Good Game with Sarah Spain

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.

USC basketball superstar JuJu Watkins and head coach Lindsay Gottlieb join Sarah for a wide-ranging interview. JuJu talks about setting goals for her sophomore season, her recent investment in Unrivaled, and why she thinks the WNBA should change its eligibility rule, while Coach Gottlieb explains how she’s adapted during this time of NIL and dishes on the one surprising thing JuJu needs to work on. Plus, we shed some tears over a USWNT legend, Marta wins the Marta, softball gets organized, and NO, producer Mish is not one of the Barbz. Read Becky Sauerbrunn’s retirement post here Watch Marta’s Marta-winning goal here  Follow JuJu on social media! She’s on TikTok (duh), but also Instagram too Follow Coach Gottlieb on social media! She’s on Instagram!  Watch “On the Rise: JuJu Watkins” here  USC’s full season schedule and tune-in info can be found here  Check out Sydney Colson waving at NFL quarterback Joe Burrow 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.

Group chat is BACK! Sarah is joined by actor, musician and podcast host E.R. Fightmaster and comedy writer and stand-up Erin Foley to talk about their respective podcasts, Caitlin Clark’s Time Magazine interview, marketing the modern female athlete, and the sports “F*** Yous” they’d like to deliver. Plus, the PWHL is back, the WNBA is going international - kind of - and a tip for all those links you clicked but haven’t gotten to. Pick up a copy of Slaying the Trolls! Why the Trolls are Very, Very Wrong About Women and Sports here or here Follow E.R. on Instagram here, and listen to Jockular here And follow E.R.'s hilarious co-hosts, Tien Tran and Katie Kershaw! Follow Erin on Instagram here, and listen to Herlights here  If you somehow STILL haven’t seen The Power of the Dream documentary, get on that here Try out Pocket.com for yourself 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 always a good time when Sarah, Mish & Alex are on the mic! Your fave Good Game trio tries to give themselves a name and catches up on a busy month of life, work and sports happenings. Plus, a few additions to the co-ed adults sports Etiquette Code, a gingerbread house review, Malort Carols and some favorite holiday traditions. What do you want us to cover or dig into in 2025? 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.

Paralympic swimmer Anastasia Pagonis joins Sarah to discuss how she prepared for blindness, how her guide dog Radar gives her much-needed confidence, and what it’s like to work with brands to change how people see visually impaired folks. Plus, a What The Fact about moms who coach and Angel City's newest investment in the community. The full NCAA volleyball tournament schedule is here  This weekend’s NCAA basketball games can be found here Check out the ESSENCE cover story about Sha’Carri Richardson here  And keep sending us your holiday traditions!! 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.

Chris Mosier, team USA athlete and founder of transathlete.com, joins Sarah to discuss what’s keeping him positive and hopeful post-election, how transphobes are using bans and lawsuits in athletics to demonize trans people, and the ways anti-trans rhetoric is affecting cis women in sports, too. Plus, we take a moment to celebrate with you Slices, and ask for your favorite holiday traditions. Follow Chris Mosier here And follow the people/orgs Chris recommended! Chase Strangio is here, Athlete Ally is here, and Cece Telfer is here!  Check out Chris’s site – Trans Athlete – here See the NCAA Volleyball tournament schedule here See the LOVB Volleyball broadcast schedule here Get tickets to the WLL’s 2025 Lexus Championship Series 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.

Author Elise Hart Kipness joins Sarah to talk about her transition from journalism to writing fiction, what it’s like to live vicariously through her book’s main character, and the story behind her latest thriller, Dangerous Play, in which reporter Kate Green discovers a dead body in the locker room while covering the USWNT at the Olympics. Plus, Caitlin Clark adds another honor to her resume, a game for the corn farmers among us, and some great books to cozy up by the fire with. Pick up a copy of Dangerous Play at your local bookstore or via this Bookshop.org link And make sure to check out our other Good Game book club books, too!  Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women's Football League by Frankie de la Cretaz and Lyndsey D'Arcangelo can be purchased here  Locker Room Talk by Melissa Ludtke can be purchased here  Standing Tall: A Memoir of Tragedy and Triumph by C. Vivian Stringer with Laura Tucker can be purchased here  The National Team: The Inside Story of the Women Who Changed Soccer by Caitlin Murray can be purchased 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.

Sarah’s good pals Josh Bard, producer for ESPN’s Around The Horn, and Kelaine Conochan, VP of global sales for Legends, join her for another edition of Group Chat. This time, they talk all things college hoops, attempt to craft an official co-ed adult sports etiquette code, and choose which Unrivaled basketball clubs they’ll be rooting for in January. You heard our 5-rule official etiquette code for coed adult sports. Got a rule you think we should add? 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.

