The Lead

The Toronto Blue Jays got an MVP-caliber campaign from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2021, but the team came up just short of the playoffs on the final day of the season. Today, The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath tells us how the Jays responded after the disappointment of missing out, and how they’ve rebuilt their roster after the losses of Robbie Ray and Marcus Semien to set the bar even higher in 2022. Also on this episode: how Canada’s vaccine rules are impacting the Jays, and their rivals, and what to expect when Rogers Centre has a full house for the first time since 2019. Follow Kaitlyn McGrath’s coverage of the Blue Jays: https://theathletic.com/author/kaitlyn-mcgrath/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It has already been an unbelievable ride for the Iowa State Cyclones, a No. 11 seed that has made a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Today, The Athletic’s Jesse Temple tells us how this team — led by first-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger — has pulled off an unthinkable turnaround, going from 2-22 a year ago to now sitting on the verge of the Elite Eight. Plus, the role that the transfer portal has played in Iowa State’s surprise success, and whether they can keep it going against Miami on Friday night. Read Jesse Temple’s full story about the Cyclones: https://theathletic.com/3203762/2022/03/23/how-iowa-state-went-from-2-22-afterthought-to-sweet-16-darling-im-pretty-sure-everybody-had-us-last-in-everything/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A year ago, Oregon basketball player Sedona Prince shamed the NCAA into a moment of reckoning. Her video about the "weight room" provided to women athletes in the NCAA tournament bubble stirred up a debate over discrepancies between the men's and women's tournaments, and turned Prince into an overnight celebrity. The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll caught up with Prince and her mother a year later, and she joins us today to explain how Prince's life was transformed by the video, how she is using her massive social media platform today, and how her actions influenced this year's tournament. Plus, Charlotte breaks down some of the more impressive performances we've seen in the first two rounds, and gives us her pick to win it all.Read Charlotte Carroll's full story about Sedona Prince:https://theathletic.com/3180730/2022/03/14/mom-i-did-a-thing-how-oregons-sedona-prince-found-her-strength-and-power/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NFL offseason has had no shortage of storylines. Quarterbacks are playing musical chairs, big name free agents are on the move, and one of the best receivers in football was traded. Today The Athletic’s Lindsay Jones helps us make sense of it all by breaking down the controversial Deshaun Watson trade, Davante Adams’ move to Vegas, and Matt Ryan’s new start in Indy. Plus she reveals who she thinks will come out on top of the increasingly daunting AFC West.Read all of Lindsay Jones’ NFL coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/lindsay-jones/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve had a full day to recover from the opening two rounds of March Madness, four days that brought us cheerleader heroics, iconic mustaches, and some truly stunning performances — none more so than the Sweet 16 run of the St. Peter’s Peacocks. Today, The Athletic’s C.J. Moore — who has been on site covering the tournament in Texas — helps us try to make sense of all the chaos we’ve seen so far in the NCAA Tournament, and which teams now have the best shot to win it all. Follow C.J. Moore’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament and college basketball: https://theathletic.com/author/cj-moore/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At his introductory press conference a few weeks ago, American soccer coach Jesse Marsch brought up the fictional TV character that he knew he would be asked about: Ted Lasso. It was Marsch's way of addressing the elephant in the room -- the fact that he, an American, had been selected to lead one of the most historic clubs in English football, and to try and rescue their season. Now, with four games under his belt, it appears that Marsch just might be working some Ted Lasso-esque magic in Leeds. The Athletic's Phil Hay joins us to discuss why the club selected Marsch to succeed club legend Marcelo Bielsa, and what we've learned from his -- and the team's -- performance so far.More from Phil Hay: https://theathletic.com/author/phil-hay/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thanks to the Netflix, the hottest sport in America right now might just be Formula 1. The series has brought international auto racing to a whole new audience and its popularity just keeps growing. So with the F1 season set to kick off this weekend, The Athletic’s Matt Slater joins us to talk about what makes 'Drive To Survive' so compelling, what the series has done to help the sport reach new audiences, and whether this new wave of sports docs is actually a good thing.Read Matt Slater’s Story About 'Drive To Survive': https://theathletic.com/3003362/2021/12/12/drive-to-survive-the-f1-documentary-that-has-changed-a-sport/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Major League Baseball Opening Day is just three weeks away, and we’ve seen a wave of significant deals as teams scramble to put together their rosters. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Stephen Nesbitt to break down some of those key moves — including the World Series champion Braves’ acquisition of Matt Olson, and the big waves made by the Mariners, Mets and others — as we fly toward the start of the season. Plus, with Kris Bryant signing with the Rockies on Wednesday, what’s next for unsigned free agents Carlos Correa and Trevor Story? (Also: With the news breaking very early on Thursday that Freddie Freeman is signing with the Dodgers, Stephen tells us just how dangerous L.A.'s roster could be.)Follow Stephen Nesbitt’s coverage of Major League Baseball: https://theathletic.com/author/stephen-j-nesbitt/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Zion Williamson came to town nearly three years ago, he was the hero that New Orleans Pelicans fans needed -- a Southern superstar who could pick up the pieces that Anthony Davis left behind. Fans welcomed him with open arms and a literal jazz ensemble. Now, after three injury-plagued seasons, more than 120 games missed, long periods of silence from Zion, and questions about his level of commitment to the team, does the city feel differently about its messiah? The Athletic's Will Guillory, a native New Orleanian, explains.More from Will Guillory:https://theathletic.com/3145326/2022/02/23/guillory-if-zion-williamson-wants-the-noise-to-stop-his-actions-need-to-start-matching-his-words/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every year, the average person spends six hours filling out their brackets to try and dominate their March Madness pool. But what if I told you there was a way to get the perfect bracket in minutes instead of hours? Today, The Athletic’s resident college hoops guru, Seth Davis, gives us the skinny on who to watch in the tournament, which teams will bust your bracket, and who is going to come out on top in the end.See all of Seth Davis’ March Madness picks here: https://theathletic.com/3181741/2022/03/14/2022-ncaa-tournament-seth-davis-picks-his-entire-march-madness-bracket/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NFL free agency starts this week, but the fireworks have already started flying around the league, from Tom Brady to Russell Wilson to Aaron Rodgers to Carson Wentz. Today, The Athletic’s Stephen Holder breaks down the big QB deals that have already happened, and the off-field stories that have shaken the NFL lately, including the impact of Calvin Ridley's gambling suspension on the league, and what's next after a grand jury's decision not to indict Deshaun Watson. Follow Stephen Holder’s coverage of the NFL: https://theathletic.com/author/stephen-holder/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Paralympics are in full swing in Beijing, and there have been plenty of great moments to savor. Today, we look at the incredible performance of athletes from Ukraine, who are winning loads of medals even while their friends and families back home remain under siege, the rise of China as a dominant force at the Paralympics, and the most memorable performances so far from Team USA.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Caitlin Clark is one of the most exciting players in all of college basketball. She launches shots from near half-court, spins audacious passes, and she has the numbers to back up the style too. But she’s not content with just dominating the basketball court, the sophomore point guard has dreams of becoming a mogul down the line. Today, The Athletic’s Brian Hamilton joins us to talk about where Clark’s unrelenting self belief comes from, a growing relationship with an NBA superstar, and tells us who could get in the Hawkeye’s way for their first berth in a Final Four since 1993.Read Brian Hamilton’s story about Caitlin Clark here: https://theathletic.com/3129249/2022/02/17/caitlin-clark-wants-it-all-how-the-iowa-star-plans-to-conquer-college-basketball-and-the-wide-open-world-beyond-it/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The struggling L.A. Lakers lost again on Monday night, part of a second-half slide that has seen their record drop to eight games under .500. And in the midst of all that losing, there are big questions on the horizon when it comes to the future of LeBron James. Today, The Athletic’s Bill Oram tells us where things stand with LeBron and the Lakers, and why his struggling superstar teammate, Russell Westbrook, has reached a point where he doesn’t want his kids coming to games. Plus, Bill’s perspective on the new HBO series, ‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’. Follow Bill Oram’s coverage of the Lakers: https://theathletic.com/author/bill-oram/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Roman Abramovich endeared himself to Chelsea fans almost immediately when he purchased the club back in 2003. He quickly spent more money than any Premier League club owner in history, and the results on the field followed: league titles, Champions League victories, and many more trophies. But now, in the wake of Russia's war against Ukraine, questions and concerns about Abramovich, his