Legends and Chaos from NWSL Championship Weekend!

Summary

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Welcome to the Party

Episode: Legends and Chaos from NWSL Championship Weekend!

Date: November 22, 2025
Hosts: Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, Billie Jean King
Guests: Andrea Brimmer (CMO Ally Bank), Brandi Chastain, Danielle Slayton

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Episode Overview

In this high-energy live episode, soccer icons Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy, joined by legendary Billie Jean King, celebrate women's sports from Ally House during the NWSL Championship Weekend. With a lively crowd and an all-star guest roster, the episode blends discussions of recent awards and news in women’s sports, deep dives with game-changing industry figures, and a hefty dose of friendly competition and humor.
Main themes: Celebration of women’s sports milestones, the power of community, the business case for investing in women's sports, and the evolving role of athletes as owners and leaders.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Party Vibe & Community Energy

• Live audience energy (“Look at you party people. Ally House is hopping...”) [01:12]
• Emphasis on inclusion: “Whether you’ve been here all along or looking to get in the game, you’re invited.”
• Julie and Abby riff on party traditions, audience interaction, and their own quirks (“Do any of you have real jobs? Apparently not.”) [01:12]

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2. Party Starter: Highlights & Headlines in Women’s Sports [05:49–15:03]

• NWSL Awards Recap

  • MVP: Temuachinga of Kansas City Current wins MVP and Golden Boot—first back-to-back MVP in league history. [05:49]

    “That woman cleaned up.” —Julie Foudy [05:49]

  • Coach of the Year: Bev Yanez (Racing Louisville)—first former NWSL player to win it. [06:50]
  • Other awards: Goalkeeper of the Year (Lorena, KC Current); Defender (Tara Mikhyon, Washington Spirit); Midfielder (Monaka Matsukubo, NC Courage); Rookie (Lily Real, Gotham).
  • Lauren Holiday Impact Award: Sam Hyatt (Portland Thorns)—recognized for her work with Candlelighters Oregon, inspired by her brother’s cancer diagnosis. [07:57]

    “Big round of applause to Sam Hyatt for that award.” —Julie Foudy [08:06]

• USWNT Roster Announced [08:55]

  • Coach Emma Hayes calls 26 players for year-end friendlies vs. Italy—includes Naomi Girma (returning from injury) and Bay FC’s Jordan Silkowitz (first national team call-up).
  • “Stanford fans are thrilled for her long awaited return following a calf injury.” —Abby Wambach [09:10]

• NCAA Soccer & Deaf Olympics

  • NCAA: Stanford vs. Alabama in the second round [10:19]
  • Deaf Olympics: US Deaf Women’s National Team advances to gold medal match, defeating Japan and Australia; “Emily Spreeman led the team with five goals and Mia White got her first hat trick.” —Abby Wambach [10:38]

• Women’s Volleyball & Other Sports

  • Stanford sweeps Cal 3-0 in ‘The Big Spike’ rivalry.

• Women’s Basketbal l: Project B [12:10]

  • New global Women’s Basketball League, scheduled off-WNBA season, boasts high salaries/equity (players like Jewel Lloyd, Jonquel Jones sign on).

    “It’s super interesting...all these things happening in the women’s sports space.” —Julie Foudy [13:08]

  • Sponsorship emphasis: “Ally is a major sponsor of Unrivaled as well.” —Abby Wambach [14:24]

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3. Andrea Brimmer (CMO, Ally Bank): Game-Changer Interview [16:18–31:41]

Background & Ally House Origins [19:03]

• Creation of Ally House as a community hub for fans, players, and celebration.

  “We have been wanting to do an Ally house since the championship was in D.C....a labor of love.” —Andrea Brimmer [19:03]

The 50/50 Pledge: Origin & Impact [20:01]

• A pledge to spend equally on men’s and women’s sports media.

  “Historically men's sports got 90%...women’s sports less than 10%...We found out we were part of the problem. We were 90/10.” —Andrea Brimmer [20:45]

  • Brimmer reveals the pledge was so bold she didn’t inform her boss beforehand, leading to a legendary career moment.

    “If I’m gonna get fired, that’s a heck of a way to get fired.” —A. Brimmer [23:02]

• Game-Changer Effect:

  • Created pressure in the industry; brand investment is crucial to growing women's sports media rights and infrastructure.

    “I've got all the empirical data that proves that the investment we made has been worth it.” —A. Brimmer [23:06]

• Barriers & Industry Rewiring:

  • Media hadn’t built inventory for women’s sports—Ally had to help create it, like pushing for primetime for NWSL championship.

    “We had to go out and create it.” —A. Brimmer [24:35]

Shifting the Narrative (“Banking on Women’s Sports”) [26:15]

• “When people say ‘betting on women’s sports’, it’s a backhanded slap...for us, it’s banking on women’s sports.” [26:15]
• Fans can help by supporting brands who invest in women’s sports. [26:47]

Data & Results:

• “Favorability among women’s sports fans is 30–40% higher than in the general market.”
• “Wealth transference to women in the next five years...between $20 and $40 trillion...This makes good business sense.” —A. Brimmer [27:21/27:42]

Rapid-Fire Party Questions [27:53]

• Favorite women's sports moment: “The 99ers.” (1999 USWNT) [28:06]
• First athlete inspiration: “Billie Jean King.” [28:41]
  • Billie Jean King personally reached out after the 50/50 pledge.
• Favorite NWSL city to watch a match: “Kansas City.”
• Party person(s): “My kids...and my dog.” [31:18]

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4. Bay FC Founders Brandi Chastain & Danielle Slayton: Player-to-Owner Evolution [39:58–54:55]

Player-Centric Ownership [44:08]

• “I have to say, I’ve always been player-centric...thinking about the players, what do they need, when do they need it, how do they need it?” —Danielle Slayton [44:08]
• Ownership group includes four former players; “Our story and perspective matters at the table.” —Brandi Chastain [45:12]

Community Investment & Challenges [45:53]

• Building a balance between performance demands and community outreach:

  “We have to do our best to embrace when people are ready to step out and expand their wings a little bit...they'll embrace it too.” —Danielle Slayton [47:11]

• Modeling “walk the walk” leadership to current players (“We’re not beyond having to pick up the balls and fill the water jugs...it goes a long way.”) —Danielle Slayton [49:23]

Disrupting the System & The Future [51:36 / 54:03]

• Brandi’s next move: "My dream is to coach with the national team or our youth national team...I’ve finally been invited.” [52:18]
• Danielle’s vision: “What I spend the most time thinking about is how I want the world to be after the 2031 World Cup is here in the United States, and what we're going to do about it.” [53:04]

  “Envisioning a connected, engaged world where everyone feels like they belong, where women are empowered, where women are paid equally...and soccer as a solution.” —Danielle Slayton [53:25]

Abby’s Reflection on Women’s Sports Community [54:12]

“The first Angel City game this year was the first time my body took a breath. Here are my people...women’s sports is one of the best ways in order for us to show up in community and learn how to be together again.” —Abby Wambach [54:03]

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5. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “We just have to act and beg for forgiveness later. This is the most incredible story of this that I’ve ever heard.” —Abby Wambach on the 50/50 pledge [22:27]
• “It’s not a great day yet...less than 6% of the Fortune 500 is still investing in women’s sports.” —Andrea Brimmer [23:08]
• Playful calls for action: “When I say Ally, you say woop!” [05:45]

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6. Minute to Win It Games & Party Antics [55:15–70:41]

