Bitches Love Sports

Chef Hoppie nearly quit during his first weeks working with the Dallas Wings. In this bonus episode of BLS Beyond the W, the celebrity chef and Dallas Wings sports performance chef explains why he contemplated walking away and what made him stay.Known for working with athletes including Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Ezekiel Elliott, Chef Hoppie takes us behind the scenes of feeding a WNBA team. He shares how his relationship with Arike Ogunbowale helped him navigate the organization, how he earned players’ trust, and how lamb chops became a team favorite.We also talk about the the challenges of cooking without a permanent team kitchen and his vision for the Wings’ new practice facility and community culinary partnerships. For Hoppie, women’s basketball isn’t a stepping stone: it’s a place to bring what he’s learned and build something bigger.Beyond basketball, Hoppie opens up about fatherhood, his faith, and the pressure to maintain a successful public image while navigating real life. We also discuss social media boundaries, the way fans talk about WNBA players, his Nike campaigns, and what’s next for his food pop-ups and merchandise.Recorded November 4, 2026. Watch our first Chef Hoppie Interview: https://youtu.be/XEGNugaCs2g#WNBA #WomensBasketball #BeyondTheW #DallasWings --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow Chef HoppieChef Hoppie Official WebsiteFollow Jazz MonetSUPPORT THE CONTENT:☕ Buy Me a Coffee🏷️ New Merch Available📰 Read on Substack⁠🎥Watch on YouTube⁠---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------00:00 - Meet Chef Hoppie, Sports Performance Chef of the Dallas Wings04:12 - Nike Campaigns & How the Dallas Wings Opportunity Happened08:16 - Feeding the Dallas Wings13:40 - The WNBA Isn’t Hoppie's Stepping Stone20:25 - Fatherhood, a New Look & Earning Players’ Trust27:33 - How Arike Ogunbowale Helped Him Navigate the Wings31:36 - How Lamb Chops Became a Dallas Wings Favorite37:30 - Grief, Faith & the Pressure Behind the Public Image42:48 - What Fans Don’t See and Why Grace Matters48:47 - Almost Quitting, Finding His Why & What Comes Next

First, we break down the Golden State Valkyries–Atlanta Dream Finals matchup: Natalie Nakase’s adjustments, Kiah Stokes’ defensive impact, Angel Reese’s opportunities, and what Atlanta needs to change to extend the series.Then we discuss the All-WNBA First and Second Teams, including Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Breanna Stewart, Angel Reese, and the standards voters should apply. Should Paige Bueckers have made All-WNBA First Team over Caitlin Clark? And what should matter most in those selections: scoring, playmaking, efficiency, defense, or a player’s importance to her team?Finally, we look ahead to Unrivaled, Project B, WNBA free agency, JuJu Watkins’ draft decision, the Houston Comets, the commissioner search, and the Indiana Fever’s next chapter.On this episode of BLS Beyond the W, Monet welcomes Lauren Rosenberg, Myah Taylor, and the creator behind Dope Content and Dope Sports Network for a candid conversation about the 2026 WNBA Finals, All-WNBA selections, and the stories that could dominate the offseason.Plus: Heroes & Villains, Azzi Fudd’s brand-building, the Game 6 scheduling controversy, and why criticism of women’s sports institutions should be informed, factual, and specific.------------------------------------------------------------------------00:00 - Paige over Caitlin? The debate starts here02:09 - Meet the panel: Heroes, villains & WNBA headlines07:33 - Game 6 scheduling: Who deserves scrutiny?14:05 - WNBA Finals: Defense, adjustments & the coaching chess match20:53 - Can Atlanta force Game 7?28:17 - All-WNBA: What should voters actually reward?30:14 - The case Paige Bueckers over Caitlin Clark for All-WNBA First Team39:22 - Does the WNBA need a third All-WNBA team?42:44 - Offseason watch: Project B, Unrivaled & JuJu Watkins46:02 - Houston Comets excitement, free agency & fan rivalries50:33 - Looking forward to WNBA Free Agency54:37 - Commissioner search & the Indiana Fever’s next chapter-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow K-LewFollow MyahFollow LaurenFollow JazzSUPPORT THE CONTENT:☕ Buy Me a Coffee🏷️ New Merch Available📰 Read on Substack⁠🎥Watch on YouTube⁠

The Dallas Wings enter a pivotal offseason with talent, questions, and very little room for error. The panel breaks down Dallas’ history of coaching turnover, the players who developed into major contributors elsewhere, and why the Wings have struggled to build a stable roster around Paige Bueckers. They also debate Arike Ogunbowale’s role and trade value, Awak Kuier’s breakout defensive impact and potential contract, whether Dallas should run it back with its top six, the need for more lineup flexibility, and the offseason additions the Wings need to make.In this episode of BLS Beyond the W, host Jazz Monet is joined by Mason Garcia of The Podium Finish, Drake Keeler of The IX Sports, and Melissa Triebwasser of The IX Sports for a deep dive into the Wings’ roster construction, player development, coaching instability, defensive identity, salary-cap constraints, and the future of the franchise.If you cover the WNBA, follow the Dallas Wings, or want to understand what it will take for Dallas to build a real contender around Paige Bueckers, this conversation is for you.Watch the full episode, subscribe for more WNBA and Dallas Wings coverage, and share your take: should the Wings run it back, make a major trade, or reshape the roster this offseason?------------------------------------------------------------------------00:00 - Dallas’ Coaching Instability01:57 - Meet the Panel07:53 - Coaching Turnover, Player Development, and Retention Issues10:12 - How the Wings can Build a Championship Caliber Team15:16 - Arike Ogunbowale's Role and Perception23:35 - Did the Dallas Wings ever find an identity?29:46 - Should Dallas Run It Back with Their Top Six?34:24 - Should the Dallas Wings Match Any Offer for Awak Kuier?45:36 - Is International Scouting the Answer?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow MelissaFollow DrakeFollow MasonFollow JazzSUPPORT THE CONTENT:☕ Buy Me a Coffee🏷️ New Merch Available📰 Read on Substack⁠🎥Watch on YouTube⁠

Arike Ogunbowale scored a WNBA playoff-record 45 points as the Dallas Wings defeated the Golden State Valkyries 108–100 in overtime to force a winner-take-all Game 3.In this postgame reaction, I break down Arike’s aggressive response after Game 1, including why she said seven shots were not enough in the playoffs; her game-tying three with 4.1 seconds left; and how 16 free throws reflected her willingness to attack the basket. I also discuss the contributions of Alysha Clark and Aziaha James, Paige Bueckers’ impact beyond her shooting numbers, the Wings’ defensive intensity, Jose Fernandez's reaction, and what Dallas must replicate or improve on the road in San Francisco.Can the Wings bring the same physicality, urgency, communication, and team defense to Golden State for Game 3? Let me know your biggest key to the deciding game in the comments.#DallasWings #ArikeOgunbowale #WNBAPlayoffs #GoldenStateValkyries #PaigeBueckers #WNBA #WingsUp #WNBABasketball --------------------------------------------------------------------SUPPORT THE CONTENT:☕ Buy Me a Coffee🏷️ New Merch Available📰 Read on Substack🎥Watch on YouTube--------------------------------------------------------------------00:00 - Arike Ogunbowale’s 45-point playoff record01:31 - Why Arike’s Game 2 breakout was building all season04:11 - How Golden State’s Paige Bueckers plan created an opening07:36 - Did the Valkyries or Wings change more in Game 2?09:29 - Inside the intensity of Wings–Valkyries Game 214:15 - The overtime thriller: Arike’s clutch three and 11 OT points17:11 - Alysha Clark and Aziaha James step up21:57 - Why Arike’s role matters beyond scoring28:31 - Did Dallas finally survive the bad-quarter problem?36:39 - Postgame Pressers: Arike Ogunbowale, Alysha Clark and Jose Fernandez01:18:46 - Game 3 keys: Can the Wings win in San Francisco?

The Dallas Wings are officially heading into Round 1 of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs against the Golden State Valkyries! Before Game 1 tips off, Jazz Monet recaps the regular season with exclusive beat reporting, fresh practice takeaways from College Park Center, and a complete countdown of the Top 10 best, funniest, and most viral press conference moments of the year.From Paige Bueckers' mindset on doubters to Li Yueru learning trash talk, Jose's viral accountability presser, and Azzi Fudd's preseason honesty, get the complete behind-the-scenes stories from the media room. Plus: a breakdown of the Wings' playoff keys, lineup continuity, and chat Q&A on WNBA awards and contract decisions.#DallasWings #WNBA #WNBAPlayoffs #PaigeBueckers #LiYueru #ArikeOgunbowale #BitchesLoveSports #WomensBasketball--------------------------------------------------------------------SUPPORT THE CONTENT:☕ Buy Me a Coffee🏷️ New Merch Available📰 Read on Substack🎥 Watch on YouTube--------------------------------------------------------------------00:00 - Dallas Wings Playoff Reality: Can They Upset Golden State?03:19 - Practice Takeaways: Physicality, Lineup Continuity & Game 1 Keys06:25 - Who Steps Up in Round 1? (Maddie, Zaza, or a Surprise?)38:33 - #10: David Adkins on Paige Bueckers' NBA-Level Work Ethic47:36 - #9: Alysha Clark & Azzi Fudd: The Veteran-Rookie Dynamic51:16 - #8: Azzi Fudd on Getting Comfortable with Social Media56:23 - #7: Zaza James & Li Yueru: Language Practice & Court Chemistry01:00:49 - #6: Paige Bueckers on Doubters: "I Don't Give a Crap"01:04:16 - #5: Coach Jose's Viral Locker Room Accountability Rant01:07:57 - #4: Azzi Fudd’s Preseason Confusion on WNBA Physicality01:11:12 - #3, #2 & #1: The Legendary Li Yueru Trash Talk Trilogy01:21:39 - Who Decides WNBA Awards? (Media Voting Process Explained)

Azzi Fudd opens up on recovery, optimism, her season-ending injury, supporting the Dallas Wings, her podcast and Project B. PLUS: The most fun storylines from the FIBA Women's World Cup and the women’s basketball leagues to watch after the WNBA season.Azzi Fudd speaks on her season-ending knee injury, recovery, mental health, supporting the Dallas Wings from the sideline, Fudd Around and Find Out Season 2, Project B, social media, and why she refuses to compare herself to Olivia Miles.In this episode of the BLS Podcast, Jazz Monet breaks down Azzi Fudd’s final Dallas Wings practice availability before the WNBA playoffs. Azzi explains why arthroscopic knee surgery was the right decision, how she is staying optimistic, what she learned during her rookie season, and why she plans to be the Wings’ biggest hype woman while rehabbing.We also discuss the Dallas Wings’ playoff outlook, the team’s three-big lineup, Paige Bueckers and Alanna Smith's availability updates, new Wings guard Kitija Laksa, WNBA playoff seeding, and what José Fernández wants to see in the final regular-season games.Plus: The full context behind the Azzi Fudd–Olivia Miles comparison question that got social media worked up, Project B, Unrivaled, women’s college basketball, and the women’s basketball leagues and competitions to follow after the WNBA season ends.#AzziFudd #DallasWings #WNBA #WomensBasketball #PaigeBueckers #OliviaMiles #ProjectB #Unrivaled #FIBAWWC --------------------------------------------------------------------SUPPORT THE CONTENT:☕ Buy Me a Coffee🏷️ New Merch Available📰 Read on Substack🎥 Watch on YouTube--------------------------------------------------------------------00:00 - Azzi chooses optimism05:49 - Sydney Sweeney’s sports prediction-market ad debate15:05 - Arch Manning, Holly Rowe and accountability after backlash34:14 - Dallas Wings practice notes: Paige Bueckers, injuries and playoff race47:36 - Who is Kitija Laksa? New Wings guard on fitting in and helping Dallas57:31 - The Azzi Fudd–Olivia Miles question: full context and full answer01:03:28 - Azzi Fudd on recovery, surgery and her rookie season01:09:45 - Azzi Fudd on podcast season 2, social media and Project B01:14:03 - Azzi Fudd: “I’m going to be their hype woman”01:39:05 - FIBA Women’s World Cup takeaways: parity, Caitlin Clark and Kara Lawson01:53:49 - Women’s basketball after the WNBA: playoffs, Project B, Unrivaled and college hoops

Ben Shelton is headed to the US Open final after defeating Frances Tiafoe in a historic semifinal: the first Grand Slam semifinal in the Open Era featuring two Black American men. And with this win, Shelton becomes the first Black American man to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.So tonight we're discussing why today was significant for Black tennis, the connection between Arthur Ashe’s legacy, Shelton and Tiafoe’s different paths into the sport, Taylor Townsend’s US Open doubles title and Career Grand Slam, representation, access, and why this day means so much to Black tennis fans.--------------------------------------------------------------------SUPPORT THE CONTENT:Buy Me a CoffeeNew Merch AvailableRead on SubstackWatch on YouTube--------------------------------------------------------------------TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Ben Shelton on Arthur Ashe’s legacy01:20 - Shelton makes US Open history02:25 - Welcome to BLS Black Fridays03:13 - Black tennis fans find community on Threads05:18 - Ben Shelton’s maturity and US Open run08:14 - Ben Shelton’s college-to-pro path10:07 - Frances Tiafoe, “Big Foe” and self-definition16:44 - Frances Tiafoe’s family, access and tennis journey18:41 - Taylor Townsend’s US Open title and Career Grand Slam30:28 - Taylor Townsend, body scrutiny and Black women in sports

