are playing
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the Portland Trailblazers and then we our next destination is LA to play the Lakers, we leave after
that Portland Trailblazers game, land at a hotel super lay. I mean, sometimes it's two, three in the
morning. Wow. And then, you know, you have that day, the next day to hopefully catch up on sleep.
But so the travel is I love the travel, but the travel is. It's a great shirt. It's a huge grind. And I
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think it's, you know, it's interesting to watch. I mean, I even for me on this side, you know, there's
guys on teams that their job is to tell you how much to sleep. Yeah. I don't have any guys I've had
that are like, they're telling me I'm sleeping too long for a pregame nap. But I'm not sleeping long
enough. One of my guys playing today, he just started working in. Kenna just started working in his
pregame nap. I love the pregame nap. And I'm like, for him, right? And I actually was saying to myself,
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we need to take a pregame nap podcast. Like we need to have like a relaxation room. Like what are
we doing here? We're just on go. Yeah. Until we're done. The idea of a pregame nap. And to your point,
the guys and and many and female athletes are having more direction as far as like sports psychology,
holistic health. Yeah. It's great. Yeah. No, it's it's good to see because I think it's an underserved
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dimension to sports that people don't really understand. Mental health. All of that. It's not, yes,
they are athletes. But they're also people. Right. And I think it's always interesting for me,
especially with the guys, yeah, our young guys, they don't realize like how hard this shit is when
you go to a new spot. How do you prepare for games? And how do you build that trust with the athletes?
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Because I'm the agent that's like, we're not talking to you because he has to hear my worst
in it. I'm like, today is not it. He's not going to give me things good. Come in tomorrow. I get
it. I get it. But like at the same time, though, you have a job to do. And so that's where these guys
have to find the balance of like what they want to do and what they're required to do.
It is such a balance and it is a great question. It depends on the outlet you're working for. So if
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you're with an outlet that's not a team partner, you might not get as great of access, but you have
to work really hard to build those relationships with my role. Right now, fortunately, being with the
team, I get fairly good access. And yeah, the building trust is a tricky thing because you have a job
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to do, but at the same time, to your point, these guys have lives. They have families. They have
good days and bad days just like everybody else. They got to Ramman as well. Yeah. So I think it's
making sure they know, especially from the perspective that I'm in their corner. That I am never
going to say anything on TV or tweet anything or report anything that would harm them, that would
make them look bad. And fortunately, we have an amazing roster full of really good guys. That's not
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a problem. But being allowed in those spaces, which I'm very fortunate that Coach Udoca has allowed,
being at practices, shoot arounds, being in those spaces. It's just protecting and respecting
their privacy. You know, there's some day that the guys aren't feeling it. They don't want to do an
interview. That's okay. So I just, there's no quick way to build trust. I think it has to happen over time.
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And as media members, we have to not be arrogant and assume that we just automatically get it or deserve it.
Because you have to earn it. We talk about to like, you know, work life balance is such a thing.
When you're traveling, you're on the road, you're covering games, you're staying up super late at night,
covering games. How are you able to kind of find time for your family and friends? But then on top
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of it, still put your career, you know, top because that's your job. It's a really good question.
The work always comes first. The work always comes first. And I remember when I was covering the Texans,
JJ Watts said that to the rookies. And he was talking more about these brand deals or like all of
these different cool things that can happen, you know, for athletes now that the work had to come
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first before they would participate in any of that. And so I think just having kind of that mindset,
not that I'm JJ Watts, but I mean, yeah, a lot prettier than JJ Watts. I'm just going to put that
out there. That is true. JJ Watts not handsome, but he is not beautiful. Well, to your point though,
work life balance matters. And so once you've completed your work, yeah, I think it's okay on the road
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to go grab dinner with a friend that you have in that city or make time to go to a Pilates class or
stay in your room. I'm a big room service gal. When I travel, I used to be that way. I put the
comfy rope on. I sit in my bed. I order room service. I watch whatever I want. And I go to bed,
usually date line in BC. You're a murderer. Like big murder girl. We were talking about.
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We were. Yeah, we're gonna be out. People are like, what do you do on the road? And they think I'm
like in these clubs. I am in a bathroom. I am enjoying room service. Not. And I am watching
date line. And she's trying to solve the crime. I am. And I, you know, the husband always. I know.
Have you watched the jinx yet? I haven't. My mom told me I need to watch the jinx. That's my challenge to
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you. You have to watch that while you're here. You're gonna be my love. She loves true crime podcast.
All that. I think that's her. I owned true crime. Oh, I gave over. Mm-hmm. Dude, I've been obsessed with
date lines since I was like 10 years old. Do you know that they say there's something wrong with us
because I like murder stuff. And I'm like, okay, cool. Keep it moving. I don't enjoy the fact that
people get. I don't enjoy the fact that people get murdered. It's not. It's a soul. Yeah. It's
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a soul. Yeah. It's like, you know, yeah. Well, you're not alone. But yeah, on the road, you know,
on the road, it's great to have dinners bond with people. Or, you know, sometimes you just stay
in your room. Yeah. But you do have to make time for yourself. And you have to make time for sleep.
And you have to make time to eat healthy and keep somewhat of a routine. Yeah. I think it's
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weird because when I started into this, I would always just be in my room. And now I find myself,
I'm like, I don't want to be oral. I'll be like, I'm just wearing sweats down to the hotel bar and give
two shits who's in there. I got to care. I'm not here for you. I'm here for myself. So I can drink a
glass of wine and not feel like an alcoholic. I'm going to drink. So I'm going to drink down here
in my sweatpants. And I'm going to go upstairs and watch some murder. Mr. Every night has a different
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vibe. But of course, it depends the city you're in. Like if I'm in a city where I have a really good
friend, then of course, you want to meet that, you know, that friend for dinner and have a good time
with her. But yeah, it depends. It might not be as I don't want to. I mean, it's exciting, but there's
definitely like the days are long. And especially like I said, those mornings where shooter on might
be get at 930. And then I'm not leaving the arena until 10 something 11. Yeah. What are you eating
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pregame? Oh, pregame. I try to keep it healthy. As you know, the camera does add 10 pounds. So
I didn't know. Usually just like a salad fruit of a big seafood gal. Oh, are you? Sam and scallops
whatever. Okay. Truthfully, my favorite food is Mexican food. But if I eat that before I go on
camera, I'm going to sleep. Yeah, I was. I would recommend that. I think that might come with a warning.
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Yeah, like the players would appreciate it either. But they're like, yeah, I'll be out in five seconds.
I keep it light pregame. We're very fortunate. The owner of the rockets, tommon for tita,
owns Landry's restaurant. So ocean air, before me can smick. Yeah, maastros. So a lot of
there for free. So a lot of times we just have these really great spreads on the plane or whatnot. So
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yeah, very fantastic. So he's got the culture kind of shift in Houston. I've got a couple guys in
Houston. Love that. Some on Rio Grande. Okay. So I think, you know, there's a lot of culture shift going
on right now in the NBA. For a lot of teams that are rebuilding. There's a lot that are trying to hold
on. And then some that are just trying to figure out which where we're going to turn right or turn left,
we don't know. Where do you feel like you guys are at right now in a culture setting as far as on the
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court and off the court? It's it's been and I it's going to be easy for people to watch this and say,
okay, well, you work with the team. So that's why I would. But but here's the here's the reality.
They brought in great vets with Fred Van Vley, Dylan Brooks. You can have whatever opinion you want on
Dylan, but he's he is a great leader on the team. They brought in vets. They hired an unbelievable
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coaching staff full of former players that have credentials have the pedigree and they've drafted
really well. Yeah. And so the potential now the West is difficult. The West is tricky. But
that combination of great coaching, you know, bringing in veterans and then drafting these rookies
that have so much promise we're about to see Reed Shepherd's first game tonight. That's a formula
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for success. And so I feel really good about the culture, the direction of the franchise, the general
manager of Falstone has done a great job of drafting. He and his team and then Eme Udoca brought in, like
I said, just a just a complete culture shift. Yeah. And so it's been really cool to see upfront.
And any rebuild for any sport is painful. If you're a sports fan, you've probably gone through a phase
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where your team has not done well and it's hard, but rockets fans stuck it out. And now the direction
that the team is going and as somebody that like I said, I'm at every shoot around. I'm at every practice.
Seeing the guys how locked in they are. It's trending up. It really is. I love it. Yeah. I love it.
What do you feel like for you's been one of your biggest challenges? You're a beautiful woman.
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You're in front of a camera. People know who you are. What has been a challenge for you that you
feel like you've had an overcome in the space? The biggest challenge of my life was losing my
dad. And I would say the biggest challenge of the industry is just I'm very hard on myself. And I
think a lot of us, we have insecurities. I'm not too terrible about comparing myself to others.
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I'm good at staying in my lane, but I'm very hard just on myself in general. And so yeah, I mean,
I think I've had to learn to give myself grace when maybe I do a hit that I don't like or I don't
feel like I look good or anything like that. Do you watch them? I don't like watching. I can't either.
I say this like I don't have people like how can you not watch them? I'm like I don't have the
(23:53):
self-confidence to watch myself and not be mean to myself. Yeah, exactly. So I've had to be like
I'm just I'm not even going to give myself the opportunity. I'm just going to what they're like.
Did you watch the show or do you remember you said this? I'm like, yeah, sure. I have no idea.
I can't watch it because I can't. I'm not nice to myself. I haven't figured out a way to have the
balance. A good therapist to do it. Yeah, no. It has told me and it's true. Like you have to talk to
(24:15):
yourself like you talk to your friends. I know. And it's so true. So I think you don't look. I'm
like a lot of women. I'm hard on myself. That's probably a challenge. The other big challenges,
just the grind of the industry. It is hard to miss holidays. It's hard to you know, be sleep deprived,
deprived. It's it's difficult. There are different challenges, but it's it's worth it. I love it. I
really do. Well, this switch gears too. But when you're talking about like working with the
(24:38):
Pacer is working with, you know, ND 500. Yeah. It's the rockets. What has been your most memorable
experience in your career? Oh my god. Most memorable. From a personal perspective going to the ND 500,
you know, with my dad was always really special. Covering NBA All-Star this year was great. It was
my world's colliding because it was back home in the Indianapolis area. But I also got to, you know,
(25:03):
watch one of our young players, Jabari Smith Jr. You know, play in the Rising Stars game. And so
there's been a lot. I've been very fortunate. I got to cover the Super Bowl in LA when I was with
ESPN radio. I got to do MLB All-Star in LA. And there's a lot of those those big memories and those
big moments that I'm I'm forever grateful for. I think the the moments though that I'm also
(25:26):
grateful for are the ones that might not make it on camera. Just seeing the growth from players and
seeing like, you know, tonight our players parents will will be here watching their kids. And it's so
cool to watch them be proud. And so there's a lot of the big moments. It's like, Oh yeah, you covered
the Super Bowl. You covered the ND 500. You covered All-Star. And those are amazing and I'm grateful.
But but the relationships and just meeting these guys families and watching their path and their
(25:50):
development is really special to me. Wow. It is. I love that. Yeah. I always say to everyone, the big
moments you see are often not the most impactful moments personally. Those ones are great. It's
the little moments where you have the like a haz of like, okay, this is why I do this or this is why
I do it. And I think I started to see them like through my family, through my dad, of like
(26:11):
watching them be proud. Because I think we say this to like, you're in this industry. You're
used to it. It's fast paced. Like, I'm like, whatever. We're on the floor. Don't care. We're
we're going to sit. I don't care. I feel like that's not normal and you don't live a normal life.
Like as far as a career, right? Like, you're not a nine to five or like a lot of people. How do you
(26:31):
manage to have successful relationships with friends who, because I struggle with it? Because even
like, my friends right now, they're like, you're not cool. Relax. Yeah. Like don't send any more
selfies. Nothing. You're friends. Nobody roasts you like your friends. And I love them for it. I love
them for it. But it is, it is when you meet new people. It's hard to be like, I find sometimes I
dump myself down because I do. I do. I do. I don't want to tell you what I do because I feel like it
(26:57):
might intimidate you or make you uncomfortable. Yeah. So I find myself dumbing it down. And I'm not
advocating for that because I don't think that's right. But that's what I do. And I've noticed it. I'm
like, why? Like, I can't I be like, this is what I do. And it's cool. What I have to be like, oh,
why am I weird about it? Yeah. Just say what it is. I mean, I think there's two conversations here.
I think there's like, with men, right? Men being sometimes intimidated or, you know, like dating guys
(27:23):
can be tricky because they're like, oh my gosh, you're like in a locker room. You're around guys.
So it takes a very secure man to be in a relationship with a woman that works in sports. The other
side of it, the friend side of it is, I think just a general, you know, you want them to feel good
about themselves too. But I always tell my friends, most of my friends are like, I have a lot of
friends in the industry, but I also have a lot of friends that are nurses, teachers. I'm just as proud
(27:45):
of them. Stay at home moms as they are of me. And so I always try to make that clear of like, you know,
I have a unique job, but my friends that are nurses and that are, you know, taking care of the
elderly or whatever they do. Like what they do is more work. They're like changing lives. Correct.
Yeah. Like you're actually saving lives. We're over here just trying not to die. Right. Right.
And you're actually saving a life. Yeah. No, it's an interesting space because I think as women,
(28:09):
oftentimes we really do want to say like, Hey, this is what I do and be proud. And so I love when I can
watch other women champion for other women. Yeah. And be like, she's a badass. Like I like because
and that's why this show is so important. It is. What is that, by the way? Okay. Sorry, I feel like
the whole world was collapsing. There's a lot of no earthquakes here. Yeah. They're basically no
earthquakes. Not going well. Not today. And tomorrow. Yeah. After our show tomorrow.
(28:32):
But I just feel like it's so important, especially for the show. And any show that can just
celebrate women because it's not easy. Like being in this world is not easy. There have been moments
where I'm like, why am I here? I'm not built for this. And then there's moments where I'm like,
hell, yeah, Kate. Yeah. This is what you were created for. Have you ever had the moment where you
doubted yourself and your ability? Surely in your career. I definitely have had those. What
(28:55):
am I doing moments? And I think it was earlier when I had those really difficult jobs where I was
carrying a camera covering high school football, living away from my family where it's like,
this is really difficult. And that's why I tell young women, like if you hang in there, you have to
earn it. But if you hang in there, it's really fun. It's really worth it. I love what I do now so much
that I don't question it to tell you the truth. But early in my career there, there were times where
(29:19):
your and social media makes it tricky because because you're working on a weekend and you see your
friends on a boat somewhere back home and you're missing that. You're missing it. And so it is difficult,
I think early on when you have those really grinded out jobs, not to feel some type of way. But I've
(29:42):
definitely had moments where I've doubted myself. Oh, one of the men that I love who's been a champion
of my career is right there. Matt Bollard. Hi. Matt's the best. Hi. I love Matt. Matt works for the
Rockets. He's great. But yeah, so I think it's hard in any industry, you are going to have those
moments and doubt yourself. I don't think ours is unique in that way. And for the young women too,
(30:06):
who watch, who want to be the next to you or want to be, come into being a silent reporter from
B.A. and I felt whatever it may be. What skillsets have you learned? Maybe if it was in college or
early in your career, would you suggest those women take those classes or if it's going outside of
college and then transitioning into workspaces? What would you tell the young women to do? They want to
do sideline. Number one, say yes to everything, which I mentioned earlier that I cannot, like, I don't
(30:32):
ever want to hear a young person be like, I don't want to cover volleyball. I don't care. I don't
want to work that way. Yeah, I don't want to go to work with the youth. I don't want to get up early.
I don't, I'm not going to, you know, yeah, exactly. Or well, I don't want to, it's like you don't get
to do what you want right out of the gate. So number one, say yes to everything. And I would say,
number two, just keep in mind that it is a relationship-based business. So don't burn bridges.
(30:58):
Networking sounds like an annoying word, but it is important to meet people like we talked about
earn trust. And then the last thing I would be say is just like get those live reps. However you can,
if that means that you're, you know, doing things digitally, but nothing when you're talking about
sideline and you watch the best of the best. So Lisa Salters, Aaron Andrews, Allie LaForest for NBA,
(31:21):
whatever, that's live, right? Which sounds like so you need to be live and you need to be able to work
through technical difficulties, you know, having some crazy things happen while you're interviewing a
player, which I've certainly had. So yeah, I just say, say yes to everything, build relationships,
and then try to be live as much as possible so you can build that skill set. I love that. It's always
(31:43):
funny in sports like what makes each role work. Yeah, I mean, because I think it is so true, the
relationship part is so important. But I also think finding for me when you, because people are going
to see me like, who's that? You know, you're a girl. You're beautiful. So if they don't know who you are,
it's like the amount of times like who's girlfriend is that? Who's why? And you get off, I,
(32:04):
well, you see offended a lot. I didn't see what I used to be offended. And now I'm just like, so I make
it a point now if I don't know someone to introduce myself. Yes. To nip it in the bud quickly. Like,
if I don't know you, I'm going to make sure I, you know what I mean? I'm just going to cut it out.
I get asked if I'm a cheerleader, which by the way is not an insult shout out to the cheerleaders
around the league. And then I get asked like which player I'm with. And that is that is usually how it goes.
