Sports

Fernando Valenzuela, in his old Dodgers jersey, throws the pitch in a baseball field.

Fernando Valenzuela’s Magical Life and Tragic Death Reminds Us That Immigration Is Beautiful Fernando Valenzuela’s Magical Life and Tragic Death Reminds Us That Immigration Is Beautiful

The Dodgers pitcher had a legendary rookie year in 1981 in which he helped defeat the Yankees in the World Series.

Oct 23, 2024 / Obituary / Dave Zirin

Harrison Butker smiles and reaches his hand out to greet someone off camera.

Chiefs Placekicker Harrison Butker Goes Wide Right and Finds Political Power Chiefs Placekicker Harrison Butker Goes Wide Right and Finds Political Power

The Kansas City Chiefs kicker has started a far-right super PAC to encourage conservatives to vote for “traditional Christian values.” He is part of a terrifying political trend.

Oct 17, 2024 / Dave Zirin

A sea of Palestinian flags waved by fans in the stands of the UEFA Champions League football match between Borussia Dortmund and Celtic in Dortmund, western Germany on October 1, 2024.

In a Glaring Double Standard, FIFA Fails to Suspend Israel In a Glaring Double Standard, FIFA Fails to Suspend Israel

FIFA banned apartheid South Africa. It banned Russia for invading Ukraine. But about Israel, FIFA does nothing.

Oct 7, 2024 / Jules Boykoff and Dave Zirin

Pete Rose holding a baseball mitt in position during a Cincinnati Reds game.

Gambling Is an Addiction. So Why Was Pete Rose an Outcast? Gambling Is an Addiction. So Why Was Pete Rose an Outcast?

The baseball legend was an example of not only the perils of gambling but also why the sports leagues’ embrace of the online-betting industry makes them predatory hypocrites.

Oct 1, 2024 / Obituary / Dave Zirin

Macklemore, wearing sunglasses and a jacket with a Palestinian flag, gestures at a crowd in a concert.

Macklemore Is a Seattle Sports Superfan. Now, He Is Also a Target. Macklemore Is a Seattle Sports Superfan. Now, He Is Also a Target.

The Seattle sports establishment loved the Grammy Award–winning rapper until he dared criticize the United States for funding Israeli war crimes.

Sep 25, 2024 / Dave Zirin

Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins lies on the ground after colliding with Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter on September 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida.

NFL Head Injuries Are Part of the Product NFL Head Injuries Are Part of the Product

The league creates spectacles that distract from the dangers—but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.

Sep 20, 2024 / Dave Zirin

A brain scan of a football player who was diagnosed with CTE, the brain injury that is affecting so many former football players.

Abolish College Football Abolish College Football

NCAA football, especially at major universities, is among the most exploitative and harmful institutions in the United States.

Sep 20, 2024 / Nathan Kalman-Lamb and Derek Silva

Private Equity Steps Up to the Plate

Private Equity Steps Up to the Plate Private Equity Steps Up to the Plate

Diamond Baseball Holdings is taking over minor league baseball and reaping the benefits of hundreds of millions in taxpayer subsidies.

Sep 16, 2024 / Amos Barshad

Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins and Jaylen Waddle #17 celebrate after Hill's receiving touchdown on September 8, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Prior to the game, Miami-Dade police pushed Hill face down on the concrete and handcuffed him.

Police Violence, Tyreek Hill, and the NFL Owners Who Bankroll Brutality Police Violence, Tyreek Hill, and the NFL Owners Who Bankroll Brutality

The NFL does not cross the police. The NFL partners with the police.

Sep 9, 2024 / Dave Zirin

Donald Trump smiling next to J.D. Vance

Don’t Underestimate Donald Trump’s Coalition of the Weird Don’t Underestimate Donald Trump’s Coalition of the Weird

The GOP’s new league of fringe figures tries to replicate the party’s winning formula of 2016. And it just might work again.

Aug 30, 2024 / Jeet Heer

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