Sidelined w/ Brooke Fletcher & Dani Klupenger

Chicago Sports Network
  • 4.6 (9)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Sidelined is the sports podcast that finally gives women a space to talk about the game—without leaving behind everything else they love. Brooke Fletcher and Dani Klupenger have spent over a decade as sports broadcasters but they realized their conversations weren’t solely based on sports- they were about fashion, pop culture, beauty and even reality tv. They know they are not the only ones. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider or ‘sidelined’ in sports talk, this podcast is for you. Why should sports only be for the guys? It’s for the girls too!

  1. 2d ago

    First place White Sox, NBA Finals & World Cup

    Brooke and Dani discuss the White Sox’s climb to first place in the AL Central, Braden Montgomery’s historic walk-off debut, and how the team could approach the trade deadline. They also dive into the NBA Finals, celebrity and bandwagon fandom, Serena Williams’ potential comeback, and the upcoming World Cup.

    49 min

  2. Jun 4

    Pippa Horn Talks French Open, broadcasting career and Previews Wimbledon e

    Tennis presenter and commentator Pippa Horn joins the show to discuss covering the French Open, why the sport may be entering a changing-of-the-guard era, and what to watch for as Wimbledon and the grass-court season take center stage. She also breaks down key storylines from the tournament, including the matchup between Frances Tiafoe and Matteo Arnaldi, and explains what makes Wimbledon's traditions so unique. Pippa also shares her unconventional path from the corporate world into tennis broadcasting, the culture shock of attending college in Texas, and the realities of building a career as a freelance presenter. The conversation includes stories from life on tour, her favorite tournaments to work, a memorable interview with Carlos Alcaraz, and even a discussion about her standout fashion choices in the tennis world.

    59 min

  3. May 22

    From Overseas Hoops to CEO: Taylor Burner’s Journey in Sports Marketing

    Brooke and Dani welcome Dani’s best friend from Stony Brook, Agency 3_2 founder and CEO Taylor Burner, for a deep dive into her journey through the sports marketing industry and the friendship that began on the basketball court in college. Taylor looks back on playing overseas in Israel, becoming an Israeli citizen, adjusting to life far from home for the first time, and the unforgettable experiences she had living and partying in Tel Aviv. As the conversation unfolds, Taylor details her rise from googling “jobs in sports” after moving back to Brooklyn to building stops at Nike Basketball and Game 7 before launching her own company, inspired by a line from Ice Cube. She also shares insight into talent management, negotiating deals, understanding self-worth in business, and working with stars like Andraya Carter, Sydney Carter, and A'ja Wilson while reflecting on some of the biggest events she’s helped bring to life across the sports world.

    50 min

  4. May 15

    Covering New York Sports, Balancing Family and Finding a Broadcasting Path with Michelle Margaux

    Michelle Margaux joins Brooke and Dani for a conversation that dives deep into the nonstop world of New York sports and the demands that come with covering it across multiple platforms. Michelle breaks down the Knicks’ playoff push, the Mets’ early-season struggles, and what it’s like juggling coverage of the Mets, Yankees, Knicks, and a nightly New York-focused sports show all at once. She also offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on how players adjust to the pressure of performing under the New York spotlight and what daily life looks like moving between stadiums like Citi Field and beyond. Beyond the game, Michelle opens up about her life away from the camera, including motherhood, marriage, and the challenge of balancing it all with an intense broadcasting schedule. She reflects on how advice from her father reshaped how she views time, priorities, and perspective both personally and professionally. Michelle also traces her path into sports broadcasting, talks about her deep love for baseball, evaluates the pros and cons of her many roles in the industry, and wraps things up with a rapid-fire segment that includes a surprising take on the most intimidating athlete she’s ever covered.

    44 min

  5. May 1

    Rafael Nadal, Breakups & Spring Cleaning

    Brooke and Dani bounce between continents to start the episode, swapping stories from San Diego and Spain before easing into a candid check-in on Brooke’s season and what might need a reset. From there, they shift to baseball, breaking down the White Sox’s recent surge. Dani also asks Brooke what it’s really like covering a series with a personal twist, as her husband, Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth, takes the field. The conversation then turns to a mix of pop culture and real-life moments, including the headlines around Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion’s breakup, plus a debate on whether leaving a note after hitting someone’s car is truly non-negotiable. They preview the upcoming Rafael Nadal documentary, toss around ideas for which athletes deserve the next deep dive, and get into how reality TV can impact relationships. The episode wraps with behind-the-scenes stories of freezing on camera and a fun round of “Spring Cleaning,” where Brooke and Dani decide what stays and what goes.

    43 min

  6. Apr 17

    WNBA Draft Recap with Kalia Butler

    WCIU Chicago Sky reporter and LockedOnSports host Kalia Butler joins the show to break down the 2026 WNBA Draft and everything that came with it. She shares her reaction to UConn’s Azzi Fudd going No. 1 overall, weighs in on a record six UCLA players being selected, and discusses which teams, like the Washington Mystics, may have set themselves up best for the future. The conversation also dives into some of the biggest storylines around the league, including the Chicago Sky trading Angel Reese and the buzz surrounding the WNBA’s CBA deal. Kalia also reflects on her journey into sports media, offering insight into how she got her start and what led her to cover the Sky today.

    44 min

  7. Apr 10

    Monte Carlo, The Masters and Angel Reese Trade

    Brooke and Dani kick things off by catching up, with Brooke breaking down the chaos of the Padres’ wild finish and Dani sharing stories from her tennis adventures in Nice, France. The conversation rolls into the global stage as they react to the Monte-Carlo Masters and Carlos Alcaraz’s win before previewing the storylines to watch at the Masters Tournament this weekend. They also hit on NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament glory for the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball, the impact of Angel Reese being dealt from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream, and the buzz around the Portland Fire’s unique style of play. To close, Brooke and Dani dive into Munetaka Murakami’s growing social media presence and compare it to the rise of Alexandra Eala, highlighting how both athletes are navigating attention on and off the field.

    31 min

  8. Apr 3

    Final Four is set & April Fools' Day | Sidelined

    Brooke and Dani open with a personal catch-up, as Dani shares updates on renovating the home she plans to lease out, with help from her parents, while Brooke checks in on the early stages of the White Sox season and her initial takeaways. They also dive into the business side of sports, discussing Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull launching a makeup brand tailored specifically for athletes and what it could mean for performance-driven beauty. From there, the conversation bounces between pop culture and sports, including the latest “Secret Lives of Mormons” and Bachelorette drama, a look back at the chaotic Duke–UConn March Madness finish, and a preview of the Final Four in Indianapolis. Dani also weighs her options for attending the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, before they shift to golf with a look at Gary Woodland’s incredible journey. They wrap things up with April Fools’ Day prank stories, a lively tattoo debate, and a breakdown of a viral Miss Thailand pageant dance that’s making the rounds.

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Sidelined is the sports podcast that finally gives women a space to talk about the game—without leaving behind everything else they love. Brooke Fletcher and Dani Klupenger have spent over a decade as sports broadcasters but they realized their conversations weren’t solely based on sports- they were about fashion, pop culture, beauty and even reality tv. They know they are not the only ones. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider or ‘sidelined’ in sports talk, this podcast is for you. Why should sports only be for the guys? It’s for the girls too!

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