Lefty Specialists

In the grand finale of the Friday Night Lights trilogy, the Lefty Specialists turn their attention to the TV show. John and James discuss their feelings about how the series eclipsed the film and the book, despite existing on the perpetual verge of cancellation. How much does the fictional Dillon resemble the real Odessa? Is the Taylor family too good to be true? And what was really so bad about Voodoo Tatum?Thanks for listening the pod! If you like it, consider sharing: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are back with Part Two of their Friday Night Lights deep dive. Today we're talking about the movie, which might be the most underrated piece of the oeuvre, while also beginning the neoliberal turn of the story. How did changes made to the story for the movie alter the message of Friday Night Lights? Is Coach Gaines a great movie coach? And, most importantly, is the Boobie Miles scene the saddest scene of all time?Thanks for reading Undrafted! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are finally back, with the beginning of a deep dive into the Friday Night Lights extended universe. In the first part of a three-part series, John and James look at Buzz Bissinger's book, and explore some of the themes that would eventually get forgotten as the story went from the page to the big screen to the small screen — specifically racism, Reaganomics, and class conflict. What is the real message of the Friday Night Lights story? And how is it really remembered in 2025? Listen, laugh, learn, love, and if you like: Share it with a friend! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

It's that time of year! Specifically: March. So the Lefty Specialists return with a socialist breakdown of the NCAA Tournament bracket. In today's super-sized pod episode, John and James discuss such questions as: Has a new era of inequality come to college basketball? Does the SEC deserve all this success? And why does everyone love Todd Golden? Listen, laugh, learn, love, subscribe… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

In today's episode of the Lefty Specialists, John is joined by sportswriter and author Mirin Fader, whose latest book is Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon. Before that, she wrote the New York Times bestseller Giannis: The Improbably Rise of an NBA MVP. In our conversation, we talk about how racism and anti-immigrant sentiment affected both players, what to make of the mythical origin stories surrounding both international players, and whether Giannis will stay in Milwaukee. It's a fun conversation, and you should check out both of the books!Thanks for reading Undrafted! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The NFL regular season kicks off tonight! If you don't know who to root for, either in this game or the 271 that will follow, then fear not, because James and John are here to to tell you which teams are on the side of worker power. Who has the vibes of a pro-labor team? Listen and find out!Thanks for reading Undrafted! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Today the Lefty Specialists are joined by Matt Bruenig, author of labor newsletter NLRB Edge, and together we discuss whether the rule the NBA uses to fine players is illegal, how unions can fight for free speech in general, and the connections between sports union fights and labor movement in general. (We also, of course, discuss podcast favorite Chris Paul…) As always, listen, enjoy, like, subscribe, and share!Thanks for reading Undrafted! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The 2024 Olympics are here and the Lefty Specialists are not that excited! In this episode, James and John break down the history of the Olympics, how they inevitably serve a nationalistic agenda and divide the international working class, and why they're also kind of boring.Thank you for reading Undrafted and listening to the Lefty Specialists. This episode is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists have returned! Today we're talking about Clipped, but really we're talking about the Donald Sterling affair. We spend the first ~15 minutes making fun of the show, and then get into Sterling's long reign in LA, the 2013-14 Clippers team, and whether Sterling's ban was a victory or a failure. Listen, like, share, enjoy!Thank you for reading Undrafted. This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

It's Part Two of our March Madness preview extravaganza! Today John is joined by his ORIGINAL college basketball podcast co-host, Tim Britton of The Athletic, to go through the bracket and make their official predictions. Along the way they discuss where UConn ranks among recent Tournament favorites, whether the SEC turns the ball over too much as a conference, and why this Duke team was so disappointing. Listen! Enjoy! Subscribe! Happy March… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are back! Including James, who is returning from a hiatus to give his extensive thoughts on who Michigan should hire as their head coach. But in addition to that, James and John do their annual breakdown of the men's NCAA tournament bracket. This time is a little different, though, as they look for potential stars in men's college basketball, examining why Zach Edey ain't it, whether injuries to Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr. have made Kansas a lovable underdog, and how gambling is potentially ruining the sport. Listen to all that and more in super-sized first part of a two-part March Madness preview extravaganza!Thanks for reading Undrafted! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

In today's episode of the Lefty Specialists, John is joined by author, historian, and journalist Kevin Baker, whose latest book is The New York Game: Baseball and the Rise of a New City, about the history of baseball and New York. They talk about Central Park, Arnold Rothstein, the strike of 1890 and the brief, hopeful moment in which players tried to start their own league. You can order a copy here.Thanks for listening! Sign up to receive updates from Undrafted as well as the latest podcast episodes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

We, the Lefty Specialists, hope you had a happy holiday season! Today, we (well, I — James is still on hiatus) are taking a brief look at the career of Bill Belichick and answering some questions that Undrafted has been focused on all year: Is Bill Belichick any good? Why are people so invested in him being good? And what does that say about labor relations under capitalism?Thank you for reading Undrafted. This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are back to discuss a history of “The Process”… It has now been a decade since the Philadelphia 76ers hired Sam Hinkie as their General Manager and embarked on a radical experiment in building an NBA team. So today John looks back at what the Process was, its material roots in the fight between labor and capital, and whether it could have succeeded. (Further reading: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Astros are dead! Long live the Astros! In today's episode of the Lefty Specialists, John is joined by the man who literally wrote the book on the Houston Astros: Evan Drellich, author of Winning Fixes Everything: How Baseball's Brightest Minds Created Sports' Biggest Mess. The book is a fascinating look at what went on inside the organization from Jim Crane's purchase of the team through the sign-stealing scandal and playoff successes. Evan and John discuss how to assign responsibility for a collective action, the legacy of Moneyball, and how fans should feel about how their teams are run. Check it out!Thank you for reading Undrafted. This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

How do you end such a strange and historic career?In the supersized final episode of The A-Rod Chronicles, James and John look at Alex Rodriguez's last days as a player, and then the start of his post-playing career. As A-Rod went from player to “advisor” to announcer to business mogul, he gradually left behind the working class. But could that class ascent redeem him in the eyes of fans?As mentioned, this is our last episode of The A-Rod Chronicles (for now, at least), and we want to thank you all for listening. We're really proud of this series, and if you've enjoyed any of it, please consider passing it along to someone you think could be interested, or leave us a review. But most of all, enjoy!Thanks for reading Undrafted! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Who do you believe about steroids in baseball?In Chapter 8 of The A-Rod Chronicles, we try to wade through the sea of lies — from the league, from “Dr. Bosch,” from Alex Rodriguez — that make up the Biogenesis scandal. At the heart, though, this scandal was really about who was going to be held responsible for baseball's Steroid Era. And while A-Rod wasn't the only to take the fall, he would certainly become the league's most prominent scalp.Listen, like, review, recommend, share, subscribe!If you enjoy The A-Rod Chronicles, consider subscribing to Undrafted for free! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Is there any coming back from steroids?For Alex Rodriguez, there was… at least, for a little while. In Chapter 7 of The A-Rod Chronicles, we delve into his brief, fleeting redemption in the 2009 postseason, which turned him from a villain to a hero. Then we talk about the years that followed, and how he gradually turned back…Listen, enjoy, like, subscribe, review, etc.!Thanks for reading Undrafted! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Yes, it's that time…In Chapter 6 of The A-Rod Chronicles, James and John dive deep into baseball's “Steroids Era” before getting to the news of Alex Rodriguez's failed 2003 test, which first broke in 2009. This is a big one… Listen, like, share, subscribe, and just generally have a good time!If you're enjoying The A-Rod Chronicles, please consider sharing it, or subscribing to Undrafted! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

What did it mean for Alex Rodriguez when baseball entered its post-Moneyball era?In Chapter 5 of The A-Rod Chronicles, James and John examine how baseball's statistical revolution impacted its highest paid player, how A-Rod got caught between an old-school that valued “intangibles” he lacked and a new wave of analytics designed specifically to avoid contracts like his, and how that overlapped with two MVP seasons and a stretch of playoff disappointments…. Listen, like, share, enjoy! (Scheduling note: The A-Rod Chronicles will be off next week, but that only gives you more time to tell a friend!)Thanks for reading Undrafted! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Alas, it is time to talk about 2004….In Chapter 4 of The A-Rod Chronicles, we dive deep into how the Yankees built their dynasty, their rivalry with the Red Sox, and the end of the Curse of the Bambino. This is also, admittedly, our least objective episode, as it deals with a major personal trauma for both of us: the 2004 ALCS. Listen, enjoy, like, subscribe, review, tell your friends, etc.!Consider sharing The A-Rod Chronicles with a friend or loved one….Here's an excerpt: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

So you've signed a $252 million contract…. now what?In Chapter 3 of The A-Rod Chronicles, John and James dive into Alex's time in Texas, including the massive backlash to baseball's biggest contract, MLB's labor disputes in 2002, and A-Rod's fallout with his friend Derek Jeter. Check it out, like, subscribe, leave a review, all that stuff… Here's a little preview: Thank you for reading Undrafted! Consider sharing this free post… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

It's time to talk about late ‘90s shortstops!In Chapter Two of The A-Rod Chronicles, the Lefty Specialists talk about the shortstop renaissance of the 1990s, the massive influx Latin American players into the game, and a brief history of MLB free agency. Check it out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are back with Chapter 1 of a new mini-series, The A-Rod Chronicles. As you can possibly guess, it's about Alex Rodriguez. But, more than that, it's about what his story can teach us about the last three decades of baseball. Check it out! Stay tuned and subscribe for all the upcoming episodes of The A-Rod Chronicles! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

It's college basketball week, and the Lefty Specialists have returned (both of us this time!) to preview the men's NCAA Tournament and tell you who the left ought to be rooting for this week! In our third annual March Madness podcast, we discuss Fran McCaffery's death stare, how the Starbucks Union feels about Bobby Hurley, and whether San Diego State deserves travel pay.Thanks for reading Undrafted! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

We are back! Or, half back, as it's a John solo episode. Today he's breaking down the Dan Snyder situation in Washington. In addition to summing the Snyder Files, this episode also delves into larger questions like, Who is Dan Snyder? Where did he come from? Why does he suck so much? And how are the ways he sucks indicative of the larger ways that capitalism sucks? Listen! Comment! Review! Enjoy!Thanks for reading Undrafted! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

It's Baseball Week here at Undrafted! In honor of the postseason, we're doing a week of all baseball content, with a new post dropping (hopefully) every day. Starting today with an UNPRECENDENTED version of the Lefty Specialists…It's a James solo episode! Only one Lefty Specialist today, as James dives deep into the history of Black Brooklyn, white flight, and the story of how the Dodgers conquered New York and fled to California. It's a baseball story, but also a story about American cities, redlining, broken housing policy, displacement, car culture, and so much more. Check it out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialist are back! After mostly taking the summer off, James and John are back and they're joined by a very special guest: Miguel Garcia, host of the Sports as a Weapon podcast (@SportsAsAWeapon)! Together they discuss how to discuss leftism with sports fans, how to discuss sports with leftists, and the ethical contradictions of rooting for the Dodgers. If you don't already listen to the Sports as a Weapon podcast, check it out! If you like listening to the Lefty Specialists, subscribe to Undrafted for free! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

It’s been nearly six years since Colin Kaepernick first took a knee during the national anthem, and in doing so sparked a wave of protests that spread across the nation. Today, the Lefty Specialists are thrilled to be joined by the great political sportswriter Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) to discuss his most recent book, The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World, about the young athletes who carried the torch after Kaepernick, what they can teach us about activism and sports, and the legacy of those protests in 2022. It’s a great a discussion, so enjoy!Check out the rest of Dave’s work here, and make sure to subscribe to the Lefty Specialists wherever you get your podcasts!Thanks for reading Undrafted! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

