The Most Powerful Women in Sports
Ain’t no stopping us now.
Photo: Instagram/danygarcia
Wrapping up women’s history month.
We can't be what we can't see, and these women are showing the next generation of female leaders that being a powerhouse in the sports world is attainable.
Transcript
(Podcast length - 5:13)
Dany Garcia
Dany Garcia has been making things happen behind the scenes for years, and now she's in the spotlight as the Chairwoman and Owner of the XFL. Garcia works alongside her ex-husband Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, on everything from the XFL to "Jumanji." Garcia's acquisition of the XFL made her the first woman to own an equal or majority ownership stake in a major professional sports league in the United States.
Garcia is the co-founder of Seven Bucks Productions, a production company for TV, film and digital networks and founder, CEO, and chairwoman of The Garcia Companies, where she oversees a portfolio of brands within the business, entertainment, sports, entrepreneurial and food spaces. As balancing 50+ projects isn't enough, she's passionate about the sport of bodybuilding. She first competed in 2011 and was the first-ever Women's Physique Division athlete to be signed to the Weider roster. UNSTOPPABLE
Simone Biles
Simone Biles is this generation's "it" girl. With 32 Olympic and World Championship medals, she's the GOAT in the gym. Still, she singlehandedly changed the way we think about the impact of pressure on an athlete's mental health after she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics. (She later earned a bronze medal on the beam). Biles reminded everyone that it's okay not to be okay. With she has the hardware to back it up.
If that wasn't brave enough, she spoke out against a system of injustice, testifying before Congress about how the US justice system failed to stop former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar from sexually abusing her and others. BOLD
Jeanie Buss
Jeanie Buss made a name for herself as the president and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. The daughter of Jerry Buss, the former Lakers owner, became the first female owner to lead a team to an NBA championship title.
But running the Lakers didn't come without hard work. At only 19, she served as the general manager of the Strings, a tennis team owned by her father. She bought the Los Angeles Blades, a roller hockey team, and was named Executive of the Year by the league. She isn't afraid to make bold moves. She fired the Lakers general manager in 2017 and pushed for her brother's resignation as VP of operations. She hired Magic Johnson as the team president and Rob Pelinka as the new GM. She's also the owner of WOW, Women Of Wrestling. THIS IS HOW WE DO
Becky Hammon, Katie Sowers and Jennifer Welter
Becky Hammon, Katie Sowers and Jennifer Welter have made a career of paving their path as coaches. In 2014, Hammon became the first full-time female assistant coach in the NBA, following a 16-year WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) career. She joined the San Antonio Spurs (NBA – National Basketball Association) as an assistant coach. Last year the Las Vegas Aces signed Hammon to a $1M/year contract, the largest in WNBA history. Hammon went on to win Coach of the Year and became the first coach to win a title in her first year.
Sowers made NFL (National Football League) history in 2020 by becoming the first female coach to coach at the Superbowl and the first openly gay coach in the NFL. Welter broke barriers in 2015 by becoming the first female NFL coach in a coaching position with the Arizona Cardinals. WHO RUN THE WORLD?
Julie Urhman
Julie Uhrman is the co-founder and president of her hometown NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) team, Angel City. The Los Angeles-based team is one of the world's only majority female-founded and -run pro sports teams. It's an expansion team that began play in 2022, with owners including Natalie Portman, Serena and Olympia Williams, Eva Longoria and other high-profile celebrities.
Working alongside her is another powerhouse, Angela Hucles, the vice president of player development and operations at Angel City FC. WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkwardness out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
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Women Leading Sports Teams From The C-Suite
Changing the face of sports.
Photo: Instagram/cyntgm
These women aren't the norm to hold positions in the C-Suite, but they are changing the face of sports.
Transcript
Kim Ng
Kim Ng serves as the General Manager of the Miami Marlins (MLB - Major League Baseball) and is the first female to ever serve in the role in American sports history. She served as an assistant GM with the Yankees and the Dodgers and in the executive suite with the White Sox. Hall of Famer and Miami Marlins CEO/owner Derek Jeter led the breakthrough hire. HOME RUN HIRE
Cynthia Marshall
Cynthia Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, became the first Black female CEO in the NBA (National Basketball Association). But being first is nothing new for her. In ninth grade, her mother inspired her to claim her place in school leadership. Later Marshall became the first Black president at her school. "It was historic and the faculty was more emotional than I was. We've been blazing trails ever since then," Marshall said. She became the first Black cheerleader at Berkley and the first Black woman in Delta Gamma at the school. TRAILBLAZER
Nikki Williams and Nikki Fargas
Las Vegas Raiders (NFL – National Football League) and Las Vegas Aces (WNBA – Women's National Basketball Association) owner Mark Davis knows talent when he sees it, hiring women to lead his professional teams. First, Nikki Williams and Nikki Fargas lead the championship Aces as the general manager of basketball operations and president of business operations, respectively. Last year the Aces signed Becky Hammon to a $1 million per year contract, the largest in WNBA history. She won Coach of the Year and became the first to win a title in her first year. A STEP ABOVE THE REST
Amy Trask and Sandra Douglass Morgan
Amy Trask became the Oakland Raiders' chief executive and the first woman of that rank in the NFL in 1997. After nearly 30 years with the team, Trask now serves as an analyst for CBS. Sandra Douglass Morgan, who serves as the team's president, is filling the big shoes left by Trask. She is the first Black female president in NFL history. TOUCHDOWN
Shari Ballard and Carolyn Kindle
The USWNT (US Women's National Soccer Team) aren't the only ladies in soccer making things happen. Shari Ballard was named CEO of Minnesota United FC last August. She is the first female to be CEO of a Major League Soccer (MLS) team. The newest edition to the MLS, the St. Louis City, also boasts Carolyn Kindle as the team's president and CEO. She is part of the nine-strong majority female ownership group that shelled out a reported $200 million in expansion fees to make St. Louis City the 29th MLS team. "I'll be honest, four years ago I knew nothing," Kindle, the team's CEO and President, told USA TODAY Sports. "I've learned a lot about the sport since then. Now, I understand why it's called the beautiful game." HUMILITY
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkwardness out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
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The Most Fashionable Athletes
Every day is a chance to make a statement.
Photo: Instagram/lewishamilton
More athletes are claiming their stake in the fashion industry by starting clothing lines and walking the catwalk. They may be uniform when honing their craft on the court, field or track, but their style is anything but conforming for these athletes.
Transcript
Kyle Kuzma
From walking the runway in New York Fashion Week in 2022 wearing a black basketball jersey over a black hoodie and a skirt made of puffy coats, Kyle Kuzma has established himself as a fashion icon in the NBA (National Basketball Association). His arrival style at the arena ranges from a trench coat and bucket hat to a hilariously oversized pink sweater (which was immortalized as a bobblehead). The NBA champion's girlfriend, model Winnie Harlow, may have helped him on the catwalk, but the Childhood Dreams clothing brand founder's fashion is one-of-a-kind and influenced by no one (or everyone). WERK IT
A’ja Wilson
The Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (WNBA - Women’s National Basketball Association) claimed the championship crown last season, but she's always been the queen of fashion. From her arrival in vintage WNBA jerseys and "We are BG" shirt or her admission to wearing spandex underneath her red carpet looks, Wilson always has us swooning over her fashion. PERFECTION
Lewis Hamilton
F1 (Formula One) driver Lewis Hamilton's clothing line +44 is the number on his race car and his lucky number. (It is also the country code for calling his homeland, the UK). Sir Hamilton (he was knighted by William, the Prince of Wales, in 2021) has been seen in the front row of the Valentino show at Paris Fashion Week, seated next to Zendaya. He was selected as one of the world's most stylish people as part of 2022 The New York Times, "93 most stylish people." SO CHIC
Joe Burrow
Not many athletes joined Lewis Hamilton on The New York Times' list of "93 most stylish people" in 2022. But one who did, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. His fashion flair ranges from SpongeBob clothing items to Cartier glasses to oversized diamond pendants. The Times even gave him the nickname, "Joey Flowers," for his floral-print suit. Flowers, or Burrow, doesn't even try hard, saying, "he throws on whatever he thinks looks good." EFFORTLESS
DK Metcalf
A candy addict (Skittles and Jolly Ranchers) turned health nut, DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) doesn't exactly throw on whatever works when he heads to the stadium. He plans his outfits in advance. It clearly works, as Metcalf is a frequent visitor to the NFL's weekly list of most fashionable player arrivals. He told GQ one of the ten items he can't live without is his Louis Vuitton murse. STRUTTING SEAHAWK
Honorable Mention
Honorable mention to the NWSL's (National Women’s Soccer League) highest-paid player, Trinity Rodman, Megan Rapinoe of the NWSL/US Women's National Team and the Los Angeles Clippers Russell Westbrook, founder of clothing line Honor The Gift.
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkwardness out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
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The Top 5 Power Couples in Sports
The ultimate teammates.
Photo: Instagram/mrapinoe
(Podcast length - 5:25 mins)
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we celebrate these sporty power couples.
Transcript
1. Olympian Shaun White and actress Nina Dobrev don’t take themselves too seriously. The couple met briefly in 2012, but it wasn’t until a Tony Robbins workshop in late 2019 that they became acquainted. The two had dinner after their speaking engagements. White admittedly had no idea who Dobrev was, but fans kept coming up and asking “The Vampire Diaries” actress for her autograph. Dobrev can keep up with him on a snowboard and is his biggest fan. She supported him from afar (thanks to COVID restrictions) in his final Olympics and made him a list to accomplish in his retirement. On Instagram, the couple gives us insights into their world (and world travels). LOVEBIRDS
2. Do you know that plotline where two members of royalty happen to run into each other at a coffee shop? This love story is not that. Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are the unofficial first couple of women’s sports. The two have been dating since meeting at the 2016 Summer Olympics and are a fixture in the Seattle sports scene. They’ve been featured on the cover of InStyle Magazine and were the first same-sex couple to grace the cover of ESPN’s Body Issue. The outspoken and seriously fashionable duo seem to have it all, including a plethora of championships and safety deposit boxes for all their gold medals. The two, who were engaged in 2020, also have each other’s backs. During the Women’s World Cup, Bird, who recently retired from Seattle Storm (WNBA - Women’s National Basketball Association), came to Rapinoe’s defense in her battle with President Trump, penning an essay titled “So the President F—ing Hates My Girlfriend.” ROM-COM WRITTEN ALL OVER IT
3. This next love story started with an awkward first dance. Tennis greats Steffi Graff and Andre Agassi began dating after the French Open in 1999, but their story goes back years before that. In 1992, Graff and Agassi, who tried to pick up Graff the year before at the French Open, were winners at Wimbledon. It used to be a tradition for the two winners of Wimbledon to dance with each other at the Wimbledon Champions’ Ball. But as luck would have it, that was the year they decided to cancel the dance due to “lukewarm receptions from modern players.” It all worked out in the end, as the two married in 2001 and are still together. FATE WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS
4. Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty (WNBA) and Hroniss Grasu of the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL - National Football League) are headed to the altar after a made-for-a-movie proposal scene. The WNBA All-Star and former No. 1 draft pick and the NFL center began dating in 2021. Grasu and Ionescu both attended Oregon, though their athletic careers at the university never overlapped. He was selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and she started at Oregon in 2016. The pair are both of Romanian descent and grew up in California. TYING THE KNOT
5. Our final story is a modern storyline of a virtual, long-distance relationship. Together Julie and Zach Ertz have a Super Bowl championship and two World Cup victories, and what do they have to prove it? A Visa commercial. The Arizona Cardinals tight end (NFL) and the soccer star met at a Stanford baseball game in 2012 when he offered her sunflower seeds. They had their first date at Chipotle, and the rest is history. Married since 2017, they too, have bared it all for ESPN’s Body Issue. They live the saying, “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” They say they’re lucky to have three months a year in the same city. WHEN FACETIME IS YOUR FRIEND
Honorable mention: A shout out to Ertz’s former teammate at the Cardinals, JJ Watt and Chicago Red Stars (NWSL – National Women’s Soccer League) player Kealia Watt. The two married in 2020 and welcomed a son, Koa, in October 2022. JJ retired at the end of the Cardinals 2022-23 season. Kealia is recovering from an ACL injury, which makes her an unlikely candidate for the USWNT (US Women’s National Team roster in the Women’s World Cup (soccer) this summer. CUTEST COUPLE
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkwardness out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
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The Top Sports Moments of 2022
Out with the old and in with the new.
PHOTO: Instagram.com/speedyj
(Podcast length - 5:03 mins)
This is our most challenging job of the year – narrowing the list of the best sports moments of 2022. We're highlighting the top moments of the year in no particular order.
The Rise of Pickleball
Everyone picked up a pickleball racket in 2022, from the Kardashians to Melinda Gates, Michael Phelps, Jamie Foxx, Owen Wilson, and Drew Brees to Leonardo DiCaprio. Pickleball had its own primetime television celebrity tournament and has been featured in Vanity Fair. What's one thing that LeBron James, Tom Brady and entrepreneurs Mark Cuban and Gary Vaynerchuk have in common? They've all invested in Major League Pickleball.
The World Cup
Soccer’s World Cup took place in a Muslim country in the Middle East for the first time and was uneventful for the most part. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo played in their last World Cup tournament, hoping to land the elusive international win. Messi and his Argentinian team prevailed, winning the tournament. The people of Argentina are also winners as they are the beneficiaries of all of the Budweiser beer that the official beer sponsor wasn't allowed to sell at the games.
The US Men's National Team (USMNT) qualified for the World Cup for the first time in eight years, but the US Women's Team (USWNT) also benefitted. Thanks to their new collective bargaining agreement, the USWNT pocketed at least $6.5M from the men's team reaching the World Cup knockout rounds—more than they received for winning two successive World Cups.
Basketball
In February, the WNBA’s (Women’s National Basketball Association) Brittney Griner was detained in Russia for bringing cannabis-derived oil cartridges in her luggage into the country. As time passed, it seemed like her chances of being released dwindled, but social media never allowed us to forget her. #WeAreBG trended for months as fans, the WNBA and NBA fought to get Griner home. Griner arrived home in time for Christmas following a prisoner swap. She and her wife, Cherelle, are now using their platform to bring home retired US Marine Paul Whelan, who has been captive in Russia for four years.
Tennis
Rafael Nadal set the men's Grand Slam record at 22, while his main competition Novak Djokovic was forced to miss grand slam tournaments due to his COVID vaccination status. Serena Williams, who has 23 grand slam wins, announced her evolution away from tennis. She gave us an epic going away match at the US Open, which boasted nearly 7M viewers on ESPN, a record for tennis on the network.
Golf
The LIV Golf League created a divide in the professional golf world. The Saudi-backed league, led by golf legend Greg Norman, promised fewer tournaments with larger payouts. Big names like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau left the PGA. LIV players were ineligible to compete in any PGA tournaments or the postseason. Although in 2023, they will be eligible to play in The Masters.
winter Olympics
The 2021 Winter Olympics in Beijing finally happened in early 2022. A few notable moments for the US included American Erin Jackson winning a medal in speedskating, the first African American woman to do so, and snowboarder Shaun White retiring after his storied Olympic career. Norway topped the medal count, with the US coming in fifth on the list.
Baseball
Aaron Judge had a great 2022. New York Yankees' star was named the American League MVP and TIME's Athlete of the Year. This season he broke Roger Maris' single-season American League home run record, which stood for more than 60 years. The cherry on top is the coveted free agent signed a massive nine-year deal worth $360M to stay with the Yankees.
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkwardness out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
LIKE US? SHARE US WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
5 Things To Know About The NBA Season
The season tips off on October 18.
Photo: Unsplash
(Podcast length 4:30 mins)
Here’s what you need to know to be in the know.
1. The San Antonio Spurs are a team to watch if for no reason other than they like to hire female coaches. The head coach of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) Champion Las Vegas Aces, Becky Hammond, came from the Spurs where she was an assistant coach. Following in her footsteps with the team is former WNBA player Candace Dupree who is part of the player development team and an assistant coach. Dupree is one of the few female coaches but not the only former WNBA player turned coach you’ll see on the bench this season. LOVE TO SEE IT
2. In 2017 the league began to allow sponsorship patches on team jerseys, and since then, those sponsorships have generated $150 million in revenue per year. The Phoenix Suns patch sponsor, PayPal, may have put their money where their mouth is after claiming they would not renew their sponsorship if controversial team owner Robert Sarver stayed at the helm. The team is currently for sale by Sarver. BIG MONEY
3. Christmas Day is usually the biggest day of the year for NBA games, but the league is rallying around Election Day this year. New this season, all 30 teams will play on Monday, November 7, the day before Election Day. The league will use that day to promote voter participation. Then there will be no NBA games on Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, encouraging everyone to vote instead. GET OUT AND VOTE
4. LeBron James is THIS close to breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record. If he stays healthy, LeBron will likely pass his record this season, possibly in January. There’s no sign of LeBron, 38, slowing down. He’s hoping to play into his 40s to play in the NBA with both of his sons. FAMILY AFFAIR
5. The Brooklyn Nets are combustible, and Russell Westbrook is untradeable. Who knows what the season will bring for the Brooklyn Nets after adding Ben Simmons to their roster that already features superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving? Irving says he lost $100M by not getting the vaccine last year. Then there’s Russell Westbrook, who the Lakers have tried to trade to regain the positive chemistry on the team. Westbrook is the second-highest player in the league after Stephen Curry at $47M, and no team wants to take that on. OFFICE POLITICS
The 82-game season begins on Tuesday, October 18.
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
LIKE US? SHARE US WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
Celebrities You'd Never Guess Own Sports Teams
Forget the red carpet, on the field (or court) is the place to be.
Photo: Instagram/jlo
(Podcast length 4:47 mins)
Being an owner of a sports team - this could be the longest relationship some of these celebs have ever had.
Transcript
1. The Miami Dolphins are a tough NFL (National Football League) franchise to be a fan of, as they've had some rough seasons over the past few years, but that hasn't scared away big names from buying into the ownership group. Fergie, Gloria Estefan, Jimmy Buffet, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Venus and Serena Williams. Lopez lost the team ownership in her divorce from Anthony. Venus and Serena became part-owners of the Miami Dolphins, thus making them the first African American females to own part of an NFL team. SO THERE'S THAT
2. Buying a NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) team has been all the rage lately, with Michael Jordan, Pitbull and boxer Floyd Mayweather joining the ranks of team owners. But the OG was David Letterman, who bought into what is now Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 1996. The team competes in the IndyCar and SportsCar Championship Series and previously won the Indianapolis 500 in 2004 and 2020. START YOUR ENGINES
3. Forget the red carpet; the soccer sidelines are where it's at. Will Ferrell played an athlete in "Blades of Glory" and "Talladega Nights," but in real life, the Los Angeles native is a part-owner of LAFC – Los Angeles Football Club (MLS – Major League Soccer). Ferrell bought into the team in 2016, two years before its MLS debut. Other celebs who also have a stake in a professional soccer team include Angel City FC (NWSL – National Women's Soccer League) owners Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Uzo Aduba, Eva Longoria, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Garner, Christina Aguilera, tennis legends Billie Jean King and Serena Williams, to name a few. Also an NWSL team, the Washington Spirit, boasts Jenna Bush Hager, Chelsea Clinton and Dominique Dawes as investors. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL
4. Usher had no ties to Cleveland, Ohio, until he bought into the Cleveland Cavaliers (National Basketball Association). He bought in shortly after the team drafted a young LeBron James, who took the team to five NBA Finals and one championship in 2016. According to Forbes, Usher paid $9M for his share of an ownership group that spent $375M to become minority owners. CLEVELAND ROCKS
5. Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Justin Timberlake and Destiny Child's Michelle Williams also own a piece of a basketball team. Williams is a minority owner of her hometown team, the Chicago Sky (Women's National Basketball Association). Besides Usher, she is also the only professional basketball team owner in this piece who can boast a championship ring. Memphis native Timberlake is a 2.8% owner of the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA). Will and Jada round out our list as minority owners of the Philadelphia 76ers. The two are part of an ownership group that, as a whole, paid $280 million for the franchise. IN WEST PHILADELPHIA BORN AND RAISED
Honorable mention goes to the inspiration for this post, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who purchased soccer team Wrexham FC in 2020. A new documentary, "Welcome To Wrexham," on FX starting August 24, 2022, highlights the actors' purchase of the third oldest professional soccer club in the world.
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
LIKE US? SHARE US WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
5 Pride Month Sports Stories That We Love
Celebrating the world's LGBTQ communities.
Photo: Giphy
(Podcast length 5:38 mins)
Pride month honors the world's LGBTQ communities by coming together and celebrating the freedom to be themselves. To mark the occasion, here are five stories we love.
Transcript
1. Out athletes like Billie Jean King (tennis), Megan Rapinoe (soccer) and NBA (National Basketball Association) player Jason Collins are passionate advocates of the LGBTQ community. Collins was the first active male player in any of the four major men's pro sports leagues to come out as gay publicly. During his playing days, he wore the number 98 to protest the anti-gay hate murder crime in 1998. During his recent address to the graduates of Middlebury College, Collins expressed his appreciation for Billie Jean King and her advocacy that gave him courage. He also shared the life lessons he learned from team sports (including a quote from Ted Lasso) that made him "the big, beautiful, fabulous Black man" he is. WISE WORDS
2. Professional sports teams across the country will celebrate Pride Month with Pride Nights. Major League Baseball (MLB) is getting on board with teams wearing LGBTQ pride logos to celebrate Pride Night at the ballpark. The Los Angeles Dodgers saw record-breaking ticket sales during their Pride Night vs. the New York Mets. The Dodgers will then make history on June 11 when they join the San Francisco Giants to become the first two teams to wear Pride caps in the same game. While the Dodgers and Giants may be on board, some players, like those on the Tampa Bay Rays, opted out of wearing the Pride logos due to religious reasons. STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE
3. As evident with the record-breaking numbers of ticket sales for the Dodgers Pride Night, fans show their support with their wallets. For example, look no further than when Las Vegas Raiders player Carl Nassib came out in 2021, and his jersey instantly became the highest-selling jersey. But teams are also showing their financial support. Austin FC (MLS – Major League Soccer) will auction off their game-worn jerseys from their Pride Night (June 27). In addition, 20 percent of proceeds from the club's pride patch sales will be donated to the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce's Education Fund. BETTER TOGETHER
4. The Summer Olympics in Tokyo set a record with at least 186 LGBTQ athletes competing, which is more LGBTQ athletes than all the previous Summer Olympics combined. That group includes WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner who has been detained in Russia since February. Sharing the horrendous conditions he lived in, Trevor Reed, an American veteran who spent nearly three years detained in Russia before being released in April, joined athletes and advocates worldwide this month to call upon legislators and the White House to work faster to free Griner. Just last weekend, the Boston Celtics used their platform to support Griner by wearing "We Are BG" shirts during their warmups during the NBA Finals. FREEDOM
5. In early June Amazon released the trailer for their new show "A League Of Their Own," an adaptation of the 1992 favorite movie starring Madonna, Tom Hanks and Geena Davis. The show's creators highlighted the importance of bringing stories of queer joy and perseverance in a time when that really wasn't acceptable in society to the small screen. Racism will also be a central storyline of the show. The show premieres on Prime Video on August 12. MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
LIKE US? SHARE US WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
The Best Commencement Speeches By Athletes
Time to be inspired by greatness.
(Podcast length 5:20 mins)
It’s that time of year – time to be inspired by greatness. Here are snippets of some of our favorite commencement speeches by outstanding athletes.
Transcript
Megan Rapinoe
World Cup winner and Olympic Gold medalist in soccer, Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020.
“We’re separated in ways we’ve never experienced and facing a world that will never be the same. So, I’m not going to ask you to come together. I’m going to ask you to demand better together. For many of you this year will be the first time you’ve cast a ballot…I know first-hand the power of a movement led by and for the next generation. You are that next generation. Take the torch and leave your mark. Put your stake in the ground and build the future that you want and you believe in and fight like hell to do it.” DO BETTER, BE BETTER
Magic Johnson
Hall of Fame NBA (National Basketball Association) Player, Commencement address at Michigan State University, 2010
“You can’t control if your boss will like you or not, but you can control if your boss respects you or not. And how can you do that? By being the first one to work and the last one to leave.” SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL
Billie Jean King
Hall of Fame tennis player, Commencement address at the University of Massachusetts, 2000
“Every ball that comes to me is a decision. Do I slice it, do I hit cross-court, do I hit topspin, do I hit sidespin, do I lob? What do I do? But I have to accept responsibility for that. And that’s where sports teaches us to put it on the line, so to speak, and live it. And here remember one thing. It’s everyone’s responsibility to lead, to honor, and to fight, for everyone’s basic rights, for equality.” STAND FOR OTHERS
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Hall of Fame NBA player, Commencement address at Washington University in St. Louis, 2021
“The other important lesson you should have learned by now is that in life you never stop graduating. Life is an endless series of graduations, during which you feel the same anxious uncertainty, that roiling feeling in your stomach that you experience as the roller coaster goes up, up, up, anticipating curling over the top and the sudden, face-yanking plummet...But they all have similar characteristics in common: they will challenge what you think you know about the world and about yourself. Each time you open that new door, you’re a different person from the last time. You’re graduating but you’re also evolving.” NEW DAY, NEW YOU
Sabrina Ionescu
No. 1 draft pick and WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) player, Commencement address at the University of Oregon, 2020
“Kobe taught me that dedication sees dreams come true. Give it everything you’ve got. This time is teaching us that we are not always in control. Don’t forget to live in the moment, but try to be the best you can. It is so important to control what you can, and just do your best. The rest will take care of itself…Kobe taught me that the most important thing is to inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do. Use your platform, big or small, we all have voices.” BETTER TOGETHER
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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The Sports World Is Upping Its Game When It Comes To Mother Earth
The sports world is doing more than ditching the hot dogs for kale to save the planet.
(Podcast length 4:49 mins)
Kermit the Frog said, "it isn’t easy being green," but in the world of sports, lofty goals come true, and rivals unite all in the name of Mother Earth. And not just on Earth Day.
Transcript
1. The Forest Green Rovers, a soccer team from Western England, is the “greenest football club” (or soccer to Americans) in the world. They claim the title of the world's only vegan football club. Since 2015, there have been no animal products for sale in the stadium. Some players eat non-vegan outside of the stadium (and there are paparazzi photos to prove it), but some have adopted the vegan lifestyle. Other ways they're helping to save the planet include a field free of chemical fertilizers, using reusable energy and a "mow-bot," a GPS-directed solar-powered lawnmower. NO MEAT PIES FOR YOU
2. The name says it all - Climate Pledge Arena. The home to the Seattle Kraken (NHL – National Hockey League) and the Seattle Storm (WNBA – Women's National Basketball Association) uses no fossil fuel consumption for daily use. It also has a "rain to rink" system utilizing rainwater to resurface the ice along with waterless urinals and ultra-efficient showers. By 2024, they plan to have no single-use plastics in the arena. The price of being named the first International Living Future Institute certified zero carbon arena in the world? $1.5 billion, all from private funding. MAMA EARTH IS SO PROUD
3. There's a new league in town – the National Recycling League. Anheuser-Busch is pulling together its sports team partners in the NFL (National Football League) and MLB (Major League Baseball) to combat the lack of recycling, including the estimated 51 million plastic cups used every year at sporting events. Recycling Hawkers, or volunteers from Keep America Beautiful, will be deployed in stadiums to collect cups, cans and bottles to ensure they're recycled properly. Ten MLB teams have already signed on to be inaugural members of the "league." WHEN IN ROME
4. Pocono Motor Speedway's (NASCAR - National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) green efforts benefit the earth and you. The raceway runs entirely on solar power and has sheep for lawn mowers but has an industry-specific problem – what to do with as many as 600 used tires after a race? Answer – recycle. The recycled residue from old tires is used in everyday items such as portable speed bumps and the anti-fatigue mat in your kitchen or playgrounds. WHERE THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD
Last Night's Game is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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The Most Memorable Sports Moments Of 2021
A year worth revisiting.
PHOTO: Instagram/Caeleb Dressel
(Podcast length - 5:22 mins)
In some ways, 2021 might have felt a bit like a reboot of 2020, but there were so many moments to be excited about. Let's look back before diving headfirst into 2022.
1. The college sports landscape changed forever with the July ruling that allowed athletes to be paid for their name, image and likeness (NIL). Athletes like the Cavinder twins who play women's basketball at Fresno State were the first to take advantage of the ruling. Some athletes like Michigan running back Blake Corum and Iowa lineman Tyler Linderbaum used their NIL money to benefit a good cause, not just their wallets. GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT?
2. Mental health became a dinner table topic thanks to athletes like Simone Biles (gymnastics), Naomi Osaka (tennis) and Lane Johnson (NFL). Johnson took a leave from the Philadelphia Eagles to face his battle with depression head-on. Osaka withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon to focus on her well-being. But the world saw just how the pressure impacted an athlete when Simone Biles battled the "twisties" in the Summer Olympics. She put her safety and her team first, withdrawing from the women's gymnastics all-around competition. BRAINS > BRAWN
3. Sports fans continued to realize what so many already knew, women's sports are the place to be. Not only did viewer ratings soar for the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association), women's college basketball championship game and the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League), but we saw the first college softball game on a major national network. The NFL and MLB (Major League Baseball) added more female coaches and front-office executives. In 2022, look for the women's college basketball tournament to use the coveted "March Madness" title for the first time. HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
4. The year brought us athletes who seem to get better with age. Tom Brady won the Super Bowl with his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL – National Football League), in February at age 43. (And then celebrated with maybe one too many shots at the championship boat parade). At 46, Helio Castroneves won the Indy 500, and Phil Mickelson showed off his impressive 50-year-old calves on his way to a PGA (Professional Golfers Association) Championship win. AGE-DEFYING
5. The delayed 2020 Summer Olympics gave the world the positivity and excitement we'd all been missing. COVID precautions meant athletes' families had to watch from the comfort of their couches, too, but the stories of athletes like Caeleb Dressel, Suni Lee and Katie Ledecky all brought us to our feet. The US topped the medal count with 113 total medals, 39 gold, including one from the US Men's Basketball Team, who continued their medal streak. WORLD’S GREATEST
Bonus:
If you’re a fan of F1 (Formula One) Racing, then you likely caught the race of the century when Max Verstappen beat out seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for the 2021 championship. But did you know that Hamilton, the only Black F1 driver, is also a fan of fashion? He purchased a table at the Met Gala, which runs around $275,000, and filled it with three emerging Black designers to grow their reach. SMOOTH MOVE
Links:
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
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What You Need To Know About Sports Most Fashionable Night - The ESPYs
Athletes ditch their jerseys for couture this Saturday, July 10.
Photo: Instagram/Lindsey Vonn
(Podcast length - 5:10 mins)
The ESPYs are like the Golden Globes – you get the best of both worlds. It’s the one night of the year where athletes and celebrities gather to celebrate the achievements in the world of sports while giving us the summer red carpet we’ve all been missing.
Transcript
1. Typically, the awards show takes place on a Wednesday in July after the MLB (Major League Baseball) All-Star Game, referred to as “Black Wednesday,” the one day a year where there are no live sports. This year, with leagues playing COVID adjusted schedules, there is no dark day to hold the event. So that means there will likely be no Olympians, MLB (Major League Baseball) or WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) players or members of the Phoenix Suns or Milwaukee Bucks who are playing in the NBA (National Basketball Association) Finals in attendance. There’s a chance the Stanley Cup Finals (NHL - National Hockey League) will be over by then, but it’s not a sure bet. ZOOM CALL
2. Just because there will be no Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird sighting on the red carpet, it doesn’t mean you’ll be disappointed. The fashion game will undoubtedly be impressive when Lindsey Vonn, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, Russell Wilson and Ciara and LeBron James (likely promoting Space Jam 2) step into the spotlight. BEST ESPY LOOKS
3. Unlike the Oscars, where you’ve never heard of most of the movies, the fans get a say who receives some of the awards like the best athlete in women’s sports, best game and best team. EVERY VOTE COUNTS
4. ESPN can put together a video package that’ll pull at your heartstrings while leaving you inspired, and the awards at the ESPYs are no different. Here’s a quick summary of each of the major awards:
Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete a full IRONMAN triathlon, will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Four-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic medalist Maya Moore will receive the Arthur Ashe Award Courage Award. She is being recognized for her work to free Jonathan Irons, who she felt was wrongly convicted of a crime. She stepped away from her career to work to free him. (Ultimately, he was released).
Manchester United (European soccer) star Marcus Rashford rallied Parliament during COVID to support children who received free lunch pre-pandemic, securing a $556 million grant to provide meals into 2021. For his work that impacted 1.7 million children, he will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
5. Actor Anthony Mackie, known for his many movie roles but especially in the Marvel series, will add ESPY host to his lengthy resume. Mackie is expected to poke fun at some of the best athletes on the planet in his opening monologue, which could be scarier than any script he’s encountered. Unlike most red carpet events, this one will take place at The Rooftop at Pier 17 at the Seaport in New York City. GET YOUR GAME FACE ON
Links:
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
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Athletes Who Own Professional Sports Teams
Only the best will do.
Photo: Instagram/David Beckham
(Podcast length - 5 mins)
Have money make money?
Transcript
1. Athletes and the biggest names in Hollywood love investing in women’s sports, especially the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League). Angel City FChas the most notable investors, including Jennifer Garner, Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria and athletes Mia Hamm, Serena Williams, Candace Parker and her daughter Lailaa and tennis icon and activist Billie Jean King. Not to be outdone, NHL (National Hockey League) superstar Alex Ovechkin (Washington Spirit) and the No. 2 tennis player in the world (and the highest-paid female athlete ever) Naomi Osaka, is now an owner of North Carolina Courage. SMART INVESTING
2. The hot ticket item (after an NWSL team) is buying a stake in a NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) team. Both Michael Jordan and Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull, became owners of a NASCAR team before this year’s season started. Jordan’s team is a new team led by the only Black driver in the pro circuit of NASCAR, Bubba Wallace. The car features Jordan’s longtime jersey number No. 23. Pitbull is the co-owner of the Trackhouse Racing Team, which has the No. 99 car of Daniel Suarez. FAST MONEY
3. Joining Justin Timberlake as an NBA (National Basketball Association) owner are the NFL’s (National Football League) Larry Fitzgerald (Phoenix Suns) and Aaron Rodgers (Milwaukee Bucks). Former NBA players Shaquille O’Neal (Sacramento Kings) and Dwyane Wade (Utah Jazz) have diversified their assets with team ownership. HOOP DREAMS
4. One sport that you might not think of is Esports. The sport is the fastest growing sport globally, with viewers watching more than 2.1 billion hours of Esports videos worldwide. You may have heard of cities across the country building dedicated Esports arenas, and that’s why. David Beckham, also the owner of Inter Miami CF (MLS), launched Guild Esports in 2020. The company has already gone public on the London Stock Exchange. He joins the long list of athlete investors in Esports, including Steph Curry (Team SoloMid), Alex Rodriguez (NRG Esports), Michael Jordan (aXiomatic), Michael Strahan (NRG Esports) and Mike Tyson (Team Fade 2 Karma). NUMBERS DON’T LIE
5. LeBron James has his hands in everything and it all seems to be turning to gold with his stake in Liverpool FC, who won the UEFA Championship in 2019. Also looking for a return on their investment is the NBA’s Kevin Durant, an owner of the Philadelphia Union (MLS – Major League Soccer). GOAL!
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
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Sports Love Stories Destined For The Hallmark Channel
The meet-cutes that led to love. Cue the snowfall.
(Podcast length 6:30 mins - the transcript is below)
Holiday love stories are bringing home the bacon for the Hallmark Channel and Netflix this holiday season, so it’s only a matter of time before ESPN jumps on board.
Transcript
1. Timing is everything. A few divorces and a handful of years couldn’t keep these two star-crossed lovers apart. Jennifer Lopez and former MLB (Major League Baseball) player and broadcaster Alex Rodriguez had been friends for years. They dated, married and divorced other people and then they were both single. Then there was the text that changed everything. ARod was nervous during a dinner together so he excused himself and went to the bathroom to readjust his thoughts. Then and there he sent his dinner date JLo a text that said “You look sexy AF” and the rest is history. WHY HAS HALLMARK NOT MADE THIS MOVIE?
2. We’ve all heard it before, a girl falls in love with a bad boy and then the bad boy breaks the girl’s heart. That and one bad pickup line bring us to our next couple. After a very public relationship with golfer Tiger Woods, skier Lindsey Vonn was introduced to NHL (National Hockey League) player P.K. Subban at the ESPYs. It was at that event that he told a reporter "It's hotter outside than Lindsey Vonn looks today, which is pretty hot." Well, the line worked. The two, who started dating in 2018 and were engaged in the summer of 2019. The wedding is on hold thanks to COVID. The couple’s passion for each other and their charitable efforts are something to admire. HEART EMOJI
3. Do you know that plotline where two members of royalty happen to run into each other at a coffee shop? This is the same but different. Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are the unofficial first couple of women’s sports. The two have been dating since meeting at the 2016 Summer Olympics and are a fixture in the Seattle sports scene. They’ve been featured on the cover of InStyle Magazine and were the first same-sex couple to grace the cover of ESPN’s Body Issue. The outspoken and seriously fashionable duo seem to have it all including a plethora of championships and safety deposit boxes for all their gold medals. The two, who were engaged in 2020, also have each other’s backs. During the Women’s World Cup, Bird, who plays for the Seattle Storm (WNBA - Women’s National Basketball Association), came to Rapinoe’s defense in her battle with President Trump, penning an essay titled “So the President F—ing Hates My Girlfriend.” ROM-COM WRITTEN ALL OVER IT
4. The love story that started with an awkward first dance. Tennis greats Steffi Graff and Andre Agassi started dating after the French Open in 1999 but their story goes back years before that. In 1992 both Graff and Agassi (who tried to pick up Graff the year before at the French Open) were winners at Wimbledon. It used to be a tradition for the two winners of Wimbledon to dance with each other at the Wimbledon Champions’ Ball. But as luck would have it, that was the year they decided to cancel the dance due to “lukewarm receptions from modern players.” It all worked out in the end as the two married in 2001 and are still together. FATE WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS
5. Our final story is a modern storyline of a virtual, long-distance relationship. Together Julie and Zach Ertz have a Super Bowl championship, two World Cup victories and what do they have to prove it? A Visa commercial. The Philadelphia Eagles tight end (NFL - National Football League) and the soccer star met at a Stanford baseball game in 2012 when he offered her sunflower seeds. They had their first date at Chipotle and the rest is history. Married since 2017, together they too have bared it all for ESPN’s Body Issue. With both of them being at the pinnacles of their careers, they live the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” They say they’re lucky to have three months a year in the same city. WHEN FACETIME IS YOUR FRIEND
1. Timing is everything. A few divorces and a handful of years couldn’t keep these two star-crossed lovers apart. Jennifer Lopez and former MLB (Major League Baseball) player and broadcaster Alex Rodriguez had been friends for years. They dated, married and divorced other people and then they were both single. Then there was the text that changed everything. ARod was nervous during a dinner together so he excused himself and went to the bathroom to readjust his thoughts. Then and there he sent his dinner date JLo a text that said “You look sexy AF” and the rest is history. WHY HAS HALLMARK NOT MADE THIS MOVIE?
2. We’ve all heard it before, a girl falls in love with a bad boy and then the bad boy breaks the girl’s heart. That and one bad pickup line bring us to our next couple. After a very public relationship with golfer Tiger Woods, skier Lindsey Vonn was introduced to NHL (National Hockey League) player P.K. Subban at the ESPYs. It was at that event that he told a reporter "It's hotter outside than Lindsey Vonn looks today, which is pretty hot." Well, the line worked. The two, who started dating in 2018 and were engaged in the summer of 2019. The wedding is on hold thanks to COVID. The couple’s passion for each other and their charitable efforts are something to admire. HEART EMOJI
3. Do you know that plotline where two members of royalty happen to run into each other at a coffee shop? This is the same but different. Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are the unofficial first couple of women’s sports. The two have been dating since meeting at the 2016 Summer Olympics and are a fixture in the Seattle sports scene. They’ve been featured on the cover of InStyle Magazine and were the first same-sex couple to grace the cover of ESPN’s Body Issue. The outspoken and seriously fashionable duo seem to have it all including a plethora of championships and safety deposit boxes for all their gold medals. The two, who were engaged in 2020, also have each other’s backs. During the Women’s World Cup, Bird, who plays for the Seattle Storm (WNBA - Women’s National Basketball Association), came to Rapinoe’s defense in her battle with President Trump, penning an essay titled “So the President F—ing Hates My Girlfriend.” ROM-COM WRITTEN ALL OVER IT
4. The love story that started with an awkward first dance. Tennis greats Steffi Graff and Andre Agassi started dating after the French Open in 1999 but their story goes back years before that. In 1992 both Graff and Agassi (who tried to pick up Graff the year before at the French Open) were winners at Wimbledon. It used to be a tradition for the two winners of Wimbledon to dance with each other at the Wimbledon Champions’ Ball. But as luck would have it, that was the year they decided to cancel the dance due to “lukewarm receptions from modern players.” It all worked out in the end as the two married in 2001 and are still together. FATE WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS
5. Our final story is a modern storyline of a virtual, long-distance relationship. Together Julie and Zach Ertz have a Super Bowl championship, two World Cup victories and what do they have to prove it? A Visa commercial. The Philadelphia Eagles tight end (NFL - National Football League) and the soccer star met at a Stanford baseball game in 2012 when he offered her sunflower seeds. They had their first date at Chipotle and the rest is history. Married since 2017, together they too have bared it all for ESPN’s Body Issue. With both of them being at the pinnacles of their careers, they live the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” They say they’re lucky to have three months a year in the same city. WHEN FACETIME IS YOUR FRIEND
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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Five Of The Weirdest Things Athletes Have Autographed
Awkward doesn’t even begin to describe it.
(Podcast length 2:40 - summary is below)
Never a dull moment in the life of an athlete.
