On Saturday, July 19, 2025, the WNBA will hold its All-Star Game. The sport has seen exponential growth in audience and popularity since the emergence of second-year star Caitlin Clark. Still, when Clark missed time due to injury, ratings fell.

Dr. Tywanna Smith is a former pro basketball player and President of The Athletes’ Nexus. She, along with retired NBA star Sonny Weems, co-founded the Athletes Abroad Summit, a platform that empowers American athletes playing overseas to build sustainable success beyond the game.

They held a summit in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League and will be in Indianapolis for WNBA All-Star Weekend. The activation brings together pro athletes, coaches, and executives to lead global conversations around business, branding, and legacy in sports.

Dr. Smith was a guest previously on Sports with Friends Episode 102.

In this episode, Smith details the Athletes Abroad Summit and what athletes need to know if they want to pursue playing outside the USA. She also discusses the impact of Clark on the WNBA ratings and discusses whether the league is too reliant on her for its success and whether the increased ratings are sustainable. She also discusses the overall appeal of Clark and the role race plays in it.

For more info: https://www.athletesabroadsummit.com/

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FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the biggest sporting event ever — three Host Countries, 16 Host Cities, 48 teams, and 104 matches will unite an entire continent to showcase a momentous new tournament format. The event will culminate with the Final at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) on July 19, 2026, complemented by unprecedented fan experiences throughout the NYNJ region. Co-host City Manager Bruce Revman joined the show to discuss both the ongoing Club World Cup and next year’s international tournament. Revman oversees all aspects of the Host Committee. Prior roles include Managing Director at NYC & Company, where he contributed to marketing and partnership strategies, and Commissioner for the USA TODAY Sports Media Group.

In this episode, Revman discusses how NY/NJ was awarded the Final and what fans can expect. He commented on the sheer enormity of the World Cup and how both New York and New Jersey will embrace it.

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One hundred episodes after his first appearance, former Oakland A’s and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mark Mulder returns to the show. He previously appeared in Episode 410. Mulder pitched for the A’s from 2000-2004. He was then traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he pitched through 2008. In the early 2000s, Mark Mulder was part of the “Big 3” with Barry Zito and Tim Hudson. He is a two-time all-star, the AL wins leader in 2001. He finished with a record of 103-60.

After his playing career, Mulder began pursuing golf. He won the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, a celebrity golf tournament, three times from 2015-2017.

In this episode, Mulder offers poignant commentary on the A’s recent move from Oakland to Sacramento, where they are playing in a AAA stadium. He talked about the A’s breaking ground on a stadium in Las Vegas and gets emotional about saying goodbye to people in Oakland last season as part of their final season there. He also discusses the current state of baseball and other sports and the challenges that face them all.

Follow Mark on social media at @markmulder20.

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