The Lead Wondery

The NWSL became the first professional U.S. sports league to resume play this week, kicking off the Challenge Cup, a month-long knockout tournament, in Utah. The Athletic’s Meg Linehan joins us to discuss what happened in the opening matches, a much-talked-about moment during the national anthem, and whether or not anyone can stop the North Carolina Courage.

Follow Meg Linehan's coverage of the NWSL:

https://theathletic.com/author/meg-linehan/?source=theleadpodcast

As coronavirus cases skyrocket in Florida, Tom Brady has been defying league health recommendations and working out with his Tampa Bay Buccaneer teammates at a local high school -- and posting about it on social media. The Athletic’s Greg Auman joins us to talk about Brady’s controversial training sessions and why they have become a lightning rod in a national debate over COVID-19.

Read Greg Auman's story about the Brady workouts:

https://theathletic.com/1893828/2020/06/25/as-workouts-with-bucs-continue-is-tom-brady-being-fearless-or-foolish/?source=theleadpodcast

There was some historic news out of Mississippi yesterday, as governor Tate Reeves signed a bill removing the Confederate emblem from the state flag. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s David Ubben to discuss the role that college sports played in the change, from SEC head coaches Lane Kiffin and Mike Leach to Mississippi State's star running back Kylin Hill. 

Read David Ubben’s column about Kylin Hill and the Mississippi flag: https://theathletic.com/1897593/2020/06/28/kylin-hill-mississippi-state-flag-kansas-state-football-player-protest/?source=theleadpodcast

Cam Newton is officially a member of the New England Patriots. And the Pats reportedly got the former NFL MVP at a bargain basement price.The Athletic’s Mike Sando joins us to talk about how the deal came about, what the Pats could look like with Cam at the helm, and what this signing tells us about Superman.

More from Mike Sando:

https://theathletic.com/author/mike-sando/?source=theleadpodcast

After months of bitter negotiations between MLB players and owners, an agreement was finally reached and the league is expected to begin a 60-game season in July. Doug Glanville, retired Major Leaguer and co-host of The Athletic's Starkville podcast, joins us to discuss the new rules that will be implemented during the abbreviated season, which teams are poised for success, and why this will almost certainly be the strangest season in MLB history.

More from Doug Glanville:

https://theathletic.com/author/doug-glanville/?source=theleadpodcast

Hosted by Dan Rubenstein, Sports Wars dives into some of the biggest rivalries in sports history. In their new season, they explore the fascinating rivalry between Venus and Serena Williams. As they navigated international fame and the pressures of their sport, an unexpected public rivalry pitted them against one another. With winning on the one hand and sisterhood on the other, their relationship was tested more than once throughout the peak of their respective careers. Listen to the full episode here: http://wondery.fm/thelead_sportswars