In the final Her Game Her Voice episode of the year, Kaari opens with a strange dream about Coach Tara Vanderveer. Then she shares a quick but critical update on the WNBA’s ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, including the latest sticking points around housing, scheduling, and revenue sharing as the January 9 deadline looms.

Next, a listener question about how the Unrivaled League actually makes money. From media rights and sponsorships to ticket sales and merchandise, this segment explains why Unrivaled’s player-first model is working.

Next it’s part two of Kaari’s conversation with Dan Rosensweig, investor in the Unrivaled women's professional basketball league and former (and now current) CEO of Chegg. Dan shares how NIL deals can give women athletes real financial leverage, why paying women athletes intentionally matters, and what changes when athletes are seen not just as players—but as entrepreneurs.

And the episode wraps with the awards:

• Buzzer Beater Award: A’ja Wilson, continuing a historic run with yet another major honor
• Airball Award: A very awkward post-game moment involving Tennessee and UCLA
• Flagrant Foul: Stanford Women’s Basketball—for surviving everything except 30 turnovers

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

In this episode of Her Game Her Voice, Kaari Peterson kicks off the college basketball season by zooming in on the fast‑rising Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball team—after a rare down year they’re back baby! 10 experienced returners, three freshmen five‑star recruits, and one collective goal: a winning season.

Then Kaari dives into a Listener's Question about the WNBA and free‑agency: What does it mean to be a restricted versus unrestricted free agent? Why do so many players have free agent status right now? And how will this affect WNBA team rosters for 2026?

There's also an update on the latest with the WNBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The November 30th deadline looms with proposals on the table including a million-dollar max salary, and a higher salary floor. Are we getting closer to a deal?

And finally, a compelling conversation with Dan Rosensweig—tech CEO turned women’s sports investor. No spreadsheets. No old‑school ROI talk. Instead, a story of meeting Stanford athletes, recognizing gender-based disparities, and seizing an opportunity to invest not only in a league—but in real change.

Then it’s time for the awards:

🏆 Buzzer Beater Award: A high‑school girls’ team in Oklahoma that chose integrity over a trophy.

❌ Airball Award: “Project B”—a new global women’s pro league launching in 2026 (hello, placeholder name?).

🚨 Flagrant Foul Award: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, for missing the point when it comes to players asking for a stake in their own league’s future.

Yep — all of this goodness is in one little episode!

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson

In this episode of Her Game Her Voice, Kaari goes inside the WNBA to unpack one of the sport’s most misunderstood concepts: freedom of movement. What does it actually mean, and why does it matter so much for players — especially in a league that’s becoming more physical by the game? Kaari breaks it down in plain terms.

Freedom of Movement runs right into one of the biggest headlines in the WNBA: the growing feud between Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. What started as a conversation about player treatment and transparency has turned into a public power struggle that raises big questions about leadership, player's voices, and what it means to grow the league responsibly.

Then, in this week’s Awards Segment:

• 🏆 Buzzer Beater Award: A’ja Wilson continues to set the standard — and she's just getting started.
• ❌ Airball Award: Cathy Engelbert again… this time for announcing Chicago as the 2026 WNBA All-Star host city, leaving fans scratching their heads.
• 🚨 Flagrant Foul Award: The new WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire, for hiring a head coach with zero experience in women’s or girl's basketball — ZERO.

It’s an episode about freedom, friction, and the future of the WNBA — where every whistle, headline, and hiring decision tells a deeper story about the game and the women who shape it.

“Big stories, little episodes—amplifying the voices shaping the game on and off the court." - Her Game Her Voice Podcast by Kaari Peterson