The Lead

Latest Episodes:

TikTok, Twerking and Triumph: The Las Vegas Aces Have All The Fun Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

The Las Vegas Aces' offense has been virtually unstoppable for most of the season. And while the team (and, in particular, reigning league MVP A'ja Wilson) have been lighting it up on the court, they’ve also been having a ton of fun off it. Today, The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings joins us to discuss the Aces' unique blend of offensive firepower, team chemistry, and TikTok dance parties -- and to break down what else is happening in the WNBA as the regular season wraps up and the playoff picture starts to emerge.

Read Chantel Jennings' full story about the Las Vegas Aces:

https://theathletic.com/2786507/2021/08/24/tik-toks-twerking-and-triumph-how-the-aces-lead-the-league-in-fun-and-winning/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sunday Surprises: The NFL's Wild Week 1 Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers flopped...badly. Joe Burrow led the the Cincinnati Bengals to an overtime victory. Kyler Murray stole the show. And Trevor Lawrence actually lost a regular season football game. The Athletic's Arif Hasan joins us to break down some of the most surprising moments of the NFL's opening weekend, along with some of the things we've come to expect (like Patrick Mahomes leading the Chiefs to a dramatic, high-scoring comeback).

More from Arif Hasan:

https://theathletic.com/author/arif-hasan/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Saints' Chaotic Evacuation From New Orleans Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

Two weeks ago, Saints head coach Sean Payton was at a press conference, answering questions about preseason, when a reporter asked him if the team had a contingency plan for the storm that was forming off the Gulf Coast. Payton said it was the first he had heard about it. Twenty-four hours later, he and others were scrambling to evacuate players, staff, and family members from the city. The Athletic's Katherine Terrell joins us from the team's new (temporary) home in Texas to explain how things unfolded from there, and to discuss how players are doing on and off the field.

Read Katherine Terrell's full story about the Saints' haphazard move:

https://theathletic.com/2798305/2021/09/02/inside-the-saints-chaotic-move-to-dallas-as-hurricane-ida-rapidly-approached-new-orleans/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 Bold Predictions For The 2021 NFL Season Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

Seven months after Tom Brady and the Bucs beat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, the 2021 NFL season gets underway tonight, with the defending champions taking on Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. Today, The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia gives us seven (mostly) bold predictions for the upcoming season, including his picks to reach the Super Bowl, and some high-profile teams that could be disappointments.

Read Sheil Kapadia’s 32 predictions for the 2021 NFL season: https://theathletic.com/2798591/2021/09/01/32-bold-and-not-so-bold-nfl-predictions-for-2021-patriots-and-the-playoffs-eagles-and-that-pass-rush-and-more/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Triumphant Return To Manchester Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

One of the greatest soccer players in history is, in his words, coming home. Two weekends ago, Cristiano Ronaldo re-signed with Manchester United, the club where he first became world famous almost two decades ago. And now, on the heels of becoming the all-time leading goal scorer in international men's soccer, Ronaldo is expected to make his second debut with Man United this weekend. Today, The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell takes us inside the Red Devils' successful quest to lure the Portuguese star away from their cross-town rivals Manchester City, and to discuss what his role in the team will be -- and if his presence tips the Premier League title race in their direction.

More from Laurie Whitwell:

https://theathletic.com/author/laurie-whitwell/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tennis Star Mardy Fish On His Struggle With Severe Anxiety Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

A new Netflix documentary, released today, explores the life of American tennis star Mardy Fish, who famously withdrew from a U.S. Open match against Roger Federer back in 2012. In the years since that fateful day, Fish has opened up about his struggles with severe anxiety, and has become an outspoke advocate for change. Mardy joins us today to talk about the film, his life, and how things have and haven't changed in our country's perceptions of athletes and mental health, particularly in the wake of incidents involving Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dysfunction In The Desert (Updated) Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

The Athletic's Katie Strang recently broke the news that the Arizona Coyotes are essentially getting kicked out of their home arena in Glendale, AZ, citing multiple notices about outstanding and delinquent balances owed by the Coyotes. So, to explain how things have gotten so bad, we're replaying an episode that first aired back in February, when Katie joined us to explain some of the problems she had discovered within the Coyotes organization under new owner Alex Meruelo -- many of which relate to the current problems at the arena.

Read Katie's recent report about Gila River Arena: https://theathletic.com/2778340/2021/08/19/point-of-no-return-glendale-to-boot-coyotes-from-gila-river-arena-after-2021-22-season/

Read Katie's original story about the Coyotes under owner Alex Meruelo: https://theathletic.com/2390146/2021/02/16/arizona-coyotes-investigation-toxic/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

'The Fyre Fest Of Sports': The Bizarre Case Of Bishop Sycamore Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

On Sunday afternoon, two high school football teams took the field in what looked like an ordinary game, broadcast live on ESPN. And then things got weird. In the days that followed, the Internet became obsessed with one of the teams, Bishop Sycamore, and its elusive head coach, Roy Johnson. Now, amidst a public outcry and a firestorm of questions, the governor of Ohio has called for an investigation into the school and its football program. Today, The Athletic's Andy Staples takes us down the rabbit hole of a school that was not what it seemed.

Read Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman's full story about Bishop Sycamore:

https://theathletic.com/2798560/2021/08/30/how-the-washington-generals-of-high-school-football-conned-espn/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cam Newton’s Downfall (And Mac Jones’s Ascent) In New England Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

One of the NFL's most compelling off-season storylines was the growing quarterback competition up in New England. The New England Patriots drafted Mac Jones to be the quarterback of the future, but it quickly became apparent that Jones might usurp incumbent starter Cam Newton — and that's exactly what happened. Head Coach Bill Belichick and his staff made the bold move to release Newton on Tuesday, and now the team rests in Jones's young hands. Today, The Athletic's Patriots beat reporter, Jeff Howe, tells us how Jones ended up beating out Newton for the starting spot, why the Pats decided to let the former-MVP walk, and what might come next for the 10 year NFL veteran.

Read all of Jeff Howe's Patriots coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/jeff-howe/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yankees 👍, Mets 👎: MLB's September Storylines Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

It is the all-important month of September in Major League Baseball, with top contenders (including the Yankees and the Dodgers) aiming to peak at exactly the right time, and superstars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Shohei Ohtani hoping to make their MVP push. Today, The Athletic’s Joe Posnanski breaks down the biggest storylines to watch during the final month of the season, including the Giants-Dodgers race in the NL West, the favorites to win the Cy Young, and the Mets’ attempt to turn a thumbs-down August into a thumbs-up September.

Follow Joe Posnanski’s coverage of Major League Baseball: https://theathletic.com/author/joe-posnanski/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected