Edge Of Sports

This week we speak to Melissa Ludtke about her legendary career, her iconic lawsuit that broke many barriers for women sportswriters, and women in sports broadly. We talk to Melissa about the elevation of Kim Ng to general manager of the Marlins, the first in North American male sports.  We also have “Choice Words” about Colin Kaepernick’s decision to highlight political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal and the struggle of political prisoners everywhere. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the young men at the NBA Draft that displayed black lives matter on such an important day in their young lives and the locker room culture at Penn State, an institution that finds itself under scrutiny again due to heinous allegations. All this and more on this week’s show! Melissa Ludtke Twitter: @MelissaLudtke https://baseballhall.org/discover/short-stops/melissa-ludtke Zirin, Colin Kaepernick Speaks Out for Mumia Abu-Jamal https://www.thenation.com/article/society/colin-kaepernick-mumia-abu-

This week we speak to Marc Lamont Hill about his new book, We Still Here: Pandemic, Policing, Protest, and Possibility. We talk to Marc about the BLM protests over the summer, their connection with the global pandemic and we even take some time to rap about his Sixers.  We also have “Choice Words” about the NFL’s Rooney Rule and its deep shortcomings and the league’s refusal to address the fundamental power dynamics of white supremacy. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to baseball’s Kim Ng for being the first woman general manager in any of the major North American sports leagues and former Auburn football coach and resident idiot Tommy Tuberville, recently elected to the US Senate. All this and more on this week’s show! Marc Lamont Hill Twitter: @marclamonthill https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1631-we-still-here Zirin, Tweaking the NFL’s Rooney Rule Is Not Enough https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-rooney-rule/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ |

This week we speak to Deadspin’s Chuck Modiano about street protests in DC against police violence. We also talk to Chuck about DC’s mayor Muriel Bowser, the presidential election coming up, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent World Series, win and the greatness of Stevie Wonder. We also have Choice Words about Clemson’s quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his recent coronavirus diagnosis. In addition, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to soccer star Marcus Ashford for bringing attention to child hunger in the UK and old white millionaire athletes for Trump. All this and more on this week’s show! Chuck Modiano Twitter: @ChuckModi1 Modiano at Deadspin Zirin College Football’s Great Defender Has Covid-19 Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE) Advertisin

This week we speak to the great David Pocock about his retirement from rugby. We talk to him about leaving the game, his experiences playing rugby and lessons he has learned from the sport. We also talk about what he’s look forward to during the next phase of his life.   We also have “Choice Words” about the blowback to comments made by Fox’s Joe Buck and Troy Aikman about pointless and wasteful military flyovers. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to all the great athletes that are doing the work of rallying young people to the polls and some arrogant NBA agents that are criticizing the league and the players for their support of black lives matter. All this and more on this week’s show! David Pocock Twitter: @pocockdavid https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/oct/23/david-pocock-retires-wallabies-australia-rugby-player-retiring-japan-club-conservation Zirin, Military Flyovers at NFL Games Are Ridiculous https://www.thenation.com/article/society/joe-buck-troy-aikman/ —

This week we speak to Jane McManus, New York Daily News’ sports columnist and Director of the Center for Sports Communication at Marist College. We talk about a new survey from Marist College on recent sports viewership. We dive into theories on why there has been a drop in sports viewers since the pandemic as well as the broader American sports’ response to the virus and why it’s been found to be lacking.  We also have “Choice Words” about the NBA’s Bubble, the effectiveness of it, as well as its impact on protest. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the legendary John Carlos and Tommie Smith on the anniversary of their iconic protest at the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico and the Tennessee Titans for their irresponsible behavior in the wake of large scale coronavirus diagnoses on the team. All this and more on this week’s show! Jane McManus Twitter: @JaneSports https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ny-coronavirus-covid-19-mlb-nfl-nba-mls-sports-return-20200626-n2f7a6e26rb7bfwaw

This week we talk to NBA writer Michael Lee about the NBA Finals. We also talk about the remarkable success of the NBA Bubble, Jimmy Butler’s fit in Miami, and the legacy of Lebron James.  We also have “Choice Words” about the legacy of Lebron James and the effective way in which he has used his platform to do good. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the WNBA community for how it banded together to attempt to get former player Cappie Pondexter help and Donald Trump/the GOP for shamefully appropriating the legacy and memory of the legendary Jackie Robinson to their sordid political ends. All this and more on this week’s show! Michael Lee Twitter: @MrMichaelLee https://theathletic.com/author/michael-lee/ Zirin, The NFL Season Could Be Facing a Covid Collapse https://www.thenation.com/article/society/cam-newton-patriots-covid/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.co

