Hang Up and Listen

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Jack Hamilton to discuss the NBA Finals. The New York Times’ Tariq Panja also comes on for a conversation about Saudi Arabia’s efforts to lure Lionel Messi and conquer global soccer. Finally, the Athletic’s Zach Buchanan discusses his piece on the pioneering mascot the San Diego Chicken.Nuggets-Heat (3:05): How Miami tied up the series.Saudi soccer (24:18): Can they get Messi? What are they trying to accomplish?The Chicken (42:49): What Ted Giannoulas created.Afterball (1:05:20): Josh on Rodney “Crash” McCray. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Joel Anderson to talk about the Celtics’ Game 7 loss to the Heat. They’re also joined by Mike Simmonds of Luton Today for a conversation about Luton Town’s rise to the Premier League. And finally, writer Sam Miller comes on to discuss the indelible image of Randy Johnson killing a bird with a fastball. Celtics-Heat (6:49): How Boston came so far, and then collapsed. Luton Town (28:27): The inside scoop on an incredible underdog story. Baseball and birds (47:15): Why we’re still talking about a pitch from 2001. Afterball (1:07:07): Stefan on Tom Wambsgans and Bill Wambsganss and Josh on whether Clarence Thomas could dunk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis discuss the Heat and Nuggets and their stars Jimmy Butler and Nikola Jokic. They’re also joined by writers Dave Zirin and Jesse Washington to talk about the life and legacy of Jim Brown. Finally, Defector’s Maitreyi Anantharaman joins to assess Brittney Griner’s return, Becky Hammon’s suspension, and other WNBA storylines. NBA (3:10): How Miami and Denver are steamrolling to the NBA Finals. Jim Brown (24:00): He was a football star, a civil rights icon, and a domestic abuser. How should we think about him? WNBA (54:25): Making sense of the busiest opening week in league history. Afterball (1:13:56): Stefan on race, wealth, and baseball in Washington, D.C. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by the Washington Post’s Ben Golliver to discuss the 76ers’ Game 7 loss to the Celtics and other NBA playoff storylines. Meg Rowley of FanGraphs also joins to assess the terrible Oakland A’s and the excellent Tampa Bay Rays. Finally, the New York Times’ Sarah Lyall talks about reporting on the Westminster Dog Show. NBA (3:26): How Philly blew it and what to look for in the conference finals. Baseball (30:15): Are the A’s one of the worst teams in history? Dogs (52:13): How a breed few people have heard of won Best in Show. Afterball (1:08:41): Stefan on Joe Kapp, NFL labor pioneer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Slate’s Jack Hamilton and Ben Mathis-Lilley discuss Nikola Jokic’s tiff with Suns owner Mat Ishbia and Kevin Durant’s quest for a third title. They also talk about Alabama’s head baseball coach getting fired in a sports gambling scandal. Finally, they assess Bronny James’ decision to go to USC. NBA (3:11): The subplots and plot twists of the Suns-Nuggets Western Conference semis. Gambling (24:58): The NCAA and the pro sports leagues are walking a thin line with legalized betting. Bronny (47:50): What his decision to play college basketball says about the sport and his future prospects. Afterball (1:05:00): Josh and Jack on gun violence, sports, and the three Virginia football players who were killed in November. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Washington Post’s Ben Golliver to talk about the Warriors’ Game 7 win over the Kings. The Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur also joins to discuss the Bruins’ NHL playoffs flop and the Maple Leafs’ historic first-round victory. Finally, Extra Points’ Matt Brown assesses Deion Sanders’ gutting of the Colorado football team. Warriors-Kings (3:26): How Steph willed the defending champs to victory. NHL (6:08): Another year, another regular-season juggernaut that won’t win the title. Colorado football (48:50): Are Deion Sanders’ roster cuts immoral? Afterballs (1:11:20): Stefan on a Penn basketball star in the transfer portal and Josh on the time a German soccer club signed the entire Cuban national team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Slate’s Jack Hamilton to talk about Draymond Green, Dillon Brooks, and NBA villainy. Chicago White Sox announcer Jason Benetti also joins to discuss how to call a baseball game in the pitch-clock era. Finally, Talia Barrington comes on for a conversation about same-sex pairs in figure skating. NBA villains (3:01): The basketball playoffs need bad guys. Jason Benetti (24:39): “We are covering a different sport now.” Same-sex pairs (47:10): Is figure skating ready for a monumental change? Afterball (1:05:24): Stefan on the Athletics’ long history of threatening to move. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Defector’s Patrick Redford to talk about the Sacramento Kings’ first playoff win in 17 years. Defector’s Dave McKenna also joins to commemorate the (supposed) end of Dan Snyder’s ownership of the Washington Commanders. Finally, Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim comes on to assess the WTA’s decision to return to China. Kings (3:21): What it felt and sounded like when Sacramento beat Golden State. Snyder (23:31): Will D.C. ever recover from his horrific tenure? WTA (45:47): Is women’s tennis choosing profit over principle? Afterball (1:07:47): Josh on a remarkable shift in American tennis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton to talk about what went wrong for the Dallas Mavericks and to preview the NBA postseason. Slate’s Jim Newell also joins to discuss Jon Rahm’s Masters win. Finally, they speak with LJ Rader about his Twitter and Instagram accounts Art But Make It Sports. NBA (4:20): Why did the Mavs lose on purpose? And how is the Western Conference shaping up? Masters (24:31): What the year’s first major means for LIV and the future of golf. Art But Make It Sports (44:35): Sports photos + paintings = mash-up magic. Afterball (1:03:30): Stefan on the baseball Hall of Famer who lived in his childhood home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant to discuss LSU’s victory over Iowa in the women’s NCAA Tournament. Tennis player Matija Pecotic also joins to talk about how he went from a full-time job to victory on the pro tour. Finally, Jody Avirgan discusses his podcast Good Sport and whether sports debate shows are hurting America. Women’s NCAA Tournament (6:44): The on-court battles and the off-court controversies. Pecotic (31:00): The star of one of the sports world’s best underdog stories tells all. Sports debate shows (54:12): What has Stephen A. Smith wrought? Afterball (01:15:30): Josh on some recent remembrances of Zelmo Beaty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant to talk about Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark. The Washington Post’s Chuck Culpepper also joins to assess the most surprising men’s Final Four ever. Finally, Tom Haberstroh of Meadowlark Media discusses the vitriol directed at NBA referees. Clark (2:50): The secrets of the Iowa point guard’s success. Men’s tourney surprises (26:33): Miami? San Diego State? Florida Atlantic?!? NBA refs (44:20): Who’s responsible for all the rancor? Afterball (1:07:20): Stefan on the Princeton basketball team’s not-so-sad Sweet Sixteen defeat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, are joined by Slate’s Alex Kirshner to talk about Fairleigh Dickinson’s huge upset over Purdue and Princeton’s run to the Sweet 16. Then, ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez comes on to discuss the historic matchup between the USA and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic. Finally, author David Epstein assesses the legacy of high jumper Dick Fosbury, who invented the immortal Fosbury Flop.Fairleigh Dickinson (2:18): Did the Knights pull off the biggest upset in college basketball history?World Baseball Classic (23:59): What it meant for the Cuban national baseball team to take the field in Miami. Fosbury (42:41): Where does it rank on the list of all-time sports innovations?Afterball (1:01:32): Josh on Ole Miss women’s basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas talk about what went wrong for the North Carolina men’s basketball team and other NCAA Tournament matters. They also check in on quarterback Lamar Jackson’s standoff with the Baltimore Ravens. Finally, the Athletic’s Nick Miller joins to discuss why the BBC pulled soccer commentator Gary Lineker off the air, and what happened next. NCAA (5:54): Checking in on the Tar Heels and the sport’s other blue bloods. Jackson (3:50): Why doesn’t anyone want to give the young star a guaranteed, mega-bucks deal? Lineker (43:50): The controversy, the resolution, and what it says about the UK. Afterball (1:00:52): Stefan on whether the Ivy League is ready to change with the times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Washington Post’s Molly Hensley-Clancy to discuss her reporting on the troubles surrounding Ja Morant. ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. also joins to talk about whether Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder will get forced out of the NFL. Finally, they speak to Slate’s Alex Kirshner about the quarterback dilemmas at the top of the NFL Draft.Morant (3:17): What comes next for the Memphis Grizzlies star?Snyder (22:07): The scandals are mounting. Will he finally get the boot?Quarterback prospects (42:07): Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, and the Bears’ big choice at No. 1.Afterball (1:01:05): Josh on podcast ads and the National Council on Problem Gambling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Joseph Goodman of AL.com to talk about the murder roiling the Alabama basketball program. They’re also joined by Jeremy Woo to discuss his Sports Illustrated cover story on French basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama. Finally, CNBC’s Alex Sherman comes on for a conversation about the death of regional sports networks. Alabama (5:08): Why is star freshman Brandon Miller still playing? Wembanyama (27:42): Inside the media rollout of the next NBA superstar. RSNs (48:41): Is the sports TV business model dead? Afterball (1:11:59): Stefan on a century of complaints about slow baseball games. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Kevin Van Valkenburg of No Laying Up to talk about Tiger Woods’ return to tournament golf. Claire Watkins of Just Women’s Sports also joins to discuss the Canadian women’s soccer team’s fight for equal pay. Finally, Michael Baumann of Fangraphs comes on to assess Major League Baseball’s latest rule changes. Tiger Woods (3:14): His competitors on the PGA Tour think he could win again. Equal pay (24:46): How the labor battle in Canada is different from the one in the U.S. New baseball rules (43:43): A pitch clock! Banning the shift! Bases as big as pizza boxes! Afterball (1:06:19): Josh on ghost runners. Or are they zombie runners? Or something else? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the Chiefs’ victory over the Eagles. They also discuss Kevin Durant’s move from the Nets to the Suns. Finally, the Athletic’s Chantel Jennings joins to talk about South Carolina and its challengers in women’s college basketball. Super Bowl (4:15): Was the game-clinching holding call the right decision? Durant (25:22): What’s the Nets’ legacy? What are the Suns’ title chances? Women’s college basketball (44:32): Can anyone stop the Gamecocks from winning another title? Afterball (1:04:56): Joel on a potential boycott of Florida schools by college athletes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson and Stefan Fatsis are joined by NPR’s Gene Demby to discuss the trade of talented, problematic superstar Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks, and to preview the Super Bowl match-up between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Also, Sabreena Merchant of the Athletic helps explain what an unprecedented free-agent frenzy means for the WNBA. Kyrie Irving (5:05): The perpetually disgruntled superstar is on the move again. Super Bowl (28:54): After more than half a century, two Black quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, are finally starting in the Super Bowl. WNBA (48:39): Free-agent moves by superstars Candace Parker and Breanna Stewart signal an era of super-teams. Afterball (1:07:46): Stefan on Philadelphia’s outdated self-image as an underdog town. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Lindsay Jones of the Ringer to break down the NFL conference championship games, won by the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Joel, Stefan, and Josh Levin discuss the impact of college athletes finally making money through name, image, and likeness rights. Finally, an interview with former Olympian Edie Thys Morgan about Mikaela Shiffrin, who is on the verge of becoming the winningest ski racer of all time. NFL (3:49): The biggest takeaways from the NFL conference championship games. NIL (27:49): Is college sports funding declining because athletes are getting money? Mikaela Shiffrin (50:48): The skier is one World Cup win from tying Ingemar Stenmark’s all-time record. Afterball (1:06:46): Stefan talks to Leander Schaerlaeckens about Weston McKennie, Leeds, and the U.S. men’s national soccer team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin assess the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. They also discuss Tony Dungy’s history of anti-gay rhetoric, and whether NBC and the NFL should do something about it. Finally, Slate contributor Isaac Butler joins to talk about the rise of American men at the Australian Open and Netflix’s tennis reality series Break Point. NFL (5:37): The biggest takeaways from the weekend’s games. Dungy (26:19): Should the ex-coach still be on television? Tennis (47:49): Who are all these new American stars? Is Break Point worth watching? Afterball (1:11:37): Josh on Shannon Sharpe, Vernon Maxwell, and NBA fracases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by Bomani Jones to discuss the Cowboys’ blowout win over the Bucs and other storylines from the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs. They also talk about all the high-scoring games in the NBA this season. Finally, Joel and Josh interview pool legend Jeanette Lee, aka the Black Widow, who’s featured in the new documentary Jeanette Lee Vs. NFL (4:23): Is Tom Brady going to retire? Should he? NBA (25:42): Why are so many players putting up 50-point games? And is all that scoring good for the sport? Jeanette Lee (46:47): The Black Widow speaks about her life and career. Afterball (1:02:33): Joel on the sad decline of Georgetown basketball. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Georgia’s win over TCU in the college football title game. They also discuss Damar Hamlin’s remarkable recovery and how the NFL has tried to move on. Finally, they assess the Berhalter-Reyna rift that’s tearing apart U.S. men’s soccer. Georgia-TCU (2:26): What it’s like to be on the wrong side of one of the biggest blowouts in sports history. Hamlin (25:10): Watching pro football a week after the Bills safety’s near-death on the field. U.S. soccer (48:59): The pettiness and sadness of a family dispute that’s gone public. Afterball (1:07:20): Josh on a college basketball replay controversy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsing on the field during Monday Night Football and what came after. Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley also joins to discuss TCU and Georgia’s thrilling wins in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Finally, author Alex Bellos discusses the Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, who died last week at age 82. Hamlin (3:26): Is it fair to criticize the NFL’s response to Monday’s on-field crisis? College Football Playoff (25:52): How TCU and Georgia took down Michigan and Ohio State. Pelé (46:23): Remembering the greatest soccer player of all time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler to discuss her story on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ array of hand signals. They also discuss New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s $800 million offseason spending spree and look back at 1972’s “Immaculate Reception” by Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris. Rodgers (3:00): The Packers QB bristled over Kahler’s well-sourced story on why rookie receivers struggle in Green Bay. Mets (26:33): Cohen’s lavish spending hit a speed bump after medical concerns over free agent Carlos Correa. Immaculate Reception (45:08): Why it’s considered the greatest play in NFL history. Afterball (1:01:42): Stefan on how the New York Cosmos wooed Pele in the 1970s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Argentinian journalist Marcela Mora y Araujo to talk about Lionel Messi’s coronation on soccer’s biggest stage and then continue their conversation about the greatest World Cup final ever. They also discuss a bizarre weekend in the NFL and assess the life and career of college football coach Mike Leach. World Cup final (3:36): What it means to Argentina and how it felt to watch it. NFL (28:55): The Vikings came back from how far? The Patriots did what? Leach (44:08): Why there will never be another coach like him. Afterball (1:05:12): Joel on Brittney Griner, high school phenom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim to talk about journalist Grant Wahl, who died suddenly over the weekend at the age of 49. They’re also joined by the Atlantic’s Franklin Foer for a conversation about Morocco’s thrilling run to the World Cup semifinals. Finally, they discuss Brittney Griner’s long-awaited return to the United States after a prisoner swap with Russia. Grant Wahl (6:26): The life and legacy of a great journalist, mentor, and friend. Morocco (32:01): What their success means for soccer, Africa, and the Arab world. Griner (49:08): How she got released and what comes next. Afterball (1:04:31): Josh on Grant Wahl’s Sports Illustrated cover story on LeBron James. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Grant Wahl to discuss the U.S. loss to the Netherlands at the World Cup. Josh and Joel Anderson are then joined by Slate’s Alex Kirshner to talk about the College Football Playoff pairings and Deion Sanders’ move to Colorado. World Cup (3:43): The positives and negatives of the USMNT’s run to the round of 16. College Football Playoff (27:50): Who’s in, who’s out, and what to expect in the semifinals. Deion Sanders (49:25): Was he wrong to leave Jackson State? Afterball (1:08:47): Stefan on soccer vs. football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by journalist Meg Swanick to preview the U.S. men’s soccer team’s matchup against Iran. Ben Mathis-Lilley, the author of The Hot Seat, also joins to discuss Michigan’s win over Ohio State. Finally, they talk about the Washington Post’s feature on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. USA-Iran (4:09): The on-field and off-field implications of the USMNT’s big game. Michigan-Ohio State (25:53): How the Wolverines took down the Buckeyes again. Jerry Jones (46:30): How much responsibility does he bear for the NFL’s diversity problems? Afterball (1:07:46): Joel on the resignation of Stanford football coach David Shaw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Slate’s Eric Betts to discuss the U.S. men’s national team’s 1-1 draw against Wales. They also discuss the controversial opening days of the World Cup. Finally, they assess the Warriors’ and Lakers' early-season woes and Kyrie Irving’s return to the Brooklyn Nets. USA-Wales (4:24): How the USMNT fizzled after a promising start. FIFA (35:06): What’s happening in Qatar, and what the media is (and isn’t) saying about it. NBA (47:21): What’s wrong with the league’s most star-laden teams? Afterball (1:07;12): Josh on the next big star in American tennis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Grant Wahl to talk about the World Cup in Qatar. They also discuss the NFL head coaching debut of the Colts’ Jeff Saturday and examine how women athletes are benefitting from the new name, image, and likeness rules in college sports. Qatar (3:08): Bribery, authoritarianism, and soccer. Jeff Saturday (24:07): He has no college or pro coaching experience. He’s running an NFL team now. NIL (43:49): Women athletes are getting paid, but is there a potential problem lurking? Afterball (59:26): Stefan on the pointed commentary about race in A Wife’s Guide to Baseball. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Hannah Keyser of Yahoo Sports to talk about the Houston Astros’ World Series triumph. They also discuss LSU’s win over Alabama and the current state of SEC football. Finally, they assess Herschel Walker’s Senate candidacy. World Series (5:02): How Houston won it all. SEC football (26:12): Is Alabama on the way down? And what’s going on with Texas A&M? Herschel Walker (48:46): What’s motivating the former football star’s foray into politics? Afterball (1:08:35): Joel on what he wishes Deion Sanders would say about Jackson State and HBCUs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss Kyrie Irving and anti-Semitism. They also talk about the continued rise of Deion Sanders and Jackson State. And Claire Watkins of Just Women’s Sports comes on for a conversation about the championship game of the National Women’s Soccer League. Kyrie (3:09): Is it finally time for the Brooklyn Nets to get rid of him? Jackson State (28:09): Will the Prime Effect go away when Coach Prime moves on? NWSL (47:10): The stardom of Sophia Smith and the future of the league. Afterball (1:03:05): Stefan on a historic match-up between women soccer coaches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh to talk about the Astros-Phillies World Series. They also discuss the decline of Russell Wilson, and possibly Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. And they assess whether Adam Silver’s NBA promotion and relegation talk is for real. World Series (5:35): How are the Astros so consistently good in the randomness of the postseason? Wilson (28:00): Is Russ cooked? NBA relegation (47:00): Could it ever happen? Afterball (1:04:36): Josh on the key to sports fan happiness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley to review a crazy weekend in college football. ESPN’s Pablo Torre talks with Joel, Stefan, and Vinson Cunningham of The New Yorker about the new documentary 38 at the Garden on Jeremy Lin’s short but brilliant run with the New York Knicks a decade ago. Finally, Joel, Stefan, and Vinson discuss another new documentary, The Redeem Team, about the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.College Football (5:25): Alabama vs Tennessee and CFB's explosive offenses.Linnsanity revisited (28:32): 38 at The Garden. Is Jeremy Lin still underrated?Redeem Team (49:28): Lebron, Kobe, Wade's quest for gold.Afterballs (1:09:01): Joel examines which high basketball stars lived up to the hype. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the Warriors’ Draymond Green punching his teammate Jordan Poole. They also discuss 7-foot-4 basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama. Finally, the Athletic’s Steph Yang joins for a conversation about Sally Yates’ report on abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League. Warriors (4:59): How should the team handle Draymond’s punch? Is he done in Golden State? Wembanyama (28:24): Can the 18-year-old Frenchman possibly live up to all this hype? Soccer abuse (49:09): What we learned from the report and what comes next. Afterball (1:12:20): Stefan revisits cheating in chess and Scrabble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the fallout from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s concussions. They also talk about Aaron Judge’s quest for the American League home run record. Finally, chess champion and poker pro Jennifer Shahade joins for a conversation about cheating allegations in both sports. Tua (3:52): Why was he allowed to play after suffering an obvious head injury? Judge (31:50): Is the Yankees star chasing the “real” home run record? Chess and poker cheating (54:40): What we know, what we don’t, and what comes next. Afterball (1:14:06): Josh on the real home run record of 1884. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the Boston Celtics’ decision to suspend head coach Ime Udoka. They also talk about Roger Federer’s tearful retirement. Finally, Anna Wolfe of Mississippi Today joins for a conversation about Brett Favre and the state’s enormous welfare scandal. Udoka (4:24): Did the media and the Celtics mishandle the news of his suspension? Federer (21:01): What makes his relationship with Rafael Nadal so special. Favre (42:20): How the ex-quarterback got enmeshed in an escalating welfare controversy. Afterball (1:02:46): Joel on Mississippi, a segregation academy, and a football field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin, Joel Anderson, and the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham discuss the NBA’s suspension of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver and Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett’s bizarre decisions. Finally, Josh and Stefan Fatsis speak with Olympic champion Mark Spitz about the new documentary series 72—A Gathering of Champions.Robert Sarver (4:07): Should Adam Silver have done more?Nathaniel Hackett (25:55): What is this coach thinking?Mark Spitz (45:57): One of the greatest Olympians ever remembers the dizzying highs and brutal lows of the 1972 Summer Games.Afterball (1:10:40): Vinson on the greatness of Manu Ginobili. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham discuss the opening weekend of the NFL season and the rise of tennis phenoms Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek. They’re also joined by Josh Levin (same name, different guy) to discuss how he made the final stage of American Ninja Warrior. NFL (3:10): The cognitive dissonance of a new season. Tennis (23:27): Why 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz looks like a legend in the making. Josh the Ninja (47:20): How he conquered his Ninja Warrior demons. Afterball (1:11:07): Josh on notable moments in Knicks message board history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis speak with Rennae Stubbs of ESPN and Racquet about coaching Serena Williams at the U.S. Open. Alex Kirshner of Slate and Split Zone Duo joins to discuss the start of college football season and the new 12-team playoff. Finally, the New York Times’ Juliet Macur talks about her story on how the Afghan women’s soccer team escaped the Taliban. Rennae Stubbs (3:24): What she told Serena before and during her grand send-off in New York. College football (24:22): How the game is changing, and how it’s staying the same. Afghan women’s soccer team (49:23): The harrowing story of their escape from Kabul. Afterball (1:11:42): Stefan on American soccer players on rival Scottish teams having the gall to eat dinner together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Vinson Cunningham are joined by Ben Mathis-Lilley to discuss his new book on college football, The Hot Seat. They also discuss the hype around American tennis star Coco Gauff and review the soccer documentary Welcome to Wrexham. The Hot Seat (2:14): Why does college football make so many of us insane? Coco Gauff (24:54): Is the publicity warranted, or is too much for an 18-year-old to handle? Welcome to Wrexham (47:60): Does the story of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buying a soccer team make for good TV? Afterball (1:06:51): Josh on drinking beer through a hot dog straw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Vinson Cunningham are joined by Defector’s Maitreyi Anantharaman to discuss the WNBA playoffs. Dion Wright also joins to explain what it was like to guard LeBron James. Finally, they talk about Isiah Thomas’ “No Crime Day,” the subject of the first episode of Slate’s One Year: 1986 podcast. WNBA (2:48): Can Sue Bird lead the Seattle Storm to a fifth title? Dion Wright (23:39): How it felt to go viral for going up against one of the greatest of all time. No Crime Day (42:20): A conversation about basketball and athlete activism in the 1980s. Afterball (1:05:56): Stefan on the agony and ecstasy of watching Pete Carril’s Princeton teams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vinson Cunningham and Stefan Fatsis are joined by the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas to discuss the latest on Deshaun Watson’s sexual abuse case and Serena Williams’ impending retirement. Also, Sports Illustrated’s Julie Kliegman joins to talk about athletes and psychedelics. Deshaun Watson (5:00): The new Browns quarterback debuted with the team to boos and jeers. Serena Williams (21:52): The superstar announced in Vogue that she is “evolving away from tennis.” Psychedelics (35:20): Should more athletes be using them to treat mental health and injury? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin, the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham, and Slate’s Henry Grabar take an audio tour of Vin Scully’s broadcasting career. They also discuss the documentary NYC Point Gods. Finally, Josh interviews tennis players Maxime Cressy and Daria Saville. Vin Scully (2:36): Eight moments from 66 years in the booth. NYC Point Gods (33:11): Is the new basketball documentary worth watching? Tennis (48:33): Conversations with two of the most fascinating players on tour. Afterball (1:16:42): Josh on the Shammgodd—or is it the Pooh Allen? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin is joined by Aram Goudsouzian for a conversation about Bill Russell’s life and legacy; by Grant Wahl to talk about England’s historic victory at the women’s European soccer championships; and by Andscape’s Jason Reid to discuss Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray, and Reid’s book Rise of the Black Quarterback. Bill Russell (2:21): The basketball legend’s biographer on his impact on and off the court. England (23:28): How the Lionesses won, and how that victory will change women’s soccer. Quarterbacks (44:46): The past, present, and future of Black QBs in the NFL. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham are joined by Tim Layden to discuss the record breakers of the world track and field championships; by Abe Riesman to talk about Vince McMahon’s scandal-laden retirement from WWE; and by Sarah Larson for a conversation about her New Yorker feature on pickleball. Track and field (1:30): What’s next for Sydney McLaughlin, Noah Lyles, and the sport as a whole? Vince McMahon (25:24): Why did he retire now? What’s next for WWE? Pickleball (47:23): Why is it so popular? Is a billionaire ruining it? Afterball (1:05:40): Josh on Carl Lewis’ mythical 30-foot long jump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the opening weekend of the world track and field championships. They also talk about why the Angels are so bad in spite of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout and the Nationals’ Juan Soto dilemma. Finally, Puck’s Julia Ioffe joins for a conversation about Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia. Track (4:07): Why an American hurdler got a raw deal. Baseball (25:02): Is Juan Soto crazy to turn down $440 million? Griner (44:43): Should we be more pessimistic about her fate? Afterball (1:04:43): Stefan on the Amarillo Sod Poodles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and Ben Mathis-Lilley discuss their proposals for fixing college football. Josh then speaks with Ben Rothenberg about Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon win over Nick Kyrgios. Finally, Joel, Josh, and Ben assess the rising stars of NBA Summer League. College football (3:26): How will the sport reshape itself in the next five years? Tennis (27:01): Wimbledon got the final it deserved. Summer League (53:07): What to make of the Chet Holmgren experience. Afterball (1:09:07): Josh on the Summer League record for most points in a single game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving trade drama. They also talk about UCLA and USC moving to the Big Ten and assess the verbal sparring between Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon. Nets (2:26): Could they still keep KD and Kyrie? Big Ten (24:28): What the latest big move means for the future of college football and every other sport. Kyrgios and Tsitsipas (45:35): The story behind the ugly tennis squabble. Afterball (1:10:10): Joel on the latest feats of pole vault prodigy Mondo Duplantis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Olympic gold medalist Crissy Perham to discuss what Roe v. Wade getting overturned means for women athletes. They also discuss Arch Manning’s decision to play football at the University of Texas and Ohio State getting a trademark on the word “the.” Crissy Perham (2:56): A champion swimmer on why she’s speaking out about her abortion. Arch Manning (23:15): America’s leading legacy athlete will be a Longhorn. The Ohio State University (44:01): Is the school’s love affair with the definite article endearing or annoying? Afterball (1:02:20): Josh on Billie Jean King’s abortion story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.