Sports and politics have always been intertwined. Sports are where joy and freedom, competition and cooperation, collide, where human beings exceed our physical and psychological limitations, where racial, gender, and class hierarchies can be smashed in society-changing ways. But sports are also the arena where jingoistic nationalism is forged, where militarism and state violence are glorified, where oppressive norms about race, gender, class, and ability are upheld and fortified, where bodies are broken and dreams are shattered for the sake of profit and entertainment. No one has probed the intersection of sports and politics in the US more thoroughly and passionately than Dave Zirin, and TRNN is proud to announce the launch of an all new weekly YouTube show: Edge of Sports with Dave Zirin.
Tune in every Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET for new episodes of Edge of Sports with Dave Zirin, premiering right here on the TRNN YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to our channel, turn on notifications so you never miss a show, and get ready to bring the ruckus!
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LATEST EPISODE
‘Big L for Macron’: The Paris Olympics were a political catastrophe
Neoliberalism’s dying star Emmanuel Macron hoped to exploit the Paris Olympics to shore up political support; that plan backfired spectacularly.
Previous Episodes
Can the Olympics survive climate change?
Soaring temperatures, impacts on air quality, and loss of coastal territory all have profound ramifications for the world of sports. How will climate change affect the future of the Olympics?
How French unions leveraged the Olympics to score wins for labor
The Olympics is always a class war—but the rich don’t have to win every time.
![‘Israel has violated the [Olympic] Charter’: Jibril Rajoub calls for IOC action against Israel](jpg/gettyimages-2163076171-scaled2a69.jpg)
‘Israel has violated the [Olympic] Charter’: Jibril Rajoub calls for IOC action against Israel
The head of the Palestinian Olympic Committee explains how Palestinian athletes’ participation in the Olympics advances the Palestinian fight for self-determination.
‘Genocide Olympics’: Israeli soccer team plays in Paris as IDF bombs school in Gaza
By permitting Israel to compete at all, the Olympics are “sportswashing” the pariah country’s international image and helping to normalize the genocide in Gaza.
Fadi Deeb, Gaza’s only Paralympian, has a message for the world: ‘Nothing can stop us’
In an exclusive interview, Dave Zirin speaks with Fadi Deeb, the only Paralympian athlete from Gaza, about what it means for him to represent Palestine in this year’s Olympics.
French police arrest journalists covering anti-Olympics activism
Two journalists on a critical tour of the Olympics with the activist group Saccage 24 were arrested and interrogated by Parisian police, along with one activist. Is the Olympics destroying what remains of France’s democracy?
An ‘Olympic problem’: Advocates call out Paris’s war on the homeless
The Paris Olympics have accelerated a process of ‘social cleansing’ targeting the homeless and most vulnerable in the city.
‘Social cleansing’: Thousands of homeless swept up before Paris Olympics
Ahead of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in Paris, authorities have reportedly been sweeping homeless encampments, rounding up unhoused people, and expelling them by bus to other parts of France.
Can sports survive climate change?
Rising global temperatures should force us to reconsider everything about how we do sports—from the number of breaks to whether mega-events like the Olympics are really worth it.
Sports gambling’s takeover of the pro sports world is just beginning
The scandals we’ve seen over players’ and fans’ gambling behavior are just the tip of the iceberg—Danny Funt’s new book on the sports betting industry shows us just how deep the rot could reach.
Former A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell opens up on the Oakland A’s betrayal
The former MLB catcher has some choice words of his own about Oakland A’s owner John Fisher’s decision to move the team to Las Vegas.
How the OJ trial exposed—and changed—America
The OJ Simpson trial’s effects on media, culture, and politics are still with us today. While America has changed since, it’s hard to say we’ve changed for the better.
FIFA’s silence on Gaza is unacceptable
Gianni Infantino once declared, “Today, I feel Arabic,” to defend FIFA’s selection of Qatar as the host nation of the 2022 World Cup. Does Infantino not also feel Palestinian?
‘Sports Illustrated’ and the death of sports media
The debacle at ‘Sports Illustrated’ shows how hedge funds and venture capitalists are doing to sports media what they do best: destroying it.
Before Caitlin Clark: The Hidden History of Women’s College Basketball
Caitlin Clark has made history in women’s college basketball, but the sport’s earliest trailblazers still haven’t been given their dues.
Jack McCallum’s ‘The Real Hoosiers’ chronicles the Crispus Attucks team’s historic championship victories
In 1950s Indiana haunted by the Klan, the all-Black Crispus Attucks High School basketball team won two state championships—striking a blow against segregation.
Angel Reese, Brittney Griner, and the politics of race and gender
The media moments surrounding these two athletes offer insights into the turbulent politics of race and gender.
Orioles team store workers picket for better contract
Workers at the Baltimore MLB team store, who are subcontracted through a company known as Fanatics, are fighting for full time work, decent pay, and healthcare.
The racist history of the Kansas City ‘Chiefs’
The activist organization Not In Our Honor has fought for years to convince the Kansas City football team to change its name, following the example set by the Washington Commanders.
Dartmouth men’s basketball team votes to unionize
The Dartmouth Big Green are the first and only unionized college sports team in the country.
US marathon runners wave Palestinian flag at Olympic trials
Jesse Joseph explains his act of solidarity—and how the upcoming Paris Olympics could turn into a political battleground for Palestinian rights.
The allegations against Vince McMahon shouldn’t surprise us
The former WWE Chairperson has been accused of sexual assault numerous times, and made sexual violence part of his public persona as a pro wrestler.
Nex Benedict, victim of America’s war on trans children
Owasso High School administrators, superintendent Ryan Walters, and ghouls like Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok all bear responsibility for Benedict’s avoidable and tragic death.
Irish athlete activist on organizing a sports boycott of Israel
In an exclusive interview for The Real News, the Irish activist explains why she called for her country’s hoops team to boycott its game against Israel.
Settler colonialism, Gaza, and the Super Bowl shooting
As we seek solutions to America’s mass shooting epidemic, we should look at the genocidal foundations of this country—a history celebrated by the Chiefs’ racist name.
The Ultimate Frisbee players of Palestine
The story of Palestine’s Ultimate Frisbee subculture offers a window into life under occupation—and the Palestinian people’s love for life.
How online gambling became the economic blood of the sports world
A staggering $23 billion will be gambled on this year’s Super Bowl. The sports industry has abandoned social responsibility and even the integrity of professional sports in favor of making a profit.
Pro-Israel Patriots owner Robert Kraft spends $7M to use Super Bowl as political soapbox
The billionaire, personal friend and financier of Trump, and owner of the New England Patriots has a long record of business deals and political support for Israel.
Former pro athlete explains his support for ceasefire in Gaza
Former NBA player Tariq Abdul-Wahad says athletes have a responsibility to speak out in solidarity with Palestinians.
The unheralded athletes of color who changed America
Sports historian Arif Khatib’s new book, ‘Remember Their Sacrifice: Stories of Unheralded Athletes of Color’, exhumes the biographies of some of professional sports’ first anti-racist trailblazers.
Even soccer is a target in Israel’s war on Palestine
From the physical elimination of sports facilities to the suppression of Palestinian identity in international sporting events, soccer fans and professionals have much to speak out against.
How Black soccer players turned a global sport into a site of political struggle
Dave Zirin speaks with Dr. Jermaine Scott about his forthcoming book, “Black Soccer: Football and Politics in the African Diaspora,” and the reality of teaching about race, culture, and politics at a public university in Ron DeSantis’s Florida.
Why I’m challenging Chuck Schumer to a debate on Israel
Senator Schumer referenced an article of mine from The Nation as an example of anti-Semitism. As an anti-Zionist Jew, I’d like to challenge him to a debate.
Arab and Muslim athletes lead sports world in Palestine solidarity
Karim Zidan walks us through the varied responses of the international sports world to Israel’s genocide in Gaza—and the role of sports in amplifying change.
Anwar El-Ghazi is an example of pro-Palestine solidarity for the pro sports world
The Dutch soccer player, who was fired for using the phrase “From the river to the sea,” should be emulated and admired by fellow athletes who’ve remained silent thus far.
5 reasons you should oppose the Olympics coming to your hometown
As the Olympics returns in summer 2024 in Paris, questions about the ethics, efficacy, and economics of the mega-event once again emerge.
Inside Ron DeSantis’s takeover of a Florida liberal arts college
DeSantis is facilitating a ‘hostile takeover’ of the New College of Florida for political ends, and the aggressive recruitment of Christian college athletes is a key tactic in his crusade.
The NFL and MLB pretend Palestinians don’t exist
In a series of public acts and statements no one asked for, the pro sports leagues have bared unrepentant support for Israel as it pummels Gaza and slaughters thousands.
I occupied the Capitol to demand a ceasefire in Gaza with other Jews
Standing up against oppression and injustice reflects the best of the Jewish political tradition.
The wave of new stadiums is another upward transfer of wealth
New publicly-funded stadium projects in Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, and Milwaukee will transfer billions in public money into private hands.
The study of trans athletes we’ve been waiting for is here
Katie Barnes’s new book, ‘Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debates’ offers a sweeping view of the fight for trans inclusion in sports.
Deion Sanders’ haters can’t stand his success
Racist dogwhistles abound when critics pile on the University of Colorado Boulder’s new head football coach, but ultimately, what Sanders’ detractors really can’t stand is how good he is.
