WNBA superstar and Players Association president Nneka Ogwumike joins Welcome to the Party at a pivotal moment for women’s basketball, with the league’s CBA set to expire on January 9 and real questions swirling about revenue sharing, housing, trust, and the future of the WNBA. Nneka pulls back the curtain on what’s actually happening inside negotiations, why this moment feels different than past CBAs, and what’s truly at stake for players across the league. She also explains her headline-making decision to sign with Project B, the new global league offering equity and expanded opportunity—raising bigger questions about power, ownership, and where women’s basketball is headed next.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

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Email — [email protected]

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day. 

-Go to https://im8health.com/WTTP for a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order.

-Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/

-Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit -https://www.joinmidi.com/ today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit for perimenopause and menopause support. 

-Find the perfect for you - visit www.thirdlove.com! 

-Getting contacts doesn’t have to be a hassle. Let 1-800Contacts get you the contact lenses you need right now. Order online at https://www.1800contacts.com or download the free 1-800 Contacts app today.  

Chapters: 

00:00 Begin

04:43 Party Starter: Lindsay Vonn’s 83 World Cup Win, USA Women’s Hockey dominates Canada, NCAA Women’s Volleyball, NWSL Trinity Rodman update.

25:46 CBA and Project B explained

31:19 Nneka Ogwumike joins the party 

44:12 Nneka Explains Revenue Share

46:52 Nneka on CBA Deadlines 

55:20 Nneka on ProjectB

59:10 Nneka for President

A busted New York hotel water main and an emergency beanie situation set the scene before Julie reveals the one person she’s ever truly fangirled over — and Abby relives the night Shannon Boxx knocked on her door, sat at the end of her bed, and said the words that would change her forever. From there, the conversation digs into how much of a team’s success really comes down to the coach — and the intensifying youth movement, with girls barely in high school now departing for the pros.

Party on, party people — this one’s for you. A special Power to the Party People episode, built around your questions… so keep them coming!

Join the Party:

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/

Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit for perimenopause and menopause support. 

Find the perfect for you - visit www.thirdlove.com!

At the Ironman World Championship in Kona, competitors face one of the most demanding tests in sport: a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike ride through scorching winds, and a 26.2-mile marathon to finish. At 80 years old, Natalie Grabow became the oldest woman ever to complete a full Ironman. Natalie joins Abby, Julie, and Billie Jean King to reflect on a journey that began long before Kona—growing up before Title IX, cheering from the sidelines because girls weren’t allowed to play, and later teaching herself to swim at 59 and of course that unforgettable moment in Kona.

Join the Party:

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

No Black Coaches in the WNBA: https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/wnba-no-black-women-head-coaches-nba-experience-trend/

Makeup brands supporting women’s sports: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4BKFViL9Q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Natalie Crossing the Finish Line at Kona: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPtIpl_EQIe/?hl=en

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

Head to https://moshlife.com/welcometotheparty to save 20% off plus free shipping. 

Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit for perimenopause and menopause support. 

Find the perfect fit for you - https://www.thirdlove.com/

Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty for free shipping and 365-day returns!

Sportsmanship is in the spotlight as Julie and Abby bring the party to one of the biggest issues in youth sports: us grown-ups. They share powerful moments of real sportsmanship, swap hilarious sideline stories, and address one of the most important issues in youth sports, parents behavior. Plus, NCAA insider Jordan Robinson kicks off our new segment Party Buzz with the dish on college hoops — from Texas women’s basketball getting their flowers to why LSU has posted eight straight 100-plus games to an unexpected name on the U.S. National Team. roster drop. You don’t want to miss this party!

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

USA Women's Basketball Roster: https://justwomenssports.com/reads/usa-basketball-taps-vets-fresh-faces-for-december-training-camp-roster/#:~:text=JWS%20Staff-,USA%20Basketball%20Taps%20Vets%20&%20Fresh%20Faces%20for%20December%20Training%20Camp,to%20rehab%20an%20ACL%20tear.

Ten of our Favorite Sportsmanship Moments

Marta's decision to hand the ball to fellow Brazilian and cancer survivor Luana to seal the quarterfinal win in the NWSL: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQyBdrRjODe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

After colliding in the 2016 Rio Olympic 5,000m semifinal, Abbey D’Agostino and Nikki Hamblin pull each other up and refuse to quit: https://usopm.org/abbey-dagostino-cooper-uses-her-story-to-share-olympic-values/

With just 17 seconds left in the 2023 Italian U23 fencing final, Emilia Rossatti chose compassion over competition: https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxvyOxG1tdtrfF5onJZPem1N4-YplnZrbD?si=tYiByUsJYlCAl0Tf

