Hang Up and Listen
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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 megaphone.fm/adchoices
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/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss whether the NBA All-Star Game is fixable. They also talk about whether Fanatics and Nike are destroying the sports uniform. Finally, writer Abraham Josephine Riesman joins to explain the allegations against wrestling impresario Vince McMahon and why they matter. All-Star Game (3:16): What can the league do to revive what used to be a showcase event? Uniforms (22:53): Baseball players say their new clothes are the pits. What happened? McMahon (42:37): What’s next for pro wrestling and the man who’s controlled it for decades? Afterball (1:01:43): Josh on the time the mayor of San Francisco insulted the 49ers’ backup quarterback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over the 49ers, the performances of Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy, and how the new overtime rules played out. CNBC’s Alex Sherman also comes on to explain whether a new multi-network streaming deal will change how we watch sports. How the Chiefs won (3:41): This Mahomes guy is pretty good. Overtime (20:07): Did the 49ers screw up by taking the ball first? Streaming (35:47): What you need to know about the new service and the future of sports TV. Afterball (51:49): Stefan on the Chiefs’ legendary Black scout Lloyd Wells. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Chantel Jennings to discuss women’s college basketball stars JuJu Watkins and Caitlin Clark. The Washington Post’s Will Hobson also joins to talk about his piece on the broken promises of the NFL’s concussion settlement. Finally, U.S. senator and New York Knicks legend Bill Bradley discusses his one-man show Rolling Along. Watkins and Clark (4:29): The biggest stars in women’s hoops are living up to the hype. Concussion settlement (23:50): Retired players with dementia aren’t getting the money they believe they’re owed. Rolling Along (44:24): Why the politician and basketball star is telling the story of his life. Afterball (1:03:22): Josh on Zach LaVine, L.T. Levine, and athlete name homophones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the 49ers’ comeback win over the Lions and the Chiefs’ victory over the Ravens. The Washington Post’s Ben Golliver also joins to talk about the spate of high-scoring games in the NBA. 49ers-Lions (3:44): Did Dan Campbell’s coaching moves cost Detroit? Chiefs-Ravens (18:50): Patrick Mahomes won again. Lamar Jackson flopped. NBA scoring (35:36): Are all these amazing point totals bad news for the league? Afterball (56:56): Joel on meeting Andrew Luck at the playground. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss Kansas City’s win over Buffalo in the NFL playoffs. Adam Duerson also joins to talk about the collapse of Sports Illustrated and ESPN’s Myron Medcalf comes on for a conversation about second-generation athletes (and how they make us feel old). Chiefs-Bills (5:00): How Patrick Mahomes took down Josh Allen again. Sports Illustrated (21:49): Is there a path forward for SI? Second-generation athletes (39:36): Wait, there’s a Jameer Nelson Jr. now? Afterball (1:02:11): The time Buddy Ryan ran up the score on the Cowboys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs. They also talk about the departures of coaching legends Nick Saban, Bill Belichick, and Pete Carroll. Finally, Ben Rothenberg joins to discuss his new biography of tennis star Naomi Osaka. NFL playoffs (3:17): How did the Detroit Lions franchise turn itself around? Saban, Belichick, and Carroll (26:03): What do these coaching greats have in common and how do they differ from each other? Osaka (48:09): A deep dive into a modern sports icon. Afterball (1:14:22): Remembering Chris Laskowski. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss Michigan’s win over Washington in the College Football Playoff. They also talk about Bill Belichick’s future and the Philadelphia Eagles’ decline. Finally, the Athletic’s Chantel Jennings assesses the state of women’s college basketball and the sport’s new TV deal. Michigan (7:14): How the Wolverines won it all. NFL (26:01): Why hasn’t Pats owner Robert Kraft made a move yet? Women’s hoops (50:40): Is the new TV contract a disappointment or a positive step? Afterball (1:09:43): What was the 2023 Sports Word of the Year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley to discuss the College Football Playoff semifinals. Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports also joins to talk about the Detroit Pistons’ epic losing streak. Finally, we look back at our 2020 segment on the Pac-12’s #WeAreUnited movement. CFP semis (5:21): How Michigan and Washington emerged victorious. Pistons (29:02): How did they get so bad? #WeAreUnited (51:06): A conversation from 2020 with then UCLA players Elisha Guidry and Otito Ogbonnia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the most important and most memorable sports moments of 2023. They’re also joined by Mark Wright to talk about his podcast The Bison Project, on Howard University’s 1971 NCAA champion soccer team. Finally, we look back at one of our favorite segments from the recent past, featuring … a mystery guest. Memorable moments (4:41): Damar Hamlin, Michigan sign-stealing, and everything in between. Howard soccer (21:06): Can a 50-year-old injustice be rectified? Mystery guest (42:57): Can you guess what sports innovation he came up with? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and Slate’s Alex Kirshner discuss Draymond Green’s indefinite suspension. They also talk about the Washington Capitals and Wizards reportedly leaving D.C. for Northern Virginia. And finally, they examine why every college quarterback is in the transfer portal. Draymond (4:43): What’s next for him and for the Warriors? Wiz and Caps (26:12): Are they actually leaving or is this just a classic case of owner extortion? Portal (45:53): Why so many quarterbacks are switching teams. Afterball (1:06:58): Joel on North Dakota State’s very lopsided basketball victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss Shohei Ohtani’s record-setting contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. They’re also joined by the Washington Post’s Ben Golliver to assess the NBA’s first in-season tournament. Finally, they discuss Joel’s story about his tenure at ESPN and what it’s become now. Ohtani (4:31): Did the Dodgers actually get a bargain? In-season tournament (23:41): Was it a flop or is it here to stay? ESPN (47:57): What is the Worldwide Leader trying to be? Afterball (1:08:30): Josh on Bills coach Sean McDermott talking about the teamwork of … the 9/11 hijackers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and the Ringer’s Bryan Curtis assess the decision to leave Florida State out of the College Football Playoff at the expense of Alabama. They also discuss Sports Illustrated using AI writers. And Stefan and Josh follow the continuing saga of LSU’s Kim Mulkey and Angel Reese. Florida State and Alabama (3:50): A total outrage or a totally understandable decision? Sports Illustrated (21:28): What does the magazine’s AI mess say about the present and future of sports media? Mulkey and Reese (39:36): The question that went unasked when the LSU basketball star returned. Afterball (1:00:19): Stefan on the origins of a famous quotation from baseball Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the Michigan football team’s win over Ohio State and Alabama’s last-second victory over Auburn. They also discuss the mystery around why LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese isn’t playing. Finally, the Wall Street Journal’s Jonathan Clegg explains the huge penalty the Premier League dished out to Everton. College football (6:31): Why this year’s rivalry week loss was so crushing for Ohio State. LSU women’s basketball (26:10): What’s going on between star Angel Reese and coach Kim Mulkey? Everton (48:22): Will Manchester City and Chelsea get hammered next? Afterball (1:07:17): Joel on the uplifting journeys of Idaho and New Mexico State football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Josh Levin, Joel Anderson, and Ben Mathis-Lilley are joined by the Ringer’s Lindsay Jones to talk about the controversy Charissa Thompson kicked up about sideline reporting. They also discuss Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, and whether he’ll succeed at bringing a new leadership style to the NFL. Finally, the Wall Street Journal’s Joshua Robinson joins to assess Formula 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. Sideline reporting (5:41): Why did Thompson’s admission that she made up reports strike such a nerve? McDaniel (29:06): Can a humane coach win big in the NFL? Formula 1 (49L59): How the Las Vegas Grand Prix went from disaster to success. Afterball (1:07:17): Josh on commercials where athletes celebrate “ordinary people.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Josh Levin, Joel Anderson, and Ben Mathis-Lilley weigh the evidence in the sign-stealing case against Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. They also discuss Texas A&M’s decision to fire its football coach Jimbo Fisher. Finally, Josh and Joel speak with writer Megan Swanick about the career and legacy of Megan Rapinoe. Harbaugh (4:04): Should the coach go down or is he getting railroaded? Fisher (26:49): How national championship dreams turned into a $76 million buyout. Rapinoe (44:01): She didn’t get a perfect ending, but she handled her ending perfectly. Afterball (1:06:36): Joel on Jimbo Fisher, Colby Carthel, and Texas-sized football expectations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Joel Anderson assess the life and career of basketball coach Bobby Knight, who died last week at age 83. They also review Victor Wembanyama’s awe-inspiring opening weeks in the NBA. Finally, the Athletic’s Dan Robson joins to discuss the tragic death of hockey player Adam Johnson, who was slashed in the neck by a skate blade. Knight (4:39): The legendary coach was a symbol of toughness and egomania. Wemby (24:45): The French giant is even better than we thought. Hockey death (45:25): Will a horrifying on-ice tragedy change anything about the game? Afterball (1:08:39): Josh on the latest abuse allegations against tennis player Alexander Zverev. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Joel Anderson are joined by Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley to assess the latest developments in the Michigan sign-stealing extravaganza. The Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh also joins to break down the World Series matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers. Finally, Stefan, Josh, and Joel discuss how to talk about Dwight Howard, the future basketball Hall of Famer who’s been accused by a man of sexual assault. Michigan (5:52): Is Jim Harbaugh in trouble? World Series (27:27): These might not be the best teams in the major leagues but it is a great match-up. Howard (49:57): There’s never been a story like this in the NBA. Afterball (1:08:55): Stefan on the etymology of the “tush push” and its upstart rival, the “Brotherly Shove.