Sports Politika

Jul 12 2024 10 ep. 41 mins 41

Sports Politika Podcast artwork

A podcast that delves into the intricate world of sports, power and politics.

www.sportspolitika.news

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The Olympic Myth (w/ Jules Boykoff)

Jul 12 2024 45 mins

The upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics are embroiled in numerous controversies, casting a shadow over the the global event. Corruption probes have targeted the organizing committee, raising issues of favouritism and misappropriation of funds The participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under neutral flags has sparked debate amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, while the lack of si

How the UFC won (with Luke Thomas)

Apr 13 2024 39 mins

“If there was ever going to be any kind of age of accountability in the sport, at least for now, the window is closed.”This is what Luke Thomas said to me when I asked him about the state of the mixed martial arts landscape during an appearance on the Sports Politika podcast ahead of UFC 300.The renowned MMA analyst and pundit was right. From the demise of investigative media o

Decoding Saudi's tennis playbook (with Jon Wertheim)

Mar 30 2024 45 mins

Over the past eight years, Saudi Arabia's sports strategy has transformed from a simple reputation management tool to a comprehensive soft power plan encompassing regional diplomacy, economic diversification, global impact, and a continuous stream of entertainment for the nation's youth. From encroachments into combat sports, racing, golf and tennis to becoming the sole bidder for

A football history of Israel-Palestine w/ Nicholas Blincoe

Mar 13 2024 58 mins

Over the past few months, I’ve been reading a lot of literature to do with Israel-Palestine. One of the books that I found most fascinating was a book by Nicholas Blincoe called “More Noble Than War: A Football History of Israel-Palestine.” It was an exceptional read that managed to delve into one of the most complex political subjects through a football lens, which in turn h

The fight to sanction Israel in international sports w/ Katarina Pijetlovic

Mar 02 2024 36 mins

“Gianni Infantino doesn’t feel Palestinian today.”This was among the most poignant lines in a speech delivered by Katarina Pijetlovic, associate professor at the Catolica Global School of Law in Lisbon, during the 2024 Play the Game conference in Trondheim, Norway. Her talk underscored the glaring disparity in international sports organizations' reactions to the war in Gaza c

Saudi Arabia's path to sporting dominance w/Stanis Elsborg

Jan 27 2024 54 mins

Over the past eight years, Saudi Arabia's sports strategy has transformed from a simple reputation management tool to a comprehensive soft power plan encompassing regional diplomacy, economic diversification, global impact, and a continuous stream of entertainment for the nation's youth.Few understand the kingdom’s recent transformation like Stanis Elsborg, the senior analyst for

How Abu Dhabi bought the UFC's undying loyalty

Dec 20 2023 27 mins

In 2010, Flash Entertainment—a state-owned live entertainment company based in Abu Dhabi—purchased a 10% stake in the UFC, kickstarting a long-term partnership between the world’s leading MMA organization and the UAE government. Much has changed in the 14 years that followed. The UFC entered a formal partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, establishe

Are UFC fighter facing visa bans for ties to Kadyrov? Sports Politika Q&A mailbag

Dec 09 2023 32 mins

Are UFC fighter facing visa bans for associating with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov? Why did I never join the Mixed Martial Arts Journalist Association (MMAJA)? What are some of the lesser known countries practising sportswashing? And did Hamas start the ongoing war in Gaza? These are some of the listener questions that I answer in the latest edition of the Sports Politika podcast

Why are so many MMA fighters turning to right-wing politics?

Dec 02 2023 34 mins

In the U.S. and around the world, MMA's embrace of outsider sports fans and right-wing politicians has helped create a wave of athletes activating around extremist causes and conspiracies.This episode of the Sports Politika podcast will delve into some of these examples, including the UFC’s longstanding relationship with Donald Trump, Conor McGregor being investigated by Irish po

How my time among revolutionaries and reporting on a warlord shaped my writing

Nov 25 2023 43 mins

Hey readers, I love writing. I expect keep writing until the day I die. But I also know when it is time to challenge myself with different mediums in my quest to tell stories. Podcasts aren’t exactly new but they are new to me. I’ve been on plenty of podcasts over the years but I have never tried speaking into a microphone—alone—for an extended period of time and then publi