Grand View’s Kaitlyn Moses hit a grand slam but injured herself rounding first, leaving her unable to run and with her own team unable to help, Southeastern University players carried her around the bases so her run would still count: https://youtu.be/unNo93gbor8?si=kWBT7Oe0lY0uPwDs&t=155

At the 2024 Olympics, during a women’s handball match, Brazil’s Tamires Morena lifted and carried Angola’s Albertina Kassoma to the bench after she collapsed with a knee injury, drawing a roaring ovation:https://www.facebook.com/reel/555610740601075

After Rebeca Andrade won floor gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowed to her on the podium in a joyful, spontaneous display of mutual respect: https://www.nbcolympics.com/videos/biles-chiles-bow-down-rebeca-andrade-medal-ceremony

In a youth jiu-jitsu match, a young competitor comforted her crying opponent and lifted her hand alongside her own, a sweet reminder that empathy starts young:https://youtube.com/shorts/Lmr6CzpxTsE?si=MYV33QqcFAhtHoPK

After Napheesa Collier went down injured, Aces players rushed to surround and shield her, offering protection and comfort in a moment of pure respect: https://x.com/espn/status/1951747469055807583

In the 2017 Dallas Marathon, when Chandler Self collapsed near the finish, high school runner Ariana Luterman lifted her up and stayed with her to the line: https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a25426738/chandler-self-returns-to-dallas-marathon/

In an NCAA soccer match, a UCLA player paused play to help a USC opponent stretch out a cramp, a small but powerful moment of care between rivals: https://x.com/UCLAWSoccer/status/1982580536150204836

 Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day. 

-Shop deals and member-exclusive savings all season long at https://www.shipt.com/

-Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit https://www.joinmidi.com/ today to book your personalized, insurance-covered virtual visit for perimenopause and menopause support. 

-Find the perfect for you - visit www.thirdlove.com!

UCLA’s Cori Close stops by the party for a powerful conversation on coaching hearts, building culture, finding “the edge,” and why mindset and connection matter more than ever. She opens up about the Texas loss, the response her team showed in Vegas, and the lessons she still carries from her years with Coach John Wooden — plus we’re hitting all the biggest stories in women’s sports this week, from the PWHL’s record-breaking Seattle debut to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Final Four being set, dominant NCAA XC championship performances, a historic NWSL Final, and more party buzz from across the sports world.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

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TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: https://www.thewoodeneffect.com/pyramid-of-success/

UCLA’s Megan Grant’s celebration:https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/46960510

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

-Athletic Greens has their best offer ever. For $126 in free gifts. Head to: https://drinkag1.com/partner/general-partnerships?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=welcometotheparty_d35ct__a10727__o27&utm_term=cac__a10727__o27&utm_content=__a10727__o27

Julie and Abby kick off a Thanksgiving-day party with turkey-trot confessions, family rituals, ridiculous food stats, and plenty of laughs. Then they dive into the first-ever Thanksgiving Table Draft, each building a five-seat table featuring a current athlete, a legend, a coach, an owner/executive, and a wild card from the women’s sports universe. Think Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Billie Jean King, Emma Hayes, Michelle Kang, Rachel Maddow, Ted Lasso—yep, it gets lively. Happy Thanksgiving, party people!

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

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TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Thanksgiving Food Stats: https://www.driveresearch.com/market-research-company-blog/40plus-thanksgiving-statistics-to-gobble-up-2023/

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/

Shop the Black Friday sale at ThirdLove where you can shop their entire collection for up to 60% off. Visit: https://www.thirdlove.com/

Julie and Abby relive an epic NWSL championship weekend full of laughs, late nights, and Gotham getting its swagger back against the Spirit. It’s pure fun and big energy as they roll through the weekend’s best moments—from the NWSL final to the buzz around NCAA women’s basketball, the wild finishes in NCAA women’s soccer, and the Players Era tournament dropping a mini–Final Four into November.

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Ben Shelton comforting Trinity Rodman: https://people.com/ben-shelton-comforts-trinity-rodman-after-she-suffers-injury-nwsl-championship-loss-11855895

The Ohio State’s Banger by Jadin Bonham with :35 left in double OT: https://youtu.be/Io_D-rWB1S4?si=ensONcAHe0byq4Rc

Minute to Win It Games That Made Abby Sweat! Time Code: 56:03: https://youtu.be/xYHPC0EaRnU?si=7hib-M--5O7IIFIO

Notre Dame stuns USC in Women’s Hoops: https://youtu.be/GClFHRwK934?si=0Q8LaXfMRr42AXYh

Learn More About The Players ERA NCAA Basketball Tournament: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/big-tournament-bigger-money-how-the-players-era-event-is-changing-college-basketball-in-just-its-second-year/

