Edge of Sports

This week we speak to Dave Bing about his new book, Attacking the Rim . Dave talks about his legendary basketball career, the deep influence of his parents on the person he is today, his time as mayor of Detroit, and what he’s been doing since. We also have “Choice Words” about Sports Illustrated’s decision to honor the activist athlete as sportspeople of the year and we highlight athletes doing t...

This week we speak to producer William Horberg about The Queen’s Gambit , one of the most watched Netflix productions of the year. We talk to William about how the show came to be, compliments and critiques of the show, the show’s anti-cold war politics, and why it has been such a success. We also have Choice Words about the NFL’s handling of coronavirus and the curious case of an NFL game that wa...

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 a...

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 fundame...

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, w...

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 m...

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...