Women's sports, and women's basketball in particular, is having a moment.

But if a moment happens in an arena with no broadcast partner, did it really happen? That was the reality for lots of fans - and lots more if not for heyheyitsalli on Twitter/X - trying to watch the WNBA for the first time on May 4, 2024. And sorry to say folks, that's not super unusual.

Welcome back to That Can't Be Right and for new women's hoops fans, welcome to the WNBA, a league we love no matter how hard they make it to watch games featuring top draft picks. Friend of the pod, Dr. Courtney Cox returns to discuss the WNBA through the lens of labor, media, politics, identity, activism, and then Xs and Os. Big topics:

• Caitlin Clark, a player you've probably never heard of in your life
• Our WNBA fandom origin story
• Where'd we like to see the WNBA expand (Houston, obviously but we need an even number of teams)
• Big money, big money, big money
• The fan experience and missed opportunities by the WNBA (I just want to buy Nike ninja headbands)
• The player experience - flights, feelings, overseas contracts, roster slots (your favs might not make it), playing in rec league gyms
• How to hold the league accountable
• And how to pick your squad if you don't live in a city with a team!

References:

• 144: https://vimeo.com/552923319
• WNBA "We Got Next" campaign: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CODmsw8LIc5/
• Bet on Women by Nneka Ogwumike in the Players' Tribune: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/nneka-ogwumike-wnba-cba-bet-on-women
• Kelsey Plum on The Residency Pod talking revenue share for the W: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Clbx6tVjs_1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• WNBA in the Bay: https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/oakland-wnba-expansion-san-francisco-engelbert-18421448.php
• The Spy Who Signed Me: https://30for30podcasts.com/episodes/the-spy-who-signed-me/
• The Kaplan Report: https://ncaagenderequityreview.com/
• Sedona Prince 2021 weight room video: https://www.tiktok.com/@sedonerrr/video/6941180880127888646?lang=en
• Sophie Cunningham v Kahleah Copper: https://www.instagram.com/espnw/p/C3A1XSEu6jl/?img_index=2

Follow along on the internet:
https://www.instagram.com/tcbrpod/
https://www.tiktok.com/@tcbrpod

Follow Rhian on the internet:
https://twitter.com/RhiansHope
https://www.instagram.com/rhianshope

Support TCBR:
@TCBRPOD on Venmo

Pickleball Players: Use promo code ROGAN for 15% off any paddle from Bread & Butter Pickleball Company at bnbpickleball.com

Follow along on the internet:
https://www.instagram.com/tcbrpod/
https://www.tiktok.com/@tcbrpod

Follow Rhian on the internet:
https://twitter.com/RhiansHope
https://www.instagram.com/rhianshope

Support TCBR:
@TCBRPOD on Venmo

Pickleball Players: Use promo code ROGAN for 15% off any paddle from Bread & Butter Pickleball Company at bnbpickleball.com

Man/Woman on the street videos have taken on a new life in the age of easy to buy tiny mics and cameras but not all are created equal. And honestly I wish most people would stop doing them.

But not Adam Mockler. Adam travels to political rallies and events to talk to Trump supporters and boy are those conversations a doozy. Press play to hear: what he's trying to accomplish in these interactions, the craziest things people have said to him (usually unprompted), his thoughts on Election 2024 (including where RFK Jr fits), and how to talk to your (possibly delusional) family about politics over the holidays.

Referenced clips:
A white lady defending slavery unprompted
Vivek lost his voice after rapping Eminem unprompted
A different white lady explains the most complicated theory that Trump is still President but Biden is also President

Follow Adam on the internet:
https://www.instagram.com/adammockler/ 
https://twitter.com/adammocklerr 
https://www.youtube.com/@adammockler 

Follow along on the internet:
https://www.instagram.com/tcbrpod/
https://thatcantberight.substack.com/ 

Follow Rhian on the internet:
https://twitter.com/RhiansHope
https://www.instagram.com/rhianshope 

Support TCBR:
@TCBRPOD on Venmo

US sports industry is on track to earn $83 billion dollars in 2023. And that was calculated before Taylor Swift started going to Kansas City Chiefs' games. 

Americans care deeply about sports and given my own habits, I was curious how others enjoy sports so I asked what people (not players, coaches, scouts, etc) do to help their team win from afar. And y'all delivered!

Joining me to discuss some listener submitted superstitions is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Johns Hopkins University, Rodney Rogan. Also, my brother. Press play to hear about people cosplaying, tossing jerseys, eating spaghetti, or ignoring ESPN notifications during a sermon. 

