Well Played

Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird announced that after a decade together, they’re separating. Excuse us while we fly our flags at half staff. On the opposite end of the love spectrum, Olympic track and field athlete Noah Lyles got married – and probably fired his videographer after sharing the absolute flop of a first look at his bride. Let’s just hope his wife’s love language isn’t “words of affirmation.”  In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  The controversial question a reported asked Azzi Fudd in her first Dallas Wings press conference Which Olympian-producing women’s sport Quinnipiac University downgraded from D1 to club level The WNBA’s Natasha Cloud is teamless – and why the new CBA could have something to do with it Whether Dexter “Sexy Dexy” Lawrence could help Joe Burrow finally get a ring The iconic story behind the Boston Marathon’s first woman runner – and how she’s honoring herself 60 years later  Send Its: Noah Lyles first look flop: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/p/DXHhjx5jez_/⁠  Bobbi Gibb statue: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/p/DXU3OgxE9Kg/⁠ Erin Andrews does IVF at 47: ⁠https://youtu.be/zZga9XWSyZU?si=VQJvJjh_UTOYIea9&t=1923⁠  Victoria Beckham goes Gap: ⁠https://www.gapinc.com/en-gb/articles/2026/04/gap-and-victoria-beckham-announce-multi-season-col⁠  Topics 02:07 - Amanda Batula & West Wilson at the Yankees Game 05:44 - Megan Rapinoe & Sue Bird Breakup 08:11 - Azzi Fudd’s Awkward Press Conference 17:29 - "Sexy Dexy" to the Bengals 24:55 - Noah Lyles’ Wedding "First Look" Fail 28:46 - The Iconic Boston Marathon Sculpture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coco Gauff sported her natural hair in a recent ad for Miu Miu and the internet showed us why we can’t have nice things. The no. 3 ranked tennis player shut down criticism about her appearance and more importantly, to encourage young Black girls to embrace their natural hair. Meanwhile, the WNBA rolled out its orange carpet for the 2026 draft, and this year’s draftees showed up and showed out on one of the biggest nights of their lives.  In this episode, we also cover: Propaganda we’re falling for, AKA Hudson Williams’ Peloton ad Well Played friends of the pod who showed up to Coachella The Australian runner who beat Usain Bolt’s 20-year record in the 200m sprint The shocking pay difference between the 2025 and 2026 WNBA draft class, thanks to the league’s new CBA  A self-indulgent recap of the Alix Earle and Alex Cooper beef Send It: Meet Gout Gout: https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/article/australian-sprinter-gout-gout-breaks-under-20-record-with-blazing-200m-time-surpassing-legendary-olympian-usain-bolt-184411317.html  Pope Leo balls out with Harlem Globetrotters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IYKsgfO0HQ  Laufey, Hudson Williams, and the Council of Wasia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNa8jP4zoJo&list=RDyNa8jP4zoJo&start_radio=1  This couple at the Pacers game is all of us: https://www.threads.com/@thedankbrew/post/DW__SuSEZJE?xmt=AQF0MSzRnAYJn5UQchQP8TGsWhUf5ilzN3tp0mLpbd49Ot5K5HfogDuEUdsLI0GQi_giHrRo&slof=1 Plus, when Shaq offered to buy their engagement ring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVxAaY4ZBss  Follow Well Played: @wellplayedbytheskimm Follow Blake: @blaaakkkke Follow Caroline: @cghendy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This March Madness, the category was “upset.” At least on the women’s side. South Carolina upset UCONN — the overwhelming favorite on the women’s side – which failed on its mission to win the natty two years in a row. Then, UCONN coach Geno Auriemma literally upset South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in a post-game screaming match. We dive into his allegations, his half-assed apology, and why we’re tired of seeing women have to take the higher road.  In this episode of Well Played, we also cover:  Angel Reese kicks off WNBA free agency trade, going from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream  Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom share the reality behind Odom’s addiction in a new episode of “Untold” Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld’s first public engagement after having their baby girl  Rapper J. Cole’s new sporty side quest that literally no one asked for  Madison Keys recaps the Amanda Batula and West Wilson drama  Send It: Royal Baby of Buffalo enters the chat: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/p/DWpTKnYkk9G/⁠  Rory McIlroy’s Masters Menu: ⁠https://www.masters.com/en_US/news/articles/2026-03-18/for_mcilroy_a_masterful_menu_with_a_touch_of_home.html⁠  J. Cole off to China: ⁠https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48374160/rapper-j-cole-signs-chinese-league-nanjing-monkey-kings⁠  Madison Keys on the Summer House drama for The Tennis Channel: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/p/DWsJINjDngv/⁠  Other links: Lauren Betts’ The Player’s Tribune essay “I Want to Be Here’: ⁠https://www.theplayerstribune.com/lauren-betts-ncaa-basketball-ucla⁠  Kyle Cook’s messy rant: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jIQsRMg6V8s⁠  Geno Auriemma, updated apology post recording: ⁠https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/geno-auriemma-sparks-backlash-incomplete-193229146.html⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marathoner Emma Bates went viral after sharing that her sponsor, UCan, dropped her once they learned she was pregnant. While UCan denied the allegation, it still reminded us of an unfortunate reality for women athletes – that the “pregnancy penalty” still exists. We break down what the penalty is, why some women athletes view pregnancy as a “death sentence” to their career, and how athletes like Allyson Felix have fought to stop it. In this episode, we also cover: Naomi Osaka retirement rumors swirling after her comments around motherhood and her tennis career Shaq addressing the AI-generated texts between him and Sabrina Carpenter NWSL smashing record attendance (again) – and the Denver Summit player who proved representation does matter Which teams made it to the Final Four, and how Blake and Caroline’s brackets are doing Send Its: Carson Pickett’s heartwarming moment with young fan: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWcSRqXEjN_/ Shaq’s AI-generated texts: https://youtu.be/rOxlgU75f7w?si=D7XQPSA24hqA5wqz&t=18 The Stewart-Brunson fracture: https://people.com/martha-stewart-said-nba-player-broke-her-toe-courtside-11871039 Miss Thailand contestant breaks it down: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWeaQ_PDRRM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It finally happened – the WNBA voted to ratify its new collective bargaining agreement, months after the deadline passed. It’s a major win for professional women’s basketball players and the league, which will offer what it calls “the first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women's professional sports history.” With just weeks until the season starts, the off-season – and free agency chaos – begins.  In this episode of Well Played, we also cover: What the Fanatics Flag Football classic has to do with the LA28 Olympics The details of the WNBA CBA agreement – and why 2026 rookies should be happy Why a Brazilian soccer star called out Chappell Roan for shading…Jude Law’s daughter? Whether Alvaro Folgueiras actually threw a punch, and why he’s the Fernando Mendoza of college hoops Send Its: Women’s hockey beer league: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWCNF-GjoE0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Sabrina Ionescu drains buckets and beers: https://www.reddit.com/r/wnba/comments/1s16hia/sabrina_ionescu_shotgunning_a_beer_wluke_combs/ Alysa Liu and Fernando Mendoza team up to play…Fortnite?: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWMMcq1Eb2X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Miami player’s first stop post-Purdue loss isn’t what you think: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWNevHRjL0l/ Dr. Lemon, this TCU player needs an extension: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWO3GlekY3u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices