Sidelined w/ Brooke Fletcher & Dani Klupenger

Host and content creator Duda Pavão joins Brooke and Dani to share what it was like covering the U.S. men's national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup while breaking down the tournament's biggest storylines. They discuss Argentina's run to the final, the impact of Mauricio Pochettino on the USMNT, FIFA's rule changes, VAR controversy, and Duda's prediction for the World Cup Final before wrapping up with her journey into sports media and a fun conversation about Taylor Swift.

Brooke Fletcher and Dani Klupenger break down Brooke making White Sox franchise history as the team's first female TV analyst, including what it was like calling her first game and sharing a special on-air moment with her dad. They also catch up on Serena Williams' Wimbledon comeback, Novak Djokovic's title pursuit, the FIFA World Cup, the latest social media "red card" trend, and the buzz surrounding the reported Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding.

Brooke and Dani sit down with Paris Lawson, broadcast & digital reporter for the Oklahoma City Thunder and USA Network WNBA sideline reporter, to discuss her journey through sports media and Oklahoma City’s rise to an NBA championship. Paris shares what it was like covering the Thunder’s rebuild and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s evolution into a superstar while also opening up about overcoming three ACL tears in college and the path that led her to cover the WNBA.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.