Edge of Sports

This week we speak to longtime labor organizer, writer, and former head of TransAfrica Bill Fletcher about why the time is now for minor league baseball players to form a union. We also have ‘Choice Words’ about the collision of the #blacklivesmatter movement and basketball in Sacramento, a ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Sit Yo Ass Down’ award to the Notre Dame Women’s Basketball team and NCAA President Mark Emmert respectively, Kaepernick Watch, and more! Bill Fletcher Twitter: @billflecherjr http://billfletcherjr.com/2016/discussing-challenges-facing-minor-league-baseball-players-friday/ Zirin, Black Lives Matter And The NBA Collide In Sacramento https://www.thenation.com/article/blacklivesmatter-and-the-nba-collide-in-sacramento/ Gibbs, Ending The Sham of NCAA amateurism Will Not End Title IX https://thinkprogress.org/title-ix-amateurism-1398c640714f/ Cason, Minor League Baseball Players Deserve A Fair Wage https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/minor-league-baseball-players-deserve-a-fair-wage/2018/03/23/86a36fca-2dde-11e8-8dc9-3b51e028b845_story.html?utm_term=.27dcf4dfee91 — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE) — Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Flava in Ya Ear - Craig Mack | Over The Rainbow - Joey Alexander | Deception - Blackalicious | Damn - Youngbloodz | Hip Hop Is Dead - Nas | Rakim - Walk These Streets | You Know How We Do It - Ice Cube | How Many Emcees - Black Moon | The Wire Theme

NBA All-Stars Kevin Love & Demar DeRozan recently went public with their mental health challenges. Here, former NBA player Royce White speaks about the NBA’s approach to mental health, and the gap between the league’s supportive rhetoric and existing reality. Also, we have “Choice Words” about student unrest at Sweet 16 darling Loyola. We also got our weekly “Just Stand Up” and “Sit Down” awards for defensive back and early Colin Kaepernick supporter Eric Reid, and Fox News for their blatant hypocrisy. All that and more on this week’s show.Royce WhiteTwitter: @Highway_30Zirin, Loyola Soars In March Madness While Faculty Strike Loomshttps://www.thenation.com/article/loyola-soars-in-march-madness-while-faculty-strike-looms/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Renee - Lost Boyz | Halftime - Nas | Rumble in the Jungle - Fugees Feat. Tribe Called Quest & Busta Rhymes | Kick In the Door - Notorious B.I.G. | Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah | It’s Funky Enough - The D.O.C. | Song Cry - Jay-Z | The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco | The Wire Theme

On this week’s pod, we speak to 10 year NBA veteran Etan Thomas about his new book "We Matter: Athletes and Activism,” where he speaks to sports figures ranging from Bill Russell to Russell Westbrook. Also, I have choice words about Michael Bennett's departure from Seattle, a Just Stand Up and Just Sit Your Ass Down award for an NBA pioneer on mental health and NFL owners respectively, our weekly Kaepernick watch, and much more.Etan ThomasTwitter: @etanthomas36We Matter: Athletes & ActivismZirin, He’s Been Our Voice: Seattle Says Goodbye to Michael Bennetthttps://www.thenation.com/article/hes-been-our-voice-seattle-says-goodbye-to-michael-bennett/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | It Was A Good Day - Ice Cube | Freestyle on Flex - Black Thought | I shall Proceed - The Roots | One Day - UGK | J-Dawg Feat. Slim Thug - Ride on 4s | One-Two - Z-Ro Feat. Billy Cook | Where I’m From - Jay-Z | Game Over - Lil Flip | Recognize - The Lox | The Wire Theme

This week we got a dope show. We talk to sportswriter and friend of the program Patrick Hruby in-depth about the political economy of revenue sports and it’s racialized superstructure, why athletes deserve a piece of the income pie, and the FBI investigation into professional agents and their relationship with schools and collegiate athletes. We also have some Choice Words about the courage and perseverance of gymnast Aly Raisman in seeking justice for assault victims, a Just Stand Up & Just Sit Down for a WNBA coach and a national politician. All that and much more!Patrick HrubyTwitter: @patrick_hrubyhttps://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/fbi-investigation-college-basketball-highlights-system-s-hypocrisy-time-call-ncna852646Zirin, Aly Raisman Can’t Stop Won’t Stophttps://www.thenation.com/article/aly-raisman-cant-stop-wont-stop/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | I Really Mean It - The Diplomats | Bossa Nova- Musica Instrumental | Without A Doubt - Black Sheep | Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg -  Deep Cover | Trap House - Gucci Mane | A Friend - KRS-One | Same Hoes - Rick Ross |    | The Wire Theme

