Robinson will be joined by a series of special co-hosts throughout the season, including WNBA MVP/four-time league champion Sheryl Swoopes, and women’s hoops analyst Autumn Johnson. 

Women’s basketball is more popular than ever as fans are packing arenas for college and pro games, more live games on TV, and bold-faced names like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese star in primetime commercials. 

Even better, women’s basketball fans are a marketer’s dream team: WNBA fans are 18% more likely to talk to family and friends about brand sponsors, and 33% purchase from an advertiser¹. 

Podcasts create a home for women’s sports communities — almost half of female sports fans listen to podcasts. “The Women’s Hoops Show” is riding that wave of fandom. Robinson spoke to Audacy about her new show, insights on the Women’s tournament, and which WNBA star shoes she was dying to try. 

Alli Romano  |  Q: Your show has a new name and focus. What should listeners expect? 

Jordan Robinson  |  A: I picked the name The Women’s Hoops Show because it opens up a giant umbrella over women’s basketball and its culture.

Queens of the Court was focused on the WNBA season. But after the Finals, there were so many other topics to discuss. This is going to be an all-encompassing podcast. We’ll talk about college basketball, conference tournaments, and the biggest names in hoops. And, of course, we’ll talk about the “W,” Unrivaled, and even FIBA 3 x 3.

I want to hear from so many voices—players like Sheryl Swoopes and Autumn Johnson, beat writers in the trenches, and celebrities who are big fans.

There is so much excitement around women’s basketball, and podcasting is the perfect avenue to be in everyone’s everyday life, in their ears, keeping the conversations going. The momentum is strong; we’re booked up with guests!

AR  |  Q: You mentioned spotlighting women’s basketball culture. What can listeners expect from the off-court conversations?

Robinson  |  A: I want to dive into basketball-adjacent topics, everything from race to beauty standards. Some people are up in arms about women wearing fake eyelashes while playing. Then there’s the setting spray and makeup—DiJonai Carrington doesn’t even look sweaty after a game. If that gives players confidence and it’s part of their story, I want to hear it.

I also want experts on off-court topics like NIL in college basketball. There’s a lot of money, but what’s happening behind the scenes?

AR  |  Q: The Women’s NCAA Tournament has become must-see TV. Who are the teams to watch? What are the big stories?

Robinson  |  A: I recorded an episode with Autumn Johnson on parity in women’s college basketball. That is our theme. There have been so many different No. 1s all season and so many upsets. For years, nobody watched the tournament because UConn or Tennessee always won. Now, it’s wide open.

I genuinely don’t know who will win, but I expect more buzzer-beaters and overtime games. UCLA will go far, and I want them to play USC again. Duke and their defense will go far. South Carolina has been there and done that. And there’s UConn with Paige Bueckers, who is going to be the No. 1 WNBA pick. There will be a lot of eyes on the tournament—about time.

AR  |  Q: Why is women’s basketball finally getting its due?

Robinson  |  A: Flat out, more people are paying attention. The basketball and players have always been great. But when more people talk about something—like their favorite shoe brand or designer—others ask, “Where did you get those?” It’s the same with women’s basketball; it’s watercooler conversation.

If someone brings up Caitlin Clark, you want to say, ‘Didn’t she break the record? Isn’t she on the [Indiana] Fever? Didn’t she win Rookie of the Year?’ If you’re not watching, you’re left out. A lot of young stars, like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, are building their brands. They’re everywhere, and you can’t not talk about them. But there are so many great players, and I want to bring their stories to the forefront.

AR  |  Q: From A’ja Wilson’s shoe line to Angel Reese’s McDonald’s commercials, WNBA players are becoming marketing powerhouses. How does that impact the game?

Robinson  |  A: It makes me feel overwhelmed with joy. Players at the top of their game used to hit a glass ceiling. Now, that’s broken. There’s no limit to what they can make or be involved with. Juju Watkins is investing in Unrivaled and starring in State Farm commercials—at 19 years old.

Girls see these players and get inspired. I grew up a Sacramento Monarchs fan and thought I’d be in the WNBA. I practiced my signature because Ticha Penicheiro signed my jersey. Now, girls see Angel Reese on their Happy Meal or in Unrivaled, and it looks fun. They love basketball and doing their hair and makeup, too. That’s a direct effect of these marketing deals.

AR  |  Q: Who are your dream guests?

Robinson  |  A: Robinson: A’ja Wilson—I’d love to talk to her around her shoe launch. Juju Watkins is quiet, but a podcast is an intimate setting, and I bet she’d share some stories. I’d love to talk to actor Jason Sudeikis. He’s close with Sue Bird, but when did he become a superfan? I want to know how it started and why it became so big for him.

AR  |  Q: What podcasts do you listen to?

Robinson  |  A: I love The Athletic’s Women’s Basketball Show with Zena Keita. I’m also obsessed with Wild Card on NPR. I want to incorporate random questions like they do. It’s a fun way to talk to notable people.

AR  |  Q: Last question: Do you own any WNBA player’s shoes?

Robinson  |  A: I never got any Air Swoopes; I always see them and want them. I have the Breanna Stewart’s Stewie 2s and love them. I play in the Ruby red ones, named after her daughter. I want A’ja Wilson’s Nike A’Ones, the Pink A’ura shoes. I might come out of retirement to play in those.