
Edge of Sports
Where sports and politics collide, hosted by Nation magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin
Latest episodes

Jul 15, 2025 • 58min
The New DC Football Stadium Is A Bad Deal Plus Little League Magic
This week on the Edge of Sports podcast, we are speaking with Evan Brown, a fellow with the Sports Fans Coalition, about the brewing stadium deal for the Washington Commanders and why it isn't suitable for the District. We also speak to education activist and author (#TeachTruth) Jesse Hagopian about the Little League team he coaches, the Steelheads, and their remarkable run to the city championship. Zirin, The Defeat of Andrew Cuomo Would Be a Devastating Loss for Scumbag Centrismhttps://www.thenation.com/article/politics/andrew-cuomo-scumbag-centrism/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 18min
Emergency NBA Finals Pod! Why Achilles' Tears Matter! Or Do They?
This week, we chop it up with Arya Shirazi to discuss the NBA Finals. We also discuss SGA’s place among the best in the league, and what to make of the recent spate of Achilles injuries. Zirin, The Defeat of Andrew Cuomo Would Be a Devastating Loss for Scumbag Centrismhttps://www.thenation.com/article/politics/andrew-cuomo-scumbag-centrism/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 5min
Sarah Alami On Hollywood's Palestine Blacklist
This week, we speak to Palestinian-American actor Sara Alami (Guardians of the Galaxy) about navigating Hollywood in a time when speaking out against genocide can mortally damage your career. Zirin, Why the LA Dodgers Stood Up to ICEhttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/los-angeles-dodgers-ice/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 2min
Thibs Fired! What Are The Societal Implications? An Emergency Pod
In a special emergency pod, Arya Shirazi joins the show to chop it up about the New York Knicks' decision to let go of Tom Thibodeau.Zirin, Trump Threatens to Withhold New York’s Education Funding Unless Racist Mascoting Returnshttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/linda-mcmahon-trump-massapequa-chiefs/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jun 2, 2025 • 48min
Bobbito’s Hoop Dreams
This week, we speak to the legendary Bobbito Garcia about his new book, Bobbito's Book of B-Ball Bong Bong!: A Memoir of Sports, Style, and Soul. We also talk about his career as an author, his cultural contributions to Hip-Hop, basketball, and sneakers, and his takes on basketball films. You don’t want to miss this episode. Zirin, Trump’s World Cup Will Endanger Foreign Guests. Boycott Now!https://www.thenation.com/article/society/trump-world-cup-boycott/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

May 7, 2025 • 2h 9min
The Book MLK Historians Are Learning From
Jeanne Theoharis, a political science professor and author, shares insights from her groundbreaking book on Martin Luther King Jr.'s impactful work outside the South. She reveals King's activism in the North and the significant role of Coretta Scott King in shaping their legacy. Meanwhile, hoops savant Arya Shirazi tackles the emotional rivalry between Knicks and Celtics fans, discussing surprising playoff dynamics and player performances with a dose of humor. This lively conversation blends civil rights history with basketball banter.

Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 19min
The End Times NBA Playoffs
This week is our long-awaited 2025 NBA preview with hoops savant Arya Shirazi. Even in difficult times, the NBA playoffs remind us of what’s good. Check out our preview.Zirin, Can Steve Kerr Light an Anti-Trump Fire in the Sports World?https://www.thenation.com/article/society/steve-kerr-trump/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 28min
The Rhythm of DC’s Resistance & What's The Deal With UFC?
This week, we talk to Dr. Maurice Jackson, author of the new book Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience: How Black Washingtonians Used Music and Sports in the Fight for Equality. We also talk to Ari Drennen from Media Matters about their recent study about the politics of the people behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Rhythms of Resistance & Resiliencehttps://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Rhythms-of-Resistance-and-ResilienceZirin, With ICE Out of Control, How Can the US Cohost the 2026 World Cup?https://www.thenation.com/article/world/ice-fifa-world-cup-north-america/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 34min
What To Learn From A Yearbook
This week, we talk to Michael Messner, author of the fascinating new book, about what we can learn by looking at sports and yearbooks over the course of a century. It’s called “The High School: Sports, Spirit, and Citizens, 1903-2024.” Also, I’m talking to the savant, Arya Shirazi, about the days when March was truly mad. The High Schoolhttps://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-high-school/9781978839533/Zirin, With ICE Out of Control, How Can the US Cohost the 2026 World Cup?https://www.thenation.com/article/world/ice-fifa-world-cup-north-america/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mar 24, 2025 • 55min
Rabbis for Justice in Palestine
This week, we speak to Rabbi Brant Rosen of the Tzedek Chicago Synagogue, a synagogue that claims anti-Zionism as a core tenet of their beliefs. We talk about this perilous moment when an antisemitic administration is weaponizing antisemitism to jail Israel’s critics. We also talk some sports! Brant Rosenhttps://rabbibrant.com/Zirin, Jackie Robinson Again Teaches Us to Never Back Down to Bigotshttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/jackie-robinson-defense-department-pete-hegseth/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy