Full Archive

Four Little Boys and the Price of Play in Gaza

When people write, tweet, and message me with theirunquestioned belief that Hamas is using the children of Gaza as human shields, I often wonder whether they make these assertions out of unknowing ignorance or out of a deeper kind of “let them eat cake” cruelty.

The Preordained: Why LeBron James Was Always Coming Back to Cleveland

LeBron, has always aspired to be something more than a collection of specialty sneakers. Early in his career, he said he wanted to be a “global icon like Muhammad Ali” without the clearest sense about what that meant. In recent years, by speaking out for Trayvon Martin or becoming the first prominent NBA player to say that Donald Sterling had no business in the league, it seemed like he was figuring out what Jordan never did: that “being Ali” meant standing for something bigger than yourself.

‘Exporting Gaza’: The Arming of Brazil’s World Cup Security

During the World Cup, the presence of such overpowering—not to mention high tech—weaponry raises a critical question: Who is arming Brazil? Who supplies—and profits—from this state of affairs?

Luis Suárez May Bite, but FIFA Sucks Blood

Suarez's sins aside, there is something so profoundly noxious about the thought of Boss Sepp Blatter and FIFA doing anything that allows themselves to be able to bathe themselves in any kind of sanctimonious light.

Dispatches From Brazil’s World Cup: Real Estate Frenzy Provokes ‘Psychological Attack’ to Oust Favela Residents

The favelas in Brazil are being are being reduced to rubble in the shadow of the World Cup and the upcoming Olympics, and the cities are using some extreme methods to make sure that these beautiful neighborhoods are turned to ash. 

Dispatches From Brazil’s World Cup: ‘Don’t Tear Gas the Tourists!’

One of the biggest story lines heading into this year's World Cup was the protests that had the potential to leave a huge black mark on the best sporting event in the world. Instead, the streets have been filled with more party than protest. 

Dispatches From Brazil’s World Cup: ‘No One Lives Here Anymore’

The Marcaña is one of the more gorgeous sights in all of Brazil. It will also be the sight to the World Cup Final, one of the most spectacular sporting events we have today. But just outside the walls of the legendary stadium, the beauty turns to blight. 

A Historic Goal for Palestine

WHEN WE speak of the great "droughts" in sports, our minds drift toward baseball's Chicago Cubs, the NFL's Cleveland Browns and hockey's star-crossed Toronto Maple Leafs. Yet there has never been a more harrowing athletic drought--rife with pain, pathos and perseverance--quite like that of the Palestinian national soccer team.

John Carlos Stands Up to an NFL Slur

The NFL may say officially that “Redskins” “is not a slur,” but 1968 bronze medalist and medal-stand protester John Carlos, a man who has had more than a few invectives tossed his way over the years, disagrees.

Pure Poison: The UCSB Shooting, Ray Rice and a Culture of Violence Against Women

I try to look at the ways in which violence against women is excused and glossed over in professional sports, sending messages to their young, male audiences that this is somehow just part of being like their game-time heroes. This weekend, the day before the shooting, saw yet another one of those moments that should make the National Football League burn with shame, and take account for the role they play in creating this culture.