Edge of Sports

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

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.

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

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

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

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

This week, we speak to Outsports journalist and Connecticut Ambush football player Karleigh Webb about her journey and insights on trans issues in sports. Also, we speak to hoops savant Arya Shirazi about the long-lost days of the court general, who was the point guard. We also remember the late great John Feinstein. Karleigh Webbhttps://www.outsports.com/author/karleigh-webb/https://www.instagram.com/rocketdyne1965/?hl=enZirin, “I’m Terrified”: Trans-Feminine Athletes in Their Own Wordshttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/trans-women-athletes-forum/—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

This week, we speak to US-born, Rio de Janeiro-based visionary Robert Wilson, whose short volume A Football Manifesto is a brilliant excavation of the systemic, structural problems in US men’s soccer and a radical fan-centric approach to radical change. It’s not just a diagnosis. It’s a wholly original cure. Robert Wilsonhttps://bookshop.org/p/books/the-football-manifesto-and-club-handbook-bringing-the-beautiful-game-to-the-people-and-making-the-usa-1-in-the-world-robert-wilson/11921456?ean=9780692111413&next=tGoFundMehttps://gofund.me/c32d9598Zirin, Don’t Listen to Greasy Gavin Newsom. Listen to Trans Athleteshttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/trans-athletes-forum/—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

This week, we have a talk I gave two years ago about the social function of sports in an authoritarian society. It rings more true today, and I wanted to share it with you all. Also, I talked to basketball savant Arya Shirazi about the injuries that changed the course of NBA history.Zirin, Why Democrats Won’t Throw a Real Punchhttps://www.thenation.com/article/politics/democratic-party-fecklessness/—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

This week, we speak to former NFL player Chris Kluwe. Kluwe made news this week for his protest of MAGA at a Huntingdon Beach city council meeting, garnering headlines worldwide. We discuss what led to that moment, why he did what he did, and the sports world’s reaction to this administration and what explains it.Zirin, Why Democrats Won’t Throw a Real Punchhttps://www.thenation.com/article/politics/democratic-party-fecklessness/—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