Hang Up and Listen

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh talk about the NFL Draft and the media’s response leading up to its most shocking picks. Ben provides his April baseball rundown, and later, the panel is joined by The Entertainment Strategy Guy for an interview about major media buyers’ feelings about F1. On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel discusses...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh preview the NHL playoffs. Can the Maple Leafs or Jets finally break a Canadian Cup curse? The panel also give their NFL draft predictions, and discuss Paige Bueckers  joining the Dallas Wings and Unrivaled. For Afterballs, Ben does a deep dive into how last-minute timeouts have (and have not) led to MLB pitcher injuries, and what became of th...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh break down Rory McIlroy’s thrilling victory at the Masters on Sunday. Also on the show: a preview of the NBA playoffs, and an in-depth look at quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s messy split from the University of Tennessee. For Afterballs, Ben shares the introduction to his new narrative podcast, “ Ella Black: Lost and Found, ” the story of the fir...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh discuss UConn’s return to the mountaintop of NCAA women’s hoops. Then they welcome journalist Lindsey Adler to talk about Tony Hawk and the potential for resurgent interest in vert skateboarding. Finally, they discuss if Rory McIlroy will ever win the Masters. On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel talks...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh welcome Joel Beall , senior Golf Digest writer and author of Playing Dirty , for a deep dive into Saudi Arabia’s continued sportwashing through investments in professional golf. The panel also discusses number one seeds steamrolling their way into the men’s Final Four. Alex Ovechkin inches closer to surpassing Wayne Gretzky's NHL goal record....

Three days from Opening Day, hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh share their roses, thorns, and buds for the upcoming MLB season. The panel also talks about the lows and highs of March Madness and finally, they remember the legendary boxer and businessman George Foreman. On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel discusses President Trump's lov...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh discuss the possibility of Tiger Woods’ retirement after learning he’ll need yet another surgery - this time to fix a ruptured Achilles tendon. They also talk about the start of the NWSL season and whether the league can continue to build and retain star players. Finally, they wrap with a look back at the Luka Doncic trade and the wave of bad...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh discuss the ACC Tournament and the storied college basketball rivalry between UNC, Duke, and NC State. While once-mighty UNC and NC State navigate challenging seasons, Duke looks poised for a title run with Cooper Flagg at the helm. Later, sports writer Neil Paine joins the show to discuss NHL trade deadline drama, and to reflect on the closu...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh dive into the inclusion and implications of robotic officiating in the NFL and MLB. They also discuss the retirement of basketball all-time great, Diana Taurasi. Finally, they talk about a right-wing proposal for a steroid-fueled sports league. For Afterballs, Alex remembers the careers of Czech hockey superstar Jaromir Jagr as well as the be...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh speak to the Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan about the trial of former Spanish women’s soccer chief Luis Rubiales, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting World Cup star Jenni Hermoso. The trial not only condemned the Spanish Football Federation, but also spotlighted a deeper issue of misogyny in Spain. The panel also revisits the 4 Nations Fa...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh talk about the 4 Nations Face-off which kicked off with intense brawls and continued with high-stakes, best-on-best action. The panel also breaks down the NBA’s lackluster All-Star Weekend and wraps up with the latest moves in WNBA free agency. On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel takes a look at JuJu W...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh examine how the world-beating Chiefs ran into the brick wall that was the Philadelphia Eagles at the Super Bowl. They also speak to journalist and author Julie Kliegman about the Trump administration’s recent executive order aiming to ban trans women from sports. Plus, the panel examines the growing movement across sports to shorten game time...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh look at the trade heard round the world that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. The panel also discusses the sexual misconduct allegations against Ravens’ kicker Justin Tucker, as well as the sports betting scandal in the NBA that now involves Terry Rozier. In the Afterball, Lindsay breaks down the NFL Pro Bowl games played this past...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh discuss the Bills' astonishing proclivity to lose to the Chiefs, plus how the Eagles steamrolled the Commanders. The panel also chats about Madison Keys’ shocking victory at the Australian Open. Finally, they get into the Philadelphia 76ers’ disastrous season, and Alex has an Afterball about Arkadag F.C., and the (disputable) win streak of th...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Ben Lindbergh , and Lindsay Gibbs examine college football’s first twelve-team playoff and how Ohio State won it all. The panel then talks about the NFL playoffs with Jayden Daniels’ continued rise and Lamar Jackson’s sad defeat. They also chat about Roki Sasaki’s decision to join the Dodgers, plus an Afterball from Ben on goalie goals! On the bonus episode available exclusiv...

From the Steelers' predictable collapse to the Commanders’ doink-fueled victory in Tampa, hosts Alex Kirshner , Ben Lindbergh , and Lindsay Gibbs get into the NFL’s Wild Card weekend. They also talk about college football and the looming Ohio State-Notre Dame championship. Plus the arrival of the all-new, indoor, digital Tomorrow’s Golf League.  On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Ben Lindbergh , and Lindsay Gibbs talk about Premier League Soccer and how sputtering performances could leave Manchester City and Manchester United out of Champions League contention. The hosts also get into the college football playoffs and the coming NFL postseason. For Afterballs: Ben recounts a history of alternative settings for specialty ‘classic’ sports games. On the...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Ben Lindbergh , and Lindsay Gibbs close out 2024 Hang Up and Listen-style. They dig into the War for Christmas being waged between the NFL and NBA. Then they look at Alex Ovechkin’s attempts to break Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goals record. Next they discuss the rise of the alt -cast and what that means for broadcasting games.  On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Pl...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Ben Lindbergh , and Lindsay Gibbs talk about the death of a legend: Rickey Henderson. Then, they dig into the end of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament and the sport’s growth. The panel also discusses the shenanigans taking place as Tampa Bay-area authorities consider building a new ballpark. Finally, Alex delivers an Afterball on the first round of the College Football P...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Ben Lindbergh , and Lindsay Gibbs talk about Bill Belichick and how one of the winningest NFL coaches of all time transitions to college football as UNC’s head coach. The panel also discusses the NBA Cup and the recent Bills-Lions slugfest. Finally Ben delivers an Afterball on Catfish Hunter and the history of deferred salary payments across sports. On the bonus episode avail...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Ben Lindbergh , and Lindsay Gibbs discuss Juan Soto’s earth-shatteringly large contract with the New York Mets. They also talk about Lewis Hamilton’s last ride for Mercedes before he moves to team Ferrari, and Igor Shesterkin’s unprecedented new deal with the New York Rangers. For Afterballs, Alex breaks down some of the controversy within college football’s first 12-team pla...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Ben Lindbergh , and Lindsay Gibbs discuss Iga Swiatek’s and Janik Sinner's doping allegations and the huge implications for international tennis. They also get into this past weekend’s college football chaos and Saquon Barkley and Derek Henry’s running back revival. For Afterballs, Lindsay Gibbs examines the tragic passing of Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. aft...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Lindsay Gibbs , and Ben Lindbergh chat about Rafael Nadal’s legacy as one of the all-time tennis greats. They also discuss the NWSL championship which Lindsay attended, the last days of ESPN’s Around the Horn . This week’s Afterball is from Ben, in which he compares the terms of sports commissioners and Supreme Court justices. On the bonus episode available exclusively for Sl...

Hosts Alex Kirshner , Ben Lindbergh , and Lindsay Gibbs discuss the 4-hour Jake Paul and Mike Tyson boxing circus. They also talk about changes in regional sports networks, the next chapter in the Chiefs-Bills rivalry, plus an Afterball from Alex on the Winnipeg Jets. On the Bonus episode, available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel gets into the NBA’s continued love of three-pointers....

Hosts Alex Kirshner , and Ben Lindbergh are joined by Matt Brown of Extra Points for a discussion of how unified Republican control of the government could allow the NCAA to roll back college athletes’ newly won empowerment. They also talk about the NFL’s international aspirations, possible MLB off-season moves, plus a baseball-crosswords Afterballs. On the Bonus episode, available exclusively for...