Podcast Summary: Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch
Episode Title: Sports are for Girls
Guest: Lily Shimbashi
Release Date: January 26, 2025
Produced by: Dear Media
Introduction
In this compelling episode of Sunday Sports Club, host Allison Kuch welcomes Lily Shimbashi, founder and CEO of Sport Ish. The conversation delves into the intersection of sports and pop culture, the challenges women face in sports broadcasting, and the transformative impact of platforms like Sport Ish on female sports fandom.
Sport Ish: Bridging Sports and Pop Culture
Lily Shimbashi shares her journey in founding Sport Ish, a community dedicated to merging sports with pop culture. Initially aspiring to be a sports broadcaster, Lily transitioned into entrepreneurship after experiencing the competitive barriers women face in broadcasting roles.
Lily Shimbashi (03:32): “I really believe, like, the whole if you can see it, you can be it notion. As a little girl, I saw females being sports broadcasters, specifically sideline reporters, and that's what I wanted to do.”
Sport Ish began as an Instagram account, focusing on making sports more relatable by highlighting athletes' personal lives, relationships, and cultural aspects rather than just stats and game performances.
Lily Shimbashi (07:12): “We can talk about the sports, but we can also talk about the ish, which is the culture, the fashion, the relationships.”
With a growing follower base of 183,000 on Instagram, Sport Ish has expanded to include a newsletter, a podcast, and live events designed to create a supportive community for women sports fans.
Women in Sports Broadcasting: Challenges and Change
Allison and Lily discuss the formidable challenges women face in the male-dominated field of sports broadcasting. Lily recounts instances of sexism and the undervaluing of women's expertise in sports.
Lily Shimbashi (05:14): “I just sat there and I was like, oh, my gosh. Like, what is wrong with people? I think that men think sports are theirs.”
Despite these challenges, Lily emphasizes the importance of representation and how women like Kristin Usecheck are paving the way for future female sports broadcasters.
Lily Shimbashi (35:26): “It's about telling players' stories, not just their stat lines, and giving us this emotional connection with these professional athletes.”
Transforming Sports Fandom: Emotional Connections and Inclusivity
A significant portion of the discussion centers on how Sport Ish fosters emotional connections between fans and athletes by sharing personal stories and cultural insights. This approach not only appeals to women but also attracts men who appreciate a more holistic view of sports.
Allison Kuch (07:48): “You don't have to prove anything to be a sports fan here. There's no one right way to be a sports fan.”
Lily highlights the rising female viewership in major sports events, such as the Super Bowl, where recent statistics show a 47% female viewership, a stark contrast to a decade ago.
Lily Shimbashi (34:18): “Women are just feeling empowered. They're feeling like they can be comfortable as a sports fan, and I think that's the future of sports.”
Success Stories and Community Building
Lily shares inspiring stories of how Sport Ish has empowered women, including testimonials from NFL wives and other female sports enthusiasts who feel seen and heard through the platform.
Lily Shimbashi (41:56): “Men like our stuff, they comment on our stuff. Like we try and make it light-hearted and fun.”
Sport Ish's community-driven approach has created a safe space for women to engage with sports without the pressure of conforming to traditional fan expectations.
Future of Women in Sports Media
Looking ahead, Allison and Lily discuss the potential for further integration of women in sports media roles and the continued evolution of sports fandom to be more inclusive and emotionally engaging.
Lily Shimbashi (33:19): “Getting women in the front offices and leaning into the culture of the sport are crucial steps.”
They also touch on emerging trends like flag football in the Olympics and the importance of safety and inclusivity in sports evolution.
Personal Insights and Advice
Both Allison and Lily share personal anecdotes about balancing professional ambitions with family life. Lily emphasizes the importance of support systems, particularly highlighting her husband's unwavering confidence in her entrepreneurial pursuits.
Lily Shimbashi (27:25): “His quiet confidence about him, and I'm more like type A. We really balance each other.”
Allison echoes the sentiment, discussing her own experience with starting a YouTube channel and how essential it is to believe in oneself despite external doubts.
Allison Kuch (28:34): “You have to believe in yourself, because if you don't, it's not going to go anywhere.”
Rapid Fire and Fun Section
In a lighthearted rapid-fire segment, Allison and Lily reveal personal preferences, showcasing their personalities beyond their professional lives:
- Vintage jerseys or modern: Vintage
- Ran a marathon or cheering for a friend: Ran a marathon
Lily Shimbashi (52:36): “I ran the New York marathon a year after I had my baby and it was the hardest but best thing I've ever done.”
- Hot yoga or reformer Pilates: Reformer Pilates
- Kelsey Brothers or Manning Brothers: Kelsey Brothers
- WNBA or NBA: WNBA
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Allison and Lily reflecting on the significant strides women are making in the sports world, both as fans and professionals. They champion the importance of emotional storytelling in sports media and encourage continued support for inclusive platforms like Sport Ish.
Allison Kuch (33:07): “You're doing that. You and I are doing that.”
Lily underscores the ongoing transformation in sports viewership, driven by empowered female fans and the changing dynamics within sports media.
Notable Quotes:
- Lily Shimbashi (03:32): “If you can see it, you can be it.”
- Allison Kuch (07:48): “There's no one right way to be a sports fan here.”
- Lily Shimbashi (34:18): “Women are feeling empowered… the future of sports.”
This episode of Sunday Sports Club offers a thoughtful exploration of how women are reshaping the sports landscape, making it more inclusive, emotionally resonant, and culturally rich. Whether you're a die-hard sports enthusiast or new to the scene, Allison and Lily provide valuable insights into fostering a more connected and diverse sports community.