‘Women of the Water: An Olympic Journey’ to Air on the FanDuel Sports Network
This month, “Women of the Water: An Olympic Journey” is coming to the FanDuel Sports Network, owned and operated by Main Street Sports Group. Premiering on August 24 across FanDuel Sports Network, this 90-minute inside look at the world’s greatest women’s water polo team on its path to the Paris Olympics will showcase the dynamic sport through one of its most legendary programs.
“There has always been so much more to this process than chasing gold medals,” said Adam Krikorian, head coach of the US women’s national team. “For years I’ve wanted people to hear the stories, see the personalities, and learn the lessons that make our journey so special.”
The US women entered the summer of 2024 as three-time Olympic champions, an unprecedented run of excellence. While the team ultimately placed fourth in Paris, viewers will discover the profound dedication these athletes had to the game, their incredible determination to navigate the journey, and the unbreakable bonds formed in the face of adversity.
“Coming up just short of our goal was disappointing,” Krikorian said, referring to the result in Paris, “but it doesn’t take away from the accomplishments [these players] did achieve, the relationships they built, or the impact they’ve had on our communities. This team and these women – along with those that came before them – are truly legends of our sport.”
The series was shot during a 10-month span, beginning in early 2024, when an Olympic berth was already secured and expectations were building. As the team plotted its path to Paris, “Women of the Water” also explored the stories of key figures who made a major impact on the program. This first-of-its-kind look at a water polo team that had a firm grip on No. 1 for nearly a decade was assembled thanks to the creative vision of Executive Producer & Director Suzi Mellano and Producer Greg Mescall with collaboration from Associate Producer Sherie Smith.
“We are thrilled to partner with the FanDuel Sports Network to showcase ‘Women of the Water’ and amplify the sport of water polo,” said Mescall, a producer and a veteran play-by-play broadcaster. “We’ve partnered with the FanDuel Sports Network team in the past to bring Team USA exhibition matches and a docuseries on the USA Water Polo Men’s National Team to larger audiences with positive results and we know that will only grow with ‘Women of the Water,’” he added.
“Creating ‘Women of the Water’ was such a fulfilling experience,” said Mellano. “Having the opportunity to be surrounded by such impressive, strong, talented women was beyond inspiring. The year-long process it took for me to shoot and edit this series was challenging but extremely rewarding. Being able to share the voices of these women and the impact they have on women’s sports, is something I will cherish for the rest of my career. I hold the growth of women’s sports close to my heart and I am honored to have played a small role in that progress.”
“Suzi did a masterful job telling the story of this team – one that, frankly, can’t be told enough,” Mescall added. “They are champions in and out of the water, regardless of the results in Paris. A special thanks to the athletes and staff for taking the time to facilitate this production, sitting for interviews, and allowing cameras into their lives. For those that love water polo, this will only cement your passion for the game and love for this team. For those not as familiar, by the end not only will you enjoy the sport, you’ll have developed a respect and appreciation for these athletes that goes far beyond their abilities in a cap and suit.”
See below for a schedule of premieres across a host of FanDuel Sports Networks. Check your local listings for more information.
FanDuel Sports Network Premiere Schedule
Detroit – August 24 at 6:30pm Eastern
Florida – August 26 at 9:30am Eastern
North – August 25 at 12:00am Central
SoCal – August 24 at 4:00pm Pacific
Southwest – August 24 at 5:00pm Central
West – August 24 at 7:30pm Pacific
*Additional airings to be determined
About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With nearly 50,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 member clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S., fostering grass-roots expansion while providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials. For more information, visit www.usawaterpolo.org
About Main Street Sports Group
Main Street Sports Group owns FanDuel Sports Network, the nation’s leading multiplatform provider of local sports, offering fans widescale availability and optionality to view their local teams. FanDuel Sports Network serves as the local media partner and home to select MLB, NHL and NBA teams and produces over 3,000 live sports events year-round. Main Street Sports Group harnesses its powerful partnerships, in-house direct-to-consumer streaming product and innovative strategies to reach audiences and deliver programming seamlessly across streaming platforms, connected devices and leading pay TV providers.
Its 15 owned-and-operated networks include FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, FanDuel Sports Network Florida, FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City, FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, FanDuel Sports Network North, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma, FanDuel Sports Network SoCal, FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, FanDuel Sports Network Southwest, FanDuel Sports Network Sun, FanDuel Sports Network West, and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. Main Street Sports Group also has a minority interest in YES Network, the local destination for the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets.
The above press release was provided to Swimming World Magazine by USA Water Polo
