Full Archive

Storming the Castle: Why We Need To Know Our Radical Sports History

The history of how social struggles have exploded onto the playing field is vibrant, thrilling and very real. More importantly, it's a tradition that arms us with the ability to challenge the dominant ideas in that swoosh adorned ivory tower. The problem is that its political teeth have been so thoroughly extracted that the most compelling parts of our history, the parts that have the most to show and teach us today, reside forgotten on the ESPN cutting room floor.

British Invasion: The Olympics March Into London

Former United States Olympic Committee President - and Nazi Sympathizer - Avery Brundage once said famously, "The cardinal rule of the Olympics is no politics," which is like saying the cardinal rule of boxing is no punching.

Pining for the Pistons

The world would be an incrementally better place if the Detroit Pistons had won the NBA championship last week.

Ron Howard's "Cinderella Man": The Crass Slipper Fits

Cinderella Man has been touted as a possible Oscar Contender. But unless there is an award for "best whitewash of the Great Depression", Ron Howard will go home empty handed.

Sacred Hoops: Basketball in the Barrio

In El Paso, Texas, a shoestring basketball camp is showing how sports can be a vehicle for building a better world. Read here for the miracle that is 'Basketball in the Barrio.'

The Rotting Soul of the San Francisco 49ers

There is an old expression that "the fish rots from the head." Right now the San Francisco 49ers are stinking like a salmon in the sun.

Dave's interview with Chuck D "On the Real"

Hear Dave's interview with Chuck D on the June 5th episode of Chuck D's Air America radio show "On the Real".

Why Pat Tillman's Parents Are No Longer Silent

When former Arizona Cardinals football player turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman died in Afghanistan, sonorous bugles moaned from coast to coast.

When Ronaldo Went to Palestine....

Global soccer icon Ronaldo went to Palestine to spread "goodwill" and "peace". But one little boy's dreams of meeting his hero went unanswered - as not even the mighty Ronaldo is fast enough to pass a military checkpoint.

Ozzie Guillen and Fining for Freedom

Superficially, it appeared to be the typical Sports Illustrated puff piece. Two thousand words on "the story of the early baseball season," the surprise Chicago White Sox.