← The Herd with Colin Cowherd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Show Me Something - Sophie Cunningham on WNBA leadership & lockout, Napheesa Collier, Caitlin Clark + Fever playoff exit
00:46:50
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- [00:00]
Sophie Cunningham
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:05]
Matt Jones
Hey, this is Matt Jones and I'm Drew Franklin, and this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover 0 with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the iHeartRadio app, podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
- [00:38]
Dan
I'm Dan. He's Ty.
- [00:39]
West
Hello.
- [00:40]
Dan
And we're the solid verbal college football podcast.
- [00:43]
Ty
Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan.
- [00:51]
Dan
Join us all season long as we ride the roller coaster of this ridiculous sport.
- [00:56]
Ty
Listen to the solid verbal college football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [01:04]
Dan
We don't just love college football, Ty. We live it.
- [01:08]
Sophie Cunningham
We have the best athletes in the entire world, and we know what we deserve, and we won't be playing or doing anything until we get what we deserve. And I think a lot of people think we're just talking. We are. Our union right now is as strong as it's ever been, and it's super exciting. Foreign.
- [01:38]
West
Guys, welcome to episode 10 of the show Me Something podcast. One of our sadder. I don't even know if that's a word, like, more sad episodes. I have a little cold and the fever season has come to an end. Both devastating parts of our week. But I think we can all say we went farther than we thought we would.
- [02:03]
Sophie Cunningham
So I thought. Yes, I thought that we would have.
- [02:07]
West
Yeah.
- [02:08]
Sophie Cunningham
I don't want to say this like, if you're looking at the competition, we should have been done. I don't even know if we should have made playoffs with the amount of injuries and everything we did. And then we took a team that's won two times in the past, I think three years. They have five Olympians on their team. We took them to overtime.
- [02:27]
West
MVP on their team.
- [02:29]
Sophie Cunningham
Like, yep.
- [02:31]
West
Which dude? They could not miss a goddamn shot in overtime.
- [02:35]
Sophie Cunningham
Are you talking about Gray? Chelsea Gray. She came in clutch for him, but I will say she had two heaves and Dana Evans had a heave that they weren't even looking at. The room just threw it from their hip and it went in like.
- [02:46]
West
No, it's all good. That one. When the shot clock Was running down was gnarly. Yeah. What? I mean, we'll. We'll get into the game, we'll get into the season, but also, we had to hop on this pod because our good friend Nafisa dropping absolute nukes on the WNBA league, which I should already say your. Your Instagram comment. You're already gonna get fined. I. I assume you're gonna let it rip here, but basically, the wnba, there's a lot of dialogue going on right now as we head into finals week, and I think this is going to be a good episode. Despite shooting 100% at My Celeb basketball game. It is a Sophie Cunningham episode.
- [03:27]
Sophie Cunningham
So wait, real quick. Were you. Were you one for one? Because I know you hit that first layup.
- [03:32]
West
Yeah, I made the first bug and I didn't. And I didn't shoot the rest of the game, baby. Let's go.
- [03:37]
Sophie Cunningham
So you didn't get your stat line? Quick, did you get your stat line from last week?
- [03:42]
West
No. The game, it, like, went way faster than I thought. They ended up being 12 minute halves, and it was a running clock, so it was like. And we subbed, so it was like, you gotta keep it moving. I think we should just check in. Season is over. How do you feel? I mean, tough way to go out, but, like, I don't know where. How are you feeling today? How'd you feel waking up?
- [04:01]
Sophie Cunningham
Honestly, it's so crazy because I think if the whistle would have gone just a couple more plays our way, we would be in the finals. Like, I'm not even kidding. And that is something.
- [04:16]
West
Oh, because Aaliyah fouled out, huh?
- [04:18]
Sophie Cunningham
Like, right? Who. I mean, that was brutal. In two or three of her fouls were just bullshit. And my thing is, too, you got to know who's in the game. Awful, awful, awful. And, like, people come to watch. Watch these players. She's an All Star. You don't foul out an All Star in the finals. Like, that's where it just gets me. Like, that is. You just. You don't do that. People aren't paying money to come watch you ref a game to sit in All Stars ass on the bench. What are we doing?
- [04:50]
West
Like, I'm sure someone from Vegas would be like, oh, classic excuse. That is very much a thing, though. Like, if you're trying to grow a product, grow a league. We're not fouling out All Stars on a big state. Like, if they. If she was. If they were like, text or she was like, like, hacking people under the rim, whatever. But, yeah, those were. Go either ways. And like I even think about that until you.
- [05:17]
Sophie Cunningham
And there was like a clip, it was like a two minute video going around of all the fouls that they did not call on their all Stars or, or their players. And it was like, like you, you knew, you, you knew the agenda. Like, they, they made it too obvious. And you know, I think the rest, they truly do have a hard job. And at the end of the day, like everyone is texting them, just trying to get clarity of why is this called, why is this not called? And at the end of the day, like, they respond, well, this meets the criteria. Well, then the criteria needs to change. If our game is growing and it's changing, then our criteria can't be from the 1700s. Like, let's go, let's get with the times a little bit. And I think we want the league to be more physical, but at this point, how the season has been going, like the regular season, that's really the physicality. Playoff basketball should be like, we're, we're out there killing each other. Everyone's getting injured. Like, that's, that's not fun for the fans to watch. It's not fun to play. Like, keep basketball, basketball because we are very highly skilled, competitive basketball players who are very elite at our craft. They, that's what people want to see. They don't want to see us hacking each other. And I know that's coming from me, but I do that to make a point that like call the first fucking 15 fouls. Like, what are we doing?
