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.

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before their game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2026, in Sacramento,

Is Victor Wembanyama the Most Interesting Person in Sports? Is Victor Wembanyama the Most Interesting Person in Sports?

He’s a contender for the spot not so much for who he is now but because of the person he is clearly becoming.

May 20, 2026 / Dave Zirin

Jason Collins, #98 of the Brooklyn Nets, speaks with the media prior to a game against the Denver Nuggets on February 27, 2014, in Denver, Colorado.

The Uncommon Bravery of Jason Collins The Uncommon Bravery of Jason Collins

The death of the NBA’s first openly gay player at 47 underscores a hard truth: Male professional sports remains hostile terrain for openly queer athletes.

May 14, 2026 / Dave Zirin

Washington Wizards' John Wall, left, and NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, pose for photos after Tatum announced that the Wizards had won the first pick in the NBA basketball draft lottery in Chicago, Sunday, May 10, 2026.

The NBA Lottery, Those Nova Knicks, and Movies We Love to Hate The NBA Lottery, Those Nova Knicks, and Movies We Love to Hate

Arya Shirazi joins the show to talk NBA lottery and movies.

May 13, 2026 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

WNBA’s Angel Reese attending the Met Gala in New York City on May 4, 2026.

WNBA Players Should Have Picketed, Not Attended, the Met Gala WNBA Players Should Have Picketed, Not Attended, the Met Gala

At the Bezos ball, WNBA stars chose celebrity over solidarity.

May 8, 2026 / Dave Zirin

How De La Soul Changed Hip Hop And The World

How De La Soul Changed Hip Hop And The World How De La Soul Changed Hip Hop And The World

Austin McCoy joins the show to discuss his new book on De La Soul

May 7, 2026 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

Pro-Palestinian protesters and laborers are gathered outside of the Federal Building to protest Israeli attacks on Gaza during May Day in Oakland, California, on May 1, 2024.

May Day and the Reclamation of the Jewish Radical Tradition May Day and the Reclamation of the Jewish Radical Tradition

This year’s demonstrations will be vast and infused with the politics of Jewish Labor Bund.

Apr 30, 2026 / Dave Zirin

The Risk in Being More Than an Athlete

The Risk in Being More Than an Athlete The Risk in Being More Than an Athlete

Natasha Cloud became one of only a few professional athletes to speak about Gaza. Now she can’t find a WNBA team.

Apr 23, 2026 / Dave Zirin

How Unionization Can Solve the Crisis in College Football 

How Unionization Can Solve the Crisis in College Football  How Unionization Can Solve the Crisis in College Football 

Jason Stahl joins Edge of Sports to talk about the campaign to unionize college football.

Apr 21, 2026 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

Azzi Fudd of the University of Connecticut, right, poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after the Dallas Wings selected Fudd with the 1st pick of the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13, 2026, in New York City.

The WNBA Draft and the Political Imperative of Minding Your Own Business The WNBA Draft and the Political Imperative of Minding Your Own Business

With the first pick of the WNBA draft, the Dallas Wings picked Azzi Fudd. It sparked a sexist, homophobic conversation online.

Apr 21, 2026 / Dave Zirin

Protesting the World Cup (and a Cinematic Easter Egg)

Protesting the World Cup (and a Cinematic Easter Egg) Protesting the World Cup (and a Cinematic Easter Egg)

Daniel Noroña and Ajamu Baraka join Edge of Sports to discuss practicing dissent in the face of the upcoming World Cup, and we have a bonus movie conversation.

Apr 6, 2026 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

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