Podcast / Edge of Sports / Oct 7, 2026

The WNBA, Past and Present and Irish Sport for Palestine

Tamryn Spruill joins the show to talk about her new book on the WNBA, and we discuss Palestine and Irish politics with Rebecca O’Keeffe.

Edge of Sports
Edge of Sports

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

The Only Western 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, Jalen Hurts Deserved Better. We All Do

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/jalen-hurts-eagles-blood-clot/

—

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

A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces attempts a jump shot against Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries during the Semifinals Game One at Chase Center on October 4, 2026, in San Francisco, California.

(Kavin Mistry / Getty Images)

This week, we speak with Tamryn Spruill, author of the remarkable new book The W: A History of the WNBA. We also talk to Rebecca O’Keeffe, chairperson of Irish Sport for Palestine and a former international basketball player.

Zirin, “Irish Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu’s Refusal to Play Against Israel Puts Him on the Right Side of History”: https://www.thenation.com/article/society/ireland-gaza-gavin-bazunu-bolton-wanderers/

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

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Basketball Butterfly Effect: Steph Curry & the Knicks | Edge of Sports with Dave Zirin
byThe Nation Magazine

In Part 6 of our series, Basketball Butterfly Effect, Arya Shirazi joins the show again to discuss the 2009 NBA draft and the Knicks coming close to getting Davidson sharpshooter Steph Curry, the most revolutionary player of his generation. You don’t want to miss this episode!

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

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

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

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.

More from The Nation

Elon Musk and Jensen Huang react after being awarded the National Medal of Science during the “Golden Age of American Innovation Summit” at the Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, on October 8, 2026.

Elon Musk and the Future of Capitalism—With Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff Elon Musk and the Future of Capitalism—With Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff

Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff join Danny and Derek to explore Elon Musk’s vision of capitalism, his political influence, and the future of Big Tech.

Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

Hundreds of Cornell students participate in a rally against the university’s actions after a student was sexually assaulted at a campus fraternity in 2024, on October 5, 2026, in Ithaca, New York.

Massive GOP Spending Hasn’t Slowed the Coming Blue Wave—Plus, the Cornell Rape Case Massive GOP Spending Hasn’t Slowed the Coming Blue Wave—Plus, the Cornell Rape Case

Economist Isabella Weber joins the show to discuss how economic inequality fuels authoritarianism and how public policy can protect democracy.

Jon Wiener

Elon Musk receives the National Medal of Science from President Donald Trump during the Golden Age of American Innovation Summit at the Institute of Peace on October 8, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Anti-Fascist Economics—With Isabella Weber Anti-Fascist Economics—With Isabella Weber

Economist Isabella Weber joins Fighting Fascism to discuss how economic inequality fuels authoritarianism and how public policy can protect democracy.

Jonathan Smucker, Matt DaSilva, and Aaron Regunberg

Ships are anchored off the coast of Khasab, near the Strait of Hormuz, on October 2, 2026.

Ethiopian Forces Approach Eritrea, Israel Demolishes Southern Lebanon Towns, Two Commercial Ships Are Attacked Near Hormuz Ethiopian Forces Approach Eritrea, Israel Demolishes Southern Lebanon Towns, Two Commercial Ships Are Attacked Near Hormuz

Danny and Derek unpack the week’s global news, from escalating conflicts in Iran, Yemen, and Gaza to Sudan, the DRC, China, and the war in Ukraine.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Taking Data Centers to Court—With Martha Dark

Taking Data Centers to Court—With Martha Dark Taking Data Centers to Court—With Martha Dark

Paris Marx is joined by Martha Dark to discuss how legal challenges are holding data centers accountable, strengthening oversight, and challenging Big Tech’s narratives.

Podcast / Tech Won't Save Us

National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez endorses Donald Trump during a campaign rally at Findlay Toyota Center on October 13, 2024, in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

The Political Power of Police Unions—With Stuart Schrader The Political Power of Police Unions—With Stuart Schrader

Stuart Schrader joins Danny and Derek to explore the history and political influence of police unions, their relationship to organized labor, and the future of police reform.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

x