Hang Up and Listen

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the opening weekend of the new XFL. They also discuss the Houston Rockets’ small-ball experiment and review ESPN’s new Michael Vick documentary.

XFL (01:57): Is the latest iteration of Vince McMahon’s NFL competitor built to last?

Rockets (22:48): Is playing super-duper small a smart idea, a desperate ploy, or a smart idea that’s also a desperate ploy?

Vick (37:11): Assessing the quarterback’s contrition 13 years after he pleaded guilty to a dogfighting charge.

Afterball (58:02): Stefan on one of Bobby Knight’s most memorable meltdowns.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the Chiefs’ win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Stefan and Josh are then joined by the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas to discuss the wins by Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin at the Australian Open.

Super Bowl (01:31): The great Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a comeback victory as Andy Reid outcoached Kyle Shanahan.

Australian Open (24:34): How Novak Djokovic controlled his mind and body to beat Dominic Thiem, and what you need to know about the latest American woman to win a grand slam title.

Afterballs (46:05): Stefan on “Proud to Be an Astro” and Josh on the tragic story of Jim and Martha Tyrer.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Kobe Bryant’s on-court and off-court legacies with NPR’s Gene Demby and Lindsay Gibbs of the Power Plays! newsletter and the Burn It All Down podcast.

Kobe’s shocking death (00:50): What we felt when we heard about the helicopter crash, and why his peers thought Kobe was Michael Jordan’s heir.

Kobe on the court (14:09): Why so many fans loved his game and so many didn’t.

The sexual assault allegations and Kobe’s support for women’s basketball (35:48): How the case against him is and isn’t remembered, and how to reconcile it with Kobe’s post-retirement life.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about how the Chiefs and 49ers made the Super Bowl. They also discuss the new Netflix documentary Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez. Finally, Fatsis and Mike Pesca interview the greatest Jeopardy! player of all time, Ken Jennings.

Chiefs and 49ers (02:49): On Patrick Mahomes, the 49ers’ running game, Andy Reid, and Kyle Shanahan.

Aaron Hernandez (20:50): Does the new Netflix doc have any reason to exist?

Ken Jennings (36:20): The greatest Jeopardy! player of all time tells all.

Afterballs (01:03:02): Joel on Marshawn Lynch and Stefan on the Memphis Kings.

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Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and new Hang Up and Listen co-host Joel Anderson revel in LSU’s win over Clemson in college football’s title game. ESPN’s Jeff Passan talks about MLB’s punishment of the Houston Astros. Finally, Daniel Engber discusses his story on a rape accusation against three New York Mets, and how those players were never charged.

LSU-Clemson (04:21): How the Tigers from Baton Rouge won it all.

Astros (20:34): What signal was commissioner Rob Manfred trying to send with the penalties he imposed against Houston for sign-stealing?

Mets (40:52): A woman accused three New York Mets of raping her in 1991. Those players weren't charged. She was forgotten.

Afterballs (1:10:05): Stefan on the NBA trillion (or is it a quintillion?) and Josh on a Sporcle quiz that made him sad.

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Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Slate’s Seth Stevenson to discuss the Patriots’ playoff loss and the post-NFL life of Rob Gronkowski. ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan also joins to talk about the legacy of NBA commissioner David Stern. Finally, they interview Theo Anthony about his documentary Subject to Review.

Patriots and Gronk (01:39): Why couldn’t Tom Brady and Bill Belichick pull it together this year? And should we pity Rob Gronkowski or feel happy that he got out of the NFL at 29?

David Stern (17:41): How we should think about the legendary commissioner, who had a reputation for meanness but made the NBA a corporate giant.

Subject to Review (42:31): A heady, trippy documentary about replay in tennis.

Afterballs (57:48): Stefan on the origins of “trash panda” and Josh on decibel readings at football games.

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Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Spencer Hall to talk about the College Football Playoff. They also interview Matthew Goodman about his book on the CCNY point-shaving scandal, The City Game. Finally, they review the greatest sports moments of the decade.

College Football Playoff (01:45): How LSU destroyed Oklahoma and Clemson squeaked out a win over Ohio State.

The City Game (23:36): A new book about the point-shaving scandal that rocked college basketball 70 seasons ago--and remains relevant today.

Sports moments of the decade (53:42): LeBron, Serena, the USWNT, the Kick Six, and a lot more.

Afterballs (01:18:41): Stefan and Josh on their personal sports moments of the decade.

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Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by the Ringer’s Bryan Curtis to discuss the Dallas Cowboys’ demise. Power Plays’ Lindsay Gibbs also joins to talk about WNBA owner and incoming GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler. Finally, “barking dog” Jason Holt on his moment of basketball glory.

Cowboys (01:24): Why has owner Jerry Jones accepted mediocrity for so long? And what’s next for one of the NFL’s showcase franchises?

Kelly Loeffler (20:17): How will the league and its players handle having a Trump-supporting U.S. senator as an owner?

Barking dog (36:01): Breaking down an iconic moment in sports history and everything that came after.

Afterball (56:41): Josh on Egypt’s squash dominance.

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Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Undefeated’s Lonnae O’Neal to talk about Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Sports Illustrated’s Emma Baccellieri also joins to discuss baseball free agency. Finally, author Damon Young chats about the rise of Bronny James.

Lamar Jackson (01:24): What’s the larger significance of this particular black quarterback?

MLB free agency (18:47): Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, and Anthony Rendon have all signed huge deals. What do those contracts say about the state of the game?

Bronny James (33:50): There’s a lot of pressure on LeBron’s son. Over the weekend, he lived up to the hype.

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Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Banner Society’s Spencer Hall to discuss the college football playoff. The Athletic’s Wosny Lambre also joins to talk about the surging Los Angeles Lakers. Finally, the Wall Street Journal’s Louise Radnofsky explains skaters’ strange obsession with Schindler’s List.

College football (01:53): Why Clemson is mad, how LSU got good, and other playoff-related matters.

Lakers (24:18): Everything is going very well for LeBron and the Lakers. What could go wrong (and when will it go wrong)?

Skating and Schindler’s List (44:56): Why do figure skaters perform Holocaust-inspired routines?

Afterballs (01:00:15): Stefan on a soccer team named after hard liquor and Josh on a Supreme Court justice remembering some guys.

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