Inside Cuba’s first ever Little League World Series appearance
Daniel Montero sits down with Dave Zirin for a follow-up to his documentary ‘Little League Dreams: Cuba’s Road to Williamsport,’ produced by Belly of the Beast.
How Teddy Roosevelt and the thirst for empire made football America’s sport
The origins of American football’s popularity go back to the turn of the 20th century, when the elite of an expansionist USA searched for a sport that would instill rugged manliness in their sons.
Michael Ray Richardson opens up on how the drug war killed his NBA career
In his new book, ‘Banned,’ Michael Ray Richardson wants to provide a new angle on his story.
DeSantis is using sports scholarships to ‘purge’ a Florida college
The New College of Florida has become a testing ground for the governor’s regressive education agenda, and students as well as faculty who stand in the way are getting pushed out.
Two decades before Kaepernick, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf protested the national anthem
The former NBA player looks back on the influence of Malcolm X and the importance of political education in shaping his life.
Let’s call Luis Rubiales’s ‘kiss’ what it was—assault
The now former president of the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation has disgraced FIFA, the sport, and himself.
College athletes are being exploited. It’s time to unionize.
Universities make fortunes off unpaid athletes who put their health and future at risk for a chance at an education.
Hazing is a scourge on sports that must be eradicated
The latest hazing scandal at Northwestern University should alarm us all—and renew our urgency to remove the culture of hazing from sports.
WNBA legend Chamique Holdsclaw discusses her mental health struggles
For Holdsclaw, the true challenge of a successful pro athlete career wasn’t the physical toll, but battling depression while in the public eye.
The ‘Redskins’ name is never coming back. Get over it.
The belated backlash to the Washington Commanders’ name change has to be viewed in light of the reactionary politics roiling the country.
Only one college coach has ever quit his job in protest of Nike sweatshops
Nike’s contract with St. John’s University was too much for Assistant Soccer Coach Jim Keady, so he quit and spent a month in Indonesia living on $1.25 a day to call attention to their sweatshop labor exploitation.
Reactionary nihilism of Trump and ‘anti-woke’ right on full display after US women’s soccer defeat
The same people who vilify and attack trans athletes, and claim they’re doing so to defend the sanctity of women’s sports, are showing how much they also hate women’s sports and women “who dare not ‘know their place.’”
Megan Rapinoe is retiring as a legend
The soccer superstar will be remembered as one of the game’s greatest athletes, but also as a fierce fighter for social justice.
Julie Foudy on the fight for equal pay in women’s soccer
The former captain of the US Women’s National Soccer Team looks back on her career and the evolution of women’s soccer over her lifetime.
Sports betting is a tax on fans—and a ticking time bomb
The industry’s erstwhile disavowal of gambling now seems quaint, as smartphones have made sports betting ubiquitous in professional sports—to the detriment of fans and the games themselves.
Athletes boycotted games in 2020 to demand racial justice. Where’s the fire gone?
Howard Bryant looks back at the past decade of racial justice activism in professional sports—and how different forces have attempted to co-opt it since 2020.
The Washington Bullets gentrified DC Chinatown. Now they might ditch it
The Capital One Arena’s construction flattened a large swath of Chinatown—now, the Wizards potential move to Virginia could once again come at this community’s expense.
How Black athletes shaped 150 years of US politics
Legendary sports sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards on his ‘Last Lectures,’ which dive into the long history of Black activism in sports.
The Oakland A’s Las Vegas move and Rob Manfred’s insatiable greed
A closer look at the Vegas deal shows that what really matters here isn’t baseball or the fans, but a chance to guzzle as much public taxpayer money as possible.
Actor Solomon Hughes on the dream of playing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The breakout star explains how he went from teaching at Stanford and Duke to starring in HBO’s drama about the rise of the Lakers.
PGA’s shameful merger with Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf proves nothing matters except money
After publicly denouncing its competitor on moral and human rights grounds, the PGA Tour is planning to permanently merge with the Saudi-backed golf tour known as LIV, proving that money is all that matters.
1968 Olympian Dr. John Carlos on the legacy of the Black Athletic Revolt
John Carlos raised his fist at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics—but he was just one of many Black athletes at the time who used their role in sports to support the fight for justice.
After the NFL, Aaron Maybin turned to his other talents
“If the things that I did on a football field are the greatest representation of who I am as a human being, then I didn’t spend enough time developing myself as a human being.”
W. Kamau Bell, the reluctant optimist
‘Edge of Sports’ returns with show guests W. Kamau Bell and Cheryl Cooky
Edge of Sports: The Exit Interview with DeMaurice Smith
The first episode of Dave Zirin’s new weekly series looks at the NFL’s union, Lamar Jackson’s recent pay deal, and trans kids in sports.