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Courtside with Laura Correnti

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Women’s sports aren’t just growing—they’re booming. And Courtside is where you’ll get the inside track on the deals, disruptors, and dollars driving the industry forward. Hosted by Laura Correnti, award-winning media executive and founder of Deep Blue Sports & Entertainment, this podcast goes beyond the scores to spotlight the power players, trends, and investments shaping the future of this billion-dollar business. From groundbreaking sponsorships to media rights battles and the investors betting big, Courtside delivers the play-by-play on how women’s sports are changing the game. Whether you’re an industry insider, investor, athlete, or a fan ready to see women’s sports thrive, this is your front-row seat to the action: Courtside.

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20 episodes
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S2 · E3
July 16 · 54 min
Away Game: Courtside Live at Cannes!
At the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, Women's Sports had its own main stage. And Courtside was holding court, talking to mega star athletes and entrepreneurs like Allyson Felix and Sue Bird; massive brands like Catalyst, Athlos, and Sequel; and teams like Man City and the New York Liberty. Everyone came together to offer proof points of the Courtside thesis: that women's sports is a massive opportunity for any brand, the fandom is the bomb, and no one needs to be convinced that we matter anymore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S2 · E2
May 28 · 29 min
Game Tape: A Courtside Review of Athlete Health
We take a look back at a huge through line of the Courtside show: how important it is to pay attention to how we're developing health infrastructure around all athletes. You can make the business case for it; the human case is obvious. With the influx of attention, money, and partners pouring into women's sports, we highlight the people who know what to do with it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S2 · E1
May 15 · 42 min
Yael Averbach West on Building a Dynasty at Gotham FC
Yael Averbach West grew up the lone girl on a boys' soccer team in Montclair, New Jersey, went on to wear the UNC kit and earn USWNT caps, and now runs one of the NWSL's most decorated clubs as two-time champion GM of NJ/NY Gotham FC. She joins Laura for a Jersey-girl conversation about the grit it took to get here — and the vision it takes to stay on top. They dig into how the women's professional game has transformed from survival mode to sold-out stadiums, why winning isn't enough if no one knows your players exist, what Gotham actually needs from commercial partners, and what it means to build a club culture that reflects the community that raised you. 00:00 Welcome Back to Courtside 01:00 Growing Up Soccer in Jersey: The Boys Team Decision 04:45 UNC and Finding Her People 07:30 From the WPS to the NWSL: Surviving to Thriving 11:00 What's Actually Changed for Players (and What Hasn't) 15:30 Building the Gotham Standard: Infrastructure, Facilities, and Player Care 21:00 ACL Injuries, Data, and Making Insights Actionable 23:30 Connecting the On-Field Product to Commercial Growth 28:30 How the GM Role Has Evolved 31:00 What Gotham Actually Needs from Partners 33:00 The Season Ahead and Citi Field Announcement See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E24
Nov 20, 2025 · 38 min
Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on Possible Now with Christian Muche
Laura joins the Possible NOW Podcast with Christian Muche to discuss why women’s sports isn’t charity—it’s business. Drawing on her career identifying white space and turning it into opportunity, Laura unpacks the myths keeping advertisers on the sidelines, how athletes are redefining ownership through their own media platforms, and why the next billion-dollar growth story in sports will be led by women. 02:08 Laura's Early Love for Sports 04:17 The Transferable Skills from Sports to Leadership 08:34 The Business Case for Women's Sports 17:08 The Impact of Media and Athlete Platforms 25:11 Innovative Sponsorship Models 31:35 Future Visions and Partnerships 37:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E23
Nov 13, 2025 · 50 min
Karina LeBlanc on Making Portland the Epicenter of Women’s Sports
