Jonathan and Matt discuss NC State's abrupt exit from the college world series, the compensation of student-athletes in the NCAA, and how a tainted burrito may have stopped Shelby Houlihan from competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Name, Image, and Likeness: The End of Amateurism in the NCAA

In this episode of The Agony of Defeat, Matt and Jonathan talk about Sha'Carri Richardson's suspension from the Olympics, what it means for Laurel Hubbard to compete as a transgender athlete, and how Gwen Berry is trying to change the standard for protesting at the Olympic Games.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics

In this episode of the Agony of Defeat, Matt and Jonathan talk about the MLB's Field of Dreams game, Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Chicago Black Sox, and what kind of novelty game the MLB could do next.

*Content Warning* This episode features two "older" guys who talk about baseball for almost 45 minutes.

The Field Of Dreams

On this week's episode of Agony of Defeat, Jonathan and Matt share their thoughts on the new Netflix Documentary "Untold: Malice at the Palace." They dive into what happened on that particular night, the historical context going into the fight, and the repercussions for not only the players involved, but the NBA as a whole.

Malice At The Palace

Another special guest! On this episode of Agony of Defeat, Matt and Jonathan talk with Tom Schaller - the author of the new book "Common Enemies: Georgetown Basketball, Miami Football, and the Racial Transformation of College Sports."

Special Guest: Tom Schaller

In this episode, Matt and Jonathan chop it up about Deion Sanders' seismic impact on college football, name, image and likeness and hypocrisies of various sorts.

Is Deion Sanders good for college football? Or society in general?

Matt and Jonathan return to talk about the legends Bill Walton and Bill Russell, their legacies on and off the court and how they're viewed today.

The Two Bills

Matt gets mail from a critic about his take on Larry Bird, Boston and race in the 1980s. We discuss.

The Boston Letter

Matt and Jonathan take a trip down memory lane after hearing news of the mass layoffs at Sports Illustrated. They also take a trip down crazy lane to discuss the rightwing freakout over Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl.

Sports Illustrated is dead; Long live Sports Illustrated (w/bonus Taylor Swift content!)

Matt and Jonathan speak with Kevin Baker about his awesome new book, The New York Game, a history of baseball in New York City from 1845-1945. Spoiler Alert: Baker is working on Part 2, 1945-present, to Matt's great relief.

The New York Game, with Kevin Baker

Matt and Jonathan return to discuss March Madness, Cailtin Clark, Paige Bueckers and more.

March Madness! Cailtin Clark, Paige Bueckers and more

Matt and Jonathan discuss OJ Simpson's life, legacy and crimes.

OJ Simpson's Legacy

Matt and Jonathan talk about the legacy of Pete Rose, his on field exploits and his off the field depredations. The Shakespearean tragedy of the demise of Baseball Commissioner, A. Bart Giamatti, and whether gambling in sports now should be viewed differently. Plus, bonus Luis Tiant content.

Pete Rose's life and legacy

Matt and Jonathan chop it up about the Paris Olympics, the good, the bad and the ugly.

The 2024 Olympics - Recorded live before a studio audience!

Two UNC profs and sports nuts discuss the intersection of sports, politics and history. You can't afford not to listen (yes, that was meant cheekily).

Head in the Game

Colin Kaepernick and the National Anthem

North Carolina’s HB2 and Sports Boycotts

50th Anniversary of the 1968 Olympic Games

The History of Politics in Baseball

Basketball and Political Activism in the NBA

UNC-Chapel Hill professors Matt Andrews and Jonathan Weiler welcome former Tar Heel athlete and current Arizona State sports historian Victoria Jackson as they discuss her recent article in the Los Angeles Times titled “Take it from a former Division I athlete: College sports are like Jim Crow” as well as many other subjects relating to the intersection of sports, politics and history.

1:17 - 6:28 - Andrews expresses his outrage on French D.J. and producer Martin Solveig asking Norwegian soccer star Ada Hegerberg to twerk on stage after becoming the first woman in FIFA history to receive the Ballon d’Or. 

6:29 - 36:42 - Andrews and Weiler speak with former UNC athlete and current sports historian at Arizona State University — Victoria Jackson.

36:48 - 40:00 - Andrews and Weiler give their final thoughts on Larry Fedora’s firing and Mack Brown’s rehiring as UNC’s new head football coach.

Victoria Jackson’s article in the Los Angeles Times: “Take it from a former Division I athlete: College sports are like Jim Crow” — https://lat.ms/2RKBZfT

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College Athletics are "21st Century Jim Crow" — Interview with Victoria Jackson

1:08 - 7:16: Weiler criticizes numerous NFL teams (such as the Washington Redskins for recently signing 32-year-old Mark Sanchez) for playing “pathetic quarterbacks” in favor of a “mid-level starter” like Colin Kaepernick. Meanwhile, Andrews chimes in his thoughts on Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid being randomly drug tested seven times by the NFL in just the span of 11 weeks with the team this season.

7:16 - 43:11: Weiler and Andrews dive in on the political and historical significance behind the “Rocky” and “Creed” film franchises.

43:26 - 48:14: Weiler and Andrews remark on the roles that both former and current North Carolina student-athletes have played in the Silent Sam controversy that’s circulated around UNC’s campus for months.

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The Political and Historical Significance of the "Rocky" and "Creed" Movies

Returning from a long holiday break, UNC professors Matt Andrews and Jonathan Weiler are back in business with a brand new episode as they debate about the recent inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (1:18 - 33:12). Andrews and Weiler also touch on the resignation of UNC Chancellor Carol Folt and her final act to remove the base of the Silent Sam confederate statute from campus (33:13 - 36:19).

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The Baseball Hall Of Fame's Fortunes and Flops

In this episode, UNC professors Dr. Matt Andrews and Dr. Jonathan Weiler discuss what they describe as the "Suckiest Super Bowl Ever," notable historic Super Bowls, Trump's thoughts on football, and the future of the sport.

Timestamps: 

4:49 - Andrews’ SuperBowl predictions
7:31 - The Suckiest SuperBowl ever
12:26 - Notable SuperBowl’s
24:49 - Is football in trouble? Racial implications.
30:38 - Trump on football
34:06 - After Further Review

The Atlantic - "The White Flight From Football": https://bit.ly/2WD4Wx8

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Suckiest Super Bowl

In this latest episode, UNC professors Matt Andrews and Jonathan Weiler dissect the history of the drafts in American sports, analyze the logistics and legitimacy behind this selection process for professional teams, as well as react to the New Orleans Pelicans being rewarded the No. 1 pick (therefore Zion Williamson) in this year’s NBA Draft.

The "American-ness" of Drafts in American Sports

Check out this latest episode of the Agony of Defeat! Find links to articles mentioned in the episode below. (Please note that we had some recording issues with this episode, so you'll hear some little blips in the recording, but we're working on finding better equipment to produce with!)

WSJ points to some pretty key inconsistencies in the USSF argument: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-womens-soccer-games-out-earned-mens-games-11560765600

Primer on equal pay: https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2019/7/29/20744785/us-soccers-claims-paying-wnt-more-mnt-no-context

Lalas has been actively working against activism in sports since at least 2017, when he criticized Rapinoe for kneeling during the anthem. A story on that is here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/03/06/damn-right-im-gonna-stand-alexi-lalas-wades-into-u-s-soccers-national-anthem-debate/

Lalas tweet mentioned in podcast: https://twitter.com/AlexiLalas/status/1161654200289419265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1161654200289419265&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdeadspin.com%2Fajax%2Finset%2Fiframe%3Fid%3Dtwitter-1161654200289419265%26autosize%3D1

Soccer with Josh Nadel

In this latest episode of the Agony of Defeat podcast, Jonathan Weiler and Matt Andrews give a brief overview of the political climate in Hong Kong and analyze the growing tensions between the NBA and China after controversy surrounding this year's preseason circuit. 

Further reading on the topics discussed include:

Louisa Thomas writes, in advance of the N.B.A.’s opening night, about the league’s current conflict with China after the Houston Rockets’ Daryl Morey tweeted about human rights in China. (https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-nba-and-china-and-the-myths-of-sports-diplomacy)

In response to Chinese anger over a tweet supporting Hong Kong protesters by the general manager of the Houston Rockets, the N.B.A. commissioner said he would protect the freedom of speech of the league’s players and officials. (https://www.nytimes.com/video/sports/basketball/100000006757507/adam-silver-china.html)

A timeline overviewing the controversy. (https://www.complex.com/sports/2019/10/nba-complicated-history-in-china/morey-tweet)

China and the NBA: Rising Tensions and Political Implications

In this latest episode of the Agony of Defeat podcast, Jonathan Weiler and Matt Andrews analyze the structure of the Houston Astros systematic cheating scandal, those involved, and how baseball should handle this going forward.

Further content on the topics discussed include:

Sarah Spain on why the aftermath of Kobe Bryant's death is a time not to simply celebrate a beloved sports superstar but to remember his entire legacy, including a 2003 sexual assault accusation. (https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/28586207/now-right-remember-kobe-bryant-life-all-it)

The Astros scandal and how its structure is unlike baseball has ever seen. (https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/01/the-astros-scandal-rewrites-a-decade-of-mlb-history/605185/)

Russ Hodges' Infamous "Giants Win the Pennant!" call after the 1951 World Series. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWIGfBQghJs)

Espionage and Baseball: The Houston Astros and the Sign-Stealing Scandal

Michael Jordan's Legacy in "The Last Dance"

Jonathan and Matt discuss the sports world's reaction to the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Sports STRIKE Back

Jeff Pearlman joins us to talk about his new book, The Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty.

Special Guest: Jeff Pearlman

Baseball in February? Jonathan and Matt remember Hank Aaron and his historic 715th home run, discuss the decision by MLB to recognize the Negro Leagues as “major leagues,” and explore the Hall of Fame’s choice not to elect any candidates this year (trigger warning for all Curt Schilling fans).

Hank Aaron, The Negro Leagues, And The Hall Of Fame

Two UNC professors discuss the intersection of sports, politics and history. 

Agony of Defeat

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