Lionel Messi has arrived. The Argentine soccer star shocked the world last month by announcing that he was joining Inter Miami of Major League Soccer, and he was introduced to fans on a rain-soaked Sunday evening in Ft. Lauderdale this past weekend. Today, we bring you the inside story of how the biggest deal in MLS history got done, and the role that one particular man played in it.

Guest: Paul Tenorio, Senior Writer at The Athletic

Read Paul's full story about Inter Miami's courtship of Lionel Messi here

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Earlier this year, things were looking pretty bleak for the Cincinnati Reds, with a lot of empty seats at Great American Ball Park coming off a 100-loss season. But this team has made a dramatic turnaround, and the catalyst has been a player who has wasted no time in electrifying the city — and the sport. Today, we take an in-depth look at the impact of Elly De La Cruz, the trends behind the scenes that paved the way for his arrival, and the dynamics between the 21-year-old, and a Reds veteran who's nearly twice his age: Joey Votto.

Guest: C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic

Read the full story here

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The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team won its second straight World Cup in 2019. But since then, they've had a string of losses and injuries -- and the roster is now stretched thin. Today, we break down the USWNT's quest for an unprecedented third straight World Cup, the young stars who will have a chance to shine on the world's biggest stage, and the opponents that stand between the U.S. and a shot at history.

Guest: Jeff Rueter, The Athletic

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For football fans of a certain age, the name Adam “Pacman” Jones conjures up a certain set of memories. Jones was drafted sixth overall in 2005, and eventually became a Pro Bowler and All-Pro, but a wave of troubling off-the-field incidents trailed him during much of his career. However, what’s less well known about Jones is the story of a loss that changed his life — and ultimately, his family life — forever. Today, we look at how Jones emerged as a devoted father, and why his complicated life prepared him for what came next.

Guest: Zak Keefer, The Athletic

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Plus: LSU makes history at the MLB draft. And a true long shot contender takes home the prize at the U.S. Open

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A bunch of very wealthy Indian businessmen recently placed a very large bet on women’s cricket. The Women's Premier League launched in India in March, and by some measures it’s now the second most valuable women’s professional sports league in the world. Today, Mujib Mashal of the New York Times explains how the league came to be, and why it might line the pockets of the country’s elite, and give young girls in India a new vision for their future.

Guest: Mujib Mashal - South Asia Bureau Chief, The New York Times

Read Mujib's full story about the WPL here.

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Whether you think it's a passing fad or the greatest thing to ever happen to sports, chances are you've heard about the fastest growing game in the United States: pickleball. And lately, a sport without much history appears to have found its biggest star, who's been crushing her competition even though she's barely old enough to drive. Today, the story of how Anna Leigh Waters went from a kid with college soccer dreams, to a dominant pickleball pro — in a few short years. Plus, the sport has already gotten buy-in from Tom Brady and LeBron James, but how sustainable is its long-term future?

Guest: Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated

Read the full story here

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Long-suffering fans of the Oakland As have had a roller coaster of a season. To express their ongoing frustration with owner John Fisher, they initially began boycotting games. Then, two weeks ago, they staged a dramatic "reverse boycott," packing the stands for a game on a Tuesday night, which resulted in a surprise victory over the best team in baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays. Now, with the city of Las Vegas appearing to have successfully lured the A's to a new stadium on the Strip, can Oakland fans do anything to save their beloved team?

Guest: Melissa Lockard, The Athletic

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Connor Bedard, the presumed #1 pick in tonight's NHL Draft, is the most hyped hockey prospect we've seen since, well, some other guy named Connor. And there are those who believe Bedard could define a new era of the NHL. The Athletic's Dan Robson recently spoke with Bedard and his family at length, and he joins us today to discuss the 17-year-old's incredible rise as a player and the tragic loss that motivates him to this day.

Guest: Dan Robson, The Athletic

Read Dan's full story about Connor Bedard here.

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