Good Game with Sarah Spain

Big Citrus unpacks Sarah’s trip to Portland for the Epicenter of Women’s Sports Conference. They discuss takeaways from Sarah’s commissioner’s panel, hear details about the new practice facility that the NWSL’s Portland Thorns will share with the WNBA’s Portland Fire, and chat about the birth of a new mascot. Plus, some questionable personal matters, trouble on the diamond, and yet another reminder that some men need to make everything about them. 

• Read the Defector article on the WPBL here

• And read the AP’s reporting on Mina Kim’s legal filing here

• Watch Sportico’s video asking people to name five WNBA players here

• Check out Hal Hershfelt and Kaylie Collins’ drag looks here

• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 

• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Julie Kliegman joins Sarah to talk about their new book “Finding Renée Richards: The Groundbreaking Story of Tennis’s Trans Pioneer.” They discuss how a fact-checking question changed a major part of the book, the one topic Julie wishes they had pushed Renée on for more answers, and how much author and subject differ in how they view trans identities. Plus, who wore Ellie best, don’t stop here, and friend trips and gay shit. 

• Buy Julie’s new book “Finding Renée Richards” here
• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here
• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 
• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323
• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 
• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five-time Paralympic medalist Brenna Huckaby joins Sarah to talk about how she became a winter sports athlete despite growing up in Louisiana, why she can’t help but be outspoken, how she handled being a teen mom while keeping her Paralympic dream alive, and the difference between being kind and being nice. Plus, double trouble, Ashley Sanchez shines, and Natasha Cloud reads ‘em for filth. 

• Check out Sydney Taylor’s game-winning three-pointer here
• Read Jenny Simpson’s full update on her health here
• Follow Brenna on Instagram here
• Follow Culxtured on Instagram here
• And follow Brenna’s Culxtured co-founders here, here, and here
• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here
• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 
• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323
• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 
• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle Storm players Awa Fam and Dominique Malonga join Sarah to talk about the present and future of their young, rebuilding team. They talk about starting their professional careers in their teens, the biggest culture shocks of playing and living in the U.S., balancing playing for their WNBA and national teams, and a speed round of fits, foods and courtside faves. Plus, call me a florist, please return the favor, and app-solutely overdue.

• Listen to Sarah on Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King’s “Welcome to the Party” podcast here
• The NCAA women’s volleyball schedule is here
• Learn more about the Bet on Her women’s sports app here
• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here
• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 
• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323
• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 
• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kentucky volleyball head coach Craig Skinner and senior outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye join Sarah ahead of the first serve of the season. They discuss why saying no can be more important than saying yes, the off-court skills Brooklyn is looking to hone this season, the correct pronunciation of volleyball’s back row defensive specialist, and where to sit at a game if you want to learn more about the sport. Plus, these stars are Golden, who could possibly fill the spot, and the latest edition of “sports and gay shit.”

• Watch Tabitha Chawinga’s goal against Algeria at WAFCON here
• Read Boardroom’s full story on Nneka Ogwumike’s retirement here
• The WNBA schedule is here
• The Cincinnati Open schedule is here
• The WPBL schedule is here
• Read the VANDERQUIGS newsletter from Charting Hoops here
• Read more about the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility rule here, here, and here
• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here
• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 
• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323
• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 
• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of Sarah's birthday yesterday, producer Bianca’s birthday last week, and producer Alex’s half birthday on the 17th, the Good Game team does a special Big Citrus birthday episode. They discuss their top highlights from the last year, set goals for their next journey around the sun, and go deep on the difference between openness and vulnerability. Plus, Sarah gives Alex and Bianca a pop quiz, and they answer your ask-us-anything questions. Be warned — there’s a lot of chard talk. 

• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 

• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Women’s National Team and Chelsea FC forward Alyssa Thompson joins Sarah to talk about her decision to sign across the pond in the WSL, leaving her sister Gisele behind at Angel City, and her goals looking ahead to the 2027 Women’s World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Plus, returning with a banger, shipping out of Boston, and fellow bi-furrious folks rejoice - a new mascot has arrived just in time for Sarah’s birthday!

• In honor of Sarah’s birthday, you can donate to Athlete Ally here and Trans Equality here

• Check out Sydney Leroux’s Maleficent costume to mark her return to Angel City FC here

• Watch Caiya Hanks score her first goal since her return from an ACL injury here…

• And see Hanks and Olivia Moultrie’s sweet embrace here

• Read Katie Barnes’ recent ESPN profile of Angel Reese here

• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 

• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weightlifting Olympic champion Olivia Reeves joins Sarah to discuss how her CrossFit parents got her into the sport, the difference between power lifting, body building, and weight lifting, the obstacles she faced en route to Olympic glory, and what her plans are for LA 2028 – and beyond. Plus, crowns all around, an iconic win-streak is no more, and a reminder to always find your seat in time for kickoff.

• Check out the Phoenix Mercury’s jersey retirement celebration for Diana Taurasi here
• Watch the speeches from the Naismith Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony here
• Check out the Women’s Sports Foundation’s “Built To Move” mini-report here, and the full report here
• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here
• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 
• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323
• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 
• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golden State Valkyries standout Veronica Burton joins Sarah to talk about her breakout season last year, believing in herself during her lean years in the league, coach Natalie Nakase’s ‘no a-holes’ policy, and the magic of Ballhalla. Plus, a “well, duh” kind of statement, a 16-year streak continues, and an annoying reminder that we still have to consider the men.

• Our favorite women’s sports calendar is here

• Read Brian Hamilton’s story for The Athletic on the Valkyries’ success here

• Check out some of the shoes for the Seattle Storm’s Kicks for Equality event here, here, and here

• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here

• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 

• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Citrus embarks on a journey to determine which U.S. city is the “epicenter” of women’s sports. Is it about the number of pro teams? The loyalty of the fans? A glut of hometown talent? Straight up vibes? Sarah, Bianca and Alex break it down! They’ve spent the last few months gathering votes and comments from Slices so they’ll factor those in, take into account their own experiences, and then crown the official “epicenter.” Plus, this feels like a lot, that’s one way to make a statement, and who doesn’t love a rivalry? 

• The National Bank Open schedule is here
• Read Maggie Hendricks’ story about the impact of the new WNBA developmental spots here
• You can now WATCH Sarah’s interviews! Subscribe to @iHeartWomensSports on YouTube and check out the Good Game playlist here
• Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 
• Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323
• Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork 
• Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.