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.  The Global Sport Matters podcast is where youth athletes to pros, business leaders to non-profits, sports writers and beyond gather for unabashed conversations tha ..read more

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. The Global Sport Matters podcast is where youth athletes to pros, business leaders to non-profits, sports writers and beyond gather for unabashed conversations that share impactful stories and tackle complex matters of spor ..read more

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! The Global Sport Matters podcast is where youth athletes to pros, business leaders to non-profits, sports writers and beyond gather for unabashed conversations that share impactful stories and tackle complex matters of sport head-on ..read 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. The Global Sport Matters podcast is where youth athletes to pros, business leaders to non-profits, sports writers and beyond gather for unabas ..read more

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 Global Sport Matters podcast is where youth athletes to pros, business leaders to non-profits, sports writers and beyond gather for unabashed conversations that share i ..read more

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.  The Global Sport Matters podcast is where youth athletes to pros, business leaders to non-profits, sports writers ..read 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. To stay up-to-date on the latest from Global Sport Matters, click here for more ..read more

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. To stay up-to-date on the latest from Global Sport Matters, click here for more ..read more

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. To stay up-to-date on the latest from Global Sport Matters, click here for more ..read more

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. Read William C. Rhoden's piece on Damar Hamlin from ESPN's Andscape: HERE To stay up-to-date on the latest from Global Sport Matters, click here for more ..read more