Ep 06: The Politics of American Basketball

Jemele spends "The Filibuster" exploring athletes' volatile relationship with financial literacy. Then, Jemele welcomes the foremost expert on financial literacy. John Hope Bryant, the author of "Financial Literacy for All" and CEO, Chairman and Founder of Operation HOPE.  Bryant explains why he believes financial literacy is this generation's civil rights issue. John and Jemele also go back and forth whether Michael Jordan should have sold his controlling interest in the Charlotte Hornets. John also gives his thoughts on why athletes disproportionately file for bankruptcy, why more Americans have invested in sports gambling than the stock market, and if athletes should begin converting their salary to Bitcoin. Lastly, Jemele addresses a question from a listener who wants to know why she supported Vice President Kamala Harris despite her being “unqualified" to be the next US President.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's "The Filibuster" focuses on the ongoing war in Gaza and challenges why it seems impossible to discuss without someone being labeled as an anti-Semite and a terrorist sympathizer. Jewish Currents editor-at-large, CUNY professor, and MSNBC analyst Peter Beinart and Jewish sports journalist Eric Adelson both offer their expertise. Then, former Olympic fencer and New York Times best-selling author Ibtihaj Muhammad joins Jemele. Ibtihaj connects her experience as the first-ever Muslim American Olympian to wear a hijab to her continued purpose as an activist. Ibtihaj shares her pro-Palestinian beliefs and why she remains undeterred by the backlash she's received. As always, Jemele answers a listener question — this time, from someone who wants to know how athletes can balance making their political opinions while facing limitations.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, Jemele reacts to Donald Trump winning the 2024 US presidential election and breaks down what ramifications a second Trump term will have on the sports world. Jemele projects what may happen to Title IX, given Trump's desire to dissolve the Department of Education, and how Trump and the re-election of Texas Senator Ted Cruz could impact college athletes' continued fight against the NCAA to earn employee status. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jemele's "The Filibuster" draws attention to the mounting gap between American and European basketball. North Carolina Central University head men's basketball coach LeVelle Moton relays the changes he's seen in how young American hoopers are developed. Then, Jemele is joined by Craig Robinson, executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, co-host of Ways to Win with John Calipari, and older brother to Michelle Obama. Craig reminisces on Michelle pushing him to be a better athlete, his development as a basketball player, and his unconventional transition into coaching. Craig also shares his experience with being unfairly fired and his thoughts on whether NIL harms the culture around American basketball. Finally, Jemele addresses a reader who wants to know why Black athletes aren’t as politically and socially active as they were during the Civil Rights era.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jemele uses this week’s “The Filibuster” to give a state of the union on player unions. Jemele is later joined by WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson, who explains why WNBA players opted out of their current collective bargaining agreement. Terri also reflects on the 2024 WNBA season and the evolution of women's sports being seen as a viable business. She also touches on her son, Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr., following her in union footsteps and potential future in politics. Lastly, Jemele taps in Louisianan activist Gary Chambers Jr. to answer a listener question about poor voter turnout in his state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jemele uses this week's "The Filibuster" to show decades' worth of receipts on women's sports being a viable investment. With the help of Jane McManus, an adjunct NYU professor, columnist, and author of The Fast Track, she explains why this year's women's sports boom can be sustained. Then, 776 founder and serial entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian Sr. joins Jemele. Alexis reflects on co-founding Reddit and how he translated the disruptive techniques he learned from tech into investing in Angel City FC and creating ATHLOS NYC. Alexis forecasts whether his daughters will become professional athletes under the guidance of his wife and tennis G.O.A..T., Serena Williams. He also playfully shares everything he does better than Serena. Finally, Jemele answers a listener question about covering sports as a woman in this MAGA climate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's "The Filibuster," Jemele digs into Black male voters' role in the upcoming presidential election — and calls out Black male athletes voicing support for Donald Trump. Respected journalist and political pundit Roland Martin, who hosts ROLAND MARTIN UNFILTERED, and Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II join Jemele to dive even deeper into why Black men are feeling disconnected from the Democratic Party. Lt. Gov. Gilchrist II also shares his story of growing into his unlikely political career, including how youth sports developed his unique leadership style and what he's learned about going out in the community to listen to citizens' frustrations. Also, a SPOLITICS listener asks Jemele: What was up with the San Francisco 49ers player who flashed a Make America Great Again hat on national television?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, "The Filibuster" finds Jemele explaining the inextricable links between women in politics and women in sports, with help from Errin Haines, the editor-at-large for the 19th, a nonprofit newsroom that covers gender, politics and policy. Jemele poses a simple yet crucial question: What's a better direction for women — moving forward or going back? Then, Jemele is joined by Seattle Storm All-Star forward and WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike. They assess how the media covered the WNBA this season and whether the W can maintain its activist DNA. Nneka explains her involvement with More Than A Vote and her connection to VP Kamala Harris. Jemele also asks Nneka a controversial question: Ghanaian or Nigerian jollof rice? Lastly, Jemele advises a listener on how to get into the media business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jemele opens the premiere episode of SPOLITICS with "The Filibuster," explaining the state of the union between politics and sports — a history lesson and a wake-up call. Then, Jemele is joined by her former ESPN and current Meadowlark Media colleague Dan Le Batard, host of THE DAN LE BATARD SHOW. Dan and Jemele bond over their inability to "stick to sports." Dan explains how his Cuban heritage influenced his worldview and why American politics have disheartened him. Jemele and Dan also reminisce on their ESPN days and compare their experiences to Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith’s unprecedented power. Plus, find out the infamous figure who is responsible for Dan’s love of sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SPOLITICS is a weekly sports and politics podcast hosted by sports journalist Jemele Hill, produced by iHeart Podcasts and the Unbothered Network. On SPOLITICS, sports and politics not only mix, they matter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.