Edge of Sports

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...

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 commun...

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...

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, w...

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...

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 tha...

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 additio...

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 St...

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, w...

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 Sta...

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.c...

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 d...

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 ‘Ju...

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...

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 mu...

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.thenatio...

 This week we talk to former Chicago Bull Craig Hodges about recent protests and uprisings taking place all over the country in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Hodges also talks about ESPN’s Last Dance documentary, his omission from the film, as well as the reactions from other Bulls players from the era to the movie.    We also have some ‘Choice Words’...

This week we talk to former NBA basketball player and Minnesota native Royce White about the week that was. White has been at the heart of the protests in the twin cities and talks to us about protests in Minneapolis, Donald Trump and the use of military force, as well as what is needed to move forward. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about Gwen Berry challenging the USOC. In addition, we have ‘J...

This week we talk to former NBA basketball player and Minnesota native Royce White about the police murder of George Floyd. White has been at the heart of the protests in the twin cities and talks to us about his experiences there and his insights into the larger issues of white supremacy, policing, and the role of athletes. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the potential for a coalition of a...

This week we talk to CNN medical expert and NYU professor Dr. Celine Gounder about Covid-19. We talk to Dr. Gounder about the push to reopen sports, how that undertaking could work, and how the nation’s leadership is dealing with the pandemic. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the NFL’s steadfast plans to reopen this fall, as well as the Trump administration’s ineptitude. In addition, we have...

This week's show is a talk I did with educator and author Jesse Hagopian about the history of Black athletes and their intersection with the Civil Rights Movement. We go through the famous hidden stories of people like Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali as well as people you may never have heard of like Wyomia Tyus and Rose Robinson. The event was put on by the Zinn Education Project.  Jesse Hag...

This week we talk to Scoop Jackson, author of the new book, The Game is Not a Game: The Power, Protest and Politics of American Sports. We talk to Scoop about the book, Scoop’s native Chicago, and the Last Dance documentary. We also have some Choice Words about the NFL’s willingness to play a vital role in Trump’s reelection campaign by trying very hard to start the season back as fast as possible...

This week we talk to Eric Nusbaum, author of the new book, “Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between.” We talk to him about his new book, the history of how Dodger Stadium came to be, and the displacement of people of color in the process of building it.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the NCAA and the prospect of college football coming this fall as well as...

This week we talk to Jared Ball, professor of Communication Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore. We talk to him about his new book, The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power, the history of the concept, and its connection to black radical politics. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about The Last Dance for its uncritical look at Michael Jordan, and it’s lopsided attack on Jerry Krau...

This week we talk to friend of the show Michael Lee to talk about Last Dance, a documentary on Michael Jordan and the ’98 Chicago Bulls. We talk about the NBA of the ‘90s, Michael Jordan’s drive to be great, and why people continue to be fascinated by MJ.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about WWE and its decision to resume live programming in the midst of the coronavirus. In addition, we have ‘J...