Global Sport Matters

Native American communities have been hit harder than others in the wake of the pandemic. The realities of lacking resources have been brought to the forefront during this time. Communities have been forced to cancel large gatherings, like most of the world, including the 2020 Native American Basketball Invitational, which has far-reaching impact for young people on and off the court. The games brought the community together as well as opportunities for higher education with college and job fairs.

During the the virtual NFL draft team owners, coaches and players shared their homes and loved ones with the world for three days. Ken and Bill discuss the picks, the optics, and how the NFL and other pro sports leagues might work with women in the future.

The global impact of COVID-19 has put a collective pause on the world of sport as we know it, and these unprecedented times will have a far-reaching impact long after the virus subsides. With the NCAA canceling championships, leagues halting seasons, and Olympic athletes at the mercy of the growing pandemic, many questions linger. What impact has been felt thus far? And what should we brace ourselves for when sports make their eventual return?

In this episode, Ken and Bill won't be debating whether Tua Tagovailoa goes to the Dolphins or Joe Burrow is a good fit for the Cincinatti Bengals. They'll ask - what happens after the Draft? How can the league keep players fit and get them back in stadiums in time for the start of the regular season in September?

COVID-19 is the rival no one in sport could prepare for or can defeat yet. Since mid-March, professional sports leagues around the world have either canceled their seasons all together or postponed them indefinitely. Kenneth L. Shropshire, CEO of the Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University will be joined by award-winning columnist and Visiting Senior Practitioner for the Global Sport Institute, William C. Rhoden. In this episode Ken and Bill discuss the implications of this – from fan-less arenas to player eligibility.

They invite guests Traci Green (Head coach, Harvard Women’s Tennis), Ray Anderson (Athletic Director, Sun Devil Athletics), and Grant Fogerty (ASU Men’s Basketball player) to weigh in on these issues and share their personal experiences with canceled seasons, disappointed players, and how they plan move forward next year. Professor Jules Boykoff (Pacific University) also joins the show to discuss why he encouraged the cancelation of this summer’s Olympic games, and what that means for athletes and beyond.