Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh welcome Joel Beall, senior Golf Digest writer and author of Playing Dirty, for a deep dive into Saudi Arabia’s continued sportwashing through investments in professional golf. The panel also discusses number one seeds steamrolling their way into the men’s Final Four. Alex Ovechkin inches closer to surpassing Wayne Gretzky's NHL goal record. Finally, Ben has an afterball on the Bronx Bombers and their new, lethal torpedo bats.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel talks about foul-grifting and faking injuries in the NBA.

LIV Golf (2:43): Why the PGA Tour/Saudi Arabia negotiations really failed. 

March Madness (29:45): For the second time ever, the men’s Final Four is all No. 1 seeds

Ovechkin (45:18): The Capitals captain is five goals shy of surpassing Gretzky

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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Three days from Opening Day, hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh share their roses, thorns, and buds for the upcoming MLB season. The panel also talks about the lows and highs of March Madness and finally, they remember the legendary boxer and businessman George Foreman.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel discusses President Trump's love of sports and his recent conversation with Putin over hockey.

Opening Day (3:04): Who will be the winners, losers, and most yawn-inducing?

March Madness (32:26): The basketball tournament has so far had very few upsets

George Foreman (45:38): We remember the grill, but sometimes forget his 76-5 boxing career record.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh discuss the possibility of Tiger Woods’ retirement after learning he’ll need yet another surgery - this time to fix a ruptured Achilles tendon. They also talk about the start of the NWSL season and whether the league can continue to build and retain star players. Finally, they wrap with a look back at the Luka Doncic trade and the wave of bad luck that has stricken the Mavs since.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel discusses the amazing implosion of the New York Yankees just two weeks from opening day.

Tiger (4:40): Will Woods walk away?

NWSL (19:27): The season begins as stars like Trinity Rodman eye a possible move abroad.

NBA trade (35:14): Checking in on Dallas several weeks after the Luka Trade

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh discuss the ACC Tournament and the storied college basketball rivalry between UNC, Duke, and NC State. While once-mighty UNC and NC State navigate challenging seasons, Duke looks poised for a title run with Cooper Flagg at the helm. Later, sports writer Neil Paine joins the show to discuss NHL trade deadline drama, and to reflect on the closure of the data-driven news site FiveThirtyEight.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, Neil Paine sticks around to break down the NASCAR Cup series debut of Katherine Legge.

Triangle College Basketball (2:55): The state of North Carolina’s powerhouse teams in the ACC

NHL Trade Deadline (20:19): The Hurricanes’' surprising trade to Dallas of star Mikko Rantanen

RIP 538 (42:07): Farewell to the analytical news and sports site that was about more than number crunching.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh dive into the inclusion and implications of robotic officiating in the NFL and MLB. They also discuss the retirement of basketball all-time great, Diana Taurasi. Finally, they talk about a right-wing proposal for a steroid-fueled sports league. For Afterballs, Alex remembers the careers of Czech hockey superstar Jaromir Jagr as well as the beloved voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Lange, who died last month.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel discusses the popular NBA parody Twitter account, NBACentel.

Robo Refs (3:15): Robots will be used to scrutinize calls in both baseball and football.

Diana Taurasi (21:49): The basketball icon steps away after twenty-plus years.

Let 'em Juice (37:46): The bizarre proposal from Donald Trump Jr. and friends for a steroid-acceptable sports league.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh speak to the Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan about the trial of former Spanish women’s soccer chief Luis Rubiales, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting World Cup star Jenni Hermoso. The trial not only condemned the Spanish Football Federation, but also spotlighted a deeper issue of misogyny in Spain. The panel also revisits the 4 Nations Face-Off and the political tensions that boiled over during the hockey tournament. Finally, they discuss the end of the long-standing partnership between ESPN and MLB.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel ponders what a Stephen A. presidential campaign might look like.

Rubiales (2:48): The Spanish soccer boss is found guilty.

MAGA vs Canada (27:17): Canada beats back the Americans once again

MLB (41:28): ESPN and pro-baseball decide to part ways.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh talk about the 4 Nations Face-off which kicked off with intense brawls and continued with high-stakes, best-on-best action. The panel also breaks down the NBA’s lackluster All-Star Weekend and wraps up with the latest moves in WNBA free agency.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel takes a look at JuJu Watkins and the current stars of college basketball.

4 Nations (1:53): Canada vs. U.S.A. vs. Finland vs. Sweden.

NBA All-Star Game (17:02): A new format can’t save an obsolete game.

WNBA (32:48): Have the Indiana Fever leveled up?

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh examine how the world-beating Chiefs ran into the brick wall that was the Philadelphia Eagles at the Super Bowl. They also speak to journalist and author Julie Kliegman about the Trump administration’s recent executive order aiming to ban trans women from sports. Plus, the panel examines the growing movement across sports to shorten game times.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel dives into potential blockbuster moves in the NFL offseason.

The Super Bowl (2:24): The Eagles are elite.

Trump’s Trans Sports Ban (18:08): The repugnant executive order fueling trans discrimination across sports.

Shorter Games (38:37): What's behind the push to bring playing time down?

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh look at the trade heard round the world that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. The panel also discusses the sexual misconduct allegations against Ravens’ kicker Justin Tucker, as well as the sports betting scandal in the NBA that now involves Terry Rozier. In the Afterball, Lindsay breaks down the NFL Pro Bowl games played this past weekend.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts dive into the Utah Hockey Club’s top-secret renaming saga.

Luka to L.A.(3:18) The confounding trade of the basketball superstar

Justin Tucker (26:29): The troubling reports of sexual misconduct by the Baltimore kicker

Gambling in the NBA (44:31): The investigation into NBA player Terry Rozier’s alleged gambling collusion

Afterballs (1:00:50): Lindsay on the NFL Pro Bowl

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh discuss the Bills' astonishing proclivity to lose to the Chiefs, plus how the Eagles steamrolled the Commanders. The panel also chats about Madison Keys’ shocking victory at the Australian Open. Finally, they get into the Philadelphia 76ers’ disastrous season, and Alex has an Afterball about Arkadag F.C., and the (disputable) win streak of the soccer club from Turkmenistan.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts discuss EA Sports' sinking stock price.

NFL Conference Championships (2:01): Chiefs and Eagles win again

Madison Keys (23:58): The American wins The Australian Open

Philadelphia 76ers (45:13): The catastrophically bad season continues

Afterballs (55:57): The world-beating football club from Turkmenistan?

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