Edge Of Sports

“Intellectual and material walls are not the way to progress.” The words of today’s guest, George Atallah from the NFLPA, in response to knee-jerk bigotry against refugees after attacks in Paris and Beirut. Atallah’s own family fled Lebanon’s civil war for the United States decades ago and he denounces passionately, as Aaron Rogers did on Sunday, the prejudicial ideologies which lead to hardened hearts and wrongheaded policies on all sides. Then our host, Dave Zirin, expounds on the conscientious sentiment so aptly expressed by French Forward for the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert, when he tweeted: “Ne Vous Laissez Pas Manipuler,” or as Dave translates, #staywoke. Finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to the Northwestern women’s basketball team, who modified their warmup shirts to read: “We stand with Mizzou,” also issuing a strong statement of solidarity. Special thanks for all the music in this piece to Ibrahim Maalouf, the renowned Beirut-born, Paris-based jazz trumpeter, composer and educator. All songs used wi

Oscar and Grammy winner John Legend joins Edge of Sports to laud the Missouri Tigers football team, who made history by joining with protesting students and refusing to play until University president Tim Wolfe resigned. We’re also privileged to have an insider’s perspective from Paul Hewitt, who coached Georgia Tech to the NCAA finals in basketball a decade ago. Finally, we welcome back Howard University professor Christian Dotson-Pierson to discuss the publication of photos which document Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy’s deplorable domestic abuse. Tweet Dave at http://twitter.com/edgeofsports, John Legend at http://twitter.com/johnlegend, Christian Dotson-Pierson at http://twitter.com/profcdp and give producer Dan Bloom your feedback at http://twitter.com/danbloomsports. You can also write us at edgeofsports@slate.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The all-new Edge of Sports podcast is here, and our host Dave Zirin calls on the Hard Rhymer himself, the legendary Chuck D of Public Enemy, to bless the first show. As it turns out, this activist lion of hip-hop actually had boyhood dreams of becoming a sportscaster. Chuck tells the story of Public Enemy’s national breakthrough on Soul Train, revels in the greatness of Ali, praises LeBron James as a modern-day thought leader, and then…Chuck D bigs up his pilates instructor. Also in the studio is Christian Dotson-Pierson, a PhD candidate at Howard University. Her focus is media advocacy of concussion awareness, handy expertise for a reading of Dave’s latest column in The Nation magazine, entitled: “Why Does Anybody Play Football Anymore?” Finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha for defending himself in court against the NYPD, and winning. Tweet Dave at http://twitter.com/edgeofsports, our in-studio guest Christian Dotson-Pierson at http://twitter.com/profcdp and let pr

