After a recent proposal by the U.S. Department of Education on transgender athlete participation in schools, hosts Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden welcome Katie Barnes of ESPN to the show to discuss the recent history of legislation and rulings around transgender participation in youth sports, how it relates to Title IX, and what the future might hold as the U.S. determines it policies for who can compete, and how.

As the NFL Draft approaches, hosts Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden discuss the event, the large pool of Black quarterbacks likely to be selected in the first round, and what it means to watch the evolution in real time. Plus, with C.J. Stroud of Ohio State reportedly performing poorly on IQ-type tests, it's time to ask why these reports leak and who it benefits.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts signed an NFL record-breaking contract his week, but how does it affect Lamar Jackson and his contract dispute with the Baltimore Ravens? Hosts Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden break it down, plus why another Jackie Robinson Day came and went in MLB, and what to make of the Women's Tennis Association once again hosting events in China after a prolonged resistance over the disappearance of athlete Peng Shuai.

After a record-breaking NCAA Women's Final Four, hosts Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden discuss the attention around Caitlin Clark and Iowa, the sudden success of Kim Mulkey at LSU, and the future for Dawn Staley and South Carolina. What role did race play in how Clark and Angel Reese were covered? How has NIL helped women's college basketball? And more!

With the NCAA tournaments and NFL free agency in full swing, hosts William C. Rhoden and Kenneth L. Shropshire discuss the role that name, image and likeness has played in creating the anonymous men's Final Four and powerhouse women's Final Four. Then, they use the idea of freedom in today's NCAA to transition to Lamar Jackson, who made his trade request public from the Baltimore Ravens this week but seemingly remains in a stalemate with the entire NFL.

As the men's and women's NCAA tournaments begin this week, Global Sport Matters podcast hosts Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden take a look at whether this is the beginning of a dynasty for Dawn Staley and South Carolina as well as the ongoing fallout from a murder around the Alabama men's basketball program. First, a check in on the dueling priorities around Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and where his free agency could go from here.

In the aftermath of the Chiefs beating the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix, Global Sport Matters podcast hosts Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden are joined by James Lofton and Rachel Lofton to discuss the evolution of the Super Bowl, from an AFL vs. NFL competition with tickets that were easy to get to a weeklong marketing and networking bonanza and celebration of the NFL that costs thousands to attend.

The NFL descends on Phoenix this week for Super Bowl LVII, and in this edition of the Global Sport Matters podcast, Kenneth L. Shropshire, William C. Rhoden, James Lofton and Rachel Lofton whip around the NFL, discussing the state of football in 2023, from Damar Hamlin and player safety to the historical first of Black quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes, competing in the game for the first time, to the growth of flag football as an alternative to tackle, and more.

Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden discuss the present and future of NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who in his mid 40s is struggling to say goodbye to his football career and transition into retirement. Why is it so hard for athletes and professionals of all sorts to stop working, and what can we learn from a case as unique as Brady's? Then, they sift through the fallout between Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed and the athletic department at Bethune-Cookman, an HBCU outside of Orlando.

Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden digest the latest in the NFL executive carousel, which has seen three Black men hired to prominent roles on NFL teams in the past calendar year. What does a president really do on an NFL team, and how can someone make change from that position? Then, a discussion about Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, his injury, his contract situation, and what his future means for the league and its players.

On the show, Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden breakdown the NFL's handling of the Bills vs. Bengals game following the collapse of Damar Hamlin. The two also discuss the firings from Monday and the continued lack of diversity of head coaches in the NFL. NOTE: Since this episode was recorded, Damar Hamlin has been released from the hospital and is continuing his road to recovery.

On the show, Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden get personal with Global Sport Institute Director Scott N. Brooks on legacy of Pelé that reaches beyond soccer, as well as reflecting on Damar Hamlin and the necessary reminder of the humanity in sports above all.

Sport Matters podcast with Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden is trying on a new name: Ol' Heads New Thoughts! On the episode, Ken and Bill are joined by Andscape Senior Editor Erik Horne to talk about the triumphs and tribulations at the 2022 World Cup, Troy Vincent comparing the draft combine to a "slave auction" at a recent NFL owners meeting, and Donovan Mitchell opening up about off-court racism and pushback he received during his time in Utah.

Guest producer and storyteller, Karen Given hosts a roundtable discussion on protests at major sporting events with Global Sport Institute Director, Scott N. Brooks, and Ken Shulman, veteran journalist and host of Away Games. The trio discuss major moments of activism and protest at sporting events worldwide from the 2022 World Cup to 1968 Olympics in Mexico City to the Milwaukee Bucks' game boycott in 2020 and examine how the athlete's role and impact has shifted over time. Explore more stories in sport at GlobalSportMatters.com

Hosted by Kenneth L. Shropshire, founding CEO of Global Sport Institute, and award-winning journalist and William C. Rhoden. On this episode, the two discuss the release of Brittney Griner and the new precedent this could set for athletes traveling overseas to play sports as well as discussing the move by Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders from Jackson State (HBCU) to the University of Colorado Boulder.

This episode is from producer and storyteller Karen Given and originally aired on The Long Game Podcast. Tune in next week for the companion episode, "Sports, Politics and Athlete Activism." Athletes Join the Fight for Women's Rights in Iran About this episode: At first glance, the protests in Iran might not seem like a sports story. But in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, there were calls to bar Iran from the soccer tournament altogether over the government’s treatment of women. Women in Iran have more rights than women in a place like Afghanistan. They have access to education. They can vote. They can be elected to Parliament. But they can’t choose whether or not to wear the hijab. And until recently, they couldn’t attend sporting events in person. That’s how sports and women’s rights came to be intertwined in Iran. The Long Game is a production of Foreign Policy and Doha Debates highlighting stories of courage and conviction on and off the field. Explore more stories in sport at GlobalSportMatters.com

Kenneth L. Shropshire, founding CEO of Global Sport Institute, and award-winning journalist and William C. Rhoden discuss the hiring of Jeff Saturday as interim head coach for the Indianapolis Colts and what this hand-picked hire says about the Rooney Rule moving forward. The Global Sport Matters Podcast is presented by Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment, a division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management dedicated to serving the unique and sophisticated needs of professional athletes and entertainers. Visit MS.com/GSE to learn more. To stay up-to-date on the latest from Global Sport Matters, click here for more.

In part 2, guest producer Karen Given digs deeper into trauma-informed coaching with Megan Bartlett, Founder of the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport, Ethan Barron, Head Coach of Track and Field at Williams College, and Dr. Bruce Perry who helped develop trauma-informed coaching.

Guest producer Karen Given explores trauma-informed coaching at McClymonds High School in Oakland, CA and how the infusion of trauma-informed care into sports can impact player performance and team success. In part 1, Karen talks with Brian McGhee former student and quarterback at McClymonds, who has since gone on to receive his education in social work and is now bringing those skills back to his alma mater's football team. She also talks with recent McClymonds HS grad, Isaiah Smiley, about his experience being on the football team today with coaches who brought trauma-informed care to the game. Find part 2 out next week.

Hosts Kenneth L. Shropshire and William C. Rhoden are joined by James "Shack" Harris, the first Black quarterback to start for an NFL franchise (Buffalo Bills), to remember the life and legacy of Marlin "The Magician" Briscoe, a pioneer in American football and the first Black starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. During his college years at the Municipal University of Omaha, Briscoe led his team to three conference championships. Briscoe also set the school record for touchdown passes (52), passing yards (4,935) and career total offense (6,253 yards). Nicknamed "The Magician" for his on-the-field prowess, Briscoe was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016, and is remembered for the contributions he made in carving the path forward for Black quarterbacks and athletes that have come after.