Sports Explains the World

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16 | The Bison Project | Part ll Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

Shortly after the championship parties die down, the NCAA makes a grave announcement about the Howard University soccer team, alleging that some of Howard's players weren't eligible to be college athletes. The NCAA strips Howard of its '71 title and denies the players their glory, their White House visit, and their place in history.

15 | The Bison Project | Part l Nov 15, 2023

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Ian Bain and Alvin Henderson were just boys when they first met on the schoolyard soccer fields in Trinidad. They battled on the field with the same common goal, to become professional footballers. Years later, the duo is recruited to come to the United States and play soccer for the Howard University Bison. Together, they are the young anchors of the first HBCU team to win an NCAA Division I championship in 1971. It's a story of triumph, until the rumors start. Reporter Mark Wright presents the first chapter of a redemption tale 50 years in the making.

14 | Volley and Serve: From Wimbledon to the Front Lines | Part II Nov 08, 2023

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In part two of Volley and Serve, reporter Tim Rohan shows the real consequences of Sergiy Stakhovsky's decision to join the Ukrainian Army to fight against Russia. The choice destroyed his marriage. Every mission could be his last. Troops are dwindling, too. And he's now being sent out to fight in one of the most deadly battlefields of the war.

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13 | Volley and Serve: From Wimbledon to the Front Lines | Part I Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

Ukrainian tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky gained fame when he upset Roger Federer at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships. Stakhovsky carved out a solid tennis career that lasted nearly 20 years, and earned more than $5 million in prize money. But after retiring from tennis in 2022, Stakhovsky heard the news that Russia was invading Ukraine, and decided to enlist to help defend his homeland. Reporter Tim Rohan travels to Kyiv to meet Stakhovsky and his family, and hear the story of the professional athlete who ran towards the fight.

Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Sports Explains the World early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

12 | The Fixer: After the Astros | Part II Oct 25, 2023

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Disgraced former Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow takes the reigns of a cherished, but downtrodden, professional soccer team in suburban Madrid. But can the man who built a championship baseball team by mining in the depths of Central and South American talent do the same by recruiting young African soccer players? And will Luhnow's controversial leadership style be accepted in a town steeped in tradition? Reporter Josh Lewin has the second act of Luhnow's surprising second act.

Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Sports Explains the World early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

11 | The Fixer: After the Astros | Part I Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

In 2017, Major League Baseball implicated the Houston Astros in a sign-stealing scandal that rocked the sport, right after they'd won the World Series. At the center of the controversy was the team's general manager, Jeff Luhnow. In the wake of the scandal, the Astros cut ties with Luhnow, who still maintains his innocence. Reporter Josh Lewin tracked Luhnow down in his new home in Leganés, Spain to learn about his efforts to bring his moneyball approach to a new sport: soccer.

10 | The Perfect Game Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

Curt Schilling did something many Boston fans thought was impossible. He led the Red Sox to their first World Series title since 1918, finally destroying the dreaded Curse of the Bambino. And he did it with an ankle so injured, it visibly bled through his socks on live television. This larger than life accomplishment made many people believe he could do anything, including Curt Schilling himself, who after his retirement turned his attention to the other love of his life—video games. Reporter Bijan Stephen delves into Schilling’s wild and epic second act as the founder of a controversial video game company.

Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Sports Explains the World early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

9 | Running on Water | Part II Oct 04, 2023

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A scary swim shakes creek boater Anna Wagner's confidence. She must decide whether or not to leave the world of extreme kayaking behind. But can she live a fulfilled life without it? Our second part of Running on Water drops us back into the world of creek boating, and into a decision that will forever shape Anna's life.

Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Sports Explains the World early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

8 | Running on Water | Part I Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

Girl meets river. River meets girl. The two hit it off. Girl falls in love. She moves to a town minutes from it. Her life revolves around the river. Life is perfect. But when a gnarly rapid on the river nearly kills her, she must rethink her relationship. Paddle back in, or leave it behind for good? In part one of Running on Water, Sarah Fox introduces us to a 5-foot-2 dragon slayer named Anna Wagner. Anna fell in love with creek boating at an early age, and found community amongst a group of athletes who seemingly duel death for daps, but are really in it for a completely different reason.

7 | The Skullman Cometh Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

When Lithuania broke off from the Soviet Union, they wanted revenge. Their players had led the USSR to gold medal glory. And now, ahead of the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, the Lithuanian men's basketball team had the chance to win for their own country. One problem? The country was broke and couldn’t afford to send them to the Olympic Games. The team started looking for benefactors. And so begins The Skullman Cometh, a tale involving a tie-dye T-shirt, large sums of cash, and the Grateful Dead. It goes from Vilnius, Lithuania to the Bay Area, and all the way to the set of Friends. It’s a long, strange trip. But it provides a window into understanding the current relationships that former Soviet-block countries have with Russia, and why skeletons are in the closet of streetwear enthusiasts.

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