Caroline Fitzgerald, CEO and founder of GOALS Sports and host of "The Business Case For Women's Sports" podcast, joins Sarah to discuss the “aha!” moment that pushed her to start her own marketing and consulting business, the immense economic opportunity in women’s sports, and what she’s learned from connecting brands and leagues. Plus, the PWHL is in the game, and Alyssa Naeher’s versatility gets her into the Good Game Hall of Fame. See the list of players selected in the Golden State Valkyries expansion draft here Watch LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson gift a fan a pair of her Puma PE’s here Check out the PWHL in the NHL25 video game here And purchase the game here Subscribe to the Business Case for Women’s Sports podcast here And follow GOALS 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.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.

UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close and guard Kiki Rice join Sarah to talk about their #1 ranking, beating the defending champion South Carolina Gamecocks, and handling mini mogul status at age 20. Plus, Toronto Tempo president Teresa Resch hops on to discuss the expansion draft and the accidental leak of her franchise’s team name. Check out the full NCAA Volleyball Tournament bracket here See the women athletes in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports class here Follow the Toronto Tempo on Instagram here and on X/Twitter 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.

ESPN basketball reporter Alexa Philipou joins Sarah to talk all things college basketball, including JuJu Watkins' ceiling (is there one?!), the end of South Carolina’s win streak, why UCLA has been her No. 1 all season and whether women's sports media is ready to hold problematic players accountable. Plus, a WNBA website oopsie and the benefits of being part shark. Read Alexa's story about JuJu Watkins here Submit your NCAA volleyball tournament bracket to the Good Game group here *before* 3:30pm ET Send us your thoughts about the possibly leaked name "Toronto Tempo" at goodgame@wondermedianetwork.com or leave us a voicemail at 872-204-5070 Check out Evollve – the new volleyball stats site from the folks behind HerHoopsStats – 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.

Angel City FC defender Sarah Gorden joins Sarah to talk self-discovery in LA, being the epitome of a soccer mom, using food stamps to help support herself and her son early in her career, and the future of ACFC. Plus, a slice gets something off their chest and a little “Good Game, Good Game, Fact You” to celebrate our 100th episode. Join our NCAA Volleyball Championship Challenge group here What are you celebrating? Have a milestone you wanna brag about? We want to know! 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.

Forward for the Minnesota Frost and two-time Olympic medalist with Team USA, Kelly Pannek, joins Sarah to talk about her goals for season two of the Professional Women's Hockey League, being PWHL teammates with rivals from Team Canada, her new beer "Been There, Won That," and balancing winter hibernation and summer fun. Plus, WNBA schedule release vids, PWHL TV deals and a hoops legend gets double-bruhhhhhh’d. EPISODE NOTES: Check out the 2025 WNBA Regular Season Schedule here Check out the bracket for the 2024 NCAA women's volleyball tournament here  Fill out a bracket in the ESPN Volleyball Championship Challenge here Follow Kelly Pannek on Instagram: @kpannek 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.

Minnesota Frost and Team USA captain Kendall Coyne Schofield joins Sarah to talk winning the first ever Professional Women’s Hockey League championship, negotiating the league’s collective bargaining agreement, the start of PWHL season two and her plans for the 2026 Olympics. Plus college hoops upsets and BOS Nation has regrets. EPISODE NOTES: Check out the PWHL schedule here Mikaela Shiffrin's IG Post - 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.

USWNT legend and Angel City FC co-owner Lauren Holiday joins Sarah to talk about wanting to be a changemaker in the sports ownership space, the latest on her group's bid to take control of the North Carolina Courage, her meet-cute with MNBA player husband Jrue Holiday, and how a brain tumor helped her learn how to choose joy. Plus, the PWHL season starts this weekend, listeners share their quirky vacation collectibles, and a reminder to respect and acknowledge native land.  Check out the Orlando Pride’s full championship celebration at City Hall here And more sights and sounds from the Pride’s parade here and here See the NCAA soccer College Cup schedule here Read Katie Barnes’ story about the SJSU volleyball team here Find out what native land you live on 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.

Kansas City Current defender Alana Cook joins Sarah to talk joining the Current via midseason trade, getting her teammates to eat vegan food, trying to keep up with Temwa Chawinga in practice, and microdosing failure. Plus, our show mascot obsession grows and there's a new No. 1 in college hoops! See the full college hoops AP poll for Week 4 here Pro Volleyball Federation draft results here Check out the list of AU Softball League GMs, players, and coaches 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.

Kansas City Current co-founder Chris Long joins Sarah to talk about getting Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce to a match at CPKC Stadium, hosting the 2024 NWSL Championship, and signing league MVP Temwa Chawinga. Plus, Sarah and Mish debrief on a whirlwind weekend of parties, beer pong, and watching the Orlando Pride win their first title. Follow iHeart Women’s Sports on Instagram here Check out all things Shea Butter FC here Check out all things Gal Pal 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.