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How Womens College Basketball has Stepped into the L.A. Spotlight: 2/12/25

The explosion of womens basketball over the last few years has pulled plenty of new names and teams into the national conversation. Among them? USC and UCLA womens basketball teams, two programs that have spent decades living in the shadow of past legacies, to say nothing of LAs true love, the Lakers. But now they are playing to sold out crowds with household names like JuJu Watkins and Lauren Betts making all of their games must-see TV. And all of that drama is just setting the stage for an epic clash between the two top 10 teams on Thursday. So today, Paolo Uggetti joins the show to tell us how these teams got here, where they are going, and why loving womens hoops is the new normal in LA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Champions League Playoff: Can Manchester City Salvage Their Season? : 2/11/25

The American football season may now be over, but the drama in Europes club football season, aka soccer, is just heating up. Pep Guardiolas Manchester City squad has been Englands most dominant club, with six home league trophies in the past seven years and a Champions League title in 2023. But this years campaign has been a struggle, as they sit five spots back in the English Premier League and barely qualified for the Champions League playoff. And now, having drawn defending champions Real Madrid in their first playoff matchup, things wont get any easier. So with the two teams playing the first of two legs on Tuesday, Luis Miguel Echegaray tells Clinton Yates what to watch for in yet another clash between these two storied clubs. Will Citys recent $223 million spending spree help them right the ship? Can Real Madrid overcome their own crucial injuries? Has Kylian Mbapp� finally found his groove in Madrid? Plus, a look at how this tournament is a crucial part of World Cup 2026 preparation for Christian Pulisic and other American players. Previous coverage on Atalantas emotional journey through the pandemic: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super Bowl LIX Recap with Ben Solak: 2/10/25

There was little debate about the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles were the more complete team heading into Super Bowl LIX. Better up front on defense and offense. Better at running back and wide receiver than the Kansas City Chiefs. But the Chiefs still had Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. So the Chiefs were still dangerous. Well that proved to not be anywhere near enough, as the Eagles cruised to a 40-22 win on Sunday, claiming the franchises second ever Super Bowl victory. So today Ben Solak and Michele Steele breakdown what went exceptionally right for the Eagles, and immensely wrong for the Chiefs in the NFLs final game of the season. And take a look at what comes next, for a Chiefs team that heads into the offseason, with more questions than we expected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super Bowl LIX Preview with Ben Solak and Kevin Clark: 2/7/25

Super Bowl LIX is literally just a couple of days away, and after a long season, its down to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles battling for the Lombardi Trophy&Again. Our own Ben Solak has made the trip down to New Orleans, and with so many of the people that we love to talk ball with in town alongside him, he was able to get Kevin Clark, the host of This is Football, to join him ahead of the big game. Its the buddy cop movie that you didnt know you needed in your life, as they breakdown what you need to know about the Eagles plan of attack, and the Chiefs inevitability, ahead of Super Bowl LIX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tisha Thompson Takes Us Inside the NFLs Super Bowl Security Apparatus: 2/6/25

The Super Bowl is one of the most high attended events in the American cultural landscape every year. And New Orleans, the site of this years game, is a city known for letting folks have a good time. But in the wake of the New Years Day domestic terror attack on Bourbon Street, concerns about safety and security at the NFLs biggest game are at an all time high. So today, ESPN investigative journalist Tisha Thompson goes behind the scenes with NFL security to explain how ramped up the security apparatus surrounding the Superdome and the city itself is for Super Bowl LIX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Chiefs Dynasty May Be Just Getting Started: 2/5/25

The Kansas City Chiefs may not be the offensive juggernaut they once were, but they keep raising trophies nonetheless. And though every member of this franchise would love to become the first in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row, their ultimate plan goes far beyond this season. So today, Adam Teicher, our man on the Chiefs beat, tells Michele Steele how the teams unique approach to building a winner, and why this dynasty may be just getting started. Plus, with retirement approaching this summer, Adam looks back at his 32 years on the job, and his front row seat to the winning culture Andy Reid has built. Adams report: Three-peat or not, this Chiefs team is built to last Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Saquon Barkleys Redemption Tour Heads to Super Bowl XLVIII: 2/4/25

Last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles were confronted with countless questions about the future of the franchise. The biggest one being just how the Birds could overcome the lingering hangover from a loss in Super Bowl XLVII and then a flameout in the playoffs the following year. But an offseason that started in chaos, ended with the signing of MVP candidate Saquon Barkley, a restructuring of the coaching staff, and a culture change that permeated throughout the Philadelphia locker room. So today, Tim MacManus joins us to show just how the Eagles were able to go from a team in turmoil to a return trip to the Super Bowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why Luka Don is Trade to LA is Business as Usual for the NBA: 2/3/25

On Saturday night, the sports world got hit with the news of the Dallas Mavericks shocking decision to trade superstar Luka Don i, as well as Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and their 2029 first-round draft pick. Senior ESPN NBA writer Tim Bontemps joins host Clinton Yates to discuss the Mavericks motives and the long history of Lakers Exceptionalism that set the stage for this trade, and how the seismic shift will reverberate throughout the NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Josh Allen Getting a Pass? + When did Notre Dame Become Cool?: 1/31/25

It goes without saying that January is a high stakes time of year for the football world, and this year, that was more true than ever. The first 12-team College Football playoff brought us three compelling rounds, mirroring the NFLs own longtime playoff tradition. We of course covered all of it on ESPN Daily. But there are often other stories, or different angles on stories, that we don't always have room for in the show. So today, as we say farewell to January, we're trying something new. Michele Steele and Harry Lyles Jr. join Clinton Yates to further unpack some of the biggest stories of the month. As a chorus of voices begin calling for the Bills to fire Sean McDermott, does Josh Allen deserve more scrutiny? How did Marcus Freeman make Notre Dame cool? And why do so many people care about Ichiro Suziki falling one vote shy of a unanimous Baseball Hall of Fame selection? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jay Bilas Explains Whats in Store for Cooper Flagg at Duke v. UNC: 1/30/25

If theres one name to know in mens college basketball this season, its probably Cooper Flagg. The nations number one recruit is playing in his freshman season at Duke, and living up to all of the hype. But his college career is about to experience a new chapter on Saturday, when Flagg and the Blue Devils host North Carolina on ESPN. Jay Bilas, the voice of college basketball at ESPN, joins the show today. Hes bled Duke blue since joining the team in the early 1980s. And while hes no longer on the team, or on the coaching staff, he knows a thing or two about the most storied rivalry on the college hardwood. He breaks down what Flagg has brought to the Duke lineup, and explains what the latest one-and-done in college basketball is about to experience, in his first taste of the rivalry on Tobacco Road. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Going to the Mat With The Wrestling Club: 1/29/25

When the lights go down at recess at KIPP AMP Middle School in Brooklyn, its not time to zone out or to take a nap. Its showtime. Its time for The Wrestling Club. Founded by an innovative teacher looking to connect with his students during the pandemic, this club turns watching pro wrestling inside out to teach students about storytelling, conflict resolution, inclusion and more. And it doesnt stop there, because you never know which WWE superstar is going to walk through the door when the club is in session. So today, Andreas Hale joins us fresh from his visit with all the members of what is now the most famous junior high school club in the world. A club where life lessons and, most importantly, possibility are being taught one match at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Much Do Coach Agents Influence An NFL Teams Leadership?: 1/28/25

For years, the NFL has been trying to make the hiring of people of color in leadership positions a more fair and more equitable process. Through initiatives like accelerator programs meant to introduce prospects to owners and other people with hiring ability, alongside the widely controversial Rooney Rule which literally mandates that people of all backgrounds get interviews, the league has been marginally successful at changing who is in the room when it comes to coordinators, head coaches, and general managers. Today ESPN senior NFL writer Kalyn Kahler reports on a new speed bump in the road: the trend of "package deals," whereby an agent places multiple clients in coaching or front office roles with the same team. She details her reporting on where this practice comes from, why its hurting the prospects of minorities to get these jobs and what, if anything, the NFL can do to fight against it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Eagles Soar and the Chiefs Get it Done: NFL Conference Championship Recap: 1/27/25

Super Bowl LIX is set. The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will meet in New Orleans, for a rematch of Super Bowl LII. Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Travis Kelce and the rest set their sights on becoming the first NFL team to ever win three consecutive titles, while Saquon Barkley looks to put a championship stamp on an MVP-level first season in Philadelphia. But before we set our sights on the big game, Ben Solak, Seth Walder, and Michele Steele go through how those two teams got past their opposition in the conference championships and look at whats next for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders after a heartbreaking end to their seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it Now or Never for the Bills? Bill Barnwell Previews the Championship Round: 1/24/25

The championship round is upon us. Sunday, in the AFC, the Buffalo Bills travel to Kansas City for another showdown with the Chiefs their fourth playoff date in five years. And in the NFC, the upstart Washington Commanders will try to knock off Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles. Its all for the right to play in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. So today, Bill Barnwell breaks down these matchups to help answer all our burning questions. Is the time finally right for Josh Allens Bills? Can Patrick Mahomes patch over the Chiefs flaws? Is Jalen Hurts capable of clutch quarterbacking? And can Jayden Daniels complete the greatest run weve ever seen from a rookie? We get into all of it and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remembering Rickey Henderson with Howard Bryant: 1/23/25

The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced its latest class of enshrinees on Tuesday evening. Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, and Billy Wagner, will join Dick Allen and Dave Parker in the MLB Hall of Fame Class of 2024. But as those stars are enshrined in Cooperstown, we remember a baseball legend we lost recently. RIcky Henderson passed away on December 20th, at 65 years of age, just days before his 66th birthday. The games greatest lead off hitter, base stealer, and as the inventor of swagger, Rickeys impact can still be felt now. So today we are joined by Howard Bryant - The author of Rickey: The Life and Legend of an American Original, who breaks down Rickys career, legacy, and impact on the game he changed forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butlers World Is On A Collision Course With Heat Culture: 1/22/25

When Jimmy Butler arrived in Miami in 2019, the initial thought was that this was a perfect marriage. You had a fanatically driven, yet volatile, All Star linking up with a celebrated NBA institution, better known as Heat Culture. And with two NBA Finals appearances in four years, everything was going as planned. But then stories of special treatment and feelings of disrespect started to bubble to the surface and suddenly Butler found himself at odds with the architect of Heat Culture the indomitable Pat Riley. Today, Ramona Shelburne joins us to break down how this went from bad to worse in Miami and how Jimmy Butler might have finally met his match. And dont forget the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ohio State Won the Present. Did Notre Dame Win the Future? : 1/21/25

Last night, we saw a champion crowned in college football. Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes got the proverbial monkey off their backs with a clutch performance over Notre Dame. And there to witness it all, live and in person, were our friends from the College Gameday podcast, Rece Davis and Pete Thamel. So today, were turning our show over to Rece and Pete, plus special guest Harry Lyles Jr., as they take stock of Ohio States win and consider whether Notre Dame has now made itself a perennial contender. Check out our favorite episodes of 2024. College Gameday Podcast: Apple | Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Notre Dame and Ohio State Balance Their Past While Looking to the Future: 1/20/25

For college football blue bloodsNotre Dame and Ohio State, the realities of modern big time college football are a whole new ball game. As NIL deals and the transfer portal give players more control over their careers than ever, and big money collectives blur the lines between amateur and professional athletics, the Buckeyes and Irish need to balance the new against decades of tradition. The challenges can be as simple as trying to change the seating at Notre Dame Stadium, or as complicated as justifying the NIL money needed to pursue the best talent in the field. So today - ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee, reports from the site of tonights College Football Playoff National Championship, to explain how for coaches Ryan Day and Marcus Freeman getting to this point means having already triumphed over the expectations of the past. And dont forget the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Solak Previews the NFL Divisional Round Matchups: 1/17/25

For many people, the NFLs divisional round is the most exciting weekend of football on the calendar all year long. Eight teams, four games, with trips to the conference championships on the line. And this years matchups are bangers. Whether its an MVP showdown between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, or the dynamic Jayden Daniels vying for an upset of the Lions in Motor City, or Saquon Barkley continuing his push for a ring in year one outside of the Meadowlands, these games figure to deliver the goods. So Ben Solak joins the program to give Michele Steele a preview of all the action, and to explain why its just plain unfair that the Chiefs are rounding into their ultimate form at the seasons most crucial point. And dont forget the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL Coaching Carousels Spinners and Winners: 1/16/25

As the NFL season comes to a close, some teams are scrambling to find new coaches, kicking off the frenzy known as the NFL coaching carousel. ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano joins ESPN Dailys own NFL expert Michele Steele to analyze the Patriots signing of Mike Vrabel, and look at some of the other choices that are more up in the air. Could these meetings between Jerry Jones and Deion Sanders land Prime Time in Dallas? Is the NFLs Rooney Rule intended to increase the number of coaches of color being ignored by teams? Will Detroits highly sought-after coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn pass up another year with the Lions? Will Tom Brady use his clout to poach a coach for the Raiders? And dont forget the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Steph Curry Save the Warriors One More Time?: 1/15/25

When Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors won 12 of their first 15 games this season, it seemed they might have solved what's ailed them the past few years. But in the ensuing weeks and months, wins have been exceedingly hard to come by, and with Curry playing fewer minutes than ever. Warriors fans are growing increasingly restless. So with Golden State taking the national TV stage against the Timberwolves Wednesday night, Tim Keown shares what he learned from a sit down with Curry and explores whether this team is doing right by him. And dont forget the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How The Unrivaled Could Define the Future of Womens Basketball: 1/14/25

This weekend marks the debut of The Unrivaled, an ambitious 3-on-3 womens basketball league loaded with WNBA talent. This new venture has spared no expense to build their cutting edge venue in Miami. And thanks to a series of A-List investors, these athletes will have every amenity they could ever ask for. But what happens when these players finally take the court? Will the players buy in? And will the fans tune in? Or will we once again find ourselves writing an obituary for another upstart sports league? Today, Kendra Andrews joins us to break down how The Unrivaled could surprise us all and why it just might be what the WNBA offseason needs. And dont forget the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Wild Card Round Recap: 1/13/25

The NFL playoffs are underway, and aside from tonights Monday Night Football clash between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, we know who is moving on. But before next weeks divisional round matchups suck up all of the air in the room, ESPN sports analytics writer Seth Walder and Ben Solak breakdown how the winners punched their tickets to the next round. Before previewing tonights super wild card finale. And dont forget the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Wild Card Round Preview with Mina Kimes: 1/10/25

The NFL playoffs are set to begin tomorrow. 14 teams still have a chance at lifting the Lombardi Trophy in a few weeks, some with better odds than others. But it all starts with the Wild Card round. Six games over three days to determine who will move on. So before the action kicks off our old friend Mina Kimes breaks down each matchup with host Michele Steele to make sure that you know everything you need ahead of all of the games. And dont forget the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CFP Semifinals Preview: Are Folks Too Bullish on Ohio State? : 1/9/25

New Years Days Peach Bowl brought us an all-time classic, as Arizona States Cam Skattebo grew his legend, helping the Sun Devils to storm back in the 4th quarter, only to fall short against Texas in double-overtime. Beyond that, there hasn't been much drama in this inaugural twelve team College Football Playoff. But with two compelling matchups Thursday and Friday, that may be about to change. Spencer Hall joins guest host Michele Steele to explain why Ohio State v. Texas could be more competitive than you may think, why theyre even more excited for Penn States showdown with Notre Dame, and how this playoff is setting the stage for every playoff to come. Check out Spencers newsletter, Channel 6, and his podcast, Shutdown Fullcast. And dont forget the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Capital One Orange Bowl Penn State Nittany Lions Notre Dame Fighting Irish Thursday, Jan 9 | 7:30 ET | ESPN Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Texas Longhorns Ohio State Buckeyes Friday, Jan 10 | 7:30 ET | ESPN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are the Chicago Blackhawks & Connor Bedard on the Right Track?: 1/8/25

