

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

Jan 25, 2021 • 48min
Taking a Trip With Bill “Spaceman” Lee
This week we talk to former All-Star pitcher and cosmic genius Bill “Spaceman” Lee. Bill talks to us about his unique life, his new book, and his many experiences playing baseball and the philosophies that guide him.
We also have “Choice Words” about the media’s treatment of Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to Jaylen Brown for his words about the movement for black lives during a Biden administration and Jackie MacMullan for referring to Kyrie Irving as property of the organization. We also have some words about the passing of all-time great Hank Aaron. All this and more on this week’s show!
Bill “Spaceman Lee
https://www.scribd.com/book/482508911/The-Spaceman-Chronicles-The-Life-of-the-Earthling-Named-Bill-Lee
Zirin, Kyrie Irving Does Not Have to Be Who You Want Him to Be
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/kyrie-irving/
—
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

Jan 18, 2021 • 53min
Chris Mosier: In Defense of Trans Athletes
Chris Mosier is a hall-of-fame triathlete, and six-time member of Team USA, the first transgender man to represent the United States in international competition. Here he speaks to us about the right wing attacks on trans kids, especially the attacks on their access to organized sports, and why we should all take up this fight.
We also have “Choice Words” about New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s decision to refuse Donald Trump’s Medal of Honor. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to Kyrie Irving for refusing to play in a pandemic and Olympic athlete Klete Keller for refusing to accept the results of a democracy and joining fascists in storming the US Capitol. All this and more on this week’s show!
Chris Mosier
Twitter: @TheChrisMosier
https://www.thechrismosier.com/
Zirin
In a Shocker, Bill Belichick Spurns Trump’s Medal of Freedom
Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.
—
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

Jan 11, 2021 • 28min
They Didn't Just Breach a Capitol. They Breached a City.
This week we—a DC-based show—talk about the fascist mob that hit the Capitol on Wednesday, January 6th, and explain why this should be seen as an attack not only on the federal government but also on the city.
We also have “Choice Words” about what should have been the news of the week: the Georgia senate elections and the role of the WNBA in making Rev. Raphael Warnock's victory possible.
Zirin
WNBA Players Just Showed Their Political Power
Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/systemchecksubs.
—
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

Jan 4, 2021 • 1h 26min
When a Coach Kneels With His Players
This week we speak to former St. Michael's College coach Joshua Meyer and one of his former players, Winston Jones about their experience taking a knee during the National Anthem in the 2017 season. You don’t want to miss this conversation.
We also have “Choice Words” about the USOPC’s decision to defend olympic athletes’ rights to protest. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to Duke women’s basketball coach and DMV native Kara Lawson and Houston sports. All this and more on this week’s show!
Joshua Meyer
Why Coaching for Social Justice Matters
Zirin
The USOPC Defends Olympic Athletes’ Right To Protest
Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.
—
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

Dec 21, 2020 • 1h 3min
A Journey to Mindfulness with Former NFL Player Prince Daniels, Jr.
This week we talk to former NFL player Prince Daniels, Jr. about his book Mindfulness for the Ultimate Athlete: Mastering the Balance Between Power and Peace. We also talk to the Coach Kevin McNutt about the upcoming basketball season.
In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the courageous activists that pushed for decades to force the Cleveland baseball team to get rid of their racist mascot and Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly, who joins other college football coaches in continuing to make empty threats under the guise of player empowerment. All this and more on this week’s show!
Prince Daniels, Jr.
Twitter: @princeadjr
https://www.triumphbooks.com/dave-bing--attacking-the-rim-products-9781629378473.php
Kevin McNutt
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2317018.Hooked_on_Hoops
Zirin, Why the Cleveland Indians Will Change Their Name
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/cleveland-indians-change-name/
—
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

Dec 14, 2020 • 37min
Attacking the Rim With NBA Hall-of-Famer Dave Bing
This week we speak to Dave Bing about his new book, Attacking the Rim. Dave talks about his legendary basketball career, the deep influence of his parents on the person he is today, his time as mayor of Detroit, and what he’s been doing since.
We also have “Choice Words” about Sports Illustrated’s decision to honor the activist athlete as sportspeople of the year and we highlight athletes doing the work. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to a midfielder for the Queens Park Rangers soccer and his teammate for a courageous action and the opposing team’s fans that booed them. All this and more on this week’s show!
Dave Bing
Attacking the Rim
Zirin
English Soccer Players Take a Knee
Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.
—
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

Dec 7, 2020 • 1h 3min
Talking to The Producer of The Queen’s Gambit
This week we speak to producer William Horberg about The Queen’s Gambit, one of the most watched Netflix productions of the year. We talk to William about how the show came to be, compliments and critiques of the show, the show’s anti-cold war politics, and why it has been such a success.
We also have Choice Words about the NFL’s handling of coronavirus and the curious case of an NFL game that was played on a Wednesday afternoon. In addition, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to the new Houston Rocket John Wall who will always be remembered as a Washington Wizard, and Wizard General Manager Tommy Sheppard who mishandled the Wall trade. All this and more on this week’s show!
William Horberg
Twitter: @WilliamHorberg
Yahoo Style: We focused on making chess cinematic
Zirin
The Baltimore Ravens’ Cautionary Covid Tale
Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 25, 2020 • 1h 10min
Sportswriting Trailblazer Melissa Ludtke
This week we speak to Melissa Ludtke about her legendary career, her iconic lawsuit that broke many barriers for women sportswriters, and women in sports broadly. We talk to Melissa about the elevation of Kim Ng to general manager of the Marlins, the first in North American male sports.
We also have “Choice Words” about Colin Kaepernick’s decision to highlight political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal and the struggle of political prisoners everywhere. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the young men at the NBA Draft that displayed black lives matter on such an important day in their young lives and the locker room culture at Penn State, an institution that finds itself under scrutiny again due to heinous allegations. All this and more on this week’s show!
Melissa Ludtke
Twitter: @MelissaLudtke
https://baseballhall.org/discover/short-stops/melissa-ludtke
Zirin, Colin Kaepernick Speaks Out for Mumia Abu-Jamal
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/colin-kaepernick-mumia-abu-jamal/
—
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

Nov 16, 2020 • 57min
Pandemics & Protest with Marc Lamont Hill
This week we speak to Marc Lamont Hill about his new book, We Still Here: Pandemic, Policing, Protest, and Possibility. We talk to Marc about the BLM protests over the summer, their connection with the global pandemic and we even take some time to rap about his Sixers.
We also have “Choice Words” about the NFL’s Rooney Rule and its deep shortcomings and the league’s refusal to address the fundamental power dynamics of white supremacy. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to baseball’s Kim Ng for being the first woman general manager in any of the major North American sports leagues and former Auburn football coach and resident idiot Tommy Tuberville, recently elected to the US Senate. All this and more on this week’s show!
Marc Lamont Hill
Twitter: @marclamonthill
https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1631-we-still-here
Zirin, Tweaking the NFL’s Rooney Rule Is Not Enough
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-rooney-rule/
—
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

Nov 2, 2020 • 39min
An Election’s Eye View From The Streets
This week we speak to Deadspin’s Chuck Modiano about street protests in DC against police violence. We also talk to Chuck about DC’s mayor Muriel Bowser, the presidential election coming up, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent World Series, win and the greatness of Stevie Wonder.
We also have Choice Words about Clemson’s quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his recent coronavirus diagnosis. In addition, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to soccer star Marcus Ashford for bringing attention to child hunger in the UK and old white millionaire athletes for Trump. All this and more on this week’s show!
Chuck Modiano
Twitter: @ChuckModi1
Modiano at Deadspin
Zirin
College Football’s Great Defender Has Covid-19
Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.
—
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