American Mikaela Shiffrin wins AGAIN, cruises to second World Cup victory in seven days: https://youtu.be/gvQcauiGG7Q?si=iC05gP7L7NmN0ndn

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

-Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

partnerships&utm_campaign=welcometotheparty_d35ct__a10727__o27&utm_term=cac__a10727__o27&utm_content=__a10727__o27

-Getting contacts doesn't need to be a hassle. Order online today at: https://www.1800contacts.com/

-Save 60% sitewide on ThirdLove's Black Friday sale. Plus, $25 off when you spend $135. Visit: https://www.thirdlove.com

Description:

Gotham FC and the Spirit may be the main event this NWSL Championship weekend, but this was its own kind of show — a wild, joyful mix of women’s sports celebration, real talk, empowerment, and pure party energy. Our first LIVE pod at the Ally House in San Jose brought Julie and Abby together with Ally CMO Andrea Brimmer, Brandi Chastain, and Danielle Slaton, and once the competitive fire kicked in, the whole thing turned into hilarious, iconic chaos. It was everything we love about women’s sports in one room and one pod.

Reserve a Spot at the Ally House for all of Saturday’s happenings in San Jose: https://www.ally.com/ally-house-2025/

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

NWSL Awards and Best XI: https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/players-step-out-and-celebrate-2025-season-at-nwsl-awards-presented-by-at-t

Learn more about Andrea Brimmer and how Ally is changing the game: https://www.powerplays.news/p/how-ally-broke-the-vicious-cycle

NWSL Championship Game: https://www.nwslsoccer.com/championship?utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Known_Playoffs/Championship&utm_term=nwsl%20championship&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23211050588&gbraid=0AAAAAp8vocIJFf8g2xzLVGXxmuP137HvW&gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFmHpp8cko8Tfn3et2yfDbVZu03NbLkNADa0mpsKFmtQk-57IVgUeohoCwqEQAvD_BwE

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

Description:

Nobody has changed women’s sports — or the world — more than Billie Jean King. So for her 82nd birthday, we threw her the ultimate surprise party on Welcome to the Party… 

Billie had no clue what was coming: celebrity drop-ins, messages from icons, a look-alike contest from her hometown of Long Beach, and a birthday cake delivered on set by the one and only Ilana Kloss. Robin Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Holly Hunter, Rosie Casals, Lindsay Davenport, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Mary Carillo, Alex Rodriguez, Christiane Amanpour — they all popped in to celebrate the Kinger.

Plus, Julie and Abby break down the 10 ways Billie Jean King changed the world, changed women’s sports, and quite literally changed people’s lives. (Trust us — every athlete playing today is living in the world she built.)

RSVP to attend the Ally House in San Jose for NWSL Championship week Nov. 21-22 at https://www.ally.com/ally-house-2025

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

Billie Jean King Foundation: https://billiejeankingfoundation.org/

Women’s Sports Foundation: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/who-we-are/

The Ten Ways Billie Jean Has Changed The World: (Watch the episode to learn more!)

She showed us the power of a UNIFIED women’s sports movement. 

She taught us to never settle for the crumbs.

She showed millions of girls and women what they were capable of achieving.

She showed the world what Women’s sports could be.

She taught us that Girls who Play, become Girls who Lead: 

She shows us daily that Athlete activism is part of our very fiber.

She made sure Title IX was fully realized.

She made it known that Women not only had a seat at the table, but also owned a piece of that table.

She preached from the very beginning that Women’s sports investments should not be based on sympathy, but strategy.

She made sure Generation after generation could see what they could be.  

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/

After years of different women’s hockey leagues trying to find their footing, the PWHL burst onto the scene with sold-out crowds, real momentum, and a model that’s actually working. We sit down with Jayna Hefford — a five-time Olympian, four-time gold medalist, Hockey Hall of Famer, and the PWHL’s Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. Alongside hosts Billie Jean King, Abby Wambach, and Julie Foudy, we dig into why this league is taking off, what finally clicked behind the scenes, and where the PWHL is headed next.

RSVP to attend the Ally House in San Jose for NWSL Championship week Nov. 21-22 at https://www.ally.com/ally-house-2025

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow

Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow

TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow

Email — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

More on Jayna Hefford: https://jaynahefford.com/

PWHL Schedule: https://www.thepwhl.com/en/schedule

PWHL Takeover Tour: https://www.thepwhl.com/en/takeover-tour-2026

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

-Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day. 

Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

-Go to https://im8health.com/WTTP for a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order.

-Shop tons of deals, including member-exclusive savings, all season long during the Season of Savings at https://www.shipt.com/