Thanks for reading: Support Women’s Sports is a fan-written and centered newsletter. It is the next step of a project I started in 2010 to elevate women’s sports stories and athletes. I am a full-time feminist creator and your support of this newsletter, both as a subscriber and member, helps me devote more space in my day for more content. Support this work by forwarding this newsletter to a few friends.
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— Veronica
Day Two: Podcasts & a Princess
I’m not trying to run from event to event, but I still had a jam packed Friday at WNBA All-Star weekend.
Visiting the Exes: I attended the Vox Media podcast trio of shows which started with Sue Bird’s Bird Eye View. She chatted with Chicago Sky icon & controversial pseudo-coach* Courtney Vandersloot. Bird learned that Chicago greets Sloot with a rousing SLOOOOOOT. Sloot said that her love of the game keeps her going, especially during rehab. When asked what the Sky needs to do to finish games with a W, she said to keep up the momentum. Which yes is true, but also AAHHHH! DUUH! Sloot has been my longtime fave, but oof. Sue brought out Allie Quigley (and yes, I kicked myself for not wearing my VanderQuigs tee) to join the pod at the end.
*: Many Sky fans feel Courtney has a hand in player management, pointing to her comments about Angel Reese and benching of Skylar Diggins.
Moms: Next up was ANDMOM with Skylar Diggins and Cassidy Hubbarth. They had GOAT Sheryl Swoopes and it was a really great conversation. Sheryl spoke on feeling like she was letting the league down by getting pregnant prior to the inaugural season. She said men athletes gave her a lot of shit for it. She also talked about the advances in how the W treats moms, sharing that when she did return she was still breastfeeding. Sheryl would leave the game before halftime so she could get to the locker room and nurse before the rest of the team showed up.
The Relaunch: Last was my fave Megan Rapinoe’s Why Are You Like This? Her new podcast after A Touch More ended. You can tell it’s new and she’s learning to host solo. Megan played this up by reading a few of her host cards like a rookie. Her interview with legend Cheryl Reeve was amazing. Megan asked good questions and Cheryl is a great storyteller. Cheryl owned being a strict person, but also that she allows her players to do their own thing. That’s a rare combination and must be her secret to being the winningest coach in the WNBA. Megan introduced a new game, which was kinda cringey and needs some retooling. But it also makes me question why every show seems to have a game that plays off f*ck-marry-kill. Do they all need that gimmick? Overall I’m looking forward to Megan talking to other troublemakers about why they are the way they are. Cause babe, I’ve been asked, “Why Are You Like This?” so many times.
The People’s Princess shows out
The 3-point contest and Shooting Stars event were fun. BUT QUICK!
Sky Falling: First, totally unacceptable for there not be to Sky representation. Rumor has it that Sky players refused to participate in anything All-Star. Which if true sucks. Heck, if the league didn’t invite them to participate that sucks too.
Shooting Stars: This would had been an excellent space for Sloot & Allie to partner with a local teen player. Shooting Stars is a new event that partners a current player, a team legend, and a teen player. Fun fact, a Sky legend did play and win! It was great to see Elena Delle Donne back on the court. Teen phenom, Jezelle “GG” Banks, was on Team Washington and Wintrust exploded when she was shooting, especially when she hit the logo three. AMAZING! Looking foward to seeing her in the W in a few years.
HISTORY: As many folks expected, Azzi Fudd became the first rookie to win the 3-point contest. The idea that a rookie could win seemed like such a long-shot (Caitlin Clark has never participated) that last year’s winner Sabrina Ionescu shared half her winnings with then-rookie Sonia Citron. And frankly Azzi’s first round score didn’t feel strong enough to hold up against the vets, but it did. And it was a ruckus time.
What’s next: ALL-STAR GAME TONIGHT!!!!
GO BANDITS!!!!
The Chicago Bandits are going for the championship this weekend. Today’s game is the first time professional softball will be on broadcast TV.
When to watch:
Saturday: RIGHT NOW aka 12 PM CT on ABC
Sunday: 1 PM CT ESPN
Monday: 6 PM CT ESPN2
While this newsletter and the larger project of supporting women’s sports is my passion project, I still need to buy groceries and buy nachos at games.
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