Sportly

What do you get when you win a World Cup slalom race in Finland? A trophy? Sure. Bragging rights? Of course. But also...a reindeer. Yes, skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin now has eight of them, and they’re just as impressive as her medal collection. On this episode of  Sportly, we’re strapping in for a closer look at the fast-paced, snow-packed world of reindeer racing, where tradition meets competit...

In this special year-end episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson takes a heartfelt look back at her journey of hosting the podcast, the stories that defined sports in 2024, and her personal highlights. From thrilling victories in women’s sports to thought-provoking discussions about politics and sports, this episode is a mix of reflection, analysis, and excitement for what’s ahead. Host: Kavitha...

Cheerleading is more than just glitter and pom poms—it's a high-stakes blend of gymnastics, dance, and raw athleticism. On this episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson takes you into the world of professional cheerleading, focusing on the NFL's squads. From the glamorous spotlight of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to troubling abuse accusations, Kavitha delves into how cheerleading can be both...

This week on Sportly, Kavitha Davidson sits down with acclaimed political sports writer Dave Zirin for a no-holds-barred conversation about the intersection of sports, politics, and society. They discuss the idea of “dual realities” in media and how race, gender, and representation are often portrayed in sports narratives. The episode takes a closer look at the controversial trend of “sportswashin...

It’s the Monday before Thanksgiving, and millions of people across the country are getting ready for turkey feasts, family time, and one of the most cherished holiday traditions—Thanksgiving Day football. What makes Thanksgiving football such a special part of the holiday? How does it bring together themes of family, food, and community? How did John Madden’s larger-than-life personality make it a...

Today on Sportly, Kavitha Davidson discusses the relationship between religion and sports. Stadiums feel like modern-day cathedrals, with fans chanting in unison like a congregation, and Sunday football practically replaces church for many. But how much space should personal faith take up on the field? The conversation covers everything from on-field prayers and team chaplains to controversial deb...

Today’s episode is a special feed drop from The GIST of It. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz explore how the upcoming Trump administration and Republican-led Congress could impact athletes across the U.S., focusing on Title IX and trans athlete rights. The fight to protect these rights continues. In part two, they dive into the NWSL Playoffs with a preview of the quarter-finals. Tune in next w...

In this episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson breaks down the moment that changed American soccer forever: Paul Caligiuri's "Shot Heard' Round the World." This iconic goal, which ended the U.S. men's soccer team's forty-year World Cup drought, highlights a much larger story—the powerful influence of immigrant players and their families on American soccer. From their unique skills and global ex...

As the WNBA season wraps up, the league's remarkable growth is impossible to ignore—TV viewership has tripled, and social media is buzzing with highlights that have captured the attention of both longtime fans and newcomers. Join Kavitha Davidson as she dives into the history of the WNBA, examining its highs and lows while highlighting efforts to expand viewership, enhance marketing strategies, an...

In this episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson dives into the delicious overlap of food and sports culture centered around the iconic stadium hot dog. Kavitha, a self-proclaimed foodie and die-hard sports fan, shares her personal experiences, including highlights from the MLB Food Fest, where unique dishes like the Yankees’ adobo pork belly bun and the Oakland A’s Belgian waffle Monte Cristo ma...

In this episode, host Kavitha Davidson explores the dynamic world of Formula 1 by revisiting the electrifying 1984 Monaco Grand Prix—a dramatic showcase of the sport's inherent danger and unpredictability. But F1 is more than speed; it's a fusion of technology, design, and strategy, embodied by legends like Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton. These icons transformed the track and ignited crucial conv...

This week, Kavitha sits down with Nicole Teeny—a queer Lebanese-American filmmaker, ultramarathon runner, and the host of the ESPN 30 for 30 podcast series GIRL v. HORSE. Nicole sets an audacious goal in this four-part series: to race a horse in a 50-mile ultramarathon. But it’s not just about the finish line—this journey represents a deeply personal quest to reclaim her body and redefine resilien...

In this episode of Sportly, Kavitha Davidson continues the captivating two-part series on the rise of the NFL. After exploring the league’s humble beginnings in Part I, this episode dives into how the NFL evolved into a multi-billion-dollar juggernaut. From landmark television deals that brought the game into homes across America to the development of the Super Bowl as the country’s biggest sports...

With football season kicking off in full swing, it's the perfect time to dive into the NFL's rich history. From its humble beginnings as the underdog to becoming a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse, we break it down. In this first part of our two-part series, we will rewind the clock and explore the league's early history—the founding of its original teams (many of which are no longer around) and ho...

This week on Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson welcomes Dr. Nefertiti Walker, a former NCAA Division I basketball star and renowned organizational culture and equity scholar. Dr. Walker shares her journey from her early basketball days to her collegiate success at Georgia Tech and Stetson University and how she transitioned from player to scholar, now shaping inclusive environments at the University...

What do you get when two friends, a wiffle ball, and a summer day collide? The answer is pickleball—a sport born from a moment of boredom in 1965 that’s now taking the world by storm. In this episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson dives into the quirky origins of pickleball, exploring how this simple backyard game invented by Joel Pritchard has become America’s fastest-growing sport. From its h...

In this episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson welcomes our first interview guest, acclaimed sports journalist and author Jessica W. Luther. Known for her work at the intersection of sports, gender, race, and ethics, Jessica provides valuable insights into today’s pressing sports issues. Kavitha and Jessica discuss recent controversies involving Olympic athletes Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, th...

In this episode of Sportly, the host, Kavitha Davidson, explores the grueling 150-mile race through the Sahara Desert, focusing on Duncan Slater, a British runner who became the first double amputee to attempt this legendary event. Kavitha traces the Marathon des Sables' origins from founder Patrick Bauer's pioneering trek in 1984 to the official race's inception in 1986. The episode also highligh...

In this episode, host Kavitha A. Davidson explores the lives of Walter Achiu and Art Matsu, two of the earliest Asians in American professional sports. Their stories blend remarkable successes with the experience of otherness, reflecting both the celebration of their talents and the targeting of their differences. The episode also explores the experiences of modern Asian American athletes, includi...

In Part Two of our Olympics series, host Kavitha A. Davidson continues exploring how sports are chosen for the Olympic Games. This week, Sportly dives into the intriguing addition of breaking—commonly known as breakdancing—to the Paris 2024 Olympics. She examines the rise of breaking from its roots in the Bronx in the 1970s as a pillar of hip-hop culture to its global spread and eventual acceptanc...

In this special Olympics episode of Sportly, host Kavitha A. Davidson dives into the fascinating process of how sports are chosen for the Olympic Games. From the historic debut of women's skateboarding at Tokyo 2020 to the introduction of breaking in Paris 2024, Kavitha explores the evolution of the Olympic program and the criteria determining which sports make the cut. Through captivating histori...

Step into the bleachers of Comiskey Park, where the Boston Red Sox face off against the Chicago Cubs in the 1918 World Series. With America deep in the throes of World War I, baseball offers a brief escape from the harsh realities of war and loss. This pivotal game, featuring Babe Ruth as the Red Sox’s starting pitcher, also marks the moment when the Star-Spangled Banner begins its journey to beco...

In the pilot episode of Sportly, sports journalist Kavitha A. Davidson explores the complex world of cricket, a sport deeply intertwined with politics, history, colonialism, and pop culture. Despite its limited popularity in the U.S., cricket is the second most popular sport globally. With 2024 marking the first time the USA will host an ICC event, the episode sets the stage for a deep dive into c...

Embark on a unique exploration of the world of sports with Sportly, a dynamic podcast by Immigrantly Media that transcends the typical focus on scoreboards and statistics. Accompany our host, Kavitha A Davidson, an Emmy award-winning sports journalist, on a journey through the intriguing narratives that underpin the games we adore, from iconic moments to lesser-known treasures. With each episode,...