Podcast Summary: "Rory & Mal Don't Know Ball | Lexie Brown"

Release Date: March 6, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Podcast Title: New Rory & MAL
Episode Title: Rory & Mal Don't Know Ball | Lexie Brown

Introduction

In this engaging episode of "New Rory & MAL," hosts Rory and Mal delve into the world of professional basketball with special guest Lexi Brown, a WNBA world champion. The episode seamlessly blends humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful discussions about life both on and off the court. Skipping all advertisements and non-content sections, the conversation flows naturally, providing listeners with a comprehensive look into Lexi's experiences and perspectives.

Being Courtside and Groupie Experiences

[02:09]
Lexi Brown kicks off the conversation by sharing her unique experience attending one of Rory's basketball games. She humorously describes herself as a "basketball groupie," recounting moments spent courtside with friends and interacting with Lexi’s teammates.

Lexi Brown: "I was with the squad drinking off their bottles in the... They had highlight rooms shut down. I was like, I mean it's free groupy."
[02:46]

Rory playfully teases Lexi about her groupie antics, adding levity to the discussion.

Rory: "Lexi the group. Yes, my first groupie is Rory."
[03:00]

Lexi elaborates on her nights out post-games, contrasting the exclusive highlight room parties with less favorable club experiences.

Lexi Brown: "Reason was like, yeah, no, my people throwing a little something at this hookah spot."
[20:25]

Playing Pickup Games with Guys

[04:00]
The conversation shifts to Lexi's attempts at playing pickup basketball with regular guys. She candidly discusses the challenges she faced when the skill level didn’t match her professional standards.

Lexi Brown: "Guys were just absolutely terrible. It did get to the point where I would score a few points, and then they would stop giving me the ball."
[04:14]

Rory humorously reflects on the dynamics of a WNBA player entering an open gym.

Rory: "Unless you're one of the five faces of the WNBA, it has to be kind of fun walking into like an open gym, LA Fitness with all the guys."
[05:15]

Lexi acknowledges the humor but emphasizes her preference for structured workouts over informal pickup games.

Lexi Brown: "I don't play pickup with guys often anymore. I do a lot of, like, two on two, three on three, one on one in my workouts."
[04:15]

Locker Room Vibes and Pre-Game Preparations

[06:00]
Lexi provides an inside look into the locker room environment within the WNBA, highlighting the diversity in music preferences and pre-game routines.

Lexi Brown: "My teammate Neca Guma, she's Nigerian, so it was like a lot of Afro beats."
[07:07]

She contrasts this with the newer season's vibe, where younger players lean towards pop music, balancing fun and focus.

Lexi Brown: "This season, I kind of feel like I want to just show up. Like, I'm about to go play basketball."
[09:38]

Personal Stories: Dancing, Friends, and Childhood

[17:00]
Lexi reminisces about her childhood and early interactions with basketball through her father's influence, sharing heartfelt stories about her journey to becoming a WNBA player.

Lexi Brown: "In 8th, 9th grade, we were like, okay, like, this is something I wanna do. This is my dream, to be a WNBA player."
[31:28]

She humorously recounts her dance class experiences, highlighting the challenges of balancing athletics with personal interests.

Lexi Brown: "I took a dance class when I was in Nashville, a hip hop class, and it was so much fun."
[18:20]

Rory adds his own stories about growing up, creating a relatable and entertaining dialogue between the hosts and guest.

Music Preferences of Lexi Brown

[12:33]
A significant portion of the episode focuses on Lexi's eclectic taste in music, ranging from early Drake to R&B and pop classics.

Lexi Brown: "I listen to a lot of Backstreet Boys, NSync. My dad likes older R and B music. My mom loves Luther Vandross."
[14:15]

Lexi discusses her transition from rap to more uplifting genres, reflecting her personal growth and changing preferences.

Lexi Brown: "I've kind of like stopped listening to a lot of rap music lately because it doesn't make me happy."
[15:18]

The conversation also touches on the role of music in athletes' lives, with Lexi advocating for positive and motivational tunes during pre-game preparations.

