Spolitics

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. 

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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.

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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?

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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