

Edge of Sports
Dave Zirin / The Nation
Where sports and politics collide, hosted by Nation magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 12, 2021 • 53min
Talking NBA Finals, Sha'Carri Richardson, and Jazz Cigarettes
We are BACK! This week we talk to the Coach Kevin McNutt about the suspension of track and field star Sha'Carri Richardson for smoking weed and some NBA Finals observations so far.
We also have “Choice Words” about Gwen Barry and the GOP’s pathetic attempt at demonizing her. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to New Orleans native and Scripps Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde who recently became the first Black American to win such an honor and several prominent football clubs like Barcelona and Atletico who have decided to play exhibition games in the settler state that is Israel. All this and more on this week’s show!
Coach Kevin McNutt
Zirin, Gwen Berry Is the Hero We Need
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/gwen-berry/
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Jun 21, 2021 • 8min
Taking a Break & NBA Takes
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Jun 14, 2021 • 50min
Critical Race Theory at a Big Time Sports School
This week we speak to Dr. David Canton, the new head of the African-American studies department at the University of Florida about how he intends to teach about sports, racism and politics given the recent legislation against reaching any kind of antiracism by Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
We also have “Choice Words” about the NFL and it’s racist practice called race-norming. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to Australian swimmer Maddie Groves who has chosen to withdraw from the Olympics as a message to sexist perverts and everyone who added to the hype machine leading ip to the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul. All this and more on this week’s show!
David Canton
https://news.clas.ufl.edu/dr-david-a-canton-named-director-of-african-american-studies-at-uf/
Zirin, The Tokyo Olympics Are In Peril
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/tokyo-olympics-cancel/
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Jun 7, 2021 • 47min
Talking to the Director and Producer of Changing the Game
There is a new and groundbreaking film about trans youth athletes called Changing the Game. This week on the Edge of Sports podcast, we speak to director Michael Barnett, and Alex Schmider, the film's producer. Everyone should check out the movie, it’s fantastic and inspiring.
We also have “Choice Words” about the looming backlash in the world of sports against the political athlete. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to Naomi Osaka for her courageous stance in advocating for her mental health at the French Open and the NFL for their racist legal approach called race-norming, a practice they only recently decided to drop. All this and more on this week’s show!
Changing the Game
Twitter: @ChangingGameDoc
https://www.changinggamedoc.com/
Zirin, Naomi Osaka and the Growing Backlash Against Athletes Who Dare to Speak Out
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/naomi-osaka/
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May 31, 2021 • 51min
The Politics of Tailgating
This week we speak to authors Maria J. Veri and Rita Liberti about their new book, Gridiron Gourmet, which explores tailgating culture and sports. The authors also go into detail on their experiences writing the book, their favorite foods they ate along the way, and how race intersects with this culture.
We also have “Choice Words” about Kyrie Irving, his comments about Boston sports fans, and the reactions. In addition, we also have a “Just Stand Up” award to Rob Benson, former NBA athlete for his great op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle about mental health, and a "Just Sit Down" award to racist fans all over the country . All this and more on this week’s show!
Maria J. Veri
Twitter: @mjveri
Gridiron Gourmet
Rita Liberti
Twitter: @RitaLiberti5
Zirin
New York Needs Trae Young
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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)
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May 24, 2021 • 43min
Hope Solo Wants Soccer Justice
This week we speak to legendary goalkeeper Hope Solo about her 20 year career in USA Soccer and what she would do if she was in charge of the Federation. We get into issues concerning equal pay and the pushback Hope says she got when she attempted to bring these issues to light.
We also have “Choice Words” about Kyrie Irving and his comments humanizing Palestinians. In addition, we also have a nice remembrance of all-time political athlete and Olympian Lee Evans after his recent passing. All this and more on this week’s show!
Hope Solo
Twitter: @hopesolo
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/12/hope-solo-uswnt-goalkeeper-carli-lloyd-equal-pay-soccer
Zirin, Kyrie Irving’s Comments on Palestine Are a Big Deal
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/kyrie-irving-israel-palestine/
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May 17, 2021 • 59min
How the 1948 Indians Explain the World
This week we talk to Luke Epplin, author of the new book, Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball. Luke goes into detail on his research for the book, Satchel Paige, why Larry Doby is an important historical figure, and Bill Veeck’s complicated legacy.
We also have “Choice Words”about how more athletes are connecting Black Lives Matter issues domestically to Palestinian liberation. In addition, we also have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the athletes that are going to defy the IOC’s rules around political expression, and everyone that wrote off Russell Westbrook at the beginning of the NBA season, respectively. All this and more on this week’s show!
Luke Epplin
Twitter: @LukeEpplin
Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball
Zirin
The IOC Is Now Daring Olympic Athletes to Protest
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May 10, 2021 • 38min
Women’s Hoops 16 Years After Shattering the Glass
This week we talk to Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackleford, authors of the groundbreaking book, “Shattering The Glass: The Remarkable History Of Women's Basketball.” You have to listen to this interview.
We also have “Choice Words” about Caitlyn Jenner’s pathetic political power play. In addition, we also have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the German women’s gymnastic team for their statement against sexualization in the sport and Knicks/Islanders owner James Dolan. All this and more on this week’s show!
Pamela Grundy & Susan Shackleford
Twitter: @pamcgrundy
https://uncpress.org/book/9780807858295/shattering-the-glass/
Zirin, Sports Unions Come Together to Fight for the PRO Act
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/pro-act-sport/
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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)
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May 3, 2021 • 42min
NFL Player In Solidarity With Trans Athletes
This week we speak to free agent NFL player RK Russell about his oped in The Guardian in defense of transgender athletes as well as his process of writing. Russell has some great advice for up-and-coming athletes.
We also have “Choice Words” about the LAPD's efforts to ride LeBron James' coattails in a transparently disingenuous way. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to recent Baltimore Ravens draft pick Odafe Oweh for taking a stand on pronunciation of his African name, and the NFL analysts at the Draft that criticized players for sitting out a COVID filled season, respectively. All this and more on this week’s show!
RK Russell
Twitter: @RKRelentless
"Trans kids deserve the same opportunity that made my NFL career possible," The Guardian
Zirin
Voices Are Raised Against the NBA Launching Its New African League in Rwanda
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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)
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Apr 19, 2021 • 33min
How Does Whiteness Operate In Sports?
This week we talk to the owner of the social justice education firm JenFryTalks, former volleyball coach Jen Fry, to speak about how whiteness operates in sports. Jen Fry facilitated workshops in the sport’s world on issues of anti-racism and inclusion.
We also have “Choice Words” about why Minneapolis cancelled their games following the police killing of Daunte Wright. In addition, we also have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to Britni De La Cretaz and Layshia Clarendon for a terrific feature in SI and Brett Favre, who continues to say stupid things. All this and more on this week’s show!
Jen Fry
Twitter: @jenfrytalks
https://www.jenfrytalks.com/
Zirin, MLB, NBA, and NHL Games Are Canceled in the Twin Cities
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/daunte-wright-minnesota-twins/
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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)
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