The NHL season doesn’t begin until next month, but we might have already seen the most bizarre story of the season. Mike Babcock, one of the most accomplished hockey coaches in history, resigned as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets last week, after making his players show him private photos from their phones. Today, we go inside the strange downfall of a coaching legend, try to separate fact from fiction, and explain why, in the end, justice was served.Guest: Aaron Portzline, The AthleticSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

'Let Me See Your Phone': A Coaching Legend's Bizarre Demise

The Los Angeles Angels have had arguably the two biggest stars in baseball, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, on their roster for the past six years. And yet they have failed to make the playoffs -- or even record a winning season -- during that time. Today, with Ohtani on the verge of free agency, we explore his complicated relationship with the Angels, where he’s likely to land next season, and why the Angels may have ultimately failed MLB's brightest star.Guest: Sam Blum, The AthleticSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shohei's Empty Locker: How The Angels Failed MLB's Biggest Star

The San Francisco 49ers are 2-0, and looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender, heading into a matchup with the Giants on Thursday Night Football. And on a roster filled with stars, the guy who’s in charge of keeping the high-powered offense running is the former Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy. Today, we look at why Purdy has given himself a chance to stick as San Francisco’s long-term QB when so many others have failed to live up to Kyle Shanahan’s lofty standards. And, after moving on from C.J. Beathard, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Trey Lance, has Shanahan finally found his new Kirk Cousins?Guest: Matt Barrows, The AthleticRead the full story hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Brock Purdy May Be Kyle Shanahan's Dream QB

Five years ago, almost no one in basketball knew the name Austin Reaves. Now, the 25-year-old is an extremely rich and extremely popular member of the world’s most famous basketball team. Today, we look at Austin Reaves' unlikely and sudden rise to stardom and fame, why he has become so beloved, and whether or not he could become the third star the Lakers have been seeking.Guest: Jovan Buha, The AthleticRead Jovan's recent feature about Austin Reaves hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have The Lakers Finally Found Their Third Star?

Two weeks into the college football season, it's fair to say that the most intriguing — and polarizing — team in the sport is Coach Prime's Colorado Buffaloes. Today, we look at how Deion Sanders has transformed Colorado — seemingly overnight — into arguably the most entertaining team that college football has ever seen. It's the story of a landscape-altering roster makeover, a team that is "unabashedly flashy", and grudges that seem to be leading directly to victories. Plus, how far can Coach Prime, Shedeur Sanders, and two-way superstar Travis Hunter take this resurgent team this season?Guest: David Ubben, The AthleticListen to the Until Saturday podcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Swagger And Style Of Coach Prime's Colorado Buffaloes

The Georgia Bulldogs are aiming for some rare history this season — college football’s first three-peat since the 1930’s — and Kirby Smart's team has handed the keys to this emerging dynasty to a relative unknown at quarterback: Carson Beck. Today, we break down why Beck stayed with the Bulldogs for three years when he easily could have entered the transfer portal. And, can the unproven junior live up to the legacy that his predecessor, Stetson Bennett, left behind in Athens?Guest: Seth Emerson, The AthleticRead the full story hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Unproven QB Trying To Lead Georgia’s Three-peat

Perhaps the biggest story of the NFL offseason has been star running backs trying – and failing – to get the big contracts they feel they deserve. That, plus the ever-shortening careers of running backs, has led some people to declare that we have reached the end of the NFL's star running back era. Today, a look at how we got here and what the changes we’re seeing in football could mean for the future of the sport.Guest: Joe Rexrode, The AthleticRead Joe's story about Derrick Henry and the future of running backsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The End Of The Star Running Back Era?

The last time the New York Jets made the NFL playoffs, Mark Sanchez was their quarterback, LaDainian Tomlinson was their leading rusher, and The Social Network was about to come out on DVD. Now, 13 years later, the Jets finally believe they’ve found the right guy to lead them back. Today, we look at the events that led Aaron Rodgers and the Jets to each other, and whether this football marriage — in a pressure cooker — is built to go the distance. Plus, the emerging connection between Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson, and a potential drawback from the Jets’ appearance on Hard Knocks this season.Guest: Zack Rosenblatt, The AthleticListen to the Can’t Wait podcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can Aaron Rodgers And The Jets Go The Distance?

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball lately, thanks in large part to a lineup featuring two front-runners for MVP: seven-time All-Star Mookie Betts, and their veteran first baseman with an unmistakable swing, Freddie Freeman. Today, we trace Freeman’s origin story as a hitter all the way back to his dad’s office overlooking a baseball field, and the family tragedy that made him dive even deeper into the sport. Plus, can the former MVP lead the Dodgers to a deep postseason run after two years of playoff disappointment?Guest: Jack Harris, Los Angeles TimesRead the full story hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Freddie Freeman Built His Signature Swing

This summer, an eye-popping number of global soccer stars have signed huge contracts with teams in an unlikely place: Saudi Arabia. Today, we dive into the chaos of the Saudi soccer gold rush, the ways in which it has turned world football upside down, and why the league might be here to stay.Guest: Tariq Panja, The New York TimesRead Tariq's original story hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Saudi Soccer Gold Rush

