Good Game with Sarah Spain

Bobsled legend Elana Meyers Taylor joins Sarah to discuss battling through her toughest season yet to qualify for her fifth Olympics and how she's approaching what might be her last chance at winning gold. They discuss why heptathletes make the best push athletes, how she’s recovering from the scariest crash of her career, and her concerns around the long-term sustainability of the sport of bobsled. Plus, cashing in on the charity stripe, an early contender for fit of the year, and a few players we’re thankful to see touch grass again.  Watch Paige Bueckers react to winning $50k here Check out the Australian Open schedule here Follow Elana Meyers Taylor on Instagram! @elanameyerstaylor  The Toronto Tempo’s lego collab is here Check out the Portland Fire’s Portlandia schedule collab here The Chicago Sky’s collab with Art But Make It Sports is here  Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky:@biancahillier.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boise State beach volleyball player Nora Hayd and Australian semi-pro hooper Caitlin Cunningham (a.k.a. Caitlin Dark) have gone viral around the world for being gothletes (goth athletes) and rocking a look not often seen on the court or the sand. Hayd and Cunningham join Sarah to discuss the attention they’ve received for their unique looks, dream makeup collabs, expanding the idea of what an athlete can look like, and why it’s always a good idea to express your true self. Follow Caitlin on social! Instagram: @caitlepillar Follow Nora on social! Instagram: @nora.rose14  Support ultra runner Sarah Porter here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky:@biancahillier.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multi-sport athlete and advocate for transgender rights Chris Mosier joins Sarah a few days after protesting outside the Supreme Court in D.C. He shares his thoughts on the Court hearing oral arguments regarding trans athletes participating in sports, how he approaches having conversations with people who are ignorant or uninformed, what he thinks of some of the proposed “solutions” for trans inclusion in sports, and how he uses joy as a form of resistance. Plus, a different kind of Sunday Scaries, turning beets into borscht, and a cross-border rivalry over crowd size. Buy tickets to the Women’s Beanpot Championship here Meet all the Athletes Unlimited basketball players here And check out the Athletes Unlimited schedule here Read the Front Office Sports article on the WNBA considering buying back equity here Watch Jordan Chiles earn a career first perfect 10 on the vault here Find the Australian Open results here, and the schedule here Pre-order Fair Game: Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky:@biancahillier.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While folks everywhere are eating up the fictional TV series “Heated Rivalry,” we've got the real thing! Rivals-turned-wives Caroline Ouellette, four-time Olympic medalist with Team Canada hockey, and Julie Chu, four-time Olympic medalist with Team USA hockey, join Sarah to talk about navigating their relationship while captaining their respective national teams. Plus, handling the tension that comes with dating your opponent, how to balance your happiness with your partner’s sadness, and why they kept their relationship on the DL until they were done competing. Finally, with Caroline serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, who is Julie rooting for, her former team or her wife?!  Read the 2022 Sports Illustrated story on the American-Canadian hockey couples here Follow Julie on Instagram here Follow Caroline on Instagram here   Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky:@biancahillier.bsky.social  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s do that hockey! Specifically: the Women’s Beanpot and hockey at the Winter Olympics. Sarah spoke to Northeastern and team Switzerland player Alessia Baechler, as well as BU and Team Germany twin sisters Lilli and Luisa Welcke, about transitioning from their home countries to playing and living in the States, the moment they found out they made their team’s roster for next month’s Milan-Cortina Olympics, and the record that organizers are trying to break at next week’s Beanpot championship game in Boston. Plus, grief with a grievance, there’s drama Down Under, and the second installment of the Friday Fatto Figo! SHOW NOTES:  Check out the 2026 NWSL schedule here  Read Annie Costabile and Ryan Glasspiegel’s reporting on Unrivaled’s viewership for Front Office Sports here The 2026 Australian Open women’s singles draw is here and the schedule is here  The NCAA basketball schedule can be found here   The PWHL schedule can be found here  The Unrivaled schedule can be found here  The NCAA hockey schedule can be found here  The LOVB schedule can be found here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky:@biancahillier.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NWSL Players Association Executive Director Meghann Burke joins Sarah to discuss the PA’s decision to file a grievance challenging the league’s new High Impact Player rule, whether the NWSL’s handling of recent issues might be eroding trust in leadership, and the ongoing uncertainty over Trinity Rodman’s status in the league. Plus, the cooler is in for the long haul, making it official with some city names, and wondering if there’s some tea we can dump in the harbor. Read Katie Barnes’ reporting on the oral arguments heard by the Supreme Court  here and here Watch Coach Jackie and content creator Allie O'Brien interview anti-trans protestors outside the Supreme Court here Learn more about all six AUSL cities – and their stadiums – here Read Doug Feinberg’s reporting on the WNBA and PA’s moratorium agreement here  Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky: @biancahillier.bsky.social  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big East Commissioner and former WNBA President Val Ackerman joins Sarah to discuss how her job has changed as a result of NIL, the transfer portal and House vs. NCAA, how her previous career stops influenced her work as commissioner of a conference, and how the disparity between the football haves and have-nots is growing every day.  RSVP to the 2026 Congressional College Athletics Summit here  Check out Vogue’s compliment battle between Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams here And watch their very NSFW appearance with Buzzfeed here  Check out @AcceptingUncleMurphy’s video praising Unrivaled here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  Follow producer Bianca Hillier! Bluesky:@biancahillier.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former WNBA player Sonia Chase and former NBA Players Association Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio join Sarah to discuss the behind the scenes of the WNBA CBA negotiations, the revenue sharing specifics keeping the two sides apart, and whether a work stoppage is the only thing that will get a new deal done. Plus, a Denver homecoming, college hoops delivers streaks and slides, and a reminder that you’re never too young to start manifesting your dreams.  Follow Tamika on Instagram here  Follow Sonia on Instagram here Watch baby Isabeau’s Olympic goal-setting session here  The AP college basketball rankings are here  Watch Khristina Williams' interview with Erin Drake here  Get tickets to the Women’s Beanpot here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defector tennis writer Giri Nathan joins Sarah to discuss the Australian Open and the start of the 2026 tennis season, which players might push the trio that’s been at the top of the game for the last few years, and the pros and cons of a WTA/ATP merger. Plus, showing up with pride, a footy rumor we’re trying to ignore, and it’s deja vu all over again in Storrs, Connecticut. Follow Giri Nathan on Bluesky here Check out Chelsea Gray’s back-to-back three-pointers here Read The Athletic’s Chris Johnston’s reports on the Olympic hockey test event here, here, and here Check out the head-to-head comparison between Sarah Strong and Maya Moore here Watch Abbey Murphy’s incredible move and assist here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WNBA superstar and Unrivaled co-founder Breanna Stewart joins Sarah to discuss what she learned from Unrivaled’s inaugural season, her goals for season two, how the 3-on-3 league has played a role in setting a new standard for player experience and pay, and her best prediction for when the WNBA CBA negotiations will finally get done. Plus, a trip to the world’s most famous arena, a roster drop of the young and unattached, and a new segment in the lead-up to the Milan-Cortina Games: the Friday Fatto Figo!   SHOW NOTES:  Read David Berri’s story for Winsidr here The latest USWNT roster is here and tickets for the team’s friendlies against Paraguay and Chile are here  Get your tickets for the New York Sirens’ Madison Square Garden game here The Unrivaled schedule can be found here  The NCAA basketball schedule can be found here   The NCAA hockey schedule can be found here  The PWHL schedule can be found here  The LOVB schedule can be found here The full U.S. Figure Skating Championships schedule is here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WNBA-hooper-turned-team-owner, analyst, activist and all-around badass Renee Montgomery joins Sarah to discuss yet another new title she’s adding to her resume, and to give her thoughts on the start of Unrivaled Season 2 and the ongoing WNBA CBA negotiations. Plus, serving up acronym soup, a design worthy of a star, and shooting for a record.  Get your tickets to the 2026 Women’s Beanpot here Get your tickets for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup here The U.S. Figure Skating Championships schedule is here  Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of season two of LOVB – aka League One Volleyball – league President Rosie Spaulding and LOVB Salt Lake player Jordyn Poulter join Sarah to discuss their roses and thorns from year one, the biggest changes the league has made for season two, the evolution of team ownership, and how LOVB views its main competitor Major League Volleyball (MLV). Watch the video of the prank on Orly, the Caitlin Clark doppelgänger here  The LOVB schedule and ticket info can be found here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s time to announce the winners of the 2025 Slice-ees, the second annual Good Game with Sarah Spain awards for excellence, eminence, and embarrassment in women’s sports! Then, friends of the show return to put a button on our new year’s ponderings and talk about changing our minds in 2026. Plus, shuffling up and down the leaderboard and an Italian athlete we’re finding it im-pasta-ble not to love. Check out the behind-the-scenes video of Alessandra Fumagalli and her spaghetti here  The latest women’s basketball rankings can be found here  Follow sliding sports expert Ken Childs here and check out his website here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new year demands a look back and a look ahead, so we asked some friends of the show to share a memory from 2025 that’s sure to stick and to tell us their intentions - not resolutions, intentions! - for 2026. Plus, circling back on the biggest news from the holiday break, a Winter Olympic charcuterie board, and Unrivaled tips off without a co-founder.  The Unrivaled schedule can be found here  Check out Marta’s dancing skills here Follow Lyndsay Rush on Instagram here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com TikTok: @Spain.Sarah Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To close out our "Best of 2025" series, we're revisiting Sarah's conversation with legendary coach and player Dawn Staley. Back in September, she joined Sarah for a candid conversation about leading in life, beyond just wins and losses. Staley, whose Hall of Fame career has shaped generations of athletes, discusses the pressure of coaching in the new NIL and House v. NCAA era, her advocacy for equity in women’s athletics, and the emotional strength required to support friends and family through health challenges — including breast cancer.  Follow Dawn on Instagram here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy 2026, slices! We're continuing our week of Best Ofs with Paige Jones, a member of the U.S. National Ski Jumping Team, who joined Sarah in August to share a concerning experience she had during inspections before the season began. Jones explained why a scandal involving altered ski jumping suits has resulted in more intense examinations, detailed just what the heck a crotch machine is, and asked her sport’s governing body to better prioritize athlete comfort and safety. Follow Paige on social media here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year's Eve, Slices! We're continuing our week of Best Ofs with U.S. women’s national team legends Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach who sat down with Sarah for a live interview as part of the Women’s Sports Foundation's Athlete Leadership Connection back in October. They discuss how Abby and Julie handled the transition from pro athlete to post-soccer life, why women's sports are inherently political, learning how to enjoy the ordinary and not just the extraordinary, and how Julie and Abby’s new podcast with Billie Jean King, “Welcome to the Party,” adds another layer of radical joy to the women’s sports world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three-time Olympian and two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe joined Sarah earlier this year to talk birthday celebrations, being on the good side of 40, finding joy post-retirement, what’s on her decade to-do list, co-hosting a podcast with her fiancée Sue Bird, what is lost when athletes don’t use their voices, and being a target for far-right foolishness.  Listen to A Touch More with Sue Bird & Megan Rapinoe here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're revisiting some of our favorite interviews of 2025, including this conversation with Erin Drake of the WNBA Players Association, and Meghann Burke and Tori Huster of the NWSL Players Association. The trio joined Sarah in late October to discuss what collective bargaining negotiations look like behind the scenes, what the two PAs have learned from each other, and how systems need to change in order for investment in women's sports to make it to the players that built the leagues.  Read the Guardian article about the NWSLPA and WNBPA collab here Follow the WNBPA here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social Instagram: @AzziArtwork  Follow the NWSLPA here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're revisiting some of our favorite interviews of 2025, starting with a conversation with Allyson Felix. The retired track star and mother-of-two spoke with Sarah over the summer about her legendary career and the joys and challenges of juggling parenthood and multiple business endeavors. They discussed her new management company Always Alpha, her new documentary "She Runs The World," and her longtime advocacy on behalf of women and mothers, from calling out Nike's pregnancy policies to pushing for the first-ever nursery in an Olympic Village.  Follow Allyson Felix on Instagram here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.com Instagram: @Spain2323 TikTok: spain.sarah Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.