Welcome to the Party
Episode Title: The Real Story Behind WELCOME TO THE PARTY
Hosts: Abby Wambach (A), Julie Foudy (C), Billie Jean King (B)
Release Date: November 13, 2025
Episode Overview
This high-energy episode of "Welcome to the Party" centers on the podcast’s own origin story—how the three legendary hosts joined forces, their decades-spanning relationships, and the personal, cultural, and historical motivations fueling their mission to elevate women’s sports. With raw honesty, laughter, and inspirational storytelling, Abby, Julie, and Billie Jean King discuss transformative moments, the power of teamwork across generations, and the importance of community—both in sports and beyond.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Podcast Announcements & Community Events
- [00:24] Julie announces that "Welcome to the Party" will be recording live during NWSL Championship weekend (San Jose, Nov 21-22), offering fans access to live tapings, meet-and-greets, and exclusive merch.
- [02:15] Abby highlights an additional party during the NWSL semifinals at Watch Me Sports bar in Long Beach, CA (Nov 16), celebrating the women’s sports community and the importance of communal viewing experiences.
Notable Quote
"It’s the ultimate pregame celebration of women’s sports, party people. So join us there."
— Julie Foudy [01:25]
2. The Origin Story: How the Hosts Came Together
- [04:45] The hosts dive into the background of their collaboration, admitting why they waited to share their story and deciding it’s finally time to "go full narcissism mode."
- [04:55] Abby shares her decision to return to women’s sports after years focused on personal life, inspired by a question from Brandi Carlile:
"'What are you guys obsessed with right now?'... maybe getting obsessed with something is an artist’s way forward, or maybe for athletes too." [06:05]
- She describes the sense of coming home at an Angel City FC game, realizing her passion for women’s sports as community and refuge.
Notable Quote
"Women's sports has been this really unique home for the three of us... where we feel like we're in community."
— Abby Wambach [06:26]
3. The “Universe” Moment: Formation of the Podcast
- [07:42] Abby recounts asking Julie to start a women’s sports podcast, only to discover Julie and Billie Jean King had just discussed the same idea.
- [08:43] Billie Jean King reflects on her lifelong attachment to sports, her family's athletic background, and why joining this project felt right after turning down podcast offers for years:
"This one fits though. It's women's sports. I love you two guys. I mean, let's do this."
— Billie Jean King [09:22]
4. How Julie Met Billie Jean King: A Cross-Generational Legacy
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[10:06] Julie narrates their first meeting nearly 30 years ago at an intimate sports roundtable.
- Billie shares the iconic "Original Nine" story: the $1 contracts that launched professional women's tennis.
"We signed a $1 contract... and that is the birth of women's professional tennis the way you know it today."
— Billie Jean King [11:27] -
Julie draws parallels to soccer's struggles for recognition and pay, recalling Billie's challenge:
"'Foudy, what are you doing about it?' And I, like, sunk back in my seat. I was, like, I don't know..."
— Julie Foudy [12:44]
Notable Quote
"Sometimes you have to be willing to give up something to get something."
— Billie Jean King [14:34]
5. Passing the Torch: The Power of Generational Teams
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[16:04] Abby describes the emotional impact of hearing these stories as a young player, and the importance of sharing them to empower future athletes.
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The hosts emphasize the necessity for multiple generations working together for real change:
"It's not just teams that need to stick together. It's the generations."
— Abby Wambach [17:10] -
Billie explains the challenge of shifting from "we" (first two generations) to "I" (third generation) and the importance of balancing both for sustained progress.
Notable Quote
"...by the third generation, the first two... you'll always hear them say 'we.' And by the third generation, it's usually 'I.' And it's killer."
— Billie Jean King [17:57]
6. Vision Beyond the Field: Representation & Media
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[22:35] Abby underscores the ongoing lack of women in sports media despite rising investment, visibility, and fan interest:
"What's not rising as fast is... availability of women in media so that women's sports can be talked about in a way [that matters]."
— Abby Wambach [24:15] -
The hosts see podcasting as both a form of advocacy and an extension of their leadership off the field—fighting for better representation, opportunities, and narratives.
7. Challenges and Hopes for the Next Generation
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[29:50] Abby warns of complacency:
"My challenge to the current players is to also grab onto the mentality and the belief that they can also improve the game... there's still so much growth to be made..."
— Abby Wambach [30:13] -
Billie stresses understanding the "business" side of every sport—thank the people behind the scenes and learn the industry, not just the athletic craft.
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She notes that engagement declines after each generation and calls for consciousness and gratitude from current athletes.
8. Why Women's Sports is a Movement, Not Just Sports
- [33:24] Julie articulates the difference between women's and men's sports as movements rooted in community, activism, empathy, and hope:
"Women's sports is a movement that is for good... there is light and there is love, and there are all these social and cultural elements that separate us from the men's game in such a beautiful way."
— Julie Foudy [34:04]
9. Closing Reflections: Purpose and Inspiration
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[34:50] Billie offers a heartfelt message that sums up the spirit of the podcast:
"I just want this to... inspire them to be the best they can be and just go for it, you know, just go for it. You deserve it. You deserve the best that life has to offer."
— Billie Jean King [34:56] -
Billie shares the legacy of her iconic match against Bobby Riggs:
"The main thing that happened, because I did beat him, is that women got a lot more self-confidence... It changed everything."
— Billie Jean King [35:20] -
Abby leads a joyful “USA on three” team cheer, marking their collective pride and friendship.
Memorable Quotes
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"It's just been such a joy to be able to do this with you two. It has brought me back to life."
— Abby Wambach [00:07] / [25:36] -
"We have only just begun."
— Abby Wambach [00:17] -
“Not every party. I'm not a party girl. So this is a, this is a good one.”
— Billie Jean King [09:42] -
"You have a blank canvas that you want to build for the next gen. Because you're probably not going to benefit from what you're doing now, right? You're thinking about the next gen."
— Julie Foudy, echoing Billie Jean King [20:00]
Timestamps of Key Segments
- 00:24 – 03:36: Community news and upcoming live event information
- 04:45 – 07:31: Abby's journey back to women's sports and podcast genesis
- 10:06 – 15:47: Julie and Billie Jean King recount their first meeting and advancing player advocacy
- 16:04 – 18:32: The necessity of cross-generational alliances for lasting change
- 22:35 – 25:36: The evolving meaning of women's involvement in sports and the importance of media representation
- 30:14 – 33:24: Challenges for the next generation and the necessity of business acumen in sports
- 33:24 – 34:50: Defining women's sports as a movement; building hope and community
- 34:50 – final: Inspirational closing and call to action for listeners
Tone and Style
The episode is candid, empowering, playful, and motivational. The hosts bounce between humor, nostalgia, and calls for courage—keeping the energy high and the focus always on growth, making a difference, and celebrating women's sports as a platform for change.
Summary Takeaways
- "Welcome to the Party" was born from decades of activism and camaraderie, with a mission far bigger than just sports talk.
- The hosts stress the importance of passing knowledge and courage across generations of athletes for real progress.
- They highlight the unique communal and activist spirit of women’s sports, with a strong call for representation in media, business acumen, and ongoing advocacy.
- Listeners are invited not just to watch or listen, but to become active members of this celebratory and change-making community.
To join the movement, subscribe to the podcast, follow the hosts on social media, and keep showing up—for women’s sports, for each other, and for yourself.