Dave Zirin

Sports Editor

@EdgeofSports

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.

Rio Olympics

The Water in Rio Is Full of Sludge and Rotting Fish—And Olympians Are Supposed to Swim in It The Water in Rio Is Full of Sludge and Rotting Fish—And Olympians Are Supposed to Swim in It

Athletes who participate in water sports will carry an infection risk of 99 percent.

Aug 3, 2015 / Dave Zirin

Why Tom Brady Is Worth Defending

Why Tom Brady Is Worth Defending Why Tom Brady Is Worth Defending

A conversation about Tom Brady and union power with the NFLPA’s George Atallah.

Jul 31, 2015 / Dave Zirin

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh

Why Boston Was Compelled to Pull Its 2024 Olympic Bid Why Boston Was Compelled to Pull Its 2024 Olympic Bid

The crumbling of Boston’s 2024 Olympic bid is a victory for activists and a loss for the city’s most entrenched business interests.

Jul 28, 2015 / Dave Zirin

An Open Letter to the NBA Players Traveling to Israel

An Open Letter to the NBA Players Traveling to Israel An Open Letter to the NBA Players Traveling to Israel

The NBA’s trip to Israel—sponsored by Sheldon Adelson—raises questions for players who aligned themselves with the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Jul 27, 2015 / Dave Zirin

Scott Walker speaks at an inauguration ceremony at the state capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.

Scott Walker Is Trolling Us Scott Walker Is Trolling Us

Sports as political money laundering is nothing new. But it's difficult to think of an example as brazen as Scott Walker's stadium deal for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jul 22, 2015 / Dave Zirin

Serena Williams at Wimbledon

Serena Williams Is Today’s Muhammad Ali Serena Williams Is Today’s Muhammad Ali

As a political symbol and an athletic powerhouse, Serena Williams is “the greatest” in her sport.

Jul 14, 2015 / Dave Zirin

Washington football team owner Dan Snyder

A Judge Just Ruled Against the Most Racist Name in Football A Judge Just Ruled Against the Most Racist Name in Football

The Washington football team's name is a dictionary-defined slur—and now the federal Patent and Trademark Office has been ordered to cancel its trademark registration.

Jul 8, 2015 / Dave Zirin

Carli Lloyd and women's team

Why I’m Done Defending Women’s Sports Why I’m Done Defending Women’s Sports

While I’m being asked why “no one cares,” the Women’s World Cup is getting ratings that would make the NBA or MLB weep with joy.

Jul 6, 2015 / Dave Zirin

Nigeria, Sweden in 2015 Women's World Cup

African Artistry and Anger at the Women’s World Cup African Artistry and Anger at the Women’s World Cup

In a fashion both powerful and heartbreaking, the three African teams have left an indelible impression on the 2015 Women’s World Cup

Jul 1, 2015 / Shireen Ahmed and Dave Zirin

Bree Newsome

Proposal: The Bree Newsome Olympic Challenge Proposal: The Bree Newsome Olympic Challenge

Bree Newsome showed remarkable political courage. She also perhaps gave a template for reimagining sports.

Jun 29, 2015 / Dave Zirin

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