Edge of Sports with Dave Zirin

This week, we chop it up with Arya Shirazi to discuss the NBA Finals. We also discuss SGA’s place among the best in the league, and what to make of the recent spate of Achilles injuries. Zirin, The Defeat of Andrew Cuomo Would Be a Devastating Loss for Scumbag Centrism https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/andrew-cuomo-scumbag-centrism/ —
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This week, we speak to Palestinian-American actor Sara Alami (Guardians of the Galaxy) about navigating Hollywood in a time when speaking out against genocide can mortally damage your career.  Zirin, Why the LA Dodgers Stood Up to ICE https://www.thenation.com/article/society/los-angeles-dodgers-ice/ —
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In a special emergency pod, Arya Shirazi joins the show to chop it up about the New York Knicks' decision to let go of Tom Thibodeau. Zirin, Trump Threatens to Withhold New York’s Education Funding Unless Racist Mascoting Returns https://www.thenation.com/article/society/linda-mcmahon-trump-massapequa-chiefs/ —
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This week, we speak to the legendary Bobbito Garcia about his new book, Bobbito's Book of B-Ball Bong Bong!: A Memoir of Sports, Style, and Soul. We also talk about his career as an author, his cultural contributions to Hip-Hop, basketball, and sneakers, and his takes on basketball films. You don’t want to miss this episode. Zirin, Trump’s World Cup Will Endanger Foreign Guests. Boycott Now! https...

This week, we speak to Jeanne Theoharis, author of the groundbreaking new book  King of the North: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life of Struggle Outside the South. It is a deep dive into the remarkable political work that Dr. King accomplished north of the Mason-Dixon line and in southern California. Theoharis has uncovered a treasure trove of information that has gobsmacked even serious historians of...

This week is our long-awaited 2025 NBA preview with hoops savant Arya Shirazi. Even in difficult times, the NBA playoffs remind us of what’s good. Check out our preview. Zirin, Can Steve Kerr Light an Anti-Trump Fire in the Sports World? https://www.thenation.com/article/society/steve-kerr-trump/ —
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This week, we talk to Dr. Maurice Jackson, author of the new book Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience: How Black Washingtonians Used Music and Sports in the Fight for Equality. We also talk to Ari Drennen from Media Matters about their recent study about the politics of the people behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship.   Rhythms of Resistance & Resilience https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Rhy...

This week, we talk to Michael Messner, author of the fascinating new book, about what we can learn by looking at sports and yearbooks over the course of a century. It’s called “ The High School: Sports, Spirit, and Citizens, 1903-2024.” Also, I’m talking to the savant, Arya Shirazi, about the days when March was truly mad.  The High School https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-high-school/978...

This week, we speak to Rabbi Brant Rosen of the Tzedek Chicago Synagogue, a synagogue that claims anti-Zionism as a core tenet of their beliefs. We talk about this perilous moment when an antisemitic administration is weaponizing antisemitism to jail Israel’s critics. We also talk some sports! Brant Rosen https://rabbibrant.com/ Zirin, Jackie Robinson Again Teaches Us to Never Back Down to Bigots...

This week, we speak to Outsports journalist and Connecticut Ambush football player Karleigh Webb about her journey and insights on trans issues in sports. Also, we speak to hoops savant Arya Shirazi about the long-lost days of the court general, who was the point guard. We also remember the late great John Feinstein.  Karleigh Webb https://www.outsports.com/author/karleigh-webb/ https://www.instag...

This week, we speak to US-born, Rio de Janeiro-based visionary Robert Wilson, whose short volume A Football Manifesto is a brilliant excavation of the systemic, structural problems in US men’s soccer and a radical fan-centric approach to radical change. It’s not just a diagnosis. It’s a wholly original cure.   Robert Wilson https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-football-manifesto-and-club-handbook-brin...

This week, we have a talk I gave two years ago about the social function of sports in an authoritarian society. It rings more true today, and I wanted to share it with you all. Also, I talked to basketball savant Arya Shirazi about the injuries that changed the course of NBA history. Zirin, Why Democrats Won’t Throw a Real Punch https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/democratic-party-fecklessn...