• Contagious Competition:
  • Teams: “Slay the Bay” (Slayton, Foudy) vs. “Fearless” (Chastain, Wambach)
  • Events: Blindfold Grape Toss, Tissue Box Twerk, Bucket Toss—the athletes go all out with the crowd’s encouragement, showing their competitive (and hilariously goofy) sides.
• Abby on losing: “Evidently, my hips also don’t lie, ‘cause I won that.” [65:44]
• Winners and losers don party hats; all join for a triumphant party selfie.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On the business case:
  • “It makes good business sense.” —Andrea Brimmer [27:42]
• On industry change:
  • “You had to rewire the industry. The system is not even set up to accept our money...we had to go and create [the media inventory].” —Julie Foudy [24:24]
• On action:
  • “We just have to act and beg for forgiveness later.” —Abby Wambach [22:27]
• On women’s sports community:
  • “Women’s sports is one of the best ways for us to show up in community and learn how to be together again.” —Abby Wambach [54:12]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:33] – Show intro, live audience welcome
• [05:49] – Party Starter: Women’s Sports Headlines
• [16:18] – Andrea Brimmer Interview Begins
• [20:01] – 50/50 Pledge Origin
• [24:35] – Creating New Media Opportunities
• [27:53] – Rapid-fire Party Questions
• [39:58] – Brandi Chastain & Danielle Slayton Join
• [44:08] – Player-to-Owner Perspective
• [47:11] – On Community Building
• [52:13] – Disruptor Question
• [54:03] – Abby’s Reflection on Community
• [55:15] – Minute to Win It Games Begin
• [70:41] – Hat Ceremony & Closing Group Party Pose

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Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is upbeat, celebratory, fiercely passionate, and playfully competitive. The live-audience energy, unscripted banter, and spontaneous outbursts (“Woo!”) foster a spirit of inclusion and empowerment. The legendary guests are candid, authentic, and purpose-driven, weaving in humor and heart.

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Summary

This NWSL championship weekend episode of Welcome to the Party exemplifies everything the show stands for: raucous joy, insider stories, industry insight, and unwavering advocacy for women’s sports. It lifts the curtain on how courageous leadership and community support are moving the needle for women athletes—on and off the field. If you missed the live event, this episode brings you right into the heart of the action, where the only rule is to “have a sh*t ton of fun.”

Transcript

[A]

All right, here we go. Together, they've won four Olympic gold medals, three World Cups. Inspired generations. Legends. Legends of the game and champions for equality. Co owners of the Angel City fc And host. And host. Welcome to the party with Billie Jean King. Please welcome to the stage your hosts, Julie Foudy and Amy Wombach. Make some.

[B]

Welcome to the party.

[A]

Yo, yo, yo.

[B]

Look at you. Oh, my goodness.

[A]

Amazing.

[B]

This is amazing. Look at you party people. Ally House is hopping. We were a little worried. We're like, Friday at 2pm.

[A]

They showed up. They showed up. Jules. Look at you all. Wow.

[B]

Do any of you have real jobs? Apparently not.

[A]

Yeah. Jules, look. We got some Marin FC kids over here.

[B]

Marin FC in the house.

[A]

They have signs.

[C]

Oh.

[B]

Equal play, equal dreams. I can't read the others because I'm halfway blind. I do see something about Julie Foudy being amazing.

[A]

Captain Energy Goat. Julie Foudy equals goat. Yes. Isn't Julie the best? You guys.

[B]

Stop it. Stop it.

[A]

Jules, you want to sit?

[D]

Nah.

[A]

No.

[B]

Yeah, maybe we should.

[A]

I think we should sit.

[B]

I think I was supposed to sit there and you're supposed to hear because I don't want to.

[A]

Julie has a correct side.

[B]

Yeah, I have, like, a side. It's so weird. You guys cannot.

[A]

Does everybody here have these little koozies? My gosh. It's a little jersey. It's a little Ally Jersey.

[B]

I feel like we're gonna have to take a selfie. Don't let me forget to take a selfie at the end. We'll take a 0.5.

[A]

They're gonna forget.

[B]

Don't let me forget. I'm gonna forget my phone up here too. Okay. Should we start this party, people? We. We're, like, actually doing a live podcast, which is really fun. This is our first doing it like.

[A]

This, so it's so exciting.

[B]

I know. I'm really pumped. All right. Three, two. What's up, party people?

[A]

Hey.

[B]

I am Julie Foudy.

[A]

I'm Abby Wambach.

[B]

And as we were just saying, our first live podcast.

[A]

You guys excited to be here for the NWSL championship game tomorrow?

[B]

This is such a cool house. The Ally House. We might just watch it from here. What do you think?

[A]

I'm going to. Why not?

[B]

And it feels like perfect timing to be in the city that has just been voted the best women's sports city in the nation. Did you all see that?

[A]

It's true. It's true. And it's so nice of Ally to create our own party house. Not just the Ally House, but the Ally Party House. Are you guys getting the drinks in? We love Ally. And one of the reasons why Julie and I decided that Ally would become come on. As a brand partner of ours is because Ally shows up first without any metrics. Before we recorded a single episode, they were like, yes, let's do that. And they've been doing that with women's sports for years. And I believe, I believe deeply that it's not just the fans or the players that make women's sports so amazing to watch. It's because of brands like Ally. And I really mean this. Brands who have stepped in and who've been here for long, long periods of time, they are also part of the movement. They're also part of it, so. And I also know that there's a lot of actual Ally customers here. Raise your hands. Who's an Ally customer? Yes.

[B]

Love it, Love it. Lots of hands raised.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I mean, Andrea Bremmer, who we're going to have coming on like just an absolute baller. And they are first in. They're so committed and it's why, and I love to see it, y' all are so committed to them as well. So coming up, we are going to have the Andrea Bremmer, chief marketing officer, PR officer of Ally Bank. We're also going to have Bay FC founding owners and dear friends Brandi Chastain and Danielle Slayton. Yeah, They're up watching upstairs. Look at those nutters. God, I love them. But before we get to all of these people, we always start our podcast off with party starters. So before we get to them, let's get this party started with the highlights and headlines you'll want to celebrate this week in women's sports. Our party starter is brought to you by Ally the bank that is your Ally. I do think, abs, that every time we say Ally, we should give a whoop. So when I say Ally, you say whoops, Right? Instead of like a drinking game. Because I don't want to encourage that.

[A]

I do.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Just kidding.

[B]

Okay, first topic we're going with, we're going with NWSL awards that were given out, as you guys may remember, on Wednesday night. First up, who saw it? Mvp, Temuachinga, Kansas City, current state star. She wins her second straight mvp and she became, I don't know if you guys knew this, the first back to back winner in league history. And she secured her second consecutive golden boot. Not a bad season for her. And I'm not even done with Temua. She was named to the best 11. That woman cleaned up. Okay, coach of the year Bev Yanez Racing Louisville. The first former. This is really cool. I wish this happened a lot more. We need more women in coaching. The first former NWSL player to win the award and lead Louisville to the best season they've had so far and a playoff berth.

[A]

She was a teammate of mine, Julie Love. Bev. Yep. Great person.

[B]

Way to go, Bev. Goalkeeper of the Year Lorena of Kansas City Currents. Defender of the Year Tara Mikhyon of Washington Spirit. It appears we have some Washington Spirit fans in the evidently Midfielder of the Year Monaka Matsukubo from North Carolina Courage and Rookie of the Year Lily Real center back at ucla, outside back now with Gotham and US Women's national team. And she has made that switch seamlessly. And this one Abby and I love so much this award, the Lauren Holiday Impact Award. Right, because it was Sam Hyatt with the Portland Thorns. That's right. And it was all about her work with Candlelighters Oregon. And if you don't know what this organization is, Candlelighters Oregon, they are a nonprofit organization that supports families through every stage of childhood cancer. And Sam's dedication to the organization stems from her own experience with her brother's cancer diagnosis in 2020. So big round of applause to Sam Hyatt for that award. And finally the best 11. Now we know Kansas City Current.

[E]

Did.

