The Athletic Show

The MLB regular season officially kicked off Wednesday, and we are getting you prepped with the help of Keith Law, senior baseball writer for The Athletic, who joins the show to break down the three most striking storylines heading into Opening Day and what they reveal about the trajectory of the upcoming season. Then, the crew discusses how the high volume of transfers, NIL money and the introduction of NBA-style offenses has fundamentally reshaped college basketball. Finally, olympic sprinter Jordan Lyles sits down with Marcus Thompson to pull back the curtain on his polarizing public persona and share his ambitious master plan to elevate track and field to the same commercial heights as major American team sports.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysMarcus Thompson @thompsonscribeKeith Law @keithlaw.bsky.socialMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios

The WNBA and Players Association have agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement so it's full steam ahead for 2026 season. What will the new agreement mean for players and the league moving forward? The NBA is inching closer to 32 teams. We’re joined by The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov to discuss the inevitable return of the Seattle SuperSonics, the Vegas gold rush, and the "talent dilution" debate. Plus, which Western Conference team is getting shipped East?  And we do a deep dive into the parallel pressures facing Duke’s men and UConn’s women. College sports writer Scott Dochterman joins Zena to explain why anything short of a Final Four is a failure for these powerhouses and decide which pro teams would be the perfect match for the biggest stars from each program.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysScott Dochterman @ScottDochtermanMike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunovMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios

Steph and Dell Curry sit down with The Athletic's Marcus Thompson for a wide-ranging conversation. From the "Originator" to "The Second," they discuss the evolution of the NBA, the rivalry for "NBA Family Royalty" against the Jameses, and a candid look at how the youth sports complex is failing American-born players. Also, Robert shares the intel from three crucial phone calls. By checking in with an NFL coach, a front-office executive, and an Athletic insider, he reveals what the league really thinks about the recent free agency frenzy. And, is the Prediction Market Loophole gambling or a financial exchange? Hannah Vanbiber joins the show to discuss the rise of platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. We explore why federal regulation makes these markets legal in all 50 states—and why the traditional sports betting world is sounding the alarm.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysMarcus Thompson @ThompsonScribeHannah VanBiber @HannahVanbiberMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Beret RemakA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios

WNBA superstar Napheesa Collier joins us to discuss how her new league, Unrivaled, is giving players the ultimate power move: options. She also weighs in on the WNBA CBA negotiations and more. Also, the Atlanta Hawks' controversial "Magic City Monday" is coming next week. A theme night honoring the legendary local institution known for adult entertainment. Should pro sports leagues act as a moral compass or is this just another "uniquely Atlanta" marketing win?. Then The Athletic's Carl Anka joins the show with 100 days to go before this summer's World Cup. He discusses that and also Wrexham’s Hollywood-style rise and Tottenham facing relegation as the Premier League season winds down.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffCarl Anka @Ankaman616Mix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios

John Hollinger joins the show to discuss whether the league's tanking problem has finally reached a breaking point. We explore radical solutions—from abolishing the draft entirely to a "split-season" format—and look at a mathematical formula that could finally reward teams for being competitive, even when they’re losing. Then, Shakeia Taylor from The Athletic drops by to discuss her deep dive into "The Bayou Barbie’s" systematic ascent. We look at how Angel Reese has curated a brand that spans from the Victoria’s Secret runway to the Unrivaled 3x3 court, all while navigating a high-profile comeback from injury. In our main story, it’s almost March, and the madness is already bubbling over. Brendan Marks and Zena Keita give us the ultimate lay of the land for the Men’s and Women’s tournaments. Are the Duke men the team to beat? Can the Darryn Peterson saga derail Kansas? And how is NIL rewriting the "one-and-done" playbook? With parity on the women's side at an all-time high, we look at UConn’s quest for perfection, the dominance of JuJu Watkins, and why the stars of the women's game are sticking around to build the best rivalries in sports.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffJohn Hollinger @johnhollingerBrendan Marks @BrendanRMarksMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

This week, The Athletic's Lindsay Schnell joins us live from Milan to recap the Winter Olympics, breaking down the must-watch events from the final weekend. Then, the hosts dive into a heated debate over The Hardest Coaching Job in Sports with The Athletic's Jets reporter Zack Rosenblatt. Finally, baseball season is almost here! Derek VanRiper gives us a full MLB spring training preview, discussing Tony Clark’s shocking resignation, the robot ump debate, the overhauled New York Mets, and whether the Seattle Mariners are the best team in the AL.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaJason Lloyd @ByJasonLloydJason Goff @Jason1GoffLindsay Schnell @Lindsay_SchnellDerek VanRiper @DerekVanRiperZack Rosenblatt @ZackBlattMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Zena and Jason welcome Dave DuFour to break down the final preparations for the Big Game, featuring a special sit-down between Robert Mays and Matt Ryan. Also, Jordy Fee-Platt joins the show to share the incredible "backyard" origin story of Olympic skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle and how his family’s "fun-first" philosophy built a gold-medal dynasty. Finally, we dive into the madness of the NBA trade deadline with The Athletic's Joe Vardon - did your team find a missing piece, or are they stuck in the league's new "two-tier" economy? Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffDave DuFour @DaveDuFourNBAJoe Vardon @joevardonJordan Fee-Platt @jfeepEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame just delivered the shock of the century by passing on Bill Belichick in his first year of eligibility. Is this a case of "Spygate" karma, or is the Hall out of touch? This week, we dive into the fallout of the snub heard ‘round the sports world. Bryson DeChambeau is at a crossroads that could dismantle pro golf as we know it, leading us to ask: Do we even need professional leagues anymore? From the WNBA’s labor war to the rise of "Unrivaled," we explore how player power is breaking the monopoly. Finally, we go deep on "The Unicorn." The Athletic’s Jared Weiss joins us to discuss Victor Wembanyama’s evolution from a basketball prodigy to a civic leader in San Antonio, proving that the most interesting thing about the Frenchman isn’t his wingspan—it’s his soul.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffJon Greenberg @jon_greenbergJared Weiss @JaredWeissNBAEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.