For nearly 20 years, Karina LeBlanc was known for defending Canada’s net. Now she’s defending the future of women’s sports as EVP of Strategic Growth at RAJ Sports, where she’s helping lead both the Portland Thorns and the new WNBA expansion team, the Portland Fire—which also happens to be Portlands original WNBA team. She joins Laura to talk about playing the long game—creating generational impact, measuring success beyond wins, and why Portland might just be the global epicenter of women’s sports. 03:15 The Impact of Sports on Personal Growth 05:53 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Failure 12:09 Transitioning to Executive Roles 25:50 The Unique Appeal of Women's Sports 27:42 The Power of Representation and Role Models 31:10 Innovative Partnerships and Community Impact 34:52 The Epicenter of Women's Sports: Portland's Vision 42:09 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E22
Nov 6, 2025 · 37 min
Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on Nice Talk with Marie Claire's Nikki Ogunnaike
Joining Editor in Chief of Marie Claire Nikki Ogunnaike, Laura traces her journey from college athlete to successful partner at Giant Spoon, and how she founded Deep Blue to drive commercial investment in women’s sports. They explore the critical role sports play in achieving career leadership, the impactful intersection of advertising with women's sports, and the innovative strides being made to elevate women's sports through creative investments and new business models. 01:55 Laura's Journey: From Soccer to Advertising 03:03 The Impact of Sports on Corporate Careers 05:15 Early Career in Digital Media 06:54 Building Giant Spoon and Entrepreneurial Insights 15:01 Deep Blue's Mission and Market Challenges 17:12 Partnering with Sue Bird and Strategic Vision 19:21 The Economic and Social Impact of Women's Sports 23:22 Future Vision for Deep Blue and Women's Sports 35:25 Lightning Round: Money, Style, and Power See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E21
Oct 30, 2025 · 27 min
Mike Nichols of Gainbridge on Playing the Long Game in Women's Sports
Mike Nichols has spent nearly two decades proving women’s sports are undervalued—and he’s putting his investments where the returns are. The former LPGA exec turned Chief of Sponsorship Strategy at Group 1001 joins Laura to talk about Gainbridge’s partnerships with the USL Super League, Caitlin Clark, and more. They get into why 40% of his sponsorship dollars go to women’s sports, how $5,000 grants can create outsized impact, and where the opportunity lies for brands willing to get in from grassroots to the ground floor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E20
Sep 18, 2025 · 33 min
Broom & Shovel Leadership: Cori Close on Building an Uncommon Program
UCLA WBB head coach Cori Close joins Laura to talk about a culture that outlasts banners and awards—sweeping the sheds, nurturing the roots, and why “coaching people’s hearts” is her real playbook. She opens up about the Final Four learning curve, the NIL and transfer-era noise, and what infrastructure college programs actually need so coaches can coach. Plus: the service work that connects teams—and how gratitude, discipline, and “uncommon” choices turn talent into titles. 01:18 Coach Cori Close's Journey and Early Influences 03:35 The Coach Close Basketball Method 06:28 Achievements and Reflections on Awards 09:11 Mental Conditioning and Player Development 13:13 Challenges and Lessons from the Final Four 17:43 Navigating NIL and Financial Conversations 23:50 Future of Women's College Basketball See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E19
Sep 11, 2025 · 28 min
The Playbook for Multi-Hyphenate Marketing: Constance Schwartz-Morini on Athlete-Led Brands
Constance Schwartz-Morini, CEO of SMAC Entertainment, has turned sports talent across sports into household names along with her partner and client Michael Strahan. She shares how she helped Strahan become a media mogul, why Deion Sanders is the ultimate CMO, and how she’s shaping the future in women’s sports with clients including Emma Hayes, Brie and Nikki Garcia, and Erin Andrews. They dig into what it takes to build athlete-led content, how to expand careers beyond the game, and why the women’s side of sports is ready for a bigger stage. 00:31 Introduction 01:50 Constance Schwartz-Morini's Early Life and Career 06:28 Building SMAC Entertainment with Michael Strahan 08:40 Developing Athlete Brands: The Case of Deion Sanders 12:48 Empowering Women in Sports 15:16 Challenges and Strategies in Women's Sports Management 20:10 Future Directions and Final Thoughts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E18
Aug 28, 2025 · 46 min
Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly
When Laura founded Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment, the first firm dedicated to commercial investment and growth opportunities in women's sports, she changed the game. She dives into how she did it: explaining inspiration she drew from the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, why she’s torn up her five-year plan so many times amidst the growth of women’s sports, and what needs to be done to create more “multi-hyphenates” amongst female athletes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E17