[B]

Not maybe have the season that they hoped at the end. I mean an incredible record pacing season didn't have the ending they wanted going out in the first round of playoffs. But seven Kansas City Currents players were recognized for their impressive performances being named to the 2025 NWSL best 11. That's the best 11 first and second team and we'll link. For those of you not here and listening, we're going to link to Those that best 11 in the show notes Abigail.

[A]

All right, so we're going to stay on soccer. Did you all hear that the US Women's National Team dropped its final roster of 2025 with it's very exciting with Emma Hayes calling in 26 players for a pair of year ending friendlies against the rising number 12, Italy. It's a mix of NWSL standouts and Americans playing abroad headlined by Stanford's own Naomi Girma. Stanford and fans are thrilled for her long awaited return following a calf injury. So the US will face Italy twice after Thanksgiving in Florida as the US Women's National Team keeps building momentum towards the 2026 World cup qualifying. Another player on that roster who Bay FC may know, Bay fans might know is the is The Bay FC goalkeeper, Jordan Silkowitz.

[B]

Yeah. Let's go.

[A]

Silkowitz. Named to her very first US national team roster. She is one of three goalies on that roster alongside Seattle's Claudia Dickey and Utah's Mandy McGlynn. Congratulations to those three. We're going to stay on soccer, but we're going to move to the NCAA Tournament in just a few hours at the farm. Number one, Stanford, will be taking on number eight, Alabama.

[D]

Let's go.

[B]

Card.

[A]

In the second round matchup, Stanford is looking for their fourth national title. It's very exciting for the Bay Area. We're going to switch to the Deaf Olympics. I don't know if you all know this, but our US Deaf Women's National Team is at the Deaf Olympics in Japan right now.

[B]

This is so rad.

[A]

Yeah, it's so awesome. After beating Japan in the opening game 5 1, they went on to beat Australia 12 to 0, ever 12 nil. It's amazing. Emily Spreeman led the team with five goals and Mia White got her first hat trick. Love that, ladies. And the US Is going to be closing group play versus Great Britain on Saturday, but has already booked their spot in the gold medal match on November 25th. Let's see. Go USA.

[B]

Hey, everyone. Put your hands together for USA Deaf Women's National Team. They're gonna see this. They will see it.

[A]

So proud of them. Now we're gonna move on to the collegiate volleyball world. The first round of the Big Spike went down Wednesday. That's the Stanford Cal women's volleyball rivalry match that officially kicks off rivalry week. Sorry. Football, volleyball gets top priority here. Happy to report that Stanford swept Cal 3 to 0. Because, you know, Jules, Julie went to Stanford. So we have to say that my daughter goes to Cal. So sorry, Tish, but Cal comes back. Cal's coming back for the football chapter on Saturday, trying to avenge. But clearly we'll be busy with a little something called the NWSL Championship Day. Jules.

[B]

All right. Final party starter. And we do this on every Tuesday episode. We try and give the updates and headlines of women's sports because it's hard to keep up with it. I don't know if you guys feel that, too, but we like to just, you know, find things that are interesting to us and celebrate these amazing women. I don't know if you saw the huge news in women's hoops and pro hoops coming out this week. Right? Jewel Lloyd and Jonquil Jones are the latest stars to sign on with Project B. Do you all know what Project B is a little context for you. It's Europe and Asia, maybe the Americas Women's Basketball League and it's making a ton of noise. So Lloyd and Jones are the third and fourth player to sign onto this following WNBA all Stars Neca Guamake, another Stanford card. Alyssa Thomas signed on as well. They're early committers to this Project B and it's super interesting. I got this background information thanks to Sue Bird and Pino on A Touch More. They're fantastic podcast.

[A]

You guys watched A Touch More.

[B]

Yeah, it's awesome. And Project B basically is substantially higher salaries, larger equity stakes, and a global footprint. And it's scheduled to run. This is what I was most interested in. I was like, wait a second, is it scheduled to run right when WNBA is happening? No, it's scheduled to run starting November of 2026. So inaugural season is planned to run from November of 2026 to April of 2027. So not during the WNBA season, it's during their off season. They would not overlap, but they will compete in this Project B. They're going to do a seven tour. I got to get this right. Seven. Wait. Oh, yeah, no, no, seven. I got it.

[D]

I got it.

[B]

Seven two week tournaments all over Europe, Asia and maybe the Americas. I was like, damn, that's a lot of traveling, right? Yes, that's being on the road, but I think they're getting some money for that. So it's super interesting because we've got wnba, CBA negotiations going on. You have Unrivaled that launches, which was fisa, Collier's and Stewie's venture. That is also this amazing new league. So you have all these things happening in the women's sports space.

[A]

Also, Ally is a major sponsor of Unrivaled as well. So give it up.

[B]

All right, that is your party starter. And thanks to Ally for sponsoring this segment. As we know, Ally is more than a bank. And their do it right approach helps customers unlock their economic potential and guides their efforts as a leading sponsor and women's sports. And just like us, Ally believes that when women in sports win, we all have a reason to party. Ally bank member, fdic.

[A]

Oh, what's this?

[B]

Melissa Ortiz.

[D]

Oh, my God, I love you so much.

[A]

Is this coffee?

[B]

I heard there was a coffee order. Yes. Everyone, big round of applause for Melissa Ortiz.

[A]

Okay, thank you.

[B]

Colombian rock star, TNT broadcaster and owner of Kickoff Coffee serving in the back.

[A]

I've already had three cups today.

[B]

You know what? Melissa knows this, so it's a bit cruel because I love my coffee, but I Also have a tea bag for a bladder. Is that too much information?

[A]

Yep. Yes, it is.

[B]

So like if I'm running to the back for a little quick tinky, you know, Sorry, Bremmer, I got a tinkle.

[A]

Still tmi. We're still here.

[B]

This is hot.

[A]

You don't have to drink it, right?

[B]

In a second I'm gonna drink it. Cause I love my coffee.

[A]

We gotta go on with the interviews.

[B]

All right. All right. Now to the partiest part of the party. All right, buckle up y', all, because our first guest has literally changed the women's sports landscape. She's lived this world from every single angle. She played soccer at Michigan State, who.

[A]

Just won yesterday in the NCAA tournament.

[B]

No, wait, I'll say it again. She played soccer at Michigan State. Yeah. Not as many Michigan State fans in the house. I'm sorry, Bremmer. She's raised daughters. In the middle of this incredible surge. She has become one of the brightest, loudest champions, pushing all of us forward. And as the chief marketing officer and PR officer of Ally, she literally is the rocket fuel. And I mean this behind one of the boldest moves in sports history. We're going to talk about it, the 5050 pledge. And if you don't know about it, it's an equal media spend that Ally pledged on men's and women's sports. So not, not a maybe a full on line in the sand. And that line, it lit a fuse because after that she's turned the dial way up. So Ally is pouring investments into the NWSL, NWSL Players Association, WNBA, the U.S. women's Open and golf, the Atlantic Coast Conference. So the acc, the Ally Tip Off Women's College Basketball Showcase and so much more. And this is why Abby and I love Ally that I love that they're not just slapping a logo on something. Right? And we've seen people that do that. Right? But they're like investing in the game. Like they literally came in and said, why are we running finals in the morning when people can't watch it? Let's put it in primetime and let's put it on cbs. Right? Why aren't we paying these athletes more? Which is why they've invested in the NWSL pa. Right. So she's a Forbes CMO hall of Famer, a two time most influential cmo, and literally the only human I know who treats equity like a business strategy and a personal mission. She's a game changer, she's an innovator, she's a party starter and she's honored to Be someone we call our friend. Andrea Bremmer. Welcome to the party. Eric's getting frisky with me. Thank you.

[E]

You really held on, Jules. You weren't letting go there for a minute.

[A]

Woo.

[B]

Like, Eric, what are you doing?

[E]

Doing?

[A]

Hi, Bremmer. Hi, guys.

[E]

How's everyone?

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Everybody's having a good time. I love it. Yeah. Bremmer, do you want to tell about this Ally House first of all? Because this place is frigging amazing.

[E]

Yeah, it's pretty awesome, right? I mean, it's unreal. You know, we have been wanting to do an Ally house since the championship was in D.C. and we've had this idea for a long time of like, why don't we have a community space where everybody can come together during the day, hang out, have fun, celebrate the game, celebrate each other, have a couple drinks and just have good vibes. And so I've got an amazing team who's up at the top of the stairs there. That absolutely has killed it. And you know, this has been a labor of love that they've put in.

[A]

Yeah, I remember back in the day when I played in the wsa, we didn't have any of this back in the day. So I'm just so grateful.

[B]

I was just making $10 a day and happy about it.

[A]

All right, Andrea, can you give us the origin story of how you came up with the industry shifting 5050 pledge and remind the party people what that pledge really is?

[E]

Yeah, absolutely. So you guys probably have all heard the statistic that historically men's sports got 90% of the media investment and women's sports got less than 10% of the media investment. And for the 50th anniversary of Title IX, of which I am a product of, we wanted to do something special. And you know, we were like, there's a lot of different things you could do. We could make a donation. We could, you know, make a beautiful ad. And, you know, we really challenged ourselves and said, none of that is going to have any impact. None of that is going to make anything different. So we said, what do we spend in women's sports and what do we spend in men's sports? And we found out we were part of the problem. We were 9010.

[B]

Oh, interesting.

[E]

Yeah. And we had this crazy idea in that moment, what if we went out and we made a pledge to spend equally between men's and women's sports? And I like this. You know, you have these career defining things in life that you just remember every detail of. This was one of Those. Because I actually called for Foudy and I said, we want to make this major announcement. She was doing the ESPNW Summit.

[A]

Yep.

[E]

And I said, can we live stream in? And you were like, yeah, if ESPN says yes. So we called ESPN and it was like a Wednesday. The ESPN Summit was the following Tuesday. We had no idea how we were going to pull off the. The equity, how we were going to come up with the budget, how we were going to do any of it. And we just called in and made the pledge and that was it. No turns back after that.

[B]

Wait, you're missing a very important part of this story. The best part of this story.

[E]

The best part of the story is I never imagined that it would blow up the way it blew up. Like, I didn't think anybody would pay any attention to it. And it got tons of earned media. It was all over the place. So one of the women on our board is a huge women's sports fanatic and she sent a group text message to me and my boss and said, I've never been more proud to be on the Ally board. Amazing announcement on your 5050 pledge. And I was like, oh, shit.

[B]

And my boss, he hadn't asked the boss.

[E]

My boss texted me like five seconds later and he's like, brimmer, really good idea. But next time you make a major announcement like this, you should probably tell me.

[A]

So the story here is that so good. And what has happened over generations for so many of us women is that we just have to act and beg for forgiveness later. And this is like the most incredible story of this that I've ever heard. Because now what you're doing is you're putting pressure on all the other brands in the landscape and the ecosystem of sport to be like, wait, what are we doing? You know, and how have you seen that change in terms of seeing the landscape of all the other brands that you.

[E]

You know, one, I thought, if I'm gonna get fired, that's a heck of a way to get fired.

[B]

So I'm gonna go out. Blazer.

[F]

I'm going out.

[E]

I'm going out in a blaze of glory. But look, I mean, I. I think it's a good day in women's sports. It's not a great day yet. I mean, we there. It almost feels like there have been a lot more brands that have come in. And I could name State Farm and Google and Nationwide and others, Delta that have made big pushes, but less than 6% of the Fortune 500 is still investing in women's sports. Think about that. And it's crazy because, like we say, we've got the receipts. I've got all the empirical data that proves that the investment that we made has been worth it from a business perspective in terms of making it better for the leagues. I mean, you look at these media contracts that the leagues are getting. Those don't happen without brand investment that trickles down to the players. You know, it's the entire ecosystem. It's the merch, it's the DJ here today. It's all this stuff. Right. And so no more brands need to get moving.

[B]

Yeah. And literally, though, what's also fascinating to me, Bremer, is that you had to rewire the industry. Like, I remember we would have these discussions after she had made the pledge, and we would be having a glass or a barrel, as I owe you, I actually owe her a vineyard. I tell her, but we would be having a glass of wine, and she would be talking about how, like, the system is not even set up to accept our money. Right.

[E]

Yeah. That was the craziest thing. I think that was the biggest learning for my team and I is after we made the 5050 pledge, we kind of expected that we were going to have all these, you know, networks and all these people in the media world pounding on our door and saying, all right, we're ready to accept your money. Here's all the media we have. And it was crickets. Like, crickets. And the reality was that the media just didn't exist. And to Jewel's point, we had to go out and create it. So one of the first deals that we did is we. You know, I had gone to the championship game in Louisville, and remember, it got moved from Portland to Louisville. It was freezing. But it was at. I think it was at noon on a Saturday. And I remember sitting there thinking, why is this championship game on at noon on a Saturday? This is ridiculous. So we went to CBS and Jessica Berman and I and said we'd like to have the game move to primetime. And it probably took six months of just reworking programming, making investments, additional investments in CBS media, and we finally got the game changed to primetime. And it was the first time a women's championship game in any sport has been played in network prime. And I'm not talking about 1970. This is like four years ago, you guys. It's crazy.

[A]

It's incredible. You mentioned that you don't call it betting on women, as it sounds like it's like a 50, 50 chance. How do you frame it with your team? And also externally to help shift others towards your bold thinking.

[E]

Yeah, I mean, I think what people say, you know, like taking a bet on women's sports, it almost is inherently this backhanded slap that says we don't believe the thesis yet. And so for us, it's really about believing in or banking on women's sports. See what I did there? Banking on women's sports.

[B]

Ally.

[E]

And first, and thank you to all our customers that are here too, by the way.

[A]

It's really awesome.

[E]

I appreciate it. And thank you guys for being customers. And if you're not, if you could open an account that would help me very much.

[A]

Well, it's actually really true because a lot of people say, well, what can I do to help women spread sports? Look at all the brands that, that are sponsoring women's sports and buy those products. That is one of the best ways fans can help women's sports.

[B]

Absolutely.

[E]

But look, you asked about the belief in women's sports. Like I said, we've got the receipts. Our favorability among women's sports fans is anywhere from 30 to 40% higher than it is in the general market. 65% of everybody that comes to our storefront is female.

[F]

And.

[E]

And then if you think about the wealth transference to women in this country over the course of the next five years, it's between 20 and 40 trillion dollars. So this is not just like a charity thing or a whim because I played soccer at Michigan State or my head of sports marketing played college basketball or on and on and on. It makes good business sense.

[B]

Yeah, I love it. Okay, final segment with you, Brimmer. It's called party questions that pop rapid fire. Are you ready?

[E]

I'm ready. We didn't talk about this in our prop call.

[B]

Let's do it. I know. I love to surprise you with shit like this. Favorite women's sports moment of all time.

[E]

All right, you guys are going to think that I'm kissing ass, but 99ers.

[B]

Yes. Where's Brandi? Take your top off for that one. Brandi, get naked.

[E]

That when Brandi comes down, she slides down the stairs and takes her top off.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

No, I mean, if you're, if you're a soccer fan. Was there any greater moment than that? I mean, there just wasn't. It was pretty amazing.

[A]

Okay. Bremer, the first women's athlete who inspired you growing up?

[E]

Billie Jean King.

[A]

Yes, without a doubt. There she is, our co host, Billy, on the screen. Sorry. Gotcha, Ally. Thank you.

[E]

You know, it's funny too. Oh, there she Is.

[B]

And Jen is like, hey, how you doing, everyone?

[E]

That was a pinch me moment. Because when we made the 50, 5050 pledge, this will just speak to the character of Billie Jean King. A month after we made the 5050 pledge, she tracked down my email and sent me an email and said, I'm somebody that has. Has spent my entire life trying to create equity for women in sports. And I just wanted to thank you and applaud you for what you've done. Here's my cell phone number. I'd love to meet you if you're ever in New York and have coffee with you. And she did. I was like, is somebody pimping me?

[A]

There's no way Jean Kings has emailed me. Prank for sure.

[B]

You know, she's never even given her cell phone to me or Abby.

[D]

That's true.

[E]

So weird.

[A]

That's true.

[E]

You don't. You don't have a brand budget. Everybody gives me their cell phone.

[B]

When are you going to spend 5050 on me?

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

All right. This one's going to be tough. Favorite NWSL city in which to watch a match.

[A]

Oh, boy.

[B]

It's a lot of pressure.

[E]

Local pressure to watch a match. I mean, we'll see. We'll see tomorrow night. I still haven't been to Bay, but so far, Kansas City.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[E]

I mean, what Angie and Chris have done there is unbelievable.

[A]

Unbelievable what they've done. If you could watch a women's sporting event with two dream guests.

[B]

Present company.

[A]

Included, who would they be?

[E]

I mean, that's so easy. Abby Wambach and Julie Fowler.

[B]

Okay, if we were excluded. I know that's a good thing.

[E]

If you guys were excluded. You know, two of my favorite people to watch a sporting event with, and I've done it a few times, is Tobin and Kristen.

[A]

Yes.

[E]

They're a blast.

[A]

Aren't they great? They're the best.

[B]

What time is their pod tomorrow? What are we.

[E]

What time are they on tomorrow, Steve? I think 1 12:30.

[B]

You guys can't be here for that. I hope I was close.

[E]

I'm on east coast time.

[B]

All right.

[E]

I haven't had an espresso martini yet.

[B]

Okay, final question, Bremer. We ask this often to our guests on the show who. Because our listeners are party people. Who is your party person?

[E]

Who is my party person?

[B]

Favorite person to bring to this party?

[E]

To bring to this party. Can I pick more than one?

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

My kids.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

That's a good one.

[E]

My kids are the most fun in the whole world.

[B]

I do see them a lot. In your party Pictures.

[E]

And my dog.

[B]

Yeah, my pit bull.

[A]

The dog, of course.

[B]

All right, before we let Bremer go, y', all, raise a glass to her, because what she's done in this space has been amazing. I'm gonna raise my coffee glass to her. Andrea Bremmer, ladies and gentlemen.

[E]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[A]

This episode of welcome to the Party is brought to you by Ally Financial. We love that Ally is more than just a bank. They've got this do it right approach that shows up everywhere.

[F]

That's right, because Ally actually helps customers unlock their economic potential, all while powering the growth of athletes, fandom, and leagues across women's sports.

[B]

And as we know, it's been anchored.

[F]

By a historic commitment to increasing visibility by, get this. Spending equally on men's and women's sports media.

[B]

Ally truly does it right.

[F]

And they've had official partnerships across the nwsl, wnba, usga, unrivaled, and drumroll, please.

[B]

Beyond that. Now, that includes this podcast too.

[F]

So welcome to the party, Ally.

[A]

And Ally consistently earns accolades as the best online bank, praised for his intuitive app, no monthly fees, smooth navigation, and competitive interest rates, even without minimum balances required.

[F]

And here's what we truly love. The same way as Abby was talking about that Ally puts customers first in banking, they put women first in sports, and they are literally making history with equal spending on men's and women's sports media. And that's why they're the perfect partner for.

[B]

For welcome to the Party.

[F]

Visibility, equity, empowerment.

[B]

It all connects party people.

[A]

Whether you're here for the show or looking for a bank that truly has your back, Ally's got you covered. Ally the bank. That's your Ally. Ally Bank. Member fdic.

[F]

Abigail.

[A]

Yo, what's up?

[F]

As you know, finding time to work out in the busiest time of the year as the holidays get around is really hard. But I have the breakthrough of the busiest time of the year. Do you know what it is?

[A]

I have an idea, but what are you going to say?

[F]

Brand new Peloton cross training Tread plus.

[A]

Yes.

[F]

Powered by Peloton iq.

[A]

Yes.

[F]

Okay, can we just talk about how obsessed we are with this? And yes, we did a whole podcast on one. Well, almost the whole podcast on one. And then I proceeded to lose to Abby in the minute to win it race. But I've been training on my peloton cross training Tread plus so that the next time I'm not losing it. And I love this for so many reasons. You can get off. Well, you can run on it, of course. Right? You can take classes. And then when you're doing the classes, you can do, like, cross training stuff. Because I'm not just a runner. I want to do other things. I want to get off it. I want to do body strength stuff. I want to do boot camp stuff. I want to do some plyometrics. So you swivel your screen and then it tracks you in the box to, like, it'll actually say to you, you need to get your butt lower, people. Get your butt. You're not squatting low enough.

[A]

It's a little judgy. It's a little judgy for a retired pro athlete, if I'm not gonna lie.

[F]

But it so helps you because all of a sudden I'm like, you're right.

[B]

Okay, okay, okay.

[D]

I know.

[F]

Cross training tread plus, I'm gonna get my butt down a little further.

[A]

The weather is starting to change too. And so once it starts to get a little bit colder outside, I feel like I want to be indoors more. And this is like the perfect machine to do everything that you need, honestly. If you want to walk, you can walk. If you want to do sprints, you can do sprints. If you want to lift weights, if you want to do yoga, if you want to meditate, it has everything.

[F]

Yeah. And you know what? When I'm like, doing the stuff where you're having to count, I don't know if you have this problem, but I can't keep track of stuff, so. Because I like to talk with my friends and so I'm talking never, never tracking. And it tracks for me, which is brilliant because I don't have to worry. I'm like, oh, I've done my 15 push ups. Thank you very much. I've gotten my bum down. So I'm just telling you party people, let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push, and go. You can do it all. Explore the new peloton cross training tread [e-mail] Abigail's yeah, Mary, you know, you know very well that we spent a lot of time on the road while we were. A lot, a lot of time. And, and yes, it was a gift for sure because we got to see all these amazing places and go to all these places I would have never gone to, which was so fun. But I learned quickly, like, where you stay makes a.

[A]

A big difference.

[F]

Huge difference, right? So when I was playing with the national team and, and well beyond college, but our college friends would all get together still all the time, and they'd want to go to Tahoe all the Time. Because Tahoe was. Of course, who doesn't love Tahoe, right? And they would pick all these different hotels, and I was like, I can't do that anymore. So we got this Airbnb, and instead of a hotel. And it's amazing because one you all gather, it's all cozy. It's a place where you can actually sit together and cook together and hang out together, and then you have these huge windows overlooking the mountains, and it just feels like home. It doesn't feel like you're on the road, which is the gift of Airbnb. And it's what I love most about booking homes through them is that just there's more space, there's more comfort, there's more rooms for Abby so she can.

[A]

There's more connection.

[F]

Loudly.

[A]

There's more connection with your friends that you're there with. There's more connection. Yeah.

[F]

And more rooms for you so you can sleep loudly. Snore. And here's what I know while. Here's what I also learned. While I was traveling nonstop, I could have been hosting my own home on Airbnb.

[A]

We should have been doing this all along.

[C]

Yeah.

[F]

And now it's easier than ever. Thanks to the co host network, you can literally hire a local co host to help manage everything. Your listing, your reservations, your guest messages, and if you wanted, they'll even give you design and styling tips. I mean, they handle everything so that you don't have to. So I highly recommend it. Find a co [e-mail] host.

[B]

Go do it. Okay, next up, party people, two former US Women's National Team players. One who can't seem to keep her shirt on.

[A]

They're still walking down the stairs, so be slow.

[B]

Julie, both former Santa Clara Broncos stars.

