Hang Up and Listen

Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and the Atlantic’s Vann Newkirk talk about ESPN’s embrace of gambling. They also discuss the alleged suspension of Baltimore Orioles announcer Kevin Brown for alluding to the team’s recent losing seasons. Finally, Rebecca Schuman joins to assess Simone Biles’ return to competitive gymnastics.

ESPN and gambling (3:30): The Worldwide Leader makes a big bet. Is it too late?

Orioles (23:53): What are announcers allowed to say on team-owned networks?

Biles (42:49): How did she keep her comeback secret? And what should we expect from her?

Afterball (1:06:30): Stefan on Greek second-division soccer club Athens Kallithea FC, fashion, and hooliganism.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the American stars at the world track and field championships. They also review the documentary BS High, on the Bishop Sycamore high school football scandal. Finally, journalist Semra Hunter joins Stefan and Josh to discuss the latest in the battle between Luis Rubiales and Spain’s women’s soccer team.

Track (5:50): Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles won gold and are shooting for stardom.

BS High (25:45): Looking back at an amazing con and the man who perpetrated it.

Spain (48:34): A fight over soccer, power, and chauvinism.

Afterball (1:08:30): Josh on the FIBA Basketball World Cup, naturalized players, and a contretemps in Cambodia.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the Boston Celtics’ decision to suspend head coach Ime Udoka. They also talk about Roger Federer’s tearful retirement. Finally, Anna Wolfe of Mississippi Today joins for a conversation about Brett Favre and the state’s enormous welfare scandal.

Udoka (4:24): Did the media and the Celtics mishandle the news of his suspension?

Federer (21:01): What makes his relationship with Rafael Nadal so special.

Favre (42:20): How the ex-quarterback got enmeshed in an escalating welfare controversy.

Afterball (1:02:46): Joel on Mississippi, a segregation academy, and a football field.

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Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by the Washington Post’s Chuck Culpepper to talk about big wins for Colombia and Australia at the Women’s World Cup. Alex Kirshner of Slate and the Split Zone Duo podcast also joins to discuss whether NFL running backs should go on strike and the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown getting the biggest NBA deal ever.

Women’s World Cup (2:40): The scene in the stadium when Australia thrashed Canada.

NFL running backs (21:34): What can they do to get more respect and more cash?

Big-money deals (42:47): Is there any amount of money that’s too much for a pro athlete to make?

Afterball (1:02:22): Stefan on the world Scrabble championships in Las Vegas.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the Colorado football team’s season-opening win over TCU. They also talk about how Maryland football coach Mike Locksley is dealing with his son’s posthumous CTE diagnosis. Finally, ESPN’s Elizabeth Merrill joins to explain how the Nebraska women’s volleyball team drew 92,000 fans.

Colorado (4:04): Deion Sanders got the win he needed to sell his vision and himself.

Locksley (28:26): A profound loss and a reckoning with football’s costs.

Nebraska volleyball (45:07): This is what it looks like to invest in women’s sports.

Afterball (1:06:42): Josh on the Cannon Street All-Stars.

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