Host Kathleen Gier talks about the Denver Summit's home opener, the latest USWNT roster, which includes Sophia Wilson and Tierna Davidson, and the latest movement in the NWSL standings.

LINKS:

Sophia Wilson, Tierna Davidson return to USWNT roster ahead of Japan friendlies 

After scoring their first goal, the Boston Legacy FC are making strides

Denver smashes records and heavyweights free fall: NWSL week 3 recap

How long can Angel City stay on top?

Photo credit: Ron Chenoy | Imagn Images

Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell are back to preview what might be the most action packed Friday women’s basketball has seen in a long time. The pair first previews the NCAA Women’s Final Four featuring Texas vs.UCLA and UConn vs. South Carolina. And then Jackie shares an interview she did with Emily Adler and Lincoln Shafer where Adler and Shafer explain the rules of the double WNBA expansion draft while providing insight into the types of decisions GMs have to make going into the draft. Then later Jackie and Howard discuss their takeaways from the news that the Connecticut Sun have officially been sold to Houston Rockets ownership to become the revived Houston Comets. 

0:00 - Introduction

1:41 - #1 at The IX 

4:01 - Breaking down Texas vs. UCLA 

8:00 - Previewing UConn vs. South Carolina 

13:33 - Jackie interviews Emily Adler and Lincoln Shafer 

15:05 - How is this double expansion draft going to work? 

17:46 - Could non-role players be chosen? 

21:32 - Discussing protected lists 

28:44 - What will the expansion draft reveal about Toronto and Portland 

30:58 - Are there teams passed on during the expansion draft?

33:34 - Court Vision–The Connecticut Sun sale

38:28 - Signing off

Thumbnail Photo Credit:  Left to Right: Chris Jones-Imagn Images, Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images, David Butler II-Imagn Images and Alex Martin/Greenville News

Links to click that are referenced throughout the show: 

Emily Adler and Lincoln Shafer mock out Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo expansion draft:

https://www.theixsports.com/features/portland-fire-toronto-tempo-wnba-expansion-draft/

Follow us & Subscribe on: 

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Apple Podcasts 

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Authors of new book Court Queens Emma Baccellieri & Jordan Robinson join Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell for a very special episode of The IX Sports Podcast Women’s Basketball Edition. Jackie begins by asking Emma and Jordan about why they needed to embark on Court Queens, what their research process was like and how the book mirrors American women’s history. Then Howard asks Jordan and Emma about the significance of their book during a moment when the WNBA and the players agreed upon such a transformational CBA. Then the quartet stays together for Court Vision where Emma, Jordan, Howard and Jackie provide their predictions heading into the NCAA Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Screenshots of Jordan and Emma, Hachette Book Group

Links to click that are referenced throughout the show: Buy Court Queens: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/emma-baccellieri/court-queens/9798894141343/

Follow Jordan here:

https://www.instagram.com/jordanligons/?hl=en

https://bsky.app/profile/heyjordanr.bsky.social

Follow Emma here:

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ffmb4l3oaijsybkwnbs2xmd3

https://www.instagram.com/emmabacce/?hl=en

Read Emma’s work at SI here:

https://www.si.com/author/emma-baccellieri

Listen to Jordan’s podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWomensHoopsShow

Read Jessica Luther on Texas here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/texas-womens-basketball-march-madness-remembering-1986/

Read Rob Knox on Virigina’s Kymora Johnson

https://www.theixsports.com/features/kymora-johnson-virginia-wbit/

Follow us & Subscribe on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheIXSports

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vn5r287B0oS3wX2fHmLZ8?si=39f2fd261ec1467f

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ix-sports-podcast/id1845604905

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/theixsports.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theixsports/

The Wisconsin Badgers are back-to-back NCAA national champions! They met the Ohio State Buckeyes in the finals for the fourth straight time and won 3-2. Caroline Harvey, who plays for Wisconsin, took home the Patty Kazmaier Award for player of the year.