Aug 20, 2025 · 38 min
Future Proofing Sports: Inside Overtime’s Disruptive Model with EJ Lawrence
What happens when you design a sports league for the next digitally-led generation instead of adapting for an old one? You get Overtime—a media and sports company rewriting the rules. EJ Lawrence, Head of League Partnership Development, joins Laura to unpack the strategy behind its four leagues (including Overtime Select, its women’s basketball property), the content engine driving a tidal wave of content every week and the sponsorship model built for storytelling. They get into what Gen Z wants from sports, how Overtime is closing coverage and funding gaps, and why building a fan community (150MM+!!) means listening as much as talking. 01:41 EJ Lawrence's Journey in Sports 05:38 From Traditional Sports to Digital Media 09:25 Joining Overtime and Its Unique Model 12:09 Overtime's Audience and Content Strategy 18:52 Building Brand Relationships in Basketball 19:42 Reimagining Sponsorship at Overtime 22:43 Empowering Athletes On and Off the Court 25:42 Overtime Select: Structure and Success 32:27 Parental Involvement and Feedback 34:54 Expanding Storytelling and Crossover Events See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E16
Aug 13, 2025 · 33 min
Good Game: Sarah Spain is Shaping the Sports Media Playbook
Sarah Spain has spent nearly two decades shaping the way we talk about sports—from breaking down barriers in early sports radio to co-creating ESPN’s first all-women podcast. Now she’s back with Good Game—a first-of-its-kind, daily podcast spotlighting the stories, stats, and stars driving the explosive growth in the popularity of women’s sports. Sarah joins Laura to talk about her journey to airtime and why telling better stories isn’t just good journalism—it’s part of the game plan for growth. 00:00 Introduction and Early Aspirations 02:26 Realizing a Career in Sports Broadcasting 05:06 Breaking into the Industry 07:37 Finding Her Style and Voice 09:43 The Importance of Humor and Listening 12:29 Challenges and Evolution in Women's Sports Coverage 16:21 Community Building and Engagement 20:24 Commercialization and Brand Engagement 29:12 Closing Thoughts and Future Projects See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E15
Aug 6, 2025 · 27 min
Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on Inside the Ice House with NYSE
When the U.S. Women’s National Team won the 2019 Women's World Cup, a stadium full of fans chanted “equal pay” instead of “USA”—and Laura Correnti took note. She tells Inside the Ice House how that moment inspired the journey to founding Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment, what brands need to know about strategic investment, and why the growth curve is just getting started. 00:44 The Rise of Women's Sports 01:25 Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment 01:40 Key Trends from Cannes Lion 02:53 The Evolution of Brand Storytelling 03:35 The Impact of AI and Individual Creators 05:53 The Business of Women's Sports 09:02 Challenges and Opportunities in Women's Sports Marketing 17:05 The Future of Women's Sports 23:10 Strategic Approaches for Brands 25:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E14
Jul 30, 2025 · 33 min
The 50/50 Pledge: How Ally’s Andrea Brimmer Turned a Marketing Budget Into a Movement
When Andrea Brimmer announced Ally’s 50/50 pledge at the 2022 ESPNW Summit, it wasn’t a tribute ad or a token donation—it was a demand for equity, backed by dollars. As CMO of Ally (and a former collegiate midfielder), Andrea joins Laura to unpack how they turned a bold idea into a blueprint for the industry. They talk through how she restructured the budget, challenged media systems, and proved that betting big on women’s sports isn’t just good PR—it’s smart business. Plus, why Andrea shows up “like a girl” in every room she enters, and what it means to leave the game better than you found it. 00:51 Meet Andrea Brimmer: Athlete to Marketing Pioneer 02:13 Andrea's Early Love for Soccer 04:33 Athlete Strengths that Become Executive Strengths 06:39 The Drama of the 50/50 Pledge Announcement 13:24 Impact and Results of the 50/50 Pledge 18:56 Authentic Partnerships with Athletes 21:12 Systemic Issues in Women's Sports 25:56 Reflecting on Progress and Future Goals See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E13
Jul 16, 2025 · 46 min
Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on Michael Kassan's Good Company
Speaking with Michael Kassan on his show Good Company, Laura Correnti explains why she isn't waiting for permission; she’s building the new power structure in women’s sports from the ground up. In this episode, she joins Michael to unpack how she's turning under-leveraged markets into power plays, architecting culture-shifting brand deals, and proving that when you own the game, you don’t have to play by the old rules. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E12
Jul 9, 2025 · 39 min
Sustain & Gain Mode: Inside the WNBA’s Playbook with Colie Edison
2024 was a record-breaking season for the WNBA—and Colie Edison is making sure it’s just the start. As Chief Growth Officer, she’s behind the league’s 19% spike in sponsorships, its mission to build long-term brand equity, and the 13x business return league partners are experiencing. She joins Laura to break down what’s fueling and how to sustain that growth, how the league is approaching an expanding fanbase, and why building the W means meeting the moment while thinking seasons ahead through data and beyond. 00:52 Coley Edison's Impact on WNBA Growth 01:48 Expansion Teams Announcement 05:06 Sponsorship Growth and New Standards 06:14 Historic Media Rights Deal 08:07 Balancing Core and New Fans 10:38 Storytelling and Brand Partnerships 14:25 Building Internal Resources and Infrastructure 17:37 Data Collection and Business Intelligence 20:09 Fan Demographics and Engagement 22:03 Value of League, Team, and Athlete IP 29:15 Sustaining and Gaining Momentum 36:25 Upcoming Events and Future Plans See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E11
Jul 2, 2025 · 20 min
Courtside 1 on 1: #1 NY Sirens Draft Pick Kristýna Kaltounková
Kristýna “Kalty” Kaltounková is the 2025 PWHL #1 draft pick—and she’s headed to the New York Sirens. The Czech standout lit up the NCAA with a record-breaking career st Colgate, but her story starts much earlier: skating at age three to keep up with her older brother. Kalty joins Laura to talk about her journey from youth hockey to a new era in pro women’s sports, how she plays on the edge, and why she’s ready to bring her grit—and insane shot—to the biggest sports market in the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E10
Jun 11, 2025 · 26 min
No Stone Unturned: Niamh Charles on Dominance, Discipline, and the Drive to Succeed
Chelsea and England footballer Niamh Charles is fresh off an undefeated season—and gearing up for another shot at international glory at the Euros. She joins Laura to talk about what it really takes to stay on top: relentless prep, mental fitness, and those 1% performance gains that separate the good from the great. They get into the rise of women’s football, the electricity of the World Cup, and why Charles is building her brand around high performance (and really good coffee). From the Chelsea locker room to Wembley to wherever she's journaling with an oat flat white, Charles shares what it looks like when nothing is left to chance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E9
Jun 4, 2025 · 39 min
Courtside Goes Slopeside: Inside U.S. Ski & Snowboard with Sophie Goldschmidt
Sophie Goldschmidt didn’t grow up in snow sports—but now she’s leading them into a new era. As CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, she’s shaking up a traditionally insular space with entrepreneurial thinking, global strategy, and a clear mission: to turn Olympic-level athletes into household names. She talks to Laura about breaking through the four-year awareness cycle, creating premium brand partnerships, and how a chairlift ride might just be the best meeting in marketing. 02:28 Sophie's Journey in Sports 04:14 Leading US Ski and Snowboard 14:47 Expanding into Travel and Hospitality 23:48 Creative Content and Athlete Inspiration 26:43 Strategic Partnerships and Brand Collaborations 31:48 Challenges and Resilience of Athletes 34:38 Global Audience and Fan Engagement 37:55 Sponsorship and Financial Support See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E8
May 28, 2025 · 38 min
Building the Opportunity League: Donna Orender on The Upshot
Former WNBA President and Upshot League founder Donna Orender joins Laura to talk about why she’s launching a new pro league—and why the moment demands it. She shares lessons from her time leading the W, the structural gaps she’s aiming to fill, and what it takes to create community-rooted franchises that are more than just teams—they’re assets. 00:29 Meet Donna Orender 02:05 Donna's Early Love for Basketball 06:51 Building Belief and Overcoming Obstacles 10:40 The Hardest Job: Transforming the WNBA 17:00 Reflecting on Success and Future Endeavors 21:29 Introducing the Upshot League 24:18 Opportunities for Athletes and Coaches 27:45 Fundraising and Selling the Vision 34:45 Naming the Upshot League See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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