Edge of Sports

This week, we speak with Tamryn Spruill, author of the remarkable new book The W: A History of the WNBA. We also talk to Rebecca O’Keeffe, chairperson of Irish Sport for Palestine and a former international basketball player. Zirin, Irish Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu’s Refusal to Play Against Israel Puts Him on the Right Side of History https://www.thenation.com/article/society/ireland-gaza-gavin-bazun...

This week we speak about the rapper Macklemore and why all hell broke loose on Ed Sheeran's tour when he said the words "Free Palestine." And what the heck did Patriots owner Robert Kraft have to do with any of this? Also, we speak to Arya Shirazi about the political legacy of Hulk Hogan and the Iron Sheik.  Zirin, Justice for Macklemore https://www.thenation.com/article/society/mackle...

We talk to Tom Nelson about his back on the Green Bay Packers and Arya joins the show again to talk Eastern Conference. Body: This week we talk to Tom Nelson about his new book, “The Green and Gold Standard: A People's History of the Green Bay Packers,” with an emphasis on how they became fan-owned. Also, we talk to the hoops savant Arya Shirazi about the NBA’s Eastern Conference  Zirin, The B...

This week we talk to Maryland Green Party candidate and longtime activist Sam Husseini about his insurgent congressional campaign. We also bring in the hoops savant Arya Shirazi to talk over/under win totals for the forthcoming NBA season.  Zirin, The Bogus Lakers Sale Is Exactly Why We Need Publicly Owned Sports Teams https://www.thenation.com/article/society/los-angeles-lakers-sale-private-equit...

This week we speak to Frankie de la Cretaz of the indispensable website “Out of Your League,” which looks at the intersection of sports and gender, about Sophia Cunningham, ugly transphobia, and why the WNBA is tolerating hate rallies at their games.  Also, I have Choice Words about lessons from the life of Howard Zinn Zirin, Liberals Are Shaming Howard Zinn’s Memory Yet Again https://www.thenatio...

This week on the edge of Sports, the hoops Savant Arya Shirazi joins us to discuss one of the most shocking NBA moves in recent years, LeBron James, choosing to join the Philadelphia 76ers Zirin, Trump’s Reverse Midas Touch Even Got the World Cup https://www.thenation.com/article/society/trump-world-cup-final-2026/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http:/...

This week we speak to sports journalist and author Leander Schaerlaeckens. He has covered the US Men's National team at four World Cups and is the author of the terrific new book The Long Game U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts .  We also talk to Dr. Vincent Intondi, Executive Director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, about how t...

This week, we speak to hoops savant Arya Shirazi about the New York Knicks’ first championship in 53 years. We break down how the Knicks answered the call and we also ask the question: is this in fact the greatest New York sports moment… ever  Zirin, Raucous Protest Is Coming to the Joyless World Cup https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/protest-joyless-world-cup/ — http://www.edgeofsportspod...

This week, we speak to the great bestselling author Dr. Eddie Glaude about his new book America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries.” We also speak to Hoops Savant Arya Shirazi about the Knicks-Spurs NBA finals.  From Brunson to Wemby, truly hoops nirvana.  Zirin, Soccer’s Shadow and Sunlight: the Fascist History of the World Cup and 20 Years of Soccer Without Borders https://...

This week, we talk to Karim Zidan from Sports Politika about his new podcast, Power Plays, which delves into the relationship between authoritarian governments and FIFA’s World Cup. We also talk to Ben Gucciardi on the 20th anniversary of the incredible immigrant and refugee rights children’s organization Soccer Without Borders Zirin, Dr. Harry Edwards on the NAACP’s Call to Boycott Gerrymandering...

This week, we talk to hoops and cinema savant Arya Shirazi about the world of pro basketball and movies the world loves that we could do without.  Zirin, WNBA Players Should Have Picketed, Not Attended, the Met Gala https://www.thenation.com/article/society/wnba-met-gala/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/  |  http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod  |  http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod  | email us:  ed...

This week, we talk to Professor Austin McCoy about his incredible new book, Living in a D.A.I.S.Y. Age, which explores the seminal rap trio De La Soul. We talk about the group, its records from Three Feet High and Rising to their most recent release last November. We talk about the enduring importance of jazz in hip-hop, and a lot more! Zirin, May Day and the Reclamation of the Jewish Radical Trad...

Body:  This week, we speak to College Football Players Association founder Jason Stahl about how to compensate college athletes in a manner that makes sense. Zirin, Protesting the World Cup (and a Cinematic Easter Egg) https://www.thenation.com/podcast/society/eos-04062026/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/  |  http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod  |  http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod  | email us: ...

This week, we speak to Ajamu Baraka of the Black Alliance for Peace and Daniel Loroña of Amnesty International about why they are organizing against the 2026 World Cup's presence in the United States. And then, just in time for Easter, a cinematic Easter egg as film savant Arya Shirazi and I talk about two forgotten films of our youth.  Zirin, Tiger Woods Plus Donald Trump: A Tragedy Made in t...

Body:  We speak to Harrison Browne, the first transgender professional hockey player and co-author of the book Let Us Play, about the International Olympic Committee’s total ban on non- gender conforming athletes   Zirin, 2 FIFA Rulings on Israel, 1 Familiar Deference to MAGA https://www.thenation.com/article/society/fifa-israel-rulings-complicity-world-cup/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/  ...

Maya Goldberg-Safir joins the show to talk about the new WNBA deal, and we talk about spending Iftar in NYC with Mayor Mamdani and Mohamed Diawara. Body:  This week, we speak to Maya Goldberg-Safir, who runs the blog Rough Notes about the WNBA labor deal. Also, we have Choice Words about spending Iftar with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Mohamad Diawara of the Knicks. Zirin, Iftar With the Knick and the...

2026 marks the 60th anniversary of Gilles Pontecorvo’s classic film “The Battle of Algiers” and the 40th anniversary of Ron Howard’s flop Gung Ho. Yet both films aim to tell a story about capitalism, the working class and what comprises resistance in a certain time and place. I’m joined by film savant Arya Shirazi in breaking down these two films  Zirin, The Bombing of Iran’s Azadi Stadium Is Stra...

This week, we speak with author Bijan Bayne about the late Rev. Jesse Jackson's relationship with the sports world. We also speak to sports journalist Frankie de la Cretaz about the off-field dramas surrounding the 2026 Winter Olympics Zirin, The NFL Owners and Olympic Organizers in Epstein’s Inbox https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-owners-casey-wasserman-epstein-files/ — http://www...

This week, I have some choice words about the athletic oligarchs who knew Epstein way too well. I am also joined by the hoops savant, Arya Shirazi, about the NBA at the All-Star Break and what to do about tanking. Zirin, The NFL Owners and Olympic Organizers in Epstein’s Inbox https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-owners-casey-wasserman-epstein-files/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/...

This week, we talk to author Howard Bryant, whose towering new book is called Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America. It's an incredible look at these two trailblazing giants of the 20th century, how they navigated the racism of their day, and the ways both their lives were irrevocably changed by Jackie Robinson's 1949 testimony "condemning" Robeson at the Hou...

This week, we have an exclusive interview with Kenny Collins, an innocent man who survived 17 unjust years on Maryland's death row and now, at long last, will be leaving prison behind. Also, I have some choice words about why the world must boycott the World Cup.  Zirin, A Call Is Rising for Nations to Boycott the Trump World Cup https://www.thenation.com/article/society/oke-goettlich-world-cu...

This week we speak to Danny Funt author of the new book “Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling.” We also talk to Minneapolis teacher Daniel Troccoli about what’s going on the ground in Trump’s fascist shitshow. Zirin, A Minneapolis Teacher Wants the Whole Country in the Streets https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/minneapolis-resistance-trump-ice/ — http://www.edge...

This week, we speak to Chris Buccafusco about his organization, Atlanta Bravest, and what they are doing to combat indigenous mascoting. Also, sound from the March for Mumia onto the grounds of his prison, which took on the issue not only of Mumia’s incarceration but also of elder and medical abuse inside our prisons.  Zirin,“This Is Historic”: FIFA and UEFA Presidents Are Accused of Aiding Israel...

This week, we speak to Paul Knepper about his new book, Moses Malone: The Life Of A Basketball Prophet. Also, we talked to the hoops savant Arya Shirazi about what we’ve learned so far this NBA season and which preseason prediction we wish we could do over.  Zirin, Sports Media Has Forgotten About CTE Even After Player Deaths https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-concussion-cte-sports-medi...

This week, we speak to Scott Price, author of the new book  The American Game: History and Hope in the Country of Lacrosse. I interview Scott alongside Edge of Sports Lacrosse correspondent Vin Intondi. Also, I speak to Rudy Mondragón, for part II of our discussion about the new book Rings of Dissent: Boxing and Performances of Rebellion. Zirin, Above All, the NBA Will Protect the Gambling Industr...