Twenty years ago, ESPN premiered a television drama called 'Playmakers'. It dove into a lot of edgy issues in football, and it was an instant hit with viewers. But after just one season, ESPN pulled the show from the airwaves, reportedly because the NFL was upset about it. Today, we bring you the story of a TV show that in many ways was ahead of its time, the role the NFL played in its demise, and think about how it should be remembered today.Guest: Chris Vannini, The AthleticRead Chris's full story about the rise and fall of PlaymakersSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

'The NFL Was Upset': When ESPN Killed A Hit TV Show

This past December, the Mississippi State football program and the college football world were hit with a tragedy, when head coach Mike Leach — the mastermind who made the ‘Air Raid’ offense famous — died at the age of 61. Today, we look at how Mississippi State is moving forward after the sudden loss of the larger-than-life coaching icon. Plus, the aspects of Mike Leach's legacy the team plans to carry with them, and what they've decided to leave behind. Guest: Brody Miller, The AthleticRead the full story hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Leach’s Long Shadow

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team was eliminated from the World Cup by Sweden in the Round of 16 last week. It was a stunning development that led to the resignation of head coach Vlatko Andonvoski, and a whole lot of criticism. Today, we explore what went wrong for the U.S., and why the rest of the world has caught up to the once untouchable team.Guest: Jeff Rueter, The AthleticSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why The U.S. No Longer Dominates Women's Soccer

Our lasting memory of the Super Bowl back in February is Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs celebrating their second title in the last four seasons. But on the opposite end of all that excitement, for Nick Sirianni, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, it was a loss that left them searching for answers. Today, we explain how the Eagles are using Kansas City's confetti as a driving force as they try to avoid the dreaded Super Bowl hangover. Plus, with the historical odds stacked against them, does this team have the talent — and the mindset — to take home the title they missed out on last year?Guest: Zach Berman, The AthleticRead the full story hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Eagles’ Motivation? Kansas City’s Confetti

Late last week, the Pac-12 conference — which dates back more than a century — was suddenly showing signs of completely falling apart, with Oregon and Washington among the latest schools to leave. Today, we look at the rich history of a conference that produced John Elway, Aaron Rodgers, and Alex Morgan (among others), and how a strange combination of arrogance and apathy has brought it to the brink of extinction. Plus, what the mass Pac-12 exodus means for the teams that have left — and the ones left behind.Guest: Stewart Mandel, The AthleticRead his full story hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Arrogance, Apathy, And The Pac-12's Demise

There's growing evidence that certain psychedelic drugs can have positive benefits for people suffering from PTSD, depression and other mental illnesses. Today, we explore why many former pro athletes are taking up the cause of psychedelic therapy, and how some of their lives have been transformed by their experiences with the drugs (This episode first aired in June, 2021)Guest: Dan Robson, The AthleticSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Athletes And 'The Psychedelic Revolution' (Rebroadcast)

If you've ever been bowling at your local lanes, and seen the strange sight of someone flinging the ball toward the pins with two hands, there are two possible explanations: Either they have no clue what they're doing, or they're emulating one of the game's most dominant players. Ever since he burst onto the scene 15 years ago, Jason Belmonte has been one of the best, and most polarizing, bowlers in the world. Today, we look at how the man known as Belmo broke the game, and the backlash from his peers that threatened to break him.Read the full story from Eric Wills in GQ hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Man Who Started A Bowling Revolution

In the age of TikTok and Instagram, a new type of social media currency has become an important part of the recruiting process. Today, we venture into the strange world of recruit photo shoots -- a world filled with horses, Rolls Royces and spinning cameras... and a whole lot of frustrated coaches and administrators. (This episode originally aired in April, 2022)Guest: Ari Wasserman, The AthleticRead Ari and Antonio Morales's full story about recruit photoshoots here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Secret To Getting Top Football Recruits Is...Photoshoots? (Rebroadcast)

The Tour de France Femmes is happening right now, with Stage 6 out of 8 taking place today. But while many of the top female cyclists in the world are hard at work in the mountains, our podcasting team is on vacation, so we are replaying an episode about the Women's Tour that originally aired around this time last year. Reporter Maggie Mertens joined us to explain how the Women's Tour de France finally came to be, thanks to the grit and perseverance of many women, with an unexpected assist from an online gaming company.Guest: Maggie MertensRead Maggie's original Sports Illustrated story about the Women's Tour de France here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

'A Tour Of Their Own': How The Women's Tour de France Was Born (Re-Air)

After helping the Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl 57, and besting his big brother Jason in the process, Travis Kelce suddenly seemed to be everywhere: late night talk shows, MLB games, Saturday Night Live, even his own epic party in Kansas City -- Kelce Jam. Today, we explain Kelce's somewhat unlikely leap from star athlete to A-list celebrity, the source of his off-field ambitions, and what life after football might look like for the charismatic future tight end.Guest: Tom Kludt, Contributing Editor at Vanity FairRead Tom's full profile of Travis Kelce from Vanity Fair hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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