[A]

Which, by the way, my daughter will be playing at Santa Clara next year. So I will be in San Jose and in Santa Clara, Austin.

[B]

Abby's gonna be here a lot.

[A]

Go Broncos.

[B]

They are also both current Bay FC founding owners.

[A]

Woot woot.

[B]

They are Bay Area lifers. They're moms. They're rock star women who put all this good into the world, as we know. And equally important, they are two dear friends who Abby and I, whenever we get a chance to spend time with them, we cherish it greatly. Party people, put your hands together for Randy Chastain and Danielle Slate.

[A]

Here we are. Look at them. Yes.

[F]

Oh, my God.

[B]

You're like barn right now.

[A]

They know how to come to a party. Welcome to the party.

[B]

All right, you all in the middle. You're Gonna be in the middle. Abby and I will flank you.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

How's that?

[D]

Okay.

[A]

Oh, God, I keep dropping the mic.

[B]

Oh, shoot. Oh, I forgot to give you my little blowhorn. Yes.

[D]

Brandy, you just said something.

[B]

You said, was it inappropriate?

[D]

You're always inappropriate.

[B]

But wait, is Brandy's mic on? Can you hear that?

[D]

It's barely.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Check, check, check, check.

[B]

Can you hear me now? Okay.

[D]

You said. Oh, you remind me of Lark. That's my mom. And I have to tell you a really quick story.

[B]

Tell the story.

[D]

When I was little, playing soccer just about three miles south of here with 12 parents on the sideline, my mother had a megaphone that was about four times bigger than this and would cheer. Go, Julie.

[B]

Go, Danielle.

[D]

I'm like, that is so embarrassing. She's like, no, they love it. And they do. So here's a megaphone for you, Brandy.

[A]

Yo, do you remember the team that Julie grew up playing on?

[D]

The Green Machine.

[A]

Yeah. Nobody messes with the Green Machine.

[C]

How many times have we heard that story?

[D]

How do I.

[B]

Yes. Green Machine are in the. No, Heather.

[A]

Little backstory.

[B]

Hold on.

[D]

I know this is your show. I know this is your show.

[A]

Take over.

[D]

But when you go to a party, you have to bring gifts.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

So I have a gift for you.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Oh.

[E]

Let'S go, Broncos.

[A]

Do I actually get to keep it?

[D]

It's yours.

[A]

Can I have it?

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[D]

I have a gift for Glenn.

[B]

I did not approve these gifts. Yes.

[A]

She's gonna be excited.

[D]

I did not approve these gifts.

[B]

Is that another Santa Clara one?

[D]

This is. You know, you can hang it at your house.

[B]

A banner on the outside. Oh, please. I'm sorry. We're out of time.

[D]

This is for your car.

[A]

This is so good. Thank you so much.

[B]

Okay.

[D]

Julie, I brought this for you.

[B]

Oh, thank you. Now we're talking. Oh, oh, okay, Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

[D]

I forgot. I did get you a gift, Julie.

[B]

You did? Yeah. Brandy, you're such a gift giver.

[A]

What does it say?

[B]

Beat Stanford.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Okay, now we can start.

[A]

Perfect.

[B]

I love you.

[D]

Actually, a nice hat.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

If you take off the SC on the door.

[D]

That is awesome. Let's go, Broncos.

[B]

All right, y'. All, thank you for doing this.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Brandon. Danielle is hosting, like, a party tonight at her house, and, like, was like, I'm there. No problem.

[C]

Heck, yeah.

[B]

Brandy just got off. Sarah Spain's amazing. Yeah, Sarah's in the house.

[D]

There she is.

[A]

Sarah Spain. Spainer Sarah Spain, who hosts the Good Game podcast. You guys so good tune. In you can get so, so much awesome women's sports content.

[B]

I do every morning, and then I laugh at the end. Fu.

[A]

All right, just so you guys know what to expect over the next few minutes, we're going to talk to these two and has anybody been watching? Welcome to the party's minute to win it segments. So we've got a win it minute to win it segments in a little bit that we will all be competing for. Who's the best?

[B]

Let's go.

[C]

Let's do it.

[A]

I mean, you'll never see people that are more competitive. So I cannot be exciting.

[B]

We might have to clear the furniture, actually. I'm just looking at our space. Eventually.

[C]

Yeah, we'll figure it out.

[B]

Not yet.

[A]

All right, so D and B. So the importance of players being in an ownership position. Want to. Want to explore that. How. How has your relationship to the game changed from not just being a player, but now also being in the ownership position? Do you notice anything?

[D]

Honestly, I have to say, I've always been player centric.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

And I feel like that's really important. That was one of our core tenets. When we talked about bringing Bay FC to the nwsl. We wanted to be player of centric. Thinking about the players, what do they need? When do they need it? How do they need it? And that was really critical because that was, for us, you know, in our experience, probably not always the case. So I think we're really heavy in that. I would also say that I'm a little bit emotional. Like, I'm a mom. Like, I feel from the. Like, I want to take care of them, but I'm also like, okay, girls, we have to get into the community. We have to walk the walk. We have to show up in places. And our team, I'm going to say, I think they do. Our girls show up in the community, and they do a great job.

[C]

It's hard. I mean, I know I used to. When we played, I was like, oh, soccer is so hard. Soccer is not hard compared to this.

[A]

That's right.

[C]

And what I am constantly reminded of and what I remind myself is our experience and our voice matters at the table. And other people's voices matter, too. Right. But the story that we have to share, the perspective that we have, the walk that we have walked, is an important piece of how you build a successful franchise. And so it is our responsibility to continue to have the courage to have that voice, even when it's hard, and then to share that with our players, because the baton will be handed off to them and they will have an even greater responsibility as the next generation.

[B]

Yeah. Dede, you were doing. Are you still doing all the community side of that with Bay fc? And so I love that Danielle has pretty much dedicated her life to giving back to communities, which is a fantastic thing, and she does it with Bay FC on a continuous basis. But how hard is it now being. And we should say that it's not just Danielle and Brandy as part of that ownership group. Of course, it's Leslie Osborne and Ali Wagner, who are four of the founding women owners with Bay fc. But how hard is it to get the younger kids? And I sound like an old mom right now. I know I do, but I don't care.

[A]

Julie, we are old moms.

[B]

Facts. Like, how hard is it to get them to understand? Because I think they were born into women's sports, being more popular and having all these things. How hard is it to get them to understand the balance of community and getting out there and expending your energy there? Because it does take a lot of energy. We know it's hard. It's hard. You've done practice, you're done training. Probably sometimes the last thing you want to do is go and do a clinic for young kids, but it's so important. So how would you frame that?

[C]

I mean, I guess I think with anything. I think we have to meet people where they are and whether that's the community that you're serving and the kids that are out there on the field, you have to meet them where they are. We have to meet players where they are. Some super excited to get out there. Some are injured, worried about playing time, other things. So I think we have to do our best to embrace when people are ready to step out and kind of expand their wings a little bit and have a little bit of grace and patience when it's not the right time for them. I believe that the more we demonstrate what we hope, what we maybe, dare I say, expect over time, that they'll embrace it, too.

[A]

Yeah. It's almost like what we were talking about a little bit with Brimmer in terms of being able to be in these communities in a way that makes people want to show up and what you all have done and what this city has done. Bay Area, I'm sure you guys have framed this up on your walls right now.

[D]

Love them.

[A]

It's the best city for women's sports in our country. How do you, you know, women's sports? Like, how do you tell the story. Story that we like? Brimmer was Saying that we're in a good place, but we haven't even reached the places where we know we can go. And that takes a disruptor mindset. Not resting on your laurels and also like breathing into the players. Hey, believe it or not, but you're a part of still the growth, right? We're not. We're not there yet. How do you guys. Do you guys talk to the players about this? Be.

[D]

We have. I think when we opened the first season, we all went and we met them preseason, and we sat there and we told them the why. We explained how excited we are that they have this opportunity. We told them, you know, what it was like to be a part of professional soccer 24 years ago and. And how it's so much different now. I think the thing that matters, and we're all parents, is you have to show up in the way that you want your kids to see. And so I think that's how we show up. We show up in a positive way. We are not beyond having to pick up the balls and move the goals and fill the water jugs, and we do those things, and that's really important to us. I think, honestly, you walk the walk, and that goes a long way with our players. I listened to Penelope Hawking right after me talking with Sarah, and she's just like, it's so great that we feel like our founders see us. They believe in us, they support us. They show up for us. To me, that right there makes a difference.

[F]

Yeah, I love it.

[B]

I will skip over the fact that BFC and Angel City are not in the playoffs or in the NWL championship. Ally.

[A]

Nice.

[C]

Nice.

[B]

Nice topic, but who are you taking in the final? Oh, I hate to do this to you.

[D]

I'm not losing any friends today.

[B]

Oh, come on. Take your shirt off. Make a decision. Who can name someone.

[C]

I'm gonna go Washington Spirit. I think they've been consistent. I love a good underdog, don't get me wrong. And Gotham is a good underdog, but they've been the most consistent.

[A]

I love Croy.

[C]

I think she's amazing.

[B]

I hope Trinity, they have a formidable attack. Yeah, it'd be great if Trinity got some time. All right, Bea, you ready?

[D]

I was just going to say, you know, sometimes you can't. I think sometimes people sleep on Rose Lavelle. I think you got to be careful.

[B]

Oh, I hear Gotham in that. I'm going Gotham Underdogs bias.

[A]

I got to go. I'm going to go Spirit. Just because that's. That's where I started my professional career. That's right. That's right. They'll always be in my heart. The D.C. area.

[D]

That makes sense.

[B]

Okay, last question before we get to the real stuff, which is minute to win it, the games. You have been disruptors, as we were talking about with Brimmer. You two have been enormous disruptors in your life in such a positive way, and Abby and I are big believers that so much of this podcast is about being disruptors and talking things and talking about what's on going next and progress and all these things that matter to us in women's sports. What are you disrupting right now?

[D]

I mean, my dream is to coach with the national team or to coach our youth.

[B]

National team. Yes.

[A]

Let's go.

[B]

I like it. Put it out there. Be.

[D]

I mean, I've been saying it for a decade, and I've finally been invited, so.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Well, next week I'll be in Florida with the youth team.

[A]

Let's go, Britney Chastain.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I didn't know this.

[D]

Yeah, well, you know, it's just one step. I'll let you know how it goes.

[B]

Dude, you need your megaphone when you're out there. You could be like, lark.

[D]

I'd be like, julie, get going.

[B]

Stop. That will for sure win.

[A]

Help.

[B]

I'm talking and I can't show.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Dee, what about you? Because it could be like, you know, children.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, I definitely want to raise two little amazing boys, but I would say that the thing that I spend the most time thinking about is how I want the world to be after the 2031 World cup is here in the United States and what we're going.

[A]

To do about it.

[E]

Yes.

[C]

The problem to solve. Picture an amazing world and how soccer is the solution to creating what we want when that trophy is high school.

[D]

I love you, Danielle Slayton.

[B]

Let's just close our eyes for a second because picturing an amazing world right now is a really hard thing for me to do. I'm like, no.

[C]

Mental health challenges. A connected, engaged world where everyone feels like they belong, where women are empowered, where women are paid equally. Like, that is the world. And that's the five year project.

[A]

Well, ever since November, the first moment I walked into a women's sporting event, the first Angel City game this year was the first time my body took a breath. Here are my people. And I think that we have to find the spaces in our communities that we can be in community. And women's sports is this beautiful place that we can all show up regardless of where we Vote. Regardless of which way we vote, we can show up and we can agree that we are all here for this one reason. And I think that women's sports is one of the best ways in order for us to show up in community and learn how to be together again.

[D]

Work.

[B]

Ally. Oh, my God. That's gonna live forever.

[A]

So good.

[B]

When I say Ally, you say woo Ally. Woo. Ally.

[D]

All right, Jules, Julie, you're your own starter and finisher.

[B]

I love that.

[A]

All right.

[D]

She doesn't need you all, but she loves you.

[A]

Just so you know, we got some minute to win at games. Tools.

[B]

Okay. All right. So this is all just because we're far too competitive still, and we think it's so ridiculously fun, and we want to get you guys in on the fun. So we are going to play 2 minute to win it games in teams. It will be team Slayton and team Foudy, and boom. That's not very sportsmanship. Like, we're competitive for nfc.

[A]

This is all. And all.

[B]

The other losing team is Brandy and Abigail. Let's go. Let's do this.

[A]

Let's go.

[D]

Okay, Seriously.

[B]

All right. First minute to win a game, and I'm not kidding. I need your guys participation. So lock in. Are you locked in?

[D]

Are you locked in, D?

[C]

Yes.

[D]

Do we need microphones for this?

[B]

Wait, we have. You have 10 seconds to come up with your team name. 10 seconds.

[A]

What's our team name?

[D]

Go.

[A]

What's our team name?

[B]

All right, we got ours. Do you have yours?

[C]

We got ours.

[B]

Slay the bay with D and J. O. Okay. Okay, wait a minute.

[D]

I think that was done during a pre call to this situation because that is not creative. Like, I mean, she's not. She's not. You called her early. I know you did.

[C]

Brandi.

[A]

What's her name?

[B]

I did. We almost organized outfits, but I thought it was the two at the top.

[A]

Our name is Fearless because that's what we are.

[B]

Yeah, Fearless. All right. Do you think Slay the Bay with D and J is going to win, or do you think Fearless is going to win? Fearless. Yes. Okay, I gotta get locked in. Hold on.

[A]

Okay, so, okay, our first game is.

[B]

It's called blindfold grape toss. Okay. This is all a minute to win it. You're gonna see, they're gonna put on this. On this clock here, a countdown and the person in this first one. Okay, so this is what we're gonna do. We're gonna put the blindfolded person here. Okay, I'll be blindfolded. You're a good Grape catcher. I'll be blindfolded. Just one person blindfolded, not the grape catcher. Okay, so, Brandy, are you blindfolded? Who's your tosser?

[D]

Okay, great. Where do I go?

[B]

Who's catching grapes?

[D]

I am.

[B]

Okay, so, Abs, you come with me. We're tossing. Okay, Push all those back. Do not fall off the stage. No, we're not here. I'll put you on the inside because.

[D]

I'll take the red grapes.

[A]

Okay, you guys.

[B]

Okay, wait, you should make it. Back those up. That you cannot do.

[D]

You back that blank up.

[B]

Okay, you're gonna go that way. Okay, Back those up.

[A]

You go stand over there.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Okay, you're over here.

[B]

Oh, you know what? I'm calling an audible. We're not going to blindfold.

[A]

No blindfold.

[B]

No blindfold.

[D]

Julie, you have a hard time doing things with your eyes open, so.

[B]

Because this is going to be hard anyways, right? Okay, ready? So do we have a minute we can put on the clock? It is. They have to stay that far away. Five yards. Brandi, slide in so Dee doesn't fall off. Yo, I'm good. Yeah, she's okay. You got it?

[D]

She took her position first. I. I.

[B]

Do we have 30? Do we have a minute clock we're putting up? Oh, there it is. Yes. Okay. Do you see it? It's in the red behind us. Okay, we have a minute clock to get. Wait, wait. They're doing strategy. What are you talking about?

[D]

We're talking about reading.

[B]

So. So you.

[A]

You.

[D]

You're talking. You're doing all the talking again.

[B]

Okay? And you count. You each count your own. Okay? I can't. Are you ready?

[D]

Do we have to eat them or do we just.

