Dave Zirin

Sports Editor

Dave Zirin is the sports editor at The Nation. He is the author of 11 books on the politics of sports. He is also the coproducer and writer of the new documentary Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL.

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, presents the FIFA Peace Prize to President Donald Trump during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC.

“This Is Historic”: FIFA and UEFA Presidents Are Accused of Aiding Israel’s War Crimes “This Is Historic”: FIFA and UEFA Presidents Are Accused of Aiding Israel’s War Crimes

A coming filing with the ICC accuses FIFA’s Gianni Infantino and UEFA’s Aleksander Čeferin of crimes against humanity for their financial support of settlement clubs.

Dec 10, 2025 / Dave Zirin and Chuck Modiano

President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC.

FIFA Kisses Up to Trump With a “Peace Prize” FIFA Kisses Up to Trump With a “Peace Prize”

With the world’s soccer fans watching, Gianni Infantino, the great toady to the globe’s oligarchs, handed a made-up award to the increasingly violent US president.

Dec 5, 2025 / Dave Zirin and Jules Boykoff

Members of the National Guard patrol along Constitution Ave. on December 1, 2025, in Washington, DC. Two West Virginia National Guard troops were shot on November 26, resulting in the death of Sarah Beckstrom on November 27.

After the DC National Guard Shooting Comes the Big Lie After the DC National Guard Shooting Comes the Big Lie

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey is inventing reasons for the National Guard to occupy Washington, DC. We cannot let his outrageous fabrications take hold.

Dec 1, 2025 / Dave Zirin

Moses Malone

Moses Malone Gets Biblical Moses Malone Gets Biblical

On Edge of Sports: Paul Knepper on his new book on Moses Malone, and Arya comes back to talk all things NBA.

Nov 24, 2025 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

Cleveland Browns player Carl Nassib enters the bue tent during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, in Cleveland.

Sports Media Has Forgotten About CTE Even After Player Deaths Sports Media Has Forgotten About CTE Even After Player Deaths

The NFL season has been rife with tragedy—not that the league or its media partners have noticed.

Nov 18, 2025 / Dave Zirin

Jeff Teat #7 of the New York Atlas in action during the Premier Lacrosse League Championship game between the New York Atlas and the Denver Outlaws at Sports Illustrated Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Harrison, New Jersey.

How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA

On the latest episode of Edge of Sports.

Nov 7, 2025 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Above All, the NBA Will Protect the Gambling Industry Above All, the NBA Will Protect the Gambling Industry

In the face of betting scandals, the NBA will do anything—except endanger the gambling apps sucking dry the league’s most vulnerable fans.

Nov 6, 2025 / Dave Zirin

Left: Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) consults his adviser, Silvio Dante (Steven Van Zandt) in The Sopranos. Right: President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance attend the presidential Inauguration.

Trump’s Tony Soprano Presidency Is Bleeding the Country Dry Trump’s Tony Soprano Presidency Is Bleeding the Country Dry

The thrill many felt of having a made-for-TV-mobster president is gone.

Oct 30, 2025 / Dave Zirin

Mumia Abu-Jamal, seen here in a December 13, 1995, photo from prison, was convicted in 1982 of murdering a Philadelphia policeman.

Mumia Abu-Jamal Speaks With the Clear Voice of a Free Man Mumia Abu-Jamal Speaks With the Clear Voice of a Free Man

Incarcerated for 44 years, the political prisoner remains unbowed in the face of medical neglect.

Oct 22, 2025 / Dave Zirin

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Isaac Okoro #35 of the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on October 12, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Tom Alter is Here—Plus, Our NBA Eastern Conference Preview Tom Alter is Here—Plus, Our NBA Eastern Conference Preview

On Edge of Sports: Dr. Tom Alter on his unjust dismissal from Texas State University, and Arya Shirazi on the upcoming NBA season.

Oct 20, 2025 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

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