This week we talk to NBA Hall of Famer Spencer Haywood on the occasion of the new book, The Spencer Haywood Rule: Battles, Basketball, and the making of an American Iconoclast. Spencer’s story is an important part of the history of sports and resistance and we talk to him about his career, his famous court battle as well as his legacy.  We also have “Choice Words” about Major League Baseball's efforts to aid the Black Lives Matter struggle. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the San Diego Loyals/Landon Donovan for standing up to homophobia and Charles Barkley for ignorant comments made about the killing of Breonna Taylor. All this and more on this week’s show! Spencer Haywood Twitter: @SpencerHaywood https://www.triumphbooks.com/the-spencer-haywood-rule-products-9781629377766.php Zirin, Making Black Lives Matter On and Off the Diamond https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/blm-mlb-logo-baseball/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/Ed

This week we talk to the best selling author of the new book Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty, Jeff Pearlman. Pearlman talks about all the big personalities around the team, the tensions, and how he assesses the legacy of Kobe after his death. We also have Choice Words about Breonna Taylor and Muhammad Ali, and the city that binds them. In addition, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to Lebron James for recent comments pledging solidarity to black women and NBA owners for their hypocritical support of Donald Trump in the wake of the league’s black lives matter branding. All this and more on this week’s show! Jeff Pearlman Twitter: @jeffpearlman Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty Zirin On Louisville, Breonna Taylor, and Muhammad Ali Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSports

This week we speak to one of the leading critics of revenue-producing college sports, journalist Patrick Hruby. Hruby goes into detail about the Big Ten’s decision to proceed with the college football season after deciding not to. We also have Choice Words about the incredible marriage of WNBA legend Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons. In addition, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to the Seattle Seahawks/Atlantic Falcons for their symbolic statement during kickoff and the video producers at NFL Films. All this and more on this week’s show! Patrick Hruby Twitter: @patrick_hruby Zirin Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons: More Than a Love Story Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: ht

This week we have audio of a webinar that I did with NBA legend Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf for the show Talking BLM hosted by Felicia Eaves for the organization American Muslims for Palestine. Rauf brings all the wisdom. In addition, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to the Miami Dolphins for a terrific video they put together addressing white supremacy that cuts to the core, and the fans that booed the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs for linking arms in unity as well as the NFL for enabling this kind of culture. All this and more on this week’s show! Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Twitter: @RaufMahmoud AMP Twitter: @AMPalestine Zirin A New Study Exposes Just How Racist College Sports Have Become Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE) — Advertisin

This week we speak to acclaimed sportswriters Jessica Luther and Kavitha Davidson about their new book Loving Sports When They Don't Love You Back: Dilemmas Of The Modern Fan. It’s a tremendous book that really speaks to the current moment in a myriad of ways.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the NFL’s push to avoid a players’ strike and what that could mean for player power. In addition, we have a “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul for his incredible performance on the court as well as his role as president of NBPA and the Miami Heat for their incredibly tone deaf approach to fighting police violence and systemic injustice. All this and more on this week’s show! Kavitha Davidson Twitter: @kavithadavidson Jessica Luther Twitter: @jessicawluther https://utpress.utexas.edu/books/luther-davidson-loving-sports-when-they-don%27t-love-you-back Zirin, The NFL Is Desperately Trying to Avoid a Players’ Strike https://www.thenation.com/artic

This week we speak to Full Dissidence author and ESPN columnist Howard Bryant about a historic week in the world of sports and what it could mean going forward. Howard is a must listen and he has some trenchant words about everything happening.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about how these sports strikes against racism could influence the labor movement. In addition, we have a special ‘Just Stand Up’ segment that consists of a great interview with the legendary freedom fighter and NBA three-point champion Craig Hodges. All this and more on this week’s show! Howard Bryant The Reality of Black Pain Is Breaking American Sports’ Status Quo Twitter: @hbryant42 Zirin Professional Athletes Are Showing America Just How Powerful Labor Really Is — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-O

In 2014, the first athlete to bring the Black Lives Matter movement to a place of protest during the National Anthem wasn’t an NBA or NFL player. It was Ariyana Smith of Knox College. We speak to her about the recent explosion of BLM activism in sports. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the state of college football and the move by some athletes to move forward with the season. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Lebron James and others for keeping the focus on the killing of Breonna Taylor. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Ariyana Smith https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/interview-ariyana-smith-first-athlete-activist-blacklivesmatter/ Zirin, College Football Should Be Totally Shut Down, Even if It Hurts https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/interview-ariyana-smith-first-athlete-activist-blacklivesmatter/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports

This week on the show we speak to NBA.com’s Sekou Smith about the NBA’s return, black lives matter, and protest. Smith gives us his take on activism coming out of the NBA’s bubble as we think about where we go from here.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the surge in activism from NCAA athletes, particularly in some of the country’s most powerful institutions. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the always brilliant Boston Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown and recurring terrible person, Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Sekou Smith Twitter: @SekouSmithNBA https://www.nba.com/writer/archive/sekou-smith Zirin, The NCAA Finally Faces a Reckoning https://www.thenation.com/article/society/ncaa-strike-covid/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE) — Advertising Inquiries: h

This week on the show we speak to rapper/actor/mogul Ice Cube about his recent postings of anti-Semitic cartoons and how he answers for them. We also speak about his new political project: The Black Contract with America.  Ice Cube Twitter: @icecube https://thehill.com/changing-america/opinion/509563-with-an-energized-civil-rights-movement-on-the-streets-ice-cube — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on the show we speak to Layshia Clarendon of the New York Liberty about a protest Layshia was at the forefront in organizing. We also talk to them about the return of the WNBA, activism within the ranks of WNBA, and centering the voices of black women. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the courage of WNBA athletes in protesting racial injustice and the attempt by the right wing to demonize these athletes. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to NBA star Kyrie Irving for donating 1.5 million dollars to help pay WNBA players that are sitting out and players that are protesting with no political convictions at all. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Layshia Clarendon Twitter: @LayshiaC https://time.com/5871954/wnba-national-anthem-breonna-taylor/ Zirin, WNBA Players—Again—Show the Meaning of Radical Dissent https://www.thenation.com/keyword/anti-racism-activism/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http:

This week on the show we speak to Michael Lee of The Athletic about the prospects of playing the remainder of the NBA season in the Orlando bubble. We also talk about Stephen Jackson's anti-Semitic comments and discuss what that could do to the movement for player empowerment. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about how athletes are fighting the Olympic ban on protests. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the wave of dissent and protest taking place in the sport of Cricket in recent weeks and a couple of deplorable GOP senators. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Michael Lee Twitter: @MrMichaelLee https://theathletic.com/author/michael-lee/ Zirin & Boykoff, Athletes Are Fighting the Olympic Ban on Protests https://www.thenation.com/article/society/athletes-are-fighting-the-olympic-ban-on-protests/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge

This week on the show, we speak to author and NFL Pro Bowler Michael Bennett about recent protests over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Bennett connects the struggle of African Americans to the global movement for justice and gives us his take on news about a potential name change for the football team in Washington, DC.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the sacrifice and legacy of basketball legend Maya Moore, who took two years of her own career off to successfully fight for the release of wrongfully accused prisoner Jonathan Irons. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to everyone that has fought long and hard to change the racist name of the Washington football team, and the team's owner Dan Snyder for his stubbornness on the topic over the years. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Michael Bennett Twitter: @MosesBread72 https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1150-things-that-make-

This week on the show, we speak to author and activist Kevin Powell about his new book, When We Free The World. Powell talks to us about recent protests over police killings, a recent lawsuit that he underwent in Minnesota, and why it’s important to maintain hope during these times. We also have some Choice Words about the legacy of the racist former president of the IOC, Avery Brundage, and a museum’s decision to remove a bust of him. In addition, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to Morehouse College for cancelling the fall sports season—the only school at this time to do so—and Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross for his hypocrisy. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Kevin Powell Twitter: @kevin_powell When We Free the World Zirin Racist IOC President Avery Brundage Loses His Place of Honor — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmai

This week on the show, I speak about the remarkable development of athletes taking part in street protests around the country against police violence and racial inequity. I also break down why now is the moment to demand unequivocally that the name of the Washington football team must change. Zirin, It’s Time for Roger Goodell to Change the Name of the Washington Football Team https://www.thenation.com/article/society/redskins-racist-roger-goodell/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE) — Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy