Hang Up and Listen

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by New York Times Tokyo bureau chief Motoko Rich to discuss the troubled run-up to the Olympics. They also talk about the dominance and humility of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Finally, they review  Space Jam: A New Legacy .   Olympics (2:53):  The Summer Games face positive coronavirus tests, public antipathy, and heat and hum...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Nicky Bandini of the Guardian to discuss Italy’s victory over England in the Euro 2020 final. Next, they talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul, and the first three games of the NBA Finals. Finally, they assess the pitching and hitting phenom Shohei Ohtani. Euro 2020 (4:19):  Italy beat England but the final was marred by racist and...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s marijuana suspension. Penn State professor Amira Rose Davis joins to discuss Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry and Black women activists in sports. And finally, a look at the first week of new name, image, and likeness rules in the NCAA.   Sha’Carri Richardson (02:28):  Why is marijuana a banned substance in th...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss NFL player Carl Nassib’s historic announcement. They also talk about the key players and storylines in the NBA conference finals. Finally, they assess the Week in Sports Idiocy.   Nassib (1:55):  The significance of an active NFL player coming out.   NBA (24:09):  What Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trae Young have in common.   Week in Sports Idiocy ...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss NBA injuries, Kevin Durant’s heroics, and Ben Simmons’ struggles. Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern also joins to assess the Supreme Court’s decision in  NCAA v. Alston . Finally, David Epstein talks about distance runner Shelby Houlihan, who claims her positive drug test came from eating a burrito.   NBA (3:14):  What does the data say about NBA injuri...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen’s collapse at the UEFA European Championship. Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated also joins to talk about baseball pitchers slathering the ball with goo. Finally, Stefan and Josh interview Jon Wertheim about  Glory Days , his new book on sports in 1984.   Eriksen (2:14):  The agony of waiting to see if...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Sam Anderson to discuss Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets. They also discuss the U.S. men’s national team’s win over Mexico and the retirement of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. Durant (01:52):  What makes him unique among NBA superstars.   Soccer (21:44):  Is the U.S. men’s national team’s latest victory meaningful or meaningless? Coach K (4...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about what Naomi Osaka’s French Open withdrawal reveals about athletes and mental health and athletes and the press. They also discuss the spate of atrocious fan behavior in NBA arenas, and Rebecca Schuman joins for a conversation about Simone Biles’ latest feat of gymnastics excellence. Osaka (2:20) : How the controversy over her French Open comme...

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by Shutdown Fullcast’s Spencer Hall to discuss the start of the NBA playoffs and the spate of injuries befalling NBA stars. They also discuss Phil Mickelson’s PGA Championship triumph and Tim Tebow’s possible NFL return. NBA (2:46):  How LeBron looks, and how injuries have changed pro basketball’s postseason outlook. Golf (18:30):  How the 50-year-old Mickel...

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham to discuss the rise of the New York Knicks and the start of the NBA playoffs. The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings also joins to talk about the start of the WNBA season. Finally, Joe Drape of the New York Times assesses the case against racehorse trainer Bob Baffert. NBA (3:42):  Does the Knicks’ return to non-terribleness ma...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the upcoming NBA play-in tournament. They also discuss the latest brouhaha over violence in the National Hockey League and they assess NFL wide receiver DK Metcalf’s performance against pro sprinters.   NBA (2:49):  Why LeBron James hates the play-in games and most everyone else loves them.   NHL (21:21):  Does hockey have a cultural problem...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin welcome a trio of guests. Master Tesfatsion of Bleacher Report discusses the NFL draft. Ben Lindbergh of the Ringer explains why moving back the pitcher’s mound could boost Major League Baseball’s anemic offenses. And Rebecca Schuman talks about the leotard, the unitard, and the sexualization of female gymnasts.   NFL draft (3:06):  Five quarterbacks go...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Tariq Panja of the New York Times to discuss European soccer’s Super League fiasco. Stefan, Josh, and Joel Anderson then talk about Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s absurd month. Plus, an interview with researcher Joanna Harper about transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.   Super League (2:11):  Why did it implode? What comes next?  ...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Ken Early of the Irish Times to talk about European soccer’s proposed Super League. They also discuss the NFL’s top quarterback prospects and they debate whether Triller Fight Club is the future of boxing.   Super League (2:10):  What is this new soccer proposal? Why is it making everyone so mad? Is there any way to stop it?   Quarterbacks...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the sports world’s pandemic purgatory. They also ponder what sports feats have still yet to be achieved. Finally, Luke Epplin joins to discuss his book  Our Team  and the story of Larry Doby, the second player to break baseball’s modern color barrier. Pandemic purgatory (3:11):  What to make of the Texas Rangers’ full stadium and the Vancouve...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the men’s and women’s NCAA finals and Jalen Suggs’ Final Four buzzer beater. They also discuss Major League Baseball’s decision to move this year’s All-Star Game in response to Georgia’s new voting law, and Arizona State professor Victoria Jackson joins to assess the athlete compensation case  NCAA v. Alston . NCAA (2:57):  How Baylor and Sta...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Gonzaga’s greatness and the Sweet 16 match-up between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. Stefan and Josh then try to convince Joel to become a fan of the U.S. men’s national soccer team. Finally, Defector’s Dave McKenna joins for a conversation about basketball legend Elgin Baylor, who died last week at 86. NCAA tournaments (2:18):  What’s the...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the opening weekend of March Madness. They also discuss the inequalities between the men’s and women’s tournaments, and author Jessica Luther joins for a conversation about the assault lawsuits against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. NCAA Tournament (3:03):  A bunch of   fun games or just a whole lot of bad basketball? March Madnes...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the lead-up to March Madness. They also talk about the controversy surrounding “The Eyes of Texas,” the song the University of Texas plays before and after football games. Finally, they assess the life and career of Marvelous Marvin Hagler. March Madness (01:09):  Should the NCAA Tournament be played? “The Eyes of Texas” (21:35):  What we know a...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the NBA All-Star Game and the state of the league a year after it suspended play due to COVID-19. They also talk about a new report on LSU’s failures to deal with sexual assault claims and allegations about the school’s ex-football coach Les Miles. Finally, Andrew Maraniss joins for a conversation about his book  Singled Out , on the plight of t...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by FanGraphs’ Meg Rowley to talk about Seattle Mariners president Kevin Mather’s resignation and Fernando Tatis Jr.’s new contract. Alex Kirshner also joins to discuss NBA Top Shot. Finally, they interview Nick Greene about his book  How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius . Baseball (2:18):  What   Mather’s comments reveal about the Mariners and MLB, and what...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas to talk about the Australian Open. They also discuss the NBA’s new G League player development model. Finally, they assess Anthony Edwards’ huge dunk and name their favorite dunks of all time.   Australian Open (04:06):  How Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic won and what the future holds for Serena Williams.   G...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin assess the debate over whether to play the national anthem at sporting events. They also discuss what the pandemic taught us about the mysteries of home-field advantage. Finally, ESPN’s Ryan Smith joins to talk about a lawsuit alleging that the NFL’s concussion settlement discriminates against Black players.   Anthem (3:11):  Why the Dallas Mavericks st...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the Bucs’ Super Bowl win over the Chiefs. Among the topics discussed: Tom Brady’s latest triumph, the Bucs’ defense, and Patrick Mahomes’ valiant effort in defeat. They also assess the rising conflict between NBA players and the league.   Super Bowl (4:39):  How Tampa won, why Kansas City lost, and why we were so wrong about Tom Brady.   NBA...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the latest NFL hiring cycle, where just one Black coach got hired to run a team. They also assess Australia’s tennis quarantine and discuss whether Curt Schilling will break the baseball Hall of Fame. NFL coaches (01:52):  What if anything can be done to get Black coaches more opportunities? COVID (20:52):  Sports in Australia vs. sports in t...