The Lead

Mac McClung may always be remembered for one Saturday night in Utah a couple of weeks ago, when he made the jump from the G League to win the NBA Dunk Contest — a performance so great that some experts said it saved a dying event. But what’s less well-known about McClung is his long journey just to get to that point: spanning 30 cities, 150 teammates, and 10 head coaches. Today, we take a clo...

Plus: Washington State basketball breaks an 82 year drought. And United’s dream run comes to a disastrous end at Anfield.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

For many baseball fans, the name Dae-Sung Koo is synonymous with 2005, when the then-Mets relief pitcher smashed a double off of future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, then proceeded to race home from second base on a bunt. That was the only season that the 35-year-old Koo appeared in Major League Baseball, and if you thought he’d retired after that, it would be understandable. But then, in January,...

In 1983, musical legend Marvin Gaye stepped to the microphone at The Forum in Los Angeles, to sing the national anthem before the NBA All-Star Game. What happened next set in motion a cultural transformation within the NBA that still reverberates today. Guests: David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic Read their original story here See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal...

Plus: The Lakers get a big win in Dallas, while Damian Lillard paints a masterpiece in the PDX. And Caitlin Clark puts a serious exclamation point on a wild weekend in college hoops. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

For close to a decade, John Jaso made a name for himself in Major League Baseball. He was behind the plate for the last perfect game thrown in MLB (by Felix Hernandez), and he hit for the first cycle in the history of PNC Park in Pittsburgh. But if you haven’t heard John Jaso’s name in a while — there’s a good reason for that: he's been living life at sea. Today, the story of why Jaso walked...

A deejay. A dance team. A VIP section. And a whole lot of victories. Meet Howard University's swimming and diving teams -- the only all-Black college swim teams in the U.S., with a mission that extends far beyond the pool. Guest: Robert Sanchez , Sports Illustrated contributor Read the full story See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri...

Just over one year ago, the Baylor Bears were playing a game against Texas, when one of the key players on their national title-winning team, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, suddenly took a wrong step — and suffered a devastating injury. The 6-foot-8 forward was given a two-year timetable to return, if he made it back at all. Today, we tell the story of Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua’s remarkable comeba...

Ever since the NCAA began allowing college athletes to profit off their names, images, and likenesses (NIL), some athletes have been cashing in. But In a world filled with bad actors, some student-athletes have had much less fortunate outcomes. Today, we bring you the cautionary tale of Jaden Rashada, a top high school quarterback from California who saw an NIL deal worth millions of dollars -- al...

Super Bowl 57 really had it everything — controversial calls, elite quarterbacks, and a high flying halftime show all of which made Sunday night in Phoenix one for the books. Plus Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts show why the future of the NFL is in good hands. And with their second Super Bowl title in four years — are the Chiefs ready to become the next NFL dynasty? See Privacy Policy at https://a...

We have two days to go until Super Bowl 57, a game that has a ton of great matchups and storylines: Andy Reid versus his old team, Travis Kelce against his brother Jason, and a quarterback showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. Beyond the game itself, there are even more questions to ponder: What songs will Rihanna sing at halftime? What food should go in your Super Bowl spread? And wha...

Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts will make history this weekend, as they become the first two Black quarterbacks to square off in a Super Bowl. For many, it's a sign of progress for a position that has historically been hugely biased against Black players. But just how much progress has actually been made? Today, sports economist David Berri explains why many Black QBs are still undervalued. Then,...

Plus: Aaron Rodgers hints at where he might be lining up under center next season. And the last two undefeated teams in college hoops stay perfect ahead of an epic clash this Sunday. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Lisa Guerrero reached the pinnacle of sports broadcasting when she became a sideline reporter on Monday Night Football. But what everyone assumed was a dream job instead became a nightmare -- one that cost her her dignity, her mental health, and a pregnancy. Today, Lisa discusses the traumas she experienced during her time as a sports reporter, and how she learned to look back and move forward. Gu...

The Golden State Warriors are the defending NBA champions, and one of the great dynasties in NBA history. But so far this season, the team is hovering around .500, and they're approaching a crossroads when it comes to the contracts of Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and the architect of this dynasty, GM Bob Myers. Today, The Athletic's Sam Amick explains the massive impact Myers has had on the Warr...

After a week of ‘Burrowhead’ taunts from the Bengals, Kansas City’s star QB reminds Cincy that Arrowhead still belongs to him. Meanwhile, San Francisco runs OUT of QBs against the Eagles. And Novak Djokovic’s victorious return to the Australian Open puts him at the pinnacle of men’s tennis once again. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

For the Kansas City Chiefs, this season began with questions about who would fill the massive void left by wide receiver Tyreek Hill. And the answer has come in the form of not one, not two, not three, not four, but five new wideouts. Today, Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt explains how this group of mostly under-the-radar receivers has come together and coalesced under Patrick Mahomes, why they...

The San Francisco 49ers advanced to the NFC title game on Sunday after their 12th consecutive win, with superstar running back Christian McCaffrey scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the victory over the Cowboys. Since he arrived in an October trade, McCaffrey has helped take San Francisco’s offense to another level, and he now has the Niners — a team his dad used to play for — one win awa...

Plus: Kansas City keeps an impressive streak going in the AFC. And Arsenal pass their stiffest test yet in their quest for a first league title in over 15 years.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Philadelphia football fans have a complicated relationship with Eagles GM Howie Roseman. After building the team that won Philadelphia its first ever Super Bowl back in 2018, he was a hero. Then, just a few years later, he was seen as a problem. And now, with the Eagles looking like Super Bowl contenders, he’s a hero once again. The Athletic’s Zach Berman has covered Roseman and the Eagles fo...

After a losing record last season, losing records in eight of their last nine seasons, and a rough start to this season, the New York Knicks have awakened — with a winning formula that includes a lot of Jalen Brunson. But Brunson is far from the only reason the Knicks are winning, and today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Fred Katz to look at some of the key factors behind the Knicks renaissance,...

The NFL playoffs are here. Today, Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr breaks down all six first round matchups and gives us his insights on what to expect from a potentially wild Wild Card Weekend. Guest: Conor Orr , Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

We are basically at the halfway point of the NBA regular season, and today we are joined by former NBA sharpshooter and co-host of The Old Man and the Three podcast, JJ Redick, for a midseason heat check on the players who have dominated the first half, including Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokic. We also get JJ's perspective on potential title contenders, w...

Plus: An unforgettable day for Bills fans in Orchard Park. And Lovie Smith’s unforgettable last act as the Texans head coach.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Last week, the man considered by many to be the greatest soccer player to ever live, the Brazilian superstar, Pelé, passed away at the age of 82. Today, stories about how he impacted Brazilian identity, the development of soccer around the world (including in the U.S.), and the complicated legacy he leaves behind. Guests: Márvio dos Anjos , Brazilian sports Journalist Kevin Blackistone, Washington...