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Artwork for Sports In America

Sports In America with David Greene

WHYY | PRX
NFL
Mental Health
Super Bowl
2026 Winter Olympics
Women's Figure Skating
Alysa Liu
Sports
Toxic Sports Environment
Race and Justice
LGBTQ+ Community
Trans Representation
Baseball
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NHL
Pablo Torre
NBA
Tom Brady
New England Patriots
Sports Betting
Polo

Sports in America explores stories that shape athletes and fans alike. Each week, David Greene hosts in-depth conversations with people across the world of sports – from the star who hits the game winner to the millions of us whose lives are touched by the game.

From WHYY and PRX.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes41Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Sports In America

Latest Episodes

For nearly two decades, Robert Parish built a reputation on the Boston Celtics as a steady force. He was durable and consistent, winning nine All-Stars and four NBA championships alongside greats like Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.

But before Parish b... more

Some say sports and politics should be kept separate — that athletes should just “stick to sports.” But for others, politics and sports can’t be separated at all.

This week, we sit down with Kevin Blackistone, an award-winning national sports column... more

This year, the Buffalo Sabres have made a complete 180, ending a 14-year playoff drought and now contending to be NHL champions. To celebrate their historic turnaround, we sit down with Sabres mega-fan Scott Lee, who went viral hoisting his 40-lb wel... more

The WNBA officially kicks off this weekend, with its first regular-season game between the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun. And the Sun will be appearing on the court with a brand new weapon: Brittney Griner, a 10-time WNBA all-star and thre... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Enes Kanter Freedom
Former NBA player, human rights activist
Activist/Former NBA player
Episode: Enes Kanter Freedom Won't Stay Silent
Rex Chapman
Former NBA player, later a social media personality and activist
Former NBA player; outspoken on social issues
Episode: The Reinvention of Rex Chapman
Brittney Griner
Professional basketball player; prominent guest sharing her life story
Connecticut Sun / former Phoenix Mercury
Episode: Brittney Griner on Coming Home
Jared Orton
President, Savannah Bananas
Savannah Bananas
Episode: Is Baseball Boring? Ask the Savannah Bananas
DeMaurice Smith
Executive director and former president of the NFL Players Association
NFL Players Association
Episode: When the Game Ends, DeMaurice Smith Fights for the Players
Katie Woo
Staff writer covering the Dodgers for The Athletic
The Athletic
Episode: Shea Serrano Talks “Expensive Basketball” (And Other Things)
Shea Serrano
Author and cultural commentator, author of Expensive Basketball
The Ringer/Author
Episode: Shea Serrano Talks “Expensive Basketball” (And Other Things)
Bones Hyland
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard, NBA player
Minnesota Timberwolves
Episode: “Chief Vibes Officer” Bones Hyland
Shayla Smith
College-bound high school basketball star featured in the episode narrative
Penn State (future at time of interview)
Episode: Shayla Smith Scored More Points Than Wilt Chamberlain

Host

David Greene
Host of the show

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 411 ratings
  • NPR Redux

    I enjoyed listening to David Greene on NPR. It’s good to hear his voice again.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sapphire Tinted
    United States2 months ago
  • Inspired by Alysa Liu

    Much gratitude to the host for interviewing Alysa Liu, who is such so inspiring to so many. Thank you for asking thoughtful questions that allowed us to hear her story, insights, and wisdom. There were so many nuggets of truth from Alysa in this interview, and it’s amazing that she’s only 20 years old!

    The takeaway for me is to focus on process instead of outcome, to do something for the joy of it, and connect with people along the way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mesmerized in Music
    United States3 months ago
  • What a great, real, tuned-in interviewer.

    I just watched the Alysa Liu episode and I was so pleased to watch/hear such interesting questions, with heart, feeling, curiosity. He pays attention. For sure Alysa gave an engaging interview. She’s such a good example for so many reasons. What she’s learned and done is helpful for people and young adults trying to find their way. I’m happy for her, really.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laralyndy
    United States3 months ago
  • Lia Thomas?

    A podcast about a man competing against women? Absolutely ridiculous! The podcast should be about those young ladies who got screwed!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ghjakeb)$&@"
    United States8 months ago
  • A Chance to Change the View

    I appreciate the very interesting stories you are telling, and the possibility that sports in general are a place where Americans can still come together. However, the sports mentality reduces everyone to two options. This mentality has become the way Americans see our whole society, Red or Blue. I wonder if you can speak to this - team me or you, winner or loser view of our nation as you share the nuanced stories of athletes, teams and games.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Morecolorsthantheeyecansee
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Host brings warmth and curiosity, making complex topics accessible.
Vibrant, thoughtful conversations with athletes and industry voices.
Some listeners feel certain episodes drift into entertainment-focused territory or politics.
A few critical comments target angle or framing on controversial topics.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Enes Kanter Freedom Won't Stay Silent
Q: What is your reaction to the notion that sports should be an escape from politics, and how do you balance that with your activism?
Sports can be a unifying force, but history shows it cannot be separated from politics or human rights. The platform exists to highlight injustices, and using it responsibly can contribute to positive change while still delivering entertainment.
Enes Kanter Freedom Won't Stay Silent
Q: You know, what's your advice to athletes who are going to be playing in the World Cup and thinking about representing their countries and how much to let politics get into the sport?
I think athletes should feel free to bring politics into sports if it relates to human rights and social justice, because sports is a global platform and actions taken by governments affect people. But the conversation should be thoughtful and informed, and athletes should be prepared for pushback and consequences.
When the Game Ends, DeMaurice Smith Fights for the Players
Q: How did the email controversy with John Gruden influence your approach to leadership and accountability?
Smith describes the email as unacceptable and emphasizes the need to address harmful language directly, showing a commitment to leadership by example and personal accountability.
When the Game Ends, DeMaurice Smith Fights for the Players
Q: What drives you to fight for player safety and health in a sport as violent as football?
Smith explains that his job is to fight for players because football is a job for them; protecting health insurance, safety protocols, and fair pay motivates him, especially when facing billionaires.
Shea Serrano Talks “Expensive Basketball” (And Other Things)
Q: What sparked your shift from teaching to writing full time, and how did you navigate early rejections?
A family financial crunch pushed freelance opportunities; relentless pitching and building clips led to steady bylines and eventually high-profile gigs.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sports In America

What is Sports In America about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features sit-down conversations with athletes, coaches, journalists, and sport culture voices who illuminate how sports intersect with society. Episodes frequently explore race, gender, mental health, leadership, and the evolving business of sports, often centering personal journeys, historical context, and policy-related tensions in the athletics world. A standout pattern is the host's ability to connect big-picture issues to intimate, human stories, making it useful for listeners who want thoughtful perspectives on sports beyond game stats. Noteworthy traits include a strong focus on underrepresented topics (women's sports growth, LGBTQ+ representation, athlete activism) and high-profile guests who blend sports excellence with c... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Sports In America?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sports In America:

1. Fresh Air
2. Wild Card with Rachel Martin
3. Pablo Torre Finds Out
4. Reveal
5. This American Life

How many episodes of Sports In America are there?

Sports In America launched 5 years ago and published 41 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sports In America?

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What guests have appeared on Sports In America?

Recent guests on Sports In America include:

1. Enes Kanter Freedom
2. Rex Chapman
3. Brittney Griner
4. Jared Orton
5. DeMaurice Smith
6. Katie Woo
7. Shea Serrano
8. Bones Hyland

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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