Hang Up and Listen

Joel Anderson and Stefan Fatsis discuss Luka Doncic’s spectacular performance for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA playoffs. They are joined by David Ubben of the Athletic to talk about the return of high-school football across the country. And Josh interviews Ethan Strauss of the Athletic about declining television ratings in the NBA.Luka Doncic (01:51): The 21-year-old Slovenian is already one of the best players in the NBA.High-school football (18:35): While colleges debate what to do, high schools are plowing ahead with football.NBA ratings (32:35): Are declining TV ratings a sign of big trouble for the NBA? Afterballs (51:41) Joel Anderson on rape allegations against football player Derrius Giuce. Stefan Fatsis on former NBA benchwarmer and youth-sports advocate Bob Bigelow, who died last week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the 100th anniversary of baseball’s Negro Leagues. They’re also joined by the New York Times’ Rory Smith to talk about the Champions League. Finally, Louisa Thomas comes on for a conversation about the book Losers: Dispatches from the Other Side of the Scoreboard.Negro Leagues (03:35): How can MLB truly grapple with its segregationist past?Champions League (22:28): The storylines, the upsets, the excellent moments for North Americans.Losers (43:28): What makes a loser? What’s the difference between losing and failing?Afterballs (01:03:15): Joel on the Phoenix Suns and Stefan on the term “student-athlete.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Plus preview, Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley talk about the battle over the 2020 college football season.To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the NBA’s strong restart and Major League Baseball’s disastrous season. They’re also joined by UCLA’s Otito Ogbonnia and Elisha Guidry for a conversation about the #WeAreUnited movement. Finally, they discuss Joel’s piece about Liberty University’s attempt to become a sports powerhouse—and why Black athletes have started leaving the school.NBA and MLB (02:42): What the NBA is doing right and what baseball is doing wrong.#WeAreUnited (22:46): How Pac-12 football players came together, and what reforms they want to see in college sports.Liberty (45:34): Can Jerry Falwell Jr.’s school overcome its racist past and present to become a college sports juggernaut?Afterball (01:05:07): Stefan on the Seattle Sockeyes’ romance novel roots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Plus Preview, Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the spread of COVID in Major League Baseball. What should the Miami Marlins and Major League Baseball do in response to the team’s coronavirus outbreak?To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hang Up listeners, we thought you'd enjoy this episode of Slate's daily news show What Next.The NBA has announced an ambitious plan to restart the season more than four months after it was abruptly halted due to the coronavirus. Twenty-two teams have entered the COVID-free “bubble” at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida—a state with some of the highest cases of coronavirus in the country. As long as players and staff remain in the bubble, they will undergo regular coronavirus tests and face strict campus rules. So what’s life like inside the NBA bubble? And what does this experiment say about who gets access to coronavirus testing and results?Guest: Ben Golliver covers the NBA for the Washington Post. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Power Plays’ Lindsay Gibbs discuss the Washington NFL team’s sexist workplace culture. They also examine the WNBA’s rocky preseason. Finally, Joel, Stefan, and Josh Levin discuss anti-Semitic remarks by the Philadelphia Eagles’ DeSean Jackson.Washington and sexual harassment (02:08): Will the NFL force Daniel Snyder to sell? Is that even the point? WNBA (20:12): The league is facing off-court stories about the shabby treatment of Elena Delle Donne and a revolt against the Atlanta Dream’s co-owner, Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler.Anti-Semitism (40:58): What to make of DeSean Jackson’s comments and the response (or lack thereof) that followed.Afterballs (01:00:06): Joel on Mike Konrad and Stefan on Leeds United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Slate Plus preview, Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss college football conferences scaling back their seasons.To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the sudden move to rebrand the Washington NFL team. They also discuss all the athletes opting out of entering the sports world’s various coronavirus bubbles. Finally, Mina Kimes discusses her new role as an analyst for ESPN’s NFL Live.New Washington team name (02:42): What should we think about the franchise’s decision to finally leave its nickname behind? And what should become of the Cleveland Indians? Players opting out (23:08): Which athletes are going to sit out as games get back underway, and which have no choice but to play.Mina Kimes (41:47): The Hang Up and Listen legend talks about why she loves football’s X’s and O’s.Afterballs (01:02:17): Stefan on George Preston Marshall’s domed stadium plan and Josh on David Duke and Curley Hallman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and special guest Gene Demby of NPR’s Code Switch discuss Cam Newton’s move to the New England Patriots.To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Ben Lindbergh of the Ringer to discuss Major League Baseball’s labor fight. They also talk about whether the Washington NFL team will ditch its nickname. Finally, they interview hammer thrower Gwen Berry about her battle for Olympic athletes to have the right to protest.Baseball (05:54): Will baseball be back this year? If it isn’t, who’s to blame?Washington NFL team (27:41): Racist monuments are getting toppled everywhere. Will a racist team nickname be next? Gwen Berry (46:57): The hammer thrower raised her fist on the podium in 2019. What does she think of today’s protest movement?Afterballs (01:09:02): Joel on his father and Bobby Mitchell and Stefan on Detroit boxer Ducky Dietz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the NBA players who are pushing back against the idea of restarting the season.To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the NFL’s about-face on players and social activism. They also assess the different roads taken by the NBA and Major League Baseball to returning to play. Finally, they interview Bao Nguyen, the director of the documentary Be Water, on the life of martial arts legend Bruce Lee.NFL (05:44): Roger Goodell, Drew Brees, Colin Kaepernick, and the changing conversation about civil rights and pro football.NBA and MLB (24:54): There’s labor peace in the NBA and labor strife in pro baseball. What does that say about those two leagues?Be Water (39:31): The latest film in ESPN’s 30 for 30 series is about Bruce Lee, and about racism in America.Afterballs (01:02:56): Josh and Joel on black football coaches and Stefan on a man who could have played in the majors.To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about how the sports world is reacting, and how all of us are reacting, to the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. They’re also be joined by ESPN’s Myron Medcalf to talk about college sports, and who is and isn’t speaking out about racial injustice.George Floyd (01:12): What athletes and leagues are saying and doing after Floyd’s killing, and what should happen next.Floyd and college sports (26:16): Basketball coach LeVelle Moton called out his white colleagues for their silence. Will anything change going forward?Afterball (54:27): Joel on George Floyd, Houston high school athlete. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Plus episode preview, Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the latest plans to bring back professional and college sports. In the full show, Ultrarunner Zach Bitter also joins to talk about setting a 100-mile world record on a treadmill. Finally, Stefan speaks with Simon Anthony about his experience solving the “miracle Sudoku.”To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the final episodes of ESPN’s documentary The Last Dance. Announcer Ian Eagle also joins to talk about the challenge of calling games remotely. Finally, they assess the NFL’s proposed modifications to the Rooney Rule.The Last Dance (01:29): What we learned, and didn’t learn, about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Remote broadcasting (22:22): A veteran sportscaster on what it’s like to call a huge sporting event from a studio.Rooney Rule (44:49): Does it make sense to offer teams better draft picks to hire minority coaches and executives?Afterballs (01:01:54): Stefan on 19th century baseball and smoking and Josh on Michael Jordan’s absence from NBA Jam.To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the latest episodes of ESPN’s Chicago Bulls documentary The Last Dance.To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin check in with ESPN’s Chicago Bulls documentary The Last Dance. They also discuss the latest turn in the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s equal pay lawsuit. Finally, the Hang Up and Listen Quarantine Magazine Club discusses the 1998 Sports Illustrated story “Where’s Daddy?”The Last Dance (02:33): Assessing the episodes on Jordan’s gambling and political stances (or lack thereof).Equal pay lawsuit (22:02): A judge ruled against the USWNT. What happens next?Quarantine Magazine Club (41:24): Looking back at a story on athletes and out-of-wedlock children and the controversy it kicked up.Afterballs (01:00:00): Stefan on Pele’s final competitive match and Josh with another round of pandemic sports trivia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Hang Up Plus preview, Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by David Roth to talk about the socially distanced NFL Draft.Further in the episode, Lindsay Gibbs of Power Plays joins to talk about when and if women’s sports leagues will come back. Finally, Mike Schur of Parks and Recreation and the Good Place helps us assess the 2020 Name of the Year bracket.To hear the full episode, sign up for Slate Plus at Slate.com/HangUpPlus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss ESPN’s documentary on the Chicago Bulls, The Last Dance. They also talk about whether the NBA’s new development program is a threat to college basketball and assess the state of sports media during the coronavirus pandemic.The Last Dance (05:38): What we made of the first two episodes of the 10-part documentary.G League (22:46): Jalen Green is passing on the NCAA to go pro. What does that mean for the future of basketball?Sports media (37:33): How the pandemic will change sports journalism.Afterballs (53:34): Stefan on his daughter’s Scrabble triumphs and Josh on KO Pete McBride.To help support Hang Up and Listen and listen to every episode in full, sign up now for Slate Plus. Members get to skip the ads and get bonus segments and episodes on many Slate podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the latest on sports and the coronavirus. They also talk with the Athletic’s Ethan Strauss about his new book on the Golden State Warriors, The Victory Machine. And the Hang Up and Listen Quarantine Magazine Club convenes to discuss Bill Russell’s “How I Psych Them.”The pandemic (03:48): ESPN televising HORSE and Major League Baseball’s insane plan to restart the season.The Victory Machine (23:36): The decline and fall of the Warriors’ basketball dynasty.Quarantine Magazine Club (44:29): A conversation about a classic Sports Illustrated piece about sports and psychology.Afterballs (01:01:46): Stefan on SI’s 1963 profile of Bill Russell and Josh with some sports trivia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the push to bring football back and the psychology around restarting sporting events with crowds. Hurdling champion Dawn Harper-Nelson also joins to discuss how her life has changed now that the Olympics have been postponed.NFL (4:04): Donald Trump wants games to start back up again by August or September. Is that realistic? Dawn Harper-Nelson (26:25): Our live show guest from December returns for an update on her life and her training now that the Summer Games are off the calendar for 2020.Afterballs (47:24): Joel on Bobby Bowden, Stefan on Fountains of Wayne’s “All Kinds of Time,” and Josh on a 1948 race between old baseball men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Joe Vardon to talk about the push to get games back on television. They also discuss the HBO documentary The Scheme, and Josh interviews tennis player Kristie Ahn about what an athlete does when she can’t leave her house.Sports on TV (03:16): TV networks have paid billions to televise sports. What’s going to happen to all that money? And will those dollar signs push leagues to get games on TV as soon as possible?The Scheme (18:24): Is the HBO documentary on corruption in college basketball worth watching? And what should we think of its protagonist, Christian Dawkins?Kristie Ahn (39:37): What’s life like for a pro tennis player who can’t be on the court?Afterball (01:02:13): Stefan on the spitball and the Spanish flu pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Tom Brady’s move from New England to Tampa Bay. They also discuss the increasing calls to postpone the Olympics. Finally, they interview rugby announcer Nick Heath, who has taken to providing commentary on ordinary life events.Tom Brady (02:02): Did the Patriots disrespect the legendary quarterback? What can we expect of his tenure with the Bucs? Olympics (20:38): Why has the International Olympic Committee been so slow to understand the reality of the global coronavirus pandemic?Life commentary (35:19): How a play-by-play commentator adapted to a world without sports.Afterballs (54:50): Joel on claiming unearned national championships and Josh on the fake games played by the 1982 Saints. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson and Stefan Fatsis talk about the latest on the coronavirus and sports. They are joined by former NFL player Domonique Foxworth and former NFL executive Andrew Brandt to break down the league’s new labor deal. Hall of Fame soccer player Julie Foudy assesses the women’s national team’s equal-pay fight. Finally, they interview Tegan Hanlon of Alaska Public Media about the Iditarod sled-dog race.Coronavirus (02:25): The reality of life without sports has set in.NFL (16:37): Did the players get fleeced by the owners?Women’s soccer (37:52): The U.S. Soccer Federation argued that “indisputable science” proved that its World Cup-winning women’s team was inferior to men.Iditarod (52:36): As the rest of the sports world ground to a halt, the Iditarod mushes on across Alaska. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin get together for an emergency podcast on the cascading shutdowns in the world of sports due to the coronavirus pandemic. They discuss which leagues have handled the crisis admirably and which haven’t and they talk about what to expect in the weeks and months to come. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by the Wall Street Journal’s Ben Cohen to talk about the latest on the coronavirus and sports. They also interview Cohen about his book The Hot Hand: The Mystery and Science of Streaks. Finally, they assess a chaotic week in New York professional basketball. Coronavirus (1:52): When will our sense of American exceptionalism end and reality set in? Hot hand (19:35): What the latest research tells us about the elusive “zone.” Knicks and Nets (39:24): James Dolan is beefing with Spike Lee and Brooklyn just fired its coach. Yowza. Afterballs (59:48): Stefan on team handball and Joel on Carl Crawford.Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Hang Up and Listen each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the rise of Zion Williamson. They also discuss the legends and myths of the NFL’s scouting combine and assess how the spread of the coronavirus will affect sports around the world. Zion (3:59): Understanding the might and charisma of the teenage NBA superstar. NFL combine (19:49): Is pro football’s annual scouting carnival actually useful as an evaluation tool? Coronavirus (36:08): How teams, leagues, and the Olympics might be affected.Afterballs (49:35): Stefan on a historic Penn collapse and Josh on a fateful kick over the uprights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the push for a 17-game NFL season and John Beilein’s short, tumultuous tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Joseph Bien-Kahn also joins to discuss ultrarunner Jim Walmsley’s quest to qualify for the Olympic marathon.NFL (01:42): The pros and cons of a longer professional football season.Beilein (17:31): He was a great college basketball coach. How did it go so wrong in the NBA?Ultramarathon (33:30): Can the world’s best super-long-distance runner hang with the best for 26.2 miles?Afterballs (51:26): Stefan on Little Leagues and major-league nicknames and Josh on segregation at the Sugar Bowl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and special guest Lindsay Gibbs talk about the fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. They also discuss WNBA free agency and the rise of Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu. Finally, they review the Netflix docuseries Cheer.Astros (03:13): What should we make of baseball players’ anger toward their Houston brethren?Women’s basketball (19:53): What’s the deal with all the player movement in the WNBA? And is Sabrina Ionescu the sport’s next huge star?Cheer (38:16): What makes the Netflix docuseries great and why it’s often disturbing to watch.Afterballs (01:01:00): Joel on the Knuckleheads podcast and Lindsay on the pioneering Immaculata women’s basketball program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the opening weekend of the new XFL. They also discuss the Houston Rockets’ small-ball experiment and review ESPN’s new Michael Vick documentary.XFL (01:57): Is the latest iteration of Vince McMahon’s NFL competitor built to last?Rockets (22:48): Is playing super-duper small a smart idea, a desperate ploy, or a smart idea that’s also a desperate ploy?Vick (37:11): Assessing the quarterback’s contrition 13 years after he pleaded guilty to a dogfighting charge.Afterball (58:02): Stefan on one of Bobby Knight’s most memorable meltdowns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the Chiefs’ win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Stefan and Josh are then joined by the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas to discuss the wins by Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin at the Australian Open.Super Bowl (01:31): The great Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a comeback victory as Andy Reid outcoached Kyle Shanahan.Australian Open (24:34): How Novak Djokovic controlled his mind and body to beat Dominic Thiem, and what you need to know about the latest American woman to win a grand slam title.Afterballs (46:05): Stefan on “Proud to Be an Astro” and Josh on the tragic story of Jim and Martha Tyrer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Kobe Bryant’s on-court and off-court legacies with NPR’s Gene Demby and Lindsay Gibbs of the Power Plays! newsletter and the Burn It All Down podcast. Kobe’s shocking death (00:50): What we felt when we heard about the helicopter crash, and why his peers thought Kobe was Michael Jordan’s heir. Kobe on the court (14:09): Why so many fans loved his game and so many didn’t. The sexual assault allegations and Kobe’s support for women’s basketball (35:48): How the case against him is and isn’t remembered, and how to reconcile it with Kobe’s post-retirement life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about how the Chiefs and 49ers made the Super Bowl. They also discuss the new Netflix documentary Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez. Finally, Fatsis and Mike Pesca interview the greatest Jeopardy! player of all time, Ken Jennings.Chiefs and 49ers (02:49): On Patrick Mahomes, the 49ers’ running game, Andy Reid, and Kyle Shanahan.Aaron Hernandez (20:50): Does the new Netflix doc have any reason to exist?Ken Jennings (36:20): The greatest Jeopardy! player of all time tells all.Afterballs (01:03:02): Joel on Marshawn Lynch and Stefan on the Memphis Kings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and new Hang Up and Listen co-host Joel Anderson revel in LSU’s win over Clemson in college football’s title game. ESPN’s Jeff Passan talks about MLB’s punishment of the Houston Astros. Finally, Daniel Engber discusses his story on a rape accusation against three New York Mets, and how those players were never charged.LSU-Clemson (04:21): How the Tigers from Baton Rouge won it all.Astros (20:34): What signal was commissioner Rob Manfred trying to send with the penalties he imposed against Houston for sign-stealing?Mets (40:52): A woman accused three New York Mets of raping her in 1991. Those players weren't charged. She was forgotten.Afterballs (1:10:05): Stefan on the NBA trillion (or is it a quintillion?) and Josh on a Sporcle quiz that made him sad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Slate’s Seth Stevenson to discuss the Patriots’ playoff loss and the post-NFL life of Rob Gronkowski. ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan also joins to talk about the legacy of NBA commissioner David Stern. Finally, they interview Theo Anthony about his documentary Subject to Review. Patriots and Gronk (01:39): Why couldn’t Tom Brady and Bill Belichick pull it together this year? And should we pity Rob Gronkowski or feel happy that he got out of the NFL at 29? David Stern (17:41): How we should think about the legendary commissioner, who had a reputation for meanness but made the NBA a corporate giant. Subject to Review (42:31): A heady, trippy documentary about replay in tennis. Afterballs (57:48): Stefan on the origins of “trash panda” and Josh on decibel readings at football games. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Spencer Hall to talk about the College Football Playoff. They also interview Matthew Goodman about his book on the CCNY point-shaving scandal, The City Game. Finally, they review the greatest sports moments of the decade. College Football Playoff (01:45): How LSU destroyed Oklahoma and Clemson squeaked out a win over Ohio State. The City Game (23:36): A new book about the point-shaving scandal that rocked college basketball 70 seasons ago--and remains relevant today. Sports moments of the decade (53:42): LeBron, Serena, the USWNT, the Kick Six, and a lot more. Afterballs (01:18:41): Stefan and Josh on their personal sports moments of the decade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by the Ringer’s Bryan Curtis to discuss the Dallas Cowboys’ demise. Power Plays’ Lindsay Gibbs also joins to talk about WNBA owner and incoming GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler. Finally, “barking dog” Jason Holt on his moment of basketball glory. Cowboys (01:24): Why has owner Jerry Jones accepted mediocrity for so long? And what’s next for one of the NFL’s showcase franchises? Kelly Loeffler (20:17): How will the league and its players handle having a Trump-supporting U.S. senator as an owner? Barking dog (36:01): Breaking down an iconic moment in sports history and everything that came after. Afterball (56:41): Josh on Egypt’s squash dominance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Undefeated’s Lonnae O’Neal to talk about Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Sports Illustrated’s Emma Baccellieri also joins to discuss baseball free agency. Finally, author Damon Young chats about the rise of Bronny James. Lamar Jackson (01:24): What’s the larger significance of this particular black quarterback? MLB free agency (18:47): Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, and Anthony Rendon have all signed huge deals. What do those contracts say about the state of the game? Bronny James (33:50): There’s a lot of pressure on LeBron’s son. Over the weekend, he lived up to the hype. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Banner Society’s Spencer Hall to discuss the college football playoff. The Athletic’s Wosny Lambre also joins to talk about the surging Los Angeles Lakers. Finally, the Wall Street Journal’s Louise Radnofsky explains skaters’ strange obsession with Schindler’s List. College football (01:53): Why Clemson is mad, how LSU got good, and other playoff-related matters. Lakers (24:18): Everything is going very well for LeBron and the Lakers. What could go wrong (and when will it go wrong)? Skating and Schindler’s List (44:56): Why do figure skaters perform Holocaust-inspired routines? Afterballs (01:00:15): Stefan on a soccer team named after hard liquor and Josh on a Supreme Court justice remembering some guys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At a live show in Washington, D.C., Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by NPR’s Gene Demby to discuss the state of sports media. Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper-Nelson also joins to talk about her comeback as a mother. Finally, Demby, Lindsay Gibbs, and Dave McKenna ponder ethical dilemmas in sports. State of sports media (01:38): How have our consumption habits changed since the death of Deadspin and the partial zombification of Sports Illustrated? Dawn Harper-Nelson (16:36): The hurdling champion on the highs and lows of her career and the challenges of returning to the track after having a baby. Ethical dilemmas (44:12): Would you report on an NCAA violation if you think NCAA rules are immoral? Afterballs (01:00:42): Stefan on the sad fate of wonderfully named minor-league baseball teams and Josh on a peeing dog at the Egg Bowl. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Levin interviews the Athletic’s John Hollinger about his career inside and outside the NBA. Topics discussed include the rise of Luka Doncic, how Hollinger came up with player efficiency rating, his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, and trading Marc Gasol. Luka Doncic (02:15): How the 20-year-old became a star and how he could keep getting better. PER (07:55): The birth of the NBA’s most popular all-in-one statistic. Grizzlies (24:15): The highs and lows of the 2013 and 2015 playoffs. Marc Gasol (44:17): The ins and outs of trading one of the Grizzlies’ franchise players. Afterball (51:25): Josh on the inventor of the Nerf football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Nate Jackson to discuss Colin Kaepernick’s workout and Myles Garrett’s helmet smash; the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh assesses the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scheme; and Asif Kapadia talks about his documentary Diego Maradona.Kaepernick and Garrett (02:58): Did Kaepernick hurt his chances to play in the NFL? And what should we make of Garrett’s burst of anger?Sign-stealing (24:59): Did the Astros do anything that other teams didn’t do? How effective is sign-stealing anyway?Diego Maradona (49:49): The director of Senna and Amy on how he made a film about Diego Maradona and what he learned about the soccer legend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Banner Society’s Spencer Hall to discuss LSU’s win over Alabama; by Slate’s Joel Anderson to chat about the NCAA going after Ohio State’s Chase Young and Memphis’ James Wiseman; and by the New York Times’ Lindsay Crouse to talk about runner Mary Cain’s allegations of abuse against Nike and coach Alberto Salazar. LSU-Alabama (02:17): How the Tigers broke their losing streak against the Tide. NCAA (22:51): The foolishness of amateurism enforcement is on display in the Young and Wiseman cases. Mary Cain (43:53): How the young runner’s allegations could change women’s sports. Afterballs (01:05:16): Stefan on Jeff Bezos and the NFL and Josh on Don Cherry’s “you people” rant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by former Deadspin staffers Megan Greenwell, Tom Ley, and Barry Petchesky to discuss the site’s demise and what caused it. Topics covered include the conflicts between writers, editors, and management; journalism and private equity; and how Deadspin evolved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh to discuss the Astros’ massive World Series comeback. Deadspin’s Laura Wagner also joins to talk about Houston’s front office debacle, and the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham assesses Week 1 of the NBA season. World Series (03:37): How Houston turned it around and how Max Scherzer’s neck undid Washington. Astros front office (22:34): What the Astros’ arrogance reveals about the culture of baseball. NBA (39:22): Overreacting to the Warriors’ awful start, rookie Ja Morant’s star turn, and more. Afterballs (57:16): Stefan on the last gasps of segregation in baseball and Josh searches for a seven-game series without a home win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by ESPN’s Jeff Passan to discuss the World Series matchup between the Astros and Nationals. The Ringer’s Kevin Clark also joins to talk about the Rams’ deal for Jalen Ramsey, and Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl assesses the U.S. men’s national soccer team. World Series (01:45): How Houston and Washington made it and what to watch for when they square off. Jalen Ramsey (19:47): Are the Rams outsmarting the rest of the NFL or outsmarting themselves? U.S. soccer (34:59): Gregg Berhalter’s gotten off to a rough start. Is it time for the USMNT to cut bait and start over? Afterballs (53:18): Stefan on the genius of @DonZemmer and Josh on a baseball walk-off conundrum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Ethan Strauss to talk about LeBron James’ comments on China; the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh discusses the Nationals’ playoff run and why baseballs aren’t flying as far; and Ed Caesar assesses marathon record breakers Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei. LeBron, the NBA, and China (02:19): Why the league’s travails are getting worse, and what the NBA can (and should) do about them. MLB playoffs (20:50): The Nationals’ starting pitching triumphs and the decline of home runs in the postseason, explained. Marathoners (40:03): How Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour barrier and Brigid Kosgei shattered the women’s world record. Afterballs (58:59): Stefan on CTE romance novels and Josh on shaking press boxes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Slate’s Joshua Keating to talk about the NBA’s China kerfuffle. ESPN’s Sam Miller also joins to discuss the baseball playoffs and David Epstein assesses Alberto Salazar’s doping suspension and the world track and field championships in Qatar. NBA and China (02:02): How Daryl Morey’s tweet about the Hong Kong protests instigated an international incident and what the NBA should do about it. MLB playoffs (17:29): Does the Nationals’ bullpen strategy make sense? Can anyone beat the Astros? Salazar and Qatar (35:42): Why the legendary track coach got suspended, and what to make of the hot and poorly attended world track and field championships. Afterballs (55:26): Stefan on carrying jockstraps and Josh on a DVR patent war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Slate’s Allison Benedikt to answer your questions about youth sports. Topics covered include whether and how to teach your kids how to talk trash, how to balance sports time with family leisure time, and whether it’s ethical to watch football if you don’t want your child to play football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.