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How the NBA Got Into Business With an African Dictator Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

A little more than three years ago, inside a shiny new arena in Rwanda’s capital, the Basketball Africa League launched its inaugural season. It was a milestone for the continent and for America’s National Basketball Association, which was a driving force behind the venture.

But among human rights experts, the NBA’s deal with Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame has raised questions since the very beginning.

Today, our Mark Fainaru-Wada takes us inside his 18-month investigation into a partnership that formed the foundation for Africa’s new league and provides a clear-eyed examination of the complexities and ethical challenges of engaging in business with an authoritarian regime.

Find more details from Mark's story in his article and video report.

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How the USWNT Fits into a Changing Women’s Soccer Landscape Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

The Olympic games are officially underway, and for the USWNT the chase for gold begins tonight against Zambia.

But this isn’t the same team that we’re used to seeing. The names have changed, and with America’s worst finish in a major international tournament EVER in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the playing field is stronger than ever.

So today, ESPN global correspondent Sam Borden explains what’s changed. Who stands between the ladies and a gold medal on the pitch?

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Will Team USA Remain At The Top in the Paris Olympics? Jul 24, 2024

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The 2024 Olympics are just about ready to get started in Paris. And that means that from sea-to-shining-sea, American fans are preparing to see the men’s Olympic basketball team bring home gold.

But, as we’ve seen in recent years, the talent gap between Team USA and the rest of the world has been closing on the hardwood.

So today, ESPN NBA writer Tim Bontemps tells us if the most talented international team we’ve ever sent to the games can capture the gold against the most talented field in the history of the Olympic games.

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Breakdancing’s Path From the Streets of the Bronx to the Olympics Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

It's been a minute since breakdancing hit mainstream culture in the early 1980s, but this summer, it’s evolving to another level with breaking, a competitive version of this art form, making its Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.

16 men and 16 women will compete for the first-ever breaking medals on August 9th and 10th.

Today, Clover Gold introduces us to one of America’s top B-girls, Sunny Choi, and reflects on what breakdancing’s rise to the Olympics says about the impact and evolution of hip hop culture.

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An Epic Examination of the 21st Century's GOATs - Part 2 Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Last Thursday, we kicked off an examination of ESPN’s rankings of the greatest athletes of the 21st century. And though we found a lot to disagree with, we also uncovered a lot of insights about the state of the sports world in 2024.

So today, we bring you part two of this conversation between Emily Kaplan, Kevin Clark and guest host Jeremy Schaap. Does Kobe deserve to be higher than Tim Duncan? Why is Aaron Rodgers so low? Did international stars get a fair shake? What does this list tell us about the modern relationship between athlete and fan? We get into all that and more.

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Breaking Down an Unprecedented WNBA Season at the All-Star Break Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

WNBA All-Star Weekend is upon us, with the STARRY 3-Point Contest and the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge airing on Friday night at 9 pm eastern on ESPN. And the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game itself tipping off on tomorrow at 830 PM on ABC

So today, ESPN women’s basketball reporter Alexa Philippou, takes us through what the weekend has in store.

She previews the faceoff between Team USA and Team WNBA, and dives into the most riveting Rookie of the Year race in the history of the league. Before explaining just how the W can capitalize on the momentum that it’s seeing right

now.

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An Epic Examination of the 21st Century's GOATs - Part 1 Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

ESPN has released its rankings of the greatest athletes of the 21st century so far, and we’ve got some bones to pick! That is, after all, the point of these things –– it’s fun to argue about. So that’s exactly what we’ll do today. Emily Kaplan and Kevin Clark join guest host Jeremy Schaap to examine why the players missing from the list may be more telling than those actually on it (no Breanna Stewart?!), why the term “GOAT” may be losing its meaning, and why Serena Williams, Tiger Woods, Lionel Messi, Tom Brady and beyond are all more deserving of the top slot than Michael Phelps.

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The Girl Who Fell Two Miles and Survived Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

Ten years ago, during a skydiving accident, Emma Carey and her instructor plummeted some 14,000 feet into an empty cow pasture in Switzerland.

Miraculously, both survived the more than two-mile fall.

Our own Ryan Hockensmith had the chance to speak with Emma about that experience. And to find out how she overcame the nightmare, processed her recovery, came to terms with the miracle — and used her story to inspire others, without letting it define her.

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Taking MLB’s Temperature at the All-Star Break Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

The Midsummer Classic is upon us once again. And once again, there are more questions than answers in Major League Baseball.

What will the Pirates do with Paul Skenes, their rookie phenom? How can we get players interested in the All-Star Game again? How should we honor the late legend Willie Mays? And with a couple weeks left until the trade deadline, what should the powerhouse teams on both coasts do to make sure they are more than ready for October baseball?

Today, Buster Olney sits side-by-side with Clinton Yates in Texas to answer all these questions and more on the eve of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

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Athletes Grant Children’s Wishes with ESPN’s My Wish Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

There is no greater pain than seeing a child suffer through an illness. But also, there is no greater joy than seeing that child smile.That full spectrum of emotions is at the heart of ESPN’s annual My Wish series that debuts this week.

An elite slate of athletes will meet with several children to bond over their shared love of the game and a belief that hope, passion and a good team are the recipe for victory in whatever challenge they face.

So today, our very own Chris Connelly reflects on the legacy of this program and shares what his experience has been like having a front-row seat to every My Wish ever granted.

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