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.

San Francisco Giants player Barry Bonds in 1997, and New York Yankees player Aaron Judge in 2017.

Aaron Judge Is Great—but Don’t Erase Barry Bonds Aaron Judge Is Great—but Don’t Erase Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds is not regarded as the home run king, but he should be. 

Oct 5, 2022 / Dave Zirin

Baylor women's basketball head coach Kim Mulkey reacts during a game against Notre Dame at the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four

Brittney Griner Gets No Support From Former Coach Kim Mulkey Brittney Griner Gets No Support From Former Coach Kim Mulkey

The championship coach could not offer even a nod of solidarity to her former player languishing in a Russian prison.

Sep 28, 2022 / Dave Zirin

Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre speaking onstage during day 3 of SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIV on January 31, 2020 in Miami, Florida.

How Brett Favre’s Flaws Were Hidden in Plain Sight How Brett Favre’s Flaws Were Hidden in Plain Sight

The Hall of Fame quarterback found grift a natural fit after a lifetime of impunity.

Sep 23, 2022 / Dave Zirin

Becky Hammon assistant coaching the San Antonio Spurs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 7, 2022.

Does the NBA Deserve Becky Hammon? Does the NBA Deserve Becky Hammon?

The WNBA championship coach has left the NBA with egg on its face.

Sep 20, 2022 / Dave Zirin

The Savannah Bananas cheer on the field before their Minor League Baseball game.

Victory! Minor League Baseball Players Are Finally Unionized. Victory! Minor League Baseball Players Are Finally Unionized.

Thanks to grassroots organizing, which much of the media is ignoring, minor leaguers will now join the Major League Players Association.

Sep 15, 2022 / Dave Zirin

Ari Fleischer, media consultant and former White House press secretary, at the Centurion Club, Hertfordshire, ahead of the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

Everybody Has a Price: Ari Fleischer, the LIV Golf Tour, and the House of Saud Everybody Has a Price: Ari Fleischer, the LIV Golf Tour, and the House of Saud

The launch of Saudi Arabia’s LIV golf tour was a public relations disaster. So the Saudis hired someone with firsthand knowledge of PR disasters: Ari Fleischer.

Sep 13, 2022 / Dave Zirin

Dave Zirin gives a talk at Socialism Conference 2022

Playing Through Fire: Athletes in an Age of Reaction Playing Through Fire: Athletes in an Age of Reaction

On this week’s episode of the Edge of Sports podcast, a talk about the role of the athlete during times of political upheaval.

Sep 9, 2022 / Podcast / Dave Zirin

WNBA star Sue Bird waves to fans after her last regular season home game of her career against the Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Sue Bird Sets a Standard and Says Goodbye to the WNBA Sue Bird Sets a Standard and Says Goodbye to the WNBA

The legendary basketball player accomplished much on the court and moved the political needle off the court.

Sep 8, 2022 / Dave Zirin

WNBA player Brittney Griner sits inside a defendants' cage after the Russian court's verdict during a hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, on August 4, 2022.

Brittney Griner Is Facing 9 Years in a Russian Penal Colony. Where Is the Campaign to Free Her? Brittney Griner Is Facing 9 Years in a Russian Penal Colony. Where Is the Campaign to Free Her?

We should be stepping up our efforts to bring the WNBA superstar home. Instead we’re getting “out of sight, out of mind”—and it’s a disgrace.

Sep 6, 2022 / Dave Zirin

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions during the closing press conference at the 2018 NFL Annual Meetings in Orlando.

The NFL Disrespects Women. What Else Is New? The NFL Disrespects Women. What Else Is New?

Anyone who finds sexual violence repugnant again finds themselves at odds with the league.

Aug 31, 2022 / Dave Zirin

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