Its no secret that times are hard for fans of Chicago sports. The White Sox, Cubs, Bulls, and Bears are all in the midst of middling, or worse, performance in recent years. And the same is true of the team that used to be the reliable winner, the Blackhawks. When they drafted generational prospect Connor Bedard first overall in the 2023 NHL draft, the future appeared to be bright. An idea seemingly confirmed when Bedard brought home the Calder Memorial Trophy - the NHLs rookie of the year award - in his first season on the ice. But year two has only added more angst to the situation. Bedard suffered through a sophomore slump to start the season, and Chicago is at the bottom of the standings in the NHL. So today, ESPN senior hockey reporter, Emily Kaplan tells Michele Steele, during an in person conversation, what the problem has been with Bedard and the Blackhawks in year two. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zion and Wemby: Two Tales of Great Expectations: 1/7/25

Every year the NBA Draft produces a crop of rookies that are full of expectations. And some are stamped with labels like cant miss or generational. But where their careers go from there arent always inline with the guarantees they come into the league with. So today we talk with veteran NBA reporters Tim MacMahon and Michael Wright about two of the most recent prospects to have been deemed can't miss. Players who appear to be at crossroads in their careers but heading in opposite directions. First, theres Zion Williamson, the phenom prodigy from Duke, who cant seem to stay on the court. And then theres Victor Wembanyama, the wunderkind from France that seems to be living up to all the hype. And while these two former No. 1 draft picks still have plenty of basketball left, the final verdict on their legacies is yet to be determined. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 18 Recap with Ben Solak: 1/6/25

The NFL regular season has come to a close. And the league saved the best for last, with the hunt for the NFCs one seed coming down to a Sunday night matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. So with all of the byes determined, and playoff pairings set - Ben Solak and Michele Steele explore how the 14 playoff teams locked down their spots, and what the offseason holds in store for those who didnt make it. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whats to Become of Sports Twitter?: 1/3/25

As we settle into the new year, the phrase deer in headlights feels like an apt description for the state many members of sports Twitter currently find themselves in. More than two years after Elon Musk took over Twitter, now known as X, the platform has become an increasingly unpleasant space for sports conversations. While many users have already migrated to other platforms like Threads and Bluesky, plenty more are staying putunhappy with the current state of affairs but reluctant to abandon the communities theyve carefully curated and built. Today, were joined by three guests who have been notable contributors to the sports Twitter community for more than a decade. TJ Adeshola (X, Instagram) formerly oversaw sports partnerships at Twitter, Reeta Hubbard, aka The NFL Chick (Bluesky, X), is a longtime sports commentator currently hosting Gridiron Gals, and Jason Concepcion (Bluesky, Instagram, X) is the Emmy-winning host of Six Trophies. They spoke with David Dennis Jr. to reflect on the glory days of sports Twitter, explore how and why it took a turn for the worse, and discuss where the community goes from here. �Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Most Fascinating Storylines to Watch in 2025: 1/2/25

The sports landscape is transforming in 2025, with new changes in rules, new playoffs formats, and many other innovations across sports. So we brought on some of our favorite regular guests Katie Barnes, Bill Barnwell, Elle Duncan, Luis Miguel Echegaray, Andreas Hale, Ryan McGee, Jeff Passan and Clinton Yates, who will be back in the hosts chair later this month, to tell us not only what theyre most excited to cover in 2025, but also divulge what theyre most excited to watch as fans. Plus, guest hosts Michele Steele and David Dennis, Jr. share their hot takes for the year and our team of ESPN Daily producers reveal what theyre most looking forward to covering on the show this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Death of a Sports Town Part 5: The Curtain Closes on the Oakland A's (Encore): 1/1/25

On September 26th, 2024, the Athletics played their final game ever in Oakland, the city theyve called home for 57 years. As friend of the show Jeff Passan wrote, baseball in the East Bay was killed by greed& John Fisher did not have to move this team& This was a choice. A wrong one. History will sneer. For the conclusion of our Death of a Sports Town series, we trekked to the Oakland Coliseum and bore witness to the sights, sounds, and emotions of a citys last gasp as a big time pro sports town. It was a poignant and passionate display from a vibrant and rich fanbase, defiant to the very end. Today, we share that experience with you. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Death of a Sports Town Episodes: Apple Podcasts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, & Part 4 Spotify: All episodes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Death of a Sports Town Part 4: The True Price of Sports (Encore): 12/31/24

In covering Oaklands unraveling as a big time sports town, weve documented the greed, the loss, the dubious decisions, and the rich sports community soon to be left behind. But weve yet to fully examine the most pertinent question of alldoes the Athletics planned move to Las Vegas make any sense at all? Today, in part four of our series Death of a Sports Town, we take stock of why the As (and MLB) are so enamored with Las Vegasa city soon to be the smallest market in the leaguewhy this move will be extraordinarily messy, and why Oakland is Americas most-underappreciated sports town. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Death of a Sports Town Episodes: Apple Podcasts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, & Part 5 Spotify: All episodes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Death of a Sports Town Part 3: Baseballs Last Dive Bar (Encore): 12/30/24

The loss of three professional sports teams in five years has thrust Oakland into the media spotlight, with coverage focusing on every twist, turn, stadium proposal, and relocation rumor. But amid all that noise, a central experience has been overshadowed: the story of the fans. In part three of our series, Death of a Sports Town, we turn our attention to the diehard Oakland sports fans who refuse to let their citys reputation define them. We explore the thriving, tight-knit community that grew within the walls of the Coliseum and how, even after the teams have left, those bonds strive to endure in the face of an uncertain future. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Death of a Sports Town Episodes: Apple Podcasts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, & Part 5 Spotify: All episodes Statement from the Athletics: ESPN emailed the Oakland Athletics, asking What does the team feel it owes its fans and the city of Oakland as September 26th approaches? The team responded with the following statement: We are deeply grateful to Oakland for being home to the As for nearly 60 years. In that span, the team and its fans celebrated four World Series championships, served as home to seven American League MVPs, made countless lasting memories, and achieved a storied place in baseball history. After an earnest and unprecedented effort to bring a visionary ballpark to downtown Oakland, we were unable to reach a deal, and more importantly, secure a reliable path to a fully approved project. We appreciate the community members, local leaders and staff who worked diligently to build a new home in Oakland and applaud the fans who passionately advocated for the team to stay. The As time in Oakland will always be a cherished part of this franchises history, and we carry that spirit forward on this journey to Sacramento and eventually to our new home in Las Vegas. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the loyal fans for their unwavering support throughout the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Death of a Sports Town Part 2: Reverse Boycott (Encore): 12/27/24

Any time a franchise owner threatens to leave a city, the pressure and scrutiny on civic leaders intensifies. But in Oakland, a parallel story emergeda group of activist fans who refused to let the Athletics go quietly. In the second part of our series, Death of a Sports Town, we examine the three men who led the Warriors, Raiders, and Athletics away from the Town, the reasons behind their decisions, and the intimate story of one fan who launched a movement to fight back. The multipart series: Death of a Sports Town is being re-published in the feed for the next 3 days. If you dont want to wait, you can check out all of the episodes of this series from when they originally aired at the links below. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Death of a Sports Town Episodes: Apple Podcasts: Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, & Part 5 Spotify: All episodes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Death of a Sports Town Part 1: Rooted in Oakland (Encore): 12/26/24

On the afternoon of September 26th, the Oakland Athletics played the Texas Rangers in their final game ever in the city theyve called home for 57 seasons. Following the lead of the Warriors and Raiders, they are the third major sports franchise to leave the city in just five years. This exodus is the culmination of decades of decisions, negotiations and missteps. And now, Oakland is no longer a big-time sports town. So how exactly did we get here? How does this all look and feel on the ground in the East Bay? And when a city loses all its teams, whats left behind? With the help of lifelong Bay Area resident Tim Keown, weve been exploring these questions for months. And today, we kick off our multipart series Death of a Sports Town with a look at the ironically rich history of sports in The Town, and we unearth the 30-year-old decision that doomed sports in the gritty-city-by-the-bay. The multipart series: Death of a Sports Town is being re-published in the feed for the next 4 days. If you dont want to wait, you can check out all of the episodes of this series from when they originally aired at the links below. Apple Podcasts: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, & Part 5 Spotify: All episodes Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Eagles Fans Booed Santa: The Notorious True Story (Encore): 12/25/24

Its one of the most infamous fan stories in sports history: when Eagles fans booed Santa at halftime of a game played at Franklin Field. But who was the Santa in question - and why was he booed and pelted with snowballs? Its ESPN Dailys Christmas tradition to bring you this episode, so hear an encore with Jeremy Schaap and Mina Kimes as they reflect on the enduring legacy of the Philadelphia Santa. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 Sports Year in Review: 12/24/24

By the time the end of the year rolls around, its easy to forget what has gone down in the previous 365-ish days. A story that felt like the center of the world in February, is lost to the passing of time as winter turns to spring turns to summer turns to fall turns to winter. But dont fear, because today Michele Steele, David Dennis Jr., and Greg Wyshysnki hand out their awards for the biggest and best sports stories of the year. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 15 Recap with Ben Solak: 12/23/24

As the NFL season heads into its final few weeks, the jockeying for playoff position is getting more intense. There are three teams grouped at the top of the NFC, and with the Lions and Vikings poised to face off in week 18, and the Eagles coming off a tough loss in Washington on Sunday, it looks like the road through the NFC could run through the north. Meanwhile in the AFC, the Chiefs and Bills held serve. Buffalo survived an early scare from the Patriots, and Kansas City scared us all by taking no precautions with Patrick Mahomes against the Texans (of course it worked out). So today ESPN sports analytics writer Seth Walder and Ben Solak dig into the numbers to explain all of the postseason machinations in play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryan McGee Breaks Down the College Football Playoff: 12/20/24

After months of games, upsets, rankings, arguments and prognostications the College Football Playoff is finally here. And tonight the race for the national championship starts in earnest in the heart of college football: Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. That showdown between Indiana and Notre Dame is just an appetizer for a full meal of games this weekend that could somehow create more questions than answers as we enter year one of this new 12-team bracket. So today, our intrepid expert Ryan McGee joins us to break down the first round and beyond in the CFP and also tells us why he hopes we will soon say bye-bye to all these byes. Check out the playlist, featuring our favorite stories of 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The New York Sack Exchange was a Glimmer of Hope in Jets Lore: 12/19/24

The 1970s were a tough decade for the New York Jets. After winning the Super Bowl in 1969, they quickly became the laughing stock in the NFL, unable to post a single winning season throughout the decade. But in 1981, four promising young defensive lineman changed everything. Mark Gastineau, Adbul Salaam, Marty Lyons and Joe Klecko became such a prolific force on the Jets defense that they earned the moniker The New York Sack Exchange. These players are the subject of the newest ESPN 30 for 30 Film 'The New York Sack Exchange' which debuted last Friday, and is available right now on ESPN +. Today Rich Cimini, a Jets beat reporter for ESPN, and a lifelong Long Islander, gives host David Dennis Jr. the inside scoop on the New York Sack Exchange. He describes the interpersonal tension that brewed alongside their incredible success on the field, and explores a legacy that persists to this day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Did "Lowly" Indiana Make the College Football Playoff?!: 12/18/24

It's hard to believe that Indiana, which has lost more college football games than any other FBS program, has earned a spot in the inaugural twelve team college football playoff. And no matter what happens in their instate showdown with Notre Dame Friday night, it's already been a dream season for head coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers. A decade ago, Cignetti made a risky bet on himself, moving from a title-winning assistant role under Nick Saban at Alabama to head coach at little-known IU-Pennsylvania. But now his confident style has completely changed the culture in Bloomington. Today, Adam Rittenberg joins Harry Lyles Jr. to introduce us to the man himself and explain how Cignettis already thinking far past this season, with a vision to make Indiana a powerhouse for years to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just What Has Bill Belichick Gotten Himself Into at UNC?: 12/17/24

It started out as a rumor one that most people thought was a joke but now its all very, very real: Bill Belichick is the new head coach of the University of North Carolina football team. Just what would make someone with eight Super Bowl rings decide that an ACC afterthought should be the next stop in his career? And while many people could argue that the transfer portal and NIL deals are making the college game look more like the NFL every year, there is still one more important question: Can someone with a notoriously frigid demeanor handle the glad-handing and booster-hugging world of NCAA football? Ryan McGee joins host David Dennis, Jr. to answer all those questions and to spell out just what a Belchick Era in Chapel Hill might look like and also to remind everyone that theres nowhere to go but up for a team that hasnt really mattered for over a century. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 15 Recap with Ben Solak: 12/16/24

After 15 weeks of NFL football, the playoff picture is becoming more clear. But almost as important as who is going to get in, is how they are going to get there. We saw both the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks finish their games with questions about the health of their signal callers. While in Detroit, the Lions, already seriously injured on defense, suffered through more pain in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. But thats what happens at this time of year. Nobody is playing healthy. Except for Ben Solak and ESPN sports analytics writer Seth Walder. Ben switches into the hosts chair, while Seth subs in as guest. The pair make sure you understand how the action unfolded on Sunday, and why it went down the way that it did. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why the Manchester Derby is English Football History: 12/13/24

Few rivalries are as bitter as the ones that exist between two teams in one city. Ask New York Mets fans and New York Yankees fans, where the hatred can divide households. Or Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox fans whose team alliances mix with the pride in their neighborhoods. While out west, Los Angeles Lakers fans play the big brother, to their neglected stepsiblings, Los Angeles Clippers fans. Well across the pond on Sunday, in the United Kingdom, Manchester will be the site of one of those rivalries as Manchester United and Manchester City will meet in the Manchester Derby for the 195th time. Today Luis Miguel Echegaray, himself a former resident of the U.K., describes how these two clubs have defined the city for decades, and explores the modern challenges each of them are facing on and off the pitch, before explaining to Michele Steele how Liverpool is perched atop the Premier League standings, happy with whatever outcome emerges. You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPNs V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before Becoming NBA Prospects, the Boozer Twins Saved Their Brothers Life: 12/12/24

In 2008, Lisa Salters reported an E60 documentary called Blood Brothers about the family of former NBA star Carlos Boozer and their quest to save their son, Carmani, from sickle cell disease. But it turns out that journey was just the tip of the iceberg, because in April of this year 16 years later Blood Brothers was back on for a very different reason. ESPN NBA Draft Analyst Jonathan Givony joins host David Dennis, Jr. to take us through Lisa and E60s reporting from 2008 and April of this year, and explain how a story of medical triumph ultimately landed in his own jurisdiction as the Boozers younger sons, twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer, became top NBA draft prospects. You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPNs V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Past, Present and Future of the College Football Bowl Season: 12/11/24

The field for the College Football Playoff is set and with a new expanded 12-team format, this looks to be the most exciting path to the title that we have ever seen. And as we are quickly reminded, no matter how big the playoff bracket gets, someone is always going to be left out, and that someone is always going to have something to say about it. But what about those other 36 bowls? The ones that have nothing to do with winning a national title? Are they nothing more than a big show of pomp, circumstance and giant Pop Tarts? David Hale joins David Dennis Jr. to tell us what we can expect to see this bowl season, and beyond, as college football, in its second century of tradition, is evolving faster than it ever has. You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPNs V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will the NBA Cup Reveal True Contenders?: 12/10/24

The Emirates NBA Cup is now in year two and we're all still trying to feel out what place it will take in the leagues attention economy. But one thing is clear nearly everyone is thrilled to have some bigger stakes on the table this early in the NBA season. Are the Oklahoma City Thunder ready to avenge their playoff elimination against the Dallas Mavericks? Can the New York Knicks prove their new offense-first approach to be a winning formula? Are Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors ready to contend for another title? With the cup quarterfinals happening Tuesday and Wednesday, Tim Bontemps joins David Dennis Jr. to preview what to watch for and why this week will give us our biggest indication yet as to which contenders are for real. Tue, Dec. 10 Magic vs. Bucks | 7 p.m. ET (TNT) Mavericks vs. Thunder | 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT) Wed, Dec. 11 Hawks vs. Knicks | 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) Warriors vs. Rockets | 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT) You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPNs V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 14 Recap with Ben Solak: 12/9/24

14 weeks into the 2024 NFL season, and the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles are in. And both the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers are sure to punch their tickets to the postseason soon. In the NFC, the competition for the rest of the landscape is fierce, while in the AFC, all but one of the teams currently slated for the playoffs has more than a 90% chance of making it in. So today, Michele Steele and Ben Solak break down how the teams that are in got there, and what everyone else needs to do in order to have a shot. You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPNs V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why the Drama of Formula 1 Continues to Lap the Competition: 12/6/24

The 2024 Formula 1 season wraps up this weekend in Abu Dhabi and in many ways nothing is different, but at the same time, everything has changed. First off, you have Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver wrapped up his fourth straight title a couple weeks ago. But his team, Red Bull, has somehow fallen off the map. And now legendary names like McClaren and Ferrari who havent won a team title in decades have once again raced their way to the top of the standings. Now, just add a mix of reality TV magic and a little bit of Brad Pitt, and you have yourself the modern Formula 1 package. So today, Laurence Edmonson joins David Dennis Jr. to explain all the drama from the garage to the track and tells us why the resurgence of F1 is just getting started. You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPNs V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeff Passan Explains Why Juan Soto Will Be MLBs First Hot Stove Dish: 12/5/24

In recent years MLBs Hot Stove has been kind of lukewarm. Even with big ticket free agents on the market, the pursuit of free agents dragged well into the New Year each winter. But ESPNs Jeff Passan tells todays host, David Dennis Jr., that wont be the case with Juan Soto this offseason. The transcendent lefty slugger has virtually every big market owner chasing after him with a blank checkbook, looking to change the fortunes of their team with one big transaction. And with Soto looking to find his new home by the end of next weeks winter meeting, and Scott Boras leading negotiations for him - and a bevy of other big name free agents - the dominos should start to fall soon. You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPNs V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ramona Shelburne Takes us Inside the 76ers Crisis: 12/4/24

Its been more than a decade since the Philadelphia 76ers began their so-called process to tank-the-team, earn high draft picks, and set themselves up for a bright future. This strategy has now become the norm across sports, and for the Sixers sake, it did yield them Joel Embiid, the teams first MVP winner in 22 years. But its also been filled with crisis after crisis. Two number one picks that flopped and big time trades, first for Jimmy Butler and then James Harden, that ultimately went nowhere. This year, the offseason acquisition of Paul George plus the retention of breakout star Tyrese Maxey was supposed to give Embiid his best shot at a title. But with the big man missing 15 of 19 games and George and Maxey also missing time, Philadelphia finds itself near the bottom of the standings. From the outside, it looks to have brought about a complete breakdown in the locker room and major question marks about team president Daryl Moreys best laid plans. Today, Ramona Shelburne takes inside the latest, and possibly biggest Sixers crisis yet. You can honor Jim Valvano and support ESPNs V Week with a donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who Will Play for the Ws Brand New Team?: 12/3/24

The WNBAs newest team - the Golden State Valkyries - are coming to San Francisco in May. And by the end of this week, well have a better idea of which players fans of bay area womens basketball will be rooting for. Because Fridays WNBA expansion draft will welcome the Valkyries first players. ESPNs Kevin Pelton covers the W and is here to explain how all of this expansion stuff works and how a new CBA should help the Valkyries use not just the expansion draft, but also trades and free agency to get competitive, fast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 13 Recap with Ben Solak: 12/2/24

There were two big games on the week 13 NFL schedule - the Philadelphia Eagles at the Baltimore Ravens, and the San Francisco 49ers at the Buffalo Bills. And we did watch Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, and a suddenly transcendent Eagles defense make a statement against Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers and the rest of the Ravens, during Sunday night football we saw Josh Allen potentially cement his MVP campaign against Kyle Shanahans 49ers. But Ben Solak wants us to know that there were also unexpected stories across the league. Like how the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals met up in the highest scoring meeting the two teams have ever had. Joe Burrows heroics werent enough to outmatch Russell Wilsons prolific passing day. Or how between Shane Steichen, Jerod Mayo, Drake Maye, and Anthony Richardson, we might be seeing the rivalry between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots enter a new - post Tom Brady and Peyton Manning - generation. And theres even a second life for Bryce Young with the Carolina Panthers, who may have lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime, but seem to be heading in the right direction. So Ben Solak joins us to tell us what he watched - and handicap the NFLs MVP race as the season starts to wind down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Your Viewing Guide to a Four-Day Football Feast: 11/27/24

We have arrived at Thanksgiving eve. And while you may be getting your stomachs ready for a meal full of all the fixings, dont forget the annual football feast you will soon digest as well. Between the NFL and college, its four days of high stakes games to squeeze-in between all the family festivities. Will Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins finally beat the cold weather curse? Have the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams turned the corner with new Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown? Who will bolster their playoff case as Texas and Texas A&M face each other for the first time in 13 years? And hows the Heisman race shaping up? So many things to chew on and we are here to feed those thoughts. Today, Kevin Clark, host of This is Football, helps sift through the playoff implications at both levels and shares his recipe for understanding the difference between matchups of both the savory and unpalatable varieties. Other topics include: Can Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins get back into the playoff mix? Does a bad matchup between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys mean the NFL should change its approach to Thanksgiving? Is Colorado Buffalo Travis Hunter the Heisman favorite? Could Boise State leapfrog to a first round bye? Should Alabama be on upset alert again? Can Saquon Barkley beat out Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson for the MVP? Can the Baltimore Ravens fix their defensive flaws? Is it possible for Nick Sirianni to ever have job security in Philadelphia? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

San Jose Volleyball Meets the Firestorm of Gender Politics: 11/26/24

The San Jose State Spartans were preparing for another hopeful but largely uneventful womens volleyball season in 2024. But then a publication outed a player on that team as transgender and from there the protests and backlash grew seemingly by the day. Player lawsuits, coach accusations and boycott threats, and that was just from inside their own locker room. Soon teams all over the San Jose schedule decided to forfeit their matches, but also never gave an official reason why. So today, ahead of the Mountain West Conference Tournament, Katie Barnes joins us to quiet the noise and turn up the conversation on a team from San Jose that just wants to play the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 12 Recap with Ben Solak: 11/25/24

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and that means were entering the stretch run in the NFL. A dozen weeks into the season, and some teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack. Like the Detroit Lions, who week after week keep bullying their opponents, and the Kansas City Chiefs, who just find ways to win seemingly every Sunday. And then theres the Philadelphia Eagles, who are looking to stake their claim in the NFC. So before we sit around the Thanksgiving table and tell each other what were thankful for, Ben Solak goes fact-or-fiction on Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams, and the reclamation of Carolina Panthers signal caller Bryce Young. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paige, Juju and an Exciting New Chapter for Womens College Basketball: 11/22/24

This weekend, two top-ten womens college basketball teams the USC Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish face off in Los Angeles. It will be a battle between two of the leagues biggest stars, USCs Juju Watkins and Notre Dames Hannah Hidalgo. Another player to watch coming this season is UConns Paige Bueckers, but you already know that because she has been the player to watch since she was in middle school. All three of these stars are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to a fresh new season of womens college basketball unburdened from the discourse that dominated last season. Elle Duncan joins us to explain how the wave of excitement from last season shows no signs of stopping this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeffrey Wright Explores a New Era for the Washington Commanders: 11/21/24

For Washington Commanders fans, the Daniel Snyder ownership era was a brutal 24-year stretch. The once proud franchise became a laughingstock both on the football field and off, as the NFL and Congress launched various investigations into misconduct, sexual harassment, and financial improprieties. Then in 2023, financial executive Josh Harris bought the team and oversaw its decision to draft budding superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels. Even with close losses to good teams over the last two weeks, optimism in the nations capital is at its highest level in decades. Actor Jeffery Wright has lived that story. The Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe Award-winning performer has not only been rooting for the burgundy and gold since the Nixon administration, but also grew up with Josh Harris. And that made him the perfect person to help our resident D.C. native Clinton Yates explore a complicated relationship with the Commanders. Today, we dig into all that, as well as Wrights love for Arsenal, his days as a Lacrosse player, and his new TV series The Agency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Barnwell Sizes Up the NFLs Race for the No. 1 Seed: 11/20/24

11 weeks into the NFL season, playoff possibilities are starting to take shape. But who has a shot at each conferences coveted Number 1 seed? It's the envious position every team desires as it ensures not only an extra week of rest and recovery when the playoffs start, but also home field advantage all the way through the conference championship round. That would be the easy road to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. So today, we are joined by our intrepid NFL expert Bill Barnwell, who looks at every squad that could take the top spot, but he also saves room on his plate for another serving of Tommy Cutlets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Malice at the Palace Changed the NBA Forever: 11/19/24

A generation later, the images of one of the worst scenes to ever take place in an NBA arena are still shocking. A cup full of liquid hurtling through the air, striking Indiana Pacers small forward Ron Artest, and setting off a powder keg - as coaches, security, members of the Pacers, and fans came to blows in the stands, the tunnel, and on the court itself. When the bad blood between the Pacers and rival Detroit Pistons boiled over in Auburn Hills, it was impossible to ignore the sight of mostly black players clashing with mostly white fans. And elements around the NBA used the ugly night, and fear that it caused, to force changes in the NBA dress code that could only be called draconian today. So Andscape senior writer David Dennis Jr. joins Clinton Yates to remember how it all went down, and explore how it changed the NBA forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 11 Recap with Ben Solak: 11/18/24

There was a lot of action across the NFL in week 11. And games ending on blocked field goals in back to back weeks was just the tip of the iceberg. Because even as the Chicago Bears failed to end their now 11 game losing streak against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field, we also saw Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs and the rest of the Detroit Lions put up a league high 52 points on a hapless Jacksonville Jaguars team missing Trevor Lawrence. In one of Sundays marquee matchups between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, The Steel Curtain burst out of the past, stifling MVP front runner Lamar Jackson. While in Orchard Park, Josh Allen put on his Superman cape and handed Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season. So Mercury Morris and all of the 1972 Miami Dolphins can pop some champagne and relax as they remain the lone undefeated team in NFL history. Ben Solak takes us through what stood out to him in week 11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did the UFC Mess Up Jones vs. Miocic?: 11/15/24

On Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, UFC 309 will take place, and the main event will be the long-delayed match between arguably the greatest of all time in Jon Jones and possibly the greatest heavyweight of all time in Stipe Miocic. Even though these two are getting all the hype, there are still plenty of questions. Is this the fight everyone wants to see? What do these two fighters have to prove? When its over, will these two legends fight anymore or walk away with their legacies? And what about interim champion, Tom Aspinall? Where does he fit into all this drama? To clear all this up, our combat sports expert Andreas Hale joins us to break down everything we should be watching for Saturday night and why when its all said and done we still might have more questions than answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why Do We Care About Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson?: 11/14/24

In 1986, 20-year-old Mike Tyson became the youngest Heavyweight Champion ever, kicking off four years of utter dominance that made him one of the biggest icons in sports. But by the time he officially retired in 2005, it was hard to imagine ever seeing him in a ring again. So news that, in 2024, he would fight a 27-year-old Jake Paul in an officially sanctioned fight caught everyone by surprise. Today, Andreas Hale joins David Dennis Jr. to explain why Mike Tyson remains a fixture of sports culture and explores whether or not Fridays bout versus Jake Paul is actually a good idea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have the Chicago Bears Already Ruined Caleb Williams?: 11/13/24

The Bears were already a mess coming into last Sundays matchup against the Patriots. But since they fell 19-3 to the hapless Pats at Soldier Field, things have gotten even worse. On Tuesday, head coach Matt Eberflus announced the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron as one last hail mary to try and rescue this season. Courtney Cronin covers the Bears and is here to discuss what made this team crumble and what is to come for quarterback Caleb Williams and the whole team as they face some of the best teams in the NFL in the coming weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sorting Through the Chaos in this Young NBA Season: 11/12/24

The NBA season is officially in full swing and for many its a start that no one could have predicted. Who would have thought that even a few weeks into the season the Milwaukee Bucks would be fighting to stay out of the NBA cellar? Or that the Cleveland Cavaliers would be putting up numbers that King James couldnt even muster during his reign? And lets not forget the Golden State Warriors, who are going back to their old championship playbook and now find themselves sitting near the top of an elite Western Conference. But the drama by the Bay doesnt end there, because tonight the Warriors welcome home Splash Brother Klay Thompson, who is making his first appearance in a Mavs uniform. Brian Windhorst joins us to sort out everything weve seen so far and gives a sneak peek at what might be coming next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two QBs Redeemed? NFL Week 10 Recap with Ben Solak: 11/11/24

Coming into the season, few, if any, NFL watchers would have picked the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals to win their divisions. But here we are, after ten weeks of play, and both teams are in first place and control their own destiny toward a division title. For each of them, the sudden resurgence of once written-off quarterbacks have been a crucial piece of the puzzle. Today, Ben Solak joins Michele Steele to break down how Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray got their grooves back. Plus, the Niners get a bittersweet win, the Lions pull off the strangest of victories, and the Commanders try to make sense of costly mistakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the NWSL The Best Soccer League in the World?: 11/8/24

The National Women's Soccer League playoffs kick off tonight with a matchup between No. 1 Orlando Pride and No. 8 Chicago Red Stars, followed by more quarterfinal round matches on Saturday and Sunday. But both on and off the pitch, the NWSL has arrived in a new era. Jeff Kassouf, lead womens soccer writer at ESPN, is here to discuss the leagues recent seismic shifts, including the players new collective bargaining agreement both the unprecedented power it gives players and the ripple effect its creating for management. Plus, a preview of the game action itself, including a primer for the less-initiated into the leagues most exciting players like Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda, and what to watch for in the most-anticipated matchups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the Jerry Jones "Fishbowl" Undermining the Cowboys?: 11/7/24

Jerry Jones has built the Dallas Cowboys into the most valuable sports franchise in the world. But the 28 years since they last won a Super Bowl have been marked by a remarkable string of playoff failure. And this season, after three losses in a row, it looks like the letdowns in Big D will continue. Back in the offseason, former Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz identified a challenge very unique to Jerrys team when he said theres [fans] literally going on tours while youre lifting in the weight room& its a zoo. That comment caught the attention of our Kalyn Kahler, who was inspired to take a closer look at these fan tours of the teams facility and how theyve become a significant distraction for the players. So with the rival Eagles looking to put a fork in the Cowboys season on Sunday, Kalyn Kahler brings us her report from inside The Star and explores how Jones obsession with the spotlight has put the quest for another title in perpetual peril. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What You Should Be Watching in Mens College Basketball: 11/6/24

The dawn of a new college basketball season is here, and as we have all learned, change,and lots of it, is the new normal. From rosters rebuilt through the transfer portal, to programs making a name for themselves with the power of NIL deals all we can say is welcome back to the chaos on the road to the Madness. There are some notable faces to follow this year like Cooper Flagg, the generational talent looking to bring a title to Duke and the duo of dynamic freshman at Rutgers (yes Rutgers) aiming to bring glory to New Jersey. Today, Myron Medcalf, our resident college basketball expert, joins us today to break down everything to look for this season and to tell us why we should be embracing all this change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the New Playoff Supercharging College Football? : 11/5/24

Whos in and whos out? Tonights reveal of the college football playoff rankings should serve as a less contentious appetizer to your election night viewing. And with the sport expanding the field to twelve teams for the first time in history, the eager anticipation is coupled with some confusion about how this whole thing is going to work. Today, Heather Dinich, whos been using her weekly column to play-act as a committee-of-one all season, is here to answer all your questions. How can a school like BYU get a higher seeding than blue bloods Ohio State, Penn State, Texas, and Alabama? How might Boise State edge out teams ranked higher than them? Are Coach Prime and Colorado really still alive? Heather explains it all and examines why the new format could make for the most exciting post-season weve ever seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 9 Recap & Midseason Report Card with Ben Solak: 11/4/24

The end of the action on Sunday afternoon marked the mathematical midpoint of the 2024 NFL season. Exactly 186 games had been played, and Sunday Nights matchup between the Colts and Vikings kicked off the seasons second half. So we figured it was time to check in on some teams midterm grades. Michele Steele and Ben Solak go through who is acing text after test across the league, and who could use a little extra time in study hall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How the Dodgers Fulfilled Their World Series Destiny: 11/1/24

The hype for an all time classic World Series was real when the Dodgers-Yankees matchup was locked in. Two of the most iconic franchises in MLB history battling for a ring for the 12th time in history, and the game's two biggest stars Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge shining on baseballs biggest stage. But in the end, this series was over before it even got started, and the Dodgers celebrated their 8th world championship on enemy soil. So today, ESPN Dailys own Clinton Yates reports from the heart of New York City to explain what happened in The Bronx and explore how legacies were defined on 161st Street. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can a Human Being Outrun a Horse? : 10/31/24

Ahead of this weekends New York City Marathon, filmmaker and long-distance runner Nicole Teeny shares the incredible story behind her new 30 for 30 podcast GIRL v. HORSE. The conversation encompasses the surprising history of humans facing animals in contests of endurance and her own personal quest to accomplish the unthinkable: defeating a literal horse in a 50-mile ultramarathon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Women's Basketball's Explosive Year, What Comes Next?: 10/30/24

Monday brought news that head coach Stephanie White was leaving the Connecticut Sun, followed by speculation that she would be moving to a new team in the coming days. White was the seventh head coach to leave or be fired in the WNBA this offseason, meaning a majority of the leagues twelve teams will be under new leadership next season. Considering the explosive growth the league saw in 2024, its clear that the stakes are ramping up for leaders at every level. So with college basketball tipping off next week and the intrigue of the WNBA offseason heating up, Alexa Philippou looks back at the year that was, examines the college stars ready to fill Caitlin Clarks shoes, and explores what it all means for where this game is going in 2025 and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reveling in the College Football Chaos: 10/29/24

On the eve of November, the college football calendar finds itself in a rare situation for this time of year as it is chock full of chaos. From undefeated teams looking to make school history, to historic powerhouses trying to hold on to their relevance, all eyes are now focused on whats next and who will be able to claim the coveted spots in the expanded college football playoff. And this looks to be the new normal as NIL, the transfer portal and conference realignment have given birth to a whole new era of college football that has definitely shaken up our Saturdays. So today, our omniscient college football expert Ryan McGee joins us to break down how it started, how its going and why all this chaos might be just what everyone needed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 8 Recap with Ben Solak: 10/28/24

This year, week 8 in the NFL was a holiday. No, not Halloween, but, National Tight Ends Day. And the Tight Ends were front and center, none more than George Kittle - the holidays creator. But since you heard plenty about it on every broadcast, today, Ben Solak is here to break down the Sunday night brawl between the 49ers and Cowboys. And to explain just how wild the end of the Commanders and Bears game was. To say nothing of the Lions putting up 52 points on the Titans, or the Browns upsetting the Ravens in the Dawg Pound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The History of Yankees-Dodgers is the History of America: 10/25/24

Yankees, Dodgers, World Series. Those words evoke memories of Major League baseball becoming the national pastime generations ago. Both franchises fielded some of the absolute giants in the history of the sport. Babe and Jackie. Mantle and Koufax. And today Ohtani and Judge. So as the baseball world gets ready for game one of the Fall Classic, we turn to Claire Smith, a legend in her own right, to tell us about the legacies of these two teams. And to put into perspective the passing of another legend, Fernando Valenzuela, who played a part himself in this historic rivalry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manzanar and Baseball: A Truly American Tale: 10/24/24

The story told of World War II and America is one of triumph over the Axis powers of Germany and Japan; a time when our entire nation stood together as one. It has served as both an anchor and a beacon of virtue in our nations history. But often forgotten from this time is the Executive Order signed by President Roosevelt that called for forcible removal of all Japanese Americans from the West Coast to inland internment camps. This order ripped apart families, their homes and their livelihoods. But as these immigrants and citizens were forced to make a new life, one thing that kept their communities together was the competition and pageantry of baseball. So today, we visit with Dan Kwong, a descendant of those held at the Manzanar internment camp, to hear about how in the coming days, his decades-long quest to bring Americas pastime back to a dark place in American history will finally reach a resolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Wemby Bring Glory Back to San Antonio?: 10/23/24

Theres one thing for certain, the San Antonio Spurs sure can pick em. From David Robinson to Tim Duncan and now Victor Wembanyama, whenever the Spurs have the No. 1 pick in the draft, they always seem to get their hands on a generational talent. And no one knows that more than lifelong Spurs superfan Shea Serrano, who has lived and breathed all of it. Today Serrano joins us to break down the vibe in San Antonio, gauge how close they are to a championship, and game out how long Gregg Popovich, the architect of it all, will stick around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NBA Tip Off: The West Looks Chaotic & the Sixers Have a Chance: 10/22/24

The NBA season starts tonight, and much has happened since the end of the NBA Finals. The Eastern Conference has loaded up on top, with the Knicks and the 76ers making big moves over the summer to compete with the reigning champion Celtics. Over in the Western Conference there is as competitive a race to the playoffs as ever, where almost every team has a chance to make it to the postseason. Today Tim Bontemps joins the show to survey which off-season moves are most likely to pay off, why the stakes for the champs in Boston are bigger than you think, and why generational change is coming across the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 7 Recap with Ben Solak: 10/21/24

Week 7 in the NFL featured several of the biggest regular season battles that weve seen this season. While a Super Bowl rematch between the Chiefs and 49ers sort of fizzled out. Games between the Packers and Texans, and Lions and Vikings came down to the wire. And thats before we even look at the newest toy in Aaron Rodgers toybox. So today, Ben Solak helps us understand all the highlights and stand out moments from Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Era of the Black Quarterback is Now: 10/18/24

It wasnt until the late 1960s that Black men were really allowed to play quarterback in professional football. And it took another 20 years or so for Black stars to emerge at the position. The lineage of runs from James Shack Harrris, the first black player to start a season at quarterback in the history of pro football, to Doug Williams, the first black player to start and win a Super Bowl, to Michael Vick, the first black quarterback to go first in the draft, to Warren Moon, the first black quarterback enshrined in the Hall of Fame. But in the past few years, weve gone from the presence of a black man under center being remarkable, to being, well, unremarkable. Andscapes Senior NFL writer Jason Reid literally wrote the book on this, Rise of the Black Quarterback: What it Means for America, and hes on the show to discuss how we got to this era, and also look at the future of the next man up. Jayden Daniels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will the Yankees and Mets Deliver a Subway Series?: 10/17/24

Though the play has been a bit ugly at times, the New York Yankees are sitting pretty with a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS. Meanwhile, the New York Mets are looking to keep their improbable run alive as they face a crucial Game 4 against the prohibitive favorite L.A. Dodgers. No doubt October baseball takes on a different flavor when both New York teams make deep runs. So today, as these two series swing to new venues, Jeff Passan gives us his insiders view on the League Championships, including why the Mets and Dodgers have more in common than you may think, and why Yankees v. Guardians is starting to look like varsity versus JV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of the New York Liberty: 10/16/24

The New York Liberty were one of the original franchises when the WNBA debuted in 1997. And despite the chaos of getting a professional sports team off the ground in six months, they were able to hit the ground running, making multiple appearances in the Finals. That magic run screeched to a halt as quickly as it started and the Liberty suddenly found themselves exiled out of New York City and playing in a 90-year-old arena in front of a handful of fans So today, Michael Voepel tells the story of how the Liberty were reborn in Brooklyn and are now a superteam in search of that elusive first WNBA Championship. Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Liberty and the Lynx airs tonight at 8pm Eastern on ESPN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Making Sense of the 20-year Feud Between Jerry West and the Lakers: 10/15/24

On Sunday, Jerry West became the first person inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and contributor. West, who passed away in June of this year, left behind a legacy as a player, coach, executive, and is known for literally being the logo of the NBA. But he was also known for his obsessive pursuit of greatness, one that often left him incapable of enjoying the fruits of his labor. Today, ESPN senior writer Baxter Holmes details the impact that the feud between West and the Los Angeles Lakers left on the basketball greats life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Firing Robert Saleh Save the Jets Year?: 10/14/24

One season, one achilles injury, and a meager two wins in 2024 is all the Robert Saleh - Aaron Rodgers pairing has to show for itself with the Jets. Saleh is out as head coach of Gang Green after a rough start to the season. But for Saleh, his team, and pundits everywhere, it came as a surprise. Especially considering that with a win tonight, the Jets would be in first place in the AFC East. So today, ESPN NFL Nation reporter Rich Cimini, whos covered the Jets since the first Bush administration, explains: how it all went down, what, if anything Rodgers had to do with Salehs dismissal, and wonders if theres time left, to save the Jets season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hidden Branch in Barry Switzers Family Tree: 10/11/24

On the eve of yet another chapter of the iconic Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma, Barry Switzer at the age of 87 stands alone as the link from college footballs colorful past to its explosive present. And his story is a true American tale. From growing up as the son of a bootlegger to winning national titles at Oklahoma to running a sought-after Airbnb on game days, Coach Switzer has always pledged to take care of everyone in his world. But what happens when that world isnt complete? What happens when a phone call from his past changes everything? Today, Dave Wilson answers all those questions and delivers an incredible story of how the King of Oklahoma discovered roots he didnt know he ever had. The Red River Rivalry No. 1 Texas vs. No. 18 Oklahoma comes to you live from the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, October 12th, at 3: 30 EST on ABC and ESPN+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Windhorst Gets You Ready for the NBA Season : 10/10/24

With NBA media days behind us and preseason games under way, we are officially counting down the days until the start of the NBA season on October 22. And though the defending champion Boston Celtics are looking to run it back with more or less the same roster, there are plenty of new faces in new places for us to get used to. Today, Brian Windhorst tells us why Bronny James arrival might actually be exactly what LeBron and the Lakers need, why the Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the most unique favorites weve ever seen, and why Paul George doesnt solve the Sixers biggest problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeff Passan Talks MLB Playoffs: 10/9/24

Postseason baseball is theater in the greatest sense. Taking the scale of sports longest season and distilling it down to a short series just ratchets up the intensity like nowhere else. And this year, the bad blood between the teams in all four of the divisional series creates a soap opera like none other. So today, MLB Insider, Jeff Passan, looks ahead at tonight's ALDS action and checks in on the vibes in the NLDS. And explains how hatred is okay, as long as you mind the line between tension and toxicity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hockey Gets Big in... Florida?!: 10/8/24

In June, we saw the NHL season culminate in an epic Stanley Cup Final. Connor McDavid, the biggest star in the game, nearly led his Oilers back from a three, nothing deficit. But in the end, the Florida Panthers, once the laughing stock of the league, took the title in a decisive game seven. So today, with a new season getting underway, Greg Wyshynski is here to help us get used to the idea of a prestige franchise in South Florida, explain what the Oilers did in the offseason to take some pressure off their team, and take stock of one of hockey's greatest records and when it may finally fall. For more on the Panthers rat trick tradition, check out our episode from 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 5 Recap with Ben Solak: 10/7/24

Week 5 was a wild one. No lead was safe, and more than a couple of games came down to last second heroics. We even saw things that we dont normally see, like a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown sealing the deal in Seattle. Today Ben Solak helps us digest everything we saw on the gridiron on Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Aja Wilson Finally Receive Her Flowers?: 10/4/24

Aja Wilson just finished what is arguably one of the best WNBA seasons of all time. From being the second ever unanimous MVP, to being the first player to have a 1000-point season; to winning an Olympic gold medal and the MVP of that tournament, this doesn't begin to cover all she's accomplished in 2024. Throughout all of this, Wilsons family and faith has been a guiding light for her and she is constantly driven to ensure she sits atop of the Mount Rushmore of greats the WNBA has ever seen. While her legacy is being cemented, on and off the court, Wilson faces a new challenge as her two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces find themselves down 0-2 to the New York Liberty in the semifinals. With the third game Friday night in Vegas, the quest to three-peat faces its biggest test yet. So today, we chat with Andscapes women's basketball reporter Sean Hurd who shares conversations hes had with Aja this year, her remarkable season and breaks down this huge matchup between the Aces and Liberty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remembering the Life and Legacy of Dikembe Mutombo: 10/3/24

Ever since Dikembe Mutombo first stepped on to the court for the Georgetown Hoyas in 1988, his presence was impossible to ignore. The 72 center who hails from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was a shot-blocking machine with a smile, a voice and signature gesture that would make him a star across the world. And beyond his tall stature was a man with one of the biggest hearts on earth, whos generosity and kind spirit will never be forgotten. So today, Marc Spears joins us to discuss the life and legacy of the man they called Deke, basketball Hall of Famer, and the NBAs first ever global ambassador. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One Writers Journey to the Champions League: 10/2/24

The soul of the Champions League isnt the players or the teams, but the fans. And every one of them has a story on how their squad earned their undying loyalty. ESPNs very own Luis Miguel Echegaray is no different. His tale is of a stirring, intercontinental journey into the ranks of Birminghams Aston Villa that continues to be written. So today, as he makes his way to their big Champions League showdown against Bayern Munich, LME explains why he bleeds the Villains claret and blue and explains how a revamped format has this entire league more than ready to deliver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Death of a Sports Town Part 5: The Curtain Closes on the Oakland A's: 10/1/24

Last Thursday, the Athletics played their final game ever in Oakland, the city theyve called home for 57 years. As friend of the show Jeff Passan wrote, baseball in the East Bay was killed by greed& John Fisher did not have to move this team& This was a choice. A wrong one. History will sneer. For the conclusion of our Death of a Sports Town series, we trekked to the Oakland Coliseum and bore witness to the sights, sounds, and emotions of a citys last gasp as a big time pro sports town. It was a poignant and passionate display from a vibrant and rich fanbase, defiant to the very end. Today, we share that experience with you. Death of a Sports Town Episodes: Apple Podcasts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, & Part 4 Spotify: All episodes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL Week 4 Recap with Ben Solak: 9/30/24

