Edge Of Sports

This week on the show we speak to NBA.com’s Sekou Smith about the NBA’s return, black lives matter, and protest. Smith gives us his take on activism coming out of the NBA’s bubble as we think about where we go from here.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the surge in activism from NCAA athletes, particularly in some of the country’s most powerful institutions. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the always brilliant Boston Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown and recurring terrible person, Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Sekou Smith Twitter: @SekouSmithNBA https://www.nba.com/writer/archive/sekou-smith Zirin, The NCAA Finally Faces a Reckoning https://www.thenation.com/article/society/ncaa-strike-covid/ — 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: h

This week on the show we speak to rapper/actor/mogul Ice Cube about his recent postings of anti-Semitic cartoons and how he answers for them. We also speak about his new political project: The Black Contract with America.  Ice Cube Twitter: @icecube https://thehill.com/changing-america/opinion/509563-with-an-energized-civil-rights-movement-on-the-streets-ice-cube — 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 on the show we speak to Layshia Clarendon of the New York Liberty about a protest Layshia was at the forefront in organizing. We also talk to them about the return of the WNBA, activism within the ranks of WNBA, and centering the voices of black women. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the courage of WNBA athletes in protesting racial injustice and the attempt by the right wing to demonize these athletes. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to NBA star Kyrie Irving for donating 1.5 million dollars to help pay WNBA players that are sitting out and players that are protesting with no political convictions at all. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Layshia Clarendon Twitter: @LayshiaC https://time.com/5871954/wnba-national-anthem-breonna-taylor/ Zirin, WNBA Players—Again—Show the Meaning of Radical Dissent https://www.thenation.com/keyword/anti-racism-activism/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http:

This week on the show we speak to Michael Lee of The Athletic about the prospects of playing the remainder of the NBA season in the Orlando bubble. We also talk about Stephen Jackson's anti-Semitic comments and discuss what that could do to the movement for player empowerment. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about how athletes are fighting the Olympic ban on protests. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the wave of dissent and protest taking place in the sport of Cricket in recent weeks and a couple of deplorable GOP senators. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Michael Lee Twitter: @MrMichaelLee https://theathletic.com/author/michael-lee/ Zirin & Boykoff, Athletes Are Fighting the Olympic Ban on Protests https://www.thenation.com/article/society/athletes-are-fighting-the-olympic-ban-on-protests/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge

This week on the show, we speak to author and NFL Pro Bowler Michael Bennett about recent protests over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Bennett connects the struggle of African Americans to the global movement for justice and gives us his take on news about a potential name change for the football team in Washington, DC.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the sacrifice and legacy of basketball legend Maya Moore, who took two years of her own career off to successfully fight for the release of wrongfully accused prisoner Jonathan Irons. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to everyone that has fought long and hard to change the racist name of the Washington football team, and the team's owner Dan Snyder for his stubbornness on the topic over the years. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Michael Bennett Twitter: @MosesBread72 https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1150-things-that-make-

This week on the show, we speak to author and activist Kevin Powell about his new book, When We Free The World. Powell talks to us about recent protests over police killings, a recent lawsuit that he underwent in Minnesota, and why it’s important to maintain hope during these times. We also have some Choice Words about the legacy of the racist former president of the IOC, Avery Brundage, and a museum’s decision to remove a bust of him. In addition, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to Morehouse College for cancelling the fall sports season—the only school at this time to do so—and Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross for his hypocrisy. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Kevin Powell Twitter: @kevin_powell When We Free the World Zirin Racist IOC President Avery Brundage Loses His Place of Honor — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmai

This week on the show, I speak about the remarkable development of athletes taking part in street protests around the country against police violence and racial inequity. I also break down why now is the moment to demand unequivocally that the name of the Washington football team must change. Zirin, It’s Time for Roger Goodell to Change the Name of the Washington Football Team https://www.thenation.com/article/society/redskins-racist-roger-goodell/ — 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

 This week we talk to former Chicago Bull Craig Hodges about recent protests and uprisings taking place all over the country in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Hodges also talks about ESPN’s Last Dance documentary, his omission from the film, as well as the reactions from other Bulls players from the era to the movie.    We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about NASCAR’s decision to ban confederate flags from its venues. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the University of Texas football players that are putting demands on the school before agreeing to play this year and the NFL for it’s weak gesture towards racial justice. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports!    Zirin, Why NASCAR’s New Ban on the Confederate Flag Is Such a Big Deal  https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nascar-confederate-flag/    Craig Hodges  https://theathletic.com/1865820/2020/06/11/who-am-i-craig-hodges-

This week we talk to former NBA basketball player and Minnesota native Royce White about the week that was. White has been at the heart of the protests in the twin cities and talks to us about protests in Minneapolis, Donald Trump and the use of military force, as well as what is needed to move forward. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about Gwen Berry challenging the USOC. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ awards to the NFL players that put out a video challenging the NFL on the issue of black lives as well as Drew Brees for his statement to Donald Trump. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Zirin, Olympian Gwen Berry to the USOC: ‘Where’s My Apology?’ https://www.thenation.com/article/society/olympics-gwen-berry-racism/ Royce White https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2020/05/30/royce-white-leads-peaceful-protest-minneapolis-response-george-floyds-death/5291165002/ Twitter: @Highway_30 — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http

This week we talk to former NBA basketball player and Minnesota native Royce White about the police murder of George Floyd. White has been at the heart of the protests in the twin cities and talks to us about his experiences there and his insights into the larger issues of white supremacy, policing, and the role of athletes. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the potential for a coalition of anti-racist athletes that might develop in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the white athletes that have spoken up about the murder of George Floyd including Joe Burrow, Carson Wentz, Sean Doolittle, Julie and Zach Ertz, JJ Watt and others, and MLB athletes that continue to stay silent on the issue of police killings, with few exceptions. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Zirin, The Critical Role of Athletes in Fighting White Blindness https://www.thenation.com/article/society/george-

This week we talk to CNN medical expert and NYU professor Dr. Celine Gounder about Covid-19. We talk to Dr. Gounder about the push to reopen sports, how that undertaking could work, and how the nation’s leadership is dealing with the pandemic. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the NFL’s steadfast plans to reopen this fall, as well as the Trump administration’s ineptitude. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the athletes that signed a letter calling for justice on behalf of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man killed by white vigilantes in Georgia, and to the people defending the Last Dance documentary. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Céline Gounder https://www.celinegounder.com/ Twitter: @CelineGounder — 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 s

This week's show is a talk I did with educator and author Jesse Hagopian about the history of Black athletes and their intersection with the Civil Rights Movement. We go through the famous hidden stories of people like Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali as well as people you may never have heard of like Wyomia Tyus and Rose Robinson. The event was put on by the Zinn Education Project.  Jesse Hagopian is an award-winning educator and a leading voice on issues of educational equity, the school-to-prison-pipeline, standardized testing, the Black Lives Matter at School movement, and social justice unionism. He is an editor for Rethinking Schools magazine, an author, public speaker, organizer, and Ethnic Studies teacher at Seattle’s Garfield High School – the site of the historic teacher boycott of the MAP test in 2013.  Jesse is the co-editor of the new book, Teaching for Black Lives, and is the editor of the book, More Than a Score: The New Uprising Against High-Stakes Testing. His writing has been publish

This week we talk to Scoop Jackson, author of the new book, The Game is Not a Game: The Power, Protest and Politics of American Sports. We talk to Scoop about the book, Scoop’s native Chicago, and the Last Dance documentary. We also have some Choice Words about the NFL’s willingness to play a vital role in Trump’s reelection campaign by trying very hard to start the season back as fast as possible. In addition, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to LeBron James for speaking out about the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia by white vigilantes and all the talking heads clearly looking for attention with their absurd takes this week. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Scoop Jackson https://www.amazon.com/Game-Not-Protest-Politics-American/dp/1642590967 Twitter: @ibescoopjackson Zirin, The NFL Is Now Part of Trump’s Reelection Project https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/nfl-season-coronavirus-espn/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodca

This week we talk to Eric Nusbaum, author of the new book, “Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between.” We talk to him about his new book, the history of how Dodger Stadium came to be, and the displacement of people of color in the process of building it.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the NCAA and the prospect of college football coming this fall as well as its decision to announce support for college athletes to sign endorsement deals. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to former Bulls sharpshooter Craig Hodges, who has been erased from the Last Dance documentary but remains an important part of the early Bulls championship teams and some ESPN announcers who are saying, “Gosh, I’m seeing a different side of Jordan” in the wake of the documentary. We also got a brand new Kaepernick Watch featuring an announcement from me! All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Eric Nusbaum https://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/titles/eric-nusbaum

