Podcast Summary: House of Maher – Episode: WNBA Salary Caps, Christian Rock & Going Commando
Release Date: July 8, 2025
A Wave Original by Wave Originals
1. Celebrating Alona’s ESPYS Nomination
Timestamp: [00:45 - 03:22]
The episode kicks off with a heartfelt congratulations to Ilona Maher for her first ESPYS nomination. Alona expresses her excitement and gratitude, highlighting the significance of being recognized as the best breakthrough athlete after seven years of professional play.
Alona: "This is my Grammys. This is your ESPYs." [02:37]
Olivia emphasizes the importance of voting for Alona, encouraging listeners to support her nomination through multiple devices.
Olivia: "No one is more deserving because you've been breaking in and breaking through for so many years." [02:19]
Adrianna adds perspective by comparing the award to the best new artist categories, underscoring that Alona’s nomination represents a significant breakthrough moment rather than a fresh start.
Adrianna: "It's not that you're just a brand new rugby player. It's just like you've had a breakthrough moment." [02:35]
The sisters discuss the uniqueness of a rugby player being nominated, a first for the sport, and Alona shares her anticipation of attending the event and connecting with like-minded individuals.
2. Deep Dive into the WNBA Salary Cap
Timestamp: [03:54 - 07:39]
The conversation shifts to the WNBA's recent announcement to expand to 18 teams by 2030, with new franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Alona and Adrianna express enthusiasm about the growth of the league and its impact on providing more opportunities for female athletes.
Alona: "There's so cutthroat because we have drafts, but barely enough for the amazing players that are coming out." [04:28]
Alona highlights the current salary cap in the WNBA, which is set at $250K, and discusses the ongoing negotiations to increase it to $1 million. She contrasts this with the NBA's astronomical salary cap of $154 million, pointing out the disparity in earnings between male and female athletes.
Alona: "It's crazy. Caitlin is making 78K, but she's bringing in 36 million to her city." [05:18]
The sisters lament the limited financial rewards in the WNBA, emphasizing that players often rely on endorsements and side deals to supplement their income.
Adrianna: "We're barely making any money in our sport, so all of our money is in deals and we're just wheeling and dealing." [09:26]
They advocate for better pay and longer seasons in the WNBA to match the league's growing popularity and the players' contributions.
3. Experiences with Christian Rock and Uber Drivers
Timestamp: [09:48 - 14:02]
Transitioning from sports, the sisters delve into their amusing encounters with Christian rock music, particularly in public transport. Olivia shares a story about an Uber driver blasting Christian rock, which led to a humorous yet tense situation.
Olivia: "The driver was not a good driver. We were going to need Jesus to take the wheel on this one." [10:12]
Alona discusses the production quality of Christian music and how some songs appeal to them on platforms like TikTok, even if they don't actively listen to the genre.
Alona: "Some of those songs are real good. I’d be listening to them on TikTok." [12:03]
They reflect on how music, including Christian rock, can enhance or disrupt experiences, emphasizing the importance of respecting passengers' preferences in shared spaces.
4. Restaurant Tipping Culture and Self-Service Dining
Timestamp: [20:31 - 27:42]
The discussion moves to the evolving landscape of dining, particularly in Los Angeles, where self-service models are becoming more prevalent. Alona and Olivia critique the shift towards ordering at counters, obtaining numbers, and self-serving food and drinks.
Olivia: "If you want to be a restaurant, be a restaurant. Sit me down for the price of food." [21:18]
They highlight the challenges of the current tipping system, especially in self-service establishments where the quality of service is inconsistent, leading to frustration over mandatory tipping surveys without visible service.
Alona: "They're adding a 4% charge for health insurance and still asking for tips? That's ridiculous." [23:57]
Adrianna shares her experience at Newark Airport, where self-service kiosks prompted tipping without any visible service staff, leading to confusion and reluctance to tip.
Adrianna: "I hit zero so fast." [28:00]
The sisters debate the fairness of tipping in environments where traditional service elements are absent, pondering whether service charges should be integrated into the prices instead.
5. Spotlight on K-Pop Group Cat's Eye and Inclusivity
Timestamp: [32:12 - 37:42]
The conversation shifts to the rising K-Pop group Cat's Eye, celebrated for their dance prowess and inclusive messaging. The sisters commend the group for allowing members to express their true selves, including two members who have come out as bisexual—an uncommon occurrence in the K-Pop industry.
Adrianna: "Two of the members have come out as bisexual, and we haven't really seen that in K-Pop." [37:06]
Alona appreciates how Cat's Eye maintains their authenticity and American personalities despite being a K-Pop group, avoiding the overly controlled image typical in the genre.
Alona: "They just like being themselves, which I really like." [36:22]
Olivia praises the group for their supportive lyrics and social media engagement, making their music not only catchy but also meaningful.
Adrianna: "God bless the tea girls and all the in between girls." [35:15]
The sisters discuss the broader implications of Cat's Eye's inclusivity, recognizing their effort to support transgender and non-binary individuals through their music.
6. Alona’s Upcoming Documentary with Hello Sunshine
Timestamp: [37:49 - 46:24]
Alona shares details about her upcoming documentary series in collaboration with Hello Sunshine. The project aims to provide an intimate look into her life beyond rugby, capturing personal moments, family interactions, and the pressures of being a female athlete.
Alona: "There's a story here that I want people to know... a female athlete story." [38:05]
Olivia discusses her role in the documentary, focusing on capturing Alona's authentic experiences and the balance between her athletic career and personal life.
Olivia: "It's going to be a premium sports documentary... there's so much about me that people don't know." [39:38]
Alona expresses her mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness about exposing her vulnerabilities to the public, fearing judgment but also valuing the opportunity to share her truth.
Alona: "People are going to see this online, and I want to make sure I'm putting the sport on a good light." [44:24]
Adrianna reassures Alona, emphasizing the importance of sharing her story and the potential impact it could have on others who relate to her experiences.
Adrianna: "There will be people that relate, and it will be so thankful for you for talking about your truth." [46:07]
The sisters discuss future projects and the potential for multiple seasons, highlighting the ongoing narrative of Alona’s journey as an athlete and individual.
7. Personal Updates and Lighthearted Moments
Timestamp: [46:24 - 57:00]
The sisters wrap up the episode with personal updates and playful interactions. Olivia shares her plans to officiate a wedding and seeks tips for crafting the perfect ceremony, while Alona discusses her preparation for the upcoming World Cup and her current life in San Diego.
Olivia: "I keep crying my eyes out. I want to do as great a job as I can." [51:23]
Alona talks about balancing team-building activities with personal time during the World Cup camp, expressing both excitement and apprehension about the intense schedule ahead.
Alona: "I'm trying to find that balance, right. Like team building versus needing my time away." [48:44]
The episode concludes with a fun game segment where the sisters play "Fair or Flaw," discussing everyday pet peeves and humorous situations, adding a lighthearted end to a discussion-heavy episode.
Notable Quotes:
-
Alona on ESPN’s Nomination:
"This is my Grammys. This is your ESPYs." [02:37] -
Olivia on Voting:
"No one is more deserving because you've been breaking in and breaking through for so many years." [02:19] -
Alona on WNBA Salary:
"It's crazy. Caitlin is making 78K, but she's bringing in 36 million to her city." [05:18] -
Adrianna on Inclusivity in K-Pop:
"Two of the members have come out as bisexual, and we haven't really seen that in K-Pop." [37:06] -
Alona on Documentary:
"There's a story here that I want people to know... a female athlete story." [38:05] -
Olivia on Hands-On Support:
"I will be there to hold her while she is going through this all and give her my support." [48:22]
Conclusion
In this episode of House of Maher, the Maher sisters navigate a diverse array of topics, from the intricate challenges of professional women’s sports and salary disparities to the nuances of personal identity in the K-Pop industry. Their candid discussions about personal experiences, upcoming projects, and everyday frustrations are enriched with humor and heartfelt insights. The episode not only highlights Alona Maher's athletic achievements and her journey towards an intimate documentary but also showcases the sisters' unwavering support for each other and their commitment to advocacy and inclusivity.
Whether addressing the financial struggles within the WNBA, sharing amusing encounters with music preferences, critiquing modern dining practices, or celebrating progressive movements in K-Pop, House of Maher offers a multifaceted look into the lives of three accomplished women. Their blend of seriousness and levity makes the podcast both informative and entertaining, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand and the personal stories that drive their passions.
Be sure to subscribe to House of Maher on YouTube and your preferred podcast platform to catch future episodes every Tuesday.