Maya Smith and Dylan Nazareth talk about what this championship and award mean for the PWHL next season and the tank for Harvey conversations.

Then, Dylan breaks down where the Montréal Victoire stand as they get closer to the playoffs, the injuries to Marie-Philip Poulin and Erin Amrbose, and if they have a chance to make the championship.

Lastly, Maya and Dylan talk about the battle for first place, a close race between the Boston Fleet, Montréal Victoire, and Minnesota Frost. Can all three teams keep up the winning as the playoffs get closer? They aren't so sure.

Follow Dylan on X: https://x.com/dylnaz

Follow Maya on X: https://x.com/mayaxeverysport

Read Dylan's work on the IX Sports: https://www.theixsports.com/author/dylan-nazareth/

Read Reid's interview with Taylor Heise: https://www.theixsports.com/the-ice-garden/pwhl/pwhl-minnesota/leveled-up-taylor-heise-is-in-the-midst-of-a-career-year/

Photo credit: © Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Host Kathleen Gier runs through the last week of NWSL results, which include a short-handed 2-0 victory by Portland over Seattle. Andi Sullivan, Tierna Davidson and Savy King also made their returns to the league, and Denver Summit picked up the club's first victory. She also talks about the UWCL Quarter-Finals, where Arsenal beat Chelsea in Leg 1.

Red cards, upsets, and rivalries: NWSL week 2 roundup - https://www.theixsports.com/the-ix-soccer/nwsl-week-2-roundup-2026/

Savy King's inspiring comeback story - https://www.theixsports.com/newsletter/savy-kings-inspiring-comeback-story/

It's that time of year, NCAA Women's Hockey championship season! The Ohio State, Wisconsin, Northeastern, and Penn State will all compete for the top prize at the Frozen Four. NCAA reporters Giselle Valazquez and Emma Sullivan join host Maya Smith to break down the tournament, each school, and how they think the championship will shake out.

Then, they break down the Patty Kazmaier Award for the top NCAA Div 1 hockey player finalists: KK Harvey, Tessa Janeke, and Abbey Murphy. The winner will be announced at the Frozen Four tournament.

Plus, a trade was announced this week between the Boston Fleet and Seattle Torrent, which Maya discusses in our #1 at the IX segment. Follow Maya on X: https://x.com/mayaxeverysport

Follow Giselle on X: https://x.com/emptyrink

Follow Emma on X: https://x.com/emmasul02

Read more NCAA stories on The IX Sports: https://www.theixsports.com/category/the-ice-garden/ncaa-hockey/

#1 at the IX Story: https://www.theixsports.com/the-ice-garden/pwhl/pwhl-fleet-acquire-jessie-eldridge-from-torrent-for-theresa-schafzahl/

Kathleen Gier, host of the weekly soccer show, recaps the opening weekend of the NWSL season, which included some high-profile debuts and returns as well as an expansion team's home opener. Catarina Macario also made history, signing a huge multi-year deal with the San Diego Wave and Chelsea picked up another club title.

It is now day 8 of the marathon WNBA CBA negotiations and Jackie Powell is *still* on the ground and feeling exhausted. But first Howard Megdal fills out his bracket region by region and explains who he believes makes it to the Women’s Final Four and then wins the national championship. Later on Jackie explains where we are now on Day 8 of these 12-15 hour bargaining sessions. She provides insight as to why there’s a bit of a hold up right now along with sharing some stories from her over a week’s long stakeout. And then Howard asks her a million-dollar question: what will it take for a deal to get done?

0:00 - Introduction

1:33 - #1 at The IX

3:47 - Howard fills out his March Madness bracket

4:20- Fort Worth

1 8:52 - Sacramento 2

13:42- Fort Worth 3

18:27 - Sacramento 4

21:21 - Final Four 22:30 - National Championship game

25:07 - Jackie is going on day 8

30:36 - Jackie reflects on the experience of staking out

32: 54 - Court vision: What has to happen to get a CBA deal done?

