Raising the Game: A Women’s Sports Podcast

The PWHL playoffs are delivering drama on both sides of the bracket, the WNBA's 30th season is officially here, and women's sports infrastructure is growing faster than ever, a lot to unpack this week.Ottawa stole a road win in Boston to even their series 1-1, then headed to a sold-out Canadian Tire Center with a freshly repainted PWHL logo under the ice. Minnesota took game one against top-seeded Montreal and we saw the first playoff hat trick in PWHL history from Montreal's Laura Stacey. And the league quietly dropped a detailed five-phase expansion plan with no official teams yet, but a Detroit press conference looming.This week we get into:PWHL playoffs and expansion: Ottawa's road win, the Boston-Ottawa series outlook, Minnesota's gritty game one, and a full breakdown of the league's five-phase roster-building plan designed to protect player choice while giving expansion teams a real shot at competing from day oneWNBA 30th season: the new 15-team structure (hello Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire), the $2.2 billion broadcast deal, Sportico's valuation report with Golden State Valkyries topping the list at $850M and average franchise values up 59%, and what to watch as newly reshuffled rosters find their footingNWSL calendar debate: the WSL announces it will keep its spring-to-fall schedule until 2030. Caitlin makes the case for why the NWSL should not follow suit, and why the league is not in the same position as MLS was when it made that shiftCherie DeVaux becomes the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, guiding Golden Tempo from the worst post position in the field all the way through the outside to a historic win in the 152nd running of the raceNelly Korda goes back-to-back, winning the Riviera Maya Open a week after the Chevron Championship to reach 18 career LPGA victories and land four points from Hall of Fame inductionWe also cover Hailey Baptiste's comeback win over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Madrid Open, Olivia Moultrie's 100th NWSL cap with a goal and assist, Brighton's plans for the first purpose-built women's stadium in England, Lyon reaching the UWCL final, the MNBA's long-overdue SNL cameo, and expansion city predictions.Follow Raising the Game for weekly women's sports coverage.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podWebsite: www.rtgpod.comSubstack: substack.com/@raisingthegamepodcastEmail: [email protected]

The PWHL playoffs are here, and Montreal made a pick that has Frost fans cautiously optimistic.The PWHL wrapped its regular season with Kelly Pannek setting a new single-season points record (33 in 30 games), the league surpassing one million fans for the first time, and Montreal selecting Minnesota as their first-round opponent instead of the weaker Ottawa Charge. We break down why that may have been the wrong call, what to expect from the Boston-Ottawa matchup, and who has the star power to make a deep run.This week we dig into:PWHL playoff bracket analysis: Montreal's controversial seed pick, Minnesota Frost vs. the top seed, and whether Ottawa can pull off a Boston upset behind goalie Gwyneth Phillips. Plus: PWHL expansion is imminent, with Vegas and San Diego reportedly in the mix alongside two-year phased rollout plans.NWSL Week 5 results and standings: San Diego Wave sitting at the top with 15 points and Brazilian flair to spare. Kansas City Current struggling badly under new head coach Chris Armis, and Boston's new expansion side scoring just one goal in five games. Plus the Columbus NWSL expansion controversy over McCoy Park.WNBA preseason first look: Caitlin Clark back on the court, Raven Johnson impressing for Indiana, Olivia Miles debuting for Minnesota, and a deeper conversation about rookie durability and what the W's record broadcast deal means for the sport's growth.Allyson Felix's comeback: The most decorated American track and field athlete in history announced she's targeting the 2028 LA Olympics at age 42, framing it as a "live experiment in human potential" and a challenge to the idea that women should shrink as they get older.Headlines across women's sports: NWSL adds an 18th team in Columbus for 2028 with a record $205 million expansion fee, the USWNT draws El Salvador in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, Arsenal leads OL Lyonnais in the UWCL semis, and Nelly Korda wins the Chevron Championship LPGA major.We also touch on Jess Fishlock's retirement announcement and devastating injury, the ACL research initiative launched by the NWSL and NWSLPA, and Sophia Wilson's emotional first goal back from maternity leave.Follow Raising the Game for weekly women's sports coverage.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podWebsite: rtgpod.comSubstack: substack.com/@raisingthegamepodcastEmail: [email protected]

The WNBA is officially back, and Episode 16 is your full preview of the 2026 season — from A'ja Wilson's record-breaking supermax to the teams you need to watch on opening weekend.The Las Vegas Aces re-signed their entire core four (A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Jewell Loyd), and Wilson's three-year, $5 million deal is the largest contract in women's professional basketball history. The 30th WNBA season tips off May 9th across five broadcast platforms, and the league has never been more watchable. We break down the scary contenders, the sleeper teams, and the biggest questions heading into the year.We also dig deep into the U.S. Women's National Team's three-game series against Japan — a 2-1 series win that told us a lot more than the scoreline suggests. Emma Hayes played the long game in every sense of the phrase, and we cannot stop talking about her coaching philosophy and what it means for the 2027 World Cup.This week we cover:- A'ja Wilson's $5M supermax and the Aces dynasty: reigning champions return 90% of their scoring, with Becky Hammon running the show again- WNBA season preview: our scary contenders (Las Vegas, New York Liberty, Dallas Wings), honorable mentions, and the teams with the highest upside- USWNT vs. Japan series breakdown: Rose Lavelle's 100th cap, Sophia Wilson's return from maternity leave, record attendance in Seattle, and Emma Hayes' masterclass in building for the World Cup- Emma Hayes deep dive: her possession-first tactical shift, her relational leadership style, and why she is the best coach in the modern era- PWHL playoff picture: Montreal, Boston, and Minnesota are in — but the fourth seed battle between Ottawa, Toronto, and New York is going down to the literal last game of the regular seasonWe also cover the 2026 WNBA Draft viewership numbers (1.5M average, up 20% year-over-year), the PWHL hitting 1 million in-person fans faster than projected, the NWSL calendar shift debate, Oklahoma's back-to-back NCAA gymnastics title, and LOVB Austin's golden-set championship win.Follow Raising the Game for weekly women's sports coverage.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podWebsite: rtgpod.comSubstack: substack.com/@raisingthegamepodcastEmail: [email protected]

The 2026 WNBA Draft just happened live as we recorded, and women's sports is officially a $3 billion industry. There's a lot to unpack.Azzi Fudd went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings, reuniting with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers and picking up a historic $500,000 rookie salary under the new CBA. The draft class was stacked, UCLA made history with six players selected, and free agency has teams looking very different heading into the 30th WNBA season. We break down the winners, the head-scratchers, and what the new CBA era means for the league.For a good chunk of this episode we dive deep into Deloitte's 2026 "Game Changers" report, which projects global women's sports revenue to exceed $3 billion this year, a 340% increase since 2022. We go beyond the headline number and get into what actually got us here: Title IX, the 1999 Women's World Cup, the Wubble, the NCAA weight room moment, Caitlin Clark, the Paris Olympics. And then we talk about what makes women's sports grow differently than men's sports ever did.This week we dig into:The Deloitte Game Changers report: commercial revenue hitting $1.4B, matchday climbing to $911M, broadcast up to $765M, and why the industry has outpaced its own projections every year since 2022The 2026 WNBA Draft and free agency: Azzi Fudd to Dallas, Olivia Miles to Minnesota, Angel Reese to Atlanta, and which teams are building something real vs. quietly implodingUSWNT vs. Japan: Sophia Wilson's return, Rose Lavelle's goal and assist, what we're watching in the back line, and how Emma Hayes is likely to rotate through the three-game seriesPWHL playoff race: three teams chasing one spot, what the Frost game at the double-attack end felt like in person, and why an expansion and broadcast deal announcement feels imminentWhat makes women's sports different: cultural ambassadorship over celebrity, athletes building leagues rather than leagues building stars, and fan experience as identity rather than transactionWe also cover the White House stalling the US's 2031 Women's World Cup bid, SI Swimsuit featuring WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Sophie Cunningham, Sue Bird joining NBC's WNBA desk, and the WNBA formally approving expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.Follow Raising the Game for weekly women's sports coverage.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podWebsite: rtgpod.comSubstack: substack.com/@raisingthegamepodcastEmail: [email protected]

UCLA just won the national championship, and they did it convincingly. Episode 14 covers the Bruins' blowout over South Carolina, the Geno-Dawn Staley postgame controversy, and what Cori Close's transformational coaching style says about the future of the program.From there, the WNBA news is wall-to-wall this week. The Connecticut Sun are officially moving to Houston as the Houston Comets in 2027, ending a 23-year run in New England under circumstances that raised serious questions about how the league handled the sale. Angel Reese landed in Atlanta. Free agency is live. The WNBA draft is days away. And amid all of it, the league just announced a long-term broadcast deal with CBS Sports.This week we get into:NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: How UCLA won the title with dominant defense, a five-senior starting lineup bound for the WNBA draft, and why Cori Close's John Wooden-influenced coaching philosophy stood in sharp contrast to what we saw from Geno Auriemma after the lossConnecticut Sun relocation: Why the WNBA passed on higher offers to move the franchise to Houston, what Adam Silver's reported involvement signals about NBA influence over the league, and what fans in New England lostWNBA free agency and expansion draft: Angel Reese to Atlanta, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo making their first picks, and a full breakdown of the WNBA draft order with five UCLA players in the top 15USWNT vs. Japan: Three friendlies against the reigning AFC Champions coming up, Sophia Wilson returning after 17 months away, and what Emma Hayes is actually evaluating heading into World Cup qualifyingNWSL and Denver Summit: A record 63,000 fans at the inaugural NWSL home opener, plus the Summit's $40M bond financing for a new training center, marking a first for the leaguePWHL playoff push: The Minnesota Frost chasing home ice advantage, Kelly Pannek one point from the single-season scoring record, and attendance records falling across the league including a sellout at MSGWe also hit the figure skating World Championships (Kaori Sakamoto's fourth world title and retirement, Amber Glenn's redemption skate), Sabalenka's Miami Open win over Coco Gauff, the NFL's women's flag football league launch, NCAA gymnastics nationals bracket, and LOVB playoffs.Follow Raising the Game for weekly women's sports coverage.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podWebsite: rtgpod.comSubstack: substack.com/@raisingthegamepodcastEmail: [email protected]

The pioneers who broke down the doors in women's sports didn't just play the game. They rewrote the rules, fought segregation, and built the infrastructure that every female athlete walks through today.This is Part 1 of "The Door," the first installment in a new series called "What's the Story" from Raising the Game. For Women's History Month, we trace the origin stories of five women who each faced a different kind of barrier and refused to let it stand. From Althea Gibson breaking tennis's color line in 1950 to Donna Lopiano transforming a $57,000 women's athletic budget into a national model at the University of Texas, these are the stories behind the sports we cover every week.This episode covers:Althea Gibson's journey from Harlem paddle courts to back-to-back Wimbledon championships and being handed the trophy by Queen Elizabeth II, all while navigating segregation and the U.S. State Department using her as a symbol of American excellence abroadWilma Rudolph overcoming polio, a seven-year leg brace, and a sprained ankle to win three gold medals at the 1960 Rome Olympics, then demanding her homecoming parade be integratedPatsy Mink, the first woman of color elected to Congress, who authored the 37 words of Title IX that changed women's sports forever, taking participation from 1-in-27 girls to 1-in-2 in fifty yearsBillie Jean King's fight for equal pay in tennis, co-founding the WTA, and beating Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes in front of 90 million viewers worldwideDonna Lopiano's 18-year transformation of the University of Texas women's athletics from a $57,000 budget to 18 national championships and a blueprint for every major university in the countryStay tuned for Part 2, where will break in to more of the modern era and cover six more pioneering women athletes.Follow Raising the Game for weekly women's sports coverage:Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podWebsite: rtgpod.comSubstack: substack.com/@raisingthegamepodcastEmail: [email protected]

The WNBA just agreed to a transformational new CBA — and the numbers are staggering. Salary caps jumped from $1.5 million to $7 million, super maxes hit $1.4 million, and minimum salaries now exceed last year's super max. This changes everything.After months of tense negotiations and over 100 hours of face-to-face bargaining in New York City, the WNBA and WNBPA reached a landmark seven-year deal that ties player compensation to league revenue for the first time. We break down the key provisions, the EPIC rule that rewards breakout rookies, and what a chaotic April of expansion drafts and free agency is about to look like.This week we dig into:The WNBA CBA agreement — salary cap details, revenue sharing, the EPIC rule and how it could benefit the likes of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Aliyah Boston, plus the wild upcoming expansion draft and free agency periodThe Women's National Football Conference — a six-year-old full-contact tackle football league with 17 teams, players from 20+ countries, and a medical advisory board dedicated to female athlete healthMinnesota Gophers March Madness — Amaya Battle's buzzer beater, 10,700 fans in the Barn, Peps Neuman the Blanket Lady, and the first Sweet 16 since 2005NWSL attendance records shattering week after week, Denver Summit's 50,000+ ticket home opener, and Sam Kerr rumored to be heading stateside from ChelseaPWHL playoff push with Minnesota Frost leading a tight three-way race, plus a national broadcast deal for the playoffs on IonWe also cover NCAA women's gymnastics conference championships, Jessie Diggins' retirement, the Kara Lawson coaching phenomenon at Duke, and why Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes is must-watch basketball.Follow Raising the Game for weekly women's sports coverage.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podSubstack: https://substack.com/@raisingthegamepodcastWebsite: https://rtgpod.com Email: [email protected]

It's a big week for women's sports — and we happened to record on the night the WNBA CBA was supposed to get done.This week:The WNBA CBA hits its deadline with the league and union still apart on revenue sharing — 70% of net vs. ~25% of gross — and we get into why that distinction matters, why the league dragged its feet for months, and why the players are absolutely right to hold the line.The NWSL is back in spectacular fashion: 129K fans across opening weekend, 30K in Boston, 50K tickets sold for Denver's March 28 home opener, Sophia Wilson (Gigi's mom!) returning from maternity leave, and Savy King back on the pitch in an emotional moment for Angel City.The PWHL is in its playoff push — we break down the standings (spoiler: Minnesota is in second), expansion city contenders, and the first-ever national broadcast on ION on March 28.Plus:Catarina Macario signs an $8M record deal with San Diego Wave making her the highest-paid women's footballer in the world, NCAA women's basketball brackets are out and we are doing brackets, the Frozen Four is set with Northeastern upsetting Minnesota, college gymnastics conference tournaments, Aryna Sabalenka wins Indian Wells, Oksana Masters dominates the 2026 Winter Paralympics with four golds, Team USA rolling 4-0 in FIBA World Cup qualifying, and Sephora cements itself as the women's sports sponsor to know.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podEmail: [email protected]

The NWSL season is officially here, and we spent most of this episode getting you ready for it.This week:​She Believes Cup is a wrap: USWNT takes their 8th title, but real questions remain at left back, the nine position, and playing without a true six.​Complete NWSL history, current season teams & players to watch: From the WUSA's $100M collapse to a $2.5 billion league today, we dig into the history, finances, players to watch, and our title picks heading into Season 14.​Unrivaled Season 2 closes strong: Mist BC wins the championship over Phantom BC, Brianna Stewart takes MVP honors, and the league posts 66% year-over-year revenue growth to $45M.​WNBA CBA deadline hits: Offers have been bouncing back and forth with nothing resolved as of taping. Let's hope there's good news by the time this airs!Plus:StubHub launches Her Sports Hub with data showing 215% post-Olympics ticket purchase growth, Team USA Women's Basketball tips off World Cup qualifying in Puerto Rico with Caitlin Clark and crew, a chaotic NCAA conference tournament weekend, the Boston Fleet and New York Sirens heading to TD Garden and MSG, Oksana Masters winning her 20th Paralympic medal, and the Women's Africa Cup of Nations postponed just two weeks before it was supposed to start.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podEmail: [email protected]

Get an idea of the women's sports topics we talk about with this trailer.

It's March and women's sports is absolutely delivering. This week: - The PWHL is back and riding a massive Olympic wave. We dig into the attendance records, injury news (Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne-Schofield), and expansion chatter. - The WNBA CBA hits a March 10th deadline with players divided and Kelsey Plum suggesting a strike might not be the move. - We break down the U.S. Women's National Team's She Believes Cup opener with a youth-heavy lineup, questionable officiating, Trinity Rodman scare, and preview USA vs. Canada. Plus: UConn's perfect season, who can actually challenge them, NCAA hockey, Unrivaled playoffs heading to Brooklyn, and the fallout from the presidential phone call to the men's hockey team, and why we had to say something about it.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podEmail: [email protected] to help our Minneapolis community:========================https://www.standwithminnesota.com/https://www.marnaseatery.com/https://mexicocitycafe-slp.com/https://www.brasa.us/https://www.victors1959cafe.com/https://www.holaarepa.com/========================qZ9ctgFNW3acwMIfn96Q

This week we go through a comprehensive breakdown of Team USA's historic Winter Olympic performance—where women won 61% of all American medals. Emma Hayes' strategic roster selections for the upcoming She Believes Cup. And a critical look at the WNBA's stalled collective bargaining agreement and ownership's refusal to open their books to the players union. Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podLinks to help our Minneapolis community:========================https://www.standwithminnesota.com/https://www.marnaseatery.com/https://mexicocitycafe-slp.com/https://www.brasa.us/https://www.victors1959cafe.com/https://www.holaarepa.com/========================

This week, we dive into the overwhelming dominance of the U.S. Women's Olympic Ice Hockey team, outscoring opponents 26-1 as they head toward a showdown with Canada. We also analyze the stalled WNBA CBA negotiations and the potential impact on the upcoming season, including expansion drafts and free agency. Finally, we discuss Angel Reese's return to the court in Unrivaled and major roster moves in the NWSL.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_podLinks to help our Minneapolis community:========================https://www.standwithminnesota.com/https://www.marnaseatery.com/https://mexicocitycafe-slp.com/https://www.brasa.us/https://www.victors1959cafe.com/https://www.holaarepa.com/========================

The 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina have begun with a record 47% female participation rate . We analyze the massive viewership shift toward women's events before diving deep into the historic roster of Black female athletes representing Team USA, including Laila Edwards and Erin Jackson . Finally, we address the polarizing reaction to Lindsey Vonn’s downhill crash and why the criticism regarding her return is unfounded .Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_pod========================Links to help our Minneapolis community:https://www.standwithminnesota.com/https://www.marnaseatery.com/https://mexicocitycafe-slp.com/https://www.brasa.us/https://www.victors1959cafe.com/https://www.holaarepa.com/========================

Caitlin and Alex are back to break down one of the biggest story in women's sports: the WNBA CBA negotiations. We crunch the numbers on the revenue sharing dispute and discuss the possibility of a work stoppage or strike. We also cover different women's collegiate sports story lines. Plus, get your full preview of the 2026 Winter Olympics, including schedules for Team USA Hockey, figure skating, and alpine skiing.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_pod========================Links to help our Minneapolis community:https://www.standwithminnesota.com/https://www.marnaseatery.com/https://mexicocitycafe-slp.com/https://www.brasa.us/https://www.victors1959cafe.com/https://www.holaarepa.com/========================

Caitlin and Alex deep dive into the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), explaining the "Jailbreak" rule, special league rules, and the league's expansion plans. They analyze Trinity Rodman's record-breaking contract with the Washington Spirit and recap the USWNT's first match of 2026. Plus: Unrivaled's first in-game dunk, and Australian Open quarterfinalists.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_pod========================Links to help our Minneapolis community:https://www.standwithminnesota.com/https://www.marnaseatery.com/https://mexicocitycafe-slp.com/https://www.brasa.us/https://www.victors1959cafe.com/https://www.holaarepa.com/========================

Caitlin and Alex tackle the NWSL's complex offseason, discussing the new "Rodman Rule," the Players Association's demand for rescission, and major moves for Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps. This episode also covers the current WNBA free agency moratorium and potential strike, alongside a countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics featuring updates on Mikaela Shiffrin, Chloe Kim, and Team USA Hockey. Plus: 2027 World Cup contenders and weekly Winners & Losers.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_pod========================Links to help our Minneapolis community:https://www.standwithminnesota.com/https://www.marnaseatery.com/https://mexicocitycafe-slp.com/https://www.brasa.us/https://www.victors1959cafe.com/https://www.holaarepa.com/========================

Caitlin and Alex break down the WNBA's uncertain offseason following the CBA deadline, discussing the "status quo" implications and Napheesa Collier’s call for a sustainable business model. This episode also recaps the Unrivaled League’s debut weekend and innovative player-equity structure, alongside a deep dive into League One Volleyball’s (LOVB) holistic ecosystem backed by icons like Billie Jean King. Plus: PWHL standings ahead of the Olympic break, Amber Glenn’s historic third U.S. title, and our top watch picks for the week.Instagram/Threads/YouTube: @rtg_pod