The Tough Love Behind a #1 Pick

Summary

Podcast Summary: Welcome to the Party

Episode: The Tough Love Behind a #1 Pick

Date: May 7, 2026
Host: Treat Media
Guests: Az Fudd (WNBA #1 Pick, Dallas Wings), Katie Fudd (Former WNBA Player, Coach, Az’s Mom)
Other Hosts: Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, Billie Jean King (mentioned/highlighted, not present in main interview)

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Overview

This episode celebrates the start of the WNBA season and Mother’s Day by bringing together one of the league's most unique duos—Az Fudd, the 2026 #1 WNBA pick, and her mother Katie Fudd, a former WNBA draftee herself. Soccer icons Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy dig into the nuances of "mothering"—both literally and as a form of energy/community—before getting into women's sports business, WNBA storylines, and an openhearted, funny and raw conversation with Az and Katie about tough love, recovery, and the dynamics of parent-as-coach while raising an elite athlete.
The episode is high-energy, insightful, and full of memorable moments for athletes, parents, and women’s sports fans alike.

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Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Redefining Motherhood (00:00–12:35)

• Abby Wambach opens with a heartfelt perspective on the broad nature of mothering, acknowledging the mix of joy and pain tied to Mother's Day.
• The hosts share who “mothered” them in life, from teammates to Billie Jean King (“the fairy god-sports-mother of all of us” — Abby, 06:10), infusing warmth and recognition for all kinds of caregivers.
• Quote:
  “I don’t think mothering is an identity that you are or you aren’t, but that it’s more of an energy that you release or you don’t. ... We can be mothered by anyone, and we can mother anyone.” — Glennon Doyle, paraphrased by Abby Wambach (03:55)
• Julie and Abby share appreciation for their own mothers (“Fruity Judy”) and reflect on parenthood's emotional rollercoaster (“I never knew I could love something as much as I love my kids.” — Julie, 09:58).
• Shout-outs to “bonus parents” and the complex feelings that come with non-biological parenting.

Timestamps

• Abby on the definition of mothering: 02:31–04:15
• Glennon Doyle quote: 03:56–04:07
• Julie on “other mothers”: 04:44

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2. Women’s Hoops & WNBA Business Explosion (12:35–27:06)

• Julie highlights the story of Debbie Antonelli’s 24-hour free-throw marathon, blending competitive grit with maternal inspiration and service for the Special Olympics.
  • Quote:
    “Debbie will make 100 free throws every hour for 24 hours... her free throw percentage in those seven years is 93%.” — Julie Foudy (14:03)
• The hosts discuss an unprecedented WNBA offseason: collective bargaining drama, star trades (Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark), and expansion teams.
• They spotlight the growth of women’s sports as business:
  • Golden State Valkyries attain a $1B valuation (first for a women’s team).
  • WNBA teams average $460M in value.
  • Leagues capitalize on TV deals and superstar profiles.
• Abby and Julie name their favorite storylines (“How do leagues make the leap to the next level?” — Abby, 18:36), including the Dallas Wings (Az’s team), Indiana’s resurgence, and the bittersweet breakup of the “Stud Buds” player duo.

Timestamps

• Debbie Antonelli story: 12:35–15:15
• WNBA growth: 15:48–23:01
• Dallas Wings and sponsorship: 19:18–21:04

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3. Interview: Az Fudd & Katie Fudd – Tough Love, Resilience, and Family Dynamics (32:07–59:13)

Transition to Interview

• Julie introduces Az and Katie, highlighting their shared history as the second-ever WNBA mother-daughter duo, Az’s resilience through injuries, Katie’s coaching legacy, and their commitment to community and youth sports (29:57–32:07).

Az on Transitioning to Pro Ball

• Dallas has exceeded Az’s expectations on and off the court:
  “I’m loving everything, everyone. Yeah, I’m having a great time.” — Az Fudd (32:34)
• Biggest change: Learning independence (no more team meals, managing own routines, “figuring out what I want to eat”—Az, 33:12).

Mother’s Day Traditions & Parent-Child Closeness

• Katie and Az enjoy farmers markets; no strict Mother’s Day tradition due to busy schedules, but value “forced hangouts.” (35:26)
• Memorable Mom Quote:
  “You can...throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. But you know, there’s nothing like seeing your kids achieve their dreams.” — Katie Fudd (37:20)

On Az’s Journey & Setbacks

• Az and Katie detail the mental toughness required after injuries and setbacks.
  “People ask like, if you could change anything, would you? ... I’d love to say yes, but no, because I’ve grown so much through that process.” — Az Fudd (41:45)
• Katie’s “tough front” for her daughter; embracing bonus family time during Az’s recoveries.
• Quote:
  “If I acted crushed...then that’s how she’s going to act and that’s how she’s going to take it. So you feel bad for yourself for 24 hours and then...focus and move forward.” — Katie Fudd (42:40)

The Parent-Coach Dynamic (Tough Love)

• Katie on being "tough" yet supportive:
  • She coached Az from the youngest age, kept standards high:
    “I was a coach who has a kid. I’m not a coach because I have a kid.” — Katie (47:49)
    “I just want to let you guys know, you all suck.” — Katie (in practice reality-check, 49:27)
    “Did you actually say suck?” — Julie (49:29)
    “Yeah, 100%.” — Az (49:34)
  • Parent check-ins: “If you’re going to play travel, you want me to put the effort in...then you have to put the effort in. And until you tell me otherwise, it’s my job to push you—not in a mean way...” — Katie (50:19)
  • Sports as preparation for life:
    “If you spent 10 minutes a day working on your ball handling...a year from now...you won’t be significantly better at something?” — Katie (51:51)
• Balance of pressure and support:
  “We never—I can’t believe we didn’t fight growing up with you coaching me...it tells you how driven Az was… you have to have that drive at a young age.” — Julie (60:56)

On Jerseys & Legacy

• Az explains her choice of #35 (“Mom’s number”), and Katie’s backstory:
  “I wanted 33, Larry Bird, but that was taken...Reggie Lewis wore 35, and he had passed away from a heart condition, so I wore it.” — Katie (55:11)
• Generational pride:
  “I was able to have a mom and a coach and a role model all in one person.” — Az (46:29)

Quick-fire "Party Poppers" Game Highlights (56:03–58:53)

• “Who wins at HORSE?” — Katie: “I’m a better [HORSE player].” (57:01)
• “Who is more nervous before games?” — Az: “Honestly, that might be you.” (57:17)
• “Who wants the game winning shot at the buzzer more, in your primes?” — Both point at themselves but Katie says, “Depends on the shot. She’s a better shooter. I think I was a better scorer.” (58:22–58:59)

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4. Closing Reflections (58:59–62:43)

• Abby and Julie discuss mutual admiration for the Fudd family’s “tough but loving” dynamic and note the rarity of such healthy coach-parent-athlete relationships.
• Abby commits:
  “Ay, obviously, best of luck. You’re the team that I’m gonna be rooting for. I’m gonna get a [Fudd] jersey and I’m gonna rock that shit.” (59:13)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The first Party Rule is: have a sh*t ton of fun.”
• “Mothering is an energy. It’s not a gender or a role.” (Abby, 06:10)
• “Give me the ball. Give me the ball.” — (Abby, Julie, and collective, [27:06])
• “Seeing your kids live out their dreams—it’s really fun.” (Katie, 37:20)
• “We all need to check in: How much do you want this still? Can we keep pushing?” (Julie, 61:18)
• “Ten minutes a day — and you’re better in a year. That’s life, that’s doable.” (Katie, 51:51)
• “You all suck.” (Katie, on reality checks in youth coaching, 49:27)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment/Highlight | |----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Redefining motherhood and what it means to mother | | 12:35 | Debbie Antonelli’s free throw marathon story | | 15:48 | WNBA business growth, news, team valuations | | 19:17 | Dallas Wings, sponsorship, making star athletes | | 32:07 | Interview: Az and Katie Fudd introductions | | 33:08 | Az’s transition to pro life and independence | | 37:12 | Katie on watching Az grow, the “team” journey | | 41:45 | Az’s injury, setbacks, family support | | 46:29 | Parent-coach dynamic: tough love, expectations | | 49:27 | “You all suck”—Katie’s coaching philosophy | | 51:51 | “Ten minutes a day is all you need” | | 54:38 | Why Az wears #35—family legacy | | 56:03 | “Party Poppers” rapid-fire game | | 58:59 | Final thoughts, admiration from Abby & Julie |

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Tone, Style, and Takeaways

The episode is fast-paced, genuine, and alternates between humor (banter, “y’all suck”), nostalgia (mothers’ tributes), technical insight (WNBA business/athlete development), and sincere emotional reflection.
It celebrates the hard, sometimes awkward, but deeply rewarding aspects of both motherhood and elite sport—emphasizing that excellence comes from honesty, resilience, tough love, and genuine family support.

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For listeners who missed the episode:
Expect laughter, a few parenting gut-checks, business lessons, and a fresh appreciation for how women’s sports—and families—work hard and play hard, together. This one’s for every athlete, parent, coach, and fan who’s ever navigated the highs, the lows, and the stubborn, loving search for greatness.

Transcript

[Katie Fudd]

You know, there's nothing like seeing your kids achieve their dreams and live out their dreams. They walked into practice with, like, these smiles on their faces like, yeah, we've done something. And I was like, hey, I just want to let you guys know you all suck.

[Julie Foudy]

Did you actually say suck?

[Az Fudd]

Yeah, 100%.

[Abby Wambach]

Do you guys do anything special for Mother's Day?

[Az Fudd]

I can't share my plans.

[Katie Fudd]

She can't share them because she doesn't know them. Attention.

[Abby Wambach]

The party is about to commence.

[Julie Foudy]

Welcome to the party. What's up, party people? I'm Julie Foudy.

[Abby Wambach]

And I'm Abby Wambach. Hi, Julie Foudy.

[Julie Foudy]

Hi, Abigail. How are you? Pinch poke, gummy coke. We. I'm excited because we have WNBA season starting tomorrow.

[Abby Wambach]

So exciting. Friday, so exciting. A whole new era begins.

[Julie Foudy]

And happy Mother's Day almost. And we figured that the perfect way to celebrate both WNBA season tipping off and. And Mother's Day is why not get the perfect guest in AZ Fudd and her mom, Katie Fudd. Yes. Because in the pair party people, I don't know if you know this. We've got one of the only two mother daughter duos to be drafted ever in the WNBA. On the show today. Clap 8, 4, 8 Z FUD going number one in this year's 2026 draft. And. And then Katie was also drafted. Kinger's gonna love this history lesson we're gonna give by the Sacramento Monarchs in 2001.

[Abby Wambach]

Okay.

[Julie Foudy]

Isn't that crazy? You know the other mom daughter pair abs? Because I said two.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay. Pamela McGee, drafted back in 1997. And then her daughter Imani was drafted in 2006.

[Katie Fudd]

Sixteen.

[Julie Foudy]

Imani McGee Stafford.

[Abby Wambach]

We had to go back into the, into the archives for these. It's great. And of course, as we look forward to Sunday, which we all know Mother's Day is coming up, I want to just first acknowledge that this day can be kind of complicated and nuanced for a lot of us. My definition, just so everybody is clear, my definition of motherhood is quite wide. It's vast. And I think everybody knows this, but I've never biologically had a child of my own. Yet I do feel deeply connected as a mother of these three children of ours. And there are a lot of folks out there that mother pets and plants and communities and teams and yes, families too. And I just think that there are a lot of ways to mother, at least in my mind. I also want to acknowledge that. I want to acknowledge the women who don't have children and mothers who have lost children and children who have lost mothers. This day can be extraordinary, tender for many people for many reasons. So my hope is that my definition reaches beyond, so that everyone who's listening can feel included on this day to celebrate mothering, love in whatever form that feels good to you. In fact, I was talking about this with Glennon last night. She said something that kind of really floored me, and I wanted to share it with the party people. She said, I don't think mothering is an identity that you are or you aren't, but that it's more of an energy that you release or you don't. And then she said, I think we

[Julie Foudy]

can always dropping dimes. That woman. I'm telling you.

[Abby Wambach]

I know, but it's not over. She also then said, I think we can be mothered by anyone, and I think we can mother anyone.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh.

[Abby Wambach]

And it makes me think, like, I often wonder about all the people in my life who have mothered me. It makes me think of all the teams I was on and all the mothering energy. Jules, like, you know, you have mothered me in many ways, and I'm curious, like, do you have anybody in your world that you can think of that has helped mother you well, other than your mother? We'll get to our moms in a minute.

[Julie Foudy]

I mean, Billie Jean, right. Billie Jean King has mothered me along in terms of saying way, way back, Right. Like, you know, I'm here to help you, and I'm going to be stride by stride by you when we fix soccer and change it for the better, for the next gen. I mean, she's mothered a lot of people, as we know. Billie Jean has. So the Kinger. Yeah. And you. That's such a great way of thinking about it, because it's so very true. All the people in your life that have come through and in a moment that you needed it, whether you knew you needed it or not, eventually that light revealed itself, is like, oh, I needed this person in my life at that moment. Carla Overbeck, who was our longtime captain for so long, like, just recently. It's like she just is this gift that keeps on giving all the time. Like, I just so. Yes, there are a lot of amazing humans in our life. That's a really cool way of thinking about it, Glennon. And I'm glad that you brought all that up, Abby, because I know it can be.

[Abby Wambach]

It's so fun getting to talk to Glennon about our episodes that we're planning. And then she. I'm like, yeah, we Were talking on our content call, and. And then she just drops this bomb. I'm like, can I write that down and say it?

[Julie Foudy]

No. You're like, wow.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah. And Billie Jean King. You're right. It's. She's like the fairy God, sports mother of all of us, you know? Yeah. I mean, so many. So many people in my life. And also, I have also felt mothering love from. From folks who may not be considered or consider themselves to be a woman. You know, Like, I have. I think that it's an energy. It's not embodied in necessarily who or a gender. But, yeah, I've had so many incredible people. Christina Rampone, essentially was the team mom for a while and one of my best friends on the team. And, you know, there were so many things. She was this quiet leader, and there were so many times where I felt like I was kind of, like, losing my shit. And she would just kind of keep keeping me confident in a way. You know, I'd be like. I would almost fake it until I make. Made it. But when she said it, also, I'm like, okay, yeah, yeah. I know how to score goals. Like, that's what I do.

[Julie Foudy]

I got this. I got this.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah. And I just think about, like, all the little things that people can do for us. That feels like this mothering love that I hope we can embody this Sunday.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

And then I have my amazing mom as well, Fruity Judy, as I call her, who is just. Just honestly this gift that I'm like, as I get older and wiser and you have kids and you go, oh, wow. Like, my. I was the youngest of four. My mom was working and raising and doing it all. And, like, she is just this beacon of joy and light and all these things that she's the glue for so long for all of us. And so I just am like, oh, I love this woman so much. So I love you, mom.

[Abby Wambach]

I love that both of our moms. I know, and I know your mom listens to this, so. Hey, Judy. Hey, Fruity Judy. I love that both of our mom's names are Judy. Like, that's so random and weird. We're both the youngest of the. Of big families, and I'm the youngest of seven. And as I have gotten older, I have definitely understood more of my mom's experience, which was harder for me to understand when I was a kid.

[Az Fudd]

Right.

[Abby Wambach]

Like, I wanted more attention from her, but, like, there were seven human beings vying for that attention and to keep us all alive and. And dressed and fed. That is it feels. We have three. And I'm like, how. How do people.

[Julie Foudy]

I know.

[Abby Wambach]

How do people. How. How do people do this with more humans to handle? So I. And. And I do know that my mom is probably the toughest, most grittiest people I've ever met. Yeah. And she doesn't know it. I don't think. Like. Like, it's her superpower. She just is able to handle whatever is thrown at her. She's just awesome. She definitely gave me a lot of that.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. And that's. That's the thing about women, too, that, again, it. Whether you have kids or not, it's like, we're. We're tough. We're so tough, and we're gonna get through things. And. And you know that. And you see that. And to have that as your example on a daily basis, still duties.

[Abby Wambach]

What do you think it's like. Like, what is your experience of being a mom? Because I know that we have moms, but what is your experience of being a mother?

[Julie Foudy]

I never knew I could love something as much as I love my kids. I'm just, like, blown away by, like, the amount of love and, like, stress and joy and all the things. All the emotions of kids.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

And as they say, you know, you're. You're always as happy as your least happy child. Like, you go through everything with them, and you feel it in a way that I did not know I could feel. And so it's. It's amazing. It's. It really is. So I'm just. I have so much gratitude for my two little cute monsters, as I call them.

[Abby Wambach]

Yep. And this is just a special shout out to all of my bonus parents and. And step parents out there where I know that this Mother's Day can feel a little bit awkward because maybe you haven't been in the family long enough for the kids to start really seeing you as a mother. Maybe. Maybe the kids aren't old enough to recognize you as having this motherly love. I just know what that feels like. You know, in the early days when I was trying to celebrate Glennon with the kids, like, Mother's Day. Right. And now it's a day that they are celebrating us. And though it feels like a perfect world, it was not always perfect. And it was hard won. Right. And it's hard, and it's not easy, and it's, like, one of the greatest gifts that I have ever gotten to learn how to be in a bonus parent or step parent role, because it's taught me the most about love. Right. Because it is love with absolutely no expectation of it coming back and just continuing to put it out there and continue to show up and continue. Continue to show up. And that's kind of all I've put my attention on, is just like, this is where I think soccer helped me so much in my life, is just the perseverance of just day in and day out, just, you know, like, I'm just turtling my way through. And. And boy, at times do I feel like I cannot believe that Glennon actually had Emma or Tish or Chase because they do something that is very me. And. And I'm like, it doesn't make, like, biological sense. It makes spiritual sense. So I just wanted a special shout out to the bonus parents out there.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. And before we get into some WNBA updates, I also wanted to share just one story about. And it's such a really cool mom story because my friend Debbie Antonelli, who is a mom with three boys, she's also party people, hall of Fame, amazing women's basketball analyst for ESPN. She's been calling WNBA games since its inception, honestly, in 1996. And she's this incredible advocate for Special Olympics. She draws inspiration, as she says, from her middle son. As I said, she has three boys. Her middle son is Frankie. And Frankie is a special Olympic athlete who has down syndrome.

[Katie Fudd]

And.

[Julie Foudy]

And so what Debbie has done is I just wanted to give a shout out to because she's created this 24 hour free throw shooting marathon. Abs.

[Abby Wambach]

What?

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, she does it on Mother's Day weekend.

[Abby Wambach]

Oh, my gosh.

[Julie Foudy]

So she. So. So this Saturday to Mother's Day Sunday. So she goes from noon to noon, Saturday to Sunday, 24 hours. She will host the 8th annual 24 Hours of Nothing but Net is what she calls it. And Debbie will make 100 free throws every hour for 24 hours.

[Abby Wambach]

What?

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. And she's done this over the past seven years and she's raised. So Team Antonelli has raised over $1.4 million for Special Olympics.

[Abby Wambach]

Wow.

[Julie Foudy]

And her free throw percentage in those seven years is 93%. So she shoots 100 every hour for 24 hours. And so for anyone who would love to donate, we have with the pod, you can do so at 24 hours. So 24 hours. H O U R S N B N which stands for nothingbutnet.com the the link will be in the show notes, but all proceeds go to helping Special Olympics. Special Olympics is so near and dear to my heart. I covered it for years with espn. We'd go out to all their world. And it's just really an amazing organization. So it helps these athletes continue to have a place to train and compete and organize and socialize and all those good things. They're trying to get her to that $2 million mark.

[Abby Wambach]

So 93%. Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

You're still on her shooting for.

[Abby Wambach]

I believe that, like, that would be like, me trying to make a penalty kick right now. And I would be like 10%.

[Julie Foudy]

Go, Debbie. And she does it on Mother's Day weekend. I'm like, so great. And Frankie's there and the boys are there and the families are there. So, so good.

[Abby Wambach]

I have so many questions about that. That's so great. That's so awesome.

[Julie Foudy]

Debbie's awesome. So, folks, support her if you would and check out that link and you can donate there as well. Okay. To nwmba because it is. It has been one of the craziest WNBA off seasons ever.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes, it has.

[Julie Foudy]

It's been insane. So we went literally from the commissioner squarely on the hot seat.

[Abby Wambach]

Oh, my God. Remember the booze that were happening?

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. And. And fee, you know, going off on her on Kathy. And then they're quite possibly not being a season. To a new groundbreaking cba as we know, the players are getting paid. I should put on my dollar sign glasses. I have some somewhere. The media schedule is off the charts. Angel Reese's, switch team teams. Caitlin Clark is back healthy again. So it's shaping up to be all the things. Plus, we have 15 teams now in the dub. So you have Portland Fire coming on board in Toronto Tempo. They're the two newbies. So before I want, I want to get your favorite storylines abs from like what you're most looking forward to. But a little news around the wnba because I don't know if you saw this. Did you see Natasha Cloud got pick up by Chicago Sky?

[Katie Fudd]

I saw it.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes. I saw it. So great.

[Julie Foudy]

So happy for Natasha. She found a home. I love that woman. Liberty star Sabrina Unescu will miss at least two weeks with a sprained ankle. And on that note, Caitlyn Clark caused a scare with a leg sleeve and it was confirmed by her. It was just a style choice party. People. People were freaking out. It's not an injury. It's just like I wanted to wear this thing, but everyone.

[Abby Wambach]

But I love this. I love how invested people are and look without the. The. The kerfuffle of the off season and the drama and the players versus and then. And then the cba, like, yeah, I don't know if these things matter as much to, like, the average person. But now we're. We're all invested. We're like, caitlin Clark, better be healthy. Come on.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, exactly.

[Abby Wambach]

Love it.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay, and then can we just give a shout out to Tina Charles? 14 seasons with the WNBA, she's finally retiring, and she was still producing. She started nearly every game last season, led the Connecticut sun in scoring at 37 years old. And as she put it, when the game that once fueled her started to feel like work, she knew it was time.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah, I get that. I know what that feels like.

[Katie Fudd]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

She's closing the chapter by reflecting on it. She said it was all a dream. I've been able to live out something bigger than I ever imagined. Slow clap for Tina Charles.

[Abby Wambach]

Good job, Tina.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, well. Okay, Abs. What are you most looking forward to with this season that is about to commence for the wnba?

[Abby Wambach]

I think I've been. I've been thinking a lot about how teams or leagues make the jump into the next level. How do you continue to set a higher standard? Because that's what we do. Right. That's what women's leagues and teams and players do. And the Dallas Wings is kind of a case study really, to get star players together. And obviously with Az and Paige getting back together after playing at UConn, you know, they've had an incredible preseason so far. They've beaten Fever, they've beaten the Aces.

[Julie Foudy]

I know.

[Abby Wambach]

Which feels like. I don't know, there feels like something special could be brewing there.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay.

[Abby Wambach]

And I did a little research and I saw that when Paige got drafted, the Dallas Wings sponsorship doubled in 2025.

[Katie Fudd]

And.

[Abby Wambach]

And then.

[Julie Foudy]

Surprising.

[Abby Wambach]

Exactly. And now in 2026, it is going to double again with AZ coming in from. From like a business perspective, like, as a business owner, that is incredible. But I think that the league itself, now that it's going to air, there's going to be over 200 games this season that, that, that get put on real TV that people can really watch.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. This is going to be networks. Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes. This is going to allow players to become household names and to become the stars that these teams need in order to get these sponsorship deals so that. That all boats rise. Right. And I think that for me, this is going to be the most important storyline is how to convert this new deal into creating the star players, giving them the star power so that. That the sponsorship deals can really flow into these teams. Right. Because, you know, Dallas, they didn't do well last year. Right. They need. They need these star players and they need the sponsorship dollars. So that the city can get behind it. So it's like both of these things are happening at the same time. So I'm very excited to have this conversation with Az and her mom talk about all things Dallas. But like, also there's the business side of it that I'm very interested in. And of course, I just, I have to say this before I let you talk, Jules. I just have a soft spot in my heart for Lauren Betts.

[Julie Foudy]

I knew this was coming. I was like, come on. She hasn't said Lauren Betts yet.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah, she's playing for the Mystics. I was drafted to, to D.C. my first, my first professional season. So I understand kind of probably in some ways what she's feeling. And I'm hoping that we get to talk to her throughout the season because I'd love to, I'd love to just catch up. What about you? What do you. What are you looking forward to?

[Julie Foudy]

Okay, well, speaking of that business side that you were talking about, I don't know if you saw. CNBC dropped their latest WNBA valuations. They just came out this week and we've got ourselves the first $1 billion women's sports team, not league team ever, like globally. This is the first women's team, y', all, to get to that billion dollar valuation mark. And the crazy thing about it is it came with a team that's only two years old. It's only in its second season. This is the Golden State Valkyries got to that 1 billion valuation. This is a team that was an expansion team, as I said last year, and they were owned by the Golden State Warriors. They sold out season tickets, sold out every single home game. 22 of them. Right. And now they're worth a billion dollars.

[Abby Wambach]

So good.

[Julie Foudy]

And WNBA teams are now worth an average of $460 million, according to the CNBC report.

[Abby Wambach]

I love this so much. It just shows that like when you put the right people in the right positions that can do things, good things can happen in a short period of time. You know, I mean, Jess Smith, she's the one who, who, who figured it out.

[Julie Foudy]

Formerly of Angel City, we lost her to Golden State.

[Abby Wambach]

$78 million in revenue last season. That's so much money for a second year team.

[Julie Foudy]

I know they sold out, as I said, every single game, averaging a league record 18,064 fans per game. And the crazy thing is we learned this from some sponsors in Northern California, that there was only a small crossover of Golden State warriors fans to Valkyrie fans. They say they estimate about 5%. That's my damn alarm. It's always something buzzing over here, Julie.

[Abby Wambach]

Okay, party people. Jack, please keep this in. Please know we do this every single week. Every single time there's a. There's some alarm that goes off, there's some phone call coming through.

[Julie Foudy]

You know why that is? I have so many alarms set because I suffer from crs.

[Abby Wambach]

What's that?

[Julie Foudy]

Can't remember shit.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah, yeah, I get that.

[Julie Foudy]

I have to set a lot of alarms. I usually try and not set them in the morning.

[Abby Wambach]

Menopause is so fun. Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

So anyways, and now they have Kia Stokes. They just brought over. I met her over the weekend at our bossy gala. She did a little panel we had on stage. Kia is a three time Yukon NCAA champion. She's also a three time WNBA champion with the Aces. She's now going over to Golden State to Valkyrie's. Gabby Williams is going over there. So anyways, that's the business side. I'm very happy for Jess Smith and that whole crew. And we are getting ourselves to Bahala. We gotta go.

[Abby Wambach]

I want to get there.

[Julie Foudy]

We gotta get. Okay. And then in terms of favorite storyline, I get that, like, and I understand why everyone is talking about the Aces and Liberty and their rosters and how many players. And Asia Wilson, of course, because she's just been incredible. Four time mvp. But as you talked about with Dallas, I can't wait to see Indianapolis.

[Katie Fudd]

Right.

[Julie Foudy]

Because here they had all these injuries. Caitlin. Caitlin Clark only played 13 games last season and they had Sophie Cunningham out. They had all these injuries going and they make still this late run. Right. Largely on the shoulders of Kelsey Mitchell, as we know. But like they make this late run, they have Aaliyah Boston, that's looking good. They get into the semifinals. They. They lose to the eventual winner in the Aces. But now you got Caitlin Clark's back, Sophie Cunningham's back. Aaliyah Boston, as I said, is looking really good. Kelsey Mitchell, of course, is looking really good. They added Raven Johnson. So I just, I think that's, that's a really fun storyline to look at. And guess who Dallas plays in their first game?

[Az Fudd]

Who?

[Julie Foudy]

Indy. Indianapolis.

[Abby Wambach]

So is it at home? Do we know if it's at home?

[Julie Foudy]

No, it's at Indianapolis.

[Abby Wambach]

Okay.

[Julie Foudy]

That's the first game On Saturday on ABC.

[Abby Wambach]

10:00am I know that the Fever are pumped that Chris, that Caitlin is back because, you know, ticket sales.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. And she hits everything. Okay. And then one of the storylines I'm actually kind of sad about, this is my last one, is that the stud buds are splitting. I know. Obviously it's, you know, it's the duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Heideman who had done so many fun things with their stud buds show they played on the Minnesota Links together. Now Natisha is heading to Seattle and Courtney is staying with the Links. But that kind of made me sad.

[Abby Wambach]

So. Well, maybe they can do something remote like we do. Maybe they can still do something or other.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, they just won't be teammates anymore. Okay, Coming up, Abby says one of the teams she's most excited to watch as we were just talking about this WNBA season is the Dallas Wings. And party people. One of those wings is soaring right into our party. Next I see number one overall pick, Yukon royalty. Azifa joins us with her mom Katie. And we're asking the question every party person wants answered. Who of those two dynamos wants the game winning shot at the buzzer? Who wants it?

[Abby Wambach]

Give me the ball.

[Julie Foudy]

Give me the ball.

[Abby Wambach]

Give me the ball is what I say. Do you want a jewel? I want it.

[Julie Foudy]

I want it. Kinger wants it.

[Abby Wambach]

Kinger wants it.

[Julie Foudy]

Kinger for sure wants it. This show is sponsored by Liquid I iv. We are outside a lot, walking, exercising, anything. And here's the trick to stay hydrated. I reach for Liquid IV and it delivers longer lasting hydration than water alone. And right now you can get 20% off your first order with code. Welcome to the party at checkout. One stick and 16 ounces of water hydrates faster than water alone. Plus it's got three times the electrolytes of leading sports drinks, eight essential vitamins and it helps retain hydration for up to 4 hours. So get moving with superior hydration from Liquid IV tear pour live more. Go to liquidiv.com and get 20% off your first purchase with code. Welcome to the party at checkout. That's 20% off your first purchase with code. Welcome to the [e-mail] you guys know

[Abby Wambach]

how much we love the peloton cross training tread plus powered by Peloton iq. Peloton helps you unlock all the expansive, joyful feeling one gets through movement. Truly, it's not just running. You can literally go from a walk or a run straight into strength training with like the swivel screen that you know that we all love. It just feels so seamless.

[Julie Foudy]

Love it.

[Abby Wambach]

It's, there's no stopping, no overthinking without losing any momentum. And my goodness, if I lose lose momentum, I'm gone.

[Julie Foudy]

And let me tell I have to fight the family to get on the pel The Peloton cross training Tread plus lately, yeah, everyone is on it. They're all doing the swivel, they're doing the cross training. I'm like, listen, yo, this is mine.

[Abby Wambach]

Get off.

[Julie Foudy]

It's built around you, too. Your pace, your energy, what you need that day. It's like having a roadmap, which we all want, but without the pressure. So peloton IQ gives you the level of support you deserve. And let's be clear. Us women deserve tools, support, and experiences built for us and around us. And of course, our potential.

[Abby Wambach]

Exactly. So whether you're running or lifting or just trying something new or Jules, even feeling a little along the way, you're still moving forward. Let yourself run, lift, fail, try and go again. Explore the new peloton cross training tread [e-mail].

[Julie Foudy]

And now to the partiest part of our party. We are pumped for this one, party, people, because we have got royalty. With the WNBA season tipping off tomorrow and Mother's Day this weekend, we honestly could not have lined up a more perfect guess. That's right. What facts. Oh, okay. That's right. We've got the people's princess. Maybe abs, we can call her the party people's princess. I think that works. And her queen. That's right. Dallas guard and number one overall draft pick AZ Fudd has been one of the biggest names in basketball for years. From the time she was a teenager, the expectations have been enormous, but the journey to this moment was anything as we know. But smooth injuries cost AZ more than 60 games over the last few seasons, including torn ACL and MCL that wiped out over an entire year and changed the course of her college career. Through the rehab, setbacks, pressure, and uncertainty, you know who was by her side, and that was her mom, Katie there for her. And now both are on the other side of all of that. Thank goodness. A national championship at UConn final four most outstanding player in 2025, number one pick in the WNBA draft, a massive new contract, her own podcast. Fud around and find out. And now a new challenge in Dallas. A young team with huge expectations, and AZ right at the center of it all. And as always, her mom, Katie Fudd is right there with her. And there couldn't be anyone better because Katie knows a thing or two about all this. A Georgetown legend, more than 2,000 career points, WNBA draft pick in 2001. Let's go, Katie. Coach, club owner. Together, she and her husband Tim have built a life centered around helping young players grow while also guiding Az on her journey. We are so excited to get them both together on the party. Az and Katie Fudd. Welcome to the party.

[Abby Wambach]

Let's go. Welcome to the party. Katie and Izzy, the Fuds are in the house.

[Az Fudd]

That was awesome.

[Abby Wambach]

We just like to have fun, you guys.

[Julie Foudy]

Ah, look at you too. How cute are you guys?

[Az Fudd]

Thank you for having us.

[Julie Foudy]

Az. Straight from training. How is everything? A's, how's, how's Dallas? How's pro ball? Give us a scoop.

[Az Fudd]

Dallas is great. Way better than I could have even imagined on the court, off the court. I'm loving everything, everyone. Yeah, I'm having a great time.

[Julie Foudy]

Really? What do you mean, way better than you could have imagined?

[Az Fudd]

Well, like, I've gotten to see teammates go through this. Like, I had an idea, you know, you get there and I'm picturing what it's going to be like as I transition to what pro life is on my own against grown women. But then you get here and it's like you can. Once you're living it, it's nothing like expectations could have lived up to.

[Abby Wambach]

What's the biggest difference between college ball and pro ball so far?

[Az Fudd]

Oh, there's lots. I feel like one that has, like, really gotten me is just how much you're on your own. Everyone talks about it, like, your first trip, you get there and you're like, oh, when's team dinner? And they're like, oh, you're on your own. No, but like, I'm not someone who usually orders food to, like, figuring out what I want to eat, figuring out for dinner, breakfast, pre game. And then everyone goes and takes a nap before game. And I'm like, I'm not a napper. Like, what am I supposed to do? We don't have team activities. We don't have study hall. So that's been weird.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, that is weird. Like, suddenly you have all this extra time and do you cook or do you. Do you like, doordash Uber eats or something?

[Az Fudd]

When I'm home, I do like to cook a little. And cook is a loose term. I want to get better at cooking. But on the road, obviously you can't cook in a hotel room.

[Julie Foudy]

Katie. Are you gonna get a little. Are you gonna be like, living in Dallas half the time?

[Katie Fudd]

I feel like, no, we're just gonna go visit. Their schedule's so crazy that, like, I'm gonna go next week when they have two home games. But other than that, it's just kinda try to find like the little pockets when they're in town or I think like, at the beginning of July. They're Connecticut, Toronto, New York. Toronto maybe. I don't know. So, like, that. I feel like that's like a little east coast swing that I could do, but, yeah, not. Not living there.

[Julie Foudy]

Opening game. Let's go. Saturday on the road against fever. That's amazing. 10:00am Pacific Time, party people on ABC.

[Az Fudd]

Super exciting. I mean, first official game, and it's nice that we did get to play them in preseason. So kind of a feel for them. Obviously, they have a feel for us as well, but I'm excited. The environment there was great, so it's

[Abby Wambach]

going to be great. Well, speaking of what's happening on Sunday? It's Mother's Day. Just as a reminder, Az, just so you remember, it's Mother's Day, and we really wanted to have you two on because Julie and I both have kids and athletes playing in college. And we want to know, first of all, do you guys do anything special for Mother's Day? Do you have anything planned for Sunday?

[Az Fudd]

I can't share my plans.

[Abby Wambach]

Okay, okay, okay.

[Julie Foudy]

That's good.

[Katie Fudd]

You can't share them because she doesn't know them.

[Julie Foudy]

I might have thought that we moms think alike.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah.

[Katie Fudd]

But there's a really nice farmer's market in downtown Dallas that my stepmother and I went to a couple weeks ago that I want to go to with her, and I think they might have the day off.

[Az Fudd]

I'm planning that. That's on my. It's on my agenda.

[Julie Foudy]

AZ is like, yep, I know that.

[Katie Fudd]

Yeah. So I think other than that, like, that's the only thing that I wanted to do. We love farmers markets and fresh food and. And all that kind of stuff. So just learning the area and helping her learn the area. But our schedule has always been so hectic. Sometimes they were playing, sometimes they weren't. Sometimes she was at school, sometimes she wasn't. So there's not like a tradition.

[Abby Wambach]

Right?

[Katie Fudd]

It's not like a Mother's Day.

[Az Fudd]

We used to go on a Mother's Day bike ride.

[Katie Fudd]

We did. When you were younger. Yeah.

[Az Fudd]

That was fun.

[Abby Wambach]

That's so sweet.

[Az Fudd]

Do you guys have any Mother's Day tradition?

[Abby Wambach]

That's a good question.

[Julie Foudy]

I force my kids to go on a hike with me. Typically, I'm like, we're gonna do a hike. And y' all are in. And they're like, okay. I'm like, yep, it's Mother's Day. Let's go.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah, Mother's Day and birthdays are forced hangouts. That's when the kids feel they're like, okay, that's fine for sure. We'll just hang out. It's just whatever it is to hang out. But Katie, I want to know what it's like. Been watching AZ progress throughout her life, college, and now that she's a pro. And you obviously have a lot of experience, not just in the collegiate game, but you were also drafted and you can understand the psychology. What has it been like to watch AZ go through this process?

[Katie Fudd]

It's been absolutely amazing, really. We started with basketball and soccer. She hated soccer. Just letting you guys know.

[Abby Wambach]

All right, guys, that's okay, that's okay.

[Katie Fudd]

She did some swimming, we tried tennis. It was just kind of like throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. And she loved the team aspect of basketball. And you know, it was just really, you have kids so, you know, you want your kids to be passionate about something, whatever it is. And as she started to like basketball more and more started to get kind of good, we just thought, hey, she could get a free education. There was no plan of any of this craziness. And so I'm still taken aback by that. I'm still like, when people want a picture with her, a picture with us, or an autograph from her, it's like, oh, that's my baby. Like, she's so cute. And I don't think of her as like all that she is. So I. It's still very foreign to me to understand that. But you know, there's nothing like seeing your kids achieve their dreams and live out their dreams. So it's been, it's really fun and we're very fortunate that we are a very, very close knit family. And she allows us to, you know, come to everything and not even just like, that sounds bad, like, allows us because we'd be there anyhow, but she embraces it. Like, she really enjoys having her family and friends nearby. And so it was really weird the other day because I was saying I hadn't missed a game, I don't know, maybe since she was in like young elementary school. And so we're watching their second exhibition game on TV the other day and I'm like, this, this is weird. Like, this is. I don't know how I can do this. And we're gonna have to navigate it because we can't go to all the games. But I don't like it. Like, I did not like that very much. So yeah, it has been a wonderful journey that we've embraced and enjoyed. Like, we've gotten a ton of travel out of it and have made a ton of our own memories that she hasn't been able to be a part of because she's been with her team. But we've had a great time, so we appreciate that from her, like, those experiences. But, yeah, I just. It's nothing that was planned. And Tim and I talk about it, like, if. If we were handed a baby right now, we. We couldn't recreate that. Like, we couldn't. You know, I mean, when we have grandkids, we'll try, but right now, I don't. It takes a lot of energy. It takes a lot of effort and discipline and consistency and. And obviously, you know, the kid has to love it and. Yeah. But I will say about the soccer thing. She started playing soccer when she was little, and she was always tall, so they, like, wouldn't let her be real physical. And so then she could try out for travel, but she didn't like soccer that much. Tim didn't like soccer that much. I was like, all right, I'm not gonna fight that. 8th grade, 7th and 8th grade, they had to play a sport, so she played field hockey in seventh grade. And in eighth grade, she had more friends playing soccer, so she played soccer. And she was really good. And she turns to me, and this

[Julie Foudy]

is where she was.

[Katie Fudd]

I wanted to punch her in the chest. And she said, mom, why didn't you force me to play soccer when I was younger? I really like it, you little jerk.

[Julie Foudy]

I do that all the time with my mom. I'm like, mom, I just told Abby this the other day. I was like, mom, why didn't you force me to play an instrument when I was growing up? And she goes. I go, I could have played the piano beautifully. And she's like, oh, my God. I tried to get you to sit down for days. You would just run out of there. We like to blame our parents for all of it.

[Katie Fudd]

You like to blame me for everything. Everything. Anything bad. Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Mom.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

Well, here's the thing, too, Katie, with as. As a parent, right? Like, we live. What you'll understand one day, az, is we literally live the highs and lows of kids, right? You feel it to your core. Like, I am always talking about, like, I never knew I had such emotions until I had these kids. Because you just. When they're in pain, you're in pain. When they're not happy, you're not happy. And I mean, A's. You've had a journey. I mean, it's been. It's been hard. I remember I've known you for years now and missing the year you did. Right. And then coming back and getting food poisoning in the championship match and like, all these things, whether it's injury or something happens, you two have been through it together. And if you could, both of you just give us a little piece of that journey. Because I think it's important for people to hear, like, now, yes, you've got this big contract and you're the number one pick, but it wasn't easy by any measure.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah, no, it definitely wasn't easy. Wasn't smooth. But people ask. People ask, like, if you could change anything, would you. And. And I would love to say yes. I'd love to say, like, I wish I didn't get hurt, but no, because I've grown so much through that process. I've gotten so much closer with my family, with different friends who've helped me. So I. It was difficult, but I have such an incredible support system around me, my mom included, and so I definitely wouldn't have been able to get through it alone. But having people like them around just to lean on, to help me on those days where it's hard for me to find that the inspiration or see the light at the end of the tunnel and they can help push me, help support me, help motivate me and just remind me, you know, what I'm working towards, what my goal is. I definitely would have made it through

[Abby Wambach]

without my mom and Katie. What was that like, having to parent AZ through some of those tougher times in college?

[Katie Fudd]

Not fun. We try to find the silver lining and everything. So, you know, when she first got hurt, it was like you said, Julie, you ride the highs and the lows. Right? And so I was completely crushed for her. But it was one of those, like, you have to show the strong front. Right. Like, if I acted crushed and I acted like, oh, my gosh, this is the worst thing ever, then that's how she's going to act and that's how she's going to take it. So we really just like, all right, you feel bad for yourself for, like, 24 hours. And then we're going to. We have a plan and we're focused on focusing and we're. We're moving forward. On Father's Day, you could have Tim on and ask him how he reacted, because it was a whole.

[Az Fudd]

Oh, my God. Yeah, the drama.

[Katie Fudd]

But. But, yeah. So when she got hurt in college, we were really fortunate to. She came home for six weeks. So after surgery, it was right before Christmas at the semester break, and so she Came home, she was home, like, December 10th through maybe mid January. And so we just looked at that as, like, wow, we have bonus time with our time that you'd be at school. We wouldn't get to really see you much or engage with you much. Our brothers had a lot of extra time. They were both in the house. So it was. It was. Sounds bad to say, but it was really nice. Right. Like I said, we find the silver lining of what positives can we take out of it? Because you can't change it. So I'm big on a horrible way to. To exist, but I'm big on just, like, bottling all my emotions and just trying to, like, truck through and that's what I did.

[Julie Foudy]

And shove it down, shove it down, and then we'll be fine.

[Katie Fudd]

Don't let it be seen because, like, you know, she's got to see. She's got to see someone who's. Who's tough enough to be like, hey, we got this. We can push through this. Because she's gonna have.

[Julie Foudy]

So true.

[Katie Fudd]

I can't have bad days, and she has bad days, you know, so whether it was like, get sub, you know, zucchini from. What's the place that we get it from? Yeah, great, great. You know, appetizer of zucchini and like, all right, hey, you had a really tough rehab that's right around the corner. You want to grab that before we get home? Like, just little things like that that, you know, kind of, I guess help push you through. And it's not just the monotony of rehab day in and day out, but, you know, whether it's movies, whether it's, watch this, tick tock, or, you know, here's your brother doing something stupid, let's laugh, you know, all of those things. But that's. That's kind of how we pushed through.

[Julie Foudy]

Well, I. I did love that interview where it was after the 2025 championship and. And AZ had won most outstanding player, and you didn't know that and the reporter was interviewing you. Do you remember when you were on the court?

[Katie Fudd]

Yeah. We couldn't hear anything on the court, so I didn't know. Like, they brought her up and everybody cheered. And then I think Paige and Sarah chatted too. Like, they interviewed them. So I just thought, okay, they're just talking to everybody. And I was just so happy that I just didn't hear it.

[Julie Foudy]

And you got all emotional, which was so cute because you were. You were allowed to now cry some happy tears.

[Katie Fudd]

Yes, exactly. Yeah, that was that. I say from the parent.

[Az Fudd]

From our parent.

[Katie Fudd]

We had such a wonderful parent group at UConn her junior and senior years that, you know, I think going through that with a different parent group wouldn't have been as fun. I mean, we still would have been happy for the kids, but dang, like, every parent was just so happy for the success of each kid. And it was really. It's like if there was. If there was a book on a way parents should be, that's what it was. And so, yeah, so it was so fun for us. Yet again, another great experience that we got to have from A.C. thanks, Az.

[Az Fudd]

You're welcome.

[Abby Wambach]

That's so good. Az. I would love to know what, like, sticks out the most about your mom growing up, because, you know, she was your coach and your mom. How. How was that?

[Az Fudd]

Well, it depends on the day. It really depends on the day. But she was great. I mean, looking back, honestly, looking back, I don't know how I did it. I don't know how you did it. I don't know how we didn't fight or get in arguments. But, like, it really is so special to think that I was able to have a mom and a coach and role model all in one person.

[Abby Wambach]

That's amazing. And I also think we talk a lot on our show about. Because there's a lot of parents who listen to this and they try to, I think, embody some of the things that we try to say and we don't get it right all the time. Julie and I, about how a parent needs to be on the sidelines. But I can imagine how interesting it is to be literally the coach and the mom, like, sometimes, because my youngest kid plays soccer and I don't go to her and I'm not like, X and O ing her at all. Except there was this one time I had to step in and there was something happening. And I said, coach, Abby is coming to you right now. Not Mom Abby. And here's what I need to let you know. Was it hard, Katie, for you? Like, what kind of a coach were you? Like, were you tough on az?

[Katie Fudd]

No, I wasn't ever. I was so soft. So here's the thing, is I was a coach first, right? So when I got pregnant with her, I was already training. Like, I was training kids and all that kind of stuff. And then when she was little, I started coaching a team, and then I started coaching a varsity team team. Then she started playing. So, like, in our area in Arlington for the travel league, they're like, well, you know, we really don't like having parent coaches. And I'm like, I'm a coach who has a kid. I'm not a coach because I have a kid. That's. And so unfortunately for her and her team, they. They were like the third practice that I was at because I coached the seventh and eighth grade team, then the varsity team, then I would get to theirs. So by the time I got to them, I literally said the same thing 800 times. So then when I said it once to them, I was like, oh, I said this a ton today. Like, are you not listening? But it was their first time hearing it. I was also very fortunate to have a wonderful parent group, great assistant coaches. And so, like, they let me really just be mean to their kids, which is great. So I remember one time in sixth grade, and we had a really good group, and we were winning. They were in sixth grade. Az was in fourth grade, and we were winning literally by, like, 35 points a game. And they walked into practice with, like, these smiles on their faces like, yeah, we've done something. And I was like, hey, I just want to let you guys know, you all suck. You suck. You're in fifth grade. If you think you are good right now, we have a problem. You will not continue to get better. So, yes, you're beating me.

[Julie Foudy]

Did you actually say suck?

[Az Fudd]

Yeah, 100%.

[Katie Fudd]

You all suck. Let's get back to work. And they were like, okay, let's go.

[Julie Foudy]

You're like, let's bring this down to reality, right?

[Katie Fudd]

So. And I would say from that group, we had a kid go to Boston University. A kid play at Columbia.

[Julie Foudy]

A kid play well, az so not sucky. Maybe in 6th grade, but not sucky later because of that school.

[Katie Fudd]

I mean, we had really good kids. So we had one super smart kid, went to unc on whatever crazy scholarship. Smart scholarship. Not playing, but super smart. But so we had. And the parents, I think, understood it, right? Like, and we had a parent meeting before we started things. And I think they all knew who I was and got to know me and knew where I came from. But it was more like, I'm pushing your kid because this is what they say they want. And it's a conversation that we had with az constantly. Like, you say you want this, and until you say you don't, we're gonna hold you to these standards. And so I do basketball training, and I have a lot of parents will say, well, I'm not gonna force my kid to practice extra. And I said, well, do they expect you to drive them to Practice and pay for their stuff and spend your time on weekends going to their games because I feel like they owe you a little bit more. So if you're just gonna play rec, cool, that's fine. Then don't practice. Don't do anything extra. But if you're gonna play travel and you want me to put the effort in to do that for you, then you have to put the effort in. And until you tell me otherwise, it's my job to push you. Not in a mean way.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah.

[Katie Fudd]

But in a way of like, hey, so that, you know, I always equate it to academic because people take sports and they just kind of like, oh, it's just sports. It's over here. But it teaches us so much about life and how to operate, maneuver in. In a lot of different situations that, you know, we need it. It's an integral part of these kids growing up and learning how to. How to deal with things. So I just say, well, okay, so if your kid comes home and just doesn't want to do their math homework, cool, because we're not going to push them. Right. And then they say, no, they got to do that. Well, then why don't they have to do a little extra? I'm not saying practice eight hours a day. I tell kids all the time, if you spent 10 minutes a day working on your ball handling and you gave yourself one day off and did that six days a week, that's an hour. And there's 52 weeks in a year. That's 52 hours. You're telling me a year from now, in 52 hours, you won't be significantly better at something. And that's. That's life, and that's doable.

[Julie Foudy]

Right. Ten minutes, you can do that. That's a great way of saying it.

[Katie Fudd]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

I love that you check in, too, and say. I mean, we were just having this conversation as well, Abby and I, about the importance of checking in with your kids on what they want from you. But to do it as both. I mean, it's hard enough just to be a parent to a kid. To be a parent and a coach to a young kid that's playing at a high level is admirable. I bow.

[Abby Wambach]

Az, do you still get coaching advice from Katie? Katie, do you still give it, or is it.

[Katie Fudd]

Yeah. I mean, not in a way that, like, detracts.

[Az Fudd]

Right.

[Katie Fudd]

I think when she got to UConn, maybe there was a thought that we were a little different and not as supportive, but it's not in a way of like, oh, Your coach told you to do this, but you should do this. But it's like, hey, here's. Here's how you can work a little more efficiently in the confines of. Of what the coaches are asking you to do. And a lot of it is like, her shot. Like, oh, maybe you're not sitting into your hips enough or your elbows going a little bit out instead of a little bit up. Or, hey, in this situation, I do think you could have attacked and you pulled back things like that. But we sent her, Tim and I send her before every game a little, like pep text message.

[Abby Wambach]

Oh, that's good. Yeah, A little pre game ritual.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah.

[Katie Fudd]

I don't know how much it helps her, but it definitely helps us because it's hard to go from coaching to then just being cheerleaders. And we cheer hard. Like, that's how. That's how, like, we cheer really hard. That was another weird thing was when we went to the exhibition game in Indiana, we just sat there and was like, yay, good job. But at UConn, it's like. And at USA Basketball, it was like we led chants and cheers.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, go back to that. We want that easy. Don't you want that? Not yet. She's like, no, not yet.

[Abby Wambach]

That's amazing. Az, if you could describe your mom in one sentence, how would you do it?

[Az Fudd]

Oh, my gosh. I don't even know she. Because she has different sides. I mean, you just heard what mom and coach looks like. Mostly Coach, that's like Coach with a little bit of mom, but she has a soft side. But, like, she's intense. She's fiery. The red hair does not lie. That's exactly who she is deep down. She also has a warm, fuzzy side. And I know that, like, the root of everything she does is it's cause she wants the best in me and my brothers and everyone around her that she loves. So, yeah, she just wants all of us to be better and to be happy. Mom, you're scary sometimes.

[Katie Fudd]

Yes, but that's because, like, things need to be. It's not like I'm not just complaining about things just to complain.

[Abby Wambach]

Mama bear. It's Mama Bear energy. I get it.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay, one question, Az. Do you want to tell the party people why you wear the number 35?

[Abby Wambach]

Oh, yeah.

[Az Fudd]

Oh, yes. I wear number 35 because it was my mom's number that she wore when she played.

[Abby Wambach]

And have you worn it your whole life?

[Az Fudd]

I. I mean, obviously when you're younger, you don't really get to say you get, like, the select few Jerseys to pick from. But what. As soon as I started to get to choose, I think right away I chose 35.

[Abby Wambach]

That's.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

You wore in high school. You Wore it at UConn. You're wearing it right now with Dallas. It's awesome.

[Az Fudd]

Word.

[Julie Foudy]

In middle school, Katie, why did you choose 35 number?

[Katie Fudd]

Well, I wanted 33. Larry Bird, you know, shooter, but that was taken. And so I was a huge Celtics fan anyhow. And so Reggie Lewis wore 35, and he had passed away from a heart condition, so I wore it.

[Abby Wambach]

Oh, that's sweet.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. I saw this cute pic of you, the two of you with your 35s on. On Instagram. That's so cute. Like, side to side when you were playing Katie and then Az.

[Abby Wambach]

But Katie rocking the sweatband. The. The. The headband. So will you ever consider bringing that back?

[Az Fudd]

Never. No.

[Abby Wambach]

You could be pink.

[Katie Fudd]

You used to wear headbands when you were younger. There's a picture of my hairband on

[Az Fudd]

that was just to cover my hair.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay, we're gonna play one quick final game called Party Poppers mom or me. And you're just gonna point to whether you think it's mom or you think it's yourself. Party Poppers, mom or me. Point to the other. If it's not you. Runs the schedule.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes. Okay.

[Az Fudd]

Mama.

[Abby Wambach]

Mama.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay.

[Abby Wambach]

Abs knows the group chat drama. Yeah. It'll be easy, I think. Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. Okay. Complains about the refs. Totally. Totally Katie.

[Abby Wambach]

Okay, who wins that horse, actually.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, seriously?

[Katie Fudd]

I thought horse is. I'm a better.

[Julie Foudy]

Katie's winning at horse.

[Katie Fudd]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay.

[Katie Fudd]

I got some good stuff.

[Julie Foudy]

Yes. She's like, yes, of course I am. Okay. Drives too fast,

[Az Fudd]

probably.

[Abby Wambach]

All right. All right. Who gets more nervous before games?

[Az Fudd]

Honestly, that really might be you.

[Katie Fudd]

Because we have no. No say in it. We can't do anything. It's terrible.

[Julie Foudy]

I know. It's so hard. Okay. Holds on to losses longer. It's all Katie. I love it.

[Abby Wambach]

Okay, who between the two of you is more superstitious?

[Az Fudd]

You.

[Julie Foudy]

Yes.

[Abby Wambach]

You guys are getting it, right? Like, you're. You're. You're on it. Like, this is so good.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay, who checks social media more?

[Katie Fudd]

I'm not really on it that much, but probably more than her.

[Az Fudd]

I'm not on it much.

[Abby Wambach]

Really, really easy.

[Julie Foudy]

I never thought that job. Yeah, that's healthy.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

Wow. Okay, who is more competitive?

[Az Fudd]

Oh, my God.

[Abby Wambach]

Oh, my God.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, my gosh.

[Abby Wambach]

Okay, final one. Last but not least. Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

Who wants the game winning shot at the buzzer more?

[Katie Fudd]

Okay, wait, is it Current condition or like, prime?

[Abby Wambach]

You at your prime. Who wants it at the buzzer?

[Az Fudd]

I'm not arguing here.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh.

[Abby Wambach]

Oh, my gosh, you guys.

[Katie Fudd]

But it depends on the shot. She's a better shooter than I was. I think I'm a better. I was a better scorer.

[Abby Wambach]

What are the differences?

[Julie Foudy]

Just.

[Az Fudd]

No, we're not having right now. We're not having these argument.

[Katie Fudd]

She's way more.

[Abby Wambach]

That's so good. Well, thank you both for coming on. We so appreciate it. Ay, obviously. Obviously. Best of luck. You're the team that I'm gonna be rooting for. I'm gonna get a jersey. I'm gonna get one of your jerseys, and I'm gonna rock that shit.

[Julie Foudy]

We're gonna get a fun.

[Az Fudd]

I'm glad you did come to a game.

[Abby Wambach]

We do want to come to one. Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

Maybe when you play out here in la. Katie, you come too. We can have a big party at Abby's house. Thank you, Abby. Abby's the best. She's hosting the whole team. We get all of the wings over. Yes.

[Abby Wambach]

Well, thank you guys for coming on. We do this weird thing. It's a party pose. So all you have to do is just pose in a way that it's going to be like, boom. That's what's going to be seen on YouTube. So just do the party pose.

[Az Fudd]

Oh, gosh.

[Abby Wambach]

Party pose. Just do your best. Do your best. Look, so just. What? Yeah, you can do whatever you want.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

Party pose on three. One.

[Katie Fudd]

I'm not ready.

[Abby Wambach]

I'm not ready.

[Julie Foudy]

Wait, she's not ready. Party now. Are you ready? Now? You ready, Ace? Party pose on three. One, two, three.

[Abby Wambach]

Oh, my God, I love them.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, my gosh. Is Katie not hysterical? I told you you would love her.

[Abby Wambach]

I love her. She is so, like, if honestly. And don't tell Glennon I'm saying this, but there's a part of me that wishes that I could have been that way, that I could have parented that way, like, just been tough and just.

[Julie Foudy]

It's only on the pod. Don't tell Glenn. Just like all the party people, because I had this.

[Abby Wambach]

I had this notion of what parenting could be, and I'm like, oh, my God, I'm gonna make my kid like, an Olympian. Like, that's what I'm gonna do. And then I got into it, and I'm like, I'm too soft. I'm too soft. I think my. My dream.

[Julie Foudy]

So cute that she had that balance, though, that, like, even they said, like, we never. I can't believe we didn't fight growing up with you coaching me. Like, how do you. I mean, that tells you how driven Az was as well. Like, from a young age. Like, you have to have that drive at a young age.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes.

[Julie Foudy]

For a parent to be able to do that. And.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah. And the parent backs off if you back off. Right.

[Julie Foudy]

So obviously they'd check in and say, how much do you want this still? And can we. Should we keep pushing?

[Abby Wambach]

But I love that she's still honor. During games. Like, you know, on that drive, you could have gone. You could have gone more towards. I thought you could have gone more towards the basket.

[Katie Fudd]

Your.

[Abby Wambach]

Your elbow's a little low. Like, I love that. I love. Because it's like, it's the dedication, you know, you're. You're in it and if you know it. Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

How about that?

[Az Fudd]

At the.

[Julie Foudy]

At the Wings games now she's just like. And I said, I want you to start the chance again. And Az was like, no, no, not yet. Not yet.

[Abby Wambach]

She's got to work her way in.

[Julie Foudy]

That is fun.

[Abby Wambach]

I love that. And I. I really. I really do mean it. I'm gonna. I'm gonna watch a. This year, and I think she's gonna have an incredible career, man. I really do think that there's lots of good things ahead for her because she's got the whole package. Like, she's well spoken. You know, she's. She was on every freaking ad during the tournament, you know, so she's like doing it off the court and she's doing it on the court. Dallas, now she's getting paid. Like, it's just great. So pumped for them.

[Julie Foudy]

I know, I know. All right, party people. Don't forget to subscribe to the welcome to the party YouTube channel. Click that little bell icon so you can get updates when new episodes go live.

[Abby Wambach]

And if you just take one minute, we would so appreciate it. If you can rate, leave a comment and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And also be sure to follow us on Instagram or YouTube and wherever you get your socials at. Welcome to Party show where Julie, Billy and I will bring the party straight to your feed. You can also email us at party people questions gmail.com. kate Diaz. We still love our music. Thank you so much.

[Julie Foudy]

We love you, Kate.

[Abby Wambach]

All right, USA on three. One, two, three. 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. Initial Digital 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. Thanks for listening.