Hang Up And Listen

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and the Ringer’s Bryan Curtis talk about Klay Thompson’s move to Dallas and whether there will ever be another NBA dynasty. They also check in on the state of sports media TV rights, and they welcome Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC. Klay to Dallas (2:38): Is the Golden State breakup what the NBA wants? Sports media rights (19:08): Will the money keep on flowing forever? SEC expansion (33:28): The huge positives and glaring negatives of conference realignment. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Joel Anderson talk to the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas about the 55th pick in last week’s NBA draft: LeBron James’ son, Bronny. Plus, Joel and Josh Levin interview Wil Aaron about racism in baseball in the decades after Jackie Robinson. Bronny James (3:33): LeBron James wanted to play with his kid in the NBA. Will that be good for Bronny? Wil Aaron (20:54): Hank Aaron’s cousin on his frustrating years in minor-league baseball. Afterball (54:06): Stefan on Turkey vs. Türkiye at the 2024 Euros. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin share their thoughts on baseball legend Willie Mays, who died last week at age 93. Morgan Campbell of the CBC also joins to analyze the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials and to look at how the sports world turned on Drake. Mays (3:02): His greatest catch, the racism he faced, and his run-in with Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Track (28:05): Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles roared to victories in the 100 meters.   Drake and sports (46:45): Drake’s NBA “friends” appear to be siding with Kendrick Lamar. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin talk to Slate contributing writer Alex Kirshner about Bryson DeChambeau’s win—and Rory McIlroy’s heartbreaking loss—at the U.S. Open. Then, Washington Post columnist Jerry Brewer joins Stefan and Joel Anderson to analyze the NBA Finals and discuss his series “Grievance Games.” U.S. Open (2:56): What went wrong for Rory McIlroy. NBA Finals (22:19): Checking in on the Celtics and Mavericks.   Grievance Games (39:17): How sports have “buckled under the pressures of grievance and division.” Afterball (56:29): Stefan on the 20th anniversary of Greece’s remarkable 2004 European soccer championship. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access whe

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the Boston Celtics’ early dominance over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Stefan and Josh are also joined by journalist Peter Della Penna to talk about the United States’ massive cricket upset over Pakistan. Finally, Butch Reynolds joins to discuss the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary False Positive on the doping allegation that derailed his life and career. NBA Finals (3:02): Does Dallas have any chance of coming back? Cricket (22:47): How the U.S. pulled off a historic victory. Butch Reynolds (41:53): An interview with an American track legend. Afterball (1:02:08): Josh on Alexander Zverev, who (despite his claims) was not just declared innocent. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by Howard Megdal of the Next to discuss the tumultuous beginning to Caitlin Clark’s rookie season. Historian and author Larry Lester also joins to explain how records from the Negro Leagues finally got incorporated into the major-league record book. Finally, Joel speaks with Arena Football League player Tamatoa Silva about how it felt to watch an entire league come crashing down around him. Caitlin Clark (2:49): Dissecting all the drama surrounding the WNBA star.   Negro Leagues (25:23): What to know about all the new stats, and why it took so long for MLB to add them to the record book. Arena Football League (47:56): A conversation about life on the football fringes. Afterball (59:48): Josh on Dejounte Murray and the greatest NBA quote of all time. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening a

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the stardom of the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as well as Draymond Green’s stint on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Michael McCann of Sportico also joins to break down the multibillion-dollar settlement that will likely mark the end of amateurism in college sports. Luka and Kyrie: How the Mavericks duo took over the Western Conference Finals. NCAA: Will the settlement deal actually become reality? And how will the payments work? Afterball: Stefan on Bill Walton, Jack Scott, and the FBI. Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the Pacers’ and Timberwolves’ Game 7 wins in the NBA’s conference semifinals. Slate’s Alex Kirshner also joins to talk about Scottie Scheffler’s arrest at the PGA Championship. Finally, they review Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s ultra-conservative commencement speech. NBA playoffs (3:11): Looking back at a pair of historic road victories.   Scheffler (20:18): A bizarre weekend at Valhalla for the world’s no. 1 golfer.   Butker (35:47): The Catholic football player launched himself into a culture war. Afterball (51:53): Stefan on where Giannis Antetokounmpo grew up and what he overcame. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by the Washington Post’s Ben Golilver to talk about the NBA’s conference semifinals. Jackie Powell of the Next also joins to preview all the big storylines leading into the most-anticipated WNBA season ever. Finally, one of the WNBA’s top draft picks in 2023, Maddy Siegrist, explains what the 2024 rookie class can expect in their first year as pros. NBA playoffs (3:29): The Nuggets aren’t dead yet and the Knicks are held together with duct tape.   WNBA (21:25): Caitlin Clark’s debut, the Aces going for three in a row, and the rollout of charter flights.   Siegrist (39:49): The second-year player for the Dallas Wings on adjusting to the WNBA. Afterball (56:22): Joel on the seeming demise of the Arena Football League. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podca

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and NPR’s Gene Demby look back at the epic first-round series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. They also check in on the chaos inside Deion Sanders’ Colorado football program. Finally, Alex Prewitt joins Joel, Josh, and Stefan Fatsis to examine why Korean basketball players bank in their free throws. Knicks- Sixers (2:25): How New York came out on top and what’s next for Philly.   Colorado (19:03): What happened to all the players Coach Prime booted?   Banked-in free throws (34:26): A deep dive into a mysterious phenomenon. Afterball (49:15): Josh on the Shaq-Kobe NBA (and rap) beef.  (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get ac

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and Slate’s Alex Kirshner discuss the quarterback frenzy at the top of the NFL draft and Anthony Edwards’ star-making performances in the NBA playoffs. Then, Josh and Stefan Fatsis are joined by cross-country skiing broadcaster Chad Salmela to talk about the remarkable Jessie Diggins. QBs in the NFL draft (4:23): Was the Falcons’ Michael Penix pick a big mistake?   Edwards (18:44): The Timberwolves guard looks ready for the spotlight.   Diggins (34:06): Why everyone should root for the American skiing sensation. Afterballs (56:38 ): Joel on "Machine Gun" Molly Bolin and WNBA. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen. Le

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by writer Tom Haberstroh to discuss Jontay Porter’s lifetime ban from the NBA for gambling. The Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh also joins to talk about the scourge of pitcher injuries in Major League Baseball and what MLB should do to get the crisis under control. Jontay Porter (2:51): What his ban augurs for the future of pro sports and betting.   Pitcher injuries (26:17): What is MLB doing about them? Is it too late?   Afterball (47:02): Stefan on why the Ivy League’s best basketball players are transferring. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin, discuss the death of O.J. Simpson and everything his life and his murder trial dredged up. They’re also joined by Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports for a breakdown of the NBA playoffs. O.J. Simpson's legacy (2:05): Reckoning with the meaning of O.J. NBA Playoffs (23:45): Breaking down the upcoming playoff picture. Afterball (41:42): Joel on O.J. Simpson’s long and not so successful sportscasting career. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Chantel Jennings to talk about South Carolina’s victory over Iowa. They also ponder Caitlin Clark’s WNBA future, John Calipari’s reported move to Arkansas, and Tennessee’s decision to move beyond the Pat Summitt coaching tree. Finally, Sam Koppelman joins to discuss Hunterbrook Media’s new report on Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s mortgage company and how Hunterbrook is trying to use journalism to make money in the stock market. South Carolina-Iowa (1:42): How the Gamecocks took down the Hawkeyes. Caitlin Clark and big coaching moves (14:45): How will the Iowa star perform in the pros? And what’s next for the Kentucky men’s and Tennessee women’s basketball programs? Ishbia (34:26): Breaking down a new story on the NBA and mortgage lending and assessing a new journalistic business model. Afterball (55:51): Josh on Sports Illustrated’s 1955 baseball preview, featuring Willie Mays, Leo Durocher, and Laraine Day. (Note: time codes are only accurate fo

Joel Anderson and Stefan Fatsis are joined by USA Today’s Lindsay Schnell to talk about the NCAA women’s college basketball tournament and by Buzzer’s Eamonn Brennan to discuss the men’s tournament. Finally, the Washington Post’s Kent Babb joins for a conversation about his profile of Kim Mulkey. NCAA women (5:55): Can anyone beat South Carolina? NCAA men (23:02): Why everyone loves North Carolina State’s DJ Burns Jr. Mulkey profile (38:31): Kent Babb on his reporting process and everything that came after. Afterball (1:00:33): Stefan on chess pioneer Lisa Lane. (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.) Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and Ben Mathis-Lilley talk about whether college hoops has passed by John Calipari and why Oakland’s Jack Gohlke became a folk hero. They also discuss Kim Mulkey’s preemptive strike against the Washington Post and what to make of the strange story of Shohei Ohtani, his interpreter, and massive gambling debts.   NCAA tournament (4:06): The strangeness of tourneys that have mostly gone to form.   Mulkey (23:07): The LSU women’s basketball coach goes on the attack … over a story that hasn’t been published.   Ohtani (39:24): Trying to make sense of a very confusing series of events.   Afterball (50:56): Josh on Kobe Elvis.   (Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.)   Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hang

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the top storylines going into March Madness. They also assess the NFL’s big quarterback moves. Finally, they discuss the greatest Scrabble play of all time and the fascinating Kiwi who made it.   March Madness (5:20): Brown’s Ivy League loss, the possible showdowns in the women’s bracket, and more.   NFL QBs (26:56): Were the Steelers smart to get Russell Wilson AND Justin Fields?   Nigel Richards (41:44): A singular moment of Scrabble genius from a singular player.   Afterball (51:23): Joel on the Mississippi Valley State men’s basketball team’s lone victory and the student announcers who called it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Great Expectations author Vinson Cunningham to talk about the fracas between the LSU and South Carolina women’s basketball teams. They also discuss Steve Garvey, DEI in Florida, and other intersections between sports and politics in 2024. Women’s hoops (3:24): In so many ways, this weekend showed that this sport has the juice. Sports and politics (22:07): How athletes are influencing politics and policy this election year. Afterball (43:01): Josh on the U.S. women’s national team’s Gold Cup victory and what it all means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by NFL reporting legend Peter King to talk about the Chicago Bears’ quarterback dilemma, what he’s seen in his four decades covering pro football, and why Bill Belichick refuses to speak to him.   Justin Fields and Caleb Williams (4:02): What are the Bears going to do?   Peter King looks back (29:48): What stories did he screw up? Which ones does he wish he got to cover?   Afterball (50:38): Stefan on D.C. public school basketball powerhouse Jackson-Reed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss whether court-storming should be banned for good. The Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins also joins to explain why she believes the NCAA is cheapening Caitlin Clark’s scoring records. Finally, they assess the NCAA’s latest legal trouble and what comes next.   Court-storming (4:41): Is it even possible to stop students from rushing the court?   Clark’s records (22:48): The AIAW’s Lynette Woodard and Pearl Moore deserve respect and attention.   NCAA (41:20): How much longer can the house of cards stay standing?   Afterball (56:18): Joel on the precarious existence of the NBA’s G League Ignite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices