Edge Of Sports

The Sports World is buzzing about NBA star's Kevin Durant's move from Oklahoma City to the Golden State Warriors. We break it down - the basketball and the political sides of this deal - with NBA.com's own Sekou Smith. Then, in front of a live audience, I do a talk about the political lessons of the Mizzou football strike against racism. Finally, the Just Stand Up award to Olympic swimmer Anthony Ervin.Sekou Smith: http://twitter.com/SekouSmithNBA/Hang Time blog: http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/tag/sekou-smith/Hang Time podcast: http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/category/podcast/Socialism 2016 conference: http://wearemany.org/Anthony Ervin: http://twitter.com/anthonyervin/Anthony Ervin’s book, “Chasing Water: Elegy of an Olympian” http://akashicbooks.com/catalog/chasing-water/—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/pr

Our final tribute to Muhammad Ali features Bill Siegel, director of ‘The Trials of Muhammad Ali,’ as well as cultural commentator and author Bijan C. Bayne, and finally, one icon says goodbye to another as 1968 Olympic hero, Dr. John Carlos honors Ali.Hear our entire series of Ali tributes at http://EdgeOfSportsPodcast.com. Thank you to all the guests who participated and to the city of Louisville for hosting such a touching tribute.Bill Siegel film: https://twitter.com/MuhammadAliDoc | http://kartemquin.com/films/the-trials-of-muhammad-ali | http://hulu.com/watch/617383Bijan C. Bayne: http://twitter.com/bijancbayneDr. John Carlos: http://johncarlos68.com | The John Carlos StoryThe Sports Moment That Changed the World http://haymarketbooks.org/hc/The-John-Carlos-StoryMusic by Yusef Lateef “Like It Is” & “Love Theme from Spartacus" http://yuseflateef.com—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com Advertising Inquir

The ascendancy of the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James to the top of the mountain has captivated hoop fans everywhere, including us. First, Dave Zirin sings the praises of LeBron and the Cavs, and then speaks with Cyd Zeigler, founder of the website Outsports and author of the new book ‘Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports’ about how the sports world responded to the massacre of LGBT people in Orlando. Finally, we take it to church…seriously…with a recording of Dave’s Father’s Day sermon, as delivered to Plymouth Congregational Church in DC on "Muhammad Ali, Orlando, and the Light of Understanding."Cyd Zeigler: https://twitter.com/CydZeiglerFair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sportshttp://www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/fair-play/Outsportshttp://www.outsports.com/ | https://twitter.com/outsportsPlymouth Congregational United Church of Christ. Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler http://www.plymouth-ucc.org/ | Zirin Sermon: https://www.spreaker.co

Today we bring you the emotions, sounds, and voices of Muhammad Ali's funeral in Louisville. This was a day that will go down in history as the last act of resistance by the 20th century’s most iconic fighter. People came to pay respects from near and far, both young and old, in every shade of color, media professionals and everyday folks alike; all bound together by a love for Muhammad Ali. This show is dedicated to our LBGT - and specifically Latino LGBT - brothers and sisters who were killed in Orlando the very day after Ali's funeral. We address this horrific juxtaposition with a statement against anti-LGBT and anti-Muslim bigotry.Column: ‘Sleep Easy, My Brother’ http://thenation.com/article/sleep-easy-my-brotherColumn: ‘The Orlando Killings and the Message of Muhammad Ali’s Funeral’ http://thenation.com/article/the-orlando-killings-and-the-message-of-muhammad-alis-funeralThe Ali Center: http://alicenter.orgAli’s entire interfaith memorial: https://youtu.be/NBX59J-ltuAAli’s Muslim Janazah memorial

All week we are releasing interviews about the remarkable and singular legacy of The Champ, Muhammad Ali. Today we have Canadian sports journalist and social justice activist Shireen Ahmed, then Baltimore poet and founder of #NoJusticeNoLeBron, Tariq Toure. They speak about the Ali's support of the Palestinian liberation and what it has meant to them to share the faith of the King of the World. Shireen Ahmed: https://twitter.com/_shireenahmed_|  http://shireenahmed.comTariq Toure: http://twitter.com/tariqtoure | http://tariqtoure.comMusic: McCoy Tyner - Search For Peace http://mccoytyner.com | Faithless - Muhammad Ali http://faithless.co.uk—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Only one man who could write the New York Times obituary of Muhammad Ali. Bob Lipsyte covered Ali for 52 years and continues our special week of coverage for The Champ. Then, writer and commentator Kavitha Davidson speaks about Ali’s cultural impact and examines the possible link between two degenerative brain diseases: Parkinson’s, which plagued Ali, and CTE, which is detected in the brains of more and more football players. Our closing song today is by Johnny Wakelin & The Kinshasa Band, “Black Superman, Muhammad Ali.”Lipsyte: Muhammad Ali Dies at 74: Titan of Boxing and the 20th Century http://nyti.ms/1sUHBHjLipsyte articles in the Times: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/l/robert_lipsyte/index.htmlKavitha Davidson: http://twitter.com/kavithadavidsonKavitha Davidson articles in Bloomberg View: http://www.bloomberg.com/view/contributors/ARmrUVik0io/kavitha-a-davidsonMuhammad Ali, Black Superman: https://youtu.be/cq04qeVMCQE—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edg