Follow Coach Rogan on the internet:
https://twitter.com/coachrodrogan
https://www.instagram.com/coachrodrogan

Follow along on the internet:
https://www.instagram.com/tcbrpod/ 
https://thatcantberight.substack.com/ 

Follow Rhian on the internet:
https://twitter.com/RhiansHope 
https://www.instagram.com/rhianshope 

Support TCBR:
@TCBRPOD on Venmo

An impeachment trial is underway so let's revisit how we got her with an early episode of TCBR.

In December 2020, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election results in four battleground states. None of which were Texas. But also, Ken Paxton has been under indictment for nearly 6 years.  I didn't really understand what the trouble was so I Googled and I read every article politics reporter Emma Platoff wrote about Paxton for The Texas Tribune, and then followed up to ask more questions. And it is quite the ride.

Follow Emma on the internet:

https://www.twitter.com/emmaplatoff
https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/emma-platoff/  https://www.bostonglobe.com/about/staff-list/staff/emma-platoff 

Follow along on the internet:
https://www.instagram.com/tcbrpod/
https://thatcantberight.substack.com/ 

Follow Rhian on the internet:
https://twitter.com/RhiansHope
https://www.instagram.com/rhianshope

I was bopping along in an Indianapolis record store when "I, Who Have Nothing" by Howard "Youngblood" Bomar caught my attention. I loved it and wanted to understand how I'd missed such a talented artist!

I reached out to the label, Sundazed Music, about doing an episode on Howard and Jay Millar got back to me with a whole range of possible artists to discuss alongside Howard. A common theme quickly emerged: the importance of identity in music - who gets to be famous, how much of themselves do they share, and how can we tell their stories respectfully!

Put together a Spotify playlist so you can check out some of the music. If you want an Apple Music playlist feel free to donate @tcbrpod on Venmo.

Check out Sundazed for latest releases:
https://sundazed.com/ 

Follow Rhian on the internet:
https://twitter.com/RhiansHope
https://www.instagram.com/rhianshope/ 

Follow TCBR on the internet:
https://www.instagram.com/tcbrpod/
https://www.tiktok.com/@tcbrpod
https://substack.com/@tcbrpod 

Support the show: @tcbrpod on Venmo!

A few months ago, my friend sent me a picture of a giant box of cereal and said "This was only available in a giant Sam's Club box. Would you do a review if I sent you the second bag?" to which I agreed but only if we could do it for the podcast. And that's on friendship.

The giant box of cereal was Kellogg's® ICEE® Cereal and it is interesting. 

Press play to hear Brett's expertise on cereals - red flags to look out for when buying cereal, the perfect level of sog for different cereals, and his decision to take on the important work of reviewing cereals. 

CONTENT WARNING: IF YOU DON'T LIKE TO HEAR PEOPLE CHEWING WE DO A LIVE TASTE TEST STARTING AT 46 MINUTE MARK

Please excuse my dog. You can follow him on the internet too: https://www.tiktok.com/@cooperthecowdog 

Follow Brett on the internet:
https://www.cerealscores.com/home 
https://www.instagram.com/berttrader/
https://twitter.com/BertTrader

Follow Rhian on the internet:
https://twitter.com/RhiansHope
https://www.instagram.com/rhianshope/ 

Follow TCBR on the internet:
https://www.instagram.com/tcbrpod/
https://www.tiktok.com/@tcbrpod
https://substack.com/@tcbrpod 

Support the show: @tcbrpod on Venmo!

In the last few years, individuals and organizations across the country have taken to school boards and city councils to get books removed from libraries for allegedly promoting (read: simply mentioning that a real thing exists in the world and is reflected in art) LGBT themes, sex, racism, police brutality, etc. 

So when someone told me that librarian at their Texas high school had decided to retire rather than continue to deal with book challenges and accusations of grooming and indoctrination, I wasn't surprised but I also knew I wanted to have a discussion with them. Enter Andrea. 

Press play to learn about what qualifications librarians have, the vetting process for the books on the shelves, how librarians support students, and how Andrea tried to navigate the challenges before ultimately making the difficult decision to retire.

Buy challenged books:
https://bookshop.org/shop/tcbrpod 

Follow Rhian on the internet:
https://twitter.com/RhiansHope
https://www.instagram.com/rhianshope/ 

Follow TCBR on the internet:
https://www.instagram.com/tcbrpod/
https://www.tiktok.com/@tcbrpod
https://substack.com/@tcbrpod 

Support the show: @tcbrpod on Venmo!