The League is a feature-length documentary, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sam Pollard, and executive produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. The film recounts the dramatic rise and fall of the Negro Leagues – providing a lens on the dazzling parallel world of Black baseball which was created by African Americans during the Jim Crow years.

The League reveals the true story of Black baseball is far more complex and intriguing than the commonly accepted narrative of Jackie Robinson's triumphant rise. We learn that the integration of the national pastime – while a moral necessity – came at a cost, in that it led to the demise of a revered and consequential Black institution, the Negro Leagues.

In this episode, Sam Pollard joins us to discuss how the film was conceptualized, and the efforts to gather footage.  He also talked about the unique balance between recreating certain moments and making sure the movie flows when resources are so limited.  He also spoke about his involvement with Spike Lee, including his work on the 1992 film Jungle Fever and the 1996 film Girl 6, which feature extraordinary soundtracks by music legends Stevie Wonder and Prince.  The conversation does divert to a short Prince conversation towards the end.

The League can be found on Amazon, Apple, or wherever digital downloads are available.

412. Director Sam Pollard on "The League" (Negro Leagues doc)

Every guest is a friend. Or a friend of a friend.  (We play Jewish Geography)

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On April 18, 2024, the National Hockey League announced that the Arizona Coyotes were being sold to the owners of the NBA's Utah Jazz, and would begin play next season at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.  The Coyotes relocated to Arizona in 1996 after they were the original Winnipeg Jets franchise. They played in America West Arena (home of the Phoenix Suns) from 1996-2003 and Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona from 2003-2022. In 2022, the Coyotes played in Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat structure on the campus of Arizona State University.  Once a potential arena deal had been shut down, the Coyotes' fate had been sealed. Notably, the NHL said that if the Phoenix Metro area could build an area, they would get an expansion team and the Arizona Coyotes' colors and uniforms would return.

Luke Lapinski is a talk show host on 98.7 FM Arizona Sports.  For 15 years, he was the pre/post/intermission host of the Coyotes on whatever radio station they were airing on, until the move to Utah.  He joined the podcast to discuss what led to the Coyote's relocation, and whether the Coyotes could get a team back with a new arena. He also discussed the many job losses in the Coyotes organization and weighed in on the Phoenix market as a sports town.

453. The Fate of the Arizona Coyotes

Award-winning media veteran Keith Dawkins was hired by the Harlem Globetrotters in January 2022.  He spent 17 years at Viacom (now ViacomCBS), was elevated to the position of Executive Vice President at Nickelodeon where he oversaw and grew some of that brand's most beloved and successful networks. Dawkins also launched the Nickelodeon Sports initiative which saw him strike strategic partnerships with the likes of NFL, NASCAR, the PGA Tour, MLS, WWE, and a variety of pro athletes. 

The originators of basketball style, influencers on today's game, and skilled athletes of the highest order, the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 124 countries and territories on six continents since their founding in 1926. Proud inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, their mission to spread game and bring entertainment to the world continues to drive them today. The Globetrotters are basketball innovators who popularized the jump shot, slam dunk and the half-court hook shot.

In this episode, Dawkins explains his goals for the future of the Globetrotters, and how they plan to use streaming services and social media to grow awareness to a new generation while being fan service for the people who remember them.  He also commented on the state of the NBA, WNBA, and college basketball and offers insight on how athletes become Globetrotters.

For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit the Globetrotters' official website: www.harlemglobetrotters.com and follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

452. Harlem Globetrotters CEO Keith Dawkins

Acclaimed golf reporter Bob Harig makes his third appearance on the show to recap the 2024 Masters Tournament which took place on April 11-14th, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia.  Scottie Scheffler won his 2nd Masters title. He last won in 2022, when Harig recapped that Masters in Episode 346. Harig also joined following the 2022 US Open in Episode 356.

In this episode, Harig breaks down the fact that Scheffler is clearly the #1 player in golf and has not achieved the superstardom that preview #1 golfers have held.  He also discussed the saga of Tiger Woods, who made his 24th consecutive cut at the Masters, and then proceeded to have his career-worst 3rd round.  Harig also weighed in on the lengthy resolution to the proposed merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. He discusses any potential negative impact that lack of resolution has meant for the game, and whether it has slowed the sport's growth.

Harig's new book, "Drive: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods,” details the recent comeback of one of the game's greatest icons. It can be purchased here: https://a.co/d/inB30DV.

451. 2024 Masters Recap with SI's Bob Harig

John Smoltz was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015 after a 21-year career, 20 of which were spent with the Atlanta Braves.  Smoltz is currently the lead analyst for MLB Coverage on FOX Sports. Smoltz is an 8-time All-Star and a 1995 World Series champion. He won the NL CY Young Award in 1996 with a blistering 24-8 record. After an arm injury, he converted to a reliever in 2001 and set NL saves record in 2002 with 55. He is the only pitcher in history to record 200 career wins,150 saves, and 3,000 strikeouts.

Smoltz is participating in the Invited Celebrity Classic which is a nationally televised PGA Tour Champions competition that features 78 PGA Tour Champions and 40 sports and entertainment stars. The event occurs between April 19-21, 2024, at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas.  It is live on the Golf Channel all three days. Golfers include Vijay Singh, Justin Leonard, Retief Goosen, Lee Janzen, and Colin Montgomerie.  Other sports athletes include Smoltz teammates Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux.  Former Sports with Friends guests Derek Lowe, Mark Mulder, and Pudge Rodriguez. Also, former players Jon Lester, Joe Carter, Kevin Millar,  Tony Romo, Albert Pujols, Brian Urlacher, Adam Thielen, and Robbie Gould.

In this episode, Smoltz talks about how the younger fans know him from his announcing days on FOX. He also talks about the evolution of the sport, and what works and what doesn't. He talks extensively about playing for Bobby Cox and the role Golf played both during his baseball career and in the years since he retired.

450. MLB Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz

In 2023, Phil Nevin held his first major league managerial position, managing the Los Angeles Angels. Before that, Nevin played 12 big league seasons between 1995 and 2006 for the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Anaheim Angels, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Minnesota Twins. He has previously served as a coach for the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees.

Nevin joined the show to discuss both his playing and managing career. He also offered unique first-hand insight into Shohei Ohtani, whom he managed with the Angels. He also discussed Aaron Judge, who he coached with the Yankees in 2022.

Nevin was also a mutual friend of the late Darryl Hamilton. Part of the conversation is sharing stories of Hambone.

Nevin is participating in the Invited Celebrity Classic which is a nationally televised PGA Tour Champions competition that features 78 PGA Tour Champions and 40 sports and entertainment stars. The event occurs between April 19-21, 2024, at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas.  It is live on the Golf Channel all three days. Golfers include Vijay Singh, Justin Leonard, Retief Goosen, Lee Janzen, and Colin Montgomerie.  Other sports athletes include Nevin, Tom Glavine, Jon Lester, Joe Carter, Kevin Millar,  Greg Maddux, Tony Romo, Albert Pujols, Brian Urlacher, Adam Thielen, and Robbie Gould.

Next week, hall-of-famer John Smoltz, who is participating, joins the show.

412. Director Sam Pollard on "The League" (Negro Leagues doc)

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