Sports

Philadelphia 76ers Become First NBA Team To Advertise On Jerseys

The Philadelphia 76ers basketball jerseys will feature the StubHub logo starting in 2017. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil about becoming the first NBA team to take advantage of the new rule change within the association that allows advertising on uniforms.

Philadelphia 76ers Become First NBA Team To Advertise On Jerseys
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Media

ESPN Site 'The Undefeated' To Explore Intersection Of Sports And Race

ESPN is set Tuesday to launch "The Undefeated," a digital site and news team focused on the intersection of race, sports, politics and culture. NPR profiles "The Undefeated" and its new editor, former Washington Post managing editor Kevin Merida.

ESPN Site 'The Undefeated' To Explore Intersection Of Sports And Race
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Russian Officials Deny Allegations Of State-Sponsored Athlete Doping

The former head of Russia's anti-doping laboratory told The New York Times he helped to conceal doping by top Russian competitors in the 2014 Olympics. Russian officials are denying the report.

Russian Officials Deny Allegations Of State-Sponsored Athlete Doping
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Javelin Thrower Seeks To Bring Back The Widely-Banned Sport To High School

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Liam Christensen of Charleston, South Carolina, about his bid to make javelin throwing a high school sport.

Javelin Thrower Seeks To Bring Back The Widely-Banned Sport To High School
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ESPN Hopes 'Undefeated' Will Elevate Discussions On Race, Sports And Culture

Before the launch of ESPN's digital site The Undefeated, which will focus on minorities and sport, Editor-in-Chief Kevin Merida explains why the cross section of sports, culture and race is important.

ESPN Hopes 'Undefeated' Will Elevate Discussions On Race, Sports And Culture
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The Olympic flame gets a lift from former Brazilian volleyball player Leila Barros, who took part in this month's torch relay. The games are set to begin on Aug. 5.

The Olympic flame gets a lift from former Brazilian volleyball player Leila Barros, who took part in this month's torch relay. The games are set to begin on Aug. 5. Getty Images hide caption

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Goats and Soda

Public Health Professor: Because Of Zika, Rio Olympics 'Must Not Proceed'

If half a million tourists go to Rio, there is a risk one could catch Zika, return home and seed a new outbreak, says public health professor Amir Attaran.

Public Health Professor: Because Of Zika, Rio Olympics 'Must Not Proceed'
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NBA Star Dwayne Wade Of The Miami Heat Makes Canadians Mad

Before a playoff game against Toronto, Dwayne Wade made practice shots during Canada's national anthem Canadians said he violated a rule that players stand in a dignified posture during anthems.

NBA Star Dwayne Wade Of The Miami Heat Makes Canadians Mad
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Why You Might Be Hearing About A Thing Called Turinabol

Turinabol is an oral steroid commonly given to East Germany's young athletes competing in the 1970s and '80s. As ESPN's T.J. Quinn explains, drug is making a come back in Major League Baseball.

Why You Might Be Hearing About A Thing Called Turinabol
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An aerial view of the Hiram Bithorn Stadium as Puerto Rico plays Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Series baseball tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico in February.

An aerial view of the Hiram Bithorn Stadium as Puerto Rico plays Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Series baseball tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico in February. Ricardo Arduengo/AP hide caption

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The Two-Way

Major League Baseball Cancels Series In Puerto Rico Due To Zika Concerns

The Pirates-Marlins series was meant to honor Hall of Fame player Roberto Clemente, who hails from the island. But players say they were worried about contracting Zika.

Jose Magrass, hot dog selling machine.

Jose Magrass, hot dog selling machine. Nick Fountain/NPR hide caption

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Planet Money

Episode 700: Peanuts and Cracker Jack

Beer. Water. Pretzels. It takes effort, strategy, and some serious lungs to sell expensive junk food at a baseball game. Meet the hot dog vending legend of Fenway Park.

Episode 700: Peanuts and Cracker Jack
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Ahead Of Derby Day, Kentucky Residents Gather Early To Beat Tourists

For generations, the day before the Kentucky Derby was unofficially considered "Louisville's Day at the Races," when locals could enjoy Churchill Downs without the huge Derby crowds, high admission prices and general madness. But over the past few years, "Oaks Day" has become popular among out-of-towners who come in early and make a whole weekend of it. Now, locals gather on the Thursday before the Derby.

Ahead Of Derby Day, Kentucky Residents Gather Early To Beat Tourists
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Former professional boxer, Iran Barkley, poses in front of his Bronx apartment complex. Barkley, a former WBC middleweight champion, became homeless after facing financial troubles in the later years of his life. He currently is a board member of Ring 10 Veterans Boxing Foundation of New York, an organization that works with boxers who are down on their luck.

Former professional boxer, Iran Barkley, poses in front of his Bronx apartment complex. Barkley, a former WBC middleweight champion, became homeless after facing financial troubles in the later years of his life. He currently is a board member of Ring 10 Veterans Boxing Foundation of New York, an organization that works with boxers who are down on their luck. Cameron Robert/NPR hide caption

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To Fight Off Hard Times, Former Boxers Enter A 'Ring' Of Support

Veterans fighters have formed a support group in New York City that helps some of the most vulnerable athletes in sports pay bills and figure out their lives after they leave the boxing ring.

To Fight Off Hard Times, Former Boxers Enter A 'Ring' Of Support
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Pitcher Monica Abbott helped the U.S. softball team to a gold medal in the women's softball world championship in July 2010. Now she has signed a record-breaking contract with the Scrap Yard Dawgs, a team in the National Pro Fastpitch league.

Pitcher Monica Abbott helped the U.S. softball team to a gold medal in the women's softball world championship in July 2010. Now she has signed a record-breaking contract with the Scrap Yard Dawgs, a team in the National Pro Fastpitch league. Fernando Llano/AP hide caption

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The Two-Way

Softball Pitcher Monica Abbott Signs Record $1 Million Contract

The six-year deal with the Scrap Yard Dawgs, a team in the National Pro Fastpitch league, is the first million-dollar deal in the league's 13-year history.