- [06:37]
West
My biggest question for you then would be like, why do we think. And I know, I know where it starts and who we will, we will address Kathy later. But like, why is the officiating in the WNBA so much more inconsistent than other leagues? Is it they don't go through training that other officials do? Is it that they're not held accountable? Is it that there's not like strict like a rule book for the wnba? Like, why do we find it? Like, what about it? It's clearly not just you. There are so many people upset with officiating in the wnba. Clearly the fact that someone just had to make a full PSA for exit interview and you don't even have to know the answer. I just like, I. What's the root of it?
- [07:22]
Sophie Cunningham
So I don't know all the answers. And I am, I am having these conversations, conversations to try to get clarity of where we should as a league. Take this because I think it's from top to bottom when it comes to coaches Assistant coaches, players from 1 to 12 to 13 on the roster. Like, we are all saying the same thing. We're all saying the same thing. Like, it's not just two or three people saying it here. And you know what, to be honest, like, I hate to compare it, but this is just facts. I would love to know the criteria that NBA refs have to meet compared to what WNBA rests have to be. Like, you know, like, what, what is the comparison there? And like, I truly do think that, like, there, I said this today in my exit interview, that I think that we have a lot of smart business, like, people in the league, which. Wonderful. You're great at business, but they don't know shit about basketball. And that is a huge, huge problem. And so I think they, they do as best as they can. But I think it's on us players that when we retire or if it's people who aren't pros but still played at the collegiate level or have some sense of playing the game and having a brain, that they need to start maybe investing into these positions to make, you know, the next generation even better than what it is for us. And so I think it's just continuing to have those conversations of how do we improve the officiating? Again, their job is hard. Their job is very hard. I would never want their job. But I do think there needs to be some accountability, some open lines of efficient communications, because at the end of the day, they're part of our game. Like, we want them to feel good and be proud that they're officiating in the W. And you know what? Maybe if we gave them more money, they would feel maybe more invested where they wouldn't have to go. Because I know the, the W refs, they also officiate college, you know, Right. Like, they're in the Big Ten, the sec. They're.
- [09:30]
West
Well, then that's your first problem.
- [09:32]
Sophie Cunningham
Yeah, they're.
- [09:33]
West
They're working like they shouldn't be double dipping in other leagues.
- [09:36]
Sophie Cunningham
That's like, I know.
- [09:38]
West
Because aren't the rules, like, there's different ways to call the game. Like, people are. Okay, well, problem number one also, I'm gonna say it. They have to wear those tight ass. I wouldn't want to wear that tight ass shirt that they have to wear either. Like the child's medium dry fit. Yo.
- [09:57]
Sophie Cunningham
I'll work on their actual calling. You work on the fits. That's how we're gonna make this league better.
- [10:03]
West
I'll design some WNBA ref shirts and then maybe we'll. Then we'll get some more. I don't know some people out obviously. Nafisa Colliers, was it an. It was an exit interview I guess with with Minnesota media. Basically just before a question is even asked, called out your commissioner and said that like, I mean she said a lot of things but I would say the biggest sentiment was one officiating is a huge issue that's not addressed or taken seriously by the league. And then to that the upper. How do I want to call it? I don't want to just single out Cathy but like the, the important people in the WNBA don't give a shit about the players and in no way, shape or form as she shown any empathy or ability to recognize what this new generation of Hoopers are doing for the wnba. Mostly cc, but the Angel, Paige, etc. So first off, I'm sure you watched the speech because you've already talked on the Internet. But like what'd you think of that speech? Because I, I found it that takes balls. That takes big balls to do what she did. And I think when you have players willing to put their neck out on the line like that to make a statement, clearly something can be fixed and something can be better when players are making that big of a risk. So I guess just thoughts on our speech and I'm going to regret saying this, but feel free to talk about Kathy.
- [11:56]
Sophie Cunningham
Well, you know what? I'll actually, I think I've kind of said my thoughts, but I think at the end of the day, everyone's fed up, fed up with how the league is treating us. And if you hear how our CBA negotiations are going, it shows you how disrespectful in like they should feel ashamed of themselves for. For what they're giving back to us because it's nothing. It is nothing. They're not listening. And the thing is they're not even engaging with us. Not even engaging. Like it is, it is bad. And so when, when we're talking about a lockout or a strike, I think.
- [12:42]
West
We, I was just gonna ask is a lot like, is that a thing?
- [12:46]
Sophie Cunningham
Yes. Because I don't know if you all understand that. I mean I 100% am because to the media and I think to the world, it does take a lot of balls for what Nafeesa did. And you see that all of us, all of us are backing her because we've been feeling this way and it was just a matter of time until someone said something and the fact that it was her, one of the star players that everyone knows in the WNBA and, like, where she's at on our players association board, on the exec board, is huge. Huge. And. And, like, everyone is backing her, but it's because we're us, as players. We are fed up with how the league is treating us. Like, it is awful. And, like, I just can't. I'm not allowed to talk about details about the CBA quite yet, but when we do, you are going to be shook. Shook to the core. Like, am I.
- [13:41]
West
Am I allowed to ask you if that's in compensation? Is that in.
- [13:47]
Sophie Cunningham
I think.
- [13:48]
West
I mean, I. I assume that's the.
- [13:50]
Sophie Cunningham
Main thing, but, like, the biggest thing is revenue share. So, like, I'm. I think all of us are in agreement that, like, our salary should be tied to the business that we bring in. And it is not at all.
- [14:01]
West
Right.
- [14:01]
Sophie Cunningham
And, like. But it's not even close. It is the most disrespectful percentage that you. That. I don't. I think any league has ever seen. Like, it is just.
- [14:12]
West
Where would. Where do they want the money to go?
- [14:14]
Sophie Cunningham
I just know that they.
