Section 415

When the Valkyries played their first WNBA game in May 2025, they looked like any other expansion franchise. In an 84-67 loss that day to the Los Angeles Sparks, they were undersized, overmatched, and disconnected. A year and a half later, the Valkyries capped a remarkable rise to the top of the league Saturday by beating the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the Finals, to win the franchise’s first championship. On the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s Jane Kenny joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss how the Valkyries built a championship identity and culture that won over the league. Kenny also details star Gabby Williams’ 30-point performance in Game 7, coach Natalie Nakase’s evolution, and the scene inside Chase Center after the clinching win.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: The Valkyries are champions 1:03 Jane's Game 7 reactions 2:30 Joe Lacob & The women's sports investment 5:20 Culture & connection: The Valkyries' formula 9:06 Gabby Williams took over. What is her legacy in the Bay? 15:48 Veronica Burton's journey to championship point guard 17:38 How Natalie Nakase has evolved in two seasons 21:58 Outro

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Curry went 8 for 8 from the field and 5 for 5 from the free-throw line, scoring 24 points in the Golden State Warriors’ first win of the season. But Curry wasn’t the driving force. That was rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who, just four games into his NBA career, already looks like a player worth building around. Lendeborg had 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in a dominant performance Monday against the Denver Nuggets, offering a glimpse of how special the No. 11 overall pick could be. On this episode of the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s Danny Emerman joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss Lendeborg’s first week in the NBA and how the 6-foot-9 forward could shape Golden State’s future.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: Lendeborg's breakout 1:19 Danny's victory lap on the Yaxel pick 5:15 Yaxel is a must-watch on and off the court 7:48 Draymond as mentor & letting Yaxel's personality shine 9:49 Lendeborg vs. Jonathan Kuminga's development 11:53 Are Podz and Lendeborg future stars to build around? 17:36 The NBA rookie class: Who else has impressed? 19:56 Near-term outlook for the Warriors

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase doesn’t care how other WNBA teams are built.
When Nakase was hired in October 2024, she said she wanted her team to be known for defense and selflessness. Two years later, those qualities have the Valkyries one win away from a championship. Led by elite rim protector Kiah Stokes and Gabby Williams, one of the league’s best on-ball defenders, Golden State has shut down the Atlanta Dream and taken a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Finals. On this episode of the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s Jane Kenny joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss how Nakase implemented her vision, how the Valkyries turned a Finals deficit into a lead, and what a Golden State championship would mean for the WNBA.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: Valkyries one win from a title 1:45 Playoff run: The Dallas elimination was a turning point 5:48 Kiah Stokes' breakout Game 5 9:34 Nakase's adjustments in this series 12:12 Discussing the Game 6 scheduling mess 18:11 Game 6 preview: Can the Valks win it all in Atlanta? 20:07 Outro & credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 49ers are 6-0, quarterback Brock Purdy is playing some of the best football of his career, and a new-look defense is thriving under coordinator Raheem Morris. Despite the impressive start, injuries have wiped out depth at key positions and GM John Lynch is considering ways to upgrade the roster before the NFL’s Nov. 10 trade deadline. With wide receiver Mike Evans managing Achilles tendinitis, is another pass catcher the most pressing need? With Nick Bosa sidelined by a calf strain, should the 49ers load up on pass rushers? Or should the front office prioritize another position? On the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s David Lombardi joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss how the 49ers’ injury situation will shape their approach to the trade deadline.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: 49ers at 6-0 0:29 How aggressive will John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan be in trades? 4:39 Why the Keion White trade worked 7:50 Do the 49ers target a WR trade? 10:33 Is a late first-round pick worth trading? 13:34 Khalil Mack & DeForest Buckner: Are either potential targets? 19:01 Would the 49ers ever trade Mac Jones? 22:11 Outro and credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their second season, the Golden State Valkyries and their fans have made Chase Center the WNBA’s most intimidating arena for visiting teams. The Valkyries have sold out every home game and led the league in regular-season attendance for the second straight season. Their loud, loyal fan base made such an impression that the WNBA announced in July that San Francisco will host the 2027 All-Star Game.

On the “Section 415” podcast, Zaileen Janmohamed, president and CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee, joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss how the rise of local women’s sports teams has helped the region land marquee events, what the committee learned from hosting the Super Bowl and World Cup matches, and which sporting events it hopes to bring to the Bay Area next.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro 0:37 Zaileen on enjoying the WNBA Finals as a fan 1:36 How the Valkyries' success landed the 2027 WNBA All-Star Game 5:33 The Bay Area as a destination for women's sports 8:34 Life after hosting Super Bowl and World Cup 10:13 Growing collegiate and youth sports in the Bay 11:40 Pulling off the Super Bowl and World Cup back-to-back 15:55 Looking ahead to the All-Star Games 16:31 Outro & credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Year 18 for Stephen Curry, Year 13 for Steve Kerr, and the start of a new era for the Golden State Warriors. Well, sort of. The roster hasn’t changed much, but Kerr is committed to “reimagining” Golden State’s offense and leaning heavily on rookie Yaxel Lendeborg while veterans Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody recover from injuries. Can the Warriors bounce back from a 37-win season that ended in the play-in tournament? Which star is poised for the biggest season? And where could Golden State turn for reinforcements at the trade deadline? On the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s Danny Emerman joins host Kerry Crowley to make bold predictions for the season.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro 00:34 Best case scenario for the 2026-27 Warriors 01:52 What's the worst-case scenario for this team? 03:04 O/U on 37.5 wins: Danny takes the under 05:58 Danny predicts: Draymond Green's DPOY push 07:28 Will Steph Curry play 50+ games? 10:05 Jimmy Butler's ACL comeback and return timeline 12:01 Yaxel Lendeborg's finishes as a top rookie? 16:54 Breakout player pick: Charles Bassey 18:59 Predicting the NBA Finals matchup 22:43 Outro and credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Golden State Valkyries don’t have an MVP candidate, a dominant post player, or a lineup filled with All-Stars. But coach Natalie Nakase didn’t need a traditional roster to guide her team to the WNBA Finals. Led by Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton, and the league’s deepest rotation, the Valkyries have exceeded expectations and open the best-of-seven series with a chance to win a title in just their second season. On this episode of the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s Jane Kenny joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss the Valkyries’ unlikely ascent, their semifinal sweep of the Las Vegas Aces, and how they match up against the Atlanta Dream.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: Valkyries sweep the Aces 1:57 Valkyries fans take over Vegas 3:08 WNBA Finals preview: The red-hot Atlanta Dream 5:19 Which reserves will Nakase lean on? 8:15 How the Valkyries have won by relying on their depth 10:44 Gabby Williams vs. Angel Reese: The DPOY matchup 13:32 The Valks' improvement from last year 18:48 Kaila Charles, the under-the-radar weapon 19:49 Natalie Nakase, the real Coach of the Year? 22:55 Outro and credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before leaving Sept. 28 for training camp in Hawaii, coach Steve Kerr told reporters the Warriors needed to “reimagine” their offense.
Golden State didn’t make any marquee free-agent or trade additions and hopes top draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg and a teamwide commitment to reducing turnovers will lead to better results after a 37-45 season. How drastic are the changes? On the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s Danny Emerman joins host Kerry Crowley after spending 10 days watching the Warriors’ practices and preseason games. Emerman details the keys to Golden State’s “five-out” approach, how new depth pieces will change Kerr’s rotation options, and why the Warriors are interested in wrapping up extension negotiations with guard Brandin Podziemski.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro 00:56 Inside Warriors training camp in Hawaii 01:43 How does Steve Kerr want to reinvent the offense? 05:29 Draymond Green's new offensive role 07:11 Yaxel Lendeborg: How has he looked in preseason? 11:27 Lendeborg's projected role 13:37 Will Brandin Podziemski get extended? 19:16 Will the Warriors improve on last season? 20:56 Outro and credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

After throwing two touchdown passes in the 49ers’ 24-14 win Sunday over the Broncos, Brock Purdy leads the NFL in touchdown passes, passer rating, and Total QBR. Purdy is the first NFL quarterback since Peyton Manning in 2005 to go the first four games of a season without being sacked. He has used his legs to escape pressure in the backfield and scramble for first downs. Now Purdy faces his toughest test yet. On the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s David Lombardi joins host Kerry Crowley to break down the 49ers’ matchup with the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks, whose defense allows the fewest yards per game in the NFL. The two discuss how Seattle will challenge Purdy, what fullback Kyle Juszczyk’s injury means for the 49ers’ offense, and what to expect in Sunday’s NFC West showdown.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: 49ers start 4-0, Seahawks up next 1:27 Efficient, mistake-free offense fueling 49ers hot start 2:52 Week 5 preview: Purdy vs. Seattle's top-ranked defense 6:31 How Brock Purdy hasn't been sacked all season 10:06 Kyle Juszczyk's injury and how Kyle Shanahan will adjust without him 14:01 Mike Evans' effectiveness despite battling injury 18:19 Shanahan vs. McDonald: the NFL's best chess match 20:57 Wrap-up and credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Giants’ nightmare season is finally over, and every member of the organization is eager to look forward. But Buster Posey and Zack Minasian can’t make any transactions to improve the roster until the World Series ends, so it’s worth evaluating what went wrong, why this year’s team underperformed expectations, and whether the Giants can make meaningful changes. On the “Section 415” podcast, John Shea joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss whether the 2026 season is the worst in team history, how it compares to other awful seasons, and why the Giants should spend next year devoted to developing young talent. John and Kerry also discuss Willy Adames’ future at shortstop, Casey Schmitt’s 2027 role, and whether Posey can shed salary by trading one of the team’s highest-paid players.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro: A 97-loss season ends 00:36 Where 2026 ranks among the worst Giants seasons 02:41 Why this season feels worse than 2017 05:33 Should the Giants punt on 2027? 10:49 Willy Adames' future at shortstop 17:25 Should Devers, Adames or Chapman get traded? 19:50 Outro and credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Golden State Valkyries won their first WNBA playoff game in dominant fashion. Spurred by a 37-point second quarter, the Valks set a franchise record for points in a 104-80 win Sunday over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center. Six players hit multiple 3-pointers, including reserves Tiffany Hayes and Kaitlyn Chen, who were among five Valkyries to finish with at least 10 points. Golden State’s 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series means coach Natalie Nakase’s team can advance to the WNBA semifinals with a road win Wednesday. What does the Valkyries’ Game 1 dominance mean for their playoff outlook? The Standard’s Jane Kenny joins host Kerry Crowley on the “Section 415” podcast to share her takeaways from Sunday’s postseason opener and to preview Game 2.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro: Valkyries win their first-ever playoff game 0:30 The Chase Center environment 1:23 What sparked the historic 37-11 second quarter 3:20 Tiffany Hayes' bench spark 5:03 Ceci Zandalasini's breakout performance 9:13 Kaitlyn Chen's crucial contributions 11:59 Why was Natalie Nakase critical of the Valks in her postgame presser? 14:20 How will Paige Bueckers and the Wings adjust for Game 2? 16:55 Cheryl Reeve wins Coach of the Year over Nakase. Was it deserved? 21:02 Outro & credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shortly after the San Francisco Giants announced a partnership with prediction market platform Kalshi in August, the team posted to X a highlight of a play that boosted its win probability. It was met with immediate backlash. Nearly all of the more than 300 replies were negative.

These comments and criticisms haven't discouraged Kalshi.

On the “Section 415” podcast, Kalshi’s head of sports partnerships, Adam Barrick, joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss the criticism from Giants fans, why the platform is eager to continue its partnership with the team, and how Kalshi thinks about the ethical dilemmas players face when their teams agree to partner with prediction markets.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

After quarterback Brock Purdy exited a press conference following the 49ers’ 35-13 win Sunday over the Dolphins, Fred Warner stepped up to the podium and said, “MVP.” Running back Christian McCaffrey described Purdy as “special” and said he’s tired of answering questions about whether he’s surprised by his teammate’s excellence.
On the “Section 415” podcast, David Lombardi joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss how Purdy has evolved, how the quarterback impressed teammates during training camp, and what a slew of injuries at wide receiver means for Purdy’s operations moving forward.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro 0:48 From training camp, Purdy looks improved this season 2:10 The three weaknesses Purdy has fixed 5:02 PhD-level football: How has Purdy improved his play? 11:09 Can the 49ers overcome WR injuries? 14:34 Who steps up at wide receiver? 17:30 Kyle Juszczyk, the wild card to the 49ers offense 19:09 Wrap-up and credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 49ers might not look different this season, but changes that have taken place at the top of the organization mean the franchise’s power structure is shifting. Jed York’s move to Ohio earlier this year means the owner is no longer at team headquarters on a daily basis. His August arrest triggered an NFL investigation and will likely result in a suspension, which will prevent him from having contact with team personnel. Paraag Marathe, the former president of 49ers Enterprises and executive vice president of football operations, left the team in August to focus on the organization’s European soccer clubs, Leeds United and Rangers FC.

On the “Section 415” podcast, Tim Kawakami joins Kerry Crowley to discuss how these changes affect CEO Al Guido, GM John Lynch, and coach Kyle Shanahan, and how they could shape the team’s approach to the Nov. 10 trade deadline.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro 01:02 Jed York moves to Ohio, Al Guido steps up as CEO 02:48 Are the 49ers more likely to make a win-now trade? 05:43 What the 49ers lose with Paraag Marathe departing 11:11 Paraag Marathe & Jed York's partnership 17:36 Kawakami on the 49ers' relationship with national media 20:11 Contracts to watch: Bosa, Evans, McCaffrey, and beyond 23:24 Wrap-up and credits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

The WNBA playoffs haven’t started yet, but Natalie Nakase is already a champion. The Valkyries coach spent the last two weeks in Berlin as an assistant under Kara Lawson as the U.S. beat France to win the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Nakase returns to a Valkyries team that was split up during the FIBA break, as several players — including Gabby Williams, Janelle Salaun, and Cecilia Zandalasini — had starring roles with national teams, while others — including Veronica Burton, Kaila Charles, and Kiah Stokes — stayed in the Bay Area and practiced.

On the “Section 415” podcast, reporter Jane Kenny joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss the Valkyries’ playoff outlook, how Nakase’s rotation will change during the postseason, and how recent practices differed without the coach.

00:00 Intro 01:20 Gabby Williams' impressive FIBA run and her Valkyries return 05:01 Playoff schedule, rotations, and possible opponents 09:11 Is this Valkyries season more impressive than last year? 11:36 Inside Valkyries practices while Nakase was away in Berlin 14:53 Chase Center playoff anticipation

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the NFL announced its Global Markets Program in 2022, the Los Angeles Rams were awarded international marketing rights to Australia, where the franchise could build brand awareness and fandom. Four years later, the Rams served as the “home” team for their season opener, but the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was overwhelmingly supportive of the 49ers. After arriving in Australia last week, the 49ers worked to connect with the local community, hosting events featuring franchise legends and team personnel. The Rams, on the other hand, flew in 28 hours before kickoff to avoid jet lag, limiting their time to drum up support among fans still deciding which team to cheer for. On the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s David Lombardi joins host Kerry Crowley after spending a week in Melbourne interacting with Australians, learning about their desire to embrace the NFL, and watching the stadium transform into a pro-49ers crowd.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

The San Francisco Giants were supposed to move to Florida. That was the expectation in 1992, when owner Bob Lurie agreed to sell the team to a group that planned to relocate it to St. Petersburg. National League owners voted 9-4 to reject the sale, and 18 San Francisco-area investors stepped in with a $100 million bid to buy the Giants. The Giants haven’t changed hands since then, but the ownership group looks dramatically different now than it did when the sale was completed in 1993.
On the “Section 415” podcast, John Shea joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss how ownership has evolved, which individuals hold the most power, and how an influx of money in recent years has changed the franchise.

00:00 Intro 01:31 Meet David Jenkins, the Giants' colorful top shareholder 03:42 The near-move to Tampa & genesis of the Giants' ownership circle 07:42 Why did John Shea pursue a story about ownership? 13:59 The new private equity owners v. "old money" owners 19:46 Larry Baer, Peter Magowan, and building a winner

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been 20 years since Cal last won 10 games, but expectations are soaring again in Berkeley after the Bears hired coach Tosh Lupoi and retained starting quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. With former NFL coach Ron Rivera entering his second season as GM and a highly regarded transfer class set to make an immediate impact, Cal fans are as optimistic as they’ve been since Aaron Rodgers was handing off to Marshawn Lynch during the Jeff Tedford era. On the “Section 415” podcast, Cal football digital reporter Greg Silver joins host Kerry Crowley to preview a Bears season that begins Saturday against UCLA.

0:00 Intro 0:27 Who is Tosh Lupoi, Cal's new head coach? 5:34 Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele's rising stardom 10:33 Cal's transfer portal strategy and playmakers to watch 16:07 Expectations for this season 20:44 The Calgorithm, College GameDay in Berkeley, and the hype surrounding Cal football

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

The San Francisco Giants were one of five MLB teams last week that announced partnerships with Kalshi, a prediction market platform that calls itself the “world’s next-generation financial exchange.”

On the “Section 415” podcast, independent journalist Joon Lee joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss why teams have embraced partnerships with sportsbooks and prediction markets, the dangers these partnerships pose to fans, and how players feel about them.

0:00 Intro: The Giants-Kalshi partnership 2:24 The explosion of sports betting 5:05 What's the difference between prediction markets and sports betting? 11:35 Harassment from angry bettors & the toll on athletes 16:13 The long-term concerns of the sports gambling boom 19:29 Is there a path to responsible sports betting regulation?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Stanford football GM, Andrew Luck oversees more than 100 players. The odds of any of them having a better college career than Luck are miniscule. In San Francisco, Buster Posey, president of baseball operations for the Giants, manages the 26-man roster and is responsible for a farm system that includes more than 150 prospects. There’s little chance anyone in the organization will enjoy a more successful career than he did. So why do they embark on this challenge? On "Section 415," Danny Emerman joins Kerry to discuss his profile of Andrew Luck, and the phenomenon of superstars who become executives in Bay Area sports.

00:00 Intro 00:28 Andrew Luck's uphill battle at Stanford 04:46 The duality of Andrew Luck 06:57 Buster Posey's difficulties running the Giants 11:41 Why role players often make better executives than superstars 19:24 Is the Bay Area uniquely full of athlete-executives?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices