It surely was a defining moment. Perhaps even the biggest moment in the history U.S. women’s sports.

The U.S. women’s soccer team took the country by storm in 1999. It all culminated in a packed Rose Bowl for the World Cup final against China.

Their story, The 99ers, is the latest Nine for IX documentary. It airs tonight on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. Official rundown below.

Here’s the rundown:

The world of women’s sports was kicked upside down on July 10, 1999. Before a sold-out crowd of more than 90,000 at the Rose Bowl and an estimated 40 million Americans watching on television, the U.S. women’s soccer team reached a cultural and athletic pinnacle with its penalty-kick shootout victory against China to win the Women’s World Cup.

As told through the voice of a longtime team captain, Julie Foudy, we get an inside look at the strong team ethic and rare “do for each other” mentality that propelled the squad to victory that summer and turned it into a cultural touchstone.

With unprecedented access, The 99ers uses candid, behind-the-scenes footage shot by the players themselves during the three-week tournament to present a unique portrait of the women who irrevocably changed the face of women’s athletics. The film reunites key players from the 1999 squad and also talks with current U.S. players to examine how women’s soccer, and women’s sports as a whole, has changed since that epic day at the Rose Bowl.

Foudy: A friend recently asked me how I would describe the experience of the 1999 World Cup to my young kids and, without hesitation, the first thing that came to mind was: BEST. JOB. EVER. Yes, almost two decades of playing for my country alongside an amazing group of women who taught me the value of competing, growing and digging deeper than I thought possible counts me among the lucky. But, more important, this group of women showed me that challenges, obstacles and adversity are really just thrilling, laughter-infused adventures that are part of the wonderful journey.

It all came together one sweet summer in 1999. And no one has ever seen it from the inside. Given our propensity for the absurd, I thought it would be fun to document our 1999 World Cup experience on a camera. So with no plans and no shooting experience, I just kept pressing record … so much so that Mia eloquently declared the camera a “great big zit on my heeeed” in her best Scottish accent.

We have compiled the best of many hours of my personal footage and have used these moments as a launch pad to discuss that summer — the impact, the legacy and the question that has trailed us all for a decade: are we pioneers or was 1999 just an anomaly? This film is a completely unique look back, from the gals who gleefully shimmied through that summer to providing a glimpse into the personalities, pressure, excitement and growing recognition that the summer would be one to remember. But consider yourself warned: there will be a lot of bad hair, bad dancing, bad singing, and even some nudity, thanks to Brandi Chastain.

Tom Waddle’s new deal with ESPN means his weekend commute will be a bit shorter this year.

The former Chicago Bears receiver, one of our favorites on and off the field, has signed on as an analyst for Sunday Football on ESPN Radio, beginning with week one on Sept. 8. The show, which begins at 1 p.m. ET, features updates and analysis of that Sunday’s NFL games. Waddle also will do Sunday segments on SportsCenter.

Previously, Waddle, who co-hosts the Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 in Chicago,  had done similar chores for NFL Network, which required him to make weekend trips to Los Angeles. Now he only has to fly to Bristol, Conn. And he also gets to enjoy the luxurious accommodations at the Bristol DoubleTree. Hey Tom, breakfast included!

For Chicago readers, Waddle has joined WLS-Ch. 7. Here’s the official rundown:

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Waddle will serve as ABC 7 Chicago’s Bears analyst during the NFL season.  He’ll team up with ABC 7’s Sports Director/Anchor Mark Giangreco for “Waddle’s World” segments on ABC 7’s top-rated 10 PM newscasts, Wednesdays and Fridays when the Bears begin their season.  Then, from ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Conn., Waddle will be talking football with Rafer Weigel in the ABC 7 studios, Sundays on the10 PM newscast.  “The Waddle Report,” will bring ABC 7 viewers an exclusive post-game look at how the Bears played each week.

In addition to his reports on ABC 7 News Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights, he’ll join the ABC 7 sports team for their Bears pre-game specials.  Waddle will serve periodically as a sports contributor on ABC 7’s Windy City LIVE, which will begin airing at 11 AM on Monday, September 2.

That didn’t take long.

Here’s the rundown:

Jason Whitlock discusses his unexpected return to ESPN, his TV/print future, ESPN vs. Fox, the dearth of African American sportswriters, and ‘Breaking Bad’ vs. ‘The Wire.’

For your listening pleasure, here’s the link. Can’t wait to listen myself. I’m sure Jason has a much different view of ESPN than he did a few months ago.

For my Chicago readers:

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Jay Cutler doesn’t exactly light it up during press conference situations. He appears uncomfortable and a bit put out.

However, Cutler comes off much looser during his weekly radio gig on WMVP-AM 1000. He must enjoy it because he just signed up for another season.

According to WMVP program director Adam Delevitt, Cutler is “the only QB in the NFL that does a live one-hour show one person on site.

“Other QB’s have call in deals with stations, but no other QB shows up on site for one hour.”

Here are the details:

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Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who spent last year as a regular on ESPN 1000’s “Waddle & Silvy Show” is back for a second exclusive year on ESPN Chicago ((1000)).

Bears fans will hear their quarterback live between 5-6 p.m. CT every Monday during the regular season, pending the team’s schedule, beginning Monday, Sept. 9. The show is presented by Miller Lite, which is the official beer of the Chicago Bears.

“With the regular season right around the corner, I’m looking forward to re-joining Waddle & Silvy and everyone at ESPN 1000 for the second season of our radio show,” Cutler said. “It’s a great opportunity to talk football with the guys, share some insight on our season and to interact with the great fans we have here in Chicago and beyond.”

The long-standing relationship between Cutler and co-hosts Tom Waddle, a former Bears player, and Marc Silverman led to their show becoming the only place to hear the Bears’ quarterback for a full hour on a weekly basis.

“ESPN Chicago is excited for the return of Jay Cutler for a second season,” John Cravens, VP and General Manager, ESPN Chicago said.  “Jay provides an inside perspective that gives every Chicago sports fan something they have never seen or heard before. It is always a great listen when he joins Waddle and Silvy”.

Fans will be able to read stories, reactions and converse with each other about “The Jay Cutler Show” on ESPNChicago.com, where there will also be videos, podcasts and more.

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Also, catching up here, but want to note that John “Jurko” Jurkovic has re-upped at WMVP.

First Keith Olbermann. Now Jason Whitlock.

Jason McIntyre broke the bombshell that Whitlock is leaving Fox Sports to rejoin ESPN.

Now Whitlock didn’t exactly do the “napalm” thing like Olbermann, but he carried some bitter feeling towards the network after his break-up in 2006.

Whitlock repeatedly has slammed ESPN and its personalities. During a podcast with the New York Times’ Richard Sandomir last fall, he implored Sandomir and the Times to do a takedown, er, in-depth analysis of ESPN.

“Deadspin has done a good job,” Whitlock said. “Some adults could get at the bigger issues at play here.”

During the same podcast, he accused First Take of gearing its show to unemployed African-Americans.

“It’s not by accident that they’ve added the rap music, added the black women eye candy,” Whitlock said. “Skip Bayless picks on certain black targets. Then they brought in Stephen A. Smith to smooth it out.”

Later, Whitlock said, “Their ratings among black viewers is off the charts and it drives their decision-making. I’ve heard that from people I know.”

And one more sound bite. “There are a group of people who have time to watch this. They don’t have jobs. They like to talk sports and like the barbershop style of sports talk.”

It was pretty remarkable stuff. Whitlock declined an interview request from me to talk about those comments. He said my questions weren’t “sophisticated enough” for him.

Hmm, wonder if Whitlock still wants Sandomir and the Times to explore all those issues at ESPN? Methinks, no.

It is amazing to me how people blow great opportunities. Wave bye-bye to Hugh Douglas.

From Richard Deitsch:

The former NFL player and Numbers Never Lie panelist was let go by ESPN today after disturbing details emerged last week from Deadspin and The Big Lead regarding an alleged confrontation between Douglas and ESPN Numbers Never Lie host Michael Smith at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair in Orlando.

And here’s a tweet from the former ESPN analyst.

I am very disappointed to be leaving ESPN and will have more to say about this situation and my future at the appropriate time.

As I wrote last week, I hope people watch ESPN’s Nine for IX documentary series featuring women in sports. Tonight’s film is outstanding.

On the list of the most heartbreaking moments in sports, there’s definitely a place for Mary Decker and her dramatic collision with Zola Budd at the 1984 Olympics.

It’s all there in ESPN’s new Nine for IX: The Runner (Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET). Be sure to check out the press conference video below.

Here’s the preview.

The extended clip from the documentary about Decker’s post-race press conference:

Here’s the write-up from ESPN:

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The next film in ESPN Films’ and espnW’s Nine for IX series, Runner, will premiere on Tuesday, August 13, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The film, directed by award-winning filmmaker Shola Lynch, tells the story of American distance runner Mary Decker as she lined up to make her Olympic debut in the 3,000 meters at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

Decker had displayed unwavering dominance in every distance from the 800 to 10,000 meters. Her wholesome image graced magazine covers and adorned walls all over the world for more than a decade when she was known as “Little Mary Decker.” And at the age of 26, this was her first Olympics: she was barely too young to be eligible to compete in the 1972 Munich Games, stress fractures in her leg had kept her out of the 1976 Montreal Olympics and the U.S. boycott prevented her from competing in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. So the 3,000 was to be her coronation, the gold medal that would validate her greatness.

As fate would have it, though, there was another compelling figure in the race, a 19-year-old barefooted South African running for Great Britain, Zola Budd. Just past the midway point of the race, Budd crowded Decker on the inside lane, and in the panic and urgency of the moment, they collided. Decker fell to the track with a look of anguish. Budd would regain her stride but finish a distant seventh behind the winner, Romanian Maricica Puica. Decker initially blamed Budd, but in later years they reconciled and tried to get past the collision. Still, the one moment of heartbreak and Decker’s response to it came to define what should have been a glorious career.

Shola Lynch (Free Angela and All Political Prisoners) is a seasoned documentary filmmaker and former track star who was called “the next Mary Decker.” She holds a graduate degree in journalism from Columbia University and is working on a book based on her new film.

Paul Finebaum begins his new radio gig today at ESPN. The four-hour show debuts at 2 p.m. ET.

The question is where?

This is from the official release from ESPN:

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ESPN Audio has selected Cumulus Media Networks to secure terrestrial radio distribution for Finebaum’s show.

ESPN affiliated stations in every market will have the first opportunity to carry the show. His former home station in Birmingham, Ala., WJOX 94.5 FM, as well as WAPI 100.5 FM, will offer the show.  His previous show attracted nearly a quarter of the adult male listeners in Birmingham, ESPN’s highest-rated college football television market the past several years.

ESPN Audio is overseeing satellite and digital distribution.

Paul Finebaum on ESPN

Finebaum will appear on a variety of other ESPN shows and outlets, including SportsCenter, College Football Live, College GameDay and in ESPN The Magazine.  Starting in August 2014, when the  SEC Network launches, a television simulcast of Finebaum’s radio show will anchor the network’s afternoon lineup.

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In a USA Today story, Finebaum “could not confirm how many affiliates have committed to airing the show.”

So I guess, check your local listings.

Hopefully, ESPN will find a way to place Finebaum’s show nationally on a Sirius XM outlet. Otherwise, I’ll never hear his show in Chicago. There’s no room at the Inn here.

That’s also the case for me with shows such as John Feinstein’s on CBS Sports Radio and Brian Kenny’s on NBC Sports Radio. I know, I know: Those programs are available on the Internet, but I can’t walk and chew gum at the same time, let alone work and listen to the radio.

As a result, the bulk of my radio listening in the car. Since I am in the car quite a bit, I hear a lot of radio, which is a big reason why I subscribe to Sirius XM. That’s where I heard Finebaum prior to him making the jump to ESPN.

There’s little question that this is a great move for Finebaum, especially when the SEC Network gets up and running. However, it isn’t so great for people like me who won’t be able to hear his show.

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As for the show, Finebaum told USA Today the format will remain the same.

So what will be different about the show? Finebaum doesn’t anticipate changes other than it will be broadcasted from Charlotte, N.C. and have better resources being an ESPN product.

“I’ve said this before and I’ll say it as long as I’m doing radio,” Finebaum said. “There are better shows in the country with better guests, who may have better hosts, but no show has better callers.”

Here’s the intro on the historic return last night.

That’s all that got posted on youtube. For mysterious reasons, I am having technical problems with the embed of the entire commentary here.

However, here’s the link. Watch and make note of history.