This week, we speak to former NFL player Chris Kluwe. Kluwe made news this week for his protest of MAGA at a Huntingdon Beach city council meeting, garnering headlines worldwide. We discuss what led to that moment, why he did what he did, and the sports world’s reaction to this administration and what explains it. Zirin, Why Democrats Won’t Throw a Real Punch https://www.thenation.com/article/poli...

This week we speak to executive producer Arif Khatib and director Steven C. Bernier about their new documentary, Because They Believed: Minority Athletic Trailblazers Who Broke through The Racial Divide. The film is available on all streaming platforms and it's the documentary sports and politics lovers have been waiting for. Also, we talk to hoops savant Arya Shirazi about where this NBA season i...

This week, we speak about the joy and politics of baseball movies. First, we speak to Noah Gittell, author of the terrific romp of a book Baseball: The Movie. Then we speak to movie savant Arya Shirazi about the five most essential baseball movies of all time and whether they will hold up in 2024.  Zirin, Trump Invites a Killer to His Luxury Box https://www.thenation.com/article/society/trump-army...

This week, we join longtime, award-winning Hollywood Makeup artist Spring Super to discuss teen film villains in the 1980s and how they affect our politics!  Zirin, What the Bosa/Kaepernick Double Standard Tells Us About the 2024 Elections https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/nick-bosa-maga-colin-kaepernick/ —
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This week on the Edge of Sports podcast, savant Arya Shirazi joins Dave to discuss what they have learned ten games into the season and what predictions they would do over if they had to do it again.  Zirin, What the Bosa/Kaepernick Double Standard Tells Us About the 2024 Elections https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/nick-bosa-maga-colin-kaepernick/ —
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This week, we are joined by Bill Fletcher. We talk about the story, the 2024 presidential election, and what to make of it. We discuss the appeal of Trump’s revanchism, why the election turned out the way it did, and what we can do. You don’t want to miss this episode. Zirin, Your NBA Eastern Conference Preview https://www.thenation.com/podcast/archive/eos-102124-nba/ —
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This week, we are joined by savant Arya Shirazi. We talk about the upcoming NBA season, specifically the Western Conference. Are the Thunder going to level up? Has the Denver Nuggets’ title window passed? What are we to make of this year’s Lakers? You won’t want to miss this one. Zirin, Your NBA Eastern Conference Preview https://www.thenation.com/podcast/archive/eos-102124-nba/ —
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This week, we are joined by savant Arya Shirazi. We talk about the upcoming NBA season, specifically the Eastern Conference. How much of the needle moved with the Karl Anthony Towns addition in New York? Are the Boston Celtics the prohibitive favorites in the East? Is this the year that the Philadelphia 76ers finally break through? You won’t want to miss this one. Zirin, Chiefs Placekicker Harriso...

Body: This week, we talk to New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss. His latest is a nonfiction chapter book series about athletes who have stepped up beyond sports to make a difference in the world: the first three books in this series, all written by Andrew, are about Pat Tillman, Maya Moore, and LeBron James.  Zirin, In a Glaring Double Standard, FIFA Fails to Suspend Israel https://w...

This week we are talking to Paul Knepper, author of the book “The Knicks of the Nineties: Ewing, Oakley, Starks and the Brawlers That Almost Won It All.” We talk the Knicks, Pat Riley, John Starks, Anthony Mason and whether this team was badder than the Bad Boys of the 80s. We also have “Choice Words” about the latest news in the efforts to wrest justice from the clutches of the Washington Footbal...

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 ten year NBA veteran and author Etan Thomas about why he attended a protest against the "blackballing" of free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick at NFL headquarters as well as the role of Kaepernick's black critics in the media. Also, we speak to economist Andy Schwarz who has "concocted a plan to radically challenge the college industrial complex." We also have words about t...

It's mourning in Atlanta. To get the lowdown on the scene in the ATL after New England's epic Super Bowl comeback victory, we speak to Atlanta and NBA television's own Sekou Smith. We also speak to Sekou about why it is NBA players have been by far the most outspoken athletes of the Trump era. I also have some "choice words" about the political energy thrumming beneath the Super Bowl and a Just St...