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
1. Let’s just say this one is 50 shades of shady. Hockey player Karl Alzner penned his name on a woman’s leather whip at an autograph signing. Why a whip? He didn't ask and she didn't say. WE HOPE HE HAD HAND SANITIZER
2. David Price of the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB – Major League Baseball) once signed a Twinkie. Rumor has it the sweet treat will survive the apocalypse, so why not? Said Twinkie then went for $56 on eBay. A NEW TAKE ON “SIGNATURE DESSERT”
3. Where would we be without our furry friends? Without an autograph apparently. NASCAR (National Association For Stock Car Auto Racing) driver Kasey Kahne signed a fan’s dog. The pup didn’t have much hair so its owner thought it would be the perfect place for Kahne to leave his mark. No word if the dog agreed. THERE BETTER HAVE BEEN TREATS INVOLVED
4. Los Angeles Kings (NHL – National Hockey League) goalie Jonathan Quick’s oddest item is a little cheesy. He once signed a fan’s grilled cheese sandwich. What’s worse? The sandwich already had two bites out of it and was “oozing with saliva.” SLOPPY SECONDS
5. Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (NBA - National Basketball Association) once signed a toaster. Apparently, the fan was memorable because Thompson later invited the gadget guy to the Warriors’ championship parade. TOAST OF THE TOWN
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These Athlete Mamas Are Making Things Happen
Not all superheroes wear capes.
(Podcast length 4:31 - summary is below)
Need proof moms are superheros? Look no further than these athletes.
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
1. We’re seeing the progress in women’s sports in adopting maternity policies for their players. Before these policies were put into place you had stars like Skylar Diggins-Smith, who played an entire WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) season while pregnant and didn’t tell anyone. In fact, was such a great season for her that she was named to the all-star team. After the birth of her son, she was criticized for taking two months off from the season due to postpartum depression. CUT THE GAL SOME SLACK
2. Olympic track star Allyson Felix made an impact on the track, winning six Olympic gold medals but it’s what she did off the track that has shaped her legacy. The NIKE sponsored athlete took on the company saying per her contract, she would be financially penalized for having a child. (Her daughter was born via emergency c-section in 2018). She was so fed up with their lack of support for female athletes that she left NIKE for Athleta. NIKE has since changed their polices and they will not apply any performance-related reductions for 18 months if an athlete becomes pregnant. CHANGE MAKER
3. When Candace Parker was drafted, everyone thought she’d be the Michael Jordan of the WNBA, and she was, winning attention from big sponsors like Gatorade and Adidas. After her rookie season where she was named rookie of the year and MVP, she returned to the court just 53 days after having her daughter. She did whatever it took to make the best of fitting her new role as a mom in with her career, including nursing at halftime. Parker played 12 seasons in the WNBA. Like many of her peers, during that time she played basketball overseas in the off-season where she earned a bigger paycheck. BRINGING HOME THE BACON
Side note – Parker was the first female to dunk in an NCAA Tournament game. What can’t she do?
4. Serena Williams hasn’t let a life shift like motherhood slow her down. You might remember when she won her 23rd Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open while pregnant. (The record is 24 wins). After serious medical complications resulting from a c-section birth of her daughter, she’s continued to be a force to be reckoned with on the court. She has launched a clothing line and stays active as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, with Serena Ventures where she invests in businesses with diverse founders and doing charity work that benefits causes around the world. GIRL ON FIRE
5. U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team co-captain Alex Morgan is ready to give birth any minute but don’t think that has stopped her from sneaking in impressive workouts to keep her skills game day ready. She was prepared to represent her country in the Tokyo Olympics just three months after having her baby. But with the Olympics being rescheduled it’s a silver lining for Morgan who will have a chance to recover from childbirth and spend some time adjusting to her new role as mom. Although there’s no rest for the weary as she and her teammates continue to fight U.S. Soccer in a legal battle over fair pay. THE GOOD WORK IS NEVER DONE
The Top 5 Sports Power Couples
While most normal people meet online, they meet at the Olympics.
Here’s to five stellar athletic duos who share the same craft and we don’t mean beer.
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
[Transcript]
1. Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick became friends first when they met at the 2012 ESPYs but then became a hot item in 2018. They may be one of the best-looking couples around but they don’t take themselves too seriously. Like when a Green Bay Packers (NFL - National Football League) fan posted a video of her professing her love for Rodgers while under anesthesia for tonsil surgery. The couple sent her 400 popsicles to heal her ailment and clearly her broken heart since he’s already taken. CONSOLATION PRIZE
2. Tennis greats Steffi Graff and Andre Agassi started dating after the French Open in 1999 but their story goes back years before that. In 1992 both Graff and Agassi (who tried to pick up Graff the year before at the French Open) were winners at Wimbledon. It used to be tradition for the two winners of Wimbledon to dance with each other at the Wimbledon Champions’ Ball. But as luck would have it, that was the year they decided to cancel the dance due to “lukewarm receptions from modern players.” It all worked out in the end as the two married in 2001 and are still together. TIMING IS EVERYTHING
3. We’re all for bad pickup lines and they’re even better when they work. After a very public relationship with golfer Tiger Woods, skier Lindsey Vonn was introduced to NHL (National Hockey League) player P.K. Subban at the ESPYs. It was at that event that he told a reporter "It's hotter outside than Lindsey Vonn looks today, which is pretty hot." Well, the line worked. The two, who started dating in 2018, were engaged in the summer of 2019. The couple’s passion for each other and their charitable efforts are something to admire. HEART EMOJI
4. Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are the unofficial first couple of women’s sports. The two have been dating since 2016 and are a fixture in the Seattle sports scene. They’ve been featured on the cover of InStyle Magazine and were the first same-sex couple to grace the cover of ESPN’s Body Issue. The outspoken and seriously fashionable duo seem to have it all including a plethora of championships and safety deposit boxes for all their gold medals. They also have each other’s backs. During the Women’s World Cup, Bird, who plays in the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), came to Rapinoe’s defense in her battle with President Trump, penning an essay titled “So the President F—ing Hates My Girlfriend.” ROM-COM WRITTEN ALL OVER IT
5. Together Julie and Zach Ertz have a Super Bowl championship, two World Cup victories and what do they have to prove it? A Visa commercial. The Philadelphia Eagles tight end (NFL) and the soccer star met at a Stanford baseball game in 2012 when he offered her sunflower seeds. They had their first date was at Chipotle and the rest is history. Married since 2017, together they too have bared it all for ESPN’s Body Issue. With both of them being at the pinnacles of their careers, they live the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” They say they’re lucky to have three months a year in the same city. WHEN FACETIME IS YOUR FRIEND