(32:30):
I don't get offended by it because it's part of it. I think, you know, as there are women in more
spaces in social media, there are women, you know, the rockets, their president is a woman, which I
think is amazing. VP of communications as a woman at our network space city home network. We have
producers like as there are women filling more roles. Yes. You hope that people stop assuming your
(32:53):
data, a player or that you're a cheerleader. Again, not that there's anything wrong with both of those
things. But you hope that they look at a woman and say, Oh, I wonder if she's an executive. Yeah. She
might be. Yes. Yes. Yes. And actually shout out to the rockets and space city home network because
there are a lot of women in very influential roles. And there are also women. I think this is important
(33:14):
that are at the quote unquote lower levels because that allows them to work their way up.
100% and so there's there's a lot of that at the network I work for and the rocket. So it's really
impressive. Yeah, it's always so fascinating because I sometimes we get when I was younger,
we get so offended. Yeah. But then I'm like, they don't know any different. They don't know any
different. And they're they're where they're at. And I try and get people grace. So I'll correct you
(33:34):
once. If I have to correct you twice, it's a different conversation. But I'm going to give you grace
the first time. But it's just an interesting space because I think women and sports are continuing
to have more influence more of a role. And I think being visible and vocal is so important because
the people don't understand what you do. They can't understand how to become you. Yeah. And if you
can't explain that express that or make it to a place, so many young girls are in this arena today.
(33:58):
Yeah. And so I think it's so important. Even when we go around the arena or we see them, it's just
acknowledging them and letting them ask questions and then making ourselves available to them. Because
it is intimidating whether you're a male or a female in this industry because somebody's always
more powerful than you. Oh, for sure. And so you're just like, Hey, I just want to meet great people.
I mantra is do the right things for the right reasons for the right people. And if you fit
(34:20):
within that wheelhouse, then let's just all day long. Yeah. Then that stay over there. Yeah.
Just stay over there. A lot of women and a lot of different roles now, which I think is important.
Where do you see the NBA going in the next two or three years? Like we're seeing Swin Cash.
Amazing. Continue to ride. Yeah. And you know, it's there's so many like Laurent Fernand, the GM
(34:41):
of the Cleveland charge are looking at the Sacramento Kings have a woman's head coach for the
Julie. The Julie. Yeah. Lindsay Hardy. Like you're seeing like all of these women finally have a
place. The amount of pressure that they feel probably is insane. Yeah. But I also think as women,
we have a responsibility to cheerlead for them. And show up and let them know like we're here for
(35:02):
you. Like we're just get it girl. What I get it. Yeah. And what I see and what I hope. And I think
it's trending in the right direction is that we have more women in influential roles. And you get
that by women getting these entry level jobs, which they've earned and working their way up.
And we're starting to see that. And I think the NBA is a very progressive league. They've led the way.
(35:26):
So, you know, in 10 years, we're going to have another swing cash. And hopefully before that,
you know, we're going to have more women that are running the social media for the league that
are making broadcast decisions that are making, you know, we need women in in every role. Yeah.
And here's the thing. It's very important. These women are qualified. These women they get
jobs are not hired because they're women. And so I'm always supportive of women that have earned it
(35:51):
and the thing I love it. We talk about like when we had KJ right on our show last year.
I love her. Love her. And we talk about. I think I'm by here yet. Yeah.
She's going to come soon. But Obama. But when we when she was talking about the way to dress too,
because as a woman, people are kind of expected to dress a certain way. And if you push the limits,
you know, people are coming at you and you get a lot of critics and stuff. However, you found that
balance of like dress professionally, but also think through yourself. It is a personal choice.
(36:19):
Yeah. On how you dress. What you post on social media, all of that is, you know, those choices
belong to each and every woman. So I what I do and what my method has been has has been to
mine my own business. And you know, and and choose what I post and choose what I wear. I think you can
(36:39):
find a balance of being professional, but also expressing yourself. And so every woman has to do
what she can live with. Do what you can live with. There are consequences to, you know, whatever you
want to do. Some people are going to like it. Some people are not going to like it. I when I dress,
I think I air more on the conservative side, but that's my choice. Yeah. And somebody might not make
(37:01):
that choice. And that's fine. So I my my entire method is I worry about myself. I do keep in
mind that I'm working around men and that I'm working around athletes. So I do try to dress what is
considered traditionally professional. But also the last year I tried to like, I wouldn't say take my
risks, but spice it up. And I'm friends with KJ and seeing, you know, how much fun she has with her
(37:24):
outfits. Like, guys, I was wearing like all black dresses all the time, which is fine. Yeah. But,
you know, I was like, maybe I shouldn't have done a good murder show. I do. Yeah. True.
No, every woman has to make a personal choice on what she wants to wear, what she posts on social
media. There's more opportunity than ever to be yourself and to be unique. So I stay in my lane.
(37:49):
I worry about what I do and every woman has the right to move the way she wants to move. And I think
that's something that we need to be better about as women. Yeah. Instead of talking about what
every woman is doing. And I like that or I don't like that. It's not your life. It doesn't matter.
It's for you. It's for you. There are some women that dress in ways that I would not dress. I just
I wouldn't. But if they can, but it's not my love that for them. Love that for them. Love that for them.
(38:13):
I'm sure I dress, you know, some people probably think my outfits are ugly. That's why we are going
to send you on behalf of our partner, going to American over to the store to let them fit you for success.
I love good American. I love it. They're all about body positivity, inclusiveness and just overall
feel good. Yeah. So we're going to send you over there to go get fitted for some denim so you
can have a new fit for success. I love that. I can't wait to see that. Yeah. Me too. Okay. Before we let you
(38:33):
go, because you are a busy, busy lady, we are going to do a really fun thing. We're going to turn
that this turntable. It turns in the middle. What? It's like a turntable. Right? We need to. Yeah.
But we're going to let you pick a question out of here. We don't know what's in here. Okay. Summer
kind of crazy. Summer kind of normal. You never know. For Tina's, this is our Tina's vodka fun.
It's our jar of fun. So it gets funer the more you drink. Guys. Yeah. Yeah. You can do it.
(38:58):
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why? Okay. I'm going to
be that girl that went to Europe once and can't shut up. I got it. I went to Sardinia, Italy and
the French Riviera with my gals about a month ago. My friend Natalie who does sideline for the
pistons, a couple other girls that all work in sports and some capacity for the most part.
(39:19):
It was a really good group of girls. No drama. We had one girl that was like an expert planner
and it was just the trip of a lifetime. We did what? We did a boat tour in Sardinia, Italy. We ate
pasta. We drank wine. We did baguattel and santropé. Wow. I mean, it just was like, it was amazing.
So if I could travel anywhere in the world and why I would go back there, she's just hitting
(39:42):
that on like repeat. Yeah. On repeat. I'd go back. I mean, there are other places I would like to try
and would like to go to where somewhere you want to go. But, you know, I think it would be really
fun to go somewhere like, I mean, I did France, but I didn't go to Paris. So that would probably be
fun. I thought you were going to be like crazy pants right now and you're going to be like crazy.
I've done France, but I think I'd like to do Guangzhou China. I would do Greece. I'm going to go to
(40:05):
Greece. Yeah. I also think there are places in the United States that I haven't gotten to explore.
When I go to Montana, Montana, yes. Like West Europe. When I go to Montana, like feel the
Yellowstone vibe. Yes. Love that for you. Yes. I don't want to like go actually have to do all that
work. Yes. I do all there. Correct. I'm going to go to the law and take pictures and act like you did the
work. Yeah. I just sit on the porch. Yeah. I'm not. I watch the sun come up. I think, yes.
(40:27):
So it's like a hybrid. I didn't sleep in a release outfit. Yeah. Not in a tent. I don't,
here's the thing. I actually love the outdoors, but I do not camp. No. No. Who can I hike? I don't camp.
So you like to be outside, but not sleep outside? No. We're not sleeping outside. Guess what? I'm not
either. I made hotels. Yeah. No. God made hotels. We're going to stay in them. We're good. Really good
ones. We've loved having you. I love you. Thank you. I'm a huge fan of your podcast. I'm a huge fan of,
(40:50):
you know, supporting women in sports, creating spaces for honest, authentic conversations,
because I don't think that there is nearly enough of that. So thank you for having me on. Oh my gosh.
Thanks for coming on. I can't wait to see you. I'm going to be the game tonight. Good. We'll be there.
I'll see their Lakers rockets. Okay. We'll be there. I'm sure it'll be a big game. I mean, I don't know.
Probably a big game. Yeah. For sure. Yeah. We're all excited. Yeah. Rookies and summer lights are always fun.
(41:15):
So always a good time. Yeah. Okay. We'll let us know what your fit for success is. I will see what that
looks like. Okay. I will think. Good, good, good American. Good American. Shout out to dry bar. They hit my
hair. I'm not good at hair. I usually just like straighten it. So I love it. It looks good. I like
you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you guys for hooking it up. You know, just one girl at a time.
