Nothing sounds more wholesome than kids and sports. But as legal scholar Dionne Koller illustrates youth sports have become increasingly commercial, unregulated, and competitive with companies, including private equity firms, replacing publicly-subsidized recreational programs. This highly lucrative industry profits from, among other things, clubs, camps, equipment, mega facilities, and youth sports tourism — exacting a … Continued
The Hard Knock Radio conversation between host Davey D and longtime Los Angeles-based organizer Javier Gonzalez connects immigration raids, media monopolies, sports, and the rise of a new kind of techno powered control over everyday life. Gonzalez starts by updating listeners on the latest wave of ICE operations. He describes how federal agents show up … Continued
Whether it’s basketball, billiards, or table tennis, sports in the U.S are segregated by sex. And most of the time those divisions are taken to be natural, not the result of social choices. Journalist Laura Pappano asserts that sports play a key role in shaping American politics and argues for breaking down the gender wall … Continued
When you think of professional athletes, some of the names that come to mind may include the likes of LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tom Brady. However, athletes living with disabilities can be just as impressive as their able-bodied counterparts, yet they don’t seem to get the same level of attention. So in an effort … Continued
In a compelling episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D engages in a profound conversation with sports columnist and author Dave Zirin. Known for his insightful commentary on sports and politics, Zirin brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, discussing recent developments in the NFL, the cultural landscape of women’s sports, and the … Continued
In 1936, Nazi Germany hosted the Summer Olympic Games in Berlin, amidst international calls to boycott. It was an enormously consequential event in the politics of the times, granting Hitler an international spotlight to promote the Third Reich. Much less known, as writer Michael Waters argues, is how Nazi eugenics and paranoia about transgender athletes … Continued
Davey D and sports columnist Dave Zirin delved into the intersections of sports, culture, and gambling. They highlighted Shohei Ohtani’s historic contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and its implications for sports marketing and athlete influence. The conversation quickly expanded to the broader impact of gambling scandals on sports integrity, with a focus on the … Continued
Guest host Max Pringle speaks with Chico State University sociologist Vernon Andrews about his new book “Policing Black Athletes: Racial Disconnect in Sports.” Andrews argues that outspoken black athletes from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick have always come in for criticism when they speak up about the injustices around them and refuse to just “shut … Continued
Often when we talk about Black History Month, we only hear about Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Ella Baker. Remembering the roles played by these heroines of their times is important, but Black Women’s history continues to be made every day, in our own communities. Yolanda Holder, is a professional Endurance Ultra Marathon Walker … Continued
Acclaimed novelist Karen Joy Fowler talks about her beloved friend, Ursula K. LeGuin. We also hear clips from a few of LeGuin’s interviews and speeches. LeGuin, who has been recognized as one of the most important writers of the last century, frequently talked about fantasy and science fiction as ways of imagining deeper realities than … Continued
