Welcome to the Party – A New Year, A New Era in Women’s Sports
Host: Treat Media
Episode Title: A New Year, A New Era in Women’s Sports
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Episode Overview
This lively season opener, hosted by soccer legends Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach with a special appearance by hoops expert Jordan Robinson, sets the tone for 2026 as a breakthrough year in women's sports. The episode mixes personal stories, major headlines in women’s athletics, discussion of new talent and changing rules in college basketball, and an in-depth look at the game-changing Unrivaled basketball league. With humor, candor, and insight, the hosts highlight evolving opportunities, legal controversies, and the next generation of women athletes. Their mission is clear: celebrate, elevate, and have a sh*t ton of fun while doing it.
Main Segments & Key Discussion Points
1. Kicking Off the New Year: Personal Reflections & Excitement
Timestamps: 00:41 – 04:16
- Julie and Abby share their feelings about returning from the holiday break, the bittersweet "Sunday scaries," and sending kids back to school.
- Julie confesses wearing her daughter Izzy's sweatshirt to keep her close but also wanting to encourage her independence. (02:07–02:22)
- Abby retells a vulnerable goodbye with her daughter Tish, balancing emotional honesty with giving their children space to thrive.
- Quote: “There's a balance there. You gotta have a balance, because you don't want them to feel bad, but you also want them to know that you miss them.” — Abby (02:22)
2. What’s Next on the Pod? Upcoming Guests and Stories
Timestamps: 03:03 – 04:16
- Tease of future episodes featuring standout athletes: Madison Skinner (Love Austin volleyball), Kendall Coyne Schofield (US Ice Hockey), Alana Meyers Taylor (Bobsled), Erin Jackson (Speed Skating).
- Highlight of stories showing extraordinary perseverance and trailblazing.
- Quote: “She actually didn’t even start speed skating until she was 24. I mean, these stories are amazing. It’s just story after story.” — Julie (04:01)
3. Party Starter: Headlines & Highlights in Women’s Sports
Timestamps: 05:13 – 15:33
Slalom Queen & Athlete Advocacy
- Mikaela Shiffrin wins her sixth World Cup slalom. The win is overshadowed by dangerous course conditions, which Mikaela calls out publicly.
- Only 40 of 77 athletes finished the first run. (05:24)
- Quote: “We’re gonna congratulate you. And also awesome on, you know, standing up for the safety of all of you athletes.” — Julie (06:41)
Erin Jackson & Olympic Firsts
- Erin Jackson secures her spot in Milan 2026 Games (both 500m & 1000m).
- Layla Edwards makes history as the first Black woman on the US Olympic women’s hockey team.
- “If she earns a medal, Hillary will tie the all-time record for most Olympic hockey medals.” — Julie (07:25)
- Emphasis on relentless pursuit of gold for Team USA.
NWSL Labor Fights: The "HIP Rule"
- Deep dive on a controversial new roster rule allowing $1M outside the cap only for league-qualifying “high impact” players.
- Players' union objects, citing unfair criteria and labor law violations.
- Quote: “I actually don’t love the way NWSL has handled this... you can’t just be like, okay. And maybe that’s above my pay grade. From a legal standpoint, I don’t know what their legal... the legal statement says...” — Julie (10:44)
- Abby notes the significance for stars like Trinity Rodman.
Women’s NCAA Basketball: Live from the Stands
- Julie and Abby recount attending UCLA vs. USC, their kids’ and partners’ reactions, and the impressive domination by UCLA.
- Glennon Doyle’s first live hoops experience is a comedic highlight.
- Quote: “Glennon is cracking me up. She was like this the whole time. She was like, oh my. Oh, my gosh. What is happening?” – Julie (12:38)
- Spotlight on Lauren Betts (6’7’’ UCLA star) and introduction of Stephanie Okeechukwu (Texas Tech), the tallest NCAA women’s player at 7’0.
- “Texas Tech just signed the tallest women’s NCAA basketball player ever. She is seven foot tall.” — Julie (14:04)
4. The Party Buzz: Deep Dive with Jordan Robinson on Unrivaled & the Changing Game
Timestamps: 21:12 – 52:06
Meet Jordan Robinson – Hoops Insider & Author
- Jordan joins to promote her new book, Court Queens.
- Quote: “It’s beautiful photographs, essays. You go back to the 1800s where they're hooping in dresses down to their ankles and heels all the way to Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, unrivaled. We talk about that in there. The everything in between.” — Jordan (22:17)
The Tallest College Players: Stephanie Okeechukwu & International Impact
- Why influx of towering international recruits is changing college hoops.
- Stephanie, the first 7-footer in NCAA women’s basketball, comes from Japan; South Carolina signs a 6’7" French pro.
- “Stephanie Okachukwu is going to be taller than BG [Brittney Griner]. And that is something that women's basketball fans still have to wrap their head around.” — Jordan (26:34)
- Two-handed dunks, changes to game tactics, and the global talent pipeline.
The Rule Revolution: Mid-Season Signees & NCAA Loopholes
- Explains how international players (even drafted pros) are gaining NCAA eligibility and entering college mid-season.
- Case of Natasha Classens: drafted by the WNBA, now playing college hoops after not signing.
- Quote: “Yes, there is a drafted WNBA player playing in college basketball right now. And that is blowing everyone's mind…” — Jordan (31:57)
- Legal gray areas: NCAA rules, labor law, and court cases.
- “I do not envy the NCAA right now. It feels like they're... it just feels so overly complicated.” — Abby (34:24)
Larger Issues: Amateur vs. Professional and WNBA Structures
- Debate about whether NCAA is now a “professional entity.”
- WNBA lacks a developmental league, while NBA's G League offers a clearer path for men.
- “There's limited spots. And so this is someone that is taking a spot potentially coming in. The thing that I don't understand about this is... the Washington Mystics still own her draft rights. And she's playing college basketball.” — Jordan (35:24)
- Call for clearer rules, protections, and structure.
Unrivaled League: The Player-Led Revolution
- Overview of Unrivaled: 3-on-3, Miami-based, player-owned (Nafisa Collier and Breanna Stewart).
- “Everything is first class and how professional athletes should be treated…” — Jordan (40:56)
- Big money incentives, player equity, spa facilities.
- Fast-paced, smaller court, younger stars, and high-flying action.
- Social media strategy credited for explosive growth and connection with fans.
- Quote: “They had almost a billion impressions. I think everyone was talking about the league and that is something that you want when you have a new business period.” — Jordan (47:09)
Competition & Options: Project B and the Market Shift
- New global league (Project B) threatens to lure stars with “allegedly millions” in pay and global reach; runs November–April, potentially overlapping WNBA season.
- Quote: “A few years ago it was the WNBA or overseas, and now you have options.” — Jordan (47:59)
- Abby and Jordan stress the need for WNBA to improve pay to retain talent, avoid history repeating (e.g., Diana Taurasi sitting out WNBA due to better overseas pay).
- “We don't want the biggest stars to just peace out in the W [NBA]... We flat out want to make sure these women are getting paid what they deserve. That's all I care about.” — Jordan (50:57)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “How lucky are we that we get to talk to all these rad women that are doing all this amazing stuff in women's sports, and that's what we call our job.” — Julie (01:39)
- “You gotta have a balance, because you don't want them to feel bad, but you also want them to know that you miss them.” — Abby (02:22)
- “I just had the best time. Sincerely. I just had so much fun.” — Abby on attending the UCLA/USC game (11:23)
- “It is a super phenomenon that is happening right now in women's college basketball because not only are these tall trees coming in flying in from international waters, but also these mid season signs.” — Jordan (24:36)
- “There's so much gray area now... I think the legal battles are going to start ramping up even more because the NCAA is going to have to define that gray area more.” — Jordan (34:21)
- “The thing that I don't understand about this is that... the Washington Mystics still own her rights. They still own her draft rights. And she's playing college basketball.” — Jordan (35:24)
- “I just want to see it in a game. If it happens [an alley-oop dunk in Unrivaled], you guys, we are going to lose our mind.” — Jordan (44:23)
- “We don't want a repeat of that. We don't want the biggest stars to just peace out in the W [NBA]... We flat out want to make sure these women are getting paid what they deserve.” — Jordan (50:56)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Personal Reflections / New Year Open: 00:41 – 04:16
- Upcoming Guests / Winter Olympians Teased: 03:03 – 04:16
- Headlines (Slalom, Hockey, NWSL): 05:13 – 10:52
- NCAA Basketball / UCLA-USC, Tallest Player: 10:52 – 15:33
- Jordan Robinson / Party Buzz Segment Starts: 21:12 – 52:06
- Book intro / Tallest Players: 21:59 – 29:00
- NCAA eligibility, legal issues: 29:11 – 38:05
- Unrivaled League explained: 40:13 – 47:09
- Project B & Future of Leagues: 47:41 – 51:59
Key Takeaways
- Women’s sports are entering a new era of visibility, opportunity, and complexity—marked by player-led leagues, a global influx of talent, legal battles over pay and eligibility, and a big focus on fun, equity, and empowerment.
- Unrivaled is shifting the landscape, offering players new career and financial options, and is now a model for athlete-driven innovation in sports.
- Legal and organizational structures are lagging behind the pace of change, especially regarding eligibility and player movement between pros and college.
- The next generation of women athletes are breaking barriers—in height, in history, and in global reach.
The Party Rule
As always, the first rule of Welcome to the Party:
Have a sh*t ton of fun.
Listen for More
For more on women’s sports, stories from the legends themselves, and the buzziest headlines twice a week:
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