This week we got a special episode. We go full-length in conversation with  sports broadcaster and former Georgetown basketball captain Monica McNutt about the recent scandals plaguing the NCAA, sexual harassment inside the Dallas Mavericks organization, the movie Black Panther, and the trials faced by black women in sports journalism. It's a hell of a conversation that you don't want to miss!Monica McNuttTwitter: @McNuttMonica—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Ma, I Don't Love Her - Clipse | Mo' Money Mo' Problems - Notorious B.I.G. Feat. Mase & Puff Daddy | Kryptonite - Purple Ribbon All-Stars | The Wire Theme

This week, we talk all things NFL -- plus a new twist on the Lebron-Jordan debate -- with Andrew Brandt, columnist for The MMQB and The Athletic and the host of "Business of Sports" podcast. Brandt details his time as an executive with the Green Bay Packers and dishes on whether or not the NFL is blackballing Colin Kaepernick.Dave has some Choice Words for how LeBron James has, once again, flipped the script in terms of what we expect from our superstars. Our Just Stand Up Award goes to Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, for being far more presidential than the current person residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Our Just Sit Down Award goes to the racist fans who thought it was a good idea to yell at Washington Capitals' Devante Smith-Pelly.  As we move on from the football season -- and further away to when Colin Kaepernick last played -- we urge you not to forget the man who started this revolution of athlete-activists!Andrew Brandt, Columnist | The MMQB, The AthleticFollow on Twitter @AndrewBrandtDave Zirin, LeBron James Flips the Sript -- Againhttps://www.thenation.com/article/lebron-james-flips-the-script-again/ —http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien |  Stir Fry - Migos | Adagio For Strings - Samuel Barber | Even Flow - Pearl Jam | Westside Story - The Game Feat. 50 Cent | Banned From TV -  Noreaga Feat. Big Pun, Cam'ron, and The Lox | Guns & Cigarettes - Atmosphere | Be Quiet - Soulja Boy & Tyga | Yudee - Ugly Duckling | The Wire Theme

This week, we give a preview of the Winter Olympics with Jules Boykoff, co-author of Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics. We also talk about the geopolitics surrounding the games, the destruction of sacred spaces in South Korea brought on by the Olympics, and whether we can expect athlete protests this year.During Choice Words, we’ll examine comments made by recent Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on the topic of a White House visit. Legendary goalkeeper Neville Southall gets a Just Stand Up Award from us for comments made to the Financial Times about economic inequality and racism and Mike Pence does Mike Pence things, earning another Sit Your Ass Down! award.  As always, we've got a Kaepernick watch and more on this week's show!Jules BoykoffTwitter: @JulesBoykoffhttp://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-zirin-boykoff-pyeonchang-olympics-20180208-story.htmlZirin, Dave Why So Many Philadelphia Eagles Are Rejecting This White Househttps://www.thenation.com/article/why-so-many-philadelphia-eagles-are-rejecting-this-white-house/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | X - Kendrick Lamar Feat. Schoolboy Q, Saudi, & 2 Chainz | Stadium Pow Wow - Tribe Called Red Feat. Black Bear | I Gotcha Back - GZA | Kill Bill - Big Boi Feat. Killer Mike & Young Jeezy | Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See - Busta Rhymes | My Shit Bang - E-40 | How Ya Do That - Master P | Paramedic - Kendrick Lamar Feat. SOB X RBE | The Wire Theme

This week, we recap the Super Bowl with Melissa Jacobs from The Football Girl and host of The Football Girl Podcast. The Philadelphia Eagles sure didn't consider social justice a distraction en route to the Super Bowl. What's next for both the Eagles and the New England Patriots?During Choice Words, we examine how the Eagles used their platform to speak out for others and still came out on top -- yes, you can do both. The City of Brotherly Love is where you'll find our Just Stand Up Award and as for Dodge, what were you thinking misusing Martin Luther King's words? Sit Your Ass Down! As always, we've got a Kaepernick watch and more on this week's show!Melissa Jacobs, Founder of TheFootballGirl.com and host of The Football Girl PodcastFollow on Twitter @thefootballgirlDave Zirin, The Eagles' Super Bowl Win Shows That Having a Conscience Does Not Distract From Winning the Gamehttps://www.thenation.com/article/the-eagles-super-bowl-win-shows-that-having-a-conscience-does-not-distract-from-winning-the-game/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien |  All I Know - DJ Jazzy Jeff | Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down) - Hamilton Soundtrack | Slippery - Migos | 2 AM - Rapsody Ft Ab Soul | Let Me Blow Ya Mind - Eve | Dreams and Nightmares - Meek Mill | The Wire Theme

