Josh Levin, Joel Anderson, and Ben Mathis-Lilley weigh the evidence in the sign-stealing case against Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. They also discuss Texas A&M’s decision to fire its football coach Jimbo Fisher. Finally, Josh and Joel speak with writer Megan Swanick about the career and legacy of Megan Rapinoe.
 
Harbaugh (4:04): Should the coach go down or is he getting railroaded?
 
Fisher (26:49): How national championship dreams turned into a $76 million buyout.
 
Rapinoe (44:01): She didn’t get a perfect ending, but she handled her ending perfectly.
 
Afterball (1:06:36): Joel on Jimbo Fisher, Colby Carthel, and Texas-sized football expectations.
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The Trial of Jim Harbaugh

A weekly sports discussion from Slate. Hang Up and Listen features Slate sports editor Josh Levin, writer Stefan Fatsis (author of A Few Seconds of Panic), Slate writer and Slow Burn host Joel Anderson, and a selection of interesting guests from around the sports world.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the stardom of the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as well as Draymond Green’s stint on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Michael McCann of Sportico also joins to break down the multibillion-dollar settlement that will likely mark the end of amateurism in college sports.

Luka and Kyrie: How the Mavericks duo took over the Western Conference Finals.
NCAA: Will the settlement deal actually become reality? And how will the payments work?
Afterball: Stefan on Bill Walton, Jack Scott, and the FBI.

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Luka and Kyrie Are Running the NBA

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the Pacers’ and Timberwolves’ Game 7 wins in the NBA’s conference semifinals. Slate’s Alex Kirshner also joins to talk about Scottie Scheffler’s arrest at the PGA Championship. Finally, they review Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s ultra-conservative commencement speech.

NBA playoffs (3:11): Looking back at a pair of historic road victories.
 
Scheffler (20:18): A bizarre weekend at Valhalla for the world’s no. 1 golfer.
 
Butker (35:47): The Catholic football player launched himself into a culture war.

Afterball (51:53): Stefan on where Giannis Antetokounmpo grew up and what he overcame.

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The Wolves Chomped the Champs

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by the Washington Post’s Ben Golilver to talk about the NBA’s conference semifinals. Jackie Powell of the Next also joins to preview all the big storylines leading into the most-anticipated WNBA season ever. Finally, one of the WNBA’s top draft picks in 2023, Maddy Siegrist, explains what the 2024 rookie class can expect in their first year as pros.

NBA playoffs (3:29): The Nuggets aren’t dead yet and the Knicks are held together with duct tape.
 
WNBA (21:25): Caitlin Clark’s debut, the Aces going for three in a row, and the rollout of charter flights.
 
Siegrist (39:49): The second-year player for the Dallas Wings on adjusting to the WNBA.

Afterball (56:22): Joel on the seeming demise of the Arena Football League.

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Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen.
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The WNBA Takes Flight

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and NPR’s Gene Demby look back at the epic first-round series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. They also check in on the chaos inside Deion Sanders’ Colorado football program. Finally, Alex Prewitt joins Joel, Josh, and Stefan Fatsis to examine why Korean basketball players bank in their free throws.

Knicks- Sixers (2:25): How New York came out on top and what’s next for Philly.
 
Colorado (19:03): What happened to all the players Coach Prime booted?
 
Banked-in free throws (34:26): A deep dive into a mysterious phenomenon.

Afterball (49:15): Josh on the Shaq-Kobe NBA (and rap) beef. 

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Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen.
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So Long Sixers

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and Slate’s Alex Kirshner discuss the quarterback frenzy at the top of the NFL draft and Anthony Edwards’ star-making performances in the NBA playoffs. Then, Josh and Stefan Fatsis are joined by cross-country skiing broadcaster Chad Salmela to talk about the remarkable Jessie Diggins.

QBs in the NFL draft (4:23): Was the Falcons’ Michael Penix pick a big mistake?
 
Edwards (18:44): The Timberwolves guard looks ready for the spotlight.
 
Diggins (34:06): Why everyone should root for the American skiing sensation.

Afterballs (56:38 ): Joel on "Machine Gun" Molly Bolin and WNBA.

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Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen.
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The Trial of Jim Harbaugh

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