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.

Chairman of LA28 Casey Wasserman speaks during the IOC Session at the Main Media Centre MPC at Allianz MiCo on February 3, 2026, in Milan, Italy.

The Sports Owners in Epstein’s Inbox and the NBA at the All-Star Break The Sports Owners in Epstein’s Inbox and the NBA at the All-Star Break

On Edge of Sports: We discuss Epstein and sports, and Arya Shirazi talks the NBA.

Feb 17, 2026 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James speaks at a press conference before the NBA All-Star Game in Inglewood, California, on February, 15, 2026.

Why LeBron James Ignores Genocide and Stands With Israel Why LeBron James Ignores Genocide and Stands With Israel

The basketball great once said he wanted to be like Muhammad Ali. He can’t do that and shrug off Israeli war crimes.

Feb 17, 2026 / Dave Zirin

Chairman of the 2028 LA Olympics organizing committee Casey Wasserman speaks as President Donald Trump looks on during an executive order signing ceremony on August 5, 2025, in Washington, DC.

The NFL Owners and Olympic Organizers in Epstein’s Inbox The NFL Owners and Olympic Organizers in Epstein’s Inbox

The sports media is ignoring the story, but wealthy sports figures are all over the Epstein files.

Feb 13, 2026 / Dave Zirin

Paul Robeson smiles at London Airport, July 11th 1958.

The Collision Between Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson The Collision Between Paul Robeson and Jackie Robinson

Howard Bryant joins Edge of Sports to talk about his new book, Kings and Pawns

Feb 10, 2026 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

Bad Bunny performs during the halftime show for Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026.

Bad Bunny’s Technicolor Halftime Stole the Super Bowl Bad Bunny’s Technicolor Halftime Stole the Super Bowl

The Puerto Rican artist’s performance was a gleeful rebuke of Trump’s death cult and a celebration of life.

Feb 9, 2026 / Dave Zirin

People take part in a demonstration against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, on January 31, 2026.

Get Ready for This Year’s Undemocratic, Debt-Ridden, and Mobster-Infused Winter Olympics    Get Ready for This Year’s Undemocratic, Debt-Ridden, and Mobster-Infused Winter Olympics   

ICE thugs in the streets, Mafia meddling, and billions in waste—seems like the Games are off to a great start.

Feb 5, 2026 / Jules Boykoff and Dave Zirin

Donald Trump draws out the card of the United States during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Death Row Survivor Kenny Collins & Why We Should Boycott the World Cup Death Row Survivor Kenny Collins & Why We Should Boycott the World Cup

On the latest Edge of Sports.

Jan 28, 2026 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

Oke Göttlich, the president of FC St. Pauli, looks on before the Bundesliga match between FC St. Pauli 1910 and FC Bayern München at Millerntor Stadium on November 9, 2024, in Hamburg, Germany.

A Call Is Rising for Nations to Boycott the Trump World Cup A Call Is Rising for Nations to Boycott the Trump World Cup

As marauding state agents fill US streets, a leading German soccer official says countries should consider what was once unthinkable: skipping the 2026 World Cup.

Jan 27, 2026 / Dave Zirin

Displaced Palestinian youths take part in a training session at the Aida Refugee Camp's football pitch, next to the separation wall outside Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, on December 16, 2025, a few weeks after an Israeli military decision to demolish the field.

What It Took to Save a Soccer Field in Palestine What It Took to Save a Soccer Field in Palestine

Europe’s governing soccer body saves a pitch in the West Bank—but is it only because the Swiss Parliament is threatening to pull its tax exemption over its inclusion of Israel?

Jan 22, 2026 / Jules Boykoff and Dave Zirin

Gambling With the Future of Sports—Plus, a Minneapolis Teacher Speaks Out

Gambling With the Future of Sports—Plus, a Minneapolis Teacher Speaks Out Gambling With the Future of Sports—Plus, a Minneapolis Teacher Speaks Out

Dannu Fun joins Edge of Sports to talk about sports gambling, and we talk to Daniel Troccoli in Minneapolis about what’s happening there.

Jan 20, 2026 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

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