You probably know that Simone Biles withdrew from several gymnastics events at the Olympics last week and then returned this week to win a bronze medal in the balance beam. But did you know that a statue of a sumo wrestler has been terrifying horses at equestrian events? Today on the show, we recap some of the most unforgettable stories of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics -- from Italian announcers absolutely losing it while calling the men's 100-meter finals to a teenage skateboarder accidentally bowling over a cameraman to NBA legend Bill Walton making a perplexing appearance on NBC's Tokyo Tonight. And, you know, some incredible athletic achievements.

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At the Tokyo Olympics, Japan has more or less dominated the competition in a martial art that originated in Japan -- judo. But it turns out, it was actually an American who is responsible for judo becoming an Olympic sport in the first place. The Athletic's Daniel Brown recently sat down with the now 101-year-old Californian, Yoshihiro "Yosh" Uchida, to talk about his incredible life journey -- from growing up on a tomato farm to becoming a judo pioneer and now an Olympic legend (with a whole lot of challenges along the way) -- and why he doesn't plan to let the pandemic stop him from getting back onto the mat or continuing to grow the sport for future generations. Plus, the untold story of Uchida's impact on an NFL coaching legend.

Read Dan Brown's full story about Yosh Uchida's incredible life:

https://theathletic.com/2716391/2021/07/26/2021-olympics-judo-yosh-uchida/

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We have reached the semifinals of the men?s Olympic basketball tournament, and one of the teams still standing is the three-time defending gold medalist United States. Today, we?re joined by The Athletic?s Joe Vardon ? who?s in Tokyo ? for the latest on Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Team USA, their biggest challengers for gold (including Luka Doncic and Slovenia), and what life is like inside the Olympic bubble.

Follow Joe Vardon?s coverage from the Tokyo Olympics: https://theathletic.com/author/joe-vardon/?source=theleadpodcast

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We have already seen a number of new Olympic sports make exciting debuts in Tokyo, including surfing and skateboarding. This week, we?re adding one more to that list, as we watch the first Olympic appearance of sport climbing. Today, we?re joined by Alex Honnold ? from the Academy Award-winning documentary "Free Solo" ? to look at how climbing finally got into the Olympic Games, and the incredible demands that will be placed on athletes vying for medals this week.

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The college football world was thrown into a tizzy last week when Oklahoma and Texas announced that they planned to leave to their home in the Big 12 for the SEC by 2025. The story took an even stranger turn when Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby accused ESPN of trying to sabotage his conference to expedite the move. Today, The Athletic's Max Olson gives us the inside story of this seismic move that has put the Big 12 on life support and what it could all mean for the future of college football.

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New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard became the first openly trans athlete to qualify for the Olympics earlier this year, and is considered one of the favorites to win a medal in her competition next week. Meanwhile, the South African runner (and two-time gold medalist) Caster Semenya is not competing in the Olympics at all this year, because of a recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. So why is one of these athletes allowed to compete while the other is not? And what does that tell us about how the IOC determines sex? Madeleine Pape, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Lausanne (and an ex-Olympian who competed against Caster Semenya in the 800-meter) joins us to explain.

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Coming into the Tokyo Olympics, the U.S. Women's Soccer Team was the clear favorite to bring home a gold medal, which would make them the first team to ever a World Cup title and an Olympic title back-to-back. But after dropping their first game to Sweden 3-0, and battling Australia to a tough 0-0 draw, some questions have started to emerge about the squad and head coach Vlatko Andonovski, who is leading the team in a major tournament for the first time. The Athletic's Meg Linehan and Steph Yang join us to break down what went wrong for the U.S. in that opening loss, the journeys that Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd went on to make it to the tournament, and what now stands between the team and a gold medal.

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More from Steph Yang: https://theathletic.com/author/steph-yang/

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The Tokyo Olympics are in full swing, and already there have been a number of surprising developments from Japan, including Simone Biles deciding to withdraw from the women?s team gymnastics competition and the individual all-around competition, and Katie Ledecky losing for the first time ever at the Olympics ? but rebounding to win gold. Today, we break down the stories that have captured our attention for a wide range of reasons, including 17-year-old Lydia Jacoby winning a gold medal for Alaska, a gymnast saying farewell at age 46, and an out-of-place boat derailing the start of the men?s triathlon.

Follow The Athletic?s coverage of the Tokyo Olympics: https://theathletic.com/olympics/?source=theleadpodcast

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The NBA Draft is almost here and one of the most intriguing prospects at the top of the lottery is USC big man Evan Mobley. The seven footer's game has drawn comparisons to reigning finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and All-NBA big man Anthony Davis, but questions over his introverted personality and skinny frame have some evaluators questioning if he can actually reach his incredible upside. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie spent some time with Mobley during his lone college season and he joins us to discuss whether the concerns over the big man's mentality are overblown and whether or not he could actually become the best player in this draft. Then he tells us about his evaluation of presumptive number one pick Cade Cunningham and picks one player who could be this draft's most undervalued prospect.

Read all of Sam Vecenie's NBA Draft coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/sam-vecenie/

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Carissa Moore is not your typical surfer. Before she could walk, her father had her on his surfboard so that she could get the feel of the water. By age ten, she had been labeled a prodigy. At 14, she defeated the top-ranked women's surfer in the world (twice). And now, at age 28, she is a four-time world champion -- and one of the favorites to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics. But, on top of all her natural talent, she also breaks a lot of stereotypes about surfers. The Athletic's Christopher Kamrani recently interviewed Carissa and her father, Chris (who is still her coach), and he joins us today to explain how Carissa developed her incredible talents, and how she and her dad have walked the line between pursuing a dream and finding peace.

Read Christopher Kamrani's full story about Carissa Moore:

https://theathletic.com/2692257/2021/07/08/carissa-moore-olympics-surfing/

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The Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics is tonight, and one of the biggest stars to watch on the U.S. team is five-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky. Today, The Athletic?s Nicole Auerbach joins us to tell the story of the backyard pool where Ledecky kept her training going in the spring of 2020, the bond she formed with the family who shared the same space, and how the whole thing could impact her pursuit of history in Tokyo.

Read Nicole Auerbach?s full story about Katie Ledecky: https://theathletic.com/2609313/2021/05/26/katie-ledecky-olympics-tokyo-swimming/?source=theleadpodcast

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At every Olympic Games, there are thousands of stories. This year, Simone Manuel looks to solidify her legacy as the greatest gymnast of all time. Katie Ledecky could become the most decorated female athlete in Olympic history. And Trayvon Bromell aims to claim the title of 'world's fastest man.' But there are also so many more. The Athletic's Zack Pierce joins us to talk through some of the biggest and most fascinating storylines to follow from Team USA during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, including a softball duo's 13-year quest for redemption, a teen prodigy who could inherit the crown in swimming, and a rock legend's horse-riding daughter.

Read Zack Pierce's full rundown of U.S. athletes to follow:

https://theathletic.com/2706266/2021/07/19/meet-team-usa-every-athlete-at-the-2021-olympics-and-what-to-know-about-each-event/

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In each of the past two seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks came up short in the playoffs after amassing incredible regular season records. With each loss, the questions over whether this team, its coach, and its star player could ever get to the mountaintop grew. On Tuesday night, all those questions were answered. Giannis Antetokounmpo had an historic night, becoming only the 7th player in history to score 50 points in an NBA Finals game, and the Bucks brought a championship back to Milwaukee for the first time in 50 years. Today, The Athletic's Eric Nehm, who has covered Antetokounmpo's entire career, tells us how the star forward changed the narrative around his playoff performances and how the Bucks finally overcame the ghosts of playoffs past.

Read Eric Nehm's Milwaukee Bucks coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/eric-nehm/

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The 2021 NBA Draft is next Thursday, and one guy who has defied the odds (in a truly unprecedented way) to become a projected pick is Ohio University junior Jason Preston. The Athletic's James Edwards III recently interviewed Preston, and he joins us to explain how the late-blooming guard went from being a high school benchwarmer in Florida, to an aspiring basketball journalist, to an overnight college basketball sensation -- and how a family tragedy continues to fuel him.

Read James Edward III's story about Jason Preston:

https://theathletic.com/2707091/2021/07/15/from-pistons-blogger-to-likely-2021-nba-draft-pick-meet-jason-preston/

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U.S. track and field legend Allyson Felix is on the way to her fifth Olympic Games after qualifying for the 400 meter and the 4 x 400 meter relay. She and her 2-year-old daughter Camryn also stole the show (and kinda broke the Internet) at the Olympic Trials last month with an incredible display of cuteness after the race. The Athletic's Kavitha Davidson -- our very own former co-host! -- recently spoke with Felix about her incredible journey to qualifying for the Tokyo Games, and how her high-profile falling out with Nike two years ago transformed her from a quiet, eyes-on-the-prize runner to an advocate for mothers -- and now a businesswoman who says her new shoe company aims to do things differently.

Read Kavitha Davidson's full story about Allyson Felix:

https://theathletic.com/2702778/2021/07/13/i-hope-that-women-just-realize-their-worth-allyson-felix-bolstering-her-legend-status-by-fighting-for-mothers/

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The U.S. Men's National Basketball team has won four straight gold medals and looked pretty much unbeatable since 2004. That is, until recently. In the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Americans lost back to back games against Australia and Nigeria, and raised doubts over whether this team has what it takes to continue the streak of basketball dominance that the U.S. men's team has enjoyed for nearly two decades. The Athletic's Joe Vardon is embedded with the squad as they prepare for the Games. Today, we asked him whether fans should be worried about the teams prospects going forward or if this is just the growing pains of a hastily assembled squad.

Follow Joe Vardon's coverage of Team USA here: https://theathletic.com/author/joe-vardon/

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The 2021 NFL offseason has delivered a lot of surprising decisions, from the Bears moving up to draft Justin Fields to the Falcons moving on from franchise legend Julio Jones to the Raiders completely remaking their offensive line (for reasons that aren't entirely clear). Today, The Athletic?s Robert Mays joins us to break down some of the best, worst and most notable decisions of the NFL offseason ? including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bringing back all 22 starters from their Super Bowl-winning team ? and what it all means for the season that?s ahead.

Follow Robert Mays?s coverage of the NFL: https://theathletic.com/author/robert-mays/?source=theleadpodcast

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For weeks, Japanese citizens have been holding protests about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and saying that Japan should not be hosting the Games in the midst of a worsening coronavirus pandemic. A recent poll showed that 80 percent of the public opposes holding the Olympics, and medical experts have warned that the Games could be a super-spreader event that will further strain the country's health care system. Now the government has declared a state of emergency, meaning many businesses are closing their doors, a move that has further enraged many business owners. So, with public opinion so squarely against them, why has the Japanese government continued to insist that the Olympic Games must go on? Anthony Kuhn, NPR's international correspondent in Seoul, joins us to explain why the government's position is about more than the bottom line.

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Chris Paul is not everyone's cup of tea. During the course of his career, the diminutive point guard has often rubbed teammates the wrong way during his career and that became an easy knock against one of the greatest players of his generation who never made an NBA Finals. Over the past few seasons, Paul has seemed to turn over a new leaf, and in Phoenix he's found a group of teammates who want to listen to the 16-year-veteran. The Athletic's Jovan Buha has been reporting on the Suns during their magical playoff run. He joined the show to talk about how Paul's leadership has matured since his early days in New Orleans and why this new approach has been so effective in The Valley.

Read Jovan Buha's story about Chris Paul's leadership: https://theathletic.com/2690467/2021/07/06/chris-pauls-leadership-has-evolved-with-suns-its-only-leadership-if-people-follow-you/

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Major League Baseball has arrived at the All-Star break, and during the first half of the season, no player has put on a more amazing all-around show than Angels slugger/ace Shohei Ohtani. Today, The Athletic?s Joe Posnanski joins us to break down some of the season?s biggest story lines, including Ohtani?s superhuman feats, Jacob deGrom?s brilliance, the return to dominance of baseball?s most controversial team ? the Houston Astros ? and whether MLB is finally getting its sticky substance problem under control. 

