Just Not Sports

With the WNBA coming back, ESPN basketball analyst and "Around the Rim" podcast host LaCHINA ROBINSON goes deep on how this league is carrying the movement for racial justice and equality. We talk about why some stars are opting out of the season to focus on societal change, how white stars can "pass the mic" to women of color, and the tricky dynamics of returning to play in a pandemic. Oh, and why huge knee pads were a bad look for LaChina on the court (according to her). Then, Gareth & Brad catch up on their latest distractions, which includes Netflix shows and Stephen King.

When it's time to talk sports, you call the guy who recorded "Sports," the album. HUEY LEWIS is an icon of rock and pop culture, but he's also a huge sports fan. So we go deep on his love of San Francisco teams, which 49ers Hall of Famers sang on "Hip to Be Square," the time he got busted on the sideline during Monday Night Football, getting called out for talking golf during "We Are the World," and why he started letting Chris Berman sing with the band. Plus, we break down his latest album "Weather," and get an update on his ongoing battle to repair his hearing and get back on stage. Then, Gareth and Brad bust out their all-time '80s music mix tapes ... because, of course they did.

From "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" to New Yorker essays about little league, Stephen King has had a compelling, sometimes tortured relationship with sports, and especially baseball. So we call up noted King and horror expert MICHAEL ROFFMAN -- co-founder of Consequence of Sound and co-host of the outstanding Loser's Club and Halloweenies podcasts -- to geek out on the author's connection with sports. We also talk sports' role in horror overall, from Jason's boxing to Freddy's invisible karate. (And Michael breaks down the highs, and horrors, of being a Miami Heat fan.) Then, Gareth and Brad present their own Top 5 King books ... and Gareth defends "The Tommyknockers" somehow.

As demonstrations continue to press for racial justice, Brad and Gareth take time to reflect on tough conversations this show has had over the years with Black athletes and media on racial equality, police violence, profiling, protesting and representation. Then, they amplify several Black voices who are worth your time.

Between her work for USA Today's For the Win and her podcast "Ten Movies," HEMAL JHAVERI devotes a lot of time and thought to pop culture. And one Hollywood icon truly stands out to her: Keanu Reeves. We break down his filmography, his comedic roots, his status as an action hero, that insanely earnest Paula Abdul video he made, why "John Wick" works so well ... oh, and why Hemal just doesn't care about "The Matrix." Plus, O.G. "Just Not Sports" producer JOE REED returns to the pod to talk baking on lockdown and other distractions!

Pittsburgh Pirates' ace STEVEN BRAULT is now making a different kind of pitch ... to the theater world. He's got a new album "A Pitch at Broadway" that recreates several famous musical numbers with a modern, rock sound. We go song-by-song with a deep dive on why he chose the tunes he chose, how to be funny while singing, how creepy a Phantom of the Opera should really be, why some "rolled R's" are mandatory thanks to "Hamilton," and which Pirates teammates wanted cameos. Then, Gareth and Brad go deep on their best live music moments ever ... which also includes Broadway, natch.

JEFF BLAKE burst onto the scene for Bengals fans thanks to a heroic, iconic leap from third string to Pro Bowl quarterback during the mid-90s. And we were there for it, so humor us here folks. We break down Jeff's rise from obscurity, we go "full awkward Chris Farley questions" about his first game, then we geek out on his new venture into renewable energy and how he's using solar technology to break into the industry's "good-ole-boys" network. Plus, Gareth and Brad give distractions about virtual trivia and Friday the 13th-themed podcasts.

RUSS BENGTSON is an iconic chronicler of all things NBA and sneakers. Which is why he's launching a new podcast about Michael Jordan to coincide with the new ESPN doc. But let's shift our focus from his feet to his wrists. Russ collects and cherishes watches. Vintage. Historic. Stylish. Colorful. Space-Tested. Russ opens up about his personal passion points with watches, plus how the simple gesture of winding a watch has made the Great Quarantine a tad bit easier. Then ... Gareth & Brad veer into 90s nostalgia by laying out our all-90s mix tapes. Inspiring, and embarrassing. I mean, the Toadies and Rusted Root are part of this. No apologies. Hear Russ on his new podcast "After the Last Dance" with Alex Wong wherever podcasts can be heard.

RACHEL BONNETTA is a lot of things. A comedian. A sports TV host with FS1's "Lock It In." And someone who's just now starting "The Sopranos" so PLEASE DON'T SPOIL THE DAMN ENDING!!!! We break down her new Crooked Media podcast "Hall of Shame" about the most insane sports scandals of all time, we ponder which "Pod Save America" host would get picked last in gym class, we talk the joy of HGTV when you are confined to an apartment, and we also get into whether Ryan Lochte is hot or not. (Split decision!) Then, Gareth and Brad break down our best live sports moments ever ... which are still super depressing somehow. Hashtag Bengals, I guess.

You know KEITH LAW of The Athletic for his obsessive rankings of baseball prospects. But when we're all on lockdown, thank goodness Keith is *also* known for his obsessive rankings of boardgames! He returns to "Just Not Sports" to break down which boardgames can get you through social distancing. His new #1 game of all-time, the games that play differently every day, which old-school titles are worth bringing out of the basement, best solo and two-player games, and more! Plus, Gareth returns to check in on home art projects.

Under Hashtag Quarantine we're all watching Hashtag Comfort TV. So let's turn that into Hashtag Sports! We sit down with Bleacher Report's DAVID GARDNER to do a TV Sitcom Draft. Who's going No. 1 -- "Seinfeld" or "Friends" or an upset? Does "The Simpsons" count as a sitcom? Does "Atlanta?" Do you need a raunchy show in your line-up? Oh, and we also break down mystic poetry, because, ya know, it's the end of the world.

When she's not hosting "Drinks with Binks" or "Call It a Night" on fubo Sports Network, you better believe JULIE STEWART-BINKS is rocking the eff out. We break down the rock 'n' roll fandom she inherited from her mom, getting starstruck interviewing Alice Cooper, whether Motley Crue and other 80s greats truly count as "classic rock," and a ton of other rock stuff from Scorpions to KISS to Ozzy. Then, Brad has run out of stuff to do with his kids in quarantine so get ready to hear his 6-year-old talk awful Disney+ shows!

Many people know JODY AVIRGAN as a podcaster and producer who's done great work for "FiveThirtyEight" and ESPN's "30 for 30." But he's also found his way onto the "SportsCenter" highlights as a professional ultimate frisbee player. We break down his lifelong passion for the sport, his trash-talking intensity on the field, which athletes would make the best ultimate players, and more. Then, we visit with Gareth Hughes to break down his own (sometimes naked) adventures with ultimate frisbee with the Skidmore Wombats at the turn of the century.

When she's not breaking down the games for The Athletic's WNBA and Buffalo verticals, LYNDSEY D'ARCANGELO is likely building up something out of this world. The sportswriter has a lifelong passion for LEGO, so we go deep on her favorite sets, the joys of building with her daughter, which creations are "wall worthy" and why a LEGO piece wound up as one of her many tattoos. Then, CBS Sports' Gareth Hughes returns for some distractions - never more needed than now!

SportsIllustrated reporter EMMA BACCELLIERI loves painting with water colors. Just don't ask her to post them on Instagram. We break down her growing fondness for art, how she got started, the joys of a hobby just being a "hobby and not a side hustle," and why she's keeping this pastime off social media. Then, longtime co-host Gareth Hughes takes a break from cancer treatments to talk "Cheer" and "Nightmare on Elm Street."

The only thing veteran Washington Football Team's longsnapper NICK SUNDBERG loves more than clean laundry is helping others' get their clothes clean. His Loads of Love (LOL) campaign spreads much-needed washers and dryers around dozens of DC area schools. We break down the benefits clean clothes have on students, the painful logistics of adding appliances to schools, the honor of being a two-time NFL Man of the Year nominee - and whether he folds or rolls his socks.

MICHAEL BAUMANN of The Ringer ("Ringer MLB Show") takes a break from covering sports to talk space movies! We break down the reaction to the latest, final-for-now "Star Wars" sequel, which movie astronaut he'd trust to save his life, hidden space-flick gems and whether the real Neil Armstrong is better than the movie version. Plus, Brad's daughter's relentless pursuit of Minnie Mouse's personal cell takes a turn! Find us on Apple, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Luminary.

Eat your heart out Robert Downey Jr., because Yahoo Senior NFL writer KIMBERLEY MARTIN is the original animal lover. She's owned dogs, cats, a (super old) turtle and multiple bunnies. Yes, bunnies. We break down her passion for pets, then call up our old co-host Gareth Hughes from CBS Sports to hear the latest in his battle against cancer - and talk about how watching the "Watchmen" is helping him cope.

WNBA All-Star DIAMOND DeSHIELDS has only been without "Game of Thrones" a few months, and she's already missing it. The dynamic Chicago Sky guard breaks down her passion for the fabled TV show, re-examines the polarizing final episodes, shares favorite moments, explores how Arya got such good hops, and reveals how the home stretch may have unified her team during their race to the WNBA Playoffs!

The Ringer's SHEA SERRANO returns to the show (he was kinda sorta our first guest ever) to talk about his new #1 NYT-bestseller "Movies (And Other Things)." We break down Michael Myers vs. rappers, defending "Halloween" sequels, the wisdom of the "Selena" movie, that whole Shaq-Dame rap beef, Josh Hartnett's bed head ... and more. Seriously, go buy Shea's book and support a truly great guy in sports media.