Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs examine college football’s first twelve-team playoff and how Ohio State won it all. The panel then talks about the NFL playoffs with Jayden Daniels’ continued rise and Lamar Jackson’s sad defeat. They also chat about Roki Sasaki’s decision to join the Dodgers, plus an Afterball from Ben on goalie goals!

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts discuss the Biden administration's last-minute guidance on revenue sharing in college sports.

CFB Championship (2:08) Ohio State wins it all.

NFL playoffs (21:14): The sad collapse of the Detroit Lions.

Roki Sassaki: (40:22): The predictable L.A. landing spot for the Japanese hurler.

Afterballs (58:49): Ben on hockey goalie goals.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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From the Steelers' predictable collapse to the Commanders’ doink-fueled victory in Tampa, hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs get into the NFL’s Wild Card weekend. They also talk about college football and the looming Ohio State-Notre Dame championship. Plus the arrival of the all-new, indoor, digital Tomorrow’s Golf League. 

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts talk about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic winning pace.

NFL Wild Cards (2:13): Washington squeaks by and Pittsburgh slumps out.

CFB playoffs (23:19): Can Notre Dame topple Ohio State?

TGL: (39:25): The new Tiger-backed indoor golf simulation league.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs talk about Premier League Soccer and how sputtering performances could leave Manchester City and Manchester United out of Champions League contention. The hosts also get into the college football playoffs and the coming NFL postseason.

For Afterballs: Ben recounts a history of alternative settings for specialty ‘classic’ sports games.

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts discuss the high turnover rate of WNBA coaches, plus the messy math of a thirteen-team league.

Manchester Soccer (2:45): Looking back in anger.

CFB (22:32): A look at the semifinals with each top seed now eliminated.

NFL: (39:20): The explosive regular season wrap-up.

Afterballs (57:06): Ben on alt-settings and the Winter Classic.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs close out 2024 Hang Up and Listen-style. They dig into the War for Christmas being waged between the NFL and NBA. Then they look at Alex Ovechkin’s attempts to break Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goals record. Next they discuss the rise of the alt-cast and what that means for broadcasting games. 

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts share the underrated sports stories of 2024 as well as what everyone should be watching in 2025. 

War for Christmas(2:45): Who gets claim to the day: the NFL or the NBA?

Alex Ovechkin (21:33): Can he beat the hockey GOAT’s goals record? It suddenly looks like a matter of time, but the story isn’t breaking into mainstream coverage much.

Alternative Broadcasts (38:37): Do we really want a Toy Story football overlay?

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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Disclosure in Podcast Description: A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. As of 9/26/24, the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across the Bond Account is greater than 6%. A bond’s yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond’s YTW is not “locked in” until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The “locked in” YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See https://public.com/disclosures/bond-account to learn more.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs talk about the death of a legend: Rickey Henderson. Then, they dig into the end of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament and the sport’s growth. The panel also discusses the shenanigans taking place as Tampa Bay-area authorities consider building a new ballpark.

Finally, Alex delivers an Afterball on the first round of the College Football Playoff and explains why most games suck, actually. 

On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts talk about the latest in a string of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce inspired schlocky movies.

Rickey Henderson (2:17): A baseball legend dies at 65.

Volleyball (21:28): The NCAA tournament comes to a close.

Tampa Bay ballpark schemes (39:12): Should the team get public bonds to pay for a new stadium?

Afterballs (53:12): Alex on why everyone hates the College Football Playoff this year

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs talk about Bill Belichick and how one of the winningest NFL coaches of all time transitions to college football as UNC’s head coach. The panel also discusses the NBA Cup and the recent Bills-Lions slugfest. Finally Ben delivers an Afterball on Catfish Hunter and the history of deferred salary payments across sports. On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts talk about this year’s Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, and the future of two-way stars.

Belichick (2:35): The Hoody is heading the Tar Heels

NBA Cup (22:31): Did anyone care about this midseason tournament?

Bills Vs. Lions (41:23): Was this past weekend’s matchup a Super Bowl preview?

Afterballs (54:10): Ben on the history of deferred payments across sports.

Disclosure in Podcast Description: A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. As of 9/26/24, the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across the Bond Account is greater than 6%. A bond’s yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond’s YTW is not “locked in” until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The “locked in” YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See https://public.com/disclosures/bond-account to learn more.

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs discuss Juan Soto’s earth-shatteringly large contract with the New York Mets. They also talk about Lewis Hamilton’s last ride for Mercedes before he moves to team Ferrari, and Igor Shesterkin’s unprecedented new deal with the New York Rangers. For Afterballs, Alex breaks down some of the controversy within college football’s first 12-team playoff. On the bonus episode, available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts discuss expansion teams and how different leagues such as the WNBA and NHL have handled new additions.

Soto (2:51): His shocking shuffle over the Queens.

F1 (23:18): Lewis Hamilton rolls on from Mercedes.

NHL goalies (40:51): Igor Shesterkin sets a new contract record.

Afterballs (55:37): Alex on college football's new twelve-team playoffs.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs discuss Iga Swiatek’s and Janik Sinner's doping allegations and the huge implications for international tennis. They also get into this past weekend’s college football chaos and Saquon Barkley and Derek Henry’s running back revival. For Afterballs, Lindsay Gibbs examines the tragic passing of Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. after a recent head injury. On the bonus episode, available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the hosts talk about Bluesky and whether big sports media will eventually pivot to the new platform.

Tennis and doping (2:37): Do Swiatek and Sinner deserve suspensions?

College football chaos (25:50): Flag planting and the mess in the Mid-West

Are runningbacks back? (46:57): How long can Barkely and Henry prop up their position?

Afterballs (1:03:38): Lindsay on Medrick Burnett Jr’s head injury and death.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh chat about Rafael Nadal’s legacy as one of the all-time tennis greats. They also discuss the NWSL championship which Lindsay attended, the last days of ESPN’s Around the Horn. This week’s Afterball is from Ben, in which he compares the terms of sports commissioners and Supreme Court justices. On the bonus episode available exclusively for Slate Plus subscribers, the panel breaks down the new women’s basketball league, Unrivaled.

Nadal (3:02): His long and impressive career.

NWSL Championship (24:01): Orlando won it all.

Sports TV (46:09): Around the Horn ends while Inside the NBA remains.

Afterballs (01:01:09): Ben Lindbergh on baseball commissioners vs. Supreme Court justices.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs discuss the 4-hour Jake Paul and Mike Tyson boxing circus. They also talk about changes in regional sports networks, the next chapter in the Chiefs-Bills rivalry, plus an Afterball from Alex on the Winnipeg Jets. On the Bonus episode, available exclusively for Slate Plus members, the panel gets into the NBA’s continued love of three-pointers.

Paul vs. Tyson (2:54): How the main event duped so many viewers.

FanDuel takes on RSNs (25:18): How sixteen regional sports networks continue to be reshuffled.

Chiefs vs. Bills (43:35): CBS and the NFL want this rivalry to stick.

Afterballs (56:57): Alex Kirshner on the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and their attendance issues.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)

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.

Disclosure in Podcast Description: A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. As of 9/26/24, the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across the Bond Account is greater than 6%. A bond’s yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond’s YTW is not “locked in” until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The “locked in” YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See https://public.com/disclosures/bond-account to learn more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Alex Kirshner, and Ben Lindbergh are joined by Matt Brown of Extra Points for a discussion of how unified Republican control of the government could allow the NCAA to roll back college athletes’ newly won empowerment. They also talk about the NFL’s international aspirations, possible MLB off-season moves, plus a baseball-crosswords Afterballs. On the Bonus episode, available exclusively for Slate Plus members, Ben and Alex chat about MLS and Lionel Messi’s first playoffs.

Trump and the NCAA (2:49): How college sports may welcome more conservative legislation.

The NFL Abroad (27:33): How much does the rest of the world really love Football?

The Juan Soto Sweepstakes (46:49): Where will the generational hitter land?

Afterballs (1:08:03): Ben Lindbergh on the prevalence of baseball in crosswords.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.)

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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