Billie Jean King on the Rise of Women’s Sports

Billie Jean King is as active as ever in the fight to elevate women’s sports. The 39-time grand slam winner and activist joins the show to discuss the growth of the WNBA, NWSL, and PWHL, her involvement in Parity Week by Gainbridge and what it will take to bring women’s sports up to equal stature and pay as men’s sports. Plus, the NFL was ordered to pay $4.7 billion in its antitrust trial, the NWSL is having its best year ever, LIV Golf’s streaming partner shut down, and Peacock will use an AI-generated version of Al Michael’s voice during the Olympics.

The College World Series has gone from a niche event to one that draws impressive viewership and attendance numbers. Front Office Sports newsletter co-author David Rumsey joins the show to discuss what has led to the event’s ascent. Plus, NHL Awards Ceremony host Matt Friend discusses how he is preparing for the event, the NCAA is unbanning cannabis, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed a major stadium deal, and Raiders coach Antonio Pierce is facing major financial issues related to defaulted loans to car dealerships.

The NBA is moving its draft to a two-day format as a new collective bargaining agreement will reshape how teams build their rosters. Both changes could stir major trades as one of the more unsettled drafts in recent memory plays out. Front Office Sports breaking news and enterprise reporter Alex Schiffer joins the show to break down the big storylines before the draft. Plus, the Coyotes’ ownership group is ending its attempt to restart the franchise, the Chiefs are getting the Hallmark treatment, and we explore the state of NIL with Chloe V. Mitchell, an early practitioner and entrepreneur in the space.

Copa America and the European Championship provide contrasting international soccer tournaments as the US is seeking to assert its place in the sport’s global landscape. Men in Blazers founder Roger Bennett joins the show to discuss the simultaneous tournaments and some surprising findings from their survey of American soccer fans. Plus, TMRW Sports received a major investment months before its launch, the Miami Marlins are covering fans’ costs for their local streaming network, and ESPN is taking a page from its parent company with a new fan offering.

The Arizona Coyotes’ hopes of restarting their franchise took a hit when the Arizona State Land Department canceled an auction for land the team was planning to use for a new arena and entertainment district. The move was made after the department determined that the Coyotes didn’t have the proper permit to carry out their plans. Front Office Sports senior reporter AJ Perez joins the show to discuss whether or not this ownership group will succeed in bringing hockey back to the desert. Plus, Roku’s head of sports Joe Franzetta joins the show to explain how his company is positioned as a platform that is partly insulated from the major shifts in media consumption, but is still buying up sports rights of its own.

US soccer star Tobin Heath saw a gap in how women’s sports were covered, specifically in how both leagues and media companies generally followed the same blueprint as men’s sports. She joins the show to discuss the state of soccer as Copa America and the Euros heat up, the NWSL’s growing pains, and how women’s sports brings in new communities. Plus, JJ Redick and Carlos Alcaraz signed major contracts and Stephen A. Smith is hoping to do the same.

MLB had its best-attended weekend in over a decade, while its local broadcasting future gets hashed out in court. Meanwhile, a change in the minor leagues provides hints on the future of umpiring. The league is also commemorating the Negro Leagues with a game in Alabama, as it continues its series of custom-built specialty games. Front Office Sports newsletter co-author Eric Fisher joins the show to break down everything going on with the busy league. Plus, Pat McAfee reportedly remains without a contract to keep his place on ESPN’s College GameDay, and many Charlotte residents are unhappy with a proposal to spend $650 million renovating the Panthers’ stadium.

The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the sports betting monopoly held by the Seminole Tribe in Florida. The decision likely secures the tribe’s domination of the sports betting market until 2051, and could set precedents that have implications in other states. Sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach joins the show to explain the decision and what could happen next. Plus, Shaun White is launching a snowboarding league, a former coach is suing LSU, and Derek Jeter sold an estate often compared to a medieval castle in upstate New York.

Chris Roycroft charted an unlikely path to MLB, training between shifts as a Jimmy John's delivery person, car mechanic, and other odd jobs. Now a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Roycroft joins the show to discuss the habits and determination that got him to MLB, and the challenging life of an independent league baseball player. Plus, Charles Barkley announced plans to call it quits as a TV analyst, MLB faces a new integrity challenge, and the US team’s run in the Cricket World Cup could have a lasting impact.

Pinehurst No. 2 is designed to be one of the more challenging, intimidating major golf courses, and it will be the stage for this weekend’s US Open. Golfer-turned-analyst Smylie Kaufman joins the show to discuss the nuances of broadcasting the tournament, and how his time as a player against many of today’s top competitors informs his approach as an analyst. Plus, Formula E has a new majority owner, the Big 12 is mulling a massive conference naming rights deal, and a peculiar drama is unfolding in the world of competitive eating.