Play Like a They

We’re skipping the men’s bracket and getting straight to the good stuff—women’s March Madness. Monica and Sara kick things off with a quick and easy March Madness 101, covering the history of the women’s NCAA tournament, what’s changed (finally being able to use the “March Madness” branding in 2022), and what still needs fixing (hello, pay gaps and stadium sizes).

Then it’s on to the first and second round recap: bracket busters, buzzer beaters, and standout stars like Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, and Paige Bueckers. They also unpack NIL deals, viewership records, and why investing in women’s sports is a winning game plan. Whether deep in your bracket or just showing up for the vibes, this episode has you covered.

Read the transcript here.

Whether you call it soccer, footy, or fútbol, the NWSL is back and better than ever—and we’ve got your beginner’s guide right here. Monica and Sara break down everything you need to know: from league growth and expansion teams to wild trades, retirements, and the 14-year-old phenom making waves. We cover last season’s highlights, what to expect this year, and why this might be the most evenly matched season yet. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting into the game, we’ve got you.

Follow us on IG at @playlikeathey and join the convo. 

Fact checks:

• Gotham FC does play at Red Bull Stadium
• Before there was the NWSL, there was Women's Professional Soccer from 2007 to 2012
• Former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexually assaulting Women's World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso by kissing her on the lips during the on-field medal ceremony following Spain's victory in 2023
• The Orlando Pride did finish the 2024 NWSL season without a loss.

Leave a review, pick a team, grab some merch, and meet us at the pitch!

Transcript here.

We’re back, y’all! Or hey, if you’re new here—welcome! Play Like A They is hitting reset vibes for 2025. We’re reintroducing ourselves, ditching the whole “season” thing, and dropping at least two episodes a month (or more if sports get spicy). Because women’s sports are growing like crazy, we’ve got action all year long, and we’re here for it.

In this episode, Monica and Sara talk about finding their groove, share their sports backstories (spoiler: they’re legit ballers), and lay out what’s next. Expect updates on everything from basketball and soccer to newer women’s leagues like volleyball and softball—and yeah, we mean any and all sports. Not super familiar with something? No problem—we’ve got you with the basics.

We’re here to celebrate women, queer, trans, and nonbinary athletes, talk about what sports mean to us, and share all the joy and obstacles that come with it. Follow us on Instagram @PlayLikeAThey, drop us a DM, and let us know what you want to hear. Let’s vibe!

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y_017w4l6ZlMijivtBm6hkPJfZS7kQ1985Okf_91YzA/edit?usp=sharing

In this jam-packed episode of Play Like A They, Monica, Sara, and the Monday Night Squad are back to break down the WNBA’s most exciting off-season yet. The crew starts by celebrating the New York Liberty’s historic first championship win before diving into the league’s biggest updates, including the much-anticipated debut of the Golden State Valkyries. 

The squad shares their thoughts on playoff schedule changes, buzzworthy schedule release videos, and the intricacies of the expansion draft rules. They also speculate on Paige Bueckers’ potential landing spots and how Dallas might fumble its first-round pick.

Tune in for their thoughts on free agency drama, coaching controversies, and how this expansion could change the league forever. With plenty of hot takes, humor, and thoughtful insights, this episode is a must-listen for fans ready to gear up for the WNBA’s next chapter.

Follow our guests and us!

@tiondreeuhhh
@playlikeathey
@_kaycie_

SHOW NOTES:

**SHOW EDIT: This is not the first expansion draft in the WNBA, it's the first since 2008. :) our bad!

You can watch the expansion draft wherever you are able to stream ESPN's main channel.

Read the coaching moves so far this off-season here: https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/42033470/wnba-coaching-changes-tracker-carousel-hires-2025-season

Read the episode transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gnKF04bjxC1C_Z6pER3DtuY1jd0T8q51r-O5zuAfVOw/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode of Play Like A They, Monica, Sara, Kaycie, and Tiandrea get hyped for the WNBA Playoffs. They kick things off with the huge announcement that Portland’s getting a WNBA team in 2026, and everyone shares their vibe check from the event. From breaking records in attendance to women’s sports continuing to shine, the crew gets into all the feels.

They dive into the playoff matchups, serving up predictions, bold calls, and the inevitable upsets. Will the New York Liberty run the table? Could the Seattle Storm or Minnesota Lynx pull off surprises? Expect a passionate breakdown of the playoff format, player performances, and where women’s basketball is headed next.

Get ready for some hot takes, favorite players, and why women’s sports keep pushing the envelope. And, of course, we wrap things up with love for WNBA legends as they (maybe) take their final bows—all brought to you by the Monday night squad.

SHOW NOTES:

• Michael Jordan had a 30.1 points per game average over his career, tied with Chamberlain for the highest among those in the Top 50 scorers in the history of the NBA.
• A new WNBA attendance record was set on September 19th, 2024, with 20,711 fans in the stands.
• The stat mentioned, "men’s college basketball games are decided by 10 points or less only 30% of the time, while women’s games are decided by 10 points or less 50% of the time," couldn't be confirmed, BUT... What we do know is that women’s basketball games, particularly in the NCAA, have been noted for having closer point margins more frequently than men’s games. This has been attributed to differences in play style, game dynamics, and the general competitiveness of women’s sports, as some analyses suggest women’s games tend to be more evenly matched.

Follow our guests and us!

@tiondreeuhhh
@playlikeathey
@_kaycie_

Read the transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ymvXtS9q9nPkoUFDg73TdCR6s95PuNA4YuqvyOvK7kg/edit

In this episode of Play Like A They, Monica and Sara chat with Erin Harville, a creative force in the sports world. From her roles at the Portland Trailblazers to her groundbreaking work with the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC), Erin shares how she amplifies women and queer voices in sports.