past, and his ties to Vladimir Putin have resurfaced, and the Russian billionaire announced last week that he will be selling the team. The Athletic's Matt Slater joins us to explain what we know (and don't know) about Abramovich's ties to the Kremlin, what the sale of Chelsea means for the future of the club, and if all of this will lead to a day reckoning for the Premier League and the question of who should be allowed to buy a team.More from Matt Slater:https://theathletic.com/author/matt-slater/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NFL Free Agency is just around the corner, but the quarterback rumor mill is already in full flow. Today, The Athletic’s Mike Sando joins us to talk about the latest signal caller scuttlebutt from the combine and to tell us which team should feel the most angst about their quarterback situation headed into the 2022 season. Plus, the story of a retired NFL veteran who went from dishing out hits on the gridiron to dishing up food for kids.Read all of Mike Sando’s NFL coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/mike-sando/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred announced that for the first time since 1994, the league is canceling games due to a work stoppage. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Nick Groke — who covers the Colorado Rockies — to look at why that team’s owner, Dick Monfort, has emerged as a key figure in the failed negotiations. And, with both sides currently at an impasse, exactly how long could this lockout last? Follow Nick Groke’s coverage of the Rockies, and the MLB lockout: https://theathletic.com/author/nick-groke/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s another superstar emerging for the USWNT — Catarina Macario. The excitement around the 22-year-old is at a fevered pitch after she scored two incredible goals against Iceland to help the Americans seal their third straight SheBelieves Cup. Today, The Athletic’s Meg Linehan joins us to talk about how the Brazilian-born forward came in to the national team setup and just how high her ceiling really is. Later, Meg tells us about the latest developments in the USWNT’s fight for equal pay.Read Meg Linehan’s coverage of the USWNT and all things women’s soccer: https://theathletic.com/author/meg-linehan/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week, international sports organizations have issued unprecedented penalties against Russia, including a ban on playing in international soccer games. Today, reporter Tariq Panja joins us to explain how and why these dramatic actions were taken, and why FIFA took so long to make its decision. Plus, the inside story of a group of professional soccer players who were trapped in a Ukrainian hotel, and an American basketball player’s harrowing escape from Ukraine just days before her host city fell under Russian control.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No NBA team has experienced more ups and downs this season than the Brooklyn Nets. The one-time favorites have gone from first place in the East to eighth, and have seen plenty of drama -- on and off the court -- along the way. Now, after a signature win over the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, followed by a spectacular defeat by the Toronto Raptors on Monday, plenty of concerns remain around the squad. The Athletic’s Alex Schiffer joins us to break down the three biggest questions facing the Nets' three biggest stars -- but why there's also reason for optimism.Follow Alex Schiffer’s coverage of the Nets: https://theathletic.com/author/alex-schiffer/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The tallest man to ever play in the NHL, Zdeno Chara, set a record on Thursday by playing in his 1,652nd game -- the most ever by an NHL defenseman. And while the 6-foot-9-inch Slovakian has been a household name to hockey fans for nearly three decades now, his path to greatness was certainly not written in stone. Today, The Athletic's Kevin Kurz joins us to explain how Chara -- who turns 45 years old next month! -- went from lanky, mystery prospect to hockey legend through a combination of drive, perseverance, and, that's right, pull-ups.Read Kevin Kurz's story about Zdeno Chara's path to the NHL:https://theathletic.com/3142293/2022/02/23/zdeno-charas-path-from-islanders-mystery-prospect-to-the-nhl-record-books-he-made-himself-a-playerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chet Holmgren is one of the most unique basketball players you will ever see. The Gonzaga freshman stands 7’1" but weighs just 195 pounds, he has the height of a big man but can play on the perimeter like a guard, and in spite of his slight frame he’s a defensive menace in the paint. Today, The Athletic’s Dana O’Neil joins us to talk about Holmgren’s journey from playing AAU with Jalen Suggs to following in his footsteps with the Zags and if this "unicorn" can become the first number one overall pick in Bulldogs history.Read Dana O’Neil’s story about Chet Holmgren: https://theathletic.com/2922184/2021/11/03/hes-not-soft-gonzagas-prize-recruit-chet-holmgren-is-7-foot-1-195-pounds-and-backs-down-from-no-one/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week in a courtroom in Fort Worth, Texas, a jury found Eric Kay, the former Los Angeles Angels communications director, guilty of distributing counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl that led to the death of Tyler Skaggs in 2019. Today, The Athletic's Sam Blum tells us some of the key points that were argued in the trial, what we learned in explosive testimony from some of Skaggs’s former teammates, and what all of this could say about the impact of the opioid epidemic on Major League Baseball. Follow Sam Blum’s coverage of the Eric Kay trial, and the Angels: https://theathletic.com/author/sam-blum/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lusia Harris is one of the best basketball players to ever live: a 3-time collegiate national champion, an Olympics silver medalist, and the only woman to be officially drafted by an NBA team. But, chances are, you've never heard of her. A documentary about Harris's life drew upon mountains of previously unseen footage, and was recently nominated for an Academy Award. Today, the director of that film, Ben Proudfoot, joins us to discuss Harris's incredible journey from the Mississippi Delta to the pinnacle of basketball, and why her story has largely been lost to history.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re headed into the final stages of the NBA season and the hottest team in the NBA resides in Boston. Today, The Athletic’s Jared Weiss gives us insights into how the Celtics overcame their early season struggles on both sides of the floor and he tells us if this team actually has a chance to make it out of a loaded Eastern Conference come June.Read all of Jared Weiss’ Celtics coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/jared-weiss/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DeMar DeRozan has been having a career year in Chicago, and helped lead the Bulls to a 38-21 record heading into the All-Star break. And just a few days before playing in his fifth All-Star Game on Sunday night, he also broke a very old NBA record -- previously held by Wilt Chamberlain -- by scoring 35 points while shooting over 50 percent from the field in seven straight games. So, in honor of all this, we're rebroadcasting an episode that first aired back in early November, when DeRozan had already started turning heads. Tiff spoke with The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry about what’s been behind DeRozan’s resurgence at age 32, and why it’s coming at exactly the right time for Chicago fans.More from Darnell Mayberry:https://theathletic.com/author/darnell-mayberry/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The second week of the Beijing Winter Olympics has brought us a lot of incredible athlete performances, but it has also seen more controversy, most notably the ongoing saga with figure skater Kamila Valieva. Today, we break down some of the sights, sounds and storylines and that have defined these Winter Games, from Mikaela Shiffrin’s Alpine skiing struggles to Erin Jackson’s stunning speed skating win.  Follow The Athletic’s coverage of the Olympics: https://theathletic.com/olympics/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Evil takes over General Motors. Pete Davidson eats a chip and gets tackled to the ground. And a rabbit on a soapy island is talking, and nobody is sure why. The Athletic's Jake Ciely and Nando Di Fino take a break from their usual roles as fantasy sports writers, to walk us through what they believe were the best -- and worst -- commercials of Super Bowl LVI.Read Jake and Nando's full rundown:https://theathletic.com/3125172/2022/02/14/best-and-worst-2022-super-bowl-commercials-ranking-the-ads-including-larry-david-dr-evil-and-more/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a dismal 2021 season, Kentucky men's basketball is back near the top of the college basketball rankings. A huge reason for the Wildcats resurgence has been the play of their junior transfer, and National Player of the Year candidate — Oscar Tshiebwe. Today, The Athletic’s Kyle Tucker takes us through the big man's remarkable journey from The Democratic Republic of Congo all the way to Lexington, Kentucky and then he tells us why this Wildcats team could bring home John Calipari’s first national title in a decade.Read Kyle Tucker’s story about Oscar Tshiebwe: https://theathletic.com/3020970/2021/12/17/kentuckys-oscar-tshiebwe-will-not-be-boxed-out-if-i-quit-now-im-quitting-on-my-family/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NBA trade deadline is in the rearview mirror, but the impact of the James Harden-Ben Simmons/Nets-Sixers blockbuster trade is still sending waves throughout the league. Today, The Athletic’s Sam Amick takes us behind the scenes of that deal, tells us just how powerful Harden has become in getting what he wants, and why this soap opera could be seen as a cautionary tale. Read Sam Amick’s full story about James Harden: https://theathletic.com/3124556/2022/02/11/nets-sixers-trade-the-cautionary-tale-of-james-harden-getting-what-the-beard-wants-nicks-and-all/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a long regular season and possibly the most exciting postseason in NFL history, the Los Angeles Rams hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy on Sunday night as Super Bowl LVI Champions. And they did it inside their home stadium, in front of thousands of maniacal fans, and with a SoCal-themed halftime show to boot. Today, The Athletic’s Ben Standig joins us to break down the keys to the Rams' victory over the Bengals, and Sheil Kapadia swings by to give us a way-too-early preview of the 2022 season.More from Ben Standig:https://theathletic.com/author/ben-standig/More from Sheil Kapadia:https://theathletic.com/author/sheil-kapadia/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Super Bowl Sunday is almost upon us and this year’s edition features two of the most explosive teams in the NFL – the star-studded L.A. Rams and the upstart Cincinnati Bengals. Today, The Athletic’s Arif Hasan breaks down the key matchups that could determine who goes home with the Lombardi Trophy and tells us what this game could mean for the legacies of Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow.Read all of Arif Hasan’s NFL coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/arif-hasan/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics got underway last week with a lot of questions — questions about China, and about holding another Olympics during a global pandemic. But in the midst of all of that, we’ve seen Olympic athletes from around the world delivering some incredible performances. Today, we dive into some of the stories that have inspired us, shocked us, and made us laugh. Plus, the controversies and Covid-related challenges that have already surfaced during the first week of the Games. Follow The Athletic’s coverage of the 2022 Winter Olympics: https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/2022-olympics-live-updates-medal-count-schedule-how-to-watch-as-nathan-chen-and-chloe-kim-go-for-gold/3S3Sk4mjTMOg/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Evander Kane is a complicated person. The NHL veteran has been a force within the league ever since he was drafted #4 overall back in 2009. He's known for doing community work, he co-founded the Hockey Diversity Alliance, and he has been one of the NHL's most vocal players when it comes to issues of race and racism. But then, there are the controversies. Massive debts and bankruptcy. Multiple accusations of domestic violence and sexual assault. A long suspension over a faked vaccination card. And reports that he is a toxic presence in the locker room. So why did the Edmonton Oilers, who have arguably the two best players in the world, sign him? And how is this experiment likely to end? The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman joins us to discuss.More from Daniel Nugent-Bowman:https://theathletic.com/author/daniel-nugent-bowman/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NBA trade deadline is closing in and it’s hard to keep track of all the storylines. In just the last week we learned that James Harden may already want out of Brooklyn, Bradley Beal’s days in Washington could be coming to a close, and Portland and Indiana might finally be ready to tear it all down. Today, The Athletic’s Zach Harper helps us make sense of the madness and tells us which players might be on the move come deadline time.Read Zach Harper’s NBA coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/zach-harper/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When you think of the Cincinnati Bengals and clutch playoff performances, the first name that probably comes to mind is Joe Burrow. But they’ve also gotten a huge lift from a player who’s quickly becoming a household name: their extremely confident rookie kicker, Evan McPherson. Today, at the start of Super Bowl week, The Athletic’s Jay Morrison takes us back to McPherson’s earliest days as a (98-pound!) kicker, to explain how he developed the swagger that has made him one of the breakout stars of the playoffs. Plus, the story of the pee-wee football coach who convinced Joe Burrow he should be a quarterback.Read Jay Morrison’s full story about Evan McPherson: https://theathletic.com/3097718/2022/01/28/its-money-evan-mcphersons-been-calling-his-shots-long-before-joining-the-bengals/?source=theleadpodcastAnd his story about Joe Burrow: https://theathletic.com/3111076/2022/02/03/yep-thats-him-joe-cool-why-joe-burrows-pee-wee-coach-forced-him-to-play-qb/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NFL's diversity problems are back in the spotlight this week, after former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a major lawsuit against the league, claiming discrimination in its hiring practices. The suit contains a number of explosive allegations, including claims that he was offered "sham" head coach interviews by both the New York Giants and Denver Broncos, so that those teams could be in compliance with the Rooney Rule (which requires NFL teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching positions and other high-level vacancies). The suit also claims that Flores was pressured by Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to intentionally lose games, with Flores allegedly offered $100,000 for each loss. Stephen Holder, Senior Writer for The Athletic, gives us his views on the case, and Alicia Jessop, an attorney and Associate Professor at Pepperdine University explains how the lawsuit could play out in the courts.More from Stephen Holder:https://theathletic.com/3106413/2022/02/01/holder-brian-flores-lawsuit-a-reminder-the-rooney-rule-cant-change-hearts-and-minds/More from Alicia Jessop:https://theathletic.com/3106423/2022/02/02/analysis-brian-flores-faces-hurdles-in-nfl-case-but-may-create-transparency-in-nfl-hiring/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NBA’s most surprising contenders reside in Cleveland. The Cavs sit near the top of the Eastern Conference and they’ve done it by doing something totally different from the rest of the league. Today, The Athletic’s Kelsey Russo and Jason Lloyd give us insight into the Cavs recipe for success and tell us what the ceiling is for this group in the postseason.Read all of Kelsey Russo’s Cavaliers coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/kelsey-russo/ Read all of Jason Lloyd’s Cleveland sports coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/jason-lloyd/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Tuesday, one of the most iconic athletes of all time finally made it official, as Tom Brady announced that he’s retiring from the NFL after 22 years — and seven Super Bowl titles. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Greg Auman, Lindsay Jones, Steve Buckley, Daniel Kaplan, and Matthew Fairburn, who share their reflections on Brady’s career, and the incredible — and sometimes complicated — legacy that he leaves behind. Follow Greg Auman’s coverage of the Bucs: https://theathletic.com/author/greg-auman/?source=thelead podcast Follow Lindsay Jones’s coverage of the NFL: https://theathletic.com/author/lindsay-jones/?source=theleadpodcast Follow Steve Buckley’s coverage of Boston sports: https://theathletic.com/author/steve-buckley/?source=theleadpodcast Follow Daniel Kaplan’s coverage of the business of the NFL: https://theathletic.com/author/daniel-kaplan/?source=theleadpodcast Follow Matthew Fairburn’s coverage of the Patriots: https://theathletic.com/author/matthew-fairburn/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are about to begin, and there has never been an Olympic Games like this before. Today, we dive into the political controversies around the host nation, China, including their atrocious record of human rights abuses, as well as their approach to staging the games during the pandemic. Then, on a happier note, we look at some the most interesting storylines and athletes on Team USA, including which athletes are likely to medal, and an early contender for heartwarming story of the Olympics. Our guests are Sean Fitz-Gerald, senior national writer for The Athletic, and Zack Pierce, managing editor for The Athletic Minnesota.Sean Fitz-Gerald's story about China's grim shadow over the Games:https://theathletic.com/3099762/2022/01/31/as-2022-olympics-begin-chinas-human-rights-abuses-cast-a-grim-shadow/Zack Pierce's full rundown on Team USA:https://theathletic.com/3067167/2022/01/28/team-usa-at-the-2022-olympics-every-athlete-every-event-schedules-and-what-to-know-for-beijing/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NFL Playoffs have been one for the ages and Championship Weekend brought even more drama with clutch kicks, costly turnovers, and heroic comebacks. Today, The Athletic’s Stephen Holder breaks down all the action and gives us his favorite to bring home the Lombardi Trophy. Plus, a discussion of Tom Brady’s retirement saga as it stands after an eventful Saturday.Read Stephen Holder’s NFL coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/stephen-holder/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Sunday, when the San Francisco 49ers take on the L.A. Rams in the NFC Championship Game, it’s no secret that the Niners want to get the ball early and often to their most indispensable offensive player: Deebo Samuel. Today, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows tells us the origin story of one of the most explosive players in the NFL, a story that can be traced all the way back to a very aggressive baby, and the iconic 1995 comedy Friday. Plus, what to expect when Samuel and the 49ers face the Rams for the third time this season, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Read Matt Barrows’s story about Deebo Samuel: https://theathletic.com/3070072/2022/01/14/bully-in-the-building-all-eyes-on-deebo-samuel-as-49ers-begin-their-playoff-run/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When you think about Canada and sports, soccer probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But the country is emerging as a force, with the Canadian women winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics and the men currently sitting atop the CONCACAF standings. With World Cup qualifiers resuming today, The Athletic's Joshua Kloke joins us to discuss how a "golden generation" of young players, including Alphonso Davies, is pushing Canada toward greatness -- and picking up a lot of new fans along the way. Plus, why Canadian soccer officials believe the man who took the women's program to new heights will do the same with the men.More from Josh Kloke:https://theathletic.com/author/joshua-kloke/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2021-22 women’s college basketball season has ben one of the most chaotic in recent history. There’s been major upsets, devastating injuries, incredible record setting performances–and we haven’t