Section 415

Since Buster Posey shocked the industry and took over as the Giants’ president of baseball operations in October 2024, nothing has gone according to plan. But this weekend’s MLB draft and the Aug. 3 trade deadline offer Posey and GM Zack Minasian chances to improve the franchise’s outlook and lay the foundation for a turnaround. How will Posey navigate these pivotal decisions? The Standard’s John...

It was a riveting start and a crushing finish for the U.S. men’s national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Does a knockout-stage win qualify as progress? How did the Bay Area handle its duties as one of 16 host regions at the first-ever 48-team tournament? The Standard’s Kevin Nguyen joins the “Section 415” podcast to analyze the U.S. performance and the atmosphere at the six local matches. 0:00 I...

10th-year center Kiah Stokes has won three national championships with UConn and three WNBA titles with the Las Vegas Aces. Since joining the Valkyries last offseason on a one-year deal, Stokes has done a lot of winning with Golden State too. Stokes joined the “Section 415" podcast to discuss her first season with the Valkyries, reuniting with UConn teammates in the Bay, and how the WNBA has chang...

As college athletic departments attempt to keep pace with rapidly evolving rules and regulations, Brent Blaylock arrived at the University of San Francisco this month believing the Dons’ programs are well positioned to ascend in the West Coast Conference. Blaylock said he was drawn to USF because of its commitment to the WCC and its determination to build competitive regional programs. He detailed...

The Warriors need a little bit of everything this offseason. That’s why Yaxel Lendeborg, the do-it-all wing out of Michigan, emerged as a logical choice when Golden State was on the clock with pick No. 11 in the draft. Lendeborg doesn’t have one standout trait, but he has a variety of skills that can help the Warriors right away. The Standard’s Danny Emerman joined the “Section 415” podcast to exp...

A year after the Giants acquired Rafael Devers from the Red Sox in a blockbuster trade, there are concerns about the slugger’s long-term fit in San Francisco. Who's at fault for Devers' struggles and the Giants' failures? Paul McCaffrey, the host of "Paulie Mac's Particles," joins "Section 415" to analyze everything that's gone wrong for a franchise that seems to have lost its way. 0:00 Rafael Dev...

Joelle Anderson isn’t just a pro soccer player. She’s also a soccer fan. Like most of her Bay FC teammates, the San Jose native was glued to the TV watching the USMNT earn a 4-1 win over Paraguay in its first World Cup match. As Anderson and Bay FC await a return to the field following a month-long pause for the World Cup, she joined the “Section 415” podcast to analyze the U.S. men’s impressive s...

A year after the Giants executed a blockbuster trade for Rafael Devers, Buster Posey is expected to have another busy summer ahead. This time, it's for all the wrong reasons. Barring a miracle, the struggling Giants will likely trade away top talent including Luis Arráez and Robbie Ray. It's possible the franchise commits to a rebuild, which could mean Posey would be willing to listen to offers on...

When Sarah Jones Simmer joined the National Women’s Soccer League as chief operating officer in 2024, the league was attempting to capitalize on surging national interest in women’s sports. Today, attendance and ratings are up, the league is expanding into new markets, and players are earning record salaries. In a live taping of "Section 415" at Charter's New Employer Brand Summit in New York, Sim...

The Golden State Valkyries made the playoffs in their inaugural season, have sold out every home game they’ve ever played, and are the first women’s sports franchise valued at $1 billion. Who’s responsible for this immediate success? How did the Valkyries shoot past their competitors to become the WNBA’s most valuable team? On "Section 415," reporter Jane Kenny discusses the evolution of the franc...

The Giants are lost. Their highest-paid players aren't producing, they haven't cleared a path to playing time for prospects, and they've been flirting with last-place for weeks. What's next for Buster Posey as he evaluates a team that hasn't come close to meeting expectations? The Standard's John Shea joins "Section 415" to discuss changes the Giants can implement and where the 2026 club ranks amo...

