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What's up?
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What's up?
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You wanted to be part of the party as part of the party.
B
Of course I want to be part of this party.
C
Everyone wants a piece of the kinger.
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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.
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It was crazy that like the universe brought the three of us together in that moment.
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It was meant to be.
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I think we have only just begun.
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Wttp, wttp. Wttp.
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Let's go.
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Attention. The party is about.
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Welcome to the party, party people. Before we get going on this episode, we have some fun coming up that we wanted to tell you about. All right, we're taking welcome to the party on the road. That's right. We'll be live during NWSL Championship weekend celebrating the biggest weekend in women's soccer. All thanks to our friends course at Ally and they're building this one of a kind fan experience at championship weekend which is mark your calendars, November 21st and 22nd. It's in San Jose and we'll be there hopefully with you at the Ally House. So on Friday, November 21, we are going to be doing a live taping of welcome to the party again, hopefully surrounded by fans, players and of course, championship energy. And it's going to be all things that we love. Soccer stories, laughter, connection and one incredible weekend. You'll get access to the live podcast tapings, you can do meet and greets with NWSL players, exclusive access to a special merch collaboration with Domo Wells and much more. It's the ultimate pregame celebration of women's sports party people. So join us there. RSP RSVP at the link in the description to be part of the live audience. It's happening so you know, at the Guildhouse in San Jose. So come hang with us and celebrate women's soccer. And as always, thank you to our wonderful partner Ally for putting this on. Ally, do it right.
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Okay. Also, Jules, I have to say this.
C
You're whispering. Also, I love it.
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Also thanks to our friends at ALLY again because we're hanging out with again at Watch Me Sports bar in Long Beach, California on Sunday, November 16th while we are watching the semifinals. That's right, WSL playoffs, folks. We are very excited. Come and watch. It's gonna Gotham noon. Yeah, Very excited. It Bring your beach chairs. Don't forget to bring your beach chairs. Bring your. Bring your appetites. Bring your loud voices. Yeah. Come hang out with us in this wonderful community. It's going to be outdoors it's gonna be an awesome screen. It's gonna be cheering, celebrating, partying, and basically all of us showing up for women's sports together. And as always, we couldn't do this without our dream team sponsor, Ally Financial. Ally is literally bringing women's sports fans an opportunity to watch women's sports live with Legends of the Game. Their words, not mine. And we also have a special guest. Savvy King is going to be joining us. So come and hang out with us so we can all watch women's sports together.
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What's up, party people? I'm Julie Foudy.
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I'm Abby Wambach.
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And I'm Billie Jean King. Kinger.
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Kinger. Kinger's with us.
C
Kinger. We were all doing an interview the other day with like a pre interview for the Today show when we did all our media stuff and we realized as we were giving the origin story of the podcast and then how Kinger And I met 30 years ago, the producer was like, have you told this story on the pod? This is really good.
A
Yeah.
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And we were like, oh, there you go.
C
We were like, no, we haven't yet.
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Actually, we probably should.
C
So we decided today is the day we are giving the origin story of.
B
Excellent.
C
The three of us met how the podcast started and we felt it was a little too self serving and narcissistic to do it early on. And we wanted to show you how the podcast was actually gonna work instead of talk about ourselves. But now we're going full narcissism mode and we're gonna just talk about us.
B
At least we know it.
C
No, we.
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I think we.
C
It's important to hear that too. It is. It is a really good story. So Abs, why don't you start us off to how we actually got the podcast started and then we'll rewind from there.
A
The pod squad and now this, this listener base. The party people knows that I've kind of taken a step back from sports for like the last 10 years. I really wanted to understand what professional sports was and also I really wanted to dedicate myself to the best wife and parent that I possibly could. And I didn't want to travel as much. And a lot of times sports does require travel. And our college, our youngest is actually also going to college in like eight months. And I'm like, well, what the hell am I going to do after my youngest leaves? And you know, ever since, quite honestly, ever since November, I've been feeling a little bit like a fish out of water. Like, I don't know. Where to turn. I don't know how to feel better. I'm feeling, like, stress. Like, the world is feeling a little unmanageable. And so I really feel like I wanted to get back into women's sports, because that's the place that has felt the most like home to me. And actually, recently, our friend Brandi Carlisle, she asked Glennon a question that really kind of floored me. She just basically said, like, what are. What are you guys obsessed with right now? And I think there's so much fear and division and chaos that maybe getting obsessed with something is, like an artist's way forward, but also maybe the athletes, right? And so when I went to my very first Angel City game this last year, it's the first time my body felt like, ooh, I can breathe again. And women's sports has been this really unique home for the three of us, but it's, like, not just about where we get our identity. It's, like, where we feel like we're in community. Right. I think that sports in general is this great equalizer. You can be in a community of people, and nobody knows necessarily how the other one voted. But what we're doing here in this specific moment when we're watching women's sports is we're like, we're. We're agreeing that this is the thing that we're focused on. This is the thing that we're cheering for. Whether we're cheering against each other or not doesn't matter. So I was driving to an Angel City FC game earlier this year, and I. I told Glennon. I was like, look, I want to. I want to dive back into the women's sports world, and I think maybe I want to start a women's sports podcast. And she was like, oh, that's so cool and interesting. So fast forward.
C
Yay for Glenn and saying, so cool and interesting.
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Very good, Glenn. And you said the right thing. Excellent partnership.
C
What if she would have said, that's crazy? No.
A
So fast forward 30 minutes, and I find Julie and Billie Jean King sitting alone, having a moment. So, basically, I just, like, walked up to Julie, and I was like, jules, do you want to start a women's sports podcast with me and Jules? What did you say?
C
I was like, that's crazy. Kinger and I were just talking about that, and literally, like, in this weirdly calm, quiet moment, which you never get with Billie Jean King, because everyone wants a piece of the Kinger at all times, right? They all want to say hello to her. They want to take pictures with her. And King, remember you, me and Alana are sitting there, your wife, and we're having this conversation like quietly about just life and podcasting. And then Abby, as she does as a puppy, she comes bouncing in, is like, what's up?
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What's up? I remember that.
C
So it was crazy that like the universe brought the three of us together in that moment.
B
It was meant to be, I think. Yeah, yeah, for sure. We're having fun. That's the main thing. I think for me personally, people are everything. So this is wonderful. And being in women's sports. Being in sports, you know, I had a younger brother, was a professional baseball player. I've been in sports and my dad was basketball, my mother was swimming. I mean, it's like I love being in sports. But women's sports has taken a long time for us to be appreciated and recognized. So this for me personally is a real gift.
C
Why, why did you want to get into podcasting, Kinger? Because I know people have asked you.
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To do it before.
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I know.
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I mean everyone I've been For the last 15 years, I've thought about it, I've talked to many people, I've talked to producers. They want me to do one and I just, eh, this one fits though. It's women's sports. I love you two guys. I mean, let's do this.
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It's one.
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It's great.
C
You wanted to be part of the party. As part of the party.
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Of course I want to be part of this party. Not every party. I'm not a party girl. So this is a, this is a good one.
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You are.
C
Well, and that's the thing that also people may not realize is I've known Kinger for, gosh, 30 years. So I'm just going to share that, that side of the story.
A
Yeah, you got to tell the story of how you guys first met. Jules, this is too good.
C
And I don't, I've never, I don't know if I've ever told it to you. I've always told it to other people. So I'm curious on your reaction to some of this. And maybe I'm just making half of this up because I. But like so about 30 years ago, Kinger and I think like mid-90s, right, I got invited, I have no idea because I'm like, you know, 23, 24 and I get invited to this small day long roundtable of all these badass women in sports from different sports. But of course there's Billie Jean King and honestly, Kinger, there was only like 10 of us around the table.
B
Right.
C
It was like a really small, tiny discussion.
B
It's really tiny. And Donovan, I think, right?
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Yeah. With.
C
With Spalding.
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Right.
C
So I don't know how I got invited, but I was lucky enough to get invited. And Kinger is telling this story about how women's tennis broke away with your $1 contracts. What did you call that? King called it the roundtable of nine. Or what did you call that?
B
Original nine. There was nine players, and we called ourselves the 09. The original nine. We were willing to get suspended everything to start women's professional tennis. So we signed a $1 contract with Gladys Hellman, who's publisher of World Tennis Magazine. She knew everyone, and she goes, well, I can't afford you guys. I said, come on, Gladys, just ask for $1. She says, you'll do it for that. I said, of course. I'll give you the $9. Come on, let's do this. So there's an iconic photo of us holding up a $1 bill, and that is the birth of women's professional tennis the way you know it today.
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Yeah.
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And it's like the players today probably don't know that, but I just. We're all still alive, so we really appreciate that moment. We had the guts.
C
You gotta reenact that photo.
B
You can do that. We did get suspended, by the way, from our national organization. And it's. It's been a rough ride. It was really rough for a long time.
C
So Kinger is telling.
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So here we are.
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Kinger's telling me this story. And now I had been on the national team probably, like, seven, eight years because we got on really young. And our sick. We were 16 years old when we got on. Mia was 15. Christine Lilly was 16 as well. So we had been trying to get things to change. And as she's telling this story, I'm like, oh, my gosh, this is our story. This is what we went through. And what you realize later, as a more veteran type of female athlete is like, every athlete is. Go. Female athlete has gone through this story that Billy is talking about. Right. But the amazing thing is, is I said, kinger, this is us. And we can't get anyone to change. And I don't know what to do. And, like, we've tried, and we're still getting $10 a day per diem. And she looked at me, doesn't know me that well. We've just met. She's like, foudy, what are you doing about it? And I, like, sunk back in my seat. I was Like, I don't know.
B
No, but we started talking about it. Then when it started to. It started to work. I mean, you guys did. I mean, you did it. That's why these kids have all these.
C
Opportunities because of you.
A
I know. Julie, tell her what happened right after that conversation you had with Billy. Yeah.
C
She's like, you. You get the team together. You say, enough is enough. You have a voice. You have the power. And it's like, we do have the power.
B
Yes, we do.
C
Why haven't we been doing this? So, literally, the very next day, we're flying in to a National Team camp where we're gonna actually sign another $10 contract. Talk about, again, the universe and timing.
A
$10 a day. $10 a day contract, $10 a day.
C
You should be grateful for that, by the way. They kept telling us, you should be happy that you even have a USA Women's National Team, because a lot of countries don't. They don't even let girls play. Should girls even be playing? And three, like, shut up and sit down. And Kinger was like, no, no, no. Do not shut up. You get the team together and you do not sign this contract. And the best thing about Kinger is she could have been like, hey, kid, good luck. It's a long road, and never talk to me again. Instead, Kinger would check in, like, every two weeks and be like, where are you? How are you? How can I help Kinger? Do you remember that?
B
Yes, I remember talking to him. And sometimes you call me at 11 o' clock at night and go, kinger, help. It's like 11pm I'm like, oh, great.
C
I didn't understand. Time changes.
B
I don't even know. I didn't know if you had. If you're available, I couldn't to call you back. I didn't know what to do. But the thing I remember saying is, and I say this to everybody, sometimes you have to be willing to give up something to get something. And I remember I talked to you about that, and you guys were. You were ready, okay? If we don't get what we want, we're not playing well. That means you're giving up a lot. Or are you? Those are questions you really have to ask yourself. But you guys, you and the others have done such a amazing job of making sure you got the players really together. And it was more than. Remember, we talked about, you have to get more than one generation together. And that's where Abby. Kids, Abby was a future star. So you got her and you got others like Mia and The others to go along with it. And if they didn't, if the superstars of at least two generations. And Julie was so unbelievable, you got three generations organized for when you guys later were fighting to change things. But, well, it's a long road and you've got to be willing to stick together through thick and thin. And that is. It's always about people. It's always about people. It's not. It's the people that make the difference. And you guys did it.
A
And that's why it was so important, because, you know, Julie and I, we've done some interviews together recently, and while Julie is telling these stories, I can remember what my body felt like in the meal rooms when she was originally telling me these stories.
B
Really what did it feel like?
