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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.

Dave Zirin

October 20, 2025

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)

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/

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

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

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

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

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Edge of Sports

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

Moses Malone Gets Biblical
byDave Zirin / The Nation

This week, we speak to Paul Knepper about his new book, Moses Malone: The Life Of A Basketball Prophet. Also, we talked to the hoops savant Arya Shirazi about what we’ve learned so far this NBA season and which preseason prediction we wish we could do over. 

Zirin, Sports Media Has Forgotten About CTE Even After Player Deaths

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/nfl-concussion-cte-sports-media/

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

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

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

Dave ZirinDave 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.


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