Podcast / Edge of Sports / Oct 20, 2025

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.

Edge of Sports
Edge of Sports

Where sports and politics collide, hosted by Nation magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin

Tom Alter & Eastern Conference Preview 
byDave Zirin / The Nation

This week we talk to labor historian Dr. Tom Alter, fired from his teaching post at Texas State for speaking at a socialism conference and whose case is taken on a national profile for its blatant violation of free speech and academic freedom. We also talk to the basketball savant Arya Shirazi about the NBA Eastern Conference. 

Zirin, Black History Is for Everyone, and a Western Conference Preview

https://www.thenation.com/podcast/society/eos-10132025/

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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.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Isaac Okoro of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, on October 12, 2025.

(Jayden Mack / Getty Images)

This week we talk to labor historian Dr. Tom Alter, fired from his teaching post at Texas State for speaking at a socialism conference and whose case is taken on a national profile for its blatant violation of free speech and academic freedom. We also talk to the basketball savant Arya Shirazi about the NBA Eastern Conference. 

Zirin’s latest: Black History Is for Everyone, and a Western Conference Preview

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/subscribe.

Edge of Sports
Edge of Sports

Where sports and politics collide, hosted by Nation magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin

The Only Eastern Conference NBA Preview You Need 
byDave Zirin / The Nation

This week we talk about the politics and promise of the 2026-2027 NBA season with the Hoops Savant Arya Shirazi. It gets no better. 

Zirin, The WNBA, Past and Present and Irish Sport for Palestine

https://www.thenation.com/podcast/politics/eos-100726/

—

http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: [email protected] | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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The Only Eastern Conference NBA Preview You Need 
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Dave Zirin

Dave Zirin is the sports editor at The Nation. He is the author of 11 books on the politics of sports. He is the author of a new book, The People's Historian: The Outsized Life of Howard Zinn.

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