Basketball
Haley Jones: Leading the Way in Women's Basketball Coverage
2024-12-13
The advancements in modern technology have opened up new avenues for fans to connect with their favorite sports. One such pioneer is The Players’ Tribune, founded by Derek Jeter, which gives athletes a platform to express themselves. With podcasts like “Knuckleheads,” “Truss Levelz,” and “Blindsided,” the company has been empowering current/former athletes. Recently, they embarked on a new journey to bring greater attention to women's basketball by teaming up with Haley Jones in 2023 to create “Sometimes I Hoop.”

Unlock the Stories of Women's Basketball with The Players’ Tribune

How The Players’ Tribune is Changing the Game

The Players’ Tribune is not just a media company; it's a movement. Through podcasts, they are giving athletes a voice and bringing their stories to the forefront. With shows like “Knuckleheads” and “Truss Levelz,” they have already made a name for themselves in the sports world. Now, with “Sometimes I Hoop,” they are focusing on women's basketball and giving a platform to the top stars in the game.

Haley Jones, the host of “Sometimes I Hoop,” is a perfect candidate for this role. With an esteemed college basketball career at Stanford and a successful WNBA career ahead of her, she brings a unique perspective to the podcast. She shares stories of her peers and advocates for girls in sports, shining a light on athletes beyond the game.

The Production Process of “Sometimes I Hoop”

Ashly Robinson, the Head of Original Development and Production at The Players’ Tribune, works closely with Jones on the show. From scheduling to coming up with creative ideas and offering performance feedback, Robinson is involved in every aspect of the production. Her belief in Jones' ability to handle the highly competitive landscape is evident in the success of the podcast.

“Jones is a talker. She is naturally curious and very genuine. She wants to relate with people and make them feel heard,” Robinson said. This approach sets “Sometimes I Hoop” apart from other podcasts, as it goes beyond the surface-level questions and dives deep into the game.

The Impact of “Sometimes I Hoop”

“Sometimes I Hoop” provides a space for discussions that advance women's hoops. It gives young women gearing up for the recruiting/college process a heads up on what to expect and offers fans analysis that they can't get from other sources. Jones is committed to providing the best possible product and is constantly learning from other podcasts.

Outside of the podcast, Jones hopes to parlay her success into a full-time media career. Her relationship with The Players’ Tribune has given her the platform to start her career in this space and learn from the talented team. She believes that her experience with the podcast has made her a better player on the floor, as it has helped her understand chemistry and camaraderie with her fellow athletes.

The Future of Women's Basketball

The current rise in popularity of women's basketball is not a moment; it's here to stay. The Players’ Tribune is committed to giving these young women a platform to tell their stories and let people know who they are on and off the court. As more former college icons follow Jones' lead, the conversation around women's basketball will continue to grow.

“Women's basketball is at a surge. Coverage in women's basketball is at a surge. But it's not a moment,” Robinson emphasized. “We are here to give these players the recognition they deserve and show the world the talent and passion that exists in women's basketball.”

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