In this episode of The Agony of Defeat, Matt and Jonathan talk about Sha'Carri Richardson's suspension from the Olympics, what it means for Laurel Hubbard to compete as a transgender athlete, and how Gwen Berry is trying to change the standard for protesting at the Olympic Games.

Agony of Defeat

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Jonathan and Matt discuss NC State's abrupt exit from the college world series, the compensation of student-athletes in the NCAA, and how a tainted burrito may have stopped Shelby Houlihan from competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Name, Image, and Likeness: The End of Amateurism in the NCAA

Baseball in February? Jonathan and Matt remember Hank Aaron and his historic 715th home run, discuss the decision by MLB to recognize the Negro Leagues as “major leagues,” and explore the Hall of Fame’s choice not to elect any candidates this year (trigger warning for all Curt Schilling fans).

Hank Aaron, The Negro Leagues, And The Hall Of Fame

Jeff Pearlman joins us to talk about his new book, The Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty.

Special Guest: Jeff Pearlman

Jonathan and Matt discuss the sports world's reaction to the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Sports STRIKE Back

Michael Jordan's Legacy in "The Last Dance" by Agony of Defeat

Michael Jordan's Legacy in "The Last Dance"

In this latest episode of the Agony of Defeat podcast, Jonathan Weiler and Matt Andrews analyze the structure of the Houston Astros systematic cheating scandal, those involved, and how baseball should handle this going forward. Further content on the topics discussed include: Sarah Spain on why the aftermath of Kobe Bryant's death is a time not to simply celebrate a beloved sports superstar but to remember his entire legacy, including a 2003 sexual assault accusation. (https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/28586207/now-right-remember-kobe-bryant-life-all-it) The Astros scandal and how its structure is unlike baseball has ever seen. (https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/01/the-astros-scandal-rewrites-a-decade-of-mlb-history/605185/) Russ Hodges' Infamous "Giants Win the Pennant!" call after the 1951 World Series. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWIGfBQghJs)

Espionage and Baseball: The Houston Astros and the Sign-Stealing Scandal

In this latest episode of the Agony of Defeat podcast, Jonathan Weiler and Matt Andrews give a brief overview of the political climate in Hong Kong and analyze the growing tensions between the NBA and China after controversy surrounding this year's preseason circuit. Further reading on the topics discussed include: Louisa Thomas writes, in advance of the N.B.A.’s opening night, about the league’s current conflict with China after the Houston Rockets’ Daryl Morey tweeted about human rights in China. (https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-nba-and-china-and-the-myths-of-sports-diplomacy) In response to Chinese anger over a tweet supporting Hong Kong protesters by the general manager of the Houston Rockets, the N.B.A. commissioner said he would protect the freedom of speech of the league’s players and officials. (https://www.nytimes.com/video/sports/basketball/100000006757507/adam-silver-china.html) A timeline overviewing the controversy. (https://www.complex.com/sports/2019/10/nba-complicated-history-in-china/morey-tweet)

China and the NBA: Rising Tensions and Political Implications

Check out this latest episode of the Agony of Defeat! Find links to articles mentioned in the episode below. (Please note that we had some recording issues with this episode, so you'll hear some little blips in the recording, but we're working on finding better equipment to produce with!) WSJ points to some pretty key inconsistencies in the USSF argument: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-womens-soccer-games-out-earned-mens-games-11560765600 Primer on equal pay: https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2019/7/29/20744785/us-soccers-claims-paying-wnt-more-mnt-no-context Lalas has been actively working against activism in sports since at least 2017, when he criticized Rapinoe for kneeling during the anthem. A story on that is here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/03/06/damn-right-im-gonna-stand-alexi-lalas-wades-into-u-s-soccers-national-anthem-debate/ Lalas tweet mentioned in podcast: https://twitter.com/AlexiLalas/status/1161654200289419265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1161654200289419265&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdeadspin.com%2Fajax%2Finset%2Fiframe%3Fid%3Dtwitter-1161654200289419265%26autosize%3D1

Soccer with Josh Nadel

In this latest episode, UNC professors Matt Andrews and Jonathan Weiler dissect the history of the drafts in American sports, analyze the logistics and legitimacy behind this selection process for professional teams, as well as react to the New Orleans Pelicans being rewarded the No. 1 pick (therefore Zion Williamson) in this year’s NBA Draft.

The "American-ness" of Drafts in American Sports

In this episode, UNC professors Dr. Matt Andrews and Dr. Jonathan Weiler discuss what they describe as the "Suckiest Super Bowl Ever," notable historic Super Bowls, Trump's thoughts on football, and the future of the sport. Timestamps: 4:49 - Andrews’ SuperBowl predictions 7:31 - The Suckiest SuperBowl ever 12:26 - Notable SuperBowl’s 24:49 - Is football in trouble? Racial implications. 30:38 - Trump on football 34:06 - After Further Review The Atlantic - "The White Flight From Football": https://bit.ly/2WD4Wx8 Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly/2B7MXVR Follow us on Facebook: bit.ly/2zRzFga Subscribe to Agony of Defeat on iTunes: apple.co/2Pt8Kwo Subscribe to Agony of Defeat on SoundCloud: bit.ly/2rwcjsg

Suckiest Super Bowl

Returning from a long holiday break, UNC professors Matt Andrews and Jonathan Weiler are back in business with a brand new episode as they debate about the recent inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (1:18 - 33:12). Andrews and Weiler also touch on the resignation of UNC Chancellor Carol Folt and her final act to remove the base of the Silent Sam confederate statute from campus (33:13 - 36:19). Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly/2B7MXVR Follow us on Facebook: bit.ly/2zRzFga Subscribe to Agony of Defeat on iTunes: apple.co/2Pt8Kwo Subscribe to Agony of Defeat on SoundCloud: bit.ly/2rwcjsg

The Baseball Hall Of Fame's Fortunes and Flops

1:08 - 7:16: Weiler criticizes numerous NFL teams (such as the Washington Redskins for recently signing 32-year-old Mark Sanchez) for playing “pathetic quarterbacks” in favor of a “mid-level starter” like Colin Kaepernick. Meanwhile, Andrews chimes in his thoughts on Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid being randomly drug tested seven times by the NFL in just the span of 11 weeks with the team this season. 7:16 - 43:11: Weiler and Andrews dive in on the political and historical significance behind the “Rocky” and “Creed” film franchises. 43:26 - 48:14: Weiler and Andrews remark on the roles that both former and current North Carolina student-athletes have played in the Silent Sam controversy that’s circulated around UNC’s campus for months. Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly/2B7MXVR Follow us on Facebook: bit.ly/2zRzFga Subscribe to Agony of Defeat on iTunes: apple.co/2Pt8Kwo Subscribe to Agony of Defeat on SoundCloud: bit.ly/2rwcjsg

The Political and Historical Significance of the "Rocky" and "Creed" Movies

UNC-Chapel Hill professors Matt Andrews and Jonathan Weiler welcome former Tar Heel athlete and current Arizona State sports historian Victoria Jackson as they discuss her recent article in the Los Angeles Times titled “Take it from a former Division I athlete: College sports are like Jim Crow” as well as many other subjects relating to the intersection of sports, politics and history. 1:17 - 6:28 - Andrews expresses his outrage on French D.J. and producer Martin Solveig asking Norwegian soccer star Ada Hegerberg to twerk on stage after becoming the first woman in FIFA history to receive the Ballon d’Or. 6:29 - 36:42 - Andrews and Weiler speak with former UNC athlete and current sports historian at Arizona State University — Victoria Jackson. 36:48 - 40:00 - Andrews and Weiler give their final thoughts on Larry Fedora’s firing and Mack Brown’s rehiring as UNC’s new head football coach. Victoria Jackson’s article in the Los Angeles Times: “Take it from a former Division I athlete: College sports are like Jim Crow” — https://lat.ms/2RKBZfT Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/2B7MXVR Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2zRzFga Subscribe to Agony of Defeat on iTunes: https://apple.co/2Pt8Kwo Subscribe to Agony of Defeat on SoundCloud: https://bit.ly/2rwcjsg

College Athletics are "21st Century Jim Crow" — Interview with Victoria Jackson

Two UNC profs and sports nuts discuss the intersection of sports, politics and history. You can't afford not to listen (yes, that was meant cheekily).

Basketball and Political Activism in the NBA

Two UNC professors discuss the intersection of sports, politics and history.

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Agony of Defeat

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