Is Portland reimagining the future of women’s sports?

Is Portland reimagining the future of women’s sports?

Author: The Athletic August 27, 2026 Duration: 44:15

On this week’s Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan, and Tamerra Griffin are talking all things Portland, the importance of infrastructure, and the future of women’s sports.


Last week, the Bhathal family, owners of both the NWSL’s Portland Thorns and the WNBA’s Portland Fire, opened a new first-of-its-kind training center that will house both teams. Coinciding with that grand opening was a conference called Epicenter that brought together some of the biggest names in women’s sports.


So, what do all these big infrastructure moves mean, what makes the Rose City such a special place for women’s sports, and can this unique ownership model and special community reimagine women’s sports?

______________


HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Lindsay Schnell, Annie Peterson

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

______________

Reference on the show:

Building the future of women’s sports, literally

Inside the Thorns and Fire’s new home, Portland’s first joint women’s sports facility

______________

Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


For anyone who lives and breathes the beautiful game as played by women, Full Time: A show about women's soccer is your essential audio companion. This isn't just a recap show; it's a deep, thoughtful, and often lively exploration of the entire ecosystem. Produced by the journalists at The Athletic, the podcast delivers expert analysis and storytelling you can trust, moving seamlessly from the latest U.S. women’s national team drama to the week's pivotal NWSL results and major stories from leagues across Europe and the globe. Three times a week, hosts Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin, and Jillian Sakovits break down the matches, but more importantly, they dig into the culture, context, and consequential conversations that define the sport's moment. You'll hear from fellow reporters, players, coaches, and insiders who provide unique perspectives you won't find anywhere else. Whether it's a transfer saga, a tactical revolution, or a discussion about the broader impact of the game, this is where the narrative gets unpacked. Tune in for a blend of immediate reaction, investigative reporting, and the kind of informed debate that mirrors the passion of the fans themselves. This podcast goes beyond the final whistle to deliver the full story.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Full Time: A show about women's soccer
Podcast Episodes
U.S. women fight back in Brazil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:03
The second United States-Brazil match had it all: eight red cards, an own goal and the Americans’ first victory in Brazil since 1997.Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan to break down the play on…
Grades for the U.S. women's performance after loss to Brazil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:27
On this episode of Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan to give the USWNT some grades on their performance in their 2-1 loss to Brazil and look forward to Tuesday’s game. Later,…
Manifesting with U.S. midfielder Croix Bethune [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:25
On this episode of Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits sits down with USWNT and Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune for a one-on-one interview. The duo chats about the 25-year-old’s career-shaping move away f…
NWSL at the break: What we're buying, selling & debating [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
Trinity Rodman is thriving, Sam Kerr is leaving Chelsea and possibly heading back to the NWSL — and Meg Linehan is back with a lot of questions. A third of the way through the 2026 season, Jillian and Tamerra are in the…
Is the U.S. ready for 2 top women's professional soccer leagues? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
She said she was still here — and then she proved it. Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw's dramatic contract saga ended with a record deal, a Wembley goal and a domestic double for Manchester City. Meanwhile across the Atlantic, Barbr…
U.S. forward Madison Haley's journey from Dallas to Brighton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:19
On this episode of Full Time Focus, The Athletic’s Megan Feringa sits down with Brighton forward Madison Haley for a conversation about her journey from Dallas, Texas to Brighton. They discuss Haley’s decision to play ab…
U.S. women's national team welcomes back Triple Espresso [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:21
On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin to break down the latest U.S women's national team roster headlined by the return of Triple Espresso: Mallory Swanson, Sophia W…