Edge of Sports

This week we speak to sports journalist and author Leander Schaerlaeckens. He has covered the US Men's National team at four World Cups and is the author of the terrific new book The Long Game U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts .  We also talk to Dr. Vincent Intondi, Executive Director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, about how t...

This week, we speak to hoops savant Arya Shirazi about the New York Knicks’ first championship in 53 years. We break down how the Knicks answered the call and we also ask the question: is this in fact the greatest New York sports moment… ever  Zirin, Raucous Protest Is Coming to the Joyless World Cup https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/protest-joyless-world-cup/ — http://www.edgeofsportspod...

This week, we speak to the great bestselling author Dr. Eddie Glaude about his new book America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries.” We also speak to Hoops Savant Arya Shirazi about the Knicks-Spurs NBA finals.  From Brunson to Wemby, truly hoops nirvana.  Zirin, Soccer’s Shadow and Sunlight: the Fascist History of the World Cup and 20 Years of Soccer Without Borders https://...

This week, we talk to Karim Zidan from Sports Politika about his new podcast, Power Plays, which delves into the relationship between authoritarian governments and FIFA’s World Cup. We also talk to Ben Gucciardi on the 20th anniversary of the incredible immigrant and refugee rights children’s organization Soccer Without Borders Zirin, Dr. Harry Edwards on the NAACP’s Call to Boycott Gerrymandering...

This week, we talk to hoops and cinema savant Arya Shirazi about the world of pro basketball and movies the world loves that we could do without.  Zirin, WNBA Players Should Have Picketed, Not Attended, the Met Gala https://www.thenation.com/article/society/wnba-met-gala/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/  |  http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod  |  http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod  | email us:  ed...

This week, we talk to Professor Austin McCoy about his incredible new book, Living in a D.A.I.S.Y. Age, which explores the seminal rap trio De La Soul. We talk about the group, its records from Three Feet High and Rising to their most recent release last November. We talk about the enduring importance of jazz in hip-hop, and a lot more! Zirin, May Day and the Reclamation of the Jewish Radical Trad...

Body:  This week, we speak to College Football Players Association founder Jason Stahl about how to compensate college athletes in a manner that makes sense. Zirin, Protesting the World Cup (and a Cinematic Easter Egg) https://www.thenation.com/podcast/society/eos-04062026/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/  |  http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod  |  http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod  | email us: ...

This week, we speak to Ajamu Baraka of the Black Alliance for Peace and Daniel Loroña of Amnesty International about why they are organizing against the 2026 World Cup's presence in the United States. And then, just in time for Easter, a cinematic Easter egg as film savant Arya Shirazi and I talk about two forgotten films of our youth.  Zirin, Tiger Woods Plus Donald Trump: A Tragedy Made in t...

Body:  We speak to Harrison Browne, the first transgender professional hockey player and co-author of the book Let Us Play, about the International Olympic Committee’s total ban on non- gender conforming athletes   Zirin, 2 FIFA Rulings on Israel, 1 Familiar Deference to MAGA https://www.thenation.com/article/society/fifa-israel-rulings-complicity-world-cup/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/  ...

Maya Goldberg-Safir joins the show to talk about the new WNBA deal, and we talk about spending Iftar in NYC with Mayor Mamdani and Mohamed Diawara. Body:  This week, we speak to Maya Goldberg-Safir, who runs the blog Rough Notes about the WNBA labor deal. Also, we have Choice Words about spending Iftar with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Mohamad Diawara of the Knicks. Zirin, Iftar With the Knick and the...

2026 marks the 60th anniversary of Gilles Pontecorvo’s classic film “The Battle of Algiers” and the 40th anniversary of Ron Howard’s flop Gung Ho. Yet both films aim to tell a story about capitalism, the working class and what comprises resistance in a certain time and place. I’m joined by film savant Arya Shirazi in breaking down these two films  Zirin, The Bombing of Iran’s Azadi Stadium Is Stra...

This week, we speak with author Bijan Bayne about the late Rev. Jesse Jackson's relationship with the sports world. We also speak to sports journalist Frankie de la Cretaz about the off-field dramas surrounding the 2026 Winter Olympics Zirin, The NFL Owners and Olympic Organizers in Epstein’s Inbox https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-owners-casey-wasserman-epstein-files/ — http://www...

This week, I have some choice words about the athletic oligarchs who knew Epstein way too well. I am also joined by the hoops savant, Arya Shirazi, about the NBA at the All-Star Break and what to do about tanking. Zirin, The NFL Owners and Olympic Organizers in Epstein’s Inbox https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-owners-casey-wasserman-epstein-files/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/...

This week, we talk to author Howard Bryant, whose towering new book is called Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America. It's an incredible look at these two trailblazing giants of the 20th century, how they navigated the racism of their day, and the ways both their lives were irrevocably changed by Jackie Robinson's 1949 testimony "condemning" Robeson at the Hou...

This week, we have an exclusive interview with Kenny Collins, an innocent man who survived 17 unjust years on Maryland's death row and now, at long last, will be leaving prison behind. Also, I have some choice words about why the world must boycott the World Cup.  Zirin, A Call Is Rising for Nations to Boycott the Trump World Cup https://www.thenation.com/article/society/oke-goettlich-world-cu...

This week we speak to Danny Funt author of the new book “Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling.” We also talk to Minneapolis teacher Daniel Troccoli about what’s going on the ground in Trump’s fascist shitshow. Zirin, A Minneapolis Teacher Wants the Whole Country in the Streets https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/minneapolis-resistance-trump-ice/ — http://www.edge...

This week, we speak to Chris Buccafusco about his organization, Atlanta Bravest, and what they are doing to combat indigenous mascoting. Also, sound from the March for Mumia onto the grounds of his prison, which took on the issue not only of Mumia’s incarceration but also of elder and medical abuse inside our prisons.  Zirin,“This Is Historic”: FIFA and UEFA Presidents Are Accused of Aiding Israel...

This week, we speak to Paul Knepper about his new book, Moses Malone: The Life Of A Basketball Prophet. Also, we talked to the hoops savant Arya Shirazi about what we’ve learned so far this NBA season and which preseason prediction we wish we could do over.  Zirin, Sports Media Has Forgotten About CTE Even After Player Deaths https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-concussion-cte-sports-medi...

This week, we speak to Scott Price, author of the new book  The American Game: History and Hope in the Country of Lacrosse. I interview Scott alongside Edge of Sports Lacrosse correspondent Vin Intondi. Also, I speak to Rudy Mondragón, for part II of our discussion about the new book Rings of Dissent: Boxing and Performances of Rebellion. Zirin, Above All, the NBA Will Protect the Gambling Industr...

This week, we talk to David Leonard, co-editor of the new book  Rings of Dissent: Boxing and Performances of Rebellion. We also go into Part III of our NBA preview, joined by the savant Aryan Shirazi, where we make awards predictions and even early revisions.  Zirin, Mumia Abu-Jamal Speaks With the Clear Voice of a Free Man https://www.thenation.com/podcast/society/eos-10132025/ — http://www.edgeo...

This week we talk to labor historian Dr. Tom Alter, fired from his teaching post at Texas State for speaking at a socialism conference and whose case is taken on a national profile for its blatant violation of free speech and academic freedom. We also talk to the basketball savant Arya Shirazi about the NBA Eastern Conference.  Zirin, Black History Is for Everyone, and a Western Conference Preview...

This week on the Edge of Sports podcast, we speak to Brian Jones, author of the new book Black History is for EVERYONE. Also, we are back with hoops savant Arya Shirazi discussing the Western Conference and who we think the top 6 teams are.  Zirin, Zohran Mamdani Is Right to Call Out FIFA. But He Doesn’t Go Far Enough. https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-trump-dublin-ireland-steelers-vik...

This week on the Edge of Sports podcast, we talk to Noelle Hanrahan, founder and director of Prison Radio, as well as attorney for Mumia Abu-Jamal, who joins the show. We discuss several different topics, ranging from Philadelphia and Larry Krasner to recent developments regarding Mumia Abu Jamal and even local sports radio.  Zirin, The NFL Is Trump’s America—and It’s Invading Ireland https://www....

Body:  This week on the Edge of Sports podcast, we have a special episode from occupied Washington, DC, a town currently rife with armed National Guard and ICE agents, and yet a city bursting with resistance and revolutionary spirit. We speak with citizen journalist extraordinaire Chuck Modiano, a staple at DC protests, about everything from activist night patrols (of which Chuck and I took part i...

This week on the Edge of Sports podcast, we are speaking with Evan Brown, a fellow with the Sports Fans Coalition, about the brewing stadium deal for the Washington Commanders and why it isn't suitable for the District.  We also speak to education activist and author (#TeachTruth) Jesse Hagopian about the Little League team he coaches, the Steelheads, and their remarkable run to the city champ...