even gotten to March. Today, The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings joins us to make sense of all the madness and tells us about some of the key players for the top teams come tournament time. Later, we go inside Becky Hammon’s seismic move back to the WNBA and discuss whether or not the former-WNBA star can bring an elusive championship trophy back to Vegas.Read all of Chantel Jennings’ WNBA and College Basketball coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/chantel-jennings/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We have about seven weeks to go until the start of March Madness, and there’s a surprise team at the top of the rankings: the Auburn Tigers, who are holding the No. 1 spot for the first time ever. Today, The Athletic’s Seth Davis tells us three key reasons why the Tigers have emerged as one of the best teams in the nation. And on the opposite end of the Tiger spectrum: a close look at all the turmoil surrounding Penny Hardaway’s Memphis program, and how a season that started with big expectations is threatening to spiral out of control. Follow Seth Davis’s coverage of college basketball: https://theathletic.com/author/seth-davis/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This was, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining weekends in the history of the NFL. Four games, every single one decided on the final play, frigid temperatures, walk-off field goals, upsets, squandered leads, and an epic, record-setting showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. The Athletic's Mike Sando joins us to break down all of the action, and to look at what comes next for the four teams -- Chiefs, Bengals, Rams and 49ers -- left standing.More from Mike Sando:https://theathletic.com/author/mike-sando/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the course of his career, Karl-Anthony Towns has faced questions over his toughness, his willingness to defend, and his maturity. Those questions have been a millstone over the former-Kentucky star as the T-Wolves struggle year after year. But that reputation might finally be changing. Today, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski tells us about how tragic events in his personal life reshaped the 26-year-old's approach to life and basketball and why his new mindset could be the key to getting the lowly Timberwolves back to playoff basketball.Read Jon Krawczynski’s story about Karl-Anthony Towns here: https://theathletic.com/3078860/2022/01/19/wolves-karl-anthony-towns-is-making-an-all-star-push-with-growth-in-his-game-and-peace-in-his-mind/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Monday night, in the Rams’ playoff win over the Cardinals, running back Cam Akers came up just short of 100 yards from scrimmage, which wouldn’t register as that remarkable of a feat — except that Akers wasn’t supposed to be playing in that game at all. Today, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue takes us behind the scenes of Akers’s incredible comeback, returning from one of the most devastating injuries in sports — a torn Achilles tendon — in just five and a half months. Plus, what to expect when the Rams take on Tom Brady and the reigning Super Bowl champs this weekend. Read Jourdan Rodrigue’s full story about Cam Akers: https://theathletic.com/3069918/2022/01/17/write-your-own-destiny-inside-cam-akers-remarkable-return-to-rams-5-1-2-months-after-achilles-tear/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NHL star Corey Perry has built a career out of doing two things really well -- scoring goals, and getting under the skin of opponents. In fact, the former Hart Trophy winner and Stanley Cup Champion is widely seen as one of the most frustrating players to line up against. But it turns out the one-time Anaheim Duck -- now with the Tampa Bay Lightning -- has a sentimental side that the public rarely, if ever, gets to see. The Athletic's Joe Smith dug into Perry's past, speaking with family members, former coaches and teammates, and Perry himself, to understand what makes him tick and how he developed a sort of Jekyll and Hyde personality. Plus, why Perry might be the key to the Lightning winning a third straight Stanley Cup.Read Joe Smith's full story about Corey Perry:https://theathletic.com/3071139/2022/01/17/no-one-gets-to-see-the-real-him-when-the-skates-come-off-corey-perry-goes-from-nightmare-to-emotional/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The hottest name on the open market in baseball might just belong to a power hitting outfielder from Japan. Hiroshima Toyo Carp slugger Seiya Suzuki has teams from across baseball salivating at his combination of power, plate discipline, and incredible defensive prowess. But with Major League Baseball mired in a lockout, Suzuki’s dreams are currently on hold. Today, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly he tells us how the 27-year-old is coping with the waiting game and where he might land when he finally gets to the majors.Read Andrew Baggarly’s story about Seiya Suzuki: https://theathletic.com/3065621/2022/01/13/japanese-superstar-seiya-suzuki-is-determined-to-be-an-impact-player-in-the-major-leagues-now-he-just-has-to-pick-a-team/  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.