The world shook last week as the greatest sports figure of the 20th Century, Muhammad Ali, passed away. Today begins a week of special podcasts devoted to The Champ, which will end with a trip to Louisville for Ali’s memorial. We originally booked today’s guest, Chuck D, to talk about his new supergroup ‘Prophets of Rage,’ which also features B-Real from Cypress Hill and members of Rage Against The Machine. Today, Chuck D talks about this rebellious musical project, their summer tour that starts July 19th in Cleveland, and offers his insights into Ali’s indelible legacy. Then, ‘Choice Words’ from Dave’s latest column for The Nation.Be sure to subscribe to the show so you don’t miss any of this week’s special Ali programming. Search for Edge of Sports on on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music or your podcast app of choice. For more information, visit http://EdgeOfSportsPodcast.comProphets of Rage: http://prophetsofrage.com | http://fb.com/TheProphetsofRage | http://twitter.com/prophetsofrageChuck D: http://twi

Fifi Nomenon (say the name quickly) is a star of the Texas Rollergirls and team USA Roller Derby, and is one of the most prominent trans athletes in the United States. We break down roller derby, why it has proven to be more hospitable to trans athletes than other sports, and what it's like to be trans in Texas - a place where scapegoating has run rampant. In addition to Fifi, I have some Choice Words about anti-trans bigotry and the 2017 Super Bowl. Finally my Just Stand Up award goes to an icon of my sports-loving youth, NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson, and his efforts to ban tackle football for kids.Fifi Nomenon: http://fb.com/fifinomenon | http://twitter.com/fifinomenonTexas Rollergirls: http://texasrollergirls.orgTeam USA Roller Derby: http://fb.com/usarollerderbyZirin: Fight Transphobia and Move the Damn 2017 Super Bowl http://thenation.com/article/fight-transphobia-and-move-the-damn-2017-super-bowl/This NFL Hall of Fame Member Won’t Let His Grandson Play Football http://thenation.com/article/this-nf

The Washington Post caused a furor when they released a new poll, claiming that 90% of Native Americans are not offended by the home football team’s controversial name. We read this article with great interest and came away with more questions than answers. Today, we offer the Post, and our listeners, a moral reality check with Jacqueline Keeler, Navajo/Yankton Dakota Sioux writer and co-founder of the group ’Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry.’ Then, Dave reads a response from Washington Post polling manager Scott Clement, and finally, Dave updates his open letter to Dan Snyder, originally published in Grantland.Washington Post: “New poll finds 9 in 10 Native Americans aren’t offended by Redskins name” http://wpo.st/P4ec1The Nation (Keeler) “On the Shameful and Skewed ‘Redskins’ Poll” http://thenation.com/article/on-the-shameful-and-skewed-redskins-poll/Grantland (Zirin) “Enough” https://grantland.com/features/rename-washington-redskins/Music by A Tribe Called Red: Braves, The Road ft. Black Bear, Differe

This is the Olympics edition of the Edge of Sports podcast, and it is a news making edition of the show. I am just back from Rio de Janeiro snd the show reflects this in rather dramatic fashion. I sat down face to face with the mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes for a no holds barred discussion about the Olympics, displacement, and corruption and whether Rio is ready to host the games. Then, I sit down with Rio-based activist Theresa Williamson from Catalytic Communities. Theresa does a point-by-point rebuttal to Mayor Paes. Then I have some 'Choice Words' about the Zika virus and the removal of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff. And lastly, the 'Just Stand Up Award' goes to the independent journalists of RioOnWatch.org.Eduardo Paes: http://fb.com/eduardopaesRJ | http://twitter.com/eduardopaes_ Theresa Williamson: http://twitter.com/greencitiesRio On Watch: http://RioOnWatch.org | http://twitter.com/rioonwatch Catalytic Communities: http://catcomm.org | http://twitter.com/catcommColumn:

This week, an extensive interview with Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters on Israel, Palestine, US politics, and the power of music. We also discuss the role of sports in these ongoing discussions. The impetus for this interview was a new documentary that Waters narrates called The Occupation of the American Mind" put out by the Media Education Foundation.  I also have some choice words about traveling to Rio - where I will be when you are listening to this pod - to look at the pre-Olympic planning. Will report back! Lastly, our Just Stand Up Award goes to the resistors on the ground in Rio, still standing up for working people in the face of the Olympics.The Occupation of the American Mind: http://occupationmovie.com | http://fb.com/occupationmovie | http://twitter.com/OccupationMovieRoger Waters: http://rogerwaters.com | http://fb.com/rogerwaters | http://twitter.com/rogerwatersMusic by Pink Floyd: ‘Time,’ ‘Another Brick in The Wall,’ ’Money,’ ‘Us and Them’ http://pinkfloyd.com & Ocupa Carnaval ‘Cachaç

Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL, tells his fascinating story to Dave Zirin, on-stage at University of Colorado Denver. Despite a great college career at Mizzou and slot in the 2014 draft, Sam hasn’t found a home in the NFL. Today on Edge of Sports, Michael Sam weighs the undeniable good he has done for society with honest reflections on what could have been different. Then, our ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Julie DiCaro,who, along with fellow journalist Sarah Spain, helped to call out sexist internet trolls with the powerful video ‘More Than Mean’ shot by the ‘Just Not Sports Podcast.’ We salute you.Our host, the intrepid DZ, is on the road this week in BRAZIL! To the Cariocas, please take care of our boy, and tweet Dave or friend of the show Zach Zill with interesting leads http://twitter.com/zachzill. Special thanks to Avery Balano & Sean Lawton. Music by Aika https://soundcloud.com/i-am-aikaMichael Sam: http://fb.com/MichaelSamNFLJulie DiCaro: http://twitter.com/JulieDiCar

Despite heavy hearts due to the passing of Prince, we are honored to welcome one of the most prominent journalists of our time, co-founder of The Intercept, Glenn Greenwald. We speak to Greenwald primarily about the political crisis roiling Brazil and the effect it could have on the 2016 Summer Olympics… as well as the effect the Olympics could have on this political crisis. Greenwald is based in Rio and his recent writings on this subject are vital for anyone seeking to understand what is happening, with the Games less than 100 days away. Dave also pays a heartfelt tribute to Prince, reading a column about what it meant to go to college in the Twin Cities, the place Prince ruled. And sure enough, our ‘Just Stand Up’ award is to his Purple Highness for turning the 2007 Super Bowl on its head.--http://twitter.com/ggreenwaldhttp://theintercept.com/staff/glenn-greenwaldhttp://glenngreenwald.net--Column: Good Night, Sweet Prince: The death of the musical legend has me reeling, and remembering vividly what it was

This week, a show for all the student-athletes, student-activists, and the advocates like us who cheer them on. Isabelle Teare is a member of the Georgetown University Sailing Team. She’s also a leader in ‘Athletes and Advocates for Workers,’ a movement that’s pressured Georgetown’s administration and athletic department to confront Nike sweatshop abuses. Despite the school's long and entwined relationship with Nike, Teare and her cohort are winning. Then, comedian W. Kamau Bell has a new CNN program, ‘United Shades of America,’ debuting Sunday at 10 Eastern. We will find out why he is interviewing Klansmen on deserted country roads and what the mission is of this altogether original show. Then, a column read about Steph Curry's small- but significant- stand against anti-LGBT legislation in North Carolina. Finally, our ‘Just Stand Up’ award comes in defense of Cardale Jones, a man who deserves nothing but a larger platform for his critical views of big time college football. We thank our intern Dustin

Today's guest hold the informal title of "greatest living sportswriter," Robert Lipsyte. Lipsyte distinguished himself with multiple stints at the New York Times, covering Muhammad Ali when he was still known as Cassius Clay. He is also noted for his recent tenure as an unflinching Ombudsman at ESPN. The author of celebrated books such as "SportsWorld: An American Dreamland" and his memoir “An Accidental Sportswriter,” Lipsyte offers Dave Zirin unvarnished opinions on the likes of Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King, Bill Simmons and ‘Grantland,’ Derek Jeter and ‘The Player’s Tribune,’ the delays besetting ESPN’s ‘The Undefeated,’ Donald Trump, and his most indelible memory in sports: helping a Nigerian boxer named Dick Tiger mail his medal back to the Queen of England in protest.“Superbowling” by Robert Lipsyte, New York Times (January 18, 1969) http://nyti.ms/264VMclRobert Lipsyte New York Times archive http://nyti.ms/23AhWVgRobert Lipsyte website http://robertlipsyte.comRobert Lipsyte in The

This week, we have the most acclaimed historical documentary filmmaker on earth, Ken Burns. He made ‘Baseball’ and ‘Jazz,’ and now we talk to Burns about his  new two-part PBS documentary 'Jackie Robinson.' It's a powerful back-and-forth about the actuality of Robinson's complicated legacy that goes beyond puff-pieces and Hollywood-myth-making. Burns connects Robinson's struggle to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Trump, and the warmed over racism that infuses the modern Republican Party. In our ‘Choice Words’ segment, Dave speaks in detail about one of the unsung heroes of Robinson's journey, radical sports journalist Lester Rodney. And for the ‘Just Stand Up Award,’ the loudest possible solidarity with the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and they push for far wages and equality.PBS Ken Burns film “Jackie Robinson” premieres April 11-12, 2016. Information: http://pbs.org/jackierobinsonKen Burns website: http://kenburns.com twitter: http://twitter.com/kenburnsZirin: “More than a S

Today we pay homage to two departed legends of music. First, we have Don Cheadle, star and director of the Miles Davis biopic “Miles Ahead.” Then, DJ Bobbito Garcia remembers his friend Malik Taylor, AKA Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest who passed away last week. Dave’s ‘Choice Words’ are call for NBA Commissioner to move the 2017 All-Star weekend away from Charlotte in light of a recent North Carolina anti-trans law, and a somber ‘Just Stand Up’ goes to Dave’s departed friend Kevin Turner. The former Alabama and NFL running back lived with dignity and strength before succumbing to ALS a week ago.Special thanks: Mike Sheils, Simona Noce, Maya Anand, Donna Daniels, Kathryn Tyus-Adair, Jennifer Allen, Mike Nasella, WPFW 89.3 FM.—‘Miles Ahead’ film: http://sonyclassics.com/milesaheadZirin: The NBA Needs to Move the 2017 All-Star Game FromCharlotte. Now. http://thenation.com/article/the-nba-needs-to-move-the-2017-all-star-game-from-charlotte-now/Zirin: Kevin Turner Dies From ALS, the NFL Does Not Give a Damn ht

Amid political chaos, Edge of Sports looks to a comic mind for order: author and actor Judah Friedlander. As Frank Rossitano on 30 Rock, Friedlander was known for his “World Champ” trucker hats, and it does not escape Judah that Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” cap bears more than a passing resemblance to his signature look. Dave Zirin and Judah talk politics, comedy and ping pong, recorded in a Montgomery County, Maryland library. Then, Dave has some ‘Choice Words’ about baseball diplomacy in Cuba laced with music by Machito, and the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Serena Williams for rebuking Raymond Moore, former director of the Indian Wells tennis tournament disgraced by his comments belittling female players.—“If the Raindrops United: Drawings and Cartoons by Judah Friedlander”http://judahfriedlander.com/if-the-raindrops-united | http://JudahFriedlander.com | http://twitter.com/JudahWorldChamp | http://fb.com/JudahWorldChamp | http://youtube.com/JudahChampThe Office audition tapes: https://youtu.b

As college basketball fans descend into March Madness, Edge of Sports offers a wake-up call from Dr. Harry Edwards, renowned sports sociologist and author of the seminal text “The Revolt of the Black Athlete.” Dr. Edwards prescribes a stringent tonic for the NCAA’s ills: a complete dissolution and ground-up reformation focused on academics and athlete equity. Our host Dave Zirin also offers his ’Choice Words’ to the NCAA, drawing inspiration from John Oliver’s brilliant 2015 sendup. Finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Rory Fanning, an Army Vet and co-author of Craig Hodges’ forthcoming memoir who was among a group of protesters that shut down Donald Trump’s planned rally in Chicago.—Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: The NCAA https://youtu.be/pX8BXH3SJn0Zirin: Why Not Even the Mighty John Oliver Can Shame the NCAA http://thenation.com/article/why-not-even-mighty-john-oliver-can-shame-ncaa/—Contact:http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | edgeof

This is one of those dream shows for us at Edge of Sports. We’ve spoken to Kareem. We’ve spoken to Martina. Now we talk to Mick, as in pro wrestling legend Mick Foley. The hardcore legend is also a militant anti-sexist, a Tori Amos fan, and a national spokesperson for RAINN – the Rape Abuse Incest National Network. We in addition get him to answer whether Pro Wrestling deserves some of the blame for the rise of Donald Trump. To help me, I have my friend pro-wrestling aficionado Damian Smith riding shotgun. Also, in our Choice Words section, I speak about the alarming rise in the use of “Trump” as a racial slur at high school sporting events. Lastly, in the just stand up award, a big shout out to the first US Olympian to compete while wearing a hijab: fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.—Mick Foley:http://realmickfoley.comhttp://twitter.com/RealMickFoleyhttp://fb.com/RealMickFoleyRape, Abuse & Incest National Network RAINN http://rainn.org/mickfoleyGet Help Online https://ohl.rainn.org/online/‘Trump’ Has Become a Raci