Converting. One really time. Love it. Well, thanks so much for coming on. Thanks, y'all.
(41:37):
Okay, Kate. I love having Vanessa on the show today. So exciting. She's such a great energy. I
love her stories of where she started. Yeah. She was not afraid to get into any job. Just wanted
experience. We talk about that so much about how experience is one of the most important things in
the sports industry. It's not necessarily where you go to school, what you get a degree in, but
(41:59):
is that experience that allows you to have the confidence and the expertise as you continue to
build on your platform and your career throughout the timeless basis that she's been.
And the fact of Vanessa started doing a radio show as smooth jazz Vanessa. We were just talking
about that. That's my new name. Absolutely. In my phone. It's amazing. And just for like young
women who watch the show to see, you know, where she started to where she is now never saying no to
(42:23):
these like opportunities that seem so small. And it really pays off in the long run. And it was so
great hearing her story and learning more about her journey. I didn't realize how much goes into
not only her day to day job, but the travel that comes with it. I think we all forget how much
goes into every single person that is a supporting role to these athletes, whether that's in front of
the camera behind the camera. She can do it all really. And it's so important for women like Vanessa
(42:51):
to have that relationship with the players where they can trust her and know that she's going to
sell the most honest best story for these players and highlight them on their network.
But I think it's a true testament to somebody who wants to be really great at her job,
but also provide a safe space for people to be able to share their stories, their struggles,
their champions. It's a great and beautiful thing to see. I love what the rockets are doing. I love
(43:14):
what she's doing. You guys, thank you so much for joining us for another episode of her table. We're
right here in Las Vegas at NBA Summer League. But thank you guys so much. We appreciate our sponsors.
Good American, Tina's vodka. We are the wild collective and also dry bar for making us feel
absolutely beautiful fresh today. We'll catch you guys soon.
This episode is brought to you by Tina's vodka.
(00:02):
Hi everybody, I'm Vanessa Richardson. I am the sideline reporter for the Houston Rockets on
Space City Home Network and this is her table. Now you see her.
You are magnificent!
Welcome to her table, the podcast that shines a spotlight on the badass women who are redefining
(00:23):
the game. Join host Kate Foley and Megan Martinez as pay on lock the secrets of success
for the brightest female pioneers in the industry.
Hi everyone, welcome back to her table. We are so excited to be here and lost Vegas for
NBA Summer League. I am so excited to welcome in our guest, Vanessa Richardson. She is the
sideline reporter for the Houston Rockets. Vanessa is such a great energy. I've seen her
(00:48):
many times over. We actually figured out that we've known each other for a little bit longer than
we expected, so more than just today. But I'm so excited to see what her passion is, how she got
where she is and just how amazing her experience has been. She is a go-getter. She wanted to learn and
earn her way through this business and I cannot wait to break down where she started, where she is,
but more importantly, where she's going. Exactly and she's done so much in short amount of time.
(01:11):
So I'm excited for our listeners to hear more about how she has found success in the sports world.
So Vanessa pull up a chair and let's get started at her table.
Well, welcome to her table. I'm so excited. I'm pumped. I know we're in Las Vegas hot.
Las Vegas is the lights are hot. The lights are hot. The arena is hot. We are making it work.
(01:33):
The energy is hot. The energy is hot. That's wild. Good basketball, good people.
You and I, we were all able to walk around. The people watching in Vegas is second to none.
It's one of my favorite places to say Vegas when you go to, and you're like, I have a little bit
of time in the airport. I'm like, yeah. Well, you see at the airport, you see people that are just
fighting for their lives. Yeah, I've been one of those people. I'm sure someone to watch. Let's be
(01:57):
honest. We all have my life in the airport. I do have struggled in the Vegas airport.
Okay, well, I'm so excited to get you on the show. I want to dive in and celebrate you. Tell us
how you got where you started in sports. Like walk us down the path of like started here and
here. I am at the rocket. Well, I love my job. And so I feel super fortunate. I started, I'm from
(02:17):
TeraHode, Indiana. So it's about an hour from an enapolis. Okay. And just loved, loved sports.
Growing up, my late father would take me to Colts training camp and we went to every high school
basketball game imaginable. Went to a lot of college basketball game. So I knew that I wanted to do
this from the time I was in like, you did it. Great. Did you see somebody on TV and were like,
this is who I want to be like, did you have a, I want to be her mom? It's funny because like,
(02:40):
this is why I say representation with women in sports is so important, not just for on TV,
for, for every industry because I saw that and knew that I could do it. And so, I mean, there were,
there were so many great, you know, Michelle Tafoya and Lisa Salters and women that have been at it
for a long time, but they, they, you know, maybe weren't allowed in locker rooms at first or
(03:01):
whatever. So it's been cool to see that. And I have obviously reaped the benefit of, you know,
women being able to be in these spaces. So yeah, I mean, I, I knew I wanted to do it in high school.
I went to college and did, got a job as a freshman in college at a, actually jazz and classical radio
station. What? I, yeah. What were you doing there though? I, like, picking music or all the above.
(03:24):
And I got, I took the job because it allowed me to cover the Indianapolis pro sports scene. So I
get a media credential to cover the Colts, the Indy 500, the Pacers, all of that. The jazz
radio station could get a sports credential. Yeah. Like, girl, you just, and so on, on Friday nights,
you would hear, you would hear, yeah, this is smooth jazz with Vanessa. There's no way. True story,
(03:46):
but love that. My junior and senior year, I was like the in arena host for the Pacers, did it for
the AAA affiliate in Indy. And so took a job out of college for NBC and Cincinnati, Ohio, doing
morning traffic afternoon news. And then I would come in at night on my own time and do sports.
So I would wake up at 2 a.m. to do the morning show for traffic and be the traffic girl telling you
(04:08):
where not to go. But it, you know, it made me really get on my feet. Yeah. So it was, it was one of
those jobs where I took it just so I could do sports, but it ended up making me better. And so two years
at NBC and Cincinnati, two years NBC in Houston to come. And that was full time sports. And decided to
kind of take a leap of faith and get out of local news. And I wanted to kind of develop my voice more
(04:31):
and just challenge myself. So I took a job hosting a sports talk radio show on ESPN Radio in Houston.
And did that and then landed this incredible job with the rockets. We always talk about like how much
people sacrifice, which women's sacrifice to get to where they are. And we've been discussed as
before where you always want this dream job right off the bat. You graduate college and you're
(04:52):
expected like, I want to be on camera. Yeah. And people forget about how many like smooth jazz with
the messa like these little jobs you would never think. By the way, I'm saving your name on my phone as smooth.
Jazz Vanessa, please do. Can you talk about the sacrifices you've had to make just to get to where
you are today? Well, I always try to put perspective like I'm not out here saving lives. Okay, I'm not
(05:15):
a neurosurgeon, but it is very time consuming. As you all know, you work on holidays, you travel
nonstop. You know, I was out there with a camera in my hand shooting high school football highlights
in Houston. And, you know, like I said, I woke up at 2 a.m. and did morning traffic for two years,
just so I could cover sports. And so it's a lot of time you do miss a lot. You have to miss some
(05:40):
weddings, you have to miss some some family things. And, you know, the solution there is you try to
make it up when you can. But yeah, there have been a lot of sacrifices. It has been worth it to get
to where I am now. But, you know, I think the women before me also set a good example of that's
just how it is. And if you're afraid of the grind, you should stay far, far away from our industry.
(06:00):
It's funny because I always say to like I think one of the things that's interesting for me,
it's a micro, I sacrifice so much like I miss so much stuff that they're early part of my career.
But now I'm in a place where I'm like, I want to send someone else. Yep. I'm like very picky and
choosing now. I'm like, do I want to spend time here? Because it's like, Swincache said the other
day, like where she puts her time and intention is her biggest asset. Absolutely. And I'm like,
(06:23):
that's so true because you only have so many hours in a day. You only have so much finite time.
And you want to spend it with people that love you, people that encourage you and empower you.
But at the same time, it needs to further your own cause and goal. You touched earlier on,
that's so important, how you took your smooth jazz radio. Oh yeah. But like you took jobs that weren't
at the top. No. Because you wanted to get experience. And I think we talk a lot on the show
(06:47):
sometimes about how you just get any experience you can. You never know what that's going to add to your
tool. You never know how it's going to like make you better. How did you know you wanted to do that
early on? Cause that's not a normal trait. Most people are like, I just want to be a manager. And
you're like, no, I want to be in the weeds and then get to the manager. What made you take that
route? Well, I appreciate that. I think when you're on air, you know, your reporter, all that,
(07:08):
like you have to get a lot of rest. You have to get a lot of at bats. And if you get those reps,
and when I say reps, I mean, like you're live on TV, which, you know, you're going to have
embarrassing moments. You're in a mess up like you're good. That's just part of it. And so I knew that
I needed at bats. And I knew that I needed reps. And, you know, I was not afraid to take the jobs.
(07:29):
Maybe that we're not as glamorous. It really is the relationships paired with the fact that I
didn't say no to anything. And to your point, I love that you brought this up because as you get older,
you can definitely say no to things. Yeah, once you've like earned your striped.
But not at the beginning, but at the beginning, you cannot. You know, and you need to take every job you
can get and you need to figure it out. And that is how you earn the ability to do it. So I think it's,
(07:54):
it's say yes to everyone's like, Oh, what advice? What advice? Say yes to everything and build
relationships, you know, that are based in trust because it is a relationship based industry.
What I think it's hard because especially for women in sports, you're going to mail sport now,
like, oh, for sure. It's hard because you want to authentically be yourself. And I think
Megan and I talk all the time. My early, my career, like, this is not Kate when she started.
(08:18):
Like it was like being muted, hide in the back. Don't speak up. Don't raise your hand. Like,
just be happy to be there. And now I'm like, hell no. Like you should be happy to be at my table.
Oh, you don't have a table. By the way, you don't. I mean, and it's hard to ask ladies until you,
it's hard because you don't really know who you are when you're younger and you're trying to
figure it out. And it can either mold you into somebody or not. It can allow you to become
(08:41):
something you're not or it can really bring to the front of who you actually are. And so many young
girls, that's why I think if you can see or you can be or it's such a great mantra, especially for
us at the show, because if people don't know what you do, how you got here, how do you, it's like,
oh, you joke, all these jobs you apply for them. And I'm like, what is that? Right? Half of the time
the job isn't exactly what it's supposed to be. But you have to have enough confidence in yourself.
(09:04):
You have to have enough willingness to be curious to say, if I don't know, I'm going to figure it out.
Yeah, instead of like, well, I'm not qualified. Right. I've done it my life. I'm not qualified for it.
I'm still not qualified. But we're figuring it out. We're totally not qualified for the show.
I don't know. Absolutely. Well, yes, you are. I always have to tell young women this, though,
that they're like, well, there's a job open and I'm not qualified. Well, the men are going to apply.
(09:25):
Why do you think that is? Why do you think it is? You know, it's whatever very and whatever term you
want to use in posture syndrome, not having confidence, but, but the men apply. Yeah. So apply,
the worst that can happen is you don't get the job. But you might have something that they really like
or you might have a relationship that the other applicants don't have with, you know, somebody at the top.
(09:48):
Totally. It's interesting because I went through this and pre-drop for I was like, just messaging GM's
talking to teams, trying to get guys work out. And I felt guilty like, I just text you yesterday,
you didn't respond. I'm going to message you again. I'm going to call you again. Yeah. And I said to
say to myself, no, dude, no, giving a shit that he has called this team three times. Why is a female? Do
(10:09):
I feel like, oh, am I being too much? Like, are they going to be annoyed and not respond? And I was like,
no, this is my job. Everyone else would do it. And I had to remind myself to do it the way everyone
else would do it is what you have to do. And as women, we second guess ourselves so so much like we
beat ourselves down. We really do. And it's sad. And so I love when we can have women that just
(10:30):
elevate and support each other. But I love to see a man do that for another woman. Have you had
anybody be that like lean in guy for you? That's like, I have had a lot of male champions in my career
that have been professional and have helped me for the right reasons. One of the first names that
comes to mind is Kevin Burkhart, who obviously hosts pre-game, post-game for the World Series. He's the
(10:52):
number one Fox, you know, and I thought he's going to be working with Tom Brady this fall. Kevin was,
you know, I met him very early in my career when I was covering the NFL and smooth jazz radio
stationing it, you know, and he just, he is very honest with me early on, you know, when I was trying
to get reps, he would give me honest criticism, introduce me to people. So Kevin has been a really
(11:13):
big supporter of my career. Yeah, I love that. Yeah, I think it's so important to you have those
those mentors, those people that can give you that advice so you can improve yourself and move on
to the next level. Yeah, exactly. Now, take us through your normal day to day as a rocket silent
reporter. Let's do day in the life. Let's do game day. Yeah, I was going to say, I like it.
(11:33):
Darryl this down. She's like, well, today, what are you doing today though? Today we had shoot around
in the morning. And then where she got in, I went to work out and then I got my hair done and now I'm
here. You got your hair done and taking fat. It looks so good. Dry bar. Dry bar. And if you look good,
you feel good. Yeah, it's like, good. Pay good. Yeah. It's that mantra. Yeah. All day long. If I feel good,
you cannot stop me. I don't care who you are. I think you should see the girl walking earlier through.
(11:57):
She's like, you know, she's like, zero. You're so, you're ready. Good. Absolutely. Um, day in the
life game day. So we wake up. And I don't know why I said, we like, you know, this is this is
a way. This is this is just me. Um, you know, you there's you and then there's smooth jazz.
So it's the way. Yes. We, um, yeah, there's shoot around in the morning. Yeah. For, you know, for
(12:20):
NBA game day, we usually have a shoot around. So you wake up, go to shoot around. And that is where I do
my final interviews before the game that night. So I'll pull, you know, coach or one of our players
to the side to get information that I can just little nuggets for the broadcast that night.
They can help enhance the broadcast. Tell a story. And so do those do those interviews at shoot
(12:40):
around. And then usually go back to the hotel, do a lot of prep. And I prep a little bit the night
before, but game day, you find out more about injuries and whatnot. So prep in my hotel room,
usually try to get a workout in and eat something semi healthy. And then shower, get ready for
game day. Obviously being on camera, you do have to look your best. So it takes a little while to get
(13:03):
ready. I'm ready. And then by the time the game starts, usually I have a hit in our pre game show.
And then, you know, I do a pre game presser with head coach. And again, just kind of I might go to
the locker room, ask some guys some final questions. If there's any burning questions I have. And then
obviously the game broadcast begins. I do a half time interview with one of our wonderful
(13:24):
assistant coaches. And they always give me a lot of great insights. So shout out to our coaching staff.
And then if we win a post game interview, if you lose, what have you lose? Go straight to the locker room.
And then we do interviews in the locker room that go on our post game show. Okay. So
a presser locker. Yeah. Well, we do presser as well. Post game presser locker room. And then, yeah,
(13:47):
past that, you know, usually at that point, it's it's late. You know, it's home and unplugged. Yeah.
Unsplashly. Put your sweatpants on and watch. Well, I lend you K. Oh, yeah. Talk nothing to me anymore.
For home games, yes. For away games. And where a lot of people don't understand is we usually,
let's say we're on a road trip. We leave after the game for the next place. So if we are playing
(14:09):
the Portland Trailblazers and then we our next destination is LA to play the Lakers, we leave after
that Portland Trailblazers game, land at a hotel super lay. I mean, sometimes it's two, three in the
morning. Wow. And then, you know, you have that day, the next day to hopefully catch up on sleep.
But so the travel is I love the travel, but the travel is. It's a great shirt. It's a huge grind. And I
(14:31):
think it's, you know, it's interesting to watch. I mean, I even for me on this side, you know, there's
guys on teams that their job is to tell you how much to sleep. Yeah. I don't have any guys I've had
that are like, they're telling me I'm sleeping too long for a pregame nap. But I'm not sleeping long
enough. One of my guys playing today, he just started working in. Kenna just started working in his
pregame nap. I love the pregame nap. And I'm like, for him, right? And I actually was saying to myself,
(14:52):
we need to take a pregame nap podcast. Like we need to have like a relaxation room. Like what are
we doing here? We're just on go. Yeah. Until we're done. The idea of a pregame nap. And to your point,
the guys and and many and female athletes are having more direction as far as like sports psychology,
holistic health. Yeah. It's great. Yeah. No, it's it's good to see because I think it's an underserved
(15:14):
dimension to sports that people don't really understand. Mental health. All of that. It's not, yes,
they are athletes. But they're also people. Right. And I think it's always interesting for me,
especially with the guys, yeah, our young guys, they don't realize like how hard this shit is when
you go to a new spot. How do you prepare for games? And how do you build that trust with the athletes?
(15:35):
Because I'm the agent that's like, we're not talking to you because he has to hear my worst
in it. I'm like, today is not it. He's not going to give me things good. Come in tomorrow. I get
it. I get it. But like at the same time, though, you have a job to do. And so that's where these guys
have to find the balance of like what they want to do and what they're required to do.
It is such a balance and it is a great question. It depends on the outlet you're working for. So if
(16:01):
you're with an outlet that's not a team partner, you might not get as great of access, but you have
to work really hard to build those relationships with my role. Right now, fortunately, being with the
team, I get fairly good access. And yeah, the building trust is a tricky thing because you have a job
(16:22):
to do, but at the same time, to your point, these guys have lives. They have families. They have
good days and bad days just like everybody else. They got to Ramman as well. Yeah. So I think it's
making sure they know, especially from the perspective that I'm in their corner. That I am never
going to say anything on TV or tweet anything or report anything that would harm them, that would
make them look bad. And fortunately, we have an amazing roster full of really good guys. That's not
(16:46):
a problem. But being allowed in those spaces, which I'm very fortunate that Coach Udoca has allowed,
being at practices, shoot arounds, being in those spaces. It's just protecting and respecting
their privacy. You know, there's some day that the guys aren't feeling it. They don't want to do an
interview. That's okay. So I just, there's no quick way to build trust. I think it has to happen over time.
(17:07):
And as media members, we have to not be arrogant and assume that we just automatically get it or deserve it.
Because you have to earn it. We talk about to like, you know, work life balance is such a thing.
When you're traveling, you're on the road, you're covering games, you're staying up super late at night,
covering games. How are you able to kind of find time for your family and friends? But then on top
(17:29):
of it, still put your career, you know, top because that's your job. It's a really good question.
The work always comes first. The work always comes first. And I remember when I was covering the Texans,
JJ Watts said that to the rookies. And he was talking more about these brand deals or like all of
these different cool things that can happen, you know, for athletes now that the work had to come
(17:53):
first before they would participate in any of that. And so I think just having kind of that mindset,
not that I'm JJ Watts, but I mean, yeah, a lot prettier than JJ Watts. I'm just going to put that
out there. That is true. JJ Watts not handsome, but he is not beautiful. Well, to your point though,
work life balance matters. And so once you've completed your work, yeah, I think it's okay on the road
(18:16):
to go grab dinner with a friend that you have in that city or make time to go to a Pilates class or
stay in your room. I'm a big room service gal. When I travel, I used to be that way. I put the
comfy rope on. I sit in my bed. I order room service. I watch whatever I want. And I go to bed,
usually date line in BC. You're a murderer. Like big murder girl. We were talking about.
(18:41):
We were. Yeah, we're gonna be out. People are like, what do you do on the road? And they think I'm
like in these clubs. I am in a bathroom. I am enjoying room service. Not. And I am watching
date line. And she's trying to solve the crime. I am. And I, you know, the husband always. I know.
Have you watched the jinx yet? I haven't. My mom told me I need to watch the jinx. That's my challenge to
(19:04):
you. You have to watch that while you're here. You're gonna be my love. She loves true crime podcast.
All that. I think that's her. I owned true crime. Oh, I gave over. Mm-hmm. Dude, I've been obsessed with
date lines since I was like 10 years old. Do you know that they say there's something wrong with us
because I like murder stuff. And I'm like, okay, cool. Keep it moving. I don't enjoy the fact that
people get. I don't enjoy the fact that people get murdered. It's not. It's a soul. Yeah. It's
(19:27):
a soul. Yeah. It's like, you know, yeah. Well, you're not alone. But yeah, on the road, you know,
on the road, it's great to have dinners bond with people. Or, you know, sometimes you just stay
in your room. Yeah. But you do have to make time for yourself. And you have to make time for sleep.
And you have to make time to eat healthy and keep somewhat of a routine. Yeah. I think it's
(19:47):
weird because when I started into this, I would always just be in my room. And now I find myself,
I'm like, I don't want to be oral. I'll be like, I'm just wearing sweats down to the hotel bar and give
two shits who's in there. I got to care. I'm not here for you. I'm here for myself. So I can drink a
glass of wine and not feel like an alcoholic. I'm going to drink. So I'm going to drink down here
in my sweatpants. And I'm going to go upstairs and watch some murder. Mr. Every night has a different
(20:10):
vibe. But of course, it depends the city you're in. Like if I'm in a city where I have a really good
friend, then of course, you want to meet that, you know, that friend for dinner and have a good time
with her. But yeah, it depends. It might not be as I don't want to. I mean, it's exciting, but there's
definitely like the days are long. And especially like I said, those mornings where shooter on might
be get at 930. And then I'm not leaving the arena until 10 something 11. Yeah. What are you eating
(20:34):
pregame? Oh, pregame. I try to keep it healthy. As you know, the camera does add 10 pounds. So
I didn't know. Usually just like a salad fruit of a big seafood gal. Oh, are you? Sam and scallops
whatever. Okay. Truthfully, my favorite food is Mexican food. But if I eat that before I go on
camera, I'm going to sleep. Yeah, I was. I would recommend that. I think that might come with a warning.
(20:57):
Yeah, like the players would appreciate it either. But they're like, yeah, I'll be out in five seconds.
I keep it light pregame. We're very fortunate. The owner of the rockets, tommon for tita,
owns Landry's restaurant. So ocean air, before me can smick. Yeah, maastros. So a lot of
there for free. So a lot of times we just have these really great spreads on the plane or whatnot. So
(21:17):
yeah, very fantastic. So he's got the culture kind of shift in Houston. I've got a couple guys in
Houston. Love that. Some on Rio Grande. Okay. So I think, you know, there's a lot of culture shift going
on right now in the NBA. For a lot of teams that are rebuilding. There's a lot that are trying to hold
on. And then some that are just trying to figure out which where we're going to turn right or turn left,
we don't know. Where do you feel like you guys are at right now in a culture setting as far as on the
(21:41):
court and off the court? It's it's been and I it's going to be easy for people to watch this and say,
okay, well, you work with the team. So that's why I would. But but here's the here's the reality.
They brought in great vets with Fred Van Vley, Dylan Brooks. You can have whatever opinion you want on
Dylan, but he's he is a great leader on the team. They brought in vets. They hired an unbelievable
(22:02):
coaching staff full of former players that have credentials have the pedigree and they've drafted
really well. Yeah. And so the potential now the West is difficult. The West is tricky. But
that combination of great coaching, you know, bringing in veterans and then drafting these rookies
that have so much promise we're about to see Reed Shepherd's first game tonight. That's a formula
(22:26):
for success. And so I feel really good about the culture, the direction of the franchise, the general
manager of Falstone has done a great job of drafting. He and his team and then Eme Udoca brought in, like
I said, just a just a complete culture shift. Yeah. And so it's been really cool to see upfront.
And any rebuild for any sport is painful. If you're a sports fan, you've probably gone through a phase
(22:48):
where your team has not done well and it's hard, but rockets fans stuck it out. And now the direction
that the team is going and as somebody that like I said, I'm at every shoot around. I'm at every practice.
Seeing the guys how locked in they are. It's trending up. It really is. I love it. Yeah. I love it.
What do you feel like for you's been one of your biggest challenges? You're a beautiful woman.
(23:10):
You're in front of a camera. People know who you are. What has been a challenge for you that you
feel like you've had an overcome in the space? The biggest challenge of my life was losing my
dad. And I would say the biggest challenge of the industry is just I'm very hard on myself. And I
think a lot of us, we have insecurities. I'm not too terrible about comparing myself to others.
(23:33):
I'm good at staying in my lane, but I'm very hard just on myself in general. And so yeah, I mean,
I think I've had to learn to give myself grace when maybe I do a hit that I don't like or I don't
feel like I look good or anything like that. Do you watch them? I don't like watching. I can't either.
I say this like I don't have people like how can you not watch them? I'm like I don't have the
(23:53):
self-confidence to watch myself and not be mean to myself. Yeah, exactly. So I've had to be like
I'm just I'm not even going to give myself the opportunity. I'm just going to what they're like.
Did you watch the show or do you remember you said this? I'm like, yeah, sure. I have no idea.
I can't watch it because I can't. I'm not nice to myself. I haven't figured out a way to have the
balance. A good therapist to do it. Yeah, no. It has told me and it's true. Like you have to talk to
(24:15):
yourself like you talk to your friends. I know. And it's so true. So I think you don't look. I'm
like a lot of women. I'm hard on myself. That's probably a challenge. The other big challenges,
just the grind of the industry. It is hard to miss holidays. It's hard to you know, be sleep deprived,
deprived. It's it's difficult. There are different challenges, but it's it's worth it. I love it. I
really do. Well, this switch gears too. But when you're talking about like working with the
(24:38):
Pacer is working with, you know, ND 500. Yeah. It's the rockets. What has been your most memorable
experience in your career? Oh my god. Most memorable. From a personal perspective going to the ND 500,
you know, with my dad was always really special. Covering NBA All-Star this year was great. It was
my world's colliding because it was back home in the Indianapolis area. But I also got to, you know,
(25:03):
watch one of our young players, Jabari Smith Jr. You know, play in the Rising Stars game. And so
there's been a lot. I've been very fortunate. I got to cover the Super Bowl in LA when I was with
ESPN radio. I got to do MLB All-Star in LA. And there's a lot of those those big memories and those
big moments that I'm I'm forever grateful for. I think the the moments though that I'm also
(25:26):
grateful for are the ones that might not make it on camera. Just seeing the growth from players and
seeing like, you know, tonight our players parents will will be here watching their kids. And it's so
cool to watch them be proud. And so there's a lot of the big moments. It's like, Oh yeah, you covered
the Super Bowl. You covered the ND 500. You covered All-Star. And those are amazing and I'm grateful.
But but the relationships and just meeting these guys families and watching their path and their
(25:50):
development is really special to me. Wow. It is. I love that. Yeah. I always say to everyone, the big
moments you see are often not the most impactful moments personally. Those ones are great. It's
the little moments where you have the like a haz of like, okay, this is why I do this or this is why
I do it. And I think I started to see them like through my family, through my dad, of like
(26:11):
watching them be proud. Because I think we say this to like, you're in this industry. You're
used to it. It's fast paced. Like, I'm like, whatever. We're on the floor. Don't care. We're
we're going to sit. I don't care. I feel like that's not normal and you don't live a normal life.
Like as far as a career, right? Like, you're not a nine to five or like a lot of people. How do you
(26:31):
manage to have successful relationships with friends who, because I struggle with it? Because even
like, my friends right now, they're like, you're not cool. Relax. Yeah. Like don't send any more
selfies. Nothing. You're friends. Nobody roasts you like your friends. And I love them for it. I love
them for it. But it is, it is when you meet new people. It's hard to be like, I find sometimes I
dump myself down because I do. I do. I do. I don't want to tell you what I do because I feel like it
(26:57):
might intimidate you or make you uncomfortable. Yeah. So I find myself dumbing it down. And I'm not
advocating for that because I don't think that's right. But that's what I do. And I've noticed it. I'm
like, why? Like, I can't I be like, this is what I do. And it's cool. What I have to be like, oh,
why am I weird about it? Yeah. Just say what it is. I mean, I think there's two conversations here.
I think there's like, with men, right? Men being sometimes intimidated or, you know, like dating guys
(27:23):
can be tricky because they're like, oh my gosh, you're like in a locker room. You're around guys.
So it takes a very secure man to be in a relationship with a woman that works in sports. The other
side of it, the friend side of it is, I think just a general, you know, you want them to feel good
about themselves too. But I always tell my friends, most of my friends are like, I have a lot of
friends in the industry, but I also have a lot of friends that are nurses, teachers. I'm just as proud
(27:45):
of them. Stay at home moms as they are of me. And so I always try to make that clear of like, you know,
I have a unique job, but my friends that are nurses and that are, you know, taking care of the
elderly or whatever they do. Like what they do is more work. They're like changing lives. Correct.
Yeah. Like you're actually saving lives. We're over here just trying not to die. Right. Right.
And you're actually saving a life. Yeah. No, it's an interesting space because I think as women,
(28:09):
oftentimes we really do want to say like, Hey, this is what I do and be proud. And so I love when I can
watch other women champion for other women. Yeah. And be like, she's a badass. Like I like because
and that's why this show is so important. It is. What is that, by the way? Okay. Sorry, I feel like
the whole world was collapsing. There's a lot of no earthquakes here. Yeah. They're basically no
earthquakes. Not going well. Not today. And tomorrow. Yeah. After our show tomorrow.
(28:32):
But I just feel like it's so important, especially for the show. And any show that can just
celebrate women because it's not easy. Like being in this world is not easy. There have been moments
where I'm like, why am I here? I'm not built for this. And then there's moments where I'm like,
hell, yeah, Kate. Yeah. This is what you were created for. Have you ever had the moment where you
doubted yourself and your ability? Surely in your career. I definitely have had those. What
(28:55):
am I doing moments? And I think it was earlier when I had those really difficult jobs where I was
carrying a camera covering high school football, living away from my family where it's like,
this is really difficult. And that's why I tell young women, like if you hang in there, you have to
earn it. But if you hang in there, it's really fun. It's really worth it. I love what I do now so much
that I don't question it to tell you the truth. But early in my career there, there were times where
(29:19):
your and social media makes it tricky because because you're working on a weekend and you see your
friends on a boat somewhere back home and you're missing that. You're missing it. And so it is difficult,
I think early on when you have those really grinded out jobs, not to feel some type of way. But I've
(29:42):
definitely had moments where I've doubted myself. Oh, one of the men that I love who's been a champion
of my career is right there. Matt Bollard. Hi. Matt's the best. Hi. I love Matt. Matt works for the
Rockets. He's great. But yeah, so I think it's hard in any industry, you are going to have those
moments and doubt yourself. I don't think ours is unique in that way. And for the young women too,
(30:06):
who watch, who want to be the next to you or want to be, come into being a silent reporter from
B.A. and I felt whatever it may be. What skillsets have you learned? Maybe if it was in college or
early in your career, would you suggest those women take those classes or if it's going outside of
college and then transitioning into workspaces? What would you tell the young women to do? They want to
do sideline. Number one, say yes to everything, which I mentioned earlier that I cannot, like, I don't
(30:32):
ever want to hear a young person be like, I don't want to cover volleyball. I don't care. I don't
want to work that way. Yeah, I don't want to go to work with the youth. I don't want to get up early.
I don't, I'm not going to, you know, yeah, exactly. Or well, I don't want to, it's like you don't get
to do what you want right out of the gate. So number one, say yes to everything. And I would say,
number two, just keep in mind that it is a relationship-based business. So don't burn bridges.
(30:58):
Networking sounds like an annoying word, but it is important to meet people like we talked about
earn trust. And then the last thing I would be say is just like get those live reps. However you can,
if that means that you're, you know, doing things digitally, but nothing when you're talking about
sideline and you watch the best of the best. So Lisa Salters, Aaron Andrews, Allie LaForest for NBA,
(31:21):
whatever, that's live, right? Which sounds like so you need to be live and you need to be able to work
through technical difficulties, you know, having some crazy things happen while you're interviewing a
player, which I've certainly had. So yeah, I just say, say yes to everything, build relationships,
and then try to be live as much as possible so you can build that skill set. I love that. It's always
(31:43):
funny in sports like what makes each role work. Yeah, I mean, because I think it is so true, the
relationship part is so important. But I also think finding for me when you, because people are going
to see me like, who's that? You know, you're a girl. You're beautiful. So if they don't know who you are,
it's like the amount of times like who's girlfriend is that? Who's why? And you get off, I,
(32:04):
well, you see offended a lot. I didn't see what I used to be offended. And now I'm just like, so I make
it a point now if I don't know someone to introduce myself. Yes. To nip it in the bud quickly. Like,
if I don't know you, I'm going to make sure I, you know what I mean? I'm just going to cut it out.
I get asked if I'm a cheerleader, which by the way is not an insult shout out to the cheerleaders
around the league. And then I get asked like which player I'm with. And that is that is usually how it goes.
(32:30):
I don't get offended by it because it's part of it. I think, you know, as there are women in more
spaces in social media, there are women, you know, the rockets, their president is a woman, which I
think is amazing. VP of communications as a woman at our network space city home network. We have
producers like as there are women filling more roles. Yes. You hope that people stop assuming your
(32:53):
data, a player or that you're a cheerleader. Again, not that there's anything wrong with both of those
things. But you hope that they look at a woman and say, Oh, I wonder if she's an executive. Yeah. She
might be. Yes. Yes. Yes. And actually shout out to the rockets and space city home network because
there are a lot of women in very influential roles. And there are also women. I think this is important
(33:14):
that are at the quote unquote lower levels because that allows them to work their way up.
100% and so there's there's a lot of that at the network I work for and the rocket. So it's really
impressive. Yeah, it's always so fascinating because I sometimes we get when I was younger,
we get so offended. Yeah. But then I'm like, they don't know any different. They don't know any
different. And they're they're where they're at. And I try and get people grace. So I'll correct you
(33:34):
once. If I have to correct you twice, it's a different conversation. But I'm going to give you grace
the first time. But it's just an interesting space because I think women and sports are continuing
to have more influence more of a role. And I think being visible and vocal is so important because
the people don't understand what you do. They can't understand how to become you. Yeah. And if you
can't explain that express that or make it to a place, so many young girls are in this arena today.
(33:58):
Yeah. And so I think it's so important. Even when we go around the arena or we see them, it's just
acknowledging them and letting them ask questions and then making ourselves available to them. Because
it is intimidating whether you're a male or a female in this industry because somebody's always
more powerful than you. Oh, for sure. And so you're just like, Hey, I just want to meet great people.
I mantra is do the right things for the right reasons for the right people. And if you fit
(34:20):
within that wheelhouse, then let's just all day long. Yeah. Then that stay over there. Yeah.
Just stay over there. A lot of women and a lot of different roles now, which I think is important.