- [14:17]
West
Well, I mean, like. Well, if it's not going, like, is it going back into. Dude, I.
- [14:20]
Sophie Cunningham
Could I. Literally.
- [14:22]
West
The league or is it, like, hiring.
- [14:26]
Sophie Cunningham
Executives? Because we've had the same people on board for 27 years.
- [14:31]
West
Yeah.
- [14:31]
Sophie Cunningham
Like, what are we doing? Like, I just. I just think there's so much room for improvement. And my thing is, like, I know Nafisa said this, and I think other players have since said this, but we talk about it all the time that, like, we want to keep the W in business. Like, we want the W to thrive.
- [14:52]
West
Of course.
- [14:53]
Sophie Cunningham
Like, this is the best momentum the W has ever had, and it's time to capitalize on it. Like, why are we not working together to push this league further than any league has ever seen for female sports? Because we have that potential.
- [15:07]
West
I'm just. I'm just curious. What? Her. Why she is so afraid of Caitlin? Or, like, why would you not embrace someone like that and just be so dismissive of. She said she's lucky. What was the quote she told Nafisa? She said she's lucky she wouldn't make all this money without the platform we give her, which is, first off, just not fucking true. She signed. And didn't you sign a Nike deal and a TV deal before she left Iowa? Dude, what are we doing? The most successful leagues in the world we live in are the fucking NBA, mlb, NFL. Like, they embrace their fucking stars. It's like. It's like the kindergarten lesson for Owning a fucking league. It's like, these are who people buy jerseys of and what networks want to fucking play your shit. Like, even to, like. I mean, she probably didn't know if he was going to give that speech, but, like, to be so dismissive of arguably your best player in the face of your league is, like, so bonkers. I. I don't know where you even are coming from. And I guess because I looked her up the other night and I was wondering. She's been the commissioner for ever. And I wonder if maybe in the beginning stages of the WNBA when, I mean, you guys had stars, but it wasn't on this level. Like, is it almost like an ego thing where she thought that maybe she was like, on the Mount Rushmore of current wnba, like, important, important faces. And now that there's so many of you guys, she, like, doesn't, like, like, I. It just. Just weird. And I don't know what logic there.
- [16:50]
Sophie Cunningham
Is to behaving like that, because there is none. Great leaders want to see other people be more successful than them. They want to make sure that they're cared for. Like, there. There can be a very. And I get it. She's the business side of it. Like, I get it. But you can be respectful and treat your product the product of why people are paying attention, why people are buying certain jerseys. Treat your product with respect to, like, be a great leader. She's not. She's not in any sense. And it's just the. The disrespect is just crazy to me. But honestly, I. I think this is just such a pivotal point in the WNBA because there are so many eyes on us. There's so many new fans. There's millions of millions, I should say new fans. And at the end of the day, she's worried about her and all of her statements, it's all like, well, I got us here and I should. Cathy, no one cares. Literally, no one cares. Like, how you're sitting right there. That's how we feel. Every time she speaks, Every time she speaks us as players, that's how we feel.
- [17:56]
West
Am I allowed to read your Instagram comment, or do you want that put behind us?
- [18:01]
Sophie Cunningham
No, go read it.
- [18:02]
West
Did you have to delete it?
- [18:04]
Sophie Cunningham
No. Hell no.
- [18:08]
West
Well, I don't know. You've been fined so much, you'll for sure get fine for that. Will you not?
- [18:13]
Sophie Cunningham
I mean, I'm out of season, so I don't think. I don't think they can find me anymore.
- [18:19]
Matt Jones
Hey, this is Matt Jones. And I'm Drew Franklin. And this is NFL Cover Zero. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week. That is exactly what you're going to get. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Looks like something that should not be sold. Oh my. So that was my other big Colts takeaway. They sold that?
- [18:44]
Sophie Cunningham
Yes.
- [18:45]
Matt Jones
Might want to go back to the Colts stadium.
- [18:47]
West
Yeah, I might want to go back to the drawing board on that.
- [18:48]
Matt Jones
Yeah.
- [18:49]
West
I thought the shape we had with.
- [18:50]
Matt Jones
Pretzels was working pretty well.
- [18:52]
West
It's worked for generations.
- [18:53]
Matt Jones
We're just here trying to enjoy it. We hope you all will join us throughout the year. And let's go. I hope I'm as youthful as Pete Carroll is at his age. He's a young 73. He is a young 73. He is spry. I wouldn't fight him. I would listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
- [19:20]
Dan
I'm Dan, he's Ty.
- [19:22]
West
Hello.
- [19:23]
Dan
And we're the Solid Verbal college football podcast.
- [19:26]
Ty
College football season is here and you know what that means.
- [19:32]
Dan
Your team is going to break your heart three times probably before Halloween.
- [19:37]
West
Uh huh.
- [19:37]
Ty
But fear not, the Solid Verbal will be right there with you through every soul crushing loss and impossible comeback.
- [19:44]
Dan
Join us all season long, all year long, as we ride the rollercoaster of this ridiculous sport.
- [19:51]
Ty
Whether you're a die hard fan or a casual observer, we'll help you make sense of all the chaos and of course, celebrate the madness. Tune in for predictions, previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan.
- [20:07]
Dan
We don't just love college football, Ty, we live it.
- [20:11]
Ty
Listen to the Solid Verbal college football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [20:21]
Sophie Cunningham
I'm out of season. I'm not getting paid.
- [20:23]
West
I'm nervous that I'm gonna be banned from two leagues. I'm going to be banned from two leagues after this podcast you did you on Instagram, you said people only know Kathy because of C. Caitlin Clark. She's the most delusional leader. Balls ballsy. But obviously I think all this dialogue coming from Nafisa is good. I just at this point in time, I feel like the right thing to do would be just put your ego down for one second. Like, like, anyone's gonna be offended when people talk shit on you, duh. But, like, you are a leader amongst a bunch of women and a bunch of women who are growing something huge in our country. I think it would be beneficial to, like, take a second look in the mirror and realize, like, could I be doing things differently and better? But I feel like she's so reactive and, like, defensive when people call her out for shit that, like, dude, like, I find it. I find it all baffling. And we don't stay on this forever, but, like, I look at us now, like, whatever Nafisa did, there's a chance in two years. We look back and we're like, oh, was this the first domino and kind of, like, maybe reshaping the administration in the wnba? I have no idea.
- [21:43]
Sophie Cunningham
But if it. And I have every right to believe, I don't think Nafisa would be saying that. But if it's true of what she said, that Caitlin should be thanking her. Go. Go ahead and just go pack for Cabo, because you should not be sitting in that seat. Like, that is insane. And what. I know I said this earlier, but, like, when. When. When I say that they're not listening to us as players. They're not even engaging.
- [22:09]
West
Well, that's a fucking perfect example.
- [22:13]
Sophie Cunningham
Like, I just. It's really not that hard. Like, I know. I know that business can be tough, but doing the right thing by people and treating people with respect and giving people their flowers and working together, it's really not that hard. It's. It's managing people. It's managing people, but, like, they're just so worried about them, them, them. Like, the I. I, I. That this is why she should not be in the seat that she's sitting in.
- [22:39]
West
It almost feels like the W got, like, so, like, popular that, like, the foundation of it almost, like, couldn't keep up with its own product. Do you know what I'm saying? Like, Caitlin Angel, a thousand percent with.
- [22:55]
Sophie Cunningham
You, Almost.
- [22:57]
West
Like, they weren't ready, I guess.
- [22:59]
Sophie Cunningham
No, but you know what? That's okay. Like, and that's okay, but. But it's fine to admit when you need help, right? And it's okay to understand when you're not cut out for something. Well, then bring people in who are. Like, my thing is, you got to keep growing. You always need to keep growing. And with that, the league needs to keep growing. That doesn't mean that we have the same criteria and the same things we did from year one of the W, like, where this is a Completely.
- [23:29]
West
No. And that requires admitting. That requires admitting that you aren't where you need to be or you aren't capable of keeping up with something and getting help. But it's. Again, it seems like everything is so reactive and like I've, I've built all of this. Like, I don't need any fucking help. These players did none of this. And you like, never, ever, ever go anywhere.
- [23:49]
Sophie Cunningham
I'm right there with you. And I think it's funny too, because I think we have a lot of. We have the best athletes in the entire world and we know what we deserve and we won't be playing or doing anything until we get what we deserve. And I think a lot of people think we're just talking. We are. Our union right now is as strong as it's ever been and it's super exciting. So I'm, I'm ready for it.
- [24:12]
West
Also, was going to ask. Kelsey Mitchell's injury was so bizarre looking because she. It wasn't contra.
- [24:21]
Sophie Cunningham
Can we talk about her real quick? Because she is like the most amazing human.
- [24:26]
West
Okay, I just. That was crazy. I don't even say anything if you need to go.
- [24:33]
Sophie Cunningham
Kelsey is the most selfless, humble human you will ever, ever meet. And I think if we would have made it, if, if we would have, if we would have won and she would have been healthy, she should have been mvp.
- [24:49]
West
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- [26:26]
Sophie Cunningham
I'm not taking it away from Asia. But nobody, nobody in our entire league could stop Kelsey Mitchell this year. And I want to be her biggest fan because she is just, I'm not kidding, the best human that you could possibly ever be around. So that's one. Yes. Is she okay? How scary was that? Like, she. Did you see the statement she came out with?
- [26:49]
West
She, like stopped walking. No, but she like fully, like, froze up. And then the ref, I'm going to give credit to a ref. That ref was very nice, but. And then she, like, then I think this treasure came out. It was just, it was, it was a very weird sequence.
- [27:09]
Sophie Cunningham
So what happens? She put out a statement and starts with an H. I'm forgot how what it's called. But first of all, I do want to shout out Isaac because we give the rest a lot of shit. But at the end of the day, they're, they're, they're all good humans to the core. And like, that was super sweet of him to help her, but she just got a full body cramp. But it's like, imagine having a charley horse but times 100, like, was bad. It was. She's a little sick, super dehydrated, but really the doctor just said, you know, like, she played. Her wheels came off like her body was just to a point of exhaustion where she couldn't go anymore. And like, I believe it, man. Like, she put the team on her back all season long and, you know, it just came down to that. But she is, she was in a full body cramp. They rushed her to the hospital, got some IVs in her, did some blood work and she's gonna be good, but she's super sore. She's moving, she's walking slowly, but it was, it just sucked because that would have been number eight. It was number eight of our true roster to go out. And so it just, it just sucks that we just got Hit with the injury bug that bad. And then at the end of the day, that's how she goes out. It's like no one's surprised, but it just sucks that Kelsey had to go through that. But our team rallied and fought for, you know, so that was kind of cool. But I guess they're used to doing that by now.
- [28:35]
West
I googled what it's called. Rhabdo. My losses rhabdo.
- [28:41]
Sophie Cunningham
But it could be like that condition could get really bad. But like hers was bad, but it could be like really, really bad. So we're thankful. But still sucks, right?
- [28:51]
West
Right. I guess just a little look back, you guys were succeed, is that correct? Yeah, succeed, injury bug. Crazy. Big stars hurt. What's like your, I don't know, one word to describe the season for you? Obviously.
- [29:10]
Sophie Cunningham
Yeah, for sure. I think of it, I'm just grateful. Like this season has been so fun and. And so amazing in more ways than I can even count. One, our locker room. Like number one is what I'm getting at is our locker room was so close knit and so fun and just full of love that like I've never been part of a locker room like that ever. And it was awesome. But then it was also a season from hell too because of the injury bug. But through it all, I'm grateful. I think the relationships and the memories that this team created is going to be one for a lifetime. Like people don't even go through the amount of adversity and everything that happened to us in a career, let alone one season. So it just like this team will always remember this for the good and the bad.
- [30:04]
West
And a locker room is never the same next year. I mean, you want to keep pieces, but it's never. And if we can get this CBA.
- [30:10]
Sophie Cunningham
Worked out, like, who knows? Like no one's under contract. Like, who knows what's going to happen?
- [30:19]
West
Yeah, scary. No. Yeah, yeah, I'd be.
- [30:24]
Sophie Cunningham
This could be my last time in an Indiana Beaver jersey.
- [30:27]
West
Ah, scary. I guess if you've had. You've had what, 48 hours to kind of let it sink in. Do you have a little finals preview? Obviously I know who you're rooting for. I don't know if I rooting for any of them. Mercury.
- [30:47]
Sophie Cunningham
Have you seen that sign going around? You know what? I don't even know if I'm gonna watch. I'm over it. I need a. I need a break from the toxicity of the wnba. It's been drama filled season for multiple reasons.
- [31:06]
West
Dude, that might be some of the realest You've ever said, I'm drained. I get it.
- [31:11]
Sophie Cunningham
I'm gonna go. I started to go. Film me for my fines. No, no, no, no. So I'm kidding. I. I put it out there because I was just totally kidding. But then people actually started donating and I was like, oh, no, no, no, no. Like, I'm. I'm kidding. But. So I'm just gonna give it all away to charity. Even though I would love to buy a yacht. But I. I guess I'll just have to get another endorsement.
- [31:37]
West
You're for sure gonna get fined for this episode. For sure. I can already feel it. But, you know, that's fun. Unless you truly can't get fined in the off season. In that case, Salute. So one time for the Indiana Fever 2025 season.
- [31:55]
Sophie Cunningham
All right, I wanna. Enough about us because, geez, I'm drained. But tell us all about your celebrity basketball game. And, like, who was there?
- [32:08]
West
Well, my point guard was Ace from Love Island. He's probably five. Yeah, he's like, probably like five seven or something. Five eight, maybe.
- [32:21]
Sophie Cunningham
So are those girls on there even more little because he looks like a. Like, he look.
- [32:27]
West
Yeah, there were some. There were some itty bitty girls that played. There are also some, like, Hoopers. Dude, there's so many, like, random people who are just like, freak athletes that you wouldn't just never know. But okay. Yeah. So I started the game. First bucket of the game is this dude named J. Cinco. He's like a rapper and a model from la. Great guy. Little breakaway. And they had like, two dudes kind of like hanging around the paint. He just gave me a little dish and I came up underneath. It looked like I was about to get my jammed against the backboard and I just snuck it right in and made the shot. Crowd got a little hype probably because I was like, one of two white dudes out there.
- [33:16]
Sophie Cunningham
You're like, the only white guy. And I loved it.
- [33:24]
West
So, yeah, they probably weren't ready for that. And then, yeah, I was like, no need to shoot the ball anymore. It was also a double rim for a pick for a. Yeah, but all.
- [33:33]
Sophie Cunningham
Outside are normally double double rimmed because they have to be strong enough for the weather.
- [33:37]
West
Oh.
- [33:40]
Sophie Cunningham
Yeah. Yeah.
- [33:41]
West
So that was. I was like, I probably shouldn't take any jumpers with this. No, the funniest thing, I tried to go set a pic for Ace and he called me off. He said an ISO. I was on my way over and he was like. He cleared me out. Welcome to my world.
- [33:58]
Sophie Cunningham
Okay, Sophie, Stay your ass in the corner. Get out of everyone's way.
- [34:02]
West
All right? Get the fuck in the corner. Yeah. All right. Sounds good. But it was fun and, like, it was kind of close. We made a three to win the game, so it was really fun. But I would have made you proud, though, I think, dude, next time you.
- [34:18]
Sophie Cunningham
Do something like that.
- [34:19]
West
Yeah. First bucket and then just kept it.
- [34:20]
Sophie Cunningham
I want to come and, like, low key commentate it, like, into a little vlog.
- [34:28]
West
That would be. You'd have so much fun at something like that. I wore. I wore KD's thoughts.
- [34:33]
Sophie Cunningham
Love KD.
- [34:34]
West
I did get. I got drove on once, like, kind of like the top, like, the corner of the key, and I just didn't. I wasn't low enough. Didn't shuffle. I was tired. I forgot how tired. Basketball, Mac.
- [34:45]
Sophie Cunningham
Wait, did anyone. Did anyone force you left?
- [34:51]
West
No, I never brought the ball up because I'm down. I'm getting boards. I'm Mr. Out. I'm Mr. Outlet. Remember?
- [34:57]
Sophie Cunningham
I. Wait, did. Wait, did you have. What day is it? Did you already do kickball.
- [35:04]
West
Sister? I'm headed there tonight, which I should say, though, last week.
- [35:08]
Sophie Cunningham
Wait, the. The fish is. You gotta tell me.
- [35:14]
West
Yeah. Oh, I texted you. Okay. So one. The. The. We play games on Thursday nights. Okay. So, like, there are people who come to the games from, like, a work happy hour. They've had a few beverages. Same with other teams. Whatever. We were playing a team that, like, I do not want to be this guy, but I'm gonna, you know, like, you're. It's a team that, like, doesn't look athletic, but, like, you can tell. It's like they're like ninth season together. And, like, they got.
- [35:45]
Sophie Cunningham
They have the chemistry. Like, they have the chemistry and the rhythm.
- [35:49]
West
They've got chemistry and they just, like. I just feel like they're gonna be good. Even though they all look like. Like, yeah, just like kind of like Oompa Loompas, you know? And they were good. And we. The score was like 3:1 the whole game. Here's the biggest problem, Sophie. So you have to have girls kick every so often. You have to have so many girls in the field. Whatever. My team is full of a lot of, like, girls who want the T shirt and to, like, hang out. It's not every girl is like, like, at. In the dugout, like, ready to kick. And so I'm always like, we need girls, but it would take us fucking forever if, like, we went through our order of girls, like, every so often. So I'm Kind of just like, yeah, let's just keep it rolling, you know? But this team, like, we get to like the fourth, fifth inning and they're like, this girl hasn't caked. This girl hasn't caked. They're kicking.
- [36:45]
Sophie Cunningham
They took it so freaking the fuck out.
- [36:46]
West
Which is true.
- [36:49]
Matt Jones
Hey, this is Matt Jones and I'm Drew Franklin and this is NFL Cover Zero. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining and twice a week. That is exactly, exactly what you're gonna get. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Looks like something that should not be sold. Oh, my. So that was my other big Colts take. Sold that.
- [37:15]
West
Yes.
- [37:15]
Matt Jones
Might want to go back to Colts Stadium.
- [37:17]
West
Yeah, I might want to go back.
- [37:18]
Matt Jones
To the drawing board on that. Yeah. I thought the shape we had with pretzels was working pretty well.
- [37:22]
West
It's worked for generations.
- [37:24]
Matt Jones
We're just here trying to enjoy it when we hope you all will join us throughout the year. And let's go. I hope I'm as youthful as Pete Carroll is at his age. He's a young 73.
- [37:33]
West
He is a young 73.
- [37:34]
Matt Jones
He is spry, I would say.
- [37:35]
West
I wouldn't fight him.
- [37:37]
Matt Jones
I would Listen NFL Cover 0 with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [37:50]
Dan
I'm Dan, he's Ty.
- [37:52]
Matt Jones
Hello.
- [37:53]
Dan
And we're the Solid Verbal College football podcast.
- [37:56]
Ty
College football season is here. And you know what that means.
- [38:02]
Dan
Your team is going to break your heart three times probably before Halloween.
- [38:07]
West
Uh huh.
- [38:07]
Ty
But fear not, the Solid Verbal will be right there with you through every soul crushing loss and impossible comeback.
- [38:14]
Dan
Join us all season long, all year long, as we ride the roller coaster of this ridiculous sport.
- [38:21]
Ty
Whether you're a die hard fan or a casual observer, we'll help you make sense of all the chaos and of course, celebrate the madness. Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan.
- [38:37]
Dan
We don't just love college football, Ty, we live it.
- [38:41]
Ty
Listen to the solid verbal college football podcasts on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [38:51]
West
Yes. And like, we were technically, technically speaking, not following, but I was like, no one. Come on. Like, yeah, like, let's go. I'm like a cheater. I just like, want this.
- [39:05]
Sophie Cunningham
Yeah. You're there for a good time, but for a good time.
- [39:09]
West
Yeah. And I want everyone to, like, be able to, like, play and, like, get through all the innings, like, whatever. So they're, like, losing it and then starts kind of chirping. Other team starts chirping. And then every time, like, between innings, everyone's kind of, like, talking shit when we're, like, crossing to go to the dugouts. I never talk shit. Cause I'm like. It's co ed. I'm not gonna, like, like, talk shit with girls and, like, fat guy. Like, it just is, like, not what I'm here to do. But. So then they're, like, yelling at the. The ump. The poor ump by himself, just calling coed kickballs, like a side job. And they are like, this guy. Like, you don't pay a attention. Like, what the. Like, then he, like. Then there was a question on the score. We ended up tying.
- [39:53]
Sophie Cunningham
Were you down the whole game?
- [39:54]
West
Right? I kind of felt. Yeah. We came back and, like, I felt kind of weird about it because they were, like, calling us out for something that we, like, were doing. But. Yeah, but then I'm like, guys, I talked to everyone after the game. Like, we can't fight and argue and talk and be annoying if we aren't gonna, like, all kick, you know? Yeah, I. I literally felt like. It was the first time in my life I felt like I was a coach and I had, like, the speech naturally, like, rolling out of my throat. I don't know. We did it. We fully did it. And I go, guys, we, like, can't. We can't act like that if we're gonna, like, do the whole thing where, like, we're like, yeah. Letting girls not kick. So then we break it down, and I look in the corner, they're still yelling at this ref. And the ref is. Is yelling back at them, like, screaming, like. Like, it was like other teams were, like, filming.
- [40:47]
Sophie Cunningham
But the game is over. The game has been over.
- [40:49]
West
And I was like, game's fully over. And he's like. He's like, you're getting, like, this upset about our fucking kickball game. And they're yelling at him. And I was like, dude, not good. Not great. Because then you have to go play them in flip cup at the bar.
- [41:03]
Sophie Cunningham
If that were to happen. I feel like. Like, y' all just go. Like, that's weird. That's just weird. Like, give them the flip cup game. Go to your own bar and have fun with your team. Like, that's weird to me. Like, it's not that serious.
- [41:13]
West
No, I agree. But so then we go to the bar, and it was like everyone's kind of like walking on eggshells. And then they were actually like, very cool. When we got to the bar, it's best of seven. They went up 3, 0. And then we rattled off four in a row and beat them again. So it ended up. Yeah, yeah, buried them. We. We basically stole like three points the whole night, but kind of crazy. And then they. The league Volo called me in the morning. They're like, what. What the happened? So I like, tell my team. I was like, dude, the league called me because we're.
- [41:45]
Sophie Cunningham
Can you tell me, like, keeps going on. Don't like Kathy, who's your guys's league commissioner?
- [41:52]
West
Ooh, great question. I don't know if I'll ever meet, like, the. The super higher up, because the league has, like, there's leagues all over the east coast. There's like, Miami Volo, Boston Volo, Baltimore. Like, you can play team sports in all these cities, like, throughout your 20s.
- [42:10]
Sophie Cunningham
And 30s, maybe 40s.
- [42:11]
West
It's great. But I did. Yeah, 40s, but basically I had to, like, take a call. And they were like, dude, we heard about the incident. Like, we heard benches cleared, like, run us through it. And I was like. I was honest. Told him. I was like, yeah, sometimes our girls skip their turn kicking. But I'm trying to. I'm trying to keep an efficient product on the field.
- [42:31]
Sophie Cunningham
Do you want fans to come back?
- [42:35]
West
Yeah. Do you want the bleachers?
- [42:36]
Sophie Cunningham
Bring the hot girls, leave them over there, give them people drinks, and let me kick the fuck out of the ball? Yes. I get it.
- [42:43]
West
Literally, I was like. I was like, these girls are hot and want a T shirt, and I cannot force them every time.
- [42:51]
Sophie Cunningham
Next year, can we have a white T shirt? And can you make sure it rains every Thursday? You really want fans?
- [42:57]
West
Yeah, I actually don't think there. I don't think there is a white T shirt team. Because they probably know. Well, no, but I was wondering, you know, is it. Is there a team out there?
- [43:09]
Sophie Cunningham
Dude, that's actually insane, though. And the fact that people take it that serious.
- [43:15]
West
Yeah, I mean, I do. Like, I want to win and I'm upset when we lose, but I'm not going to, like, fight, like, you know.
- [43:21]
Sophie Cunningham
Yeah, I think I. I said that comment to probably the most serious player on the. On the roster of any league.
- [43:30]
West
No, I think if you're fighting at kickball, it. To me, it's very much like, I can tell who didn't play sports.
- [43:36]
Sophie Cunningham
Yeah.
- [43:37]
West
You know. Cause you're like. You're like.
- [43:39]
Sophie Cunningham
You know what that reminds me of?
- [43:41]
West
Cringy.
- [43:41]
Sophie Cunningham
It reminds me of, like, the average Joe's versus Global Gym. And, like, they were the. No, you guys are the average Joe's. Like, just trying to have a good time and. And the other ones were just taking it so serious.
- [43:54]
West
Yeah.
- [43:54]
Sophie Cunningham
Even though that team maybe looked like Joe's because you said that they were kind of.
- [43:58]
West
But it's, you know, it's kickball. Can't judge a book by its cover stuff. I pop out all the time, and I wish I didn't go for the.
- [44:05]
Sophie Cunningham
Go for the knees. Go for the knees.
- [44:07]
West
I tried, dude. I try my hardest also. Real quick. I'll make it 30 seconds. Did you watch the Chiefs game Sunday, or were you. Did you play Sunday?
- [44:16]
Sophie Cunningham
I think we played Sunday. We. We played Sunday.
- [44:20]
West
They.
- [44:21]
Sophie Cunningham
The Ravens.
- [44:22]
West
They beat the.
- [44:23]
Sophie Cunningham
Yeah.
- [44:23]
West
Well, then, yeah.
- [44:25]
Sophie Cunningham
The quarterback. Yeah. Didn't he, like, tear his hamstring?
- [44:32]
West
No, he's like, it's like three weeks, but he came out after we were. After we were already up. Like, it's like 38.
- [44:40]
Sophie Cunningham
Can we talk about something real quick?
- [44:41]
West
So back on track, what happened, like.
- [44:43]
Sophie Cunningham
Two weekends ago when Travis and our best guy was getting into it on the. On the sideline? Andy Reed.
- [44:53]
West
They'Ve done that a few times. And, like, if you watch interviews with them, I feel like they're like, father, son, and they like it. I. At this point, it doesn't really freak me out. But that one. There was a time, super bowl ago, when when Travis, like, really gave him a bump. And Andy joked after, he was like, yeah, like, kind of caught me off balance. Haha. That one, like, I was like, whoa, Travis bad look. This one, Reed was like. I know ran up on Travis and was, like, motherfucking him. But I like to see that.
- [45:22]
Sophie Cunningham
I mean, they're like, yeah, you do. They do care, and they have that relationship and that respect that they're able to do that. But, like, nowadays, coaches, I feel like, aren't allowed to do that on any level because people are just fucking weak. They're not mentally tough.
- [45:35]
West
Yeah. The art of hard coaching is, like, a little more taboo.
- [45:39]
Sophie Cunningham
Well, it has to be.
- [45:40]
West
Than it used to be. Are we doing. Are we doing it? Tell me something for this ep.
- [45:45]
Sophie Cunningham
Let's do it.
- [45:47]
West
Let's do it. All right, guys, let's start this up here.
- [45:53]
Caitlin
Hey, Sophie.
- [45:54]
West
Hey, Wes.
- [45:54]
Caitlin
Caitlin here. Congrats on the podcast. Absolutely. Love y'.
- [45:57]
West
All.
- [45:57]
Caitlin
I think you play off each other really well. You're both hilarious. Quick question for you. So you both travel a lot, you live in different places. In your experience, where do you think has had the worst dating pool? I'm in San Diego. And it's a. It's a dog eat dog world out here. It's rough. So I'm curious where you think you've had the craziest experience, the dating pool, and why. Side note, this is also both of your formal invitations to my best friend's wedding. It's in Texas. November 22nd. Come on out. Don't worry, it's been approved by her, so she's allowed this invitation. We'll have open bar, dance floor. There'll be chickens for Sophie to chase if you're into that. The day before the wedding. Wedding rehearsal, I think that's what it's called. But it'll be a Mexican restaurant with karaoke. So take that for what it's worth.
- [46:56]
West
Telling me.
- [46:56]
Caitlin
A lot of fun, lots of booze. You're both invited, so bring your boots. Come on out.
- [47:03]
West
Damn Caitlin chickens on the dating pool. I've got a little hot take. If you're in a city and you think the dating pool's bad, it might be time to look in the mirror. Perhaps. Because if you're like, west, the pool is gonna be I. This is not about Caitlyn, by the way. This is just like, people always want to be like, oh, like New York sucks today. Or like LA sucks. I'm moving out of Kansas City because it's hard today. It's about, like, it's just about trial and error. Like, if you're in a smaller place, there are less options. So it's going to be tougher. But, like, I don't think geographic, like, locations change how you date people. Like, the point of being a good dater is that you can kind of ebb and flow and chameleon where you are. You know, that's kind of my take. I think that if you're moving somewhere, it's. It's kind of on you. Find who matches your swag.
- [48:08]
Sophie Cunningham
Yes, I agree. Are you going to the wedding west.
- [48:13]
West
And then. Yeah, we'll both go to the wedding. What she said.
- [48:17]
Sophie Cunningham
November 22nd.
- [48:18]
West
Thanksgiving, the weekend.
- [48:19]
Sophie Cunningham
Chasing chicken, singing karaoke at a Mexican bar and drinking beer. That does actually sound nice, I think. I honestly, like, not a big dater. Like, I'm not. I'm not one just to, like, go on dates with random people.
- [48:45]
West
But it doesn't have to be like first dates. It could Be like dudes that you've like, been dating or seen and then they typically. How do they turn out?
- [48:52]
Sophie Cunningham
Like, I feel like dating is like your exclusive.
- [48:56]
West
Do you doing. I think now dating means, like, just like being outside.
- [49:03]
Sophie Cunningham
What?
- [49:05]
West
Talking Chad, doing scx, explore, like going on dates. Because some people go on dates, they can be inside.
- [49:12]
Sophie Cunningham
See, I. I feel like dating is when you're. I feel like. Like my experience with dating is like, I'm talking to you and we are hanging out and it's like. Like, I'm not. I have. I'm not good at doing that with multiple people. Like, I just can't do. I'm just not good at that. I've never been good at that. What? Oh, yeah. This is. This is what makes us so good. Because I feel like we're two different, like two different people when it comes to that. Because I just can't. I don't know. That doesn't mean that I haven't like, had like, my fun and like, flirted and whatever. But, like, I'm just. When it comes to. When I hear dating hating, that means like, I'm like, exclusive with someone.
- [50:03]
West
I'm just trying to think if I've ever met. Like, to me the question makes me think, like, have you ever been in a location and just like, hated everyone of the opposite sex?
- [50:13]
Sophie Cunningham
I think being out in Scottsdale, if I wasn't like, around. Yeah. Like, if I wasn't around, like the like the NBA guys or other athletes out there, I like, there's no way I would ever date anyone from out there because I'm more masculine than them. Like, they have more Botox and fillers and like, look so pretty, dude.
- [50:38]
West
Like the old town boys.
- [50:39]
Sophie Cunningham
Just Scottsdale people. Like Arizona people. They're not.
- [50:43]
West
Yeah. Arizona is like, you're right.
- [50:47]
Sophie Cunningham
Yes.
- [50:48]
West
Leathery. It's like leathery people.
- [50:50]
Sophie Cunningham
But I need like a. I need like a man. Like, I need a man.
- [50:55]
West
Yeah.
- [50:57]
Sophie Cunningham
So I think. I think. Say what? Oh.
- [51:04]
West
I said I got it.
- [51:06]
Sophie Cunningham
I think geographically that makes sense though. Like, there's just some states or like, some areas that the men are going to be a little more feminine in. Like.
- [51:17]
West
I. I can tell you where it's good. Kaylin, New York.
- [51:22]
Sophie Cunningham
You do have a lot of there it.
- [51:26]
West
A lot of options. A lot of everything. It's like literally a jungle. Like, I could go out on my blog right now and there's going to be 90 hot chicks at like, eating dinner outside. And they all have different types of jobs and they're all from different states or countries, and it's just beautiful. And then you say, what are you. What are you doing later? And they're like, I'm not driving home. Boom. Next thing you know, it's 4:00am Caitlin, we'll see that. We'll see at the wedding.
- [51:53]
Sophie Cunningham
Good way to end the podcast.
- [51:55]
West
See ya.
- [52:03]
Matt Jones
Hey, this is Matt Jones. And I'm Drew Franklin, and this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to. To try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week, that is exactly what you're gonna get. Listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [52:35]
Dan
I'm Dan. He's Ty.
- [52:36]
West
Hello.
- [52:37]
Dan
And we're the solid verbal college football podcast.
- [52:40]
Ty
Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan.
- [52:49]
Dan
Join us all season long as we ride the roller coaster of this ridiculous sport.
- [52:54]
Ty
Listen to the solid verbal college football podcasts on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [53:01]
Dan
We don't just love college football, Ty. We live it.
- [53:05]
Sophie Cunningham
This is an iHeart podcast.