Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs discuss the beginning of the NFL season, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ 0-2 record; their worst start since 2014 when they last missed the playoffs. Has their aging lineup started to catch up to them? Plus, the return of tush-push discourse.

Next, the 38-year-old Sidney Crosby has played a whopping 20 seasons for the Penguins and is arguably the best player of his generation. But as the Penguins continue to flail, Crosby’s management is signaling he may not be long for the team. What do teams owe to their oldest, most storied players, and is it the end of the one-team legend? 

Then, Angel Reese publicly criticized her Chicago Sky teammates in the Chicago Sun Times, calling out weak recruiting and their reliance on injured players. Reese and the team have reconciled, but for how long? We also catch up on the WNBA playoffs: The Lynx may feel inevitable, but Lindsay argues there may be some meaningful challengers as the playoffs roll on. 

In afterballs, the Tyreek Hill’s domestic violence allegations are barely registering in conversations about his rumored trade to the Kansas City Chiefs. Lindsay looks back at the details of the claims against him, and why they’re important to remember. 

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel discusses Phillies Karen, the ball hawker who went viral after demanding the return of a ball from a child. After several false accusations and an ongoing campaign to unmask the ball-taker, have we taken bad ball park etiquette too far?

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NFL Week 2 (3:52): A panic button for the Chiefs

Sidney Cosby and the Penguins (19:22): The end of an era?

The WNBA Playoffs (34:54): Angel Reese and Lynx domination

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Podcast production and editing by Benjamin Frisch, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs are joined by tennis writer Ben Rothenberg for a breakdown of the U.S. Open’s final days - where Trump was booed, Alcarez and Sinner battled, and Osaka was defeated. They also delve into the recent Steve Ballmer controversy, as well as Week 1 of the NFL. Finally, Ben has an afterball on the legacies of goalie Ken Dryden and second baseman Davey Johnson.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts speak to Monash University researcher Erik Denison about homophobia plaguing Australian football.

U.S. Open (2:42): Arthur Ashe vs. Trump

Clippers (24:36): Examining Pablo Torre’s recent investigation into Steve Ballmer and the Clippers.

NFL (39:11): The Bills’ Sunday night stunner

Afterballs (49:06): Ben remembers Ken Dryden and Davey Johnson.

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Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs discuss college football’s wild week one, including Bill Belichick’s disastrous debut with the Tar Heels and Arch Manning’s early struggles. They dissect the baffling Micah Parsons trade, and later welcome Syracuse sports management professor Lindsey Darvin to explore whether the world of video gaming is boosting women's sports. Finally, Ben has an Afterball on, “unwritten rules” in tennis, and their effect on the U.S. Open.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts pick their NFL ‘roses, buds, and thorns ' ahead of week one.

Chapel Hill Bill (2:28): Laid an egg

Micah Parsons (18:13): Jerry Jones traded away his star to turn the spotlight on himself, once again.

Women’s Sports Video Games (33:02): Are e-sports becoming more inclusive?

Afterballs (55:46): Ben on tennis’ unwritten rules.

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Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs discuss ESPN’s new $30-a-month streaming service, and the media giant’s attempt to maintain a streaming service without cutting off its cable cash cow. The panel then welcomes the New Yorker staff writer Louisa Thomas to review the U.S. Open’s revamped mixed doubles event. They also weigh in on Anthony Richardson and the Colts’ decision to bench their young quarterback ahead of the regular season.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts look at the Minnesota Lynx and Napheesa Colliers' return to WNBA dominance.

ESPN Plus (4:19): The broadcaster’s bet on streaming.

Mixed Doubles (22:10): The U.S. Open's newest competition was mostly a success.

Anthony Richardson (41:47): Are NFL teams giving young quarterbacks enough of a shot?

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Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs speak to the Athletic’s Carson Kessler about her recent investigative series on the rise of stalking in sports. The panel then previews the upcoming college football season before welcoming golf journalist Brendan Porath to break down the Ryder Cup and the drama around Keegan Bradley potentially being the first player-captain since the early 1960s.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, Ben explains how the Milwaukee Brewers unexpectedly became the best team in baseball.

Sports Stalkers (3:50): The chilling rise in disturbing fan behavior.

CFB preview (23:30): What we love and hate going into week zero.

Ryder Cup (50:48): Is Keegan Bradley teeing up to fail?

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Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs are joined by Cowboys beat writer RJ Ochoa to dissect the messy public contract negotiations between Jerry Jones and superstar Micah Parsons. The panel also discusses the relocation dispute between the Connecticut Sun and the WNBA, plus Jen Pawol becoming the first female umpire in MLB. 

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel talks about the Kansas City Chiefs not being favored to win the Super Bowl this season.

Jerry Jones (4:29): The drama king digs in his heels.

The Connecticut Sun (24:20): Will Boston finally have its WNBA team?

Jen Pawol (43:25): Baseball’s umpire glass ceiling is finally broken.

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Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs talk to sportswriter Rodger Sherman about how the United States’ immigration maneuvering might affect the Olympics. They also discuss the NFL’s new multibillion dollar deal with ESPN, and how the Minnesota Twins’ massive trade-off could affect the team – and the rest of MLB. 

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel holds a special draft: one fictional player and one real player they want back in the game. 

IOC (4:20): Trump’s immigration plans run afoul of the IOC.

NFL ESPN(23:27): ESPN acquires a ton of NFL assets.

Minnesota Twins (40:11): The team’s trade deadline turns into a fire sale.

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Podcast production by Paige Osburn and Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs speak with ESPN senior NFL reporter Kalyn Kahler on the secrets, scandals, and leadership implosion plaguing the NFL Players Association ahead of labor negotiations. They also discuss the historic induction of Ichiro Suzuki in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the death of Hulk Hogan.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel reviews the new movie Happy Gilmore 2.

NFLPA (2:59): Behind the scenes of the leadership meltdown.

Ichiro(25:10): The first Japanese MLB position player joins the Hall of Fame.

Hulk Hogan (45:28): The wrestling giant’s life, death, and embarrassing embrace of bigotry.

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Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs discuss the brilliant (but boringly calm) Scottie Scheffler, who racked up yet another victory at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The hosts then welcome Front Office Sports writer Annie Costabile to examine the WNBA’s All-Star weekend. They also get into the MLB All-Star game’s swing-off finale.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel ranks their favorite and least favorite innovations in sports broadcasting.

Scottie Scheffler (3:37): He loves The Office more than golf.

WNBA All-Star Weekend (21:42): How the players used their CBA leverage

The Swing-Off (40:33): With great power comes great endings?

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Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs are joined by Giri Nathan, co-founder of Defector and author of the new book Changeover, for a discussion of Jannik Sinner’s breakthrough win and Iga Świątek’s domination at Wimbledon. The panel also digs into the Atlanta Braves’ surprisingly disappointing season, and then they welcome sportswriter Henry Bushnell to post-mortem the FIFA Club World Cup.

Plus, Lindsay has an Afterball on the amazing career and retirement of soccer player Tobin Heath.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel discusses the NCAA’s proposed plan to expand March Madness even further.

Wimbledon (3:18): Sinner grabs glory

The Atlanta Braves (30:18): The prospective world beaters now suck?

Club World Cup (47:21): Was it worth it?

Afterballs (1:05:30): Tobin Heath Retires.

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Get more Hang Up and Listen with Slate Plus! Join for weekly bonus episodes of Hang Up and Listen and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Hang Up and Listen show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/hangupplus for access wherever you listen.

You can email us at [email protected].

Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Ben Richmond.

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