A
It was like, well, first of all, I had full body chills because to hear a story that has any tangential connection to Billie Jean King, that, like, I myself am sitting here in a way that you also helped organize and orchestrate, Billy, like, that was like, so empowerful and empowering to me and important. But it was really important because Julie was telling me the story. Not just so that I knew, but like you said, Billy, for that next generation to also carry on this legacy, knowing full well that this was just the beginning of a fight, not the end of the fight. And so I listened to Julie and every story that Julie and. And the senior players on the team tell, and I embodied it. And I passed that, that, that down to the next generation who ended up becoming the ones that signed the equal pay deal with U. S Soccer, right? So to me, it's like when we found ourselves in the same room at this angel city game discussing whether we could do this or not. It felt like so kismet and just it was meant to be. Because, Julie, you started, you were brave enough to go, and you got invited to go sit with Billy. You were brave enough to talk to Billy. Billy was brave enough and smart enough to give you the right feedback. Julie was brave enough to get on a plane the next day and go tell and confront the girls on the team and say, no, we cannot sign this contract. And then also continually fighting with U.S. soccer and passing the, the. The story down. This is why it matters. It's not just teams that need to stick together. It's the generations. Billy, I think what you just said is like, so important that generationally, you need to have a couple of generations that stick together collectively in order to get something done in the third generation.
B
Yes, you do. And by the third Generation, the first two. First two generations, usually you'll always hear them say we. And by the third generation, it's usually I. And it's killer, you know, for me, that's seeing all these different generations. It's. Sometimes it's tough when I go, oh.
A
But maybe it's a byproduct. Maybe it's a byproduct of the first two generations needing to say we. And the third generation has more freedom and power that they then they then also can say, I think we need to have both the ability to say I and we.
B
Correct. You have to have both. Because if you just continue with the I, particularly you guys have at least a team sport. When we have individuals, can you imagine see my job to get tennis to change? I made all of the women of women to feel like we're a team. Every single player I had to get together. That's hard to do because otherwise you can. Otherwise you can say, well, it's individual. Who cares? I got them to care about each other and about each. You know, and include whole. Nother challenge was the non US Players said, all you do is care about the US because that's where we started our tour. I said, no, the vision is global. And they didn't believe me. And so in 73, when we were starting the Women's Tennis association, we're 60 women in a room. This flash came on when we were choosing the board. I said, oh, and by the way, we have to have five continents represented on the board. And everybody, the non Americans, you could just see and go, okay, it is a global vision. It's not just a US Vision. Because I kept saying, we're just starting in the US but it's a global vision. And that moment when I said we had to have five continents on the board, then we're on our ways as, you know, as a unit. Instead of like, oh, they didn't believe. Oh, my gosh, I can't believe.
C
You know, you used to say that to me all the time, Kinger. And that I would pass on to the team all the time is you would say, listen, Julie, 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. What do you want the program and the sport to look like? And that was the thing that was our North Star. The whole time is like, hey, look, this is probably not going to be for us, but unless we leave this sport in a Better place for the next generation coming through. And the next generation. Right then we really haven't done our work here. And equally important is you said to me, you, you have a voice. And that was the inspiration and catalyst I needed to say, shit, yes, I do. Why wasn't I thinking that way? Right? Like, you gave me the freedom to say, speak up and get them all together and get the team together. And so for that, I'm also eternally grateful because I'm not sure I would have got there on my own.
B
Well, we don't get there on our own. See, I love history. And the reason I was able to do what I did is because of history. And the more you know about history, the more you know about yourself. But more importantly, it helps you shape the future. And because I read the history of tennis, I knew. Oh, God, I knew every champion. I have met every champion since the 20s. So it covers about 100 years. And they all taught me something. They all teach you. And a lot of times young people don't want to talk to anybody, and they need to listen to stories you learn. I mean, I have learned so much from so many people through the years, and the champions, and they all teach me something, and they teach me also about tennis at the same time. They teach me about through their stories. But what they tell me on the court or around about tennis, because I always ask them, I go, do you have anything you want to tell me about the sport? Like, can I do this better or that better? And technique? And, you know, I'm driving crazy. So my mom and dad always used to tell me to stop asking questions. So, no, they used to call me curious.
A
I think one of the things. One of the other things that I've been obsessed with as Brandy Carlisle, our friend in.
B
Invites us, she's a great friend, actually. She's a wonderful person.
A
She's really, really special. You should all actually go and. And get her new album out. Returning to myself. It's so good.
B
It's really good. We just saw her. We just saw her in London a few months ago. Unbelievable.
A
Okay, great. So the way that I think about women's sports has evolved and has. Has expanded as time has gone on, because, you know, when you're a player, your world is a little bit smaller and more finite. Like, this is the stuff that I can control. And then when you retire, you get to the. You you get seemingly on the outside of women's sport. But what I'm trying to do and what we're. Us three are trying to do is while we expand in our retirements from our sport, I want to create more possibility and opportunity for more women athletes to be continued, to be invested in women's sports and to be included in women's sports. The media coverage of women's sports is far less than the men's media coverage for men's sports. Media personalities, talents, hosts, guests on podcasts are far less than it is for men's sports. So for me, it's like, okay, there's so much growth that's happening within the sport, which is incredible, right? More viewership, more sponsorship dollars, more. More. Higher valuations for teams, more women's teams, more women's leagues. All of these things are rising over here. And what's not rising as fast is the need. The. Not the need, it's the. The. The ability and the availability of women in media so that women's sports can be talked about in a way. And I think that that is something that this is a need that we are trying to serve, to be able to talk about women's sports, interview folks that are in women's sports. And also we're talking about sports, right? It's not necessarily just women's sports. We also are going to be talking about, you know, men's sports along the way. But I think having women talking about sports is one of the most important representations that we can do. We did it on the field, and we're now trying to do it in the media landscape because I do think it matters on who is narrating or analyzing or commenting on the sports that we're watching. And I think that we three have a unique perspective that I want to keep alive. You know, I think that women athletes have. Sometimes we get locked into thinking that we are only good for what's happening on the field, but there's just so much more available that we can be involved in. And staying involved in women's sports is something that has brought me back to life this year. I know that you all have been kind of always involved in women's sports pretty much your whole lives and not really taken much time off, but I've just been so tickled about getting back, like, really diving back in and learning about all these. These new awesome icons and talent. You know, raising kids is not easy either, but it's just been such a. It's just been such a joy to be able to do this with you, too. It has brought me back to life. Like, there is a part of me that. That wasn't coming out, that wasn't Expressing itself. And so just getting back into this with you, you two has been so fun.
B
That's great, man. Thanks a lot. That was really good. This is fun. I love this.
C
This show is sponsored by MIDI Health and Abs. You know this well, but for most of my career, I. I thought I understood my body. I trained it, I pushed it, I listened to it sometimes, most of the times I listened to it, but I had no idea that the changes were coming with perimenopause and menopause. And suddenly I was like, what is happening to my body?
A
Same.
C
And that playbook of, you know, listening to it and training it and all that thing, it didn't work at all. All of a sudden I was like, what is happening? And that's where MIDI comes in. They're literally rewriting the rules for women's health, and they're making things like expert care accessible. It's covered by insurance. It's designed specifically. And this will sound so good to so many women because they know how hard this is. It's designed, it's designed specifically for this chapter of life. And with midi, you can meet virtually with clinicians who actually understand what's happening in your body, which is really important. That helps understanding what's happening and who can help with everything from hormones and sleep to energy to mood and weight management. And I really believe this, that feeling strong shouldn't stop at any age. And with midi, you get the care you deserve to keep showing up for your life on your terms. So are you ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit join MIDI.com today to book your personalized insurance covered virtual Visit. That's join midi.comm I d I MIDI the care women deserve.
A
It's actually wild how much control we finally have over understanding our own health. Between sleep trackers, step counters, and now continuous glucose monitors, it feels like our bodies are finally giving us the inside scoop. And lately I have been using signals to track my glucose in real time. And honestly, it is totally changed how I think about my energy. I'll notice a spike after pasta, take a short walk and watch it even out like magic. And I've started sleeping better too, Jules. So it feels like a total bonus. I wasn't expecting. Cygnos uses an AI powered app and a continuous glucose monitor to show exactly how your food, workouts and even stress levels affect your body. Cygnos took the guesswork out of managing my weight and gave me personalized insights into how my body works. With an AI powered app and biosensor Cygnos helped me build healthier habits and stick with them. Right now, Cygnos has an exclusive offer for our listeners. Go to cygnos.com that's s I g n o s.com and get $10 off select plans with code welcome to the party spelled as one word. That's Psygnos.com code welcome to the party spelled as one word for $10 off select plans today. I'm going to get it right now, folks. You do too. One of the things that I think is also really important to talk about when, when we talk about representation and this idea of the generations, one worry I really have is this next generation who have seemingly won. Right. Like women's soccer, U.S. soccer now has equal pay. And it seems like there's a vibe that women's sports has made it. We have only just begun. And my challenge to the current players is to also grab onto the mentality and the belief that they can also improve the game. That, that there is still so much growth to be made that like Billy says to, to buy into this we mentality, you know. Yes, there are some players that are making so much more money than we ever could have dreamed of making. Truly. Right. In one season.
B
But that day.
A
In one day, exactly. But that doesn't mean the, the whole of women's sports is in the same place as that one athlete. So we have to really think about what are we doing this for, where, where are still the growth opportunities? Because there's so many opportunities for women's sports to continue to get even more and more popular and to get players more financial stability and better treatment and better health care and more popularity, more visibility, better broadcasting deals, like all of these things, we still have a far way to go.
B
It's really important that every athlete, no matter where they're at, tries to make it better for the future or tomorrow, even, whatever. And because when people are talking about athletes, this is a really good monitor. When I listen, okay, let's say I'm listening to women's sports, but they use a male example of the greatness, you know, the top male athletes, or if I'm listening to men's sports or around it personally, when we're around men's sports, we fade into the background. They don't even acknowledge really that much, which is irritating because they all get acknowledged when they, no matter where they go. Okay. And I want that for women, but I also, I want women to realize we're just beginning. And we, we are so in our infancy. And when Players, particularly tennis players, come up to me, well, what should I do? I go, learn the business you're in. If you're in soccer, learn the business, learn the rules from a league point of view, talk to owners, what they go through. I cannot tell you how many times I talked to a tennis player. And I'll go, well, did you play the tournament? Where were you? Oh, I was in Hong Kong or someplace. I said, well, did. Do you get paid? And they go, of course I got paid. Like, which was a problem with us. We never knew if we're gonna get paid or not. And they go. I go, well, do you thank the owners or promoters of the tournament? And they go. They look at me like, what are you talking about? I said, well, someone worked all year long to put that tournament on for you. And if it's soccer, they're constantly working on the team to make it better. You know, off season, they're constantly working on it. Well, it's the same thing in every sport. And I said, do you ever ask them how they're doing or how they did or did they make money also because you made your check, did they make money or did they lose money? And they look at me like, what? So I want. I want athletes and non athletes, I mean, people that aren't professional athletes or business people or whatever, or sponsors or whatever, to get connected to us and to be like a team with us. And it's really hard, though. And the athletes, as each generation goes by, it gets worse, not better. And you think it would get better because they'd know more, but actually they don't need to know anymore. They're just making the big check. They're worrying about their own empire and whatever they're doing. And they have agents. Agents are good and bad. They can be the worst or they can be really helpful, but they're. It's getting worse. It's getting harder with the agents. So it's like, it's not easy. But I want the players, all the athletes to understand the business you're in, because also, do you want to stay in your sport when you're finished?
C
I also understand, which is what I think this podcast is going to do in our hope is that women's sports is so much more than just an athlete or a league or a person. Right. Women's sports is a movement that is for good, and there is light and there is love, and there is all these social elements and cultural elements that I think separate us from the men's game in such a beautiful way. Because we care deeply, because we've had to fight deeply for our rights or for equality and inclusion and all these things. And I hope we never lose that. And I know this podcast will never lose that because that is in our three beings. And that those are the stories we're gonna tell is. It's not gonna be necessarily. And that's why I. I want our community to keep growing because of the light and the hope that it will provide. And you don't have to be a hardcore sports fan to listen in, because it's like, oh, I'm learning something about life and about people and about humanity by listening in to this podcast. And I think that's the point that I'm most excited about making with this podcast, is, yes, it's gonna be about women's sports, but it's really gonna be about community. It's going to be about making our community.
B
It's totally community.
C
Yeah, right. And that's what the three of us have done and that we're going to continue to do, which is really cool.