The “Light Years” podcast’s Sam Esfandiari joined guest host Danny Emerman on “Section 415” to discuss how the Warriors might approach the upcoming draft. Esfandiari also laid out what would constitute a successful offseason for Golden State and reflected on his decade of podcasting about the Warriors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 49ers rookies took the field in Santa Clara for the first time earlier this month, they’ll join veteran teammates at organized team activities (OTAs) next week. The practices lack the same level of intensity as training camp, but they provide an important learning opportunity for younger players and a chance for veterans to get acquainted with new coaches. The Standard’s David Lombardi joins...

Steve Kerr has signed a two-year deal to return to the Golden State Warriors, but the coach acknowledged that things are different at this stage of his tenure. There’s no championship or bust mentality. It’s not realistic to compete for a title every season. So if winning a fifth ring with Golden State isn’t the most likely outcome, why did Kerr return? Kerr spoke with The Standard’s Tim Kawakami,...

The greatest eras of 49ers football, Giants baseball, and Warriors basketball have one thing in common. Each franchise drafted the vast majority of its most important players. At a time when Bay Area sports fans are clamoring for the 49ers, Giants, and Warriors to continue adding to their roster through free agency and trades, it’s important to remember that there’s no viable path to the top witho...

Steve Kerr has agreed to return to the Warriors, but that doesn’t necessarily mean things are business as usual for Golden State. What does the coach’s two-year deal mean for Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Joe Lacob’s never-ending pursuit of the team’s next superstar? Today, Danny Emerman joins Section 415 to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veronica Burton, Janelle Salaun, and Kayla Thornton are back and the Valkyries added free-agent star Gabby Williams to the mix after an impressive debut season. What does coach Natalie Nakase and Golden State have in mind for an encore? On this episode of “Section 415,” Jane Kenny analyzes the team’s last-minute roster moves including the decision to keep both Kaitlyn Chen and Laeticia Amihere and...

It’s still early May, but the San Francisco Giants have looked terrible. After a six-game losing streak, president of baseball operations Buster Posey turned to Triple-A Sacramento and called up Bryce Eldridge. Now, an offense that ranks last in the majors in runs, home runs, and walks needs a hero. Today on Section 415, The Standard’s John Shea joins us to discuss how Eldridge can spark a struggl...

The San Jose Earthquakes are the hottest team in MLS, Bay FC is trying to break through amid constant change, and the Bay Area is set to host six 2026 World Cup matches. What explains the sudden surge in soccer interest locally? The Standard’s Kevin Nguyen joins Section 415 to explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Giants are surging, but is this hot stretch sustainable? Jung Hoo Lee, Casey Schmitt, and Landen Roupp are the unlikely catalysts behind a turnaround, yet Rafael Devers and Willy Adames remain ice cold. Today on Section 415, The Standard’s John Shea joins us to discuss what needs to happen for Tony Vitello’s squad to reach its full potential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

This episode is a collaboration with Pacific Standard Time, the SF Standard's flagship weekly news podcast. The WNBA's hottest team - the Golden State Valkyries - is on the cusp of a brand new season. After a blockbuster debut last year that saw sold-out crowds of 18,000 fans, the Valks are sure to bring the heat both on and off the court again this summer - and with that, new supporters, like our...

The Warriors’ season is over, and a seismic summer is about to tip off. All eyes are on head coach Steve Kerr, who isn’t a lock to return to the bench. How will Kerr, GM Mike Dunleavy, and owner Joe Lacob navigate the uncertainty? Today on Section 415, The Standard’s Danny Emerman joins us to break down the complex dynamics at play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and the 49ers have holes on the O-line, the D-line, wide receiver, safety, and several other key spots. Can John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan realistically address every need? Today on Section 415, NFL Draft analyst and Hutch Report editor Jake Hutchinson joins us to break down the team’s next moves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

The San Francisco Giants are off to a terrible start and Buster Posey is feeling the pressure. How long can the team’s president of baseball operations wait to shake up the roster? Today on Section 415, The Standard’s John Shea joins us to discuss what’s next for a club still searching for answers. Become an SFStandard subscriber! www.sfstandard.com/signup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

The Warriors are locked into the 10th seed, but Steph Curry’s return means anything is possible. The play-in tournament looks daunting, but Curry and veterans Draymond Green, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis are hoping to navigate next week’s gauntlet and reach the NBA playoffs. What needs to go right? The Standard’s Danny Emerman joins “Section 415” to analyze Golden State’s chances of knocking...