Sportly

In this episode of Sportly, Kavitha Davidson continues the captivating two-part series on the rise of the NFL. After exploring the league’s humble beginnings in Part I, this episode dives into how the NFL evolved into a multi-billion-dollar juggernaut.

From landmark television deals that brought the game into homes across America to the development of the Super Bowl as the country’s biggest sports spectacle, Kavitha traces the key moments that fueled the NFL’s meteoric growth. Discover how the league attracted millions of fans, secured its dominance in American sports culture, and became the most valuable sports organization in the U.S. today.

Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Michaela Strauther, Shei Yu & Kavitha A. Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com.

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! 

Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

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With football season kicking off in full swing, it's the perfect time to dive into the NFL's rich history. From its humble beginnings as the underdog to becoming a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse, we break it down.

In this first part of our two-part series, we will rewind the clock and explore the league's early history—the founding of its original teams (many of which are no longer around) and how the NFL fought for survival in a country dominated by college football. We'll also discuss the league's financial struggles and how it went from being an afterthought to a significant part of American culture.

Join our host, Kavitha Davidson, as she uncovers the grit behind the gridiron in the NFL's formative years, setting the stage for the juggernaut it is today. And make sure to tune in next week for part two, where we'll cover the NFL's rise to the top.

Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Michaela Strauther, Shei Yu & Kavitha A. Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com.

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! 

Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson welcomes Dr. Nefertiti Walker, a former NCAA Division I basketball star and renowned organizational culture and equity scholar. Dr. Walker shares her journey from her early basketball days to her collegiate success at Georgia Tech and Stetson University and how she transitioned from player to scholar, now shaping inclusive environments at the University of Massachusetts.

In addition to discussing her new book, Slaying the Trolls!, Dr. Walker tackles pressing issues in women’s sports, including the evolving landscape of the WNBA. As rising stars like Caitlin Clark prepare to join the league, Dr. Walker offers her perspective on how the WNBA can embrace diversity and grow its influence while supporting athletes from marginalized identities.

Join them for a compelling conversation about sports, scholarship, and the future of women’s basketball.

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Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Shei Yu & Kavitha A. Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you get when two friends, a wiffle ball, and a summer day collide? The answer is pickleball—a sport born from a moment of boredom in 1965 that’s now taking the world by storm. In this episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson dives into the quirky origins of pickleball, exploring how this simple backyard game invented by Joel Pritchard has become America’s fastest-growing sport. From its humble beginnings on Bainbridge Island to celebrity-filled tournaments and public park controversies, Kavitha uncovers the story behind the paddle and how a game meant to pass the time is now passing records. Whether you're a seasoned pickler or just pickle-curious, this episode will undoubtedly offer some fascinating insights. Get ready to volley with history!

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Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Michaela Strauther, Shei Yu & Kavitha A. Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson welcomes our first interview guest, acclaimed sports journalist and author Jessica W. Luther. Known for her work at the intersection of sports, gender, race, and ethics, Jessica provides valuable insights into today’s pressing sports issues.

Kavitha and Jessica discuss recent controversies involving Olympic athletes Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, the rise of the WNBA, and Dearica Hamby’s recent lawsuit. They also explore the complex dynamics of sex and gender in sports, what fans often overlook, and the challenges of covering stories that blend sports and other pressing issues such as gender parity.

Don’t miss this honest conversation between two passionate sports fans who openly discuss their love for the game and the flaws within major sports institutions.

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Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Shei Yu & Kavitha A. Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Sportly, the host, Kavitha Davidson, explores the grueling 150-mile race through the Sahara Desert, focusing on Duncan Slater, a British runner who became the first double amputee to attempt this legendary event.

Kavitha traces the Marathon des Sables' origins from founder Patrick Bauer's pioneering trek in 1984 to the official race's inception in 1986. The episode also highlights the achievements of the Ahansal brothers, Lahcen and Mohamad, who have dominated the race, and Mauro Prosperi's incredible survival story after being lost in the desert for days.

Join her as she explores the stories of grit and endurance that define this epic event. Through personal accounts and historical insights, she uncovers the essence of pushing human limits in one of the harshest environments on Earth, celebrating the resilience and spirit of the Marathon des Sables.

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Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Michaela Strauther, Shei Yu & Kavitha A Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Kavitha A. Davidson explores the lives of Walter Achiu and Art Matsu, two of the earliest Asians in American professional sports. Their stories blend remarkable successes with the experience of otherness, reflecting both the celebration of their talents and the targeting of their differences.

The episode also explores the experiences of modern Asian American athletes, including Jeremy Lin, and the rise of anti-Asian hate post-COVID. This episode sheds light on the historical and contemporary context of Asians in American sports and the ongoing relevance of these issues today.

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Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Michaela Strauther, Shei Yu & Kavitha A Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of our Olympics series, host Kavitha A. Davidson continues exploring how sports are chosen for the Olympic Games. This week, Sportly dives into the intriguing addition of breaking—commonly known as breakdancing—to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

She examines the rise of breaking from its roots in the Bronx in the 1970s as a pillar of hip-hop culture to its global spread and eventual acceptance by the International Olympic Committee. Through history and cultural commentary, Kavitha uncovers the cultural and social significance of breaking and addresses the controversies surrounding its inclusion in the Olympics.

Does this newfound visibility honor and uplift breaking and hip-hop culture, or does it risk commodifying a deeply expressive art form?

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Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Michaela Strauther, Shei Yu & Kavitha A. Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special Olympics episode of Sportly, host Kavitha A. Davidson dives into the fascinating process of how sports are chosen for the Olympic Games. From the historic debut of women's skateboarding at Tokyo 2020 to the introduction of breaking in Paris 2024, Kavitha explores the evolution of the Olympic program and the criteria determining which sports make the cut. Through captivating historical stories and insightful analysis, she uncovers the rich history of the Olympics, from its ancient roots to its modern-day transformations. Join Kavitha as she journeys through time and discover how the Olympics continue to adapt and grow with each passing year.

Stay tuned for more Olympics stories!

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Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Michaela Strauther, Shei Yu & Kavitha A. Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step into the bleachers of Comiskey Park, where the Boston Red Sox face off against the Chicago Cubs in the 1918 World Series. With America deep in the throes of World War I, baseball offers a brief escape from the harsh realities of war and loss. This pivotal game, featuring Babe Ruth as the Red Sox’s starting pitcher, also marks the moment when the Star-Spangled Banner begins its journey to becoming an iconic part of American sports.

Join Sportly host Kavitha Davidson as she explores the history of playing the national anthem at sporting events in the wake of World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, and 9/11. Davidson examines how these moments have sparked both unity and protest throughout U.S. history.

Listen to how athletes have used their platforms to unite and challenge the status quo, shedding light on the complex relationship between national identity, patriotism, and sports

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Hosts: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Michaela Strauther & Kavitha A Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices