

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

Mar 9, 2020 • 40min
The Rise and Fall (And Possible Rise Again) of the Warriors Dynasty
This week we talk to ace NBA journalist Ethan Sherwood Strauss about his new book The Victory Machine: The Making and Unmaking of the Warriors Dynasty. We talk to Ethan about that Warriors dynasty, Kevin Durant, and the price of success.
We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the Coronavirus and sports. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the players of the NFL fighting for fair contracts and egomaniacal Knicks owner James Dolan. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports!
Ethan Sherwood Strauss
https://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/titles/ethan-sherwood-strauss/the-victory-machine/9781541736214/
Twitter: @SherwoodStrauss
Zirin, The Coronavirus Is Coming for Professional Sports
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/coronavirus-nba-sports/
—
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 2, 2020 • 1h 4min
A Turning Point in Women’s Sports & Inside Report From Kobe’s Memorial
This week we are talking to Power Plays sports reporter Lindsay Gibbs about the promising albeit volatile state of women’s sports and then to Kevin Powell about his experience at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service at the Staples Center.
We also have a Kaepernick watch about two volleyball players who took a knee for Palestine. And this week I read a poem! By Kevin Powell!
Lindsay Gibbs
https://www.powerplays.news/
Twitter: @linzsports
Kevin Powell
Kevin's Poem
Instagram: KevinPowellBrooklyn
Zirin, Athletes Take a Knee Against Israel’s Occupation
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/dwyane-wade-trans-child/
—
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)
—
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

Feb 17, 2020 • 32min
Former NBA Star David West on Political Journey & Bernie Support
This week we speak to retired NBA All Star David West about his life, politics, and support for the Bernie Sanders campaign. We also talk about his work to challenge the NCAA with the Professional College League.
We have ‘Choice Words’ about NBA legend Dwyane Wade and why his love and support for his trans daughter Zaya is an act of resistance. We got ‘Just Stand Up’ and “Just Sit Down” awards to Colin Kaepernick for launching a publishing house and the East Moline police. All that and more on this week’s episode of The Edge of Sports Podcast!
David West
Twitter: @D_West30
Zirin
Dwyane Wade’s Love for His Daughter Is an Act of Resistance
—
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)
—
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

Feb 10, 2020 • 40min
Howard Bryant & Full Dissidence
This week we talk to sportswriter Howard Bryant about his new book, Full Dissidence: Notes From an Uneven Playing Field. It is a searing look at race, power, and the real world beyond the sports world.
We have "Choice Words" about the Super Bowl and the spectacle that was. We got "Just Stand Up" and “Just Sit Down” awards to boxer Gary Russell Jr. for inspiring youth in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, and Pete Rose, who’s still making a shameless play for Coopertown entry. All that and more on Edge of Sports!
Howard Bryant
Full Dissidence: Notes from an Uneven Playing Field
Twitter: @hbryant42
Zirin
This Year’s Super Bowl Was Blatantly Propagandistic
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

Feb 3, 2020 • 53min
The Kansas City Chiefs Name: Racist Or “Just Sports?”
This week we talk to Vincent Schilling, associate editor from Indian Country Today about the origin and present ramifications of the Kansas City Chiefs name and mascot.
We have ‘Choice Words’ about Kobe Bryant as we reflect on his history on and off the court. We also feature a conversation with The Athletic’s Michael Lee, who knew Kobe. We got ‘Just Stand Up’ and “Just Sit Down” awards to airport workers engaging in a hunger strike outside the Miami airport and Marcus Morris of the New York Knicks, as well as a special ‘Kaepernick Watch’ about a PETA ad. All that and more on Edge of Sports!
Vincent Schilling
http://www.vincentschilling.com/
Twitter: @VinceSchilling
Zirin, Remembering Kobe Bryant
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/kobe-bryant-helicopter-crash/
—
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 27, 2020 • 51min
Racism's Persistence in Sports
This week we speak to Professor Kenneth Shropshire about a host of issues pervading sports and how today's students are taking them in.
We have ‘Choice Words’ with Chuck Modiano on whether there is an ethical team to root for in this week's Super Bowl. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and “Just Sit Down” awards to Maya Moore and her incredible work on criminal justice and cross country skiing of all things. All that and more on Edge of Sports!
Kenneth Shropshire
https://globalsport.asu.edu/
Twitter: @kenshropshire
Zirin, NFL Player Justin Jackson: ‘40 Years of Neoliberalism Has Brought Our Country to the Brink’
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/justin-jackson-bernie-sanders/
—
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 21, 2020 • 49min
NFL Player Says It Loud and Proud: “I consider myself a Berniecrat.”
This week we chop it up with LA Chargers running back Justin Jackson, who has become a big of a lightning rod on social media in recent months. Jackson discusses media bias against progressive politics, militarism, the 2016 election, and why he supports Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
We have ‘Choice Words’ about the Australian Open and the impact of Climate Change down under. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and “Just Sit Down” awards to freedom fighter and Olympian John Carlos and the security office that issued an arrest to wide receiver Odell Beckham. Enjoy!
Zirin, The Australian Open Is the Tip of a Melting Iceberg
https://www.thenation.com/article/australian-open-fires-climate-change/
—
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 6, 2020 • 23min
Legacy of David Stern and a Look Back at 2019
This week we discuss the towering and complicated legacy of former NBA commissioner David Stern. We look at his success in guiding the league through some its best years as well as his support of notorious racist former Clippers owner Donald Sterling and the infamous dress code that was enacted during the aughts, as well as treatment of Craig Hodges and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
We also got some ‘Choice Words’ about 2019, a remarkable year at the intersection of sports and politics. We have a ‘Just Stand Up’ Award and ‘Just Sit Down Award’ to everyone horrified by recent US attacks in the Middle East and the organizers of the upcoming college football national championship game. A brand new Kaepernick Watch as well. Stay Tuned!
Zirin, The Towering, Complicated Legacy of David Stern
https://www.thenation.com/article/david-stern/
Zirin, The Athletes Who Fought Back in 2019
https://www.thenation.com/article/the-athletes-who-fought-back-in-2019/
—
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 25, 2019 • 35min
Can Youth Football Save Us From Gun Violence?
This week we talk with journalist Natalie Weiner from SB Nation about her recent longform piece on how gun violence has affected youth football around the country. Weiner’s piece is titled, “The Line of Fire: Gun violence, high school football and what coaches are doing to keep their players safe.”
We have ‘Choice Words’ about the NFL’s circus of a Kaepernick tryout and the NFL’s attempt to bend Kaep to their will. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Carolina Panthers Safety Eric Reid for comments after Kaepernick’s workout, and WWE management for its anti-labor stance. All this and more on this week’s episode!
Natalie Weiner
Twitter: @natalieweiner
https://www.sbnation.com/2019/11/13/20955539/gun-violence-statistics-prevention-facts-high-school-football-america
Zirin, Colin Kaepernick Refused to Bend to Roger Goodell’s Will
https://www.thenation.com/article/colin-kaepernick-tryout/
—
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 18, 2019 • 50min
Talking to Legendary Olympic Sprinter And Activist Wyomia Tyus
This week we are honored to speak to gold medalist at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics and the first-ever back-to-back gold medalist in the 100 meters, athlete and lifelong activist Wyomia Tyus. Tyus talks about her experiences in the Olympics and the fight for freedom.
We have ‘Choice Words’ about the firing of Canadian hockey commentator and bigot Don Cherry. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Megan Rapinoe for an awesome speech, and the NFL, who are up to their shenanigans as it pertains to Colin Kaepernick. All this and more on this week’s episode!
Wyomia Tyus
http://www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/tigerbelle/
Zirin, The Firing of Don Cherry Marks the End of an Era
https://www.thenation.com/article/don-cherry/
—
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