Good Game with Sarah Spain

ProPublica investigative reporter Molly Hensley-Clancy joins Sarah to discuss the outstanding work she did for The Washington Post exposing abuse in the NWSL, the focus of her current work at ProPublica, and her latest bombshell reporting on the AAU and youth sports. Plus, the Dream is getting bigger, Momma Mal gets on the board, and two leagues, one cup.

NBC Sports Coordinating Producer Betsy Riley joins Sarah to discuss bringing the WNBA back to the network after a 24-year hiatus, how she’s preparing for the upcoming WNBA Finals, and what it’s really like inside the truck during a broadcast. Plus, progress in a loss, movement at the deadline, and everyone watches women’s sports – well, at least everyone who can get in the building.

Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello joins Sarah to discuss coaching the WNBA’s only Canadian team in its inaugural season, how she’s handling not making the postseason for the first time in 13 years, and her tips for future expansion teams. Then, she gives her scouting report on the four remaining teams in the playoffs. Plus, stats that tell the story, a veteran follows an itch, and stars – they’re just like us!

Women’s hoops journalist, podcaster, and author Jordan Robinson returns to the show to chat all things WNBA playoffs. She joins Sarah to discuss her takeaways from the first round, including the Lynx’s shocking early exit and comments from the Fever front office and players about Indiana fans. She also reacts to Sunday's semifinal openers, shares whether she thinks the Aces have what it takes to win again, and reveals which piece of WNBA merch she’s always collecting but doesn’t wear. Plus, the race is on, the team is set, and off-season hoops are just around the corner.

Women’s Sports Foundation CEO Danette Leighton and Cole Brauer, the first female American sailor to race solo around the world, join Sarah to talk about the inaugural WSF Sport Report. They discuss what the findings tell us about a girl’s journey from youth sports to elite competition and why we should be worried about the pipeline fueling pro women’s sports. Cole always shares some memories of her sail around the world and why she thinks being at sea is easier than being on land. Plus, keep dreaming, staying put in Louisville, and a “Yes And” that carries us through time.

Big Citrus circles up for an end-of-summer potluck! There are a few topics from the last couple of months that we haven’t stopped thinking about or haven’t had time to talk about, so we’re bringing them to the Good Game table to chew on ‘em a bit more. Plus, the WNBA playoffs march on, fallen angels, and two more reasons to hate what’s happening in Washington, D.C.

Sara Haines, co-host of The View, former college athlete, and Sarah’s newest bestie, joins the show after the pair recently met IRL in New York City. Sara compares her college experience at Smith to making taffy, shares how she ended up as MVP of a gay men’s volleyball league, how she decides which controversies to respond to on The View, and the mantra she wears on a bracelet as a daily reminder. P.S. - Tune in tomorrow for all the WNBA playoff content you crave!

Fresh off winning the inaugural WPBL championships, Los Angeles Queens captain Ashton Lansdell joins Sarah to discuss how a switch in the Queens’ lineup helped them win the series-clinching game 5, what it was like living in Springfield, Illinois, with 60 of the best women’s baseball players in the world, and why the connections she made on and off the field this season brought her to tears. Plus, coronation night, the end of the road, and consider us intrigued.

Author and journalist Lindsay Crouse joins Sarah to talk about her new book “The Case for Quitting: The Surprising Benefits of Opting Out.” They discuss why women tend to absorb far more than their share of unproductive suffering without ever considering quitting as an option, which questions to ask when deciding whether something is worth continuing, and what everyone can learn from zebrafish. Crouse also reflects on her role bringing to light the stories of brave women like Kara Goucher and Allyson Felix when she was a journalist at the New York Times. Plus, another record bites the dust, tonight’s the night, and no skis, no problem.

A quartet of guests joins Sarah to discuss the harm that could be done to women’s sports if the “Protect College Sports Act” becomes law. NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke, Senior Advisor & Legal Counsel for the WNBPA Erin Drake, Maryland basketball’s Oluchi Okananwa, and LSU basketball’s Jada Williams unpack the history of how we got here, why this bill would be disastrous for women’s sports, and their solution for fixing the college athletic landscape. Plus, queens of the diamond, Friday Flowers, and a shootout spells the end for the U.S.

Big Citrus jumps on the show to react to a week of headline-making stories in the sports world, from the athletes speaking out about Sydney Sweeney’s latest brand deal to Caitlin Clark’s finger-wagging, and a cackle-fest that brought back memories of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team debacle. Plus, table stakes, a World Cup request, and Marla Hooch – what a hitter!

Professional distance runner Jess McClain joins Sarah to discuss how she handled getting led off course while in the lead at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships earlier this year, why working two “normal” jobs helps her thrive as an athlete, and goals for her upcoming races, including the World Road Running Championships later this week. Plus, the five-peat is complete, celebrating a career grand slam, and there’s no offseason for pucks and gay shit.