B
Well, I hope the people love us and like us and learn from us, and I hope more than anything that it helps them.
C
They're going to help.
B
It helps them in their life. No, but it helps them in their life. Whatever they're going through, whatever you're going through, mentally or emotionally or physically, I just want this to be a help to them and 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. I agree. Just, you know, go for it. I know when I played Bobby Riggs, that's the one thing that came out of the match. Most of you are too young to even know it. This was a match I played back in the old days against a guy. And it was a big deal about social change. But the main thing that happened, because I did beat him, is that the women got a lot more self confidence. They came up to me. You cannot believe how many women came up to me. These older people now say, I've had such a great life because of that moment. It changed everything. And so for that, it was worth it. And then men, how it affected them was they started to think about their daughters especially. And President Obama was 12 when he saw it. He said, you know what? Watching that match really changed me, he said, and raising two daughters, it really helped because it made me stop and think. Of course, he was amazing about it and he gets it. But all these guys have Come up through the years and they go, you know what? I want my daughter to have the same as my son. And I never really thought about it until now, and that helped. But these grandkids are still doing reports on this. It's hilarious because the parents are always in the background. If I'm doing it virtually and I can't see them or I'm just talking to them, they'll go, I can hear the parent, ask her this, ask her that. And the kids, 10 years old. It's hilarious. The parents are. I feel like saying, put your parents on. It's like, it's so funny with these kids. No, but it's so important to keep sharing stories to help each other. No, but you hope they have a lasting. You want a lasting consequence. You want generations. You don't want just. But you never know how you're going to touch another person's heart or whatever. Oh, you gotta have fun. You gotta have fun along the way. If you don't have fun, you gotta have the fun. Absolutely. You gotta have the fun, the love.
C
Everyone is officially invited to the Paw Tay.
B
And while you're at it, yo, come on. W.
C
So don't. First, don't forget to subscribe to the welcome to the party YouTube channel. And so you can actually see us and see Kinger's sweet glasses and jackets. I put on my king of red red glasses today.
B
Oh, thank you. Sweet.
C
Click that little bell icon so you can get updates when new episodes go live as well.
A
Yeah. And if you just take a second, we would really appreciate it. You can just go rate, leave a comment and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spot or wherever you get your.
B
Tell us what you want. You guys, tell us what you want. This is for you, not us. Well, it's for us, too, because we have fun, but it's really for you. We always. We're always concerned. Are we helping you or are you having fun? Are you connecting?
A
Billy?
B
Have you been all the things that really matter?
A
Bill, you got to go to the Apple podcast app and read the comments that people are saying. It's so.
B
I know I have to.
A
Awesome. It's so great.
C
It'll make your day.
B
Have they told us what they want? They're like, they're having fun. They're liking it. Good.
C
They said they walk and they smile, which is what we exactly want. So. All right. Did you already say to follow us on TikTok and Instagram? Abigail? You did, right. Welcome to the party show. Oh, keep going, keep going. I got you. We're Julie.
A
We're.
C
We're Abby. Billy and I will bring the party straight to your feed. You can also email us to tell us what you love or don't love. We love to hear what you love more than don't love, but you can tell us both. We're athletes. We can take it all. Party people, questions, gmail.com.
A
Bring it in. I'm gonna. I'm gonna break us down. Hands in here, Billy. We're gonna do USA on three. And all I'm gonna say before that is this is one of the greatest joys and prides of my whole career to be able to do this work with you. And I love you both very much. USA on three.
C
Love you back.
B
Two, three. Give me the ball.
A
Welcome to the Party is an independent production brought to you by Treat Media. Treat Media makes art for humans who want to stay human. Silver Tribe 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.
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
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.
"It’s the ultimate pregame celebration of women’s sports, party people. So join us there."
— Julie Foudy [01:25]
"'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]
"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]
"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]
[10:06] Julie narrates their first meeting nearly 30 years ago at an intimate sports roundtable.
"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]
"Sometimes you have to be willing to give up something to get something."
— Billie Jean King [14:34]
[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.
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.
"...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]
[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.
[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.
She notes that engagement declines after each generation and calls for consciousness and gratitude from current athletes.
"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]
[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.
"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]
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.
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.