Where do you see the NBA going in the next two or three years? Like we're seeing Swin Cash.
Amazing. Continue to ride. Yeah. And you know, it's there's so many like Laurent Fernand, the GM
(34:41):
of the Cleveland charge are looking at the Sacramento Kings have a woman's head coach for the
Julie. The Julie. Yeah. Lindsay Hardy. Like you're seeing like all of these women finally have a
place. The amount of pressure that they feel probably is insane. Yeah. But I also think as women,
we have a responsibility to cheerlead for them. And show up and let them know like we're here for
(35:02):
you. Like we're just get it girl. What I get it. Yeah. And what I see and what I hope. And I think
it's trending in the right direction is that we have more women in influential roles. And you get
that by women getting these entry level jobs, which they've earned and working their way up.
And we're starting to see that. And I think the NBA is a very progressive league. They've led the way.
(35:26):
So, you know, in 10 years, we're going to have another swing cash. And hopefully before that,
you know, we're going to have more women that are running the social media for the league that
are making broadcast decisions that are making, you know, we need women in in every role. Yeah.
And here's the thing. It's very important. These women are qualified. These women they get
jobs are not hired because they're women. And so I'm always supportive of women that have earned it
(35:51):
and the thing I love it. We talk about like when we had KJ right on our show last year.
I love her. Love her. And we talk about. I think I'm by here yet. Yeah.
She's going to come soon. But Obama. But when we when she was talking about the way to dress too,
because as a woman, people are kind of expected to dress a certain way. And if you push the limits,
you know, people are coming at you and you get a lot of critics and stuff. However, you found that
balance of like dress professionally, but also think through yourself. It is a personal choice.
(36:19):
Yeah. On how you dress. What you post on social media, all of that is, you know, those choices
belong to each and every woman. So I what I do and what my method has been has has been to
mine my own business. And you know, and and choose what I post and choose what I wear. I think you can
(36:39):
find a balance of being professional, but also expressing yourself. And so every woman has to do
what she can live with. Do what you can live with. There are consequences to, you know, whatever you
want to do. Some people are going to like it. Some people are not going to like it. I when I dress,
I think I air more on the conservative side, but that's my choice. Yeah. And somebody might not make
(37:01):
that choice. And that's fine. So I my my entire method is I worry about myself. I do keep in
mind that I'm working around men and that I'm working around athletes. So I do try to dress what is
considered traditionally professional. But also the last year I tried to like, I wouldn't say take my
risks, but spice it up. And I'm friends with KJ and seeing, you know, how much fun she has with her
(37:24):
outfits. Like, guys, I was wearing like all black dresses all the time, which is fine. Yeah. But,
you know, I was like, maybe I shouldn't have done a good murder show. I do. Yeah. True.
No, every woman has to make a personal choice on what she wants to wear, what she posts on social
media. There's more opportunity than ever to be yourself and to be unique. So I stay in my lane.
(37:49):
I worry about what I do and every woman has the right to move the way she wants to move. And I think
that's something that we need to be better about as women. Yeah. Instead of talking about what
every woman is doing. And I like that or I don't like that. It's not your life. It doesn't matter.
It's for you. It's for you. There are some women that dress in ways that I would not dress. I just
I wouldn't. But if they can, but it's not my love that for them. Love that for them. Love that for them.
(38:13):
I'm sure I dress, you know, some people probably think my outfits are ugly. That's why we are going
to send you on behalf of our partner, going to American over to the store to let them fit you for success.
I love good American. I love it. They're all about body positivity, inclusiveness and just overall
feel good. Yeah. So we're going to send you over there to go get fitted for some denim so you
can have a new fit for success. I love that. I can't wait to see that. Yeah. Me too. Okay. Before we let you
(38:33):
go, because you are a busy, busy lady, we are going to do a really fun thing. We're going to turn
that this turntable. It turns in the middle. What? It's like a turntable. Right? We need to. Yeah.
But we're going to let you pick a question out of here. We don't know what's in here. Okay. Summer
kind of crazy. Summer kind of normal. You never know. For Tina's, this is our Tina's vodka fun.
It's our jar of fun. So it gets funer the more you drink. Guys. Yeah. Yeah. You can do it.
(38:58):
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why? Okay. I'm going to
be that girl that went to Europe once and can't shut up. I got it. I went to Sardinia, Italy and
the French Riviera with my gals about a month ago. My friend Natalie who does sideline for the
pistons, a couple other girls that all work in sports and some capacity for the most part.
(39:19):
It was a really good group of girls. No drama. We had one girl that was like an expert planner
and it was just the trip of a lifetime. We did what? We did a boat tour in Sardinia, Italy. We ate
pasta. We drank wine. We did baguattel and santropé. Wow. I mean, it just was like, it was amazing.
So if I could travel anywhere in the world and why I would go back there, she's just hitting
(39:42):
that on like repeat. Yeah. On repeat. I'd go back. I mean, there are other places I would like to try
and would like to go to where somewhere you want to go. But, you know, I think it would be really
fun to go somewhere like, I mean, I did France, but I didn't go to Paris. So that would probably be
fun. I thought you were going to be like crazy pants right now and you're going to be like crazy.
I've done France, but I think I'd like to do Guangzhou China. I would do Greece. I'm going to go to
(40:05):
Greece. Yeah. I also think there are places in the United States that I haven't gotten to explore.
When I go to Montana, Montana, yes. Like West Europe. When I go to Montana, like feel the
Yellowstone vibe. Yes. Love that for you. Yes. I don't want to like go actually have to do all that
work. Yes. I do all there. Correct. I'm going to go to the law and take pictures and act like you did the
work. Yeah. I just sit on the porch. Yeah. I'm not. I watch the sun come up. I think, yes.
(40:27):
So it's like a hybrid. I didn't sleep in a release outfit. Yeah. Not in a tent. I don't,
here's the thing. I actually love the outdoors, but I do not camp. No. No. Who can I hike? I don't camp.
So you like to be outside, but not sleep outside? No. We're not sleeping outside. Guess what? I'm not
either. I made hotels. Yeah. No. God made hotels. We're going to stay in them. We're good. Really good
ones. We've loved having you. I love you. Thank you. I'm a huge fan of your podcast. I'm a huge fan of,
(40:50):
you know, supporting women in sports, creating spaces for honest, authentic conversations,
because I don't think that there is nearly enough of that. So thank you for having me on. Oh my gosh.
Thanks for coming on. I can't wait to see you. I'm going to be the game tonight. Good. We'll be there.
I'll see their Lakers rockets. Okay. We'll be there. I'm sure it'll be a big game. I mean, I don't know.
Probably a big game. Yeah. For sure. Yeah. We're all excited. Yeah. Rookies and summer lights are always fun.
(41:15):
So always a good time. Yeah. Okay. We'll let us know what your fit for success is. I will see what that
looks like. Okay. I will think. Good, good, good American. Good American. Shout out to dry bar. They hit my
hair. I'm not good at hair. I usually just like straighten it. So I love it. It looks good. I like
you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you guys for hooking it up. You know, just one girl at a time.
Converting. One really time. Love it. Well, thanks so much for coming on. Thanks, y'all.
(41:37):
Okay, Kate. I love having Vanessa on the show today. So exciting. She's such a great energy. I
love her stories of where she started. Yeah. She was not afraid to get into any job. Just wanted
experience. We talk about that so much about how experience is one of the most important things in
the sports industry. It's not necessarily where you go to school, what you get a degree in, but
(41:59):
is that experience that allows you to have the confidence and the expertise as you continue to
build on your platform and your career throughout the timeless basis that she's been.
And the fact of Vanessa started doing a radio show as smooth jazz Vanessa. We were just talking
about that. That's my new name. Absolutely. In my phone. It's amazing. And just for like young
women who watch the show to see, you know, where she started to where she is now never saying no to
(42:23):
these like opportunities that seem so small. And it really pays off in the long run. And it was so
great hearing her story and learning more about her journey. I didn't realize how much goes into
not only her day to day job, but the travel that comes with it. I think we all forget how much
goes into every single person that is a supporting role to these athletes, whether that's in front of
the camera behind the camera. She can do it all really. And it's so important for women like Vanessa
(42:51):
to have that relationship with the players where they can trust her and know that she's going to
sell the most honest best story for these players and highlight them on their network.
But I think it's a true testament to somebody who wants to be really great at her job,
but also provide a safe space for people to be able to share their stories, their struggles,
their champions. It's a great and beautiful thing to see. I love what the rockets are doing. I love
(43:14):
what she's doing. You guys, thank you so much for joining us for another episode of her table. We're
right here in Las Vegas at NBA Summer League. But thank you guys so much. We appreciate our sponsors.
Good American, Tina's vodka. We are the wild collective and also dry bar for making us feel
absolutely beautiful fresh today. We'll catch you guys soon.
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