Four weeks of the NFL season are just about in the bag, and some things are just starting to come into focus. For example, how even at 3-1, the new look Buffalo Bills are facing an uphill climb against the true contenders in the AFC and how the Minnesota Vikings who NOBODY saw coming could shake up the NFC all season. So today, Ben Solak takes us through everything you need to know about the league one month in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Pac-12 and the Price of Resurrection: 9/27/24

The college football landscape, once the bedrock of tradition in sports, now seems to shock us every few months with more changes and teams on the move. And with the transfer portal, NIL and this years expanded college football playoff, just about anything and anyone is up for grabs. Which brings to our latest storm on the college football radar: The Pac-12. Left for dead only a year ago, this once-mighty brand is looking to make a comeback by reclaiming their Power 5 status one school at a time. Today Kyle Bonagura joins us to try and tame this Wild West story and bring some order to all this conference chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mina Kimes Talks Franchise Quarterbacks: 9/26/24

Three weeks in the question surrounding the 2024 NFL season? Wheres the offense at? With teams practicing less in training camps, starters playing less in the preseason, and more youth than ever lining up under center, things have been kind of ugly for a lot of teams. So our friend Mina Kimes explores how all of that is manifesting at the most important spot on each team. Quarterback. From Caleb Williams rocky start in Chicago, to Jayden Daniels star turn on Monday Night Football, Mina looks at several situations around the league to tell us whats working, and whats not for these franchise QBs as we move toward the quarter mark of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How the White Sox Made the Worst Kind of History: 9/25/24

Major League Baseball is a sport that celebrates its history through, among other things, its records. So when you break a 60-year old mark, people take notice. But when its for the most losses in a season, thats not the kind of attention you ever want for your franchise. That is where the 2024 Chicago White Sox find themselves at 120 losses and counting while dethroning the 1962 Mets losing record as being the furthest away from the right side of history. Veteran Chicagoan Jesse Rogers joins the show to take the pulse if there even is one of the South Side of Chicago and tells us why this mark of futility was years in the making. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Death of a Sports Town Part 4: The True Price of Sports: 9/24/24

In covering Oaklands unraveling as a big time sports town, weve documented the greed, the loss, the dubious decisions, and the rich sports community soon to be left behind. But weve yet to fully examine the most pertinent question of alldoes the Athletics planned move to Las Vegas make any sense at all? Today, in part four of our series Death of a Sports Town, we take stock of why the As (and MLB) are so enamored with Las Vegasa city soon to be the smallest market in the leaguewhy this move will be extraordinarily messy, and why Oakland is Americas most-underappreciated sports town. Dont miss our series finale, publishing next Tuesday in the ESPN Daily show feed. Death of a Sports Town Episodes: Apple Podcasts: Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3 Spotify: All episodes Alert Text: In part four of our series Death of a Sports Town, we take stock of why the As move to Las Vegas will be extraordinarily messy and why Oakland is Americas most-underappreciated sports town. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Birth of Joe Brrr: 9/23/24

Many people forget that Joe Brrr Burrow started off as a fourth string quarterback at Ohio State before transferring to Baton Rouge to join the LSU tigers. Despite being underestimated at first, Burrow quickly showed that his grind and passion for the game would propel him to the top. So today, with the Bengals headlining Monday Night Football against the Commanders, our own Ryan Hockensmith shares his exclusive interview with Joe Burrow and breaks down the journey it took to become the star quarterback we know him as today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How the Indiana Fever Forged a Path to the Postseason: 9/20/24

It seemed easy to write off the Indiana Fevers 2024 season as a rebuilding year at the end of May. They had won just one of their first nine games, and looked like they were trying to figure out how to even play together. But since the calendar flipped to June, the Fever have found their footing, and a spot in the WNBA playoffs. ESPN womens basketball reporter, Alexa Philippou explains how Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and the rest of the team found their identity, and forged a path into the postseason. Then takes us through some of the biggest storylines we should be watching, as the playoffs begin on Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How NFL Teams Are Using Insurance to Create Cap Space: 9/19/24

When Aaron Rodgers was injured four snaps into his tenure as the new quarterback of the Jets, he not only missed, virtually, the entire 2023 season, but cost the team up to $22 million dollars in lost production. A fate the Jets could have mitigated by taking out an insurance policy on Rodgers. Rodgers' situation is one that stands out amid a trend of teams buying insurance policies on star players around the NFL. The practice which is becoming more popular as the sums of guaranteed money in players contracts increases can soothe the bite of losing a player to injury, while also creating cap space for strategic front offices. Today, Senior ESPN reporter Kayln Kahler breaks down how these policies actually work, and explains why some teams have bought into the trend, while others opt out.

Spains Stolen Gold and the Plot to Defraud the Paralympics: 9/18/24

Spirit In Motion is the current motto of the International Paralympic Committee. It represents the inspiring essence of what these athletes are all about. But what happens when someone decides to defile this spirit of competition with a scheme so shameful that you wouldnt believe it if it wasnt true? And just who would be behind such a morally bankrupt plot in a pursuit of false glory? Today, Suemay Oram, the director of the 30 for 30 Film, Stolen Gold answers these questions and tells us the story of the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney and how one team from Spain made their mark for all the wrong reasons.

Death of a Sports Town Part 3: Baseballs Last Dive Bar: 9/17/24

The loss of three professional sports teams in five years has thrust Oakland into the media spotlight, with coverage focusing on every twist, turn, stadium proposal, and relocation rumor. But amid all that noise, a central experience has been overshadowed: the story of the fans. In part three of our series, Death of a Sports Town, we turn our attention to the diehard Oakland sports fans who refuse to let their citys reputation define them. We explore the thriving, tight-knit community that grew within the walls of the Coliseum and how, even as the teams leave, those bonds strive to endure in the face of an uncertain future. Our five-part series Death of a Sports Town publishes every Tuesday in the ESPN Daily show feed. Death of a Sports Town Episodes: Apple Podcasts: Part 1 & Part 2 Spotify: All episodes Statement from the Athletics: ESPN emailed the Oakland Athletics, asking What does the team feel it owes its fans and the city of Oakland as September 26th approaches? The team responded with the following statement: We are deeply grateful to Oakland for being home to the As for nearly 60 years. In that span, the team and its fans celebrated four World Series championships, served as home to seven American League MVPs, made countless lasting memories, and achieved a storied place in baseball history. After an earnest and unprecedented effort to bring a visionary ballpark to downtown Oakland, we were unable to reach a deal, and more importantly, secure a reliable path to a fully approved project. We appreciate the community members, local leaders and staff who worked diligently to build a new home in Oakland and applaud the fans who passionately advocated for the team to stay. The As time in Oakland will always be a cherished part of this franchises history, and we carry that spirit forward on this journey to Sacramento and eventually to our new home in Las Vegas. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the loyal fans for their unwavering support throughout the years.

NFL Week 2 Recap with Ben Solak: 9/16/24

The best word to describe week two of the NFL season is upsets. The Cowboys, Ravens, and Lions all dropped games to inferior opponents at home, and the 49ers got beat by the Vikings, and their old pal Sam Darnold in the land of ten thousand lakes. So today, ESPN NFL Analyst Ben Solak joins us for NFL Monday to break down what happened on Sunday.

Kevin Clark Thinks Youre Overreacting With Your NFL Takes: 9/13/24

Its only week two of NFL football season, but already people have a lot to say about whos a bust and which teams wont be making it to the playoffs. So today we ask ourselves, is there something to these proclamations, or are they simply overreactions? This is Football host Kevin Clark has a good head on his shoulders, so we brought him on to dispel some of this armchair analysis and reorient our thinking about: rookies like Caleb Williams, Bo Nix and Marvin Harrison, Jr., faltering starters like Kirk Cousins and Deshaun Watson, and whose NFL return were more likely to see: Tom Brady or Bill Belichick.

How the Billionaires Are Bringing Back SMU Football: 9/12/24

In the 1980s SMU football looked to be almost inevitable. With a No. 2 ranking and a constant stream of top recruits, like Eric Dickerson and Craig James, they looked to be headed to a national title of their own. But they also had something else, a well-documented payroll for their players. This resulted in the NCAAs so-called death penalty ruling for the program and sent SMU down a 40-year path of obscurity. But now, with the NIL era in full swing and armed with a stable of billionaire boosters, SMU football is jumping headfirst into a new conference with thoughts of the college football playoff on their mind. Dave Wilson joins us from Texas to break down the Mustangs path from NCAA pariah to modern-day redemption.

Patriots owner Robert Krafts Final Quest: 9/11/24

Patriots owner Robert Kraft has a resume anyone in the sports world would envy. Six world championships, an $11 billion empire, and an era of team success that will go down in NFL history. But theres one thing that has eluded him entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While hes contributed more to the NFL than most, he has no bust in Canton, but that is not for lack of trying. Today, Don Van Natta Jr., breaks down the exhaustive, and to date failed campaign to get Kraft his gold jacket.

Death of a Sports Town Part 2: Reverse Boycott: 9/10/24

NFL Week 1 Recap with Ben Solak: 9/9/24

The first Sunday of the NFL season is in the books, and we learned a little but not a lot. Josh Allen still needs to work on protecting the ball for the highly hopeful Bills, the Colts Anthony Richardson showed us all why he might be the best athlete in football, and in spite of a rough outing, rookie Caleb Williams and the Bears pulled off a win in his debut. So today, ESPN NFL Analyst Ben Solak joins us for NFL Monday, to chalktalk the ins and outs of the league and get us ready for a Monday Night Football clash between the Jets and 49ers.

How Jalen Hurts Pursuit of Perfection is a Gift and a Curse: 9/6/24

Being known as a perfectionist is one of those gift and a curse type of labels. While some admire someone with the drive to shoot for the stars, the raised expectations can also open you up to the criticism that comes from not reaching your goals. For Jalen Hurts, you also have to throw in the scrutiny that comes along with being one of the faces of the NFL, in one of its crown cities. So today, ahead of Hurts and the Eagles season debut, tonight against the Packers in Sao Paolo Brazil, Andscapes Martenzie Johnson - fresh off spending the day with Hurts for an Andscape digital cover story - shares his thoughts on who the QB is at this point in his career, and explains how his pursuit of perfection defines his leadership in the locker room, and the way he manages his public persona.

Bill Barnwell Predicts NFL Playoff Picture: 9/5/24

The NFL season starts tonight when the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs take on the rival Baltimore Ravens. So for those anxious fans out there, rest easy, because that means theres football every week from now until February. And most of you want to know if your squad is going to make the playoffs at years end. So today - instead of a crystal ball - we bring in Bill Barnwell, to tell us who is going to climb out of the cellar, and into the playoffs this winter. And which teams that made it last season, are in for a rude awakening this year. You can get more of Bill Barnwell on The Bill Barnwell Show.

Mina Kimes Previews the 2024 NFL Season: 9/4/24

The NFL gets underway this week with games on multiple continents and various franchises with a lot to prove. The Chiefs open up their championship defense against the Ravens on Thursday, but not every division is looking like chalk. So today, NFL Lives Mina Kimes joins us to take a division by division look at the 2024 NFL season and tells us who she thinks might end up on the big stage in New Orleans for Super Bowl 59.

Death of a Sports Town Part 1: Rooted in Oakland: 9/3/24

In 23 days, on the afternoon of September 26th, the Oakland Athletics will play the Texas Rangers in their final game ever in the city theyve called home for 57 seasons. Following the lead of the Warriors and Raiders, they will be the third major sports franchise to leave the city in just five years. This exodus is the culmination of decades of decisions, negotiations and missteps. And now, Oakland is in the end stages of its life as a big-time sports town. So how exactly did we get here? How does this all look and feel on the ground in the East Bay? And when a city loses all its teams, whats left behind? With the help of lifelong Bay Area resident Tim Keown, weve been exploring these questions for months. And today, we kick off our five-part series Death of a Sports Town with a look at the ironically rich history of sports in The Town, and we unearth the 30-year-old decision that doomed sports in the gritty-city-by-the-bay. All five-parts of Death of a Sports Town publish every Tuesday in the ESPN Daily show feed.

The Invisible Problem Spoiling Game Day for Millions: 8/30/24

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed 34 years ago, leading to a significant rise in awareness, inclusion, and accommodation for people with disabilities across the country. But all these years later, many needs remain unmet by stadiums and arenas nationwide. And the challenges faced by tens of millions of Americans with invisible disabilities are often under-appreciated and misunderstood. Today, Sam Borden helps us bridge the gap, taking us inside his expansive project on these unseen challenges, and revealing what we risk losing when we overlook them.

The NFLs Overlooked Game Breakers: 8/29/24

The NFL season is only one week away and while quarterbacks and Fantasy Football starting lineups are dominating everyones mind, there are hidden game breakers through the league that just might get overlooked. From the tight ends in Buffalo, to the defensive backs in K.C., to the man replacing future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce, these games will be decided from just about every spot on the roster. Not to mention the coaches, whose game planning and the play calling are often the razor-thin difference between playing in January and taking an early vacation. So today, ESPNs newest NFL expert Ben Solak breaks down who he thinks could be true influencers this season from the field to the sidelines. difference makers for a lot of contenders in this league.

Texas A&Ms 12th Man Towel Heist: 8/28/24

Youve heard of the 12th man before, but probably didnt know that it originated at Texas A&M. Because back in 1922, a fan by the name of E. King Gill, literally came out of the crowd and donned a jersey, helmet, and pads to support the Aggies, after a rash of injuries shrunk their roster in the Dixie Classic. Some 60 years later, Jackie Sherrill, the newly appointed Aggie head coach was so impressed by the rough and tumble nature of the student body, that he literally assembled a kick coverage team made up entirely of walk ons, called the 12th Man Kickoff Coverage Unit. ESPN College Football reporter Dave Wilson explains how that rogue unit of madmen, took it to Notre Dame, and its Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown, in the 1988 Cotton Bowl. And tells us all about the trophy that they claimed from that game.

How Ali Truwit Rose from Sadness and Pain to the Paralympics: 8/27/24

Life was perfect for Ali Truwit. She was in Turks and Caicos with her best friend celebrating her graduation from Yale. Her life stretched before her, like the clear blue sea. But one moment in the ocean changed her life forever. And suddenly, Ali, whos entire life revolved around being in the water, was faced with the prospect that she might never swim again. Today Aish Kumar shares Alis story, and explains how doing the work to reclaim what she lost, opened the door to Ali representing the United States in the 2024 Paralympic Games.

How a Heavy Crown Derailed Nebraskas Harper Murray: 8/26/24

In Lincoln, Nebraska, it doesn't get any bigger than Husker Volleyball. From sold out arenas, to raking in record attendances, it's not so much a team as it is a culture, and heavy is the head that wears the crown. But for Harper Murray, who made a bold prediction after losing in the national championship game to Texas, social media threats and public pressures began to take over not just her career, but her life. So today, Jen Karson-Strauss, the co-director of a recent E-60 feature on the Huskers titled No Place Like Nebraska explains how this team dealt with adversity.

Is the NWSL Ready to Surf a Global Wave in Women's Soccer? : 8/23/24

With the U.S. Womens National Teams Olympic championship in the rearview mirror, its time to turn our attention to the National Womens Soccer League as play restarts this weekend. Allegations of widespread sexual and emotional abuse forced a reckoning for the league in 2021. But three years later, a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement is in effect, investment is pouring in, and franchise values are on the rise. Today, Philadelphia Inquirer soccer reporter Jonathan Tannenwald explains how the U.S. gold medal triumph sets the stage for the remainder of the NWSL season and why, both globally and domestically, the womens game has never been better.

Why Everyone Needs a Francisco Lindor: 8/22/24

Lets face it, for the last few years, the New York Mets have made headlines in the most Metropolitan way possible. From first round playoff flamouts to million dollar fire sales to chucking gloves in the stands, something always seemed to be going wrong in Queens. But through it all, the one enduring constant has been their underrated superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor. And with the Mets looking to make noise this October, his off the field leadership could be more valuable than his Hall of Fame numbers. So Jeff Passan joins us to explain why Lindor is definitely the guy you want in you clubhouse and how the Mets could be building MLBs next juggernaut.

Inside the Magic of Americas Greatest Amateur Tradition: 8/21/24

The rolling hills of Central Pennsylvania are home to Howard J. Lamade Stadium one of the most fabulous baseball sites in America and the site of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Every year teams from around the globe travel to this small town to showcase their grit, hope, sportsmanship and will to win. While this represents everything thats great about the game of baseball, theres also a special brand of magic that takes place thats hard to explain if youve never been. So today, ESPNs Sebastian Salazar joins us to break down exactly what makes Williamsport so special from the families, to the competition and, of course, the food.

Buckle Up, College Football is Back : 8/20/24

While we are still enjoying the last moments of summer, the college football machine is already off and running as a fully operational battlestation. The CFB Top 25 rankings were just released and while some teams are looking poised to be some serious competition, others have fallen in the rankings leaving many questions up in the air. There have been so many changes in 2024, from the new sheriff in town for the Crimson Tide, to the SoCal teams swimming in the ultra-competitive Big Ten waters. Not to mention the chaos that will be the new playoff format. So today, college football uber-expert Ryan McGee joins us to make sense of all of this and more.

A Chicago Bears Owners Surprising Side Gig & A Caleb Williams Check-in: 8/19/24

Today, as the Little League World Series brings youth sports front and center, ESPNs Courtney Cronin explains how George McCaskey, a scion of the legendary Halas family who owns the Chicago Bears, became a community fixture in youth sports as an umpire. Plus, Courtneys been watching the Bears closely this preseason and tells us whether or not theyve found their dream team with the rookie duo of quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze.

What Armando Galarragas Near Perfect Game Can Teach us About Justice: 8/16/24

When Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga took the mound on June 2, 2010 he was just looking to prove to the team that he deserved the stay in the starting rotation. But what began as a routine outing, turned into one of the most dramatic and historic moments in baseball history. Galarraga sat down the first 26 Cleveland hitters that he faced, leaving him one out away from a perfect game. But moments later, instead of glory, a blown call by the umpire, Jim Joyce, kicked off a nightmare for Major League Baseball. Today, ESPNs Jen Lada explains what we can learn about justice and equity from this moment in time. Jens report, E-60 Presents 28 Outs: An Imperfect Story, airs August 18 at 4pm ET on ESPN and ESPN+.

Will the WNBA Season Have a Gold-Medal Hangover?: 8/15/24

The Olympic games are over and on the hardwood, both the men and women of Team USA brought home gold. But while the guys head off to vacation, the WNBA athletes are getting back to work. The leagues four-week break for the Paris Olympiad is over with teams taking the court tonight to kick off the seasons home stretch. And many storylines are still up in the air. Today, ESPNs Rebecca Lobo, an Olympic gold medalist and former WNBA All-Star herself, drops by to tell us about the playoff push and what its like to represent your country on the hardcourt.

Does Rhythm Hold the Key to Sports Greatness?: 8/14/24

Some of the greatest achievements in sports and music are the product of the same phenomenonfinding your flow. That is the motivating idea behind a new ESPN Film, from the mind of Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, titled Rhythm Masters. Hart interviewed numerous athletes and coaches from different sports, from Phil Jackson and Laila Ali, to Marshawn Lynch and Joe Montana. The result is an exploration of the common threads between top level athletes and musical artists. Our own Wright Thompson worked with Hart on the film. In advance of its premiere tonight on ESPN, he takes us inside the production teams artistic process, explains Bill Waltons influence on the project, and examines the often overlooked role that creativity plays in athletic greatness. For more on Bill Walton and the Grateful Dead, check out our 2021 conversation with the man himself.

European Soccer Gets Underway in the Premier League and La Liga: 8/13/24

The Olympics are over, but in Europe, the soccer season is just about to get underway. In England, Premier League football begins on Friday, and the question everyone needs answered? Can anyone topple Manchester City from the top of the heap? Meanwhile, further south in the continent, La Liga starts on Thursday. And the league with the most star power on the map, welcomes the best player on the planet in Kylian Mbapp�, to its biggest brand, Real Madrid. Today, ESPNs Luis Miguel Echegaray tells us everything we need to know ahead of the start of two of the biggest soccer leagues on the planet.

The Olympics Enters its Influencer Era: 8/12/24

The Summer 2024 Paris Olympics just ended, and it was truly a return to form for the games. France, and the world, embraced the athletes from across the globe, and with no COVID restrictions in place, we got a chance to see the competitors play a brand new role. Influencer. We were able to get up close and personal thanks to the access you get on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, or X, which made for a fun, and at times hilarious two weeks of competition. So today, our Emily Kaplan puts down her hockey stick and dives into social media to explain how the Olympics is entering its influencer stage.

The Quiet Stardom of Katie Ledecky: 8/9/24

After winning two golds, a silver, and a bronze in Paris, Thursday brought news that Katie Ledecky will carry the flag for the United States in Sundays Olympic closing ceremonies. Its just another item on a very, very long list of career records and milestones. But despite the wild success, Ledeckys unassuming personality and predictable dominance have made her more of a steady champion than a cultural phenomenon. Today, our Darcy Maine helps peel back the curtain to understand what makes Ledecky tick, how shes achieved such greatness, and whether well see her on the Olympic stage one more time.

Track and Field in Paris Has Lived up to Its Olympic Billing: 8/8/24

The second week of the Olympic Games means one thing the promise that stars will either fall or be made in track and field. And from what weve seen so far, Paris has delivered. Noah Lyles claimed the title of Fastest Man Alive and has his sights set on claiming more gold in todays 200M event. And while ShaCarri Richardson lived up to her 2020 promise that she would be a presence in these Games, despite so many counting her out. Then theres the newly minted national heroes like Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia and Thea LaFond of Dominica bringing home the first medals in the history of their respective countries. So today, from Paris, Coley Harvey shares his front row seat in Stade de France and lets us know that the drama in these Games is just getting started.

How Simone Biles Became an Agent of Change: 8/7/24

Paris womens gymnastics events were flooded by Olympics fans looking to get one last peek at Simone Biles on the sports biggest stage. But her ultimate legacy will likely go far beyond what took place in this competition, or any other for that matter. Today, our Alyssa Roenigk draws on her years of reporting on Biles and explains how generations of gymnasts will have Simone to thank for a sport with a far healthier outlook on the body and the mind. Alyssas project on Simone Biles is titled The Eras Tour - Simones Version.

Olympic Boxers Reignite Debate Over Inclusion in Womens Sports: 8/6/24

When Imane Khelif of Algeria defeated Italys Angela Carini in just 46 seconds at the Paris Olympics, she should have been celebrating her advancing to the quarterfinals. Instead, Khelif found herself at the center of a firestorm focused on her gender. Because even though she was born a woman, has lived her life as a woman, and was verified by the International Olympic Committee as a woman. There were loud voices spreading the misinformation that a man had just beaten up a woman in an Olympic boxing match. Its a familiar debate that has raged at different points in the modern sports world. About who is and isnt eligible to take part in womens athletics. And a fight that hits even harder against women of color. So today, ESPNs Katie Barnes joins the show to explain how the history of eligibility in womens athletics is tied to a complicated science that doesnt lend itself to simple regulations. And to explore why we keep weaponizing gender when it comes to womens sports.

Ben Solak on the NFLs Young Quarterback Landscape: 8/5/24

Weve seen how a good quarterback can change everything for an NFL franchise nearly overnight. Brett Favre started a chain of succession that is looking to anoint its third champion in Green Bay. Tom Brady turned the Patriots into the greatest dynasty the sport has ever seen. And Patrick Mahomes is looking to three-peat in Kansas City. And in todays NFL, it seems like the path to becoming an iconic signal caller is happening faster than ever before. So today, with the NFL season just around the corner, ESPNs newly cemented NFL Analyst Ben Solak tells us what we can expect from this rookie class of QBs, and how ready this new generation is to take the league by storm.

Volleyball legend Jordan Larsons quest for peace: 8/2/24

From a national title with the legendary Nebraska Huskers to bronze, silver and gold with Team USA in the Olympics, Jordan Larson has won every volleyball honor imaginable. For many people that is a complete resume, but for Larson that was never enough. What she sought from the game was an emotional connection to her peers, her hometown and her family. And as her career winds down she often finds herself reflecting on those lost connections of what could have been and since the loss of her mother what should have been. Today, Aishwarya Kumar shares the time she spent with Jordan Larson and reveals an intimate portrait on one Team USAs Olympic legends.

Jeff Passans MLB Trade Deadline Post-Mortem: 8/1/24

The dust has settled, and the MLB trade deadline is behind us. The rosters are more or less set for the stretch run of the MLB regular season. And what a deadline it was. 30 deals were struck on Tuesday alone, to say nothing of the moves that happened in the weeks leading up to July 31st. So Jeff Passan joins the show today to breakdown the comings and goings across the league.

Can anyone stop Team USAs quest for womens basketball gold?: 7/31/24

With the Olympic games well under way, so is the quest of the US womens basketball team as they go for their eighth-straight gold medal. And with names like Diana Taurasi, Aja Wilson, Nepheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart in tow, the odds are definitely in their favor. But who's got next for this juggernaut? And more importantly, when will the rest of the world catch up with Team USA? Today, Alexa Philippou joins us to break down everything we will see in Paris and beyond as Team USA continues to write their own elite history.

Bill Barnwell on the 49ers Contract Conundrum: 7/30/24

The NFL season is almost upon us. Training camps are open and preseason games start on Thursday, but in many corners of the league, the action is already well underway in the negotiating room. Like in San Francisco, where the 49ers are trying to figure out how to pay their Mr. irrelevant QB Brock Purdy the huge money he has coming his way while also trying to keep the rest of the Niners stars in town. And out in Texas, what will the Cowboys, and their checkbook, do about Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb? Today, Bill Barnwell breaks down all these decisions and more as he gets us ready for another year of Americas favorite TV Show the NFL

A Look at the New College Football Landscape: 7/29/24

Its not hyperbole to say that this may be the biggest shake-up college football has gone through in decades. The Pac-12 is extinct, the Big Ten stretches from coast-to-coast, the Big 12 and ACC are fighting to stay alive, and the SEC just keeps on gaining steam. Oh, and the College Football Playoff is expanding from four teams to an even dozen. So ESPN senior college football writer Heather Dinich, fresh off trips to both SEC and Big Ten media days, explains how things are going to work in college footballs new chapter.

How the NBA Got Into Business With an African Dictator: 7/26/24

A little more than three years ago, inside a shiny new arena in Rwandas capital, the Basketball Africa League launched its inaugural season. It was a milestone for the continent and for Americas National Basketball Association, which was a driving force behind the venture. But among human rights experts, the NBAs deal with Rwandas president Paul Kagame has raised questions since the very beginning. Today, our Mark Fainaru-Wada takes us inside his 18-month investigation into a partnership that formed the foundation for Africas new league and provides a clear-eyed examination of the complexities and ethical challenges of engaging in business with an authoritarian regime.

How the USWNT Fits into a Changing Womens Soccer Landscape: 7/25/24

The Olympic games are officially underway, and for the USWNT the chase for gold begins tonight against Zambia. But this isnt the same team that were used to seeing. The names have changed, and with Americas worst finish in a major international tournament EVER in the 2023 Womens World Cup, the playing field is stronger than ever. So today, ESPN global correspondent Sam Borden explains whats changed. Who stands between the ladies and a gold medal on the pitch?

Will Team USA Remain At The Top in the Paris Olympics?: 7/24/24

The 2024 Olympics are just about ready to get started in Paris. And that means that from sea-to-shining-sea, American fans are preparing to see the mens Olympic basketball team bring home gold. But, as weve seen in recent years, the talent gap between Team USA and the rest of the world has been closing on the hardwood. So today, ESPN NBA writer Tim Bontemps tells us if the most talented international team weve ever sent to the games can capture the gold against the most talented field in the history of the Olympic games.

Breakdancings Path From the Streets of the Bronx to the Olympics: 7/23/24

It's been a minute since breakdancing hit mainstream culture in the early 1980s, but this summer, its evolving to another level with breaking, a competitive version of this art form, making its Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. 16 men and 16 women will compete for the first-ever breaking medals on August 9th and 10th. Today, Clover Gold introduces us to one of Americas top B-girls, Sunny Choi, and reflects on what breakdancings rise to the Olympics says about the impact and evolution of hip hop culture.

An Epic Examination of the 21st Century's GOATs - Part 2: 7/22/24

Last Thursday, we kicked off an examination of ESPNs rankings of the greatest athletes of the 21st century. And though we found a lot to disagree with, we also uncovered a lot of insights about the state of the sports world in 2024. So today, we bring you part two of this conversation between Emily Kaplan, Kevin Clark and guest host Jeremy Schaap. Does Kobe deserve to be higher than Tim Duncan? Why is Aaron Rodgers so low? Did international stars get a fair shake? What does this list tell us about the modern relationship between athlete and fan? We get into all that and more.

Breaking Down an Unprecedented WNBA Season at the All-Star Break: 7/19/24

WNBA All-Star Weekend is upon us, with the STARRY 3-Point Contest and the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge airing on Friday night at 9 pm eastern on ESPN. And the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game itself tipping off on tomorrow at 830 PM on ABC So today, ESPN womens basketball reporter Alexa Philippou, takes us through what the weekend has in store. She previews the faceoff between Team USA and Team WNBA, and dives into the most riveting Rookie of the Year race in the history of the league. Before explaining just how the W can capitalize on the momentum that its seeing right now.

An Epic Examination of the 21st Century's GOATs - Part 1: 7/18/24

ESPN has released its rankings of the greatest athletes of the 21st century so far, and weve got some bones to pick! That is, after all, the point of these things its fun to argue about. So thats exactly what well do today. Emily Kaplan and Kevin Clark join guest host Jeremy Schaap to examine why the players missing from the list may be more telling than those actually on it (no Brianna Stewart?!), why the term GOAT may be losing its meaning, and why Serena Williams, Tiger Woods, Lionel Messi, Tom Brady and beyond are all more deserving of the top slot than Michael Phelps.

The Girl Who Fell Two Miles and Survived: 7/17/24

Ten years ago, during a skydiving accident, Emma Carey and her instructor plummeted some 14,000 feet into an empty cow pasture in Switzerland. Miraculously, both survived the more than two-mile fall. Our own Ryan Hockensmith had the chance to speak with Emma about that experience. And to find out how she overcame the nightmare, processed her recovery, came to terms with the miracle and used her story to inspire others, without letting it define her.

Taking MLBs Temperature at the All-Star Break: 7/16/24

The Midsummer Classic is upon us once again. And once again, there are more questions than answers in Major League Baseball. What will the Pirates do with Paul Skenes, their rookie phenom? How can we get players interested in the All-Star Game again? How should we honor the late legend Willie Mays? And with a couple weeks left until the trade deadline, what should the powerhouse teams on both coasts do to make sure they are more than ready for October baseball? Today, Buster Olney sits side-by-side with Clinton Yates in Texas to answer all these questions and more on the eve of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

Athletes Grant Childrens Wishes with ESPNs My Wish : 7/15/24

There is no greater pain than seeing a child suffer through an illness. But also, there is no greater joy than seeing that child smile.That full spectrum of emotions is at the heart of ESPNs annual My Wish series that debuts this week. An elite slate of athletes will meet with several children to bond over their shared love of the game and a belief that hope, passion and a good team are the recipe for victory in whatever challenge they face. So today, our very own Chris Connelly reflects on the legacy of this program and shares what his experience has been like having a front-row seat to every My Wish ever granted.

Continental Championships and the USMNT Looks For a New Coach: 7/12/24

Players scrapping with fans in the stands, continental championships up for grabs on both sides of the pond, and US Men's Soccer is once again searching for a new manager. Theres a ton going on in the international soccer world, so today Luis Miguel Echegaray helps us break it all down, and lets us know who he thinks will capture the crown in Europe and the Americas.

Why the Championship Celtics Are For Sale: 7/11/24

After 22 years, Wyc Grousbeck and his family announced theyll be selling their controlling stake in the Boston Celtics. The announcement marks a seismic moment not just for the Celtics, but for the NBA. Our own Tim Bontemps is here to talk about how the sale of one of the most iconic franchises in the world connects to greater trends in sports team ownership worldwide, and to explain who or what entity could be Jayson Tatum and Jalen Browns new boss.

How EA Sports Brought Back College Football: 7/10/24

Gamers of a certain age have fond memories of building dynasties with their favorite schools in the NCAA College Football video game series. But - because of a lawsuit filed by former UCLA Bruin Ed OBannon over name, image, and likeness violations - its been more than a decade since EA Sports released the game. That wait is almost over, as the game returns next week. Today, ESPN staff writer, Michael Rothstein, who broke the news of the games return in 2021, and has been covering the journey ever since, explains why college sports video games were shelved, and tells us just how EA Sports worked to return gamers holy grail.

Why Klay Thompsons Exit Spells the End of the Warriors Dynasty: 7/9/24

After 13 seasons as a splash brother with the Warriors, Klay Thompson is trading in the boats in the Bay for cowboy boots in Dallas, Texas. And it feels like the end of the most recent dynasty in the NBA. But how exactly did it all come to an end? Today, ESPN senior NBA writer Ramona Shelburne explains what forced Klays hand, and details how he ended up choosing to moor his boat to the Mavericks.

How the NBAs Contenders Look to Be Not Like The Rest: 7/8/24

The NBA has been busy since the Celtics locked down their 18th championship. In Los Angeles, JJ Redick has traded in his microphone for a clipboard, becoming the new coach of the Lakers. And one of the first moves on his watch? Drafting Bronny James, fulfilling a father and son moment that the world has been waiting on. Meanwhile, Paul George says goodbye to the Clippers and heads over to Philly, while DeMar Derozan pulled back up to the west coast, heading from Chicago to Sacramento. So today we talk with ESPN NBA writer Tim Bontemps about which teams look like chevy hitters. And explore which moves could lead to the beginning of the next NBA dynasty.

Is the Godfather of Competitive Eating Ready to Reclaim his Title? : 7/3/24

Last month, we learned that the rivalry between legendary competitive eaters, Japans Takeru Kobayashi and Americas Joey Chestnut, would be renewed this Labor Day. It will be their first head-to-head, hot-dog-eating-showdown in 14 years. A dispute with the organizers of Nathans Famous Hot Dog Eating contest, a July 4th tradition, had forced Kobayashi out of the competition in 2010. A similar dispute this year for Chestnut set the stage for a long awaited rematch between two men who had accounted for 22 of the last 23 Nathans Famous titles. So today, we bring you an interview with Takeru Kobayashi himself, exploring what drove him to rethink and revolutionize the sport of eating in the early 2000s, why his rivalry with Chestnut wasnt as fun as it looked, the false reports of his retirement, and what we should expect to see when these two finally meet again on Labor Day.

Jeff Passan takes the temperature of MLB: 7/2/24

Now that we are heading to the midpoint of the 2024 MLB season, its time to take the temperature of the league. Can the surprising Cleveland Guardians stay hot and catch pennant fever? Will the Orioless arms stay healthy enough to take down the Yankees? Are the Phillies and Dodgers simply inevitable in the National League? Or will Grimace continue to hold court in Queens and somehow bring the Mets to the table? To get the answers to all this and more we once again turn to our friend ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan as he breaks down what stood out to him over the first few months and tells us how things might shape up down the stretch.

Luis Miguel Echegaray Breaks Down Global Soccer Madness: 7/1/24

There are two absolutely gigantic continental soccer tournaments happening side by side across the globe. In the western hemisphere Copa America features the United States, the Caribbean, and the best of South America on the pitch. Giving Uruguay a spotlight to shine. While across the pond the UEFA European Championship, better known as the Euros, are giving us all of the traditional national rivalries were used to seeing. Of course, it wouldnt be soccer on a global stage, if the USMNT didnt have some sort of controversy going on, and following their upsetting loss to Panama last week, the questions about Gregg Berhalters fitness to lead the team are starting to swirl. So today, Luis Miguel Echegaray is here to: Get us set for tonights U.S. vs Uruguay matchup, breakdown everything hes been seeing in both tournaments, and to let us know who he likes to take home championships on both sides of the Atlantic.

Will Connor McGregor Ever Return to the Octagon? : 6/28/24

Its a big week for the UFC. Out in Vegas, the premier combat sports company is celebrating International Fight Week, and on Thursday night, inducted its latest class to the Hall of Fame. Saturday night, the festivities culminate in UFC 303. But the sports biggest star, Conor McGregor, wont be there, after pulling out of the main event due to injury, and forcing UFC to scramble and find other fighters to carry the card. So today, our Andreas Hale explains why McGregors three year absence has proven detrimental for him on all fronts, and why another delayed return has everyone wondering if Mr. Notorious will ever step into the Octagon again.

Is Sha'Carri Richardson Finally Ready for Her Olympic Moment?: 6/27/24

Three years ago, a positive marijuana test forced ShaCarri Richardson off of team USA, robbing her and her country of a chance at an all-time Olympic moment. But in the years since, with a style reminiscent of the great Florence Griffith Joyner, Richardson has more than made her mark on the sport. So with 100-meter qualifications complete and the 200-meter on the horizon this weekend, our Coley Harvey explains how Richardson bounced back and why the Summer Games could make her one of the biggest stars on the planet.

A Fond Farewell to the Say Hey Kid: 6/26/24

From his time in Negro Leagues as a teenager to his epic run of success with the Giants, Willie Mays was always student and ambassador of Americas Pasttime Mays performance on the field has him in the conversation as one of the best players ever. 24 All Star Games, 12 Gold Gloves, two MVP awards, and 660 homers leave him in the most rare of air. In short, putting his legacy into words is almost impossible, so we let his actions tell his story. And the stories you will hear about Willie are that he was the one player from Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle to Reggie Jackson and Ken Griffey Jr. that left every major leaguer simply star struck by his otherworldly skills and his graceful presence.

Whats Happening in the WNBA Besides Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese?: 6/25/24

With all of the air in the WNBA room being sucked up by loud takes on Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and what their rivalry means to America, its easy to forget that were about a month and a half into the season. So today ESPN womens basketball writer Michael Voepel takes us around the league to fill us in on what weve been missing. Tonights Commissioner Cup final between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx is one of the stories that has gotten lost in the shuffle. Ironically, we havent been talking much about whats happening on the court with the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. And Aja Wilson is doing it again, looking like a pretty solid bet to take home her third MVP award.

Will the Oilers Finally Bring the Stanley Cup Back to Canada?: 6/24/24

By the end of tonight, the world will know if the Edmonton Oilers will be the first Canadian team to hoist the Stanley Cup in more than three decades. Despite an initial 3-0 lead by the Florida Panthers, the Oilers have pushed forward and forced a Game 7. Our own Emily Kaplan is here to tell us how both these teams got to the finals, why key players like Connor McDavid and Stuart Skinner have been crucial to the Oilers comeback, and what tonights outcome could mean for all of hockey.

Which Gymnasts Will Make Team USA?: 6/21/24

The 2024 Olympics are almost upon us. Trials are taking place around the world to determine who will represent their countries in Paris. And next week, all eyes will be on USA gymnastics trials in Minneapolis as 16 women compete for one of five coveted spots on Team USA. Olympic superstar gymnast Simone Biles is looking to make it to her 3rd Olympics, but alongside her are 15 other women with just as much a shot to make the team as her. So today, our Olympics expert DArcy Maine joins us to break down how we got to trials and why this Olympic team might be the hardest to make in the history of the sport.

Is the USMNT Ready to Compete with the Worlds Best? : 6/20/24

The Copa Am�rica is South Americas fiercely competitive international soccer tournament, historically dominated by Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. But this summer, the games are happening in the United States, and the Americans have been invited to compete along with other North and Central American teams. So, as this unprecedented tournament gets underway Thursday night, our soccer savant Luis Miguel Echegary explains how it all landed in the states to begin with, why it will be a major measuring stick for the American squad, and whether Argentinas Lionel Messi has anything left to prove.

Roy Wood Jr. on Rickwood Field and Growing up a Black Baseball Fan: 6/19/24

The St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants will meet in a special ballgame at Birmingham, Alabamas historic Rickwood Field tomorrow. That ballpark is 114 years old, the oldest professional field in America, and was the home to two teams named The Barons: one black and one white. And what happened on that field: a community gathering to cheer both squads, and the nations first integrated baseball game was a reflection of what happened in the city during the Civil Rights struggle. Today we are joined by Roy Wood Jr. Comedian, Daily Show veteran, baseball fan - who grew up in the shadow of Rickwood Field. He explains: what the city was like during his life, how ready Birmingham is for its spotlight, and how the lessons he learned on the diamond still carry weight in his life today.

How Kyle Larson Took on the Memorial Day Double: 6/18/24

The Indianapolis 500 is a sacred tradition in the racing community. But so is the Coca Cola 600, NASCARs longest race. And both of these events just happen to fall on the same day. So when a brave driver decides to tackle all 1100 of these miles a challenge affectionately known as the Memorial Day Double the eyes of the race world fall on them. This year, NASCAR champion and IndyCar rookie of the year Kyle Larson took his shot, battling: the logistics; the tracks; and, most of all, Mother Nature. And our good friend Ryan McGee was there to chronicle the attempt. So today, McGee shares the history of folks trying to tackle The Double, and explains how the people who dare to get behind the wheel are built differently from the rest of us.

How Jerry West Dedicated His Life to Basketball: 6/17/24

Its difficult to identify a true contemporary to Jerry West. Hes the man who spent 14 consecutive years as an All Star for the Los Angeles Lakers. The guy who helped engineer and sustain not one, but two dynasties with the team. A figure whose silhouette literally loomed above the league as the NBAs logo. So when the news broke last week of his death, at the age of 86, it marked the passing of a giant. Today, Jeremy Schaap memorializes the great Laker. He explains Wests West Virginia origins, explores his life and legacy with the Lakers and across the NBA, and tells us how, in spite of all of his great accomplishments, the harshest critic of Jerry West was always Jerry West.

Why the Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry Feels Different in 2024: 6/14/24

Yankees vs. Red Sox. Its one of the fiercest rivalries in all of sports and includes names like: Derek Jeter, Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, Bucky Dent, and of course Babe Ruth. But these days Major League Baseball has become so obsessed with data, that it feels like the human element can fall by the wayside. So, ahead of their three game weekend series, culminating with a matchup on Sunday Night Baseball, Jeff Passan joins the show to explain just what this rivalry is like in 2024. And to tell us why things have been uncharacteristically quiet these days in Fenway Park.

The WNBAs Identity Debate Began Long Before Caitlin Clark: 6/13/24

The first month of the WNBA season has been full of compelling on-court storylines. The Connecticut Sun look ready to contend for a title. The defending champion Las Vegas Aces have struggled to find their footing with veteran Chelsea Gray injured. But all of that is getting crowded out by one big distraction a debate over whether or not the league is being fair to its megastar rookie, Cailtin Clark. Chennedy Carters hard foul on Clark is the match that lit the flame, but the firestorm had been brewing long before that. So today, Elle Duncan, host of ESPNs womens basketball coverage, is here to help understand how we got here, unpack whats really going on in this conversation, and gauge if and when we can get back to actual basketball. Check out The Elle Duncan Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

Can Anything Keep the Celtics from Raising Banner 18? : 6/12/24

Two games into the NBA Finals, and it looks like nothing can keep the Boston Celtics away from lifting an 18th championship banner to the rafters. Theyve been able to limit the Dallas attack to just Luka Doncic, and everything seems to be going their way. ESPN NBA reporter Tim Bontemps has been at both games of the series, and he joins the show to explain just how Boston is keeping the Dallas attack in check. And explore if a shift in venue to the Lone Star state will be enough to give the Mavs a fighting chance.

America Shocks the World in& Cricket?! : 6/11/24

For Americans whove never watched a cricket match before, now may be the best time to start. Because for the first time ever, Team USA has drawn global attention, after shocking the world in an upset over Pakistan last Thursday. And that feat looks all the more improbable when you learn who exactly is on this roster. So today, ESPNs own Aishwarya Kumar explains how they pulled it off, and why this Mens T20 World Cup tournament looks like a watershed moment for American cricket. You can stream Team USAs Wednesday and Friday matches against India and Ireland at 10:30 AM Eastern Time.

How Maya Brady Carried the Family Name into the Next Generation: 6/10/24

With all of the energy surrounding womens basketball these days, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that the interest in womens sports is growing beyond just the hardwood. Weve seen a professional womens hockey league return to the ice this season, stars continue to shine on the tennis courts and the track. And interest in the Womens College World Series has steadily increased year over year leading to an average of two million fans tuning in to the most watched title series ever. So today, Jake Trotter, who covers college sports at ESPN, introduces us to Maya Brady, a prolific shortstop at UCLA, who just completed a decorated college career on the softball field. And Jake tells us why Mayas rise is about more than just her shared family lineage with her uncle, one Tom Brady.

Who Will Get Over the Hump? Emily Kaplan Previews the Stanley Cup Final: 6/7/24

The teams meeting in the Stanley Cup Final this season, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, are both trying to get over the hump. For the Panthers, this is year three in their recent turnaround. Having the best record in the NHL two seasons ago didnt get it done, and last year they fell a step short of lifting Lord Stanleys trophy into the air for the first time as a franchise. Up in Edmonton, the Oilers havent won it all since 1990, when a guy named Wayne Gretzky was still lacing them up. And after falling short in the playoffs themselves over the past few seasons, they are looking to bring home the cup not just for their city, but for the entirety of the nation. So today, ESPN NHL reporter Emily Kaplan tells us what to watch for ahead of Saturdays game one.

How a City Sponsorship Could Signal Change in the WNBA: 6/6/24

Unless youve been living under a rock the WNBA continues to be a hot topic, showing fans and the world that excitement around women's basketball is expanding beyond a moment. With all the chatter about aggression towards rookies, vet players, crazy record stats, and even team mascots dominating the floor, there is one thing that has been looming top of mind for many over the last few weeks: money. The two-time reigning WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces are again at the forefront, as all twelve of the players on the team are negotiating with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) on a $100,000 sponsorship deal. A number even higher than the league salary minimum. The news came as a welcome surprise to many, but also sparked an investigation from the league. So today Aces beat reporter, Callie Lawson-Freeman of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is here to share what she has been able to find out on the ground about this sponsorship and what it could mean for the league.

Brian Windhorst Previews a Fascinating NBA Finals Matchup: 6/5/24

This years NBA finals feature one team everyone saw coming and, according to Brian Windhorst, another we probably should have seen coming. The Boston Celtics have been on a hot streak all season long easily claiming the leagues best record while the Dallas Mavericks have been pushing their way towards the mountaintop week by week. Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off Thursday night and theres so much to think about, including how Dallas might actually have the two best players on the court, whether or not Kyrie Irving can shake his Celtics curse, and why its win now or maybe never for this iteration of the Celtics. Brian Windhorst has been in the building with both teams as theyve made their run through the playoffs and joins us to share what we can expect as the Finals begin.

What the Negro Leagues' Statistical Integration Really Means: 6/4/24

For years, names like Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Satchel Paige were well known as legends in the Negro Leagues, but unrecognized in the record books alongside their white contemporaries. Last week that changed, as a nearly quarter-century long endeavor to collect and verify decades of statistics was unveiled for the first time. The news seems to have been met with every emotion under the sun: confusion, anger, disdain, but not joy. And part of that is because many are confused as to whats actually happening. This story was never about Josh Gibson unseating Ty Cobb as the single season batting average leader. It was about presenting the statistics of major professional baseball leagues as evidence to support the legends that played. So Today, our host Clinton Yates sits on the other side of the table and joins our very own Alex Hyacinthe to break down what this process undertook, and what this really means for baseball.

One Pitcher May Have Secretly Changed the Balance of Power in MLB: 6/3/24

Major League Baseball teams have developed a habit of manipulating contract rules so as to prevent a player from realizing his true financial value. Many contend its all part of a player exploitation system perpetrated by the league under the guise of maximizing efficiency. But five years ago, while pitching for the Brewers, reliever Josh Hader and his agent employed an unprecedented strategy to fight back. Today, Buster Olney joins us as we explore Haders story, the greater context of how MLB uses and abuses pitchers, and the impact this new tactic could have not only on their contracts, but also their long-term health.

Will a Shuttered School Win a College World Series Title?: 5/31/24

Birmingham Southern College sits on a lovely campus three miles from downtown Birmingham, Alabama. But today, that college is officially ceasing operations. Nonetheless, the schools baseball team will play on, as they take the field this afternoon in the Division III college world series. So our Kyle Bonagura is here to explain how the schools looming closure actually inspired the Panthers to turn their season around. And how the teams final run may turn out to be its best ever.

Is Bronny James Good Enough for the NBA?: 5/30/24

Bronny James has been in the public spotlight his whole life. Being the son of all-time great LeBron James has set expectations that would be too high for most NBA Draft prospects, let alone one with a less-than-guaranteed shot in the NBA. Bronny James wont be a lottery pick, and probably wont be picked in the first round either. What makes this more complicated than your average draft prospect analysis is LeBron has the opportunity to opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer, and has stated publicly that he would like to play with his son. So today, ESPNs resident NBA Front Office expert Bobby Marks joins the show to break down Bronnys value as a player, and how his father plays a part in where and when Bronny gets drafted.

Inside the Mind of Bill Walton: 5/29/24

On Memorial Day the world lost one of the gems of the sports world the one and only Bill Walton. He was a two-time NBA champion and won two NCAA titles as a young man at UCLA. But his reputation as the most cheerful, colorful, and contemplative personality in sports, especially in his many decades as a broadcaster, has extended his legacy beyond the generations who first watched him on the court. In tribute to Walton, today we revisit our January 2021 conversation with the man himself, and revel in the joy he brought into our lives.

Has Shohei Ohtani Pitched His Last Game? : 5/28/24

Over the previous six seasons, Shohei Ohtanis prowess as a hitter and a pitcher made him the most talked about player in baseball. But when the Dodgers signed him to a record-setting $700 million contract in December, they knew an elbow injury would prevent him from pitching in 2024. Now, after 53 games this season, were seeing Ohtani reach new heights at the plate. Which begs the question: Do he and the Dodgers really want to mess with that? Today, our Bradford Doolittle explains why, like Babe Ruth before him, Ohtanis bat skills may keep him off the mound forever.

One Racial Slur Tore a Baseball Team Apart: 5/24/24

On April 6th, 2023, a startling scene played out on a baseball field in Fort Myers, Florida. Shortly after the start of the annual rivalry game against nearby Estero High School, nearly the entire roster for Fort Myers High School, along with the coaching staff, walked off the field, leaving two teammates of color behind. According to witnesses on the scene, chaos ensued, as parents on both sides of the divide began trading insults. That incident was the latest manifestation of racial tensions that have existed in Fort Myers for decades. And the direct result of an assistant coach being dismissed for using a racial slur in a team group chat on Valentines Day of that year. Today, our Howard Bryant takes us inside this story, unpacks a chain of smoldering racial resentments, and provides a new understanding of what it means to be outnumbered.

How Men, Moonshine, and the Need for Speed Birthed NASCAR: 5/23/24

We know that the roots of NASCAR can be traced back to the American South in states like North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee. But what you might not realize is that particular motorsport was conceived through the hills of those very same states by bootleggers running moonshine while racing for bragging rights. So when a sinkhole was recently discovered under the famous North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina, there was no surprise to find more than just mud and dirt down there. Ryan McGee joins us to explain how one of the sport's oldest tracks might just have been the site of one of Americas oldest vices.

Are We Seeing the Next Kobe Bean Bryant in Anthony Edwards? : 5/22/24

For the first time in 20 years, the Minnesota Timberwolves will make their way into the Western Conference Finals, and they couldn't have made it there without their star shooting guard Anthony Edwards. He has become a leader for this Timberwolves team at only 22 years old and has forged great relationships with teammates like Karl-Anthony Towns. So today, our Ramona Shelburne takes us into the mind of the ANT-man and breaks down his progress from starting at the top of a COVID season rookie class up until leading his team to the Western Conference Finals.

The Link Between Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Europes First Basketball Star: 5/21/24

Basketball has grown into a worldwide sport over the past several decades. Just look at the past six NBA MVPs: Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece, Nikola Jokic from Serbia, and Joel Embiid from Cameroon. Waiting in the wings are Slovenias Luka Doncic and Canadas Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But this worldwide explosion of talent did not happen overnight. Like any other explosion, it starts with a single spark. In Europe that spark was named Radivoj Korac. Korac played for the Yugoslavian national basketball team in the 1950s and 60s, and quickly gained acclaim after winning The Best Athlete of Yugoslavia (Zlatna zna ka), and Yugoslav Sportsman of the Year (Sportske novosti award). He laid the path for future European superstars to follow in the years to come. Sadly, Korac never got to see his true peak or join the NBA after passing away in a tragic car accident at the age of 30. Today, Baxter Holmes joins the show to tell us the story of the legendary Radivoj Korac, and how his stardom spawned the European dominance we see today.

How We Got to the NBA Conference Finals: 5/20/24

The NBAs conference finals are set after two game sevens on Sunday. In the east the Boston Celtics will take on the Indiana Pacers, while out west, weve got the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Dallas Mavericks. Its a star-studded affair, and frankly a window into the next chapter in the NBA. And the most important question is, whos going on to the finals? So today ESPN NBA writer Tim Bontemps says goodnight to the Knicks, and explains how the Pacers, Celtics, Mavs, and TWolves got to the final four.

Can Jalen Brunson Will the Knicks Past the Pacers?: 5/17/24

After a 30 point win over the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, the New York Knicks are knocking on the door to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the year 2000. But weve already seen locale shift the momentum in this series, and with Game Six set to tip off tonight in Indianapolis, it could be a tall order for Tom Thibodeau and company to put the Pacers down in six games. So today, ESPN senior writer Chris Herring explains how the Knicks got to this point despite so many injuries, and tells us who has to do what to lock in a date with the Boston Celtics, and a shot at an NBA Finals appearance.

How Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets Got Their Groove Back: 5/16/24

The Nuggets and Timberwolves Western Conference Semifinals is truly a tale of two series. Just about a week ago, it looked like young phenom Anthony Edwards was going to lead the Timberwolves past the defending champion Nuggets to the promised land after starting the postseason with six-straight wins. But then, the inevitable happened. And it came in the form of 6-foot-11 three-time MVP, Nikola Jokic reminding everyone in the league who the defending champions are. With all these ups and downs we turn to ESPNs Dave McMenamin and he shares what hes seeing and hearing behind the scenes in this roller coaster of a series.

Kids are Signing Their Likeness Away to Youth Baseball Giant Perfect Game: 5/15/24

The latest move for Perfect Game, the worlds largest youth baseball tournament and scouting service, is an expected multi-year memorabilia deal with Fanatics. While on the surface, the deal means Fanatics would produce and distribute trading cards and collectibles for Perfect Game athletes, it also raises agents concerns about amateur players rights, especially if they end up playing professionally. Brittany Ghirolis reporting on the impending deal for The Athletic revealed that young baseball players have already been signing their rights away to Perfect Game. She joins us today to discuss why Perfect Game and Fanatics marriage is potentially harmful for players and how these companies machinations impact amateur baseball more largely.

Has Women's Basketballs Moment Exploded into a New Era?: 5/14/24

The 2024 WNBA season begins tonight, and youve probably heard that womens basketball is having a moment. But with ratings and excitement skyrocketing around the college game, and an incoming rookie class stepping into the W, bringing along more social media followers than ever, the question is: has that moment turned into an era? Hall of Famer and ESPN basketball analyst Rebecca Lobo is here to tell us how the game is evolving right before our eyes, and what Caitlin Clark and the rest of this rookie class has in store for them. Plus, she breaks down whether or not were heading for a rematch of super teams from New York and Las Vegas.

When Will We See a Female F1 Champion?: 5/13/24

Formula 1 races seem to have everything the pomp of an A-list party, exotic locations, excited fans, and global superstars on the grid. So whats missing from this scene? Women behind the wheel. Formula 1 hasnt had a female driver qualify for a race in almost 50 years and as womens sports continues to make great strides, the world of elite racing seems to be falling behind. Today, ESPNs Alyssa Roenigk brings the story of two drivers working together to break barriers in the world of motorsports one race at a time. For more on this story, watch Roenigk in a new documentary that spotlights the women breaking barriers in motorsports for the Emmy-winning "In Real Life" series, premiering Sunday, June 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern, 7p.m. Central on Scripps News. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Black WNBA Superstars Get What They're Due?: 5/10/24

Last month, news broke about Caitlin Clarks $28 million shoe deal with Nike. Its undoubtedly a great business decision for both Nike and Clark as she transitions into becoming the most hyped WNBA rookie of all time, but the announcement begets a conversation about equity in the WNBA. In a league that is nearly 64% Black, the most marketed, endorsed, and featured players are mostly white. ESPNs Sean Hurd wrote about this for Andscape and ESPNs Katie Barnes has extensively covered womens basketball and its intersection with issues of race and gender. Theyre both here today to discuss how Caitlins Nike deal will affect other superstars in the league like Aja Wilson, Jonquel Jones and Angel Reese, and to provide context for how not only race, but also queerness and gender expression impact WNBA players access to capital.

Will the Falcons Survive Their Self-Inflicted QB Chaos?: 5/9/24

The Atlanta Falcons selection of Michael Penix Jr. in the first round was the biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL Draft. Especially when you consider that they had inked veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a massive deal just weeks before. So today ESPN NFL Draft and college football analyst Jordan Reid explains the plan to guest host David Dennis Jr. and tells us why theres a chance that this leaves a huge mess down in Atlanta.

Inside the Peculiar Deal Bringing the NHL to Utah: 5/8/24

The Arizona Coyotes have been a struggling franchise for most of their history. They have faced turmoil both on and off the ice a bankruptcy in 2009 and, as of late, a years-long failure to secure a new arena. This winter, with the Coyotes in the midst of a second season in a college hockey barn, the NHL finally had enough. Enter Ryan Smith, owner of the NBAs Utah Jazz. In an abnormal arrangement, Smith is taking over ownership and moving the team to Utah. But they wont be called the Coyotes. Control of that brand, as well as its logos, records, and history remains in the hands of former owner Alex Meruelo, who intends to restore the Arizona club in the coming years. Today, ESPN senior NHL writer Greg Wyshynski breaks down how we got here, how this sale works, and what the future holds for hockey in both Utah and Arizona.

Will Coach Prime Live Up to the Hype in Year Two?: 5/7/24

After coming off of a 4-8 season and losing more than two dozen players to the transfer portal, Coach Prime remains more optimistic and blunt than ever, promising long-time fan Miss Peggy and the world that the Buffaloes will make a bowl game this year. Today our Andrea Adelson recaps the Buffaloes spring game that got more than 20,000 fans excited for whats to come and previews players to look out for and the future of Dieon Sanders in the chilling mountain tops of Colorado.

Is Jalen Brunson The Quiet King of New York?: 5/6/24

Frank Sinatra, Derek Jeter, Christopher Walken, and The Notorious B.I.G. They have all been considered the King of New York at some point in time. And now it appears the time has come to place the crown atop the head of Jalen Brunson. But what kind of king would Brunson be? And where does this idea come from in the first place? Theres no king of Baltimore, or Tulsa, so why does this title exist for that city? Andscapes Justin Tinsley has explored this concept in his book It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World That Made Him. So today he explains it all, and tells us why Brunson is perfectly suited to rule the five boroughs right now.

How Bryce Harper Taught Philadelphia to Love Again: 5/3/24

Phillies star Bryce Harper has always been about blue collar hard work and the spotlight. From his Sports Illustrated cover story at 16 years old to being the number one pick in the MLB Draft to his record-setting contract, Harpers headlines have followed him wherever he went. Its that worth ethic and willingness to take everything notoriety brings with it that made his arrival in Philadelphia a match made in heaven. And in a town notorious for wearing their hearts and hate on their sleeve, Harper has become one with the City of Brotherly Love. Today, ahead of the Phillies Sunday Night Baseball matchup with the Giants, ESPNs Jesse Rogers joins us to break down how this all happened and why the Harper Effect isnt going anywhere.

How Reggie Bush's Heisman Reveals New Landscape of NIL, NCAA: 5/2/24

The world watched as Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy was revoked in 2010 after an NCAA investigation that uncovered improper gifts to Bush. Now, 14 years later, we watched him finally get it back. The Heisman Trust announced last week the formal reinstatement of Bush's trophy, citing "enormous changes in the college football landscape" as the reason. So today, ESPN's Ryan McGee is here to tell the story of where we once were and how the NCAA evolved to allow for Reggie Bush to get his trophy back, and what will come next as college athletes power continues to grow.

Candace Parker: The OG Women's Phenom: 5/1/24

From the suburbs of Chicago to the University of Tennessee, and onto WNBA courts. At every stage of her career, Candace Parker has left an indelible mark on the hoops world. But her influence extends well beyond basketball. So today, in the wake of Parkers retirement announcement, Shakeia Taylor of the Chicago Tribune joins us to assess a career crucial to the sport's dynamic evolution and explores a legacy poised to resonate for generations. Shakeias Tuesday column for the Chicago Tribune examined Candace Parkers impact.

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