Follow Joe Posnanski?s coverage of Major League Baseball: https://theathletic.com/author/joe-posnanski/?source=theleadpodcast

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After more than 50 years of waiting, England fans saw their team reach the final of a major tournament on Wednesday after the Three Lions knocked off Denmark at Wembley Stadium. The soundtrack for this historic run is a song that debuted 25 years ago, the last time England hosted a European tournament, and produced a memorable slogan for English fans, 'It's Coming Home.' Today, The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke joins us to talk about the origins of the song that led to the chant, why it's so divisive among some fans and players, and what Gareth Southgate has brought to the national team setup to get them back to the mountaintop.

Read Jack Pitt-Brooke's story about the origins of The Three Lions: https://theathletic.com/2689661/2021/07/07/its-coming-home-dream-boast-or-way-of-life/

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Two years ago, the Scripps National Spelling Bee had arguably the most dramatic -- and delightful -- ending in its nearly hundred-year history. After five rounds and forty-seven words spelled correctly, the judges threw in the towel and declared eight co-champions, much to the joy of the contestants and the millions who tuned in on television. So, now that the kids have bested the competition, the organizers have been forced to find a new way to challenge them. The Athletic?s Seth Davis recently took a break from the college hoops beat to write about Scripps' new rules this year (and people's opinions about them), a 14-year-old girl who is one of the favorites to win, and why the spelling bee is not what many people assume.

Read Seth Davis's full story about the 2021 Scripps Spelling Bee:

https://theathletic.com/2686719/2021/07/07/the-scripps-national-spelling-bee-is-approaching-its-reckoning-will-the-dictionary-strike-back/

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Heading into the 2021 MLB season, the NL West was supposed to be a showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. But for the first half of the year, the San Francisco Giants stole the show. Today, we?re joined by The Athletic?s Andrew Baggarly to look at how this team of veterans (including Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford and Evan Longoria) has managed to exceed basically all expectations, and whether they are built to keep it going.

Follow Andrew Baggarly?s coverage of the Giants: https://theathletic.com/author/andrew-baggarly/?source=theleadpodcast

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Two years ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in NHL history, getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by the #8 seed Columbus Blue Jackets (after compiling the best regular season record in league history). It was the latest in a series of playoff failures for the talented Bolts, and many people began wondering if they needed a new coach and a roster makeover to start winning in the playoffs. Now, the team is on the cusp of winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, with the same core group of players and head coach Jon Cooper still at the helm. The Athletic's Joe Smith joins us today to talk about the man who decided to stay the course, and how the organization seems to have built a championship culture in Tampa.

More from Joe Smith:

https://theathletic.com/author/joe-smith/

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Fernando Tatis Jr. has been red hot lately. So, today, we're replaying an episode that originally aired back in February, after the superstar signed his massive deal with the Padres. The Athletic?s Dennis Lin joined us to look at how the idea for Tatis Jr.?s deal was inspired by a pair of statues, and how a unique bond between player and general manager helped this contract become a reality.

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https://theathletic.com/author/dennis-lin/

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The hottest bat in baseball doesn?t belong to Fernando Tatis Jr. or even Shohei Ohtani. No that title currently belongs to Washington Nationals left fielder Kyle Schwarber. After the worst season of his career in 2020, Schwarber has managed to get his groove back and take his game to new heights in 2021. Today, The Athletic?s Maria Torres joins us to talk about the hitting coach who helped Schwarber find his swing again and whether or not this changes how we should perceive him as a player going forward.

Read Maria Torres? story about Kyle Schwarber: https://theathletic.com/2681453/2021/06/30/unleashed-the-beast-kyle-schwarbers-historic-home-run-streak-has-been-months-in-the-making/

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On Tuesday night, we saw yet another injury to a star player during these NBA Playoffs, as Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a knee injury in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Today, The Athletic?s Eric Nehm on the Bucks chances for survival if they are without the two-time MVP, and why former second-round pick Khris Middleton could be the guy to carry them.

Read Eric Nehm?s full story about Khris Middleton: https://theathletic.com/2677215/2021/06/28/giannis-antetokounmpo-sings-khris-middletons-praises-after-game-3-heroics-i-trust-this-guy-to-death/?source=theleadpodcast

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The Italian men's national soccer team is off to a flying start at the 2020 European Championship, and is now one of the favorites to win the tournament. Which makes it easy to forget that, just a few years ago, the Azzuri suffered through an almost unspeakable tragedy that the Italian press dubbed ?The Apocalypse" -- failing to quality for the World Cup. Today, The Athletic?s James Horncastle joins us from Rome to explain how Italy has found its way back from the end of the (footballing) world thanks to a coach with a complicated history with the team. Plus, how the Italians have had an unusual ace up their sleeve during the tournament -- a former banker with a notebook full of secret plays.

Read James Horncastle's full story about Italy's renaissance under Roberto Mancini:

https://theathletic.com/2634406/2021/06/08/italys-rebirth-and-mancinis-second-chance-how-the-azzurri-came-back-from-the-brink/

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In April, less than a month after their team was eliminated from the 2021 NCAA tournament, eleven players from the Syracuse Women's Basketball program had announced that they would be transferring from the program -- the most of any basketball program in the country. Head coach Quentin Hillsman said it was nothing to be concerned about and indicated that the new NCAA transfer portal, which allows players to move more freely between schools, was to blame. But when The Athletic's Chantel Jennings and Dana O'Neil started speaking with former members of the program, they heard a very different, and much more troubling, explanation for the mass exodus. They join us today to explain what they found during their two-month investigation.

Read Chantel and Dana's full story:

https://theathletic.com/2678410/2021/06/29/why-the-mass-exodus-from-syracuse-womens-basketball-ego-manipulation-fear-tactics/

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The Stanley Cup Finals begin tonight, with the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the upstart darlings of Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens. For the Lightning, all eyes will be on their superstar who missed the entire regular season, only to come back and lead them in scoring during the playoffs -- former Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov. The Athletic's Joe Smith has been following the Lightning up close all season, and he joins us to discuss how Kucherov managed to regain his red hot form after five months off, what we learned about Kucherov and the Lightning during a hard-fought seven-game series against the New York Islanders, and why NHL legends like Doug Gilmour and Scotty Bowman think the Russian star is so special.

More of Joe Smith's Lightning coverage:

https://theathletic.com/author/joe-smith/

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When Albert Pujols was released by the Angels, it seemed like it might the unceremonious end to a decorated career in Major League Baseball. Then Pujols raised eyebrows by signing with the Dodgers, a team in the National League with no designated hitter slot. People around the league wondered if Pujols had any gas left in the tank, and the man with over 670 home runs to his name has proven that he's not yet out of fuel. Today, The Athletic's Molly Knight joins us to talk about Pujols' play with the Dodgers and why his biggest impact on the team might be something that has nothing to do with the power left in his bat.

Read Molly Knight's story about Albert Pujols: https://theathletic.com/2650671/2021/06/14/the-albert-pujols-signing-is-paying-off-for-dodgers-on-the-field-in-the-clubhouse-and-in-the-stands/

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Four years ago, BIG3, the 3-on-3 basketball league founded by hip-hop artist Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, was rolled out amidst a healthy dose of skepticism. But now, after a year off because of the pandemic, the league is still alive and is trying to pick up steam. The Athletic's Tashan Reed recently spoke with Ice Cube, Kwatinetz, and NBA legend Clyde Drexler (BIG3's commissioner) about their hopes and goals for the league, and Tashan joins us today to discuss how BIG3 is shaking things up, and whether or not they're here for the long haul.

Read Tashan Reed's recent story about BIG3:

https://theathletic.com/2633929/2021/06/09/we-got-the-hottest-league-in-the-summer-the-big3-basketball-league-demands-to-be-taken-seriously/

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On Monday, Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib made history by becoming the first active NFL player to publicly come out as gay. The 28-year-old Nassib, who had previously played for the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (and who was one of the breakout stars of HBO's Hard Knocks in 2019) made the announcement in a one-minute video on Instagram. The Athletic's Steve Buckley faced many of the same questions that Nassib now faces when he came out in 2011, while working for the Boston Herald. Steve joins us today to discuss why Nassib's act was so momentous and what lessons from his own story might apply to Nassib.

Read Steve Buckley's recent column about Carl Nassib:

https://theathletic.com/2666196/2021/06/22/buckley-the-raiders-carl-nassib-makes-a-statement-not-just-for-today-but-for-tomorrow/

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The Phoenix Suns have been the most dominant team in the playoffs so far. Despite being without their star point guard, Chris Paul, due to COVID-19, the Suns won their eighth straight playoff game on Sunday in Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Athletic's Jovan Buha has been covering the Suns remarkable postseason run and he joins us today to talk about how good fortune, steely defending and a couple of star performers have fueled Phoenix's rise to potential NBA Championship favorites.

Read Jovan Buha's Phoenix Suns coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/jovan-buha/

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Last week, The Athletic's Tim Cato and Sam Amick published a report about tension and dysfunction within the Dallas Mavericks caused by research and analytics expert (and former professional gambler) Haralabos Voulgaris. The report claimed that Haralabos was acting as a 'shadow GM' for the team's owner, Mark Cuban, who responded by saying that claims of internal turmoil were "total bullshit." But just a few days later, long-time general manager Donnie Nelson and head coach Rick Carlisle parted ways with the team, and the Mavs are now in search of new leadership. Today, Tim Cato joins us to break down Cuban's rationale for hiring someone with Voulgaris's background in he first place, why he rubbed many staff members and players -- especially superstar Luka Doncic -- the wrong way, and what his ongoing influence could mean for the future of the team.

Read Tim Cato and Sam Amick's story about Voulgaris and the Mavericks:

https://theathletic.com/2649806/2021/06/14/inside-the-mavericks-front-office-mark-cubans-shadow-gm-is-causing-a-rift-with-luka-doncic/

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The first week of Euro 2020 is in the books -- and what an opening week it has been. The Athletic's Adam Crawford joins us to break down some of the biggest and most fascinating storylines so far, including France's strong performance in their opening game against Germany, Cristiano Ronaldo's knack for making headlines both on and off the field, and his early picks for tournament champion and breakout star. Plus, we revisit the stunning moment where Danish star Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field, and learn the unlikely story of the two doctors who saved his life.

Read Adam Crafton's story about Christian Eriksen here and follow more of his Euro 2020 coverage here.

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NBA fans woke up to some stunning news on Wednesday, when it was announced that Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, who has been absolutely electric during this year's NBA Playoffs, has been put on the league's Covid protocol and is out indefinitely. And from there, more and more big news stories just kept breaking. The Athletic's Sam Amick joins us to make sense of the day that the NBA was turned upside down, and offers his insights on Kawhi Leonard's knee problem, LeBron James's casting blame on the league for player injuries, two more head coaching positions opening up, if we'll see the first woman hired as a head coach, and more.

More from Sam Amick: https://theathletic.com/author/sam-amick/

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Three years ago, the Montreal Canadiens were sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings and ripe for a rebuild. Instead of blowing up the team, GM Marc Bergevin looked West, to the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, for a different approach to constructing his roster. Now, as the Habs and Knights face off in the Stanley Cup Semifinals, the Athletic's Arpon Basu tells us how Bergevin managed to rebuild the Canadiens in the Knights? image and why that just might have saved his job.

You can read Arpon Basu's story about the Canadiens here: https://theathletic.com/2647540/2021/06/11/a-look-at-how-the-canadiens-were-built-reveals-road-map-drawn-by-the-golden-knights/

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Recently across Major League Baseball, the issue of pitchers using sticky substances to generate more spin ? and therefore gain an advantage ? has exploded into a controversy, with Yankees ace Gerrit Cole among those under scrutiny. Today, The Athletic?s Britt Ghiroli on how big this problem has become, how MLB and commissioner Rob Manfred are trying to put a stop to it, and why the league ultimately needs to look itself in the mirror.

UPDATE: A few hours after this episode published, MLB issued a statement explaining exactly how they intend to deal with the issue of sticky substances. Umpires have been instructed to perform checks of both teams throughout the game, and any pitcher caught using a foreign substance will be ejected and automatically suspended, with progressive discipline for repeat offenders. Other position players and club personnel may also be subject to league discipline. You can read the full statement here.

Follow Britt Ghiroli?s coverage of Major League Baseball and the sticky substance controversy: https://theathletic.com/2641498/2021/06/09/ghiroli-blame-for-mlbs-sticky-substance-controversy-falls-first-on-the-league/?source=theleadpodcast

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As NFL teams move closer to the start of the 2021 season, many have run into a challenging dilemma -- how to handle players who are hesitant or flat out unwilling to get a Covid vaccine. This has led to some frustration on the part of coaches, executives, agents, and others working behind the scenes, who are trying to find ways to persuade players to get their shots. The Athletic's Lindsay Jones recently spoke with people from around the league about the situation, and joins us today to discuss the growing push to get more NFL players vaccinated and how it is or isn't working.

Read Lindsay Jones's recent story about the NFL and vaccination rates.

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There's been a lot of talk in recent years about the 'psychedelic revolution' coming in mental health, thanks to studies that have shown that drugs like MDMA (ecstasy or molly) and psilocybin (magic mushrooms), together with therapy, can have positive effects for people suffering from PTSD, depression, and other mental illnesses. But what many people might not realize is that athletes -- who often suffer from these same conditions -- are helping lead the charge. The Athletic's Dan Robson recently wrote about this phenomenon, and he joins us to discuss why many former pro athletes are taking up the cause and how some of their lives have been transformed by their experiences with the drugs.

Read Dan Robson's full story about athletes and psychedelics.

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Hopes are high in Nashville after the trade that brought superstar wide receiver Julio Jones from the Atlanta Falcons to the Tennessee Titans this week. Today, we?re joined by The Athletic?s Joe Rexrode to look at the gamble that the Titans (and their risk-taking GM, Jon Robinson) are taking by bringing in the 32-year-old, how his new teammates have responded, and why an offense featuring Jones, Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown has Tennessee dreaming of a Super Bowl.

Read Joe Rexrode?s story about Julio Jones landing with Tennessee: https://theathletic.com/2635345/2021/06/06/titans-julio-jones-are-close-to-teaming-up-and-nashville-should-rejoice/?source=theleadpodcast

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Soccer fans were treated to an unforgettable spectacle on Sunday night when the U.S. Men's National Team squared off against Mexico in the final of the CONCACAF Nation's League. It was the first big test for what many are calling the 'Golden Generation' of U.S. men's soccer -- a collection of young players who are playing for some of the very best clubs in the world. The Athletic's Paul Tenorio joins us to break down the absolutely unforgettable match, which included everything from controversial penalty kicks and pitch invaders to red cards and fan projectiles, and why the character and skill displayed by the U.S. team should give fans plenty of optimism.

Read Paul Tenorio's story about the game:

https://theathletic.com/2636376/2021/06/07/usmnt-mexico-nations-league-final/

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The Utah Jazz finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA, but it seems like many people still aren?t taking them seriously as bona fide title contenders. Today, The Athletic?s Tony Jones joins us to break down the challenges that the Jazz have faced this season ? from an injury controversy with Donovan Mitchell to a terrifying incident on an airplane ? and whether this team is still being overlooked as they get ready to take on the Clippers.

Follow Tony Jones?s coverage of the Utah Jazz: https://theathletic.com/author/tony-jones/?source=theleadpodcast

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Three years ago, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was one of the most prized prospects in all of baseball. His plate discipline, raw power, and notable lineage led everyone to believe he was destined for stardom at the major league level. Now after facing some adversity during his first two seasons as a pro, Guerrero is living up to the billing. The 22-year-old first baseman is leading the American League is just about every offensive category and he's also become a surprisingly limber defensive player. The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath joins the show to talk about Guerrero's breakout campaign and whether he can sustain this level of play going forward.

You can read Kaitlyn McGrath's story about Vladimir Guerrero Jr. here: https://theathletic.com/2527434/2021/04/19/vladimir-guerrero-jr-s-hot-start-has-him-looking-like-the-elite-hitter-the-blue-jays-knew-he-could-be/

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We?re a few weeks into the WNBA?s 25th season, and already it?s been filled with signature moments from star players, including Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty recording just the ninth triple-double in league history. Today, The Athletic?s Chantel Jennings on some of the most notable early-season story lines, including one contender (the Chicago Sky) that has struggled early with Candace Parker injured. Plus, a coaching shakeup for the defending champs, the Seattle Storm, and a fast start for the Atlanta Dream, a team powered by windmills (sort of).  

Follow Chantel Jennings?s coverage of the WNBA: https://theathletic.com/author/chantel-jennings/?source=theleadpodcast

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On Wednesday, the college basketball world received some surprising news with reports that Mike Krzyzewski is planning to retire at the end of next season after four decades as the head coach of Duke men?s basketball. Today, we?re joined by The Athletic?s Brendan Marks to look at the factors behind Coach K?s decision, and what to expect during the legendary coach's farewell season. 

Read Shams Charania, Seth Davis and Brendan Marks?s story about Mike Krzyzewski?s plans to retire: https://theathletic.com/2583383/2021/06/02/coach-k-plans-to-retire-after-season-inside-the-factors-for-the-decision-and-dukes-plans-for-their-next-head-coach/?source=theleadpodcast

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On Tuesday night, the Brooklyn Nets ? led by Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and a huge game from James Harden ? knocked out the Boston Celtics for the team?s first playoff series win in seven years. Today, we?re joined by The Athletic?s Alex Schiffer to look at one key component of Brooklyn's success ? the mind of Harden ? and why that basketball brain could be the driving force for a Nets title run.

Read Alex Schiffer?s story about James Harden?s basketball mind: https://theathletic.com/2597501/2021/05/20/inside-james-hardens-beautiful-mind-the-tool-that-could-lead-the-former-mvp-and-the-nets-to-an-nba-title/?source=theleadpodcast

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During this year's NHL playoffs, a lot of people had been rooting for veteran Toronto Maple Leafs forward (and noted nice guy) Joe Thornton. At age 41, the former #1 overall pick had been striving to win the first Stanley Cup of his long and storied career before the Leafs were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. But what many people don?t know is that, for years, Thornton maintained a close relationship with a transcendent Canadian rock star: the late lead singer of The Tragically Hip, Gord Downie. Josh Kloke first broke the details of their unlikely friendship, and he joins us today to explain how the hockey superstar and the rock and roll icon saw similarities in their respective art forms and drew inspiration from one another right up until the end of Downie's life.

Read Joshua Kloke's story about Joe Thornton and Gord Downie:

https://theathletic.com/2542210/2021/04/28/joe-thornton-and-gord-downie-inside-a-friendship-that-changed-a-hockey-star-and-inspired-a-music-legend/

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One of the most fascinating matchups in the first round of the NBA Playoffs has been the Dallas Mavericks against the Los Angeles Clippers -- a rematch of last year's battle in the NBA bubble. Today, we're rebroadcasting an episode that originally aired back in late March. The Athletic's Tim Cato joined us to talk about the Mavericks' roller coaster of a season, why they've experienced such highs and lows, and how dangerous this team could be come playoff time.

More from Tim Cato: https://theathletic.com/author/tim-cato/

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