This week we talk to Jared Ball, professor of Communication Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore. We talk to him about his new book, The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power, the history of the concept, and its connection to black radical politics. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about The Last Dance for its uncritical look at Michael Jordan, and it’s lopsided attack on Jerry Krause. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the 1st draft pick of the 2020 draft, Joe Burrow, for using his platform to talk about poverty, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league for the way they presented the NFL Draft, particularly the self-serving celebration of first responders. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Jared Ball https://imixwhatilike.org/category/the-myth-of-black-buying-power/ Twitter: @IMIXWHATILIKE Zirin, The Unfortunate Ugliness of ‘The Last Dance’ https://www.thenation.com/article/society/michael-jordan-last-dance/ — http://www.edgeo

This week we talk to friend of the show Michael Lee to talk about Last Dance, a documentary on Michael Jordan and the ’98 Chicago Bulls. We talk about the NBA of the ‘90s, Michael Jordan’s drive to be great, and why people continue to be fascinated by MJ.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about WWE and its decision to resume live programming in the midst of the coronavirus. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Megan Rapinoe for her fantastic livestream with W. Kamau Bell and Trump’s committee to reopen sports. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Michael Lee https://theathletic.com/1752209/2020/04/17/sports-take-a-back-seat-why-basketball-africa-league-was-first-to-cancel-games/ Twitter: @MrMichaelLee Zirin, Trump’s Sports Advisers Represent the Worst of the Sports World https://www.thenation.com/article/society/trump-sports-advisory-coronavirus/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | em

This week we take a sidestep from sports and talk to Maurice Cook from the Ward 6 Mutual Aid Network. We talk about coronavirus’ impact on DC, how it’s affected people of color in the city, and what can be done about it.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the dystopian plans to reopen the sports world that are floating around right now. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Jalen Rose on the anniversary of his shellacking of Skip Bayless and Maven Media for their decision to fire friend of the show Grant Wahl and their pathetic decision to slander him on his way out. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Maurice Cook https://www.serveyourcitydc.org/ Twitter: @mcSYCdc Zirin, The Plans to Bring Sports Back Are Truly Dystopian https://www.thenation.com/article/society/ufc-baseball-arizona-coronavirus/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sport

This week we speak to the preeminent soccer journalist in the United States, Grant Wahl, about the role of soccer amidst the coronavirus pandemic. We talk about coronavirus, an update on USA women’s soccer lawsuit for equal pay, and more. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the bribery scandal that should be rocking the IOC. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to members of the FC Barcelona team for taking pay cuts to help club employees, and people making racist attacks on sports journalist Jemele Hill. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Grant Wahl https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCae1JCaKGwUV_x6OAaP5blg/featured Twitter: @GrantWahl Zirin & Boykoff, A Bribery Scandal Hits the ‘2020’ Tokyo Olympics https://www.thenation.com/article/world/tokyo-olympics-bribery-scandal/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDG

 This week we speak to Rod “Slasher” Breslau,  and Erin Ashley Simon, two experts on Esports. We speak to them about the impact of coronavirus on Esports, the political economy of the sport, and why traditional sports fans that aren’t on board yet should give them a look.  We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the activist athlete in the time of coronavirus. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Joel Embiid for both donating money to employees of Sixers while implicitly shaming team ownership to do the same, and Tilman Fertitta, Houston Rockets owner, for furloughing 40,000 employees and downplaying COVID-19 among other heinous actd. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Erin Ashley Simon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCae1JCaKGwUV_x6OAaP5blg/featured Twitter: @erinasimon Rod Breslau https://www.facebook.com/Breslau Twitter: @Slasher Zirin, Athlete Activists Respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic https://www.thenation.com/article/society/coronavirus-athletes

This week we speak to NBA veteran Wilson Chandler about how he is maintaining amid the pandemic as well as his experience playing on basketball’s biggest stage, his stint in China, and the rhetoric of Donald Trump. We also have some ‘Choice Words’ about the Coronavirus and athletes. In addition, we have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Jeremy Lin for calling out Trump for racist rhetoric and the IOC for dragging their feet on doing the right thing and cancelling the 2020 Olympic games. All that and more on this week’s Edge of Sports! Wilson Chandler https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/wilson-chandler-the-iso-brooklyn-nets Twitter: @wilsonchandler Zirin, Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp Shines Amid the Coronavirus Crisis https://www.thenation.com/article/society/coronavirus-liverpool-jurgen-klopp/ — 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