This week, we speak to Jessica Luther, author of Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape, about Michigan State, USA gymnastics and what justice could look like for the gymnasts abused by Larry Nassar.Get ready for a surprising Choice Words segment where we make a progressive case for rooting on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl...seriously. We keep your attention on the Super Bowl for our Just Stand Up award -- Chris Long and Malcolm Jenkins continue to prove that standing up for social doesn't inhibit a football team from winning games.The Just Sit Down award could only go to someone on the Michigan State board of trustees. Plus, we bring you a Kaepernick Watch that has to do with him playing football! Enjoy all that and more on this week's episode! Jessica Luther, Journalist & Author of Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of RapeFollow on Twitter @jessicawlutherDave Zirin, The Progressive Case for the New England Patriots (Seriously)https://www.thenation.com/article/the-progressive-case-for-the-new-england-patriots-seriously/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien |  I Need A Doctor - Dr. Dre | Most Girls - Hailee Steinfeld | Digital Witness - St. Vincent | Mass Appeal - Gang Starr | Desire - Pharoahe Monch | Mathematics - Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) | Lost Boyz - Renee | Who Am I (What's My Name) - Snoop Dogg | The Wire Theme

As Baltimore schools became refrigerators this month, former NFL linebacker turned Art teacher Aaron Maybin went viral with a video detailing their conditions. Aaron is also the author of a book called Art-Activism: The Revolutionary Art, Poetry, & Reflections of Aaron Maybin. We speak to him about his own personal journey as well as issues of race, class, and education facing Baltimore.Also, we have a special ‘Choice Words,’ written by journalist Lyndsey D'Arcangelo about the serial abuse that took place under the auspices of USA Gymnastics. You don’t want to miss it! We also have ‘Just Stand Up award to the first openly gay athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics, a ‘Just Sit Down’ award to Vice President Mike Pence, both of which are connected to each other, and a very special Kaepernick Watch!Aaron MaybinTwitter: @AaronMMaybinBook: Art-Activism: The Revolutionary Art, Poetry, & Reflections of Aaron Maybinhttp://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/k-12/bs-md-aaron-maybin-cold-schools-20180108-story.htmlLyndsey D’Arcangelo’s Articlehttp://www.lyndseydarcangelo.com/2018/gold-medal-dream-becomes-nightmare/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del The Funky Homosapien | High Rise - Big Sean | Bank Rolls Remix - Tate Kobang | Keep Ya Head Up - Tupac | Pound Cake - Drake Feat. Jay-Z | Liberty City - Jaco Pastorius | The Man - The Killers | Take Me To Church - Hozier | Get Up Stand Up - Bob Marley | The Wire Theme Song

This week we talk to Hani Ali from the Black Visions Collective and Veronica Mendez-Moore from the Centro De Trabajadores Unidos En Lucha, both in the Twin Cities, about organizing a ten day resistance to ramped up police presence, the attacks on workers, and the corporate bacchanalia leading up to the Super Bowl Sunday. Also, we speak about the shockingly overlooked news that Serena Williams - one of the great all-time athletes - almost died during childbirth. We also have “Just Stand Up” and Just Sit Down awards that are connected to each other, as well as some very special shootouts to our patrons! All that and more on this week’s show! Hani Alihttp://www.takeactionminnesota.org/profile/hani-ali/Veronica Mendez-Moorehttp://stproject.org/lio_directory/veronica-mendez-moore/Zirin, Jaylen Brown and the Evolution of the Activist Athlete  https://www.thenation.com/article/jaylen-brown-and-the-evolution-of-the-activist-athlete/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del The Funky Homosapien | The Shit That We've Been Through - Atmosphere | Finesse - Bruno Mars Feat. Cardi B. | Blind Man Can See It - James Brown | Wipe Me Down - Lil Boosie Feat. Webbie & Foxx | Drop It Like It’s Hot Remix - Snoop Dogg Feat. Pharrell & Jay-Z | Can’t Believe It - T-Pain Feat. Lil Wayne | Memory Lane - Nas | The Wire Theme

This week, we speak to author Sean Deveney about his new book Fun City, which chronicles New York City in the 1960's -- an era of Broadway Joe Namath, the Amazin' Mets and some very interesting politics.Also, we have some choice words about the morality of watching professional football.  We've got a classroom-warming Just Stand Up Award for former NFL linebacker, Aaron Maybin, and USA Gymnastics...please Just Sit Down. As always, we give you a Kaepernick Watch and so much more!Sean Deveney, AuthorFollow on Twitter @SeanDeveney—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Welcome to New York City -Cam'ron | Orinoco Flow - Enya | Make the Money - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis | Man in the Box - Alice In Chains | Concrete Schoolyard - Jurassic 5 | Wake Me Up - Remy Ma Ft. Lil' Kim | Lose Yourself - Eminem | The Wire Theme

This is a good one. We speak to ESPN the Magazine's Howard Bryant about his forthcoming book "The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism." Bryant explores the development of the black athlete over the last 75 years, including the changing social and political dynamics.We also have a Choice Words segment that looks back at the year that was in sports and politics, and the backlash that followed the historic groundswell of protests. We also have a Just Stand Up award for McKayla Maroney for her courage in coming forward to tell the truth about USA Gymnastics, a Just Sit Down award to Jerry Richardson after a jarring expose in Sports Illustrated, and our last Kaepernick Watch of 2017. All that and more!Howard Bryant, ESPN ColumnistFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hbryant42https://www.amazon.com/Heritage-Athletes-Divided-Politics-Patriotism/dp/0807026999Zirin, 2017 in Sports and Politics: The Return of the Backlashhttps://www.thenation.com/article/2017-in-sports-and-politics-the-return-of-the-backlash/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Support our Patreon at: www.patreon.com/edgeofsportspod—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Can’t Truss It - Public Enemy | Song of the Underground Railroad - John Coltrane | Lean Back - Fat Joe | Trillionaire - Bun B | Fall in Love - Slum Village | All Night - Chance the Rapper Feat. Knox Fortune | Ain’t No Sunshine - DMX | All Black - Big L | Stakes Is High - De La Soul | The Wire Theme

On this episode of the podcast, we take a look at a culture jam that occurred earlier this week, targeting the Washington football team and its racist team mascot. Jacqueline Keeler joins the show again to talk about how this culture jam came into being as well as the larger issue of using indigenous people as mascots, and the impact of living near uranium mines on the health of native communities.We also have a Choice Words segment that examines the politics of Charles Barkley in the wake of the recent Alabama senatorial election. We also have a Just Stand Up award for the heads of the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB player associations and a Just Sit Down award to Rob Manfred, commissioner of Major League Baseball. All that and more!Jacqueline Keeler, Founder of Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry & Creator of #NotYourMascotFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jfkeelerhttp://www.hcn.org/articles/tribal-affairs-trumps-message-for-tribes-let-them-eat-yellowcakeZirin, Charles Barkley’s Politics Demand Criticismhttps://www.thenation.com/article/charles-barkleys-politics-demand-criticism/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Southern Hospitality - Ludacris | Song of the Sun - Klee Benally | I Get the Bag - Gucci Mane Feat. Migos | The Celestics ‘Black Mozart’ - Kaytranada | Go - Common Feat. John Mayer | Angels - Chance the Rapper Feat. Saba | Check It Out - Beastie Boys | Super Lyrical - Big Pun Feat. Black Thought | Rikers Island - Kool G. Rap | The Wire Theme

This week, we try and understand the splits in the players coalition that has been negotiating with the NFL over the anti-racist protests taking place during the national anthem. We speak with Tamishia Moats, wife of former NFL player Ryan Moats, whose experiences with police violence became national news in 2009.And what a week it was, we have THREE Just Stand Up award winners including an NFL player and a Winter Olympics living legend. As always, we dole out our Just Sit Down nominee who needs to take all the seats and we end on a high note, your Kaepernick Watch.Tamishia Moats, Director of Development at Texas LegendsZirin, Two Different Paths, Two Different Goals: Understanding the Rift in the NFL's 'Player's Coalition'https://www.thenation.com/article/two-different-paths-two-different-goals-understanding-the-rift-in-the-nfls-players-coalition/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah | This Way - Dilated Peoples Feat. Kanye West | Nappy Heads (Remix) - Fugees | Smoke Buddah - Redman | Fear - Kendrick Lamar | Kick Push - Lupe Fiasco | American Girl - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers | The Food - Common ft. Kanye West | Politics as Usual - Jay-Z | Shirat HaSticker - HaDag Nachash | Dirty Harry - Gorillaz | Stereo Hearts - Gym Class Heroes | We Won't Stop - Biggie Smalls | The Wire Theme