Spolitics

iHeartPodcasts and Reasoned Choice•www.iheart.com

SPOLITICS is where we don’t just stick to sports, but examine the world and all of its complexities through the lens of sports. Each week, this podcast will enthusiastically explore the intersection between sports, race, gender, sexuality and culture. In this narrative-style podcast, expect sharp commentary, novel conversations, and compelling guests that will drive nuanced sports conversations that drive culture.

Last refreshed: July 4th, 2025 at 11:59 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Ep 09: The Politics of Fighting - Featuring Claressa Shields

On this week's "The Filibuster,” Jemele shares her thoughts on Caitlin Clark winning TIME's Athlete of the Year 2024. Then, Olympic gold medalist and world champion boxer Claressa Shields joins Jemele to discuss her biopic “The Fire Inside,” what she thought of actor Ryan Destiny's portrayal of her, which people in her life didn’t particularly like their portrayals, and why it was important to showcase her hometown of Flint, Michigan. Shields also reflects on fighting for pay equity. Plus, Jemel...

Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 9

BONUS EPISODE: The Politics of Capitalism and Oppression - Featuring John Hope Bryant

In this special bonus episode, Jemele and John Hope Bryant discuss whether capitalism mimics oppression. John explains his belief in Black people as the world's moral compass, breaks down the difference between good and bad capitalism, and declares Jay-Z's "4:44" to be "a financial literacy album." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 16, 2024•13 min

Ep 08: The Politics of Money - Featuring John Hope Bryant

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 ...

Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Ep 07: The Politics of Conflict - Featuring Ibtihaj Muhammad

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 Ame...

Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 7

BONUS EPISODE: The Politics of A Second Trump Presidential Term

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....

Nov 22, 2024•26 min

Ep 06: The Politics of American Basketball - Featuring Craig Robinson

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 bette...

Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Ep 05: The Politics of Worth - Featuring Terri Carmichael Jackson

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 poli...

Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Ep 04: The Politics of Investing in Women’s Sports - Featuring Alexis Ohanian Sr.

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 ...

Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Ep 03: The Politics of Black Male Voters - Featuring Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II

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 politi...

Oct 31, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Ep 02: The Politics of WNBA Leadership - Featuring Nneka Ogwumike

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 seas...

Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Ep 01: The Politics of El Gusano - Featuring Dan Le Batard

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 reminisc...

Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Introducing: Spolitics

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.

Oct 10, 2024•1 min

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