Play Like a They

This week’s episode is a quick guide to the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) — and a check-in on what’s been an electric few weeks for women’s sports. Consider it your crash course in the PWHL: where to start, who to follow, and why this league is already changing the game for women’s hockey.

Monica and Sara kick things off with Gotham FC’s underdog championship win in the NWSL, before jumping into a recap of the PWHL’s third season, expansion updates, and what made the Seattle Torrent’s sold-out home opener such a big deal.

They also talk about the energy building around the league, the growing fanbase, and why this is the perfect time to start following if you’re new to hockey. Between record-breaking attendance, Brandi Carlile singalongs, and fans in Kraken jerseys cheering their hearts out, the excitement for the PWHL is only getting louder.

They also get into:
 🏆 Gotham FC’s championship run and why they’ll always root for an underdog
 🏒 The PWHL’s new Seattle Torrent and Vancouver Golden Eyes
 🎟️ Record-breaking crowds and what they tell us about the future of women’s sports
 🍸 The opening of Wilka’s, a women’s sports bar in NYC
📣 A call for Seattle to pack out Storm games the same way they’re showing up for hockey

Read the transcript here.

It’s playoff time, and we’re talking football. (The global kind.) ️

This week, Monica and Sara dive into the 2025 NWSL Playoffs—who made it, who’s out, and what to expect as the chase for the championship heats up. From Kansas City’s dominant regular season to Gotham FC’s underdog moment, they break down the top storylines, key players, and why single elimination makes every game feel like a final.

They also get into:

  -Kansas City’s all-women training facility and what happens when teams invest in women’s sports

  -Portland Thorns’ playoff run without Sophia Smith

  -The Boston expansion rebrand (bye bye Boss Nation, hello Boston Legacy)

  -The Elizabeth Eddy controversy and why calling out racism and transphobia in women’s sports matters

  -The NWSL’s new streaming deal and what it could mean for visibility and pay

It’s an episode that celebrates how far women’s soccer has come while calling out the work that still needs to be done. A mix of playoff hype, real talk, and plenty of love for the game.

The 2025 WNBA season has officially wrapped, and Monica and Sara are here to break it all down: finals, coaching chaos, and what’s next for women’s basketball.

They recap the Las Vegas Aces’ dominant championship run, the Phoenix Mercury’s collapse, and how injuries and confidence shifts changed the playoff landscape. From Alyssa Thomas’s tough series to A’ja Wilson’s continued dynasty-level play, they unpack what made this postseason exciting, frustrating, and a little bit historic.

They also get into:

💬 The growing tension between players and WNBA leadership heading into the 2026 CBA negotiations

🏀 Napheesa Collier’s public statement calling out Commissioner Cathy Engelbert—and the fallout that followed

💸 Why the new Unrivaled league could be a game-changer for player pay and visibility

👟 Expansion updates: Sandy Brondello to the Toronto Tempo, and Portland Fire’s questionable coaching hire

🤔 A conversation on men coaching in women’s sports, Title IX history, and why “progress” isn’t always what it seems

It’s an honest, passionate, and slightly chaotic wrap-up—the kind of conversation that reminds you why we love this league and the people fighting to make it better.

The playoffs are here, and we’ve got plenty to talk about.

In this episode, Monica and Sara dive into the first round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs and all the chaos that’s unfolded since. From the Golden State Valkyries making history in their inaugural season, to the Liberty’s shocking early exit, to the Fever pulling off an upset without Caitlin Clark, it’s already been a wild ride.

They also get into:

 💬 The Liberty press conference drama and Sandy Brondello’s sudden exit
 👀 A’ja Wilson’s MVP run and what it means for the Aces
 ⚡ Lynx vs. Mercury going down to the wire (and the officiating that has everyone talking)
 🌟 Alyssa Thomas vs. Nafisa Collier — two legends pushing each other to the limit

It’s a passionate, mid-playoffs check-in full of hot takes, tough losses, and so much love for the W.

Fact Check Notes

✅Valkyries’ Head Coach

The Golden State Valkyries’ head coach is Natalie Nakase, who was named 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year.

✅Liberty Coaching Change

Sandy Brondello led the Liberty to the 2023 semifinals, the 2024 championship, and the 2025 playoffs. Despite that success, she was let go immediately after the 2025 playoff exit.

✅WNBA Hardship Exception

The “leasing players” description in the episode refers to the hardship exception, which allows teams with multiple injuries to sign additional players beyond the 12-player roster limit.

✅A’ja Wilson Awards

A’ja Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to win four MVP titles (2020, 2022, 2023, 2025) and added her third Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025.

✅Alyssa Thomas & Napheesa Collier Stats

• Alyssa Thomas set new marks for double-doubles and continued her record pace from 2023 into 2025.
• Napheesa Collier achieved the rare 50-40-90 shooting season in 2025, only the second in WNBA history.

Episode Transcript

The Monday Night Squad is back!

Monica and Sara are joined by Tiandrea and Kaycie for a mid-season WNBA check-in full of hot takes, personal updates, and playoff predictions (or refusals to predict). From All-Star Weekend recaps to trade rumors, they dig into the storylines, player moments, and behind-the-scenes vibes that make the W so much more than just stats.

They also get into:

🔥 The rise of the Valkyries (even without a superstar)

👟 Stud Buds, Diplo, and the off-court joy of All-Star Weekend

🧢 Expansion excitement with Portland, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philly

💬 Ref drama, coaching shakeups, and the difference a good team culture makes

🧡 Why Paige Bueckers is already the league’s favorite (and has the tunnel fits to match)

This one’s part mid-season roundup, part WNBA lovefest. If you care about women’s sports, storytelling, and the power of community, it’s a must-listen.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1heF5erajpY6FBDt0wT3vh8kyAQ3Dd2OrBU7qCecvMv4/edit?usp=sharing

Fact Check Notes

• WNBA All-Star Game Viewership vs. NBA
  The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game drew a record 3.44 million viewers, but the NBA All-Star Game still had higher viewership at approximately 4.72 million. The WNBA did not surpass the NBA in ratings, though it hit a historic high for the league.
• WNBA Players' Revenue Share
  WNBA players currently receive about 9.3% of league revenue, compared to 49–51% for NBA players. This is accurate and reflects the existing revenue gap between leagues.
• WNBA Expansion Team Count for 2027
  The WNBA is currently at 13 teams and has announced plans to expand to 18 by 2030. While there’s significant momentum, reaching 18 teams by 2027 is not confirmed.

In this Pride Month episode, we’re getting personal.

We talk about what it means to grow up queer in sports—before there were Pride games, before there was language for nonbinary identities, and before we knew it was even possible to live out loud. From telepathic locker room vibes to being the only queer kid on the team (or so we thought), we reflect on how much has changed—and how much hasn’t.

We also get into:
 🏳️‍⚧️ The quiet power of queer community and the safety we find in chosen family
 🧠 Monica’s recovery journey, navigating gender and body feelings, and choosing a breast reduction over top surgery
 🏀 Why rec league hoops feels like the most affirming space we know
 📍 Sara’s big move to Florida, the reality of being queer in a red state, and finding connection anyway

It’s a conversation about identity, safety, joy, discomfort, and showing up for yourself—even when you’re still figuring it all out.

Read the full transcript here.

Fastballs & Fast Breaks: Catch Up on Women’s Sports

Episode Summary

In this episode of Play Like A They, Monica and Sara cover all the chaos and celebration happening in women’s sports—from million-dollar softball deals to early-season WNBA shakeups.

They kick things off with college softball, where Texas just claimed the national title and Texas Tech nearly pulled off the upset with a pitcher backed by a record-setting NIL deal. Sara breaks down what it means for the future of the game, why it matters when schools invest in women athletes, and how Athletes Unlimited is flipping the pro league model on its head (shoutout to Bandits fans).

Then it’s WNBA time: the Liberty and Lynx are dominating, the Wings are struggling, and the Valkyries are out here proving what team chemistry can really do. They talk fantasy picks, expansion hype, and why scrappy playmakers deserve just as much love as the big names.

Fact-Checks

• Mike White became Texas softball head coach on June 25, 2018. His record at Texas through 2024 is 260–81–2
• Patty Gasso has won eight national championships in 2000, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021–2024.
• Nyjahree Kennedy signed a $1,050,024 deal in July 2024 and later signed a second NIL deal for $1.2 million in June 2025.
• Jean-Claude Jones sprained ankle on June 5, 2025, listed as questionable, returned to practice, and suited up next game.
• Nike launched A'ja Wilson’s signature shoe (A’One) on May 6–15, 2025, retail price $110 (plus $90 kid sizing)
• The Sports Bra is expanding from Portland to Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis, adding four new locations.

Read the transcript here.

It’s an exciting week in women’s sports, and Monica and Sara are here to break it all down—from the WNBA’s opening day to college softball playoffs and the PWHL semifinals. Monica kicks things off with WNBA talk, highlighting new teams like the Golden State Valkyries, controversial roster cuts, and can’t-miss matchups like Aces vs. Liberty and Sky vs. Fever. The duo also shares thoughts on league pass access and how fans can show up for the game beyond the screen.

Then, Sara takes us into NCAA softball as Regionals begin, celebrating that Oklahoma isn’t the top seed this time. They spotlight powerhouse players like Bri Ellis, massive NIL deals, and the chaos of the transfer portal. The episode wraps with PWHL playoff updates, excitement about the new Seattle franchise, and a reminder that supporting women’s sports isn’t just about watching—it’s about showing up, sharing the hype, and proudly rocking the gear, no matter who you are.

Read the transcript here.

In this episode of Play Like A They, Monica and Sara sit down with Mo Fitzgerald — founder of Play Street, former Portland Thorns and D1 soccer player — to talk about sport, creativity, and showing up with purpose.

They cover how playing women’s sports builds lifelong confidence and community, what it means to lead without following the men’s blueprint, and why athlete-led initiatives are reshaping the future of the game. From tunnel fits to storytelling, Mo shares how she’s building something different at the intersection of sports, style, and culture.

This one is full of big ideas, light witchcraft energy, and a love of doing things your own way.

Find Mo at https://www.momofitz.com/.

Read the episode transcript.

Monica and Sara take you straight into the heart of Tampa Bay for a live recap of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Final Four—and let’s just say, it did not disappoint. With a Final Four lineup of South Carolina, UCLA, Texas, and eventual champs UConn, the energy was electric both in the arena and on this pod.

Monica shares firsthand experience from the sold-out games (over 19K fans!) and a full-circle moment meeting WNBA legend Cynthia Cooper (who’s actually a four-time champ, not three). The duo dish out praise for standout players, some who led a surgical UConn squad to their 12th national title—the most in NCAA basketball history, men’s or women’s.

They also get into:
💥 The vibe (and heartbreak) of UCLA’s first Final Four appearance
🧠 Dawn Staley’s masterclass in third-quarter adjustments
🚨 The WNBA Draft buzz: Paige Bueckers is entering and is widely projected to go No. 1 to Dallas
🔄 Takes on the transfer portal and its impact on team culture

If you couldn’t make it to Tampa, this ep puts you right in the stands—screaming fans, star sightings, and all.

Read the transcript