The Lead

Back in March, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and its lawsuit over equal pay once again came into the national spotlight. Today, we’re replaying an episode about that case as part of our look back at 2020. The Athletic’s Meg Linehan joined us to break down the controversy that led to a major backlash from fans and sponsors -- and the sudden resignation of U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordei...

Back in March, the NBA suspended play in sudden and dramatic fashion after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for the coronavirus. It was a night that, to many, signaled just how serious the pandemic had become -- and in the days that followed, life as we knew it changed. Today, as part of our look back at 2020, we’re rebroadcasting our episode about how that night unfolded. See Pri...

In February, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl thanks to a dramatic fourth quarter comeback. It was the first Super Bowl victory for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Pat Mahomes -- a duo that could now be building a dynasty in Kansas City. Today, as part of our look back at the year in sports, we're replaying that episode, which was recorded shortly after the team's historic win...

As the year comes to an end, we're replaying some of our best and most memorable episodes of 2020 -- the stories that defined the year in sports. First, we're revisiting the fateful day in late January when Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven other people were killed in a tragic helicopter crash, shocking the city of Los Angeles, the basketball community, and the world. See Privacy Policy...

The NBA season begins tonight, with a very familiar name making his coaching debut for the Brooklyn Nets: Steve Nash. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Alex Schiffer to look at how the last five years (including a bond with Steve Kerr and Kevin Durant in Golden State) have prepared Nash for this moment, and how his resume as a two-time MVP has helped him earn the respect of Durant and Kyrie Ir...

A few weeks ago, Trevor Lawrence had been all but written off as a Heisman Trophy candidate. But after his impressive performance against #2 ranked Notre Dame on Saturday, the Clemson star might now be back in the running. The Athletic's Grace Raynor joins us to discuss Lawrence’s roller coaster of a 2020 season, what comes next for him and the Tigers, and why the star QB deserves real considerati...

Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer became the all-time winningest head coach in women’s college basketball history this week. The Athletic’s Zac Boyer joins us to discuss what makes the 67-year-old coach so special (according to those who have played for her), how good this year's top-ranked Cardinal team really is, and why Vanderveer’s legacy extends well beyond the basketball court. (Note: A popular Bah...

The New Orleans Pelicans made a lot of changes this offseason, trading away point guard Jrue Holiday, bringing in Stan Van Gundy as head coach and picking up center Steven Adams from Oklahoma City. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Will Guillory to look at how Adams’s toughness can make life easier for Zion Williamson, and to discuss the larger-than-life personality and unforgettable stories t...

Tottenham takes on Liverpool today in a matchup of the top two teams in the Premier League. For Spurs coach Jose Mourinho, this season's success has been a welcome return to the spotlight, after several years of failure (and falling outs) at Manchester United and Chelsea. The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke joins us to talk about Mourinho's remarkable coaching journey, why he and Tottenham are now cli...

This past weekend, the Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North title, and their dominant offense came up big in the red zone once again. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman to look at why Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and many other Packers players draw motivation from the movie Austin Powers in Goldmember , and just how far this team’s high-powered offense could take them. Read...

When the NBA season tips off next week, the Washington Wizards will have a very different look -- with new franchise point guard Russell Westbrook. The Athletic’s Fred Katz, who has gotten to know Westbrook well over the years, joins us to talk about how the former MVP landed in D.C., what he brings to the team, and why he's likely to flourish under Wizards head coach Scott Brooks. More from Fred...

Skyler Badillo, a former athletic training intern with New York City FC, wrote a series of social media posts this summer about harassment from -- and frequent touching by -- the team’s former superstar striker, David Villa. She also wrote that her bosses at the time thought it was “great comedic material.” Last month, she opened up further about her experience to The Athletic’s Pablo Maurer. Toda...

Last week, Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns spoke with a group of reporters for the first time since his mother passed away due to complications from Covid-19 in April. Towns revealed during that interview that he has lost even more loved ones since then. Today, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski on the 25-year-old’s painful journey, and the role that his coach, Ryan Saunders,...

One of the unheralded keys to the New Orleans Saints' recent success is defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn. The Athletic’s Dan Pompei recently interviewed Glenn and his former coach (and long-time mentor) Bill Parcells, and joins us to explain why the legendary coach sees something special -- including NFL head coach material -- in Glenn. Read Dan Pompei's profile of Aaron Glenn: https://theathleti...

Forty years ago today, the world was rocked by the news of John Lennon's tragic killing in New York. Through a roundabout series of events, the person to break the news to the country was legendary sports announcer Howard Cosell, who was broadcasting live from the studio of Monday Night Football. The Athletic’s Rustin Dodd joins us to remember that historic day, to explain how Cosell became the on...

The San Francisco 49ers came into this season expecting to make a second straight trip to the Super Bowl, but so far they’ve been hit by a wave of injuries to star players, including Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle, Raheem Mostert, Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Matt Barrows to look at all of the issues that have derailed the 49ers season — including the recent ne...

The pandemic threw the NFL into a bit chaos this week, when an outbreak on the Baltimore Ravens caused their Thanksgiving Day game against the Steelers to be rescheduled multiple times, and eventually played the following Wednesday (with a severely depleted Ravens squad). The Athletic’s Lindsay Jones joins us to talk about one of the stranger games in NFL history, how the Ravens held up in these c...

The Ohio State Buckeyes have played just one game in the last three and a half weeks, but in his limited opportunities this season, Justin Fields has been spectacular. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Bill Landis to discuss what the shortened season means for Ohio State’s national title hopes, how Fields has brought a baseball skill set to football, and whether the star QB still has a chance...

The Los Angeles Clippers lost a key player from their rotation recently when Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell decided to join LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the rival Los Angeles Lakers. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Jovan Buha to look at how Harrell’s replacement, Serge Ibaka, might make the Clippers even better as a team, and how his rare friendship with Kawhi Leonard could b...

Diego Maradona, arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, passed away last week from a heart attack at the age of 60. It's possible that no athlete is more loved by his home country or more symbolic of its hopes and dreams than Maradona and Argentina -- and yet the diminutive playmaker also developed his fair share of critics. The Athletic’s Ed Malyon, who got his start as a football journa...

Week 12 of the NFL season had some strange twists and turns -- even before play began. The Athletic’s Arif Hasan joins us to break down a strange weekend of action, including how the Vikings kept their playoff hopes alive (after starting the season 1-5), what’s going on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' inconsistent offense, and how Bronco's rookie wide receiver and usual practice squad member Kendal...

Last week, Onyeka Okongwu’s NBA dream came true when the USC star was drafted #6 overall by the Atlanta Hawks. The Athletic’s Seth Davis interviewed Okongwu earlier this year and joined us to talk about how the young power forward went from relative unknown to college star, and how a family tragedy gave him renewed focus. (This episode originally aired June 30, 2020.) Read Seth Davis's profile of...

This spring, Alex Charlton — a football coach at Division II Midwestern State in Texas — made a bold decision. He left behind his coaching job to work as a nurse in Manhattan — in a COVID section of the emergency room — at a time when the coronavirus pandemic in New York was particularly deadly. The Athletic’s Chris Vannini tells us Charlton’s story. (This episode originally aired o...

The men’s college basketball season tips off tonight, and the top ranked team, which opens on Thursday against Kansas, is the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Athletic’s Dana O’Neil recently spent time with the team and head coach Mark Few (who has been at the helm for two decades), and she joins us to explain how the small school in Spokane, Washington grew into a perennial powerhouse, and why this Zags tea...

On Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts narrowly defeated Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, and their defense came up big once again. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Zak Keefer to look at how the Colts have rebuilt around defensive stars including DeForest Buckner and Darius Leonard, and the impact that defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has had on the team dramatically transforming its id...