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, are joined by Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley to talk about allegations that the Michigan football team is running a sign-stealing operation. They also discuss flag football becoming an Olympic sport. Finally, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski comes on for a conversation about the National Hockey League’s ban on rainbow-colored Pride Tape. Michigan (1:54): Are the Wolverines cheating? And what does a guy named Connor Stalions have to do with it? Flag football (23:12): Will NFL players take the field at the 2028 Games? Pride Tape (41:54): The Arizona Coyotes’ Travis Dermott defied the ban. What happens now? Afterball (01:05:41): Stefan on the first woman kicker in college football who’s also a rated tournament Scrabble player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and special guest Pablo Torre of Pablo Torre Finds Out are joined by Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim to talk about the Ohio State wrestlers speaking out against their former coach Jim Jordan. They also discuss the journalism ethics brouhaha over the Braves’ Orlando Arcia lightly mocking the Phillies’ Bryce Harper. Finally, they assess the rivalry between NBA newsbreakers Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania. Jim Jordan (4:22): He claims he knew nothing about Richard Strauss’ sexual abuse. A group of Ohio State wrestlers say that’s not true. Braves-Phillies (26:37): How a locker room joke became an off-field and off-field controversy. Woj vs. Shams (45:57): Should we care about them and the transactions they report? Afterball (1:04:00): Josh on the Asian-American tennis players you need to know, including Mackenzie McDonald and Jessica Pegula. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant to talk about the WNBA Finals matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty. Aaron Schatz of the FTN Network also joins to discuss the badness of the New England Patriots and whether Bill Belichick’s job is at risk. Finally, Defector’s Dave McKenna comes on for a conversation about swimmer Diana Nyad and the adversary committed to exposing her as a fraud. WNBA (3:31): Do the Liberty still have a chance to make it a series? Patriots (24:26): What’s gone wrong in New England and could Belichick be on his way out? Nyad (49:21): The swimmer vs. her debunker. Afterball (1:07:21): Stefan on teams losing football games after failing to take a knee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Kevin Clark of ESPN to talk about Taylor Swift vs. the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills’ rout of the Miami Dolphins. Ben Golliver of the Washington Post also comes on to evaluate the trade of superstar Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. Finally, golf writer Shane Ryan discusses Team Europe’s blowout Ryder Cup win over the United States. NFL (3:31): Everyone (except Zach Wilson) wins when “Tayvis” hits New Jersey. NBA (25:31): Dame to the Bucks. Jrue to Boston. Who’s the favorite in the East? Ryder Cup (50:56): The golf world went nuts over a man not wearing a hat. Afterball (1:11:41): Josh on athletes and triquetral fractures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stefan Fatsis is joined by writer and podcaster Spencer Hall to talk about a busy weekend in college football. The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh discusses Major League Baseball’s playoff races, and the future of Shohei Ohtani. Finally, Slate’s Nadira Goffe and Defector’s Dan McQuade assess the budding Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce relationship, and a new documentary about Kelce’s brother, Jason. College football (2:30): Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes finally lost, and badly. MLB (20:20): Are the Atlanta Braves the best offensive team in baseball history? Kelce (39:30): Will the Swifties take over the NFL? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay to talk about quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ (possibly) season-ending injury. Gay also discusses American cyclist Sepp Kuss’ historic grand tour win at the Vuelta a Espana and the controversy that preceded it. And finally, the Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant assesses the big storylines in the WNBA playoffs. Rodgers (2:22): Is it too soon to laugh about him doing his own research? Kuss (19:30): Should the cyclist’s team and his teammates have challenged him or allowed him to win? WNBA (38:20): Can anyone take down the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces? Afterball (59:23): Josh on the MLS story of the year: an Argentinian who is not Lionel Messi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Coco Gauff’s big breakthrough at the U.S. Open. They also discuss Texas’ win over Alabama, and whether the Longhorns are back, baby. Finally, the Washington Post’s Ben Golliver joins to assess Team USA’s non-medal-winning performance at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Coco Gauff (2:48): Why her first grand slam victory felt so monumental. Texas-Alabama (26:50): Are the Longhorns rising up or is the Crimson Tide on the way down? FIBA World Cup (44:49): Why did Team USA flop again? Does it matter? Afterballs (01:13:15): Joel on Willie Jeffries and Stefan on how Billie Jean King and a deodorant manufacturer secured equal pay for women at the U.S. Open in 1973. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