We dive into Erin’s journey from an MBA student to a creative director, her work with the WNFC, and her passion for pushing boundaries in women’s sports. If you haven’t heard of women’s tackle football, now’s your chance to get hype! Erin shares the culture surrounding women’s tackle football, the challenges of pay-to-play sports, and the camaraderie that drives the WNFC to new heights. 

From launching new teams to breaking attendance records, Erin’s got stories that’ll get you fired up. Tune in and learn why Erin and women’s tackle football is about to take over the sports world.

Follow:
@erinaharville

@erinitaaaa

@wnfcfootball

@wnfcflag

Read the transcript here!

Hey, y’all! On this episode of Play Like A They, Monica and Sara hang out with Shannon Reny, a former D2 basketball player from Montana, lover of coffee shops and live music, and nonbinary human. In this episode, Shannon reflects on how sports have shaped their lives, from building community and gaining confidence to finding representation in a traditionally binary world.

Shannon’s got stories about how sports gave them confidence, community, and a whole lot of life lessons—like how basketball helps them handle the pressure of law school. They also share the ups and downs of figuring out their gender identity, especially when you grow up in a small town with zero representation, and even how Play Like A They played a role in their gender journey (!!!).

We’re talking about everything from body image issues in women’s sports to finding a queer community in Portland that just gets it—and how sometimes, competition isn’t the only reason we play.

If you’ve ever felt like the gender binary doesn’t quite fit, this episode’s gonna hit home. So grab your headphones and get ready for some laughs, some feels, and a whole lot of honesty. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram @PlayLikeAThey for more!

Episode transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1se-_a8-tcn8bRuACroDXl7965clCupfge1EwzrHSOO8/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode of Play Like A They, Monica and Sara are back to dish out all the highs, lows, and everything in between from the Paris Olympics. Women and queer athletes totally owned it this year, and we’re here to celebrate those epic wins while keeping it real about the challenges.

From record-breaking performances to moments of struggle, they celebrate the incredible achievements while also reflecting on areas for growth. We’re talking gold medals, like the U.S. Women’s Soccer team’s heart-pounding run, and giving shout-outs to the incredible non-binary athletes who are breaking barriers on the world stage.

Tune in as they discuss everything from thrilling victories, like the U.S. Women’s Basketball and Rugby team medal runs, to important conversations about representation and the exciting track presence of athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson and Nikki Hiltz. They also tackle the challenges faced by athletes like Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, highlighting the need for continued progress in the fight against misogyny, racism, and transphobia in sports.

So, grab a snack and get comfy as we break down the Paris Olympics with our usual mix of fun, facts, and fierce support for women and queer athletes.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YlF07yJiIIGKo7e4b46S8S-wVb9dDCgILh8-XqodxDU/edit?usp=sharing

In this fun episode of Play Like A They, Monica and Sara chat with their first-ever guest, Tiandrea Dixon. Tiandrea, who’s gone from a Division II basketball champ to a cybersecurity pro and WNBA superfan, shares her story from the court to her career, highlighting how sports have shaped her life and teamwork skills.

The three dive into how sports have impacted their lives, sharing core memories that show their love for the WNBA. Tiandrea talks about her incredible encounters with WNBA legends at the recent All-Star Weekend, including an unforgettable run-in with Sue Bird at the airport.

They also discuss the latest hot topics in the WNBA season, like the buzz around Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and explore themes of gender diversity and expression in the league. Monica, Sara, and Tiandrea reflect on the unique camaraderie and competitive spirit in women’s sports, touching on how social media and public perception shape athlete narratives.

Join Monica, Sara, and Tiandrea for a lively, insightful chat that celebrates women’s basketball, the importance of staying true to yourself, and the amazing experiences within the WNBA community.

Don’t miss out on “For the Love of the W with Tiandrea Dixon”!

FACT CHECKS:

1. Lisa Leslie being the basis of a WNBA logo, is incorrect. The WNBA logo has not been based on any player, but the newest iteration has been compared to Diana Taurasi due to the bun style.
2. Arike Ogunbowale's All-Star stats were correct. Arike made her fourth All-Star Game appearance, scoring a single-quarter record 21 points in the third before adding 13 in the fourth to finish with a record 34 points in the game. All 34 of her record-setting points came in the second half to establish a single-half standard.
3. Cameron Brink did give the interview on gender diversity on her team, stating, “I will acknowledge there's a privilege for the younger white players of the league. That's not always true, but there is a privilege that we have inherently and the privilege of appearing feminine. Some of my teammates are more masculine. Some of my teammates go by they/them pronouns.”

Read the episode transcript.

🏳️‍⚧️ Play Like A They is your go-to podcast for all things sports beyond the binary. Join us as we smash the traditional boundaries and bring you the stories that matter from the world of sports.

🎙️ Season 2 is Here! Get ready for another season packed with hot takes, lively guest chats, and deep dives into women’s sports. We’re here to challenge the norms, ask the big questions, and spotlight the incredible athletes and moments that often go unnoticed. And have some fun and joy along the way!

🌍 What to Expect:

• Hot Takes: We’re not afraid to stir the pot and share bold opinions on the latest sports topics.
• Guest Chats: Hear from athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts who bring unique perspectives and stories.
• Focus on Women’s Sports: We’re putting women’s sports front and center, highlighting the achievements, struggles, and triumphs of women and ENBY's in the sports world.

🎧 Tune in Every Wednesday: New episodes drop every Wednesday starting July 24. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation.

🔗 Connect with Us: Follow us on Instagram @playlikeathey for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more!