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8. Steve Kerr on dealing with Father Time + Saving or scrapping the NBA Cup
35:08||Season 1, Ep. 8Zena Keita sits down with Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr for a remarkably candid conversation about the "inevitable" end of the Warriors' dynasty. Kerr opens up about the "beauty in the struggle" of chasing one last ring, facing his own retirement, and what life looks like after coaching Steph Curry. Then, The Athletic’s senior writer Sam Amick joins the crew fresh from Las Vegas to break down the NBA Cup results. The team plays a game of "Save It or Scrap It"—debating whether the league should keep the In-Season Tournament, how to fix the load management crisis, and if rule changes are needed to bring intensity back to the game. Plus, a look at the imminent "passing of the torch" from the league’s aging superstars to the next generation, a trade market preview, and a new edition of "Learning Feels Good."Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffSam Amick @sam_amickEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.
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7. What is football and who gets to play it?
28:39||Season 1, Ep. 7Join Zena, Jason, and Robert for a brand new episode of The Athletic Show as they tackle the biggest existential question in sports right now: What exactly is "football" and who gets to play it?Rundown:-Old man Rivers - The Colts have signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers to save their season. We debate if this is a brilliant move or an experiment destined to crash and burn.-Should we kick the term soccer to the curb? - With the World Cup coming to the US next year, the debate is heating up: Should we finally start calling "soccer" by its global name? -Is flag football the future? - The NFL wants in on the Olympics, but the pioneers of Flag Football aren't rolling out the red carpet. The Athletic’s Tim Graham joins us to break down the tensionHosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffTim Graham @ByTimGrahamEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.6. Will the US Men's National Team fly or flop in World Cup? Landon Donovan weighs in
31:34||Season 1, Ep. 6The countdown to 2026 has officially begun! Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff are back for a special edition of The Athletic Show dedicated entirely to the biggest sporting event on the planet. With the World Cup coming to North America, the stakes have never been higher. US Soccer legend Landon Donovan joins the crew to discuss what we can expect from the Men’s National Team—are they headed for glory or global embarrassment? Plus, The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio stops by to set the stage for the US squad’s chances. The team also dives into the new 48-team format, the "David vs. Goliath" stories of Cape Verde and Curacao, and the controversial ticket pricing strategy that might hurt your wallet. Finally, Jason wraps things up with a World Cup-themed edition of "Learning Feels Good."Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffPaul Tenorio @PaulTenorioLandon DonovanEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.5. The Golden Age of tight ends, the fan fueled firing of Nico Harrison and the rise of women's volleyball
30:39||Season 1, Ep. 5This week on The Athletic Show, Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff are joined by Super Bowl champion Vernon Davis and NFL reporter Jourdan Rodrigue to explore the Golden Age of Tightends—how the position evolved, why it’s having a moment, and whether the spotlight is here to stay. The team also discusses the fan-fueled firing of Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and the rapid rise of women’s volleyball and why League One Volleyball might be the next breakout pro sport. Plus, stick around for this week’s “LFG: Learning Feels Good.”Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffJourdan Rodrigue @JourdanRodrigueVernon DavisEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.4. Soccer Stars Leaving, Fans Flipping and MLB's Latest Betting Scandal
33:35||Season 1, Ep. 4This week on The Athletic Show, Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff discuss why top U.S. women’s soccer stars are heading overseas and what does it mean for the future of the NWSL? Then, more and more fans are rooting for teams outside their home town. Is that good or bad for sports? Finally, former MLB pitcher and agent Dave Steart helps break down the growing crisis in baseball after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted for fixing pitches in an illegal betting scheme.Rundown-Why are top US Soccer stars leaving the NWSL to play overseas?-A growing number of sports fans are rooting for teams outside their hometown-Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz' indicted for fixing pitches-LFG (Learning Feels Good): 1183?Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffTamera Griffin @tamerra-griffin.bsky.socialDave Stewart Editor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.3. Tennis Players Playing Too Much, "Shoe Doping" And Life After An NFL Trade
33:56||Season 1, Ep. 3This week on The Athletic Show, Zena, Robert, and Jason dive into a packed slate of stories across the sports world. Dan Wiederer pulls back the curtain on what really happens when NFL players get traded — from the whirlwind logistics to the toll on families. Then a look at “Super shoes” that are reshaping marathons and sparking debate about fairness. Finally, The Tennis Podcast's David Law helps break down British tennis star Jack Draper's comments this week about the sport's grueling schedule pushing players to the breaking point. Rundown-What Happens When NFL Players are Traded?-How "Shoe Doping" Is Transforming Competitive Running-Is Tennis Burning Out Its Stars?-LFG (Learning Feels Good)Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffDan Wiederer @danwiedererDavid Law @DavidLawTennisEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.2. NBA Scandals, College Football Payouts and WNBA CBA Madness
27:59||Season 1, Ep. 2In Episode 2 of The Athletic Show, Zena Keita, Robert Mays and Jason Goff are joined by John Hollinger to debate whether it's time to do away with the NBA Draft. The Athletic's WNBA reporter Sabreena Merchant also stops by with the inside scoop on the W's contentious CBA negotations while college football coaches receive tens of millions of dollars in buyouts. Plus, LFG is back with a number you won't believe.Rundown-WNBA Standoff-How To Get $50M to Not Work-Should We Kill the NBA Draft?-Learning Feels Good!Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffJon Hollinger @johnhollingerSabreena MerchantEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.