Good Game with Sarah Spain

Multifaceted journalist, creator of Black Rosie Media, and WNBA media voter Erica L. Ayala joins Misha to explain how the New York Liberty bested the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, why she sees Sabrina Ionescu as the future of the franchise, and what the Libs have to do to beat the Minnesota Lynx and claim the franchise's first championship. Plus, we call on you to do some eavesdropping, women's sports style.

• Read the Defector story on the NWSL and San Diego Wave lawsuit here

• Check out Erica L. Ayala’s Gotta Get Up podcast (and the rest of her pods!) on YouTube here

• What colorful convos have YOU overheard about women’s sports in the wild? Tell us! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Kristen Faulkner joins Sarah to discuss the fascinating strategy that led to her viral win at the Paris Olympics, believing in herself when others didn’t, and coming home with two golds. Plus, discovering cycling in her twenties and the huge gender disparities that still exist in her sport. Also, the WNBA Finals are set, Allyson Felix enters her Alpha era, and hedgehogs get a lil’ love. 

• Read Steph Yang’s story about the Angel City FC NWSL salary cap violations here 

• What sport or event sounds like the absolute worst to you? Tell us! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melissa Ludtke, award-winning journalist and author of the recently released book, Locker Room Talk: A Woman's Struggle to Get Inside, joins Sarah to discuss a serendipitous meeting that helped her realize sports media was her calling, being the only woman assigned to cover Major League Baseball full-time for Sports Illustrated in the mid-70s, and filing – and WINNING – a lawsuit against the MLB. Plus, some folks really don’t understand the concept of personal space.

• Grab your copy of Melissa’s book here

• We love to hear from our slices! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The WNBA Finals are half-locked, but that other half is a knock-down, drag-out fight. Plus, under-the-table payments come into the light, new developments around the Christine Brennan interview, and a reminder that (friend) love is all you need. 

• Vote for Fat Bear Week here

• We love to hear from our slices! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago Sky commentators and power couple Lisa Byington and Shimmy Miller join Sarah to discuss the roses and thorns of working with each other, what the Sky needs to do to entice players to stick around, and why everyone knowing where and how to watch women’s sports is important. Plus zit stickers, the best kind of sellouts, and the responses slices sent in following Sarah’s interview with Christine Brennan.

• Check out the list of ROY Caitlin Clark’s 2024 accomplishments here 

• Check out Allison Gale’s fantastic list of NWSL playoff implications here 

• Read the Washington Post’s coverage of SafeSport closing the investigation into Rory Dames here 

• Check out Kelsey Plum’s ex’s …. interesting music video here  

• We love to hear from our slices! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist
• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USA Today columnist, best-selling author and longtime commentator Christine Brennan joins Sarah to discuss her reporting on Caitlin Clark, the intent behind it, and her responsibility as part of the WNBA media landscape. Plus, she discusses the Players Association statement directed at her, the questions she asked Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington after the Sun’s first playoff game against the Indiana Fever, her recent exchange with DeWanna Bonner, and more.

• We love to hear from our slices! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tennis great Rennae Stubbs joins Sarah to talk the China Open, Naomi Osaka v. Coco Gauff, and what it means that the WTA returned to China after previously boycotting the country. Plus, more NWSL coach turnover, a WNBA positivity dump, and we get jealous of rat health care.

• Listen to “The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast” here 

• The NWSL’s North Carolina Courage is raising money for Hurricane Helene relief efforts via United Way. You can donate here 

• NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke, who is based in Asheville, said her community is especially in need of baby supplies. You can donate to the county’s relief efforts here 

• Vote for the NWSL’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award here 

• The college volleyball schedule is here 

• Check out Jordan Robinson’s WNBA “positivity dump” twitter thread here 

• The full WNBA playoff schedule and results are here

• We love to hear from our slices! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kansas City Current defender Kayla Sharples joins Sarah to talk having hard conversations with coaches and GMs, the move she made from Bay FC to the Current midseason, and the crazy logistics behind a trade. Plus, we finally have some info on the WNBA’s expansion draft, and Alex gets back into her gossip bag (not really… young/old Mish is just late to the party).

• More details about the Valkyries’ expansion draft are here

• The full WNBA playoff schedule and results are here

• Tickets to the NWSL final are on sale now here

• We love to hear from our slices! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicole Teeny, host of the ESPN 30 for 30 podcast series GIRL v. HORSE joins Sarah to talk about the new pod, the seizure that changed everything for her, and the impetus to race 50 miles against literal horses. Plus, we get our first taste of the WNBA semifinals, get you hip to the latest WNBPA statement, and pay homage as yet another legend bids her playing career farewell.

• Listen to Girl v. Horse here

• See the full Athlos NYC results here

• Read Annie’s story on Teresa Weatherspoon’s firing here

• Catch up on the rest of the WNBA awards here and check out the All-Defensive teams here

• The full WNBA playoff schedule and results are here

• We love to hear from our slices! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan Robinson, co-host of the Queens of the Court podcast, and Ben Pickman, women’s basketball writer for The Athletic, join Sarah for the latest edition of “Group Chat” to discuss the upcoming WNBA semifinals and why the league’s statement calling out racism was too little, too late. Plus, Sarah calls bullshit on Captain Dick Rocket and a company offering bets on Angel Reese’s dating life.

• Follow Jordan here

• Follow Ben here

• Listen to Queens of the Court here

• Listen to The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show here

• Read the Philadelphia Inquirer’s full story on a potential WNBA expansion team here

• Check out Nancy Armour’s column on why Caitlin Clark needs to call out toxic fans here 

• The NWSL schedule is here

• The college volleyball schedule is here

• The college hockey schedule is here 

• The full WNBA playoff schedule and results are here

• We love to hear from our slices! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at [email protected] 

• Follow Sarah on social! X: @SarahSpain Instagram: @Spain2323

• Follow producer Misha Jones! X: @mishthejrnalist Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist

• Follow producer Alex Azzi! X: @ByAlexAzzi

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.