Good Game with Sarah Spain

Jemele Hill, author, executive producer, podcast host, and staff writer at The Atlantic, joins Sarah to talk about how she’s maintaining her inner light during a rough start to 2025, how a second Trump presidency could affect the women’s sports landscape, and how she's preparing for the forthcoming chaos. Read Jemele’s memoir Uphill here Read the other memoir Jemele recommended – “Plain Jayne” by Jayne Kennedy – here Subscribe to the Spolitics podcast here Watch the documentary 13th on Netflix  Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Basketball reporter Rob Knox, who covers HBCU hoops for The Next, joins Sarah to discuss how team success can affect player odds for individual awards, the college hoops stars currently flying under the radar, and the HBCU and mid-major teams everyone should be talking about. Plus, how to prep for Unrivaled’s tip-off, when heckling goes wrong, and an open question about just how many new pro volleyball leagues one country can have. Buy your own slice of Minnesota Aurora FC! Details can be found here  Check out Rob’s recent reporting for The Next here  Follow broadcaster Dom Patrick here  Watch the video of Danielle Collins heckling back here  Learn more about the rules Unrivaled will use via this helpful post from Just Women’s Sports Read more about the NCAA vote to provide “performance units” to women’s basketball teams here  The full college basketball schedule can be found here  Get your tickets to the Beanpot championship game here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award winning journalist, producer and author Katie Barnes joins Sarah to explain the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” bill that the House passed earlier this week. They discuss who and what could be affected if the Senate passes the bill, potential unintended consequences, and what is and isn’t made clear in the language of the bill. Plus, another un-retirement, PVF players hit the court tonight, and some extremely gay math. Get Katie’s book, “Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debates” here Find the PVF schedule here Check Frankie de la Cretaz’s insight on queer players competing in 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.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Unrivaled Team Draft Day! Sarah, Alex, and Mish debut a fool-proof points system to help you pick which Unrivaled club to root for in the league’s inaugural season! It’s part hoops draft, part Seventeen magazine quiz and part Buzzfeed personality test. Plus, WoSo wedding szn and super slices have us siced! Want to help contribute essentials to those impacted by the LA fires? The folks at Deep Blue Sports are helping organize a drive. Details can be found here!  All of the Unrivaled rosters, logos, coaches, and branding can be found on the league’s website. Check it out here We want to see your Unrivaled draft sheet! Post a photo on social (and tag Sarah!) or send us an email at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com   Check out ArtButMakeItSports’s recent twitter post featuring Naomi Osaka and the 1830s painting “Under the Wave off Kanagawa” here Shoutout to super slice Joey for making a composite calendar for LOVB, Unrivaled, AU Basketball, and Pro Volleyball Federation games. You can find that schedule here Check out Toronto Tempo merch here  The Brittney Sykes dancing video Misha referenced can be found here Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Basketball analyst and former Notre Dame hoops head coach Muffet McGraw joins Sarah to talk about the incredible job her successor Niele Ivey is doing with the program, Hannah Hidalgo’s case for National Player of the Year, the pushback surrounding a post Hidalgo shared on social media last summer, and why the coaching landscape still doesn’t pass the gender bias test. Plus, Team Canada soccer is shaking things up, the coldest pot of beans you ever saw, and some excellent reading recs. Watch Muffet McGraw’s viral comments on women in leadership here Read Emily Jo Roberts’ essay on investing in women coaches here Read Linda Lu and Chantal Hildebrand’s co-leadership essay here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We nominated, you voted, and now the results of our first ever Slice-ee Awards are in! Plus, Sarah gets you caught up on the latest NWSL headlines, juiciest NCAA hoops upsets and favorites for the first tennis Slam of the year. Then, a PWHL “Good Game, Good Game, Fact You” featuring shattered records and the new iHeart Women’s Sports pods you should add to your rotation. Links to funds helping those affected by the LA wildfires: Donate to The LA Unified School District Education Emergency Relief Fund here, offering direct cash assistance and support to families and LAUSD employees affected by the fires Donate to the LA Fire Department Foundation here, supporting the heroic firefighters responding in real-time Donate to the International Community Foundation here, supporting front/second line farmworkers, day laborers, essential workers and families impacted by the fires Help displaced families in the historically Black Altadena community affected by the fires here Sydney Colson’s X post, the winner of The Very Unserious Syd Colson Award, For Excellence in Social Media Trolling, is here Sam Kerr Tackling The Pitch Invader Video We Can’t Stop Watching Award winning video is here  The Serena Williams Catsuit Fit of the Year Award winning ensemble is here Follow stylist Amadi Brooks here Subscribe to Serving Pancakes here Subscribe to Throttle Therapy here Subscribe to Welcome to the Par-Tee here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We close out our “New Year, New Leagues” series with a few more women’s sports leagues to keep tabs on in 2025 and beyond. Plus, Big Citrus convenes to review everything we learned this week, from what excites us most about these new leagues to some lingering questions and concerns.  You have one last chance to vote for the Slice-ees (aka our end-of-2024 women’s sports awards) before we reveal the winners next week. Vote here! Follow the Women’s Lacrosse League here Follow the Northern Super League here  Follow the Women’s Pro Baseball League here Get tickets for the Lexus Championship Series – featuring the debut of the WLL – here  You can check out WLL merch here  Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women’s Elite Rugby (aka WER) is the focus of today’s edition of “New Year, New Leagues.” WER President Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf and Chicago player Betty Nguyen join Sarah to discuss the inspiration for the league, the difference between 7s and 15s, and how each team filled out its roster. Plus, the stars, stakes, stats, and stories you need to know. Follow the WER on Instagram here Follow WER player Emma Farnan on Instagram here Follow Dr. Jessica Hammond-Graf on X here Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com   Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our “New Year, New Leagues” series continues! Pitching legend and GM of the AUSL Volts Cat Osterman joins Sarah to chat all things Athletes Unlimited Softball League. They talk how this league will differ from previous AU softball formats, its groundbreaking year-round insurance policy for athletes, and the stars, stakes, stats and stories to look out for. Follow the AUSL here Purchase season tickets here Follow Cat on Instagram here Follow AUSL player Bubba Nickles here Follow AUSL player Dejah Mulipola here Follow AUSL player Carley Hoover here Photographer/Videographer Jade Hewitt on Instagram here  AUSL senior reporter/broadcaster Savanna Collins on Instagram here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

League One Volleyball (aka LOVB) takes center stage for installment #2 of our “New Year, New Leagues” series. LOVB President Rosie Spaulding and Salt Lake City player Jordyn Poulter join Sarah to discuss how the league is prioritizing athlete experience and why in-game commentary will sound a little different. Plus, the stars, stakes, stats, and stories you need to know.  Watch LOVB! The full season schedule (including tune-in info) can be found here Listen to the “Serving Pancakes” podcast here Follow Evollve for reliable and accessible volleyball stats and data Follow LOVB player Lauren Carlini here Follow LOVB player Jordan Thompson here Follow the league here, and follow the teams too! LOVB Atlanta LOVB Austin LOVB Houston LOVB Omaha LOVB Madison LOVB Salt Lake See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re starting 2025 with our “New Year, New Leagues” series of shows, bringing you everything you need to know about the new professional women's leagues kickin' off, tippin' off, first pitchin' and first servin’ their way into our hearts in 2025. First up, Unrivaled Basketball president Alex Bazzell joins Sarah to talk about the stars, stakes, stats and stories in the new 3-on-3 league. Follow Unrivaled Basketball here, and follow the basketball clubs too! Lunar Owls BC Rose BC Vinyl BC Mist BC Phantom BC Laces BC Watch the Unrivaled roster selection here Follow Alex @alexbazzell on IG Follow Unrivaled player and co-founder Napheesa Collier here Follow Unrivaled player and co-founder Breanna Stewart here Follow Unrivaled player Sabrina Ionescu here Follow Aliyah Funschelle on Instagram here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve spent the week revisiting our favorite interviews of 2024, and last but not least is Sarah’s conversation with Rose Eveleth, host of the Tested podcast. They joined her back in August to talk gender verification testing, the binary categorization of humans, and the “dangers” that inexact sciences seek to protect women athletes from. Subscribe and listen to Rose Eveleth’s podcast series, Tested here (scroll down to find it)!  Learn about the history of sex testing, the language Rose & Sarah use, and find additional reading here Read the Scientific American Story that Sarah mentions here! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of our “Best of 2024” series, here is Sarah’s conversation with USWNT legends Sam Mewis and Becky Sauerbrunn from August, right before the U.S.