With just a few days left in June, the Lefty Specialists look at how the sports world has celebrated Pride. Specifically, James and John look at the controversy surrounding how the Tampa Bay Rays handled their Pride Night earlier this month. Then (@18:10) they’re joined by Frankie de la Cretaz to talk about not only that incident, but the larger context of celebrating Pride in sports amidst a rising tide of attacks on the queer community. Special thanks to Frankie for joining us! Check out their work here or on Twitter (@thefrankiedlc). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are here to do something truly revolutionary: talk about golf. First, though, they discuss the Warriors triumph in the NBA Finals, and what socialist lessons can be drawn from it. But then they turn their attention to the LIV Golf controversy, and whether or not golf is, officially, cancelled now. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

What makes a good manager/boss? That’s the question the Lefty Specialists spend most of this episode discussing—that is, after a few minutes of gloating about the Yankees’ hot start, and a quick review of the first ~60 games of the 2022 baseball season. But then James and John dig in for a deeper discussion of the role of managers in the modern game. Should they follow the numbers or trust their gut? Represent the ownership class, or empower the players? One thing we can agree on: They should not be Tony La Russa… Listen, enjoy, and share with a friend! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are here to honor a fallen comrade, Ray Liotta, by talking about Field of Dreams, one of the best movies ever about ghost baseball players. James and John discuss nostalgia for the 1960s, the whitewashing of baseball’s past, and whether this movie is an example of anti-Italian bigotry. Check it out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

“The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters.” The Lefty Specialists are back, to explain how Antonio Gramsci was really talking about the 2022 NBA Playoffs. James tries to convince John why the left needs to rally around the Celtics. Also discussed: Steve Kerr’s thoughts on gun control, whether overtime is anti-labor, and how Jayson Tatum is like Brendan Hughes, former Officer Commanding of the Provisional IRA Belfast Brigade…Listen! Leave a review! Subscribe! Do all that good stuff! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Ahead of this weekend’s finale, the Lefty Specialists are here to break down Season One of HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. James and John discuss such questions as: Why would comrade Adam McKay make a TV show about a fucking owner? Is the show unfair to Jerry West? And why is this show so anti-Paul Westhead? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

We thought this day might never come, but the Lefty Specialists are here to break down the 2022 baseball season. After a brief lockout discussion, James and John go over who are the leftist teams this season. For the National League (10:30), we break down whether Steve Cohen can be trusted, how much to dislike the Braves, and why we always appreciate the Cardinals. For the American League (31:40), we discuss whether the Angels are good or bad, how the White Sox ended up with a high payroll, and spend entirely too much time complaining about the Yankees (42:45). Listen and subscribe! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

As we say goodbye to the college basketball season, the Lefty Specialists look back on the Tournament through the lens of the March Stories series. First, James tries to console John about Duke’s loss, then we discuss the possible end of the one-and-done era, where Saint Peter’s ranks among all-time upsets, and a new era of women’s college basketball.And, if you missed it, here’s the old episodes of March Stories: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Part III of the Lefty Specialists’ March Madness miniseries is about Rutgers’ surprise Final Four run, the disrespect shown to women’s basketball, and the inherently reactionary nature of talk radio.Thanks to Bryan (@murderxbryan) from Street Fight Radio (https://www.patreon.com/streetfightradio) for joining us on this one! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Part II of the Lefty Specialists’ March Madness miniseries is about UMBC’s historic 2018 upset, the nature of college basketball Cinderellas, and the class system of American college sports.Thanks to Zac McCord (@zmccord23) for joining us on this one! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

It’s the return of the Lefty Specialists’ specialty: our NCAA Tournament preview specifically geared towards what is good for the left! In today’s jumbo episode, James and John discuss whether Chet Holmgren makes Gonzaga more pro-labor or less, who are the most egalitarian coaches in the Big Ten, and pour one out for a pod favorite who lost his job this week…. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Part I of the Lefty Specialists’ March Madness miniseries is about Syracuse’s 2003 team, Carmelo Anthony, and the beginning of the one-and-done era. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Join the Lefty Specialists for our March Madness miniseries! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are back! Again! This time, after a quick rant from John about the Olympics, we’re talking the state of the NBA at the All-Star Break, and then the baseball lockout and Hall of Fame vote. (Quick note: This episode was recorded before the James Harden/Ben Simmons trade was announced, and before Rob Manfred’s press conference where he announced the universal DH, so when discussing those things it might seem like we’re ignoring some major details. But they hadn’t happened yet!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists have returned! After a three month hiatus, we’re back to preview the Super Bowl, and let you know who leftists should be rooting for this weekend. Then we compare Zac Taylor’s coaching resume to Brian Flores’ (14:14), debate whether Flores will ever get hired again (26:25), and what the Divisional and Championship weekends illustrate about capitalism (45:20). We also ask the big questions, like: Does the Bengals’ offensive line constitute an OSHA violation? What is Tom Brady’s signature move? And, of course, who will win on Sunday? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

As the era of Covid baseball winds to a close (or at least, the most recent iteration of Covid baseball), the Lefty Specialists are here to explain how the last two MLB seasons illustrate Naomi Klein’s theory of “disaster capitalism.” First, James and John do an overview of what the shock doctrine is. Then, in Part II (@10:15), they go over how the shock of the pandemic led to changes on the baseball field (and in all sports) that largely benefitted the league and the owners. But, in Part III (@24:10), John announces that he liked some of the on-field changes, and we go through what that says about the shock doctrine and various leftist theories of change. Finally, in Part IV (@35:45), we debate possible future changes to the game, and whether we should fear policy change in general. If you enjoy, give us a review! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

Check out a new episode of the Lefty Specialists! First, James and John debate whether the Wild Card, Division Series, and League Championship rounds have been good for the left, before telling you who to root for in the World Series (Hint: not who you might think). Then, at the 20-minute mark, they pivot to discussing the recent Undrafted series on the integration of baseball. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are back, with Part II of their baseball playoff preview. This time they’re talking about the NL, and discussing such questions as: Are the Cardinals good for the left if everyone is sick of them? Is Zack Wheeler the working class candidate for NL Cy Young? And should socialists be pulling for anyone but the Dodgers? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The MLB playoffs start tonight! So the Lefty Specialists are here to tell you what is the proper leftist attitude towards the American League. Should we be bummed that the Mariners and Blue Jays missed the postseason? Who should we be rooting to win the MVP and Cy Young races? And, most importantly, are the Red Sox or Rays worse for the left? Listen, review, and learn the answers to all that and more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

It’s time for Part II of the Lefty Specialists football preview! Today James and John are talking about the NFL, and they’ve got a leftist pick for every division. Should socialists root for Tom Brady, as John says? Should the left pull for Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs? Is Jerry Jones a secret leftist? (No.) We’ve got answers for all that and more. Please listen and subscribe! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

The Lefty Specialists are back with the first half our football preview. Today James and John are going over the college football season, talking about how conference realignment mirrors colonialism, how the College Football Playoff only furthers the hegemony of those in power, and we preview our picks for who socialists should be pulling for this season, even if those teams have no chance. Enjoy! (And like and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com

If you’re like us, you have a vague recollection of a time between 2009 and 2015, when people kept talking about the supposed “death of football.” But football no longer appears to be dying. In fact, it seems to be doing better than ever, weathering the pandemic better than any other major American sport. So in this episode of the Lefty Specialists, John and James look back at the narrative around the death of football, how the events of 2016 changed that narrative, and what the whole thing reveals about different theories of change and social movements. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit undrafted.substack.com