Dak Prescott says protecting the football is vital, and Brian Schottenheimer is committed to a volume offense in 2026. So what should success actually look like for the "Greatest Offense There Is" this season?In this episode of Bitches Love Sports, I break down how I’m evaluating Dak Prescott this season: completion percentage, red-zone execution, consistency, turnover-worthy plays, tight-window throws, pass protection, and the difference between being aggressive and being reckless.I also react to Brian Schottenheimer describing Dallas as a “volume offense.” Does a volume offense mean conservative football? Can Dak’s post-snap processing, protection, offensive disguise, and the Cowboys’ receiving options create more explosive plays without turning every throw into hero ball?The Dak Prescott conversation is not “everything is his fault” versus “nothing is his fault.” It is about what Dak controls and what the Cowboys have to build around him.Drop your take in the comments: What worries you most about the Cowboys offense: Dak’s decision-making, his numbers, or whether a volume offense can generate enough explosive plays?#DallasCowboys #DakPrescott #CowboysNation #NFL #BrianSchottenheimer #TheBLSPodcast--------------------------------------------------------------------SUPPORT THE CONTENT:Buy Me a CoffeeNew Merch AvailableRead on SubstackWatch on YouTube--------------------------------------------------------------------TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Dak Prescott: “Protecting the ball is vital”01:01 - How I’m grading Dak Prescott in 202603:10 - What Dak controls vs. what the Cowboys must fix06:32 - Shout-outs: Team USA, Dallas Wings and U.S. Open14:35 - Dak Prescott’s completion percentage and consistency17:24 - Cowboys red-zone struggles and Dak’s role20:09 - Turnover-worthy plays: aggressive vs. reckless24:00 - Can a volume offense still create explosive plays?31:50 - Finding offensive identity as a volume offense46:35 - Chat: Dak’s 2026 rubric + hero ball, Flournoy and Cowboys weapons

Inspired by Brian Schottenheimer’s honest, human approach to Dallas Cowboys roster cuts, this episode of As It Is in Sports, So It Is in Life explores the difference between valuation and value.A job loss, breakup, rejection, roster cut, or unexpected transition can hurt without becoming a final verdict on who you are. Your fit can change. Your circumstances can change. Your value does not.Watch on YouTubeBuy Me a CoffeeNew Merch Available

The Dallas Cowboys made surprising roster decisions, and Brian Schottenheimer’s press conference offered a clear window into the standard behind them: competition, role clarity, culture, and fit over flash.I break down why Malik Davis survived a crowded RB room, what Jaydon Blue and Sam Williams’ departures say about the Cowboys’ 2026 roster build, the Joe Milton/Sam Howell QB picture, and why the Broderick Jones–Terence Steele right-tackle competition matters heading into Week 1.Then, we close with the Dallas Wings’ 97–71 win over the Connecticut Sun: the early intensity, the bench impact, Aziaha James’ return, Paige Bueckers' postgame comments, second-half adjustments, and Maddy Siegrist's usage as the Wings enter the FIBA World Cup break on a four-game winning streak.Buy Me a CoffeeNew Merch AvailableWatch on YouTube00:00 - Cowboys roster-cut surprises & Dallas Wings playoff outlook08:25 - Joe Milton, Sam Howell and what the QB decision really says15:22 - “Fit over flash”: the Cowboys’ new roster-building philosophy22:58 - Why Malik Davis beat out Jaydon Blue in the RB room31:36 - Schottenheimer reacts to the cuts and explains his roster standard35:34 - Broderick Jones vs. Terence Steele: a real RT competition?46:20 - Why the Cowboys will keep adding talent, even late53:14 - Schottenheimer on culture, tough cuts and building a championship roster59:16 - Sam Williams, Jaydon Blue and why “wrong” is not the same as “not a fit”01:29:18 Dallas Wings: four straight wins, Paige Bueckers & playoff momentum