In this episode we highlight the evolution of women's sports, particularly focusing on the impact of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in the WNBA.

Cari Champion interviews Lisa Bluder, former head coach of the University of Iowa women's basketball team. They discuss the impact of Caitlin Clark on the sport and her experience coaching Caitlin to superstardom. Bluder shares her thoughts on the challenges and changes in women's athletics and gives her take on Caitlin’s performance in the WNBA.

Cari also speaks with Caitlin’s high school coach, Kristin Meyer, Their conversation explores Caitlin's skills and playing style, her off-court personality, and the comparisons made between her and other basketball players.

Within both conversations, we explore the historical context of women's athletics, the role of social media in shaping narratives, and the complexities of rivalry and race in sports.

Other voices include Ryan Ruocco, Sarah Spain, Sabreena Merchant, Kev on Stage, and more...

Connect: @CariChampion @NakedwithCariChampion

Check out NAKED SPORTS on YouTube!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Season 4 of NAKED SPORTS!

We're excited to kick off the season with a six-episode docu-series, *The Making of a Rivalry*, which follows the rise of women's basketball stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The series traces their journey from high school to college, examining the media frenzy that has fueled their rivalry. It highlights their impact on the sport and how they've shaped the perception of women's basketball. The series also explores the importance of rivalries in sports and why competition is essential.

This episode features interviews with players, coaches, and sports journalists, offering insights into the players' skills, personalities, and the challenges they face.

Special guests in this episode include Jemele Hill, Sarah Spain, Sabreena Merchant, and more."

Connect: @CariChampion @NakedwithCariChampion

Check out NAKED SPORTS on YouTube!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese caused a media frenzy after their infamous “you can’t see me” exchange in the 2023 NCAA championship game. There was a fierce debate over their perceived rivalry and it only intensified once they became the hottest prospects in the WNBA's rookie class.

The media’s fixation on their so-called rivalry has been fueled by the same gender and racial bias that has haunted women’s sports for generations. And now that Clark and Reese have brought thousands of new fans to the sport, is it safe to say that this storyline is what the WNBA needed? Or has it invited toxicity into a space that has always prided itself on its inclusivity and sisterhood?

In this groundbreaking series, Cari Champion searches for answers from those who know Clark and Reese best – from the coaches who helped shape their game, to the players and journalists who have witnessed their meteoric rise first-hand. Champion traces the incredible parallel paths of not just these two historic talents, but the WNBA itself, and sets the stage for the collision course that has brought us to this very moment. The Making of a Rivalry: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese is not just about two of the brightest flames the sport has ever seen, but it also asks an essential question – in a time of such divisiveness, is it possible to let greatness unite us?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.