iHeart Women’s Sports Marks First Anniversary with New Podcast Launch

iHeartMedia proudly celebrates the inaugural anniversary of its groundbreaking platform, iHeart Women’s Sports. This unique audio platform is the first of its kind, wholly dedicated to celebrating women’s sports. The milestone is further highlighted by the launch of “Fudd Around And Find Out,” a new podcast hosted by rising basketball star Azzi Fudd, who is known for her accomplishments in the NCAA and being named the Most Outstanding Player in 2025.

Celebration and Future Expansion

On July 18, 2023, during the WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis, iHeartMedia, in collaboration with Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment and Ensemble, will host a celebratory event. The festivities are anticipated to include engaging content sessions, live podcast recordings, and an industry afterparty, co-hosted by New York City’s Sei Less restaurant, aimed at underscoring the achievements and ongoing evolution of women’s sports.

Jessie Katz, Head of iHeart Women’s Sports, remarked, “I think we can safely say that women’s sports is not just having a moment but rather is on a now-undeniable trajectory that has been building for years.” Katz emphasized the platform’s objective to connect fans with their favorite athletes and teams, reaffirming the commitment to innovation and expansion in women’s sports programming.

Significant Growth in Coverage and Engagement

In its first year, the iHeart Women’s Sports platform has made impressive strides, increasing coverage of women’s sports from under 1% in 2024 to over 34% in 2025. This growth translates to reaching approximately 89 million listeners each month across nearly 500 radio stations nationwide. Furthermore, iHeartMedia has pledged to dedicate 50% of all newly produced sports podcasts to women’s sports, reflecting a commitment to equitable representation in the audio landscape. Notably, 80% of iHeartMedia listeners aged 18 to 54 have reported that women’s sports are more accessible now than ever before, contributing to the platform’s top 10% ranking in podcast downloads within iHeartPodcast.

Introducing “Fudd Around And Find Out”

The partnership between iHeart Women’s Sports and Unanimous Media has culminated in the launch of Azzi Fudd’s podcast, “Fudd Around And Find Out,” co-produced with the renowned Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton. Off the court, Fudd is not only an accomplished athlete but also an aspiring voice in sports, media, and business. Currently completing her MBA at the University of Connecticut, Fudd aims to create a platform that elevates under-represented voices while inspiring listeners across various topics related to sports and culture.

“I’m beyond excited to deepen my relationship with Stephen Curry and Unanimous Media as we launch ‘Fudd Around And Find Out’ with iHeart Women’s Sports,” Fudd stated. “This podcast is a space where I can bring my full self—athlete, storyteller, budding entrepreneur and fan of the game—and highlight the voices that deserve to be heard.”

Upcoming Events: Jam Sessions and Live Podcast Tapings

To commemorate this significant milestone, iHeart Women’s Sports and Ensemble will host “Jam Sessions” on July 18 during the WNBA All-Star weekend. The event will feature a panel discussion focused on excellence in women’s basketball, featuring notable athletes, industry executives, and innovators. Additionally, the event will include live podcast tapings, including sports journalist Sarah Spain’s “Good Game,” which will feature Azzi Fudd as a special guest, and “Levels to This” hosted by Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby. The evening will culminate in the celebration of the “Fudd Around And Find Out” podcast debut, alongside a performance by musical guest Flau’jae.

Positive Impact and Future Commitments

Since its inception, iHeart Women’s Sports has generated a remarkable 99% positive sentiment on social media and has released over 4,100 weekly sports radio reports, alongside launching more than 15 podcasts with plans for additional content in the near future. Listeners are encouraged to explore the rich offerings of this dedicated platform by visiting iHeart Women’s Sports Podcasts, where all shows are available across the iHeartRadio app and other podcast platforms.