Thumbnail Photo Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Links to click that are referenced throughout the show:

Follow along with Jackie’s CBA updates on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ozipw4tk5_M?si=RhlNMDGpHDJqCKWm

https://youtube.com/shorts/llgmZZPWmjo?si=lHNqwoTBJuQltnuE

https://youtube.com/shorts/mWRRoYwUvgc?si=HH6kVtOYCc9MZgZ0

Read Stephanie Kaloi on the NCAA tournament bracket reveal: https://www.theixsports.com/the-ix-basketball-newsroom/ncaa-basketball/bracket-takeaways-committee-chair-talks-uconn-vs-ucla/

Follow us & Subscribe on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheIXSports

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vn5r287B0oS3wX2fHmLZ8?si=39f2fd261ec1467f

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ix-sports-podcast/id1845604905

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/theixsports.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theixsports/

The IX’s Jackie Powell has been covering the WNBA and WNBPA’s marathon bargaining sessions that have been occurring inside The Langham Hotel in midtown New York City. Howard Megdal asks her about what she learned and the two react to and analyze comments she collected on the ground from people on the players side including WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson, Nneka Ogwumike and on the league’s side Comissioner Cathy Engelbert and Conneticut Sun team President and former WNBA player Jen Rizzotti.

Later on in the show, Howard makes a plea to the NCAA tournament selection committee about including teams like Quinnipiac in its plans with selection Sunday coming this weekend.

0:00 - Introduction1:05 - #1 at The IX

3:05: - Jackie reflects on what the past couple of days have been like

6:00 - Hear from WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson

10:57 - Hear from Nneka Ogwumike and Brianna Turner

17:00 - Survey Question 3

17:12 - Survey Question 4

19:20 - Hear from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Sun President Jen Rizzotti

23:23 - Jackie will return to the hotel

24:00 - Howard takes you inside the MAAC championship game

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Screenshot via Sports Center segment (https://youtu.be/IWC-g1l33XA?si=OLAT7i8VAfF9-LZX)

Video credits: Jackie Powell

Links to click that are referenced throughout the show:

Jackie Powell’s dispatch from Day 1 of staking out CBA negotiations:

https://www.theixsports.com/newsletter/march-11-2026-night-wnba-cba-negotiations/

March 12th edition of Women’s Sports Daily with Chelsea Leite: https://open.spotify.com/episode/18tKZYEARYSYshpORKD8xr?si=aREfJN5RStOd6qnLJaY9-Q

Follow us & Subscribe on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheIXSports

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vn5r287B0oS3wX2fHmLZ8?si=39f2fd261ec1467f

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ix-sports-podcast/id1845604905

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/theixsports.bsky.socialInstagram https://www.instagram.com/theixsports/

If you build it, they will come! The PWHL has seen a great attendance boost from the Olympics, with the New York Sirens and Toronto Sceptres setting attendance highs this past week. Plus, the games at Madison Square Garden and TD Garden are already sold out for April. Maya Smith and Natalia Rachman break down the attendance increase and what it means for the league. Then, they dive into the NCAA tournament and the division titles. Natalia breaks down the chances for each team to make it into the Frozen Four. They also talk about the Patty Kazmaier Award finalists. Lastly, they dive into Natalia's favourite topic, the SDHL! The playoffs are underway, and many Olympians are competing to win the championship.

Follow Maya on X: https://x.com/mayaxeverysport

Follow Natalia on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/nataliarak.tgirl.gay

Read Natalia's newsletter on the IX Sports: https://www.theixsports.com/the-ix-sports-insiders/hockey-insider/checking-in-on-the-sdhl-playoff-picture-news-and-notes-from-around-womens-hockey/

#1 at the IX: https://www.theixsports.com/the-ice-garden/pwhl/pwhl-sellouts-madison-square-garden-td-garden/

Crease Huddles with Natalia and Geremy: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Y82S4JimkJfEwZIfP4ZIS?trackId=4bU5cP6XViItg3OGvDZ2MM