Lexi Brown: "I need R&B or have something happy. I don't need all that cussing and not trying to drill on the court."
[16:42]

Podcasting and Interaction with Gil

[35:00]
Lexi shares her experiences with podcasting and her interactions with Gil, the podcast's host, highlighting the real-time feedback from live chats.

Lexi Brown: "We have the live chat. So I'm getting active feedback on my presence in real time."
[35:52]

She recounts a memorable shooting contest on the show, where her performance impressed both the live audience and chat participants.

Lexi Brown: "I made it the farthest. ... I've been in the WNBA for six years. I beat a bunch of retired NBA players at mid-range jump shots."
[37:12]

This segment underscores the camaraderie and competitive spirit among athletes on the podcast.

WNBA Discussions: Marketing, Player Care, CBAs, and Signature Shoes

[63:00]
The latter part of the episode delves into the broader topics surrounding the WNBA, including marketing strategies, collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), and player welfare.

Lexi Brown: "We're fighting for higher salaries, pensions for retired players, health benefits for retired players."
[63:06]

The discussion highlights the league's efforts to bridge the gap between college fandom and professional play, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and media presence.

Lexi Brown: "Allowing players to be who they are... it's much better than it was when my dad was coaching."
[63:35]

Lexi and the hosts also explore the significance of signature shoes for WNBA players, celebrating players like Asia Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu for their marketable personas and athletic prowess.

Audience Member: "Asia's shoe is a no-brainer. She deserved that."
[70:27]

Additionally, Lexi discusses the challenges female athletes face compared to their male counterparts, particularly concerning player care and support systems post-retirement.

Lexi Brown: "We have to consider pregnancy and how it's going to affect our contracts and roster spots."
[68:30]

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Rory and Mal express their admiration for Lexi Brown's contributions to the WNBA and her candidness during the podcast. They encourage her continued success both on the court and in her potential ventures beyond basketball, such as podcasting.

Rory: "We do not know ball, but we know that Lexi is one of the illest."
[72:25]

Lexi responds with enthusiasm, hinting at future collaborations and expressing her support for the show's dynamic.

Lexi Brown: "We out."
[72:26]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Lexi Brown: "I was with the squad drinking off their bottles in the... It's free groupy."
  [02:46]

• Rory: "Lexi the group. Yes, my first groupie is Rory."
  [03:00]

• Lexi Brown: "Guys were just absolutely terrible."
  [04:15]

• Lexi Brown: "I don't need all that cussing and not trying to drill on the court."
  [16:42]

• Lexi Brown: "We're fighting for higher salaries, pensions for retired players, health benefits for retired players."
  [63:06]

• Rory: "We do not know ball, but we know that Lexi is one of the illest."
  [72:25]

Key Insights and Conclusions

• Balancing Professionalism and Personal Life: Lexi Brown exemplifies how professional athletes navigate the balance between their demanding sports careers and personal interests, such as music and dance.

• Evolving Locker Room Cultures: The diversity in music preferences among WNBA teams reflects broader cultural shifts and the importance of creating a supportive and motivating environment for athletes.

• Player Welfare and League Support: The WNBA is making strides in enhancing player welfare through improved CBAs, focusing on aspects like pensions and health benefits, especially for retired players.

• Marketing and Branding Opportunities: Signature shoes and personal branding are becoming increasingly significant for WNBA players, highlighting the league’s potential to grow its market presence.

• Challenges Unique to Female Athletes: Female athletes face distinct challenges, including considerations around pregnancy and contract security, underscoring the need for tailored support systems within the league.

• Positive Media Engagement: The integration of athletes like Lexi into podcasts and media platforms fosters a deeper connection with fans, enhancing the visibility and relatability of WNBA players.

This episode of "New Rory & MAL" offers a multifaceted look into Lexi Brown's life as a WNBA player, enriching listeners' understanding of the professional sports landscape, athlete experiences, and the evolving dynamics within the WNBA.