Ahead of the Olympic games in Paris, Liz and Karen discuss another doping scandal--this time between swimming competitors and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). Michael Phelps is one of the Olympians chosen to testify to congress against WADA, while Liz is loving a Phelps weed-and-sandwich storyline. Karen gets heated about missing out on the new Nike Sabrinas that sold out the same day they dropped. Also, Liz and Karen break down the lack of coaching experience possessed by the new Los Angeles Lakers head coach, JJ Reddick--and wonder how he got the job. This week Hoops Off involves NIke and shoes, and the spiciest of takes.

MENTIONS:

Another Olympics, another doping scandal in swimming:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2024/06/15/doping-scandals-continue-olympic-swimming/74107556007/

U.S. Swimming Stars Assail Antidoping Agency Ahead of Olympics:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/world/asia/chinese-swimmers-doping-olympics.html

Chinese Swimmers Twice Tested Positive for Drugs. They Kept Swimming:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/14/world/asia/china-swimming-doping.html

Top Chinese Swimmers Tested Positive for Banned Drug, Then Won Olympic Gold:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/world/asia/chinese-swimmers-doping-olympics.html

Documents: China gave nearly $2M in extra funding to WADA:

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/39997808/china-gave-nearly-2m-extra-funding-wada

Sha'Carri Richardson, a Track Sensation, Tests Positive for Marijuana:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/01/sports/olympics/shacarri-richardson-suspended-marijuana.html

JJ Redick joins the Lakers with zero NBA coaching experience:

https://sports.yahoo.com/jj-redick-joins-the-lakers-with-zero-nba-coaching-experience-how-has-that-worked-for-other-teams-132858865.html

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Liz and Karen break down the dollars--and sense--currently in play for the WNBA athletes: There’s the Commissioner's Cup (happening this month), plus more eyeballs on the game. There’s unwanted scrutiny as well as an opportunity WNBA players to start demanding more compensation for their play. Liz says “get greedy.” Money Mama Karen walks through valuations, as well as the vast pay gap between the WNBA Commissioner's Cup and the NBA In-season Tournament. They also discuss Caitlin's Clark role in addressing the conversation that fans and sports pundits are having about her. What is her responsibility for her own narrative? Also in this episode: the NBA free agency gets both Liz and Karen calling foul! 

MENTIONS:

WNBA Commissioner's Cup gets moved: https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/40370594/commissioner-cup-title-game-moved-ubs-arena-due-nba-draft

NBA In-Season Tournment money explained: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/nba/nba-in-season-tournament-prize-money-explained/3279267/

First Ever WNBA Valuations: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8ZiQmLuHzD/

Caitlin Clark doesn't want to be responsible for the worst takes about her: https://www.sbnation.com/wnba/2024/6/13/24178123/caitlin-clark-fever-dijonai-carrington-chennedy-carter-race-culture-wars-controversy

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This one is coming in HOT! Liz and Karen take a look at the good, bad, and ugly surrounding the current growth and media coverage for the WNBA, plus they pay special attention to the many highlights from WNBA players in this current season. Then the duo digs into the 2024 U.S.A. Women's Olympic basketball team roster and related media attention around Caitlin Clark not being part of this Olympic team. Liz and Karen also have a in-depth conversation on the "paternalistic allyship" breakdown shared on social media regarding Stephen A. Smith's commentary after his intitial confrontation with Monica McNutt on ESPN's First Take show. And Liz has a personal Hoops Off for the Los Angeles Lakers.

MENTIONS:

WNBA Growth via Boardroom on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8C4sMIRJam/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

The Gist podcast on women commenting on women's sports: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7y8OAZxWXs/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

The 2024 USA Women's Olympic Basketball Team via ESPN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C79emAPyW_q/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

Breakdown of Stephen A. Smith's "Paternalistic Allyship" re-shared on Social Media by Sarah Spain from Jamyle Cannon: https://www.instagram.com/p/C70IfHWvulx/

Our Summer book club pick: Coming Home by Britney Griner: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739901/coming-home-by-brittney-griner-with-michelle-burford/

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Liz and Karen dive into how both the NBA and WNBA prioritize and handle mental health for their players. The duo also spotlights some pro athlete mental health ambassadors and their stories. Mental Health at that level takes on so many different layers, especially as a woman in hoop; and we applaud the players, the league, and society for shining a light on these struggles and providing support where needed. Plus we chat 65th Anniversary Barbie celebrating women athletes, WNBA & MLB record breaking, NBA Playoffs, and more.

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MENTIONS:

The existence of mental health issues in the WNBA by Willie Ramirez:

https://www.wgramirez.com/articles/the-existence-of-mental-health-issues-in-the-wnba?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabWoaPM2D2WnHV2S97mIZtJqHxuGbWpuCcma719PgwhNE1r4VcFxqcWd9g_aem_AcY7HjMYpq7URGlsbAUsCRiAncmQ9kO4eDw0Bm5g8_ICD5DxrtZfRtzJLEhHOkoawfuezY_pqeHfLvW95yak1S53

Coming Home by Brittney Griner:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739901/coming-home-by-brittney-griner-with-michelle-burford/

Barbie honors Venus Williams and 8 other athletes with dolls in their likeness:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venus-williams-barbie-doll-mattel-women-athletes-2024/

The Negro Leagues are officially part of MLB history — with the records to prove it:

https://www.npr.org/2024/05/29/g-s1-1525/mlb-negro-leagues-stats-josh-gibson

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Now that the WNBA season has seen a handful of games played, and teams are in the standings, Liz and Karen go over some stats for league rookies Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and others. Also, they give A'ja Wilson and Arike Ogunbowale recognition for their outstanding starts. The conversation moves on to Curry baby number four, as well as the state of the NBA Conference Finals. Then, true to their roots, Liz and Karen put a spotlight on the powerful activism reflected in the fashion choices of WNBA players--who use their platform, and wardrobes, to make important statements. Plus, initial notes on the summer book club pick, Coming Home by Brittney Griner.

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Introducing... the Hoops Off Summer Book Club! The Hoops Off read will be Coming Home by Brittney Griner. Also, Liz and Karen are thrilled over the WNBA expansions and the announcement of the Golden State Valkyries, the new team located in the Bay Area. Karen also discusses the latest in Money Moves: Candace Parker's new role at Adidas, and Angel Reese becoming co-owner of the DC Power football club. The duo also digs into the WNBA investigation of the Las Vegas Tourism Authority's $100K sponsorship for each player of the Las Vegas Aces. Liz and Karen recap the NBA playoffs; discuss the importance of chemistry when it comes to game announcers, and reflect on how Disney may be ruining ESPN's coverage with both the firing of Jeff Van Gundy and the insertion of Draymond Green, as well as what seems like their overall throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. Lastly, Hoops come off in this spicy episode!

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This week Liz chats about sports and gossip with special guest Madeline Hill, writer behind Impersonal Foul, a 2023 Featured Substack described as: "If Bravo and ESPN had a baby, it would be 'Impersonal Foul.'" Hill describes her 3-year journey writing her Substack, her long-time love of both Googling the personal lives of athletes, and chatting about her juiciest stories. We also find out the backstory of her awesome profile photo on "Impersonal Foul," more about what Hill predicts for the future of Substack, and who would be her ultimate interview get. Also on this episode: With the WNBA season ready to start on May 14, Liz and Karen discuss the breaking news that the WNBA athletes will now have charter flights, and other news about team roster cuts, and soaring ticket prices for the 2024-25 season. They also discuss the state of the NBA second round playoffs, including shocking developments in the Denver Nuggets vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves game and the exciting game one of the New York Knicks vs. the Indiana Pacers. Lastly, hoops come off!

Mentions:

Madeline Hill's Impersonal Foul: https://www.impersonalfoul.com/

WNBA Charter Flights: https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/40102075/wnba-begin-full-charter-flights

WNBA Roster Cuts: https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/wnba-2024-roster-tracker-a-look-at-all-12-teams-players-as-final-cuts-opening-night-approach/

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This week Liz gets some relief knowing her Los Angeles Lakers have ended their playoff run. And while others are already speculating about LeBron James' future with the Lakers, she is going to sit back with Karen and start looking ahead to the 2024 WNBA season, which kicks off on May 14th. In the NBA analysis this week, the anticipation meter cranks up a notch as Liz and Karen discuss the new era for the league, which includes rising stars Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, and Shai Gilgious-Alexander and his whole OKC squad. Transition from the old to the new is not always easy, but Liz and Karen feel the excitement. Speaking of transitions, Candace Parker announced, via Instagram, her retirement from the WNBA after 16 impactful seasons on and off the court. Liz and Karen process this startling news and give the GOAT Candace Parker all the flowers. They also discuss 2024 Hall of Fame inductees and reflect on Diana Taurasi calling the new fans "a little too sensitive." And, as always, L. and K. take their hoops off.

MENTIONS:

Candace Parker retirement news:

https://apnews.com/article/candace-parker-retires-wnba-6b28339cc1e21731760e6c0c1902d1b9

LeBron James future:

https://www.si.com/nba/2024/04/30/lebron-james-statement-future-varying-reports

End of an Era and Superteams:

https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-suns-may-have-killed-it-stephen-a-smith-foresees-the-end-of-super-team-era-started-by-lebron-d-wade-chris-bosh/

Diana Taurasi new fans:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10119282-wnbas-diana-taurasi-calls-out-really-sensitive-fans-after-caitlin-clark-analysis#:~:text=Phoenix%20Mercury%20star%20Diana%20Taurasi,All%2DStar%20told%20reporters%20Sunday

Nike's Olympic track and field women's kits:

https://theathletic.com/5410677/2024/04/12/nike-olympic-track-field-team-usa/

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Thanks to the length, the D, and the penetration.... the NCAA Women's basketball champions are the South Carolina Gamecocks! Liz and Karen share their excitement for ~women in sports ~ in general, and the satisfaction of the SC win with Louis Vuitton Dawn as the coach of the year. They also talk about how the women's coverage by Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter, Chiney Ogwumike and Carolyn Peck has elevated the game throughout the tourney. In addition, they take a look at the NBA Play-off picture; discuss the Lakers and Warriors odds to make it to the playoffs; and take a look forward to the WNBA draft with top picks of Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, Rickea Johnson, Kamilla Cardosa, Aaliyah Edwards and Angel Reese up for grabs. Lastly, get ready to fuck up your algorithm with the first Hoops off Shaq review - his workout playlist on Apple Music which successfully made a child carsick, made Liz want to enter her pug Lola into a dog fight, and had Karen re-living her rave days.

Links & Mentions:

- Kyndall Freer (Social @ Yahoo Sports): https://www.instagram.com/kyndallfreer 

- NBA Playoff Picture: https://www.nba.com/standings 

- Shaq Playlist - DIESEL: Music That Move Me Apple Music Fitness: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/diesel-music-that-moves-me/pl.52b620ddc6654b73a4e74d4fb703c67e - UP NEXT Shaq Review: ICY HOT: https://www.icyhot.com/en-us/icy-hot-squad

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