-Brazil gold medal game at the Paris Olympics. Sam and Becky discussed everything from the start of the Emma Hayes era to their favorite post-game eats.  Listen to Sam Mewis's podcast, "The Women's Game" here Make sure to check out the "Good Vibes FC" episodes, where Sam is joined by Becky Sauerbrunn and Lynn Williams! Videos here Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re revisiting some of our favorite interviews of 2024! Today, we hit play on Sarah’s conversation with recently retired WNBA hooper Layshia Clarendon. Lay joined Sarah to talk grieving his career while honoring themself and their stillness, being the first out trans player in the W, and the Finals series between two of her former teams. Follow Layshia on IG here! Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re revisiting some of our favorite interviews of 2024! Back in August, former pro cyclist and forever activist Kathryn Bertine joined Sarah to discuss the history of the Tour de France Femmes, and why equality in cycling is still a long way away. Read Kathryn Bertine’s memoir, Stand and watch her film, Half the Road Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re revisiting some of our favorite interviews of 2024, starting with U.S. cross-country skiing star Jessie Diggins. Sarah originally caught up with Jessie in August during the Summer Olympics, but today we’re running back the interview as it’s the height of Jessie’s own competition season. Watch Jessie compete in the 2024-25 Tour de Ski! The full schedule is here!  Learn more about The Emily Program here! Check out Jessie Diggins’s book “Brave Enough” here! Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s time for the first annual Slice-ee Awards!! Sarah, Misha and Alex announce the nominees in each category and ask YOU to cast ballots. Plus, Jane McManus, editor of The Year’s Best Sports Writing 2024, joins Sarah to share her favorite pieces from this year, and chat about her upcoming book The Fast Track: Inside the Surging Business of Women's Sports. Then a *unique* In Memoriam, and some delights and comforts to offset your New Year’s dread.  Submit your ballot for the first ever Slice-ee Awards here!! Nominees for the Sam Kerr Tackling The Pitch Invader Video We Can’t Stop Watching Award can be viewed here: Jonquel Jones & Sandy Brondello’s collision Angel Reese & NaLyssa Smith’s free throw line moment Cat offering support on the balance beam Nominees for the Serena Williams Catsuit Fit of the Year Award  Kelsey Plum’s fit Courtney Williams’ fit A’ja Wilson's fit Pre-order Jane McManus’ book The Fast Track: Inside the Surging Business of Women's 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.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenny Nguyen, founder of The Sports Bra women’s sports bar in Portland, Oregon, joins Sarah to discuss her transition from chef to bar owner, betting her life savings on her vision, how opening the bar changed her relationship with her parents, and how to know a risk is worth taking.  Interested in starting your own Sports Bra franchise? Check it out here Follow the Sports Bra on social media! Instagram: @thesportsbrapdx; Bluesky: @thesportsbra.bsky.social; Twitter/X: @thesportsbrapdx Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To celebrate the holidays, we present you with three nicely-wrapped segments. We kick off the festivities with a “Yes, And” about one of the best basketball players of all time before handing out a “Good Game, Fact You” and a “What The Fact” to the same recipient. Plus, it only took 112 episodes, but Sarah, Misha and Alex finally decided on a name for themselves.  Shoutout to Jordan Robinson for reminding us about the great story about Cheryl Miller’s jersey retirement. Follow Jordan on Bluesky here  Read more about the Gotham-Reign trade here Read USA Today’s excellent Title IX reporting here  What do you think of our name? Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tessa Bonhomme and Julia Tocheri, hosts of the PWHL’s Jocks In Jills podcast, join Sarah to talk about using their pod to help fans connect with players, the Minnesota Frost’s rollercoaster offseason, Hilary Knight’s scoring resurgence, and Julia’s former summer job as a Historical Interpreter. Plus, it’s time for the NCAA Volleyball Final four, NWSL expansion news, and Sarah’s gotta say goodbye to one of her favorite TV shows. Listen to the Jocks in Jills podcast here  And listen to the Emma Maltais episode that Julia mentioned here And the Jessie Eldridge episode that Tessa mentioned here  Leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 or send us a note at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com  Follow Sarah on social! Bluesky: @sarahspain.bsky.social Instagram: @Spain2323 Follow producer Misha Jones! Bluesky: @mishthejrnalist.bsky.social Instagram: @mishthejrnalist TikTok: @mishthejrnalist Follow producer Alex Azzi! Bluesky: @byalexazzi.bsky.social  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.