[B]

Whatever you want. I think you eat them. Eat them or spit them. D goes. You need four in your hand. One.

[A]

Two.

[B]

Come on, Brittany. Three, four, five, Seven, eight, nine, 10, 11.

[D]

Okay.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Brandy, how many did you get?

[A]

We got nine.

[B]

This is the honor system.

[A]

We got nine. We lost. I know it.

[B]

We only got nine. We crashed, baby. Ow.

[A]

1 0.

[B]

Slide the bay.

[A]

Seven. You got how many we got?

[B]

Like 15. Yo, you had to work on your grape catching, Brandy.

[A]

Your bottom teeth kept popping it up.

[B]

All right.

[A]

The mouth.

[B]

Sorry, sorry.

[D]

Okay, that was a warm up.

[B]

All right.

[D]

You're not.

[B]

Who wants to catch a grape?

[A]

Wait. We might kill somebody. I don't trust. I don't trust. Somebody could choke. It's fine if they choke, but we care about them.

[D]

Do not slip on the grapes that are here.

[A]

Okay, we got to move on to what's the next minute to win it.

[D]

All right, Abby, I'm so sorry.

[A]

Me too.

[E]

They.

[B]

Fear not. You have another chance to win it. This one is called the Tissue Box Twerk. This is my favorite game. Have you guys played this with the ping pongs here?

[A]

Careful. Stop eating and let's play. Come on. Come on.

[B]

Everyone's gonna tie a tissue box under their waist. Do not start shaking or moving. I will explain the directions once you get the tissue box on.

[A]

On the back. All right, have you guys seen the tissue box twerk? Tissue box twerk? Have you ever seen soccer players twerk?

[B]

I'm gonna explain. Abby goes.

[A]

Who wins again?

[B]

Okay, I don't think we need these guys. Although they are really good grapes if you guys want some. All right, here's the rules. All four of us have tissue boxes on. I play this with my kids. It's so fun. That's how I thought of this. Okay, so again, it's slay the bay. Slayton, you're on this side. So Danielle and I are going against Brandy and Abby. We have one minute to try and twerk out as many ping pongs out of our tissue box in that one minute that we can. You cannot. I'm talking to you, Bea. You cannot do a handstand or leave your feet. Yeah, move my sweater. Oh, thank you, God. Tuck my sweater in. Tuck my sweater in. Okay. You cannot do a handstand. You cannot. Brandi, I'm talking. It's like it's school. You cannot touch any other tissue box or your own. So get your hands off my tissue box and do not touch Abby's tissue box and try and help her get balls out. All right, the winner is either the first person to clear all their ping pong balls out or to have the least amount of ping pong balls in your tissue box at the end of one minute. Okay, Stretch it out, Dee. I want to be clear. I could be the worst twerker in the business. How do you stretch for twerking?

[A]

I must confess, I do not think my hips work.

[B]

All right, one minute to twerk it out. And you guys are the buzzer at zero. Keep going, keep going. Brittany, you're not doing anything.

[A]

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Oh, yeah, you're clean.

[B]

Honestly, I sp. I. I think I still have 50 balls in my damn ball.

[A]

Yes, you do. And Brandy and I have zero.

[B]

Shut up.

[A]

I'm not going to lie, but evidently, my hips also don't lie, cuz I won that.

[B]

You're.

[A]

I Won it.

[B]

How many do I have? We lost. We lost.

[A]

I think I tied this ribbon on too tight.

[B]

That was what I discovered. I tied it on too tight. I'm blaming the ribbon.

[D]

My heart rate is 175.

[B]

Oh, my God. That was the hardest thing I've ever done, honestly. Okay, you know what? Wait.

[A]

We have to do a tiebreaker.

[B]

Yeah, what was the tiebreaker?

[A]

I forget the tennis ball.

[E]

Oh.

[B]

Okay. Tiebreaker. Real quick. Sorry. We'll get him later, I swear. Okay, this one is blindfolded for sure. Last minute to win a game for all the marbles. Nope, just the people tossing.

[A]

Is there only one? Oh, wait.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Just the people tossing.

[B]

Huh? Ally.

[A]

Are you guys having fun out there? Me, too.

[B]

Okay, here's how it works.

[A]

Glennon doesn't do competition. This is fun.

[B]

Glennon gets very upset at competition.

[A]

She doesn't.

[B]

It's all for fun, Glennon. It's okay. She doesn't like it. Okay, who's blindfolded? Brandi.

[A]

Brandi.

[B]

Okay, Abs, you're gonna have the bucket. Brandy and I are going to stand over here. Okay? B. Come here.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

B.

[A]

But it's a bucket, B.

[B]

It's a bucket, B. I know. Actually, you know what? We're not going to go blindfolded, so no one gets injured, okay? We are going to throw the balls in the air. And, Slayton, you guys cannot touch each other. You cannot touch all these balls, okay? Because we have a narrow stage. But you have to count and catch as many as you can in the bucket. Yeah, they have to stay in. And we got one minute. Are you ready? No touching here. We share the balls. We share. Are you ready? We go one at a time. How much time, party people? How much?

[D]

You got it.

[B]

You got it. D. You got it. D D Slay the bay, baby.

[A]

Slay the babe.

[B]

You got it, Jay. I'm sweating again.

[D]

Damn it.

[B]

I better win. How much time?

[A]

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3.

[B]

Okay. Oh, my gosh. I didn't think I'd sweat this much up here. This is menopause at its finest. Holy hell. If I didn't have this mic on, I'd take it off. Okay, how about we get. I feel confident.

[E]

I feel confident.

[B]

It. That's a lot. Don't even try and steal these over here. I'm not stealing them. I'm just putting them away because I know you'd be tempted. D d you know what let us down. My twerking is what let us down. I mean, look at. I've got a box Full in here. Still pathetic. I'm so sorry, Dee. All right, so one of the things we do is if you lose the minute to win it, you have to wear the party pooper hat. So, Dee, you and I are gonna wear the party pooper hat while we thank our awesome guests. Dee, that's the party.

[A]

Look at them.

[B]

Let's take a party poopers. Every party has a pooper. That's why we invited you. Party poopers. Fearless.

[A]

Hey, Julie. Hey, Julie. What is your record in minute to win it?

[B]

So far, I might be 0 for 4, and I'm not happy about it. Party people. So congratulations. We're gonna do a party pose with the whole crowd in here. Y'. All Give us a party pose. Come together so we can close that party pose.

[A]

Come together if you want to be in this shot.

[B]

Everyone. And I got the point five, so we're going wide. No, I'm not. Hold on.

[D]

Hold on.

[B]

Now I am. Oh, I got you. I got you. Ready? Okay, ready? Party pose. All right, big round of applause for Danielle Slayton and Brandy Chest.

[A]

Hey, we got one more thing. Julie. Julie. We gotta do USA we gotta do USA Our USA chant. This is the chant that our women's national team team plays every single time before we go out on the field. It goes like this. One, two, three. Usa. Usa. Usa. Ah. All right, so join us in. Hands in.

[B]

Brandy. Hey. Hey. I have one thing to say, too. If this is your first time listening to welcome to the Party. We really invite everyone you're formally invited to come to the party. Every Tuesday and Thursdays, our episodes drop. Our goal in all of this, the North Stars we talked about is to celebrate and elevate all these awesome women. So come to the party. We'd love to have you.

[A]

Thanks, Ally, for providing us with this space.

[B]

Huge thank you to Brimmer and Ally and D and B. You know this well.

[A]

USA on 3. 1, 2, 3.

[B]

USA. USA. USA.

[A]

Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the Party is an individual independent production brought to you by Treat Media. Treat Media makes art for humans who want to stay human. Silvertribe is our production partner, and you can also watch our full conversations on the welcome to the party YouTube channel and follow us at welcome to the Party show on Instagram and TikTok.