Episode 271: BOOM! Dave delves into his trip to San Antonio with Dr. John Carlos to speak to the Gregg Popovich and the Spurs about the 1968 Olympics. Dave was impressed by the intensity with which battle-tested champions practiced and how much the entire organization has bought into what the coaching staff is selling them. Dave and Coach discuss the recent media spat between Stephen A. Smith and Kevin Durant and what it can tell us about the relationship between players and the media. Dave talks to Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck, the director & writer duo of the new poker film, Mississippi Grind featuring Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds. It’s also the last show for Daniel “D.C. Dan” Baker behind the board. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 270: BOOM! We have a fantastic show for you this week. Hear Coach Kevin McNutt and D.C. Dan Baker prepare Dave for his trip to San Antonio with Dr. John Carlos...to speak with Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs! Dave and Coach dissect the Jonathan Papelbon and Bryce Harper scuffle in a way you haven’t heard yet. Dr. Richard Lapchick, the great human rights activist and long-time friend of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, explains why he wrote his recent article about Kareem’s life. He tells us why we have been better served as a society by Kareem commenting on American society and the democratic promises we try and live up to, than we would have been if he were an NBA head coach. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 269: BOOM! We have one heck of a show for you this week! Coach looks back on what it was like to play against Moses Malone, who unfortunately passed away last week. Dave regales Coach and Mark of how how Malone “sent Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] to summer camp.” Plus, it’s never too soon to go back on our NFL season predictions. Dr. Ben Carrington, Sociology Professor at the University of Texas-Austin, discusses how Steve Patterson was so quickly ousted as Athletic Director at UT. Patterson was the “epitome of the neo-liberal sports executive” who had no one to answer to. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 268: BOOM! It’s our NFL Season Preview, but first Dave discusses the great Williams’ sisters after their recent U.S. Open Quarterfinal matchup and the NYPD mistakenly handcuffing former #4-ranked player, James Blake. Dave goes through his “10 Things I Think I Think While I Drink” and Mark tells him if his predictions will come true or not. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper preview without Dave and Mark making their Playoff picks -- the two only agree on three of the eight divisions -- and major award candidates. It could be a good year for quarterbacks who ply their trade in Pennsylvania. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 267: BOOM! We have a fantastic show for you this week as Dave, Coach, and Mark take a look at the dominance of Serena Williams and what she’s faced in becoming the best to ever play tennis. Amy K. Nelson of The Daily Beast checks in from New Orleans on the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and explains how the city has changed since then. “Mean” Mark previews the season for his beloved Chicago Bears. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 266: BOOM! Dave gets right into the nitty gritty this week as he discusses neoliberalism in sports. How Northwestern University football players were denied the right to organize while college football coaches can clear $5 or $7 million in salary and how in the heck the billionaire owners of the Milwaukee Bucks can use public funds instead of their own money to meet the $250 million needed for their new stadium. Dave, “Mean” Mark and Coach talk Fantasy Football. Special guest: Katie Klabusich who wrote a fantastic article about the recent Patrick Kane allegations titled: Patrick Kane and the Culture of Disbelief About Rape. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 265: BOOM! We have a great show this week. Coach Kevin McNutt has a new book out and we dive head first into the world of youth sports. Dave discusses Playing Time: Tough Truths about AAU Basketball, Youth Sports, Parents and Athletes. Coach details how The Big Three of Michael Jordan’s relationship with Nike - ESPN - and Tiger Woods have influenced and altered the landscape of youth sports. “Mean” Mark Barry predicts that a team other than the New England Patriots will win the AFC East. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 264: BOOM! We’ve got a fantastic show for you this week! Dave, Coach, Mark, and Dan weigh in on the NFL’s decision to uphold the 4-game suspension for Tom Brady in the wake of the Deflategate scandal. Bijan C. Bayne, author of Elgin Baylor: The Man Who Changed Basketball, joins the show to discuss his upcoming book about the all-time great. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 263: BOOM! Dave, “Mean” Mark Barry, D.C. Dan, and Samantha Barry weigh in on the DeAndre Jordan free agency fiasco. Mark gives you his All-Star snubs and favorites for the major MLB awards at the mid-season point. Shireen Ahmed recaps the Women’s World Cup. The crew really dissects the Jordan flip flop between the Dallas Mavericks and L.A. Clippers. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 262: BOOM! We’ve got one heck of a show for you this week! As the dog days of summer approach, “Mean” Mark Barry tries to convince Dave and Coach to watch baseball. Dr. Brenda J. Elsey looks back on the Women’s World Cup and predicts the outcome of the USA vs Japan final. Finally catch Coach’s NBA free-agency breakdown. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 261: BOOM! We’ve got an amazing show for you this week. Dave, Coach, and Mark prepare you for the 2015 NBA Draft and take a look at the top prospects. Dr. Cheryl Cooky discusses her latest study: “It’s Dude Time!" A Quarter Century of Excluding Women’s Sports in Televised News and Highlight Shows. Mike Geddes of Street Football World explains how his organization uses soccer to address different kinds of social challenges. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 260: We have a wonderful show for you this week on Edge of Sports Radio. Coach Kevin McNutt has to explain why he thought the Cleveland Cavaliers would win the NBA title while Dave and “Mean” Mark Barry sit back as they correctly predicted that the Golden State Warriors would win in six games. Mark attempts to explain why the St. Louis Cardinals hacked the Houston Astros and of course, why it matters. Finally, Shireen Ahmed returns to preview the Round of 16 for the Women’s World Cup. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 259: BOOM! We have one helluva show for you this week. Dave, Coach, and Mark are joined by comedian, social commentator and most importantly, the host of Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor Of All Time Period, W. Kamau Bell! They touch on every from the NBA Finals, the Israel-Palestine conflict, cover Bell’s comedic influences and of course the great actor, Denzel Washington. Of course, it wouldn’t be an Edge of Sports show if “Mean” Mark Barry didn’t have to defend his football theories on Johnny Manziel. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 258: BOOM! We have a fantastic show lined up for you this week. Dave, Coach and Mark touch on the latest in the FIFA Scandal after Sepp Blatter’s announcement that he is stepping down as FIFA President. Dave touches on the impact Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover is having on the sports world. Sekou Smith of NBA.com joins the show to preview the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 257: BOOM! We have a great show for you this week. Dave, Coach and Mark touch on the the FIFA Scandal, and if FIFA President Sepp Blatter will survive this latest controversy. Mark makes a case for Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel having a monster season. And Rebecca Rider from Swish Appeal on SBNation.com joins the program to preview the upcoming WNBA season. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 256: BOOM! We have a great show for you this week. Dave, Coach and Mark touch on the NBA player as a father narrative being played out in the media after Steph Curry’s daughter “stole the show” at his recent post-game press conference. Coach explains why Curry has transformed into the MVP while Dwight Howard hasn’t realized his full potential. Ben Shapiro, of MassLive.com, recaps the first two months of the MLB season. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 255: BOOM! Heavy on the football talk this week as Dave, Coach, and Mark discuss Deflategate from the New England Patriots’ top players and executives knowingly cheating to the ramifications it will have on the Brady vs Montana G.O.A.T. debate. And you’ve waited all year for this...it’s “Mean” Mark Barry’s analysis of the 2015 NFL Draft! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy