Spolitics

On this week’s filibuster, Jemele questions whether this year’s NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indianapolis Pacers means we’ve seen the end of NBA dynasties and superstar-heavy teams. Jemele is then joined by women’s college basketball legend Candace Parker, who discusses her new book, The Can-Do Mindset. Candace shares how she feels about her jersey being retired by both the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky, especially considering her once-rocky relationship with the Sparks. She also explains what she’d like to see the WNBA do to support its players more, and what she’d tell budding superstar Angel Reese if she were her coach. Candace also reveals why she waited until well after she was married to her wife, Anna, to come out.

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On this week’s filibuster, Jemele examines the 5-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, reflecting on how athletes' activism helped power a worldwide movement and why their efforts weren't sustained. Jemele is then joined by actor and comedian Rickey Smiley, whose network comedy special “Fool-ish” premieres on Hulu on May 30. Smiley explains why it’s taken him over a decade to record a new comedy show. He also explains why he tempered his response to Katt Williams, whose viral interview with Shannon Sharpe included harsh criticisms of Smiley. Plus, Smiley opens up on what his healing journey has looked like since losing his son to a drug overdose and how he discovered recently he was the father of twin girls.

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On this week’s filibuster, Jemele weighs in on the latest drama surrounding Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, including the back-and-forth commentary between former NFL players Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin III. Jemele is then joined by Tony Reali, host of ESPN’s popular show, Around the Horn. Reali discusses the show ending after over 20 years, how will he navigate his career once ATH is done, and what he thinks of the criticisms that the show is ending because it’s too “woke.” Reali also shares why he chose to be candid about his mental health struggles, and losing a child.

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On this week’s filibuster, Jemele answers a provocative question: Was the NBA draft lottery rigged so that the Dallas Mavericks could get the No 1 pick just months after trading superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers? Later, Jemele is joined by Amy Trask, who was the first female CEO in the NFL. Amy covers her 20-year career with the Las Vegas Raiders, including what it was like to work with iconic owner Al Davis. Amy shares how she navigated the male-dominated world of professional football, and weighs in on some current league issues — a possible 18th regular-season game, the increase in games overseas, and the NFL broadening its reach on streaming platform. Finally, in Jemele’s new segment, the Final Spin, she shares her thought on Major League Baseball posthumously lifting Pete Rose’s lifetime ban for gambling.

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On this week’s filibuster, Jemele takes a deep dive into Bill Belichick’s controversial relationship with his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson and whether the relationship is changing how people view the future NFL Hall of Famer. Jemele is then joined by Lanny Smith, the founder of the popular fitness brand, Actively Black. Lanny, a former Houston basketball player, discusses how he rebounded from a devastating injury that cost him his NBA career. Lanny also shares how Ryan Coogler's Black Panther movie served as inspiration for Actively Black, the challenges he faces in trying to turn his company into the “Black Nike,” and the impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs. In the final segment, Jemele shares her favorite story about Gregg Popovich, who recently stepped down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

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On this week’s filibuster, Jemele addresses the Shedeur Sanders draft controversy, making a compelling case for why Sanders’ fall in the draft was a talent-based decision. Jemele is later joined by professional golfer Alexis Belton, a World Long Drive Tour champion who keeps it real about the challenges of pursuing a professional golf career. Alexis candidly shares some mental health struggles she’s endured trying to finding her place in golf, how she found her voice after dealing with some racial incidents as a college golfer, and how she’s using her experiences to support and empower other aspiring golfers.

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On this week’s filibuster, Jemele takes a deep dive into how some in sports are using their money to curry influence with this presidential administration. Jemele is later joined by ESPN play-by-play broadcaster Tiffany Greene, the first Black woman to do play-by-play in college football on a major network. Tiffany shares how she fell in love with play-by-play broadcasting, how she prepares for games across multiple sports, and what it means to be an HBCU graduate that does play-by-play commentary for HBCU football games. Tiffany also shares the inspiring story of how longtime Good Morning America host Robin Roberts impacted her career. In the final segment, Jemele reveals some of her favorite sports literature.

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On this week’s filibuster, Jemele jumps into the case of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who held out from team meetings and practices because he reportedly sought to raise his salary from $2.4 million to $4 million. Iamaleave and Tennsessee parted ways, but is this the new reality for college football?  Jemele is later joined by former NFL player Chris Kluwe, who recently was arrested at a Huntington Beach, Calif., city council meeting for performing an act of peaceful civil disobedience. Kluwe also shares why he feels he was blackballed from the NFL for his support of same-sex marriage and how he feels like the American public needs to resist during this tumultuous political time.

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On this week’s filibuster, Jemele takes the Los Angeles Dodgers to task for visiting the White House after Donald Trump’s administration temporarily erased Jackie Robinson’s military history on the Department of Defense’s website. Jemele is then joined by sports business guru Andrew Brandt, who has worked in a NFL front office, negotiated player contacts, and is the  executive director of the Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law at Villanova University. Andrew breaks down the $6.1 billion sale of the Boston Celtics, why he believes the Dallas Cowboys are worth $10 billion, and what revenue sharing will bring to college sports. Andrew also shares his choice for the Sports Business Hall of Fame, meaning which players who have secured great contracts despite not having the results to match. Plus, Jemele answers an intriguing question from a SPOLITICS listener: Who is her all-time Detroit Pistons starting 5?

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On this week’s filibuster, Jemele takes a 360-degree view of the transfer portal, looking at its impact on college basketball, including the upcoming men’s and women’s Final Four. Jemele is then joined by former SportsCenter anchor Kenny Mayne in a wide-ranging interview that covers Kenny’s career journey, the bold moves that led him to ESPN, the devastating injury that ended his college football carer and how it ties into the organization he began to help veterans.

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