Athletes During the Pandemic Are Learning What Fans Have Always Known
As players return to empty arenas, they are discovering a basic truth: Live sports is an act of social imagination.
Baseball’s Strange and Poignant Return to TV
The first live sports games to air in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic provide a hopeful, yet harrowing, look at the future.
The Mythos of Michael Jordan Continues
With its deep archival footage of the Bulls legend, The Last Dance was always going to be epic. Now it needs to fill the void of sports writ large.
Why the Super Bowl Was a Game Changer for the NFL
Sunday’s showing offered a blueprint for a potentially dynamic chapter in professional football.
The NFL’s Most Valued Cause Is Itself
A social-justice-focused ad that aired during last night’s Super Bowl affirmed a disturbing and all too familiar truth about the league.
The Astros’ Cheating Scandal Rewrites a Decade of Baseball History
Houston’s dominance once looked like the sport’s biggest success story. Now their whole legacy is in doubt.
The Case Against Stripping the Astros of Their World Series Title
The MLB has handed harsh penalties to Houston for sign stealing, but revoking the team’s ill-gained 2017 championship is implausible.
What the Patriots’ Wild-Card Loss Really Means
Even before Saturday’s game, New England was showing signs of having been passed by.
The Two Players Who Are Breaking the ‘No-Fun League’
As the 2019 season enters its final stretch, an entertaining MVP race showcases a less restrictive brand of football.
Carmelo Anthony’s Melancholy NBA Return
After a season away, the future Hall of Famer comes back to a league that no longer has much use for him.
Unpredictability Returns to the NBA
For the first time in years, nobody really knows what to expect.
The Washington Nationals’ Persistence Paid Off
Breaking a pattern of first-round heartbreak, the decade’s most downtrodden playoff team finds itself in the World Series.
Joe Maddon Was Doomed by His Own Success
The Chicago Cubs say goodbye to the manager who led them to their first World Series victory in 108 years.
The Year of the Home Run Reaches October
After a record-setting regular season, the MLB playoffs figure to host offensive fireworks and long-ball fatigue.
Lamar Jackson and the NFL’s Quarterback Double Standard
As the league looks to the future, the way many analysts talk about black players such as the Baltimore Ravens passer still belongs to an ugly past.
Rafael Nadal Takes Another Step Toward Tennis History
After a grueling and dramatic final against tournament antihero Daniil Medvedev, the Spaniard inched closer to the men’s grand-slam record.
Bianca Andreescu’s Remarkable U.S. Open Win
The 19-year-old Canadian’s victory over Serena Williams marks one of the most meteoric rises by a young tennis player in recent years.
Grigor Dimitrov Takes His Shot
Long heralded as a future No. 1, the world No. 78 is within striking distance of his first Grand Slam final.
How the Cleveland Browns Are Bucking NFL Convention
In trying to reverse a generation’s worth of losing, the team is loading up on stars and embracing the hype.
The Thrilling Unpredictability of Women’s Tennis
This year’s U.S. Open has no shortage of female players who could win the title, which has made for an exciting tournament—with one caveat.
Why Is Trevor Lawrence Playing College Football?
The Clemson quarterback and Heisman favorite, seen by many as NFL-ready, is all but forced by the mechanisms of amateur sports to play for free.
What Andrew Luck’s Retirement Says About the NFL
The Colts quarterback is leaving the game at age 29—a move that reaffirms the danger of the sport and the willingness of some players to walk away from it.
A Tale of Two Tennis G.O.A.T.s
Considered the greatest of all time by many, Serena Williams and Roger Federer will seek to solidify their legacies with another grand-slam title.
What the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Needs More Than Equal Pay
The argument that the female champions can draw big crowds only during World Cup years doesn’t consider the lacking investment from their governing body.
Novak Djokovic Is the Greatest Player of the ‘Big Three’
The 32-year-old Serb overwhelmed Roger Federer in a marathon men’s singles final at Wimbledon and proved himself the best of his generation.
Simona Halep’s Dazzling Wimbledon Victory
The 27-year-old Romanian underdog handily defeated the formidable Serena Williams in a final that echoed a classic 2008 match.
The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team’s Biggest Battle Is Yet to Be Won
Some 1 billion people tuned in to the games this year, making the USWNT’s victory even more crucial in their upcoming legal fight for equal pay.
One Question Hanging Over the World Cup Final
As the United States and the Netherlands prepare to face off, teams and fans wonder whether VAR—or instant-replay reviews—will decide the champion.
The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Is in the Finals. Here’s Why It Matters.
It’s not just about the game—these athletes are playing with something more to prove.
What the Men Can Learn From the Women at Wimbledon
The young male players trying to unseat the “big three” of tennis should look to upstarts such as Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka for a lesson on how to translate talent into titles.
Why the Anthony Davis and LeBron James Pairing Will Be Different
Two of the NBA’s best players have teamed up in the league’s glitziest and most history-rich locale, each with a legacy to burnish and an unhappy narrative to reverse.
A Historic NBA Championship for the Raptors
The Golden State Warriors were hampered by injuries, but the league’s newest victors were built to seize on the opportunity.
Kevin Durant’s Disastrous Comeback
After Golden State’s star forward injured his Achilles tendon in the NBA Finals, the team’s decision to let him play is facing scrutiny.
The Turbulent Journey of Metta World Peace
A new documentary about the athlete formerly known as Ron Artest moves beyond his—and the NBA’s—most notorious moment: 2004’s “Malice at the Palace” brawl.
Kevin Durant’s Inessential Greatness
The Golden State Warriors forward is an unstoppable scorer and matchup nightmare—and without him, the team is on the doorstep of another championship.
The Change That Could Make the NBA Playoffs Watchable
The postseason is lagging in action and viewership. A skunk rule could be the solution.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Thinking Like the MVP
The Milwaukee Bucks’ do-everything prodigy has simplified his approach and become the NBA’s best player.
Why Tiger Woods’s Masters Win Was Different This Time
The most appealing aspect of the golf pro’s 15th major championship is that it doesn’t quite signal a return to dominance.
Why Female Surfers Are Finally Getting Paid Like Their Male Peers
For the first time in its history, the World Surf League requires that cash prizes be uniform for men and women. But gender inequality isn’t completely eradicated from the sport.
MLB’s Bold Efforts to Remake Baseball
Opening Day 2019 finds the league tinkering with the sport to draw younger audiences—and weighing which aspects of the game are essential.
Baseball’s Best Player Deserves More Than $430 Million
Mike Trout just signed a record-breaking contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels. What he really needs is a team that can win championships.
The U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team Makes a Really Good Case for Equal Pay
In a new lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation, the athletes say they earn just a fraction of what their less successful male counterparts make.
Why Zion Williamson Is Poised to Change the Course of NCAA History
It’s clear that the Duke freshman doesn’t need the league as much as it needs him. This makes the phenom uniquely positioned to revolutionize the game.
Two Superstars Gamble on Record-Breaking Deals
Bryce Harper’s and Manny Machado’s contracts are similarly lucrative, but they represent two different approaches to the same bet.
The Patriots’ Super Bowl Victory Was Boring—Yet Inimitable
In a tedious championship game against the Los Angeles Rams, New England confirmed that the ingredients of its success can’t be replicated by the rest of the NFL.
Rob Gronkowski and the Cost of Greatness
As the ageless Tom Brady and Bill Belichick lead the Patriots to another Super Bowl, the star tight end shows signs of wear and tear.
Naomi Osaka’s Australian Open Victory Shatters the Status Quo
How the 21-year-old Japanese phenom cemented her position as a bona fide superstar—plus a look at what lies ahead for the men’s final
How the Showtime Saints Became Championship Favorites
With shrewd drafting and a style adjustment, New Orleans built a team capable of helping out its star quarterback—and winning a Super Bowl.
A Book That Honors an Underrated Sport
The Circuit, Rowan Ricardo Phillips’s latest book, deftly chronicles tennis’s 2017 season with a joyful reverence.
The End of the NBA’s G.O.A.T. Era
LeBron James has just started his next act with the Lakers. But when he retires, what will become of the endless debate over which player is the Greatest of All Time?
In the New College Football, Alabama Is Still Out Front
As the sport gets faster and scores climb higher, a formerly traditionalist program and its star quarterback embrace the future.
LeBron Returns to Cleveland, This Time as a Laker
With a match against the Cavaliers looming, James could be on the brink of taking a big step forward with his new team.
The Murky Path Forward for U.S. Olympic Gymnastics
Officials are trying a “nuclear option” to fix the culture of sexual assault within the elite sport. But can it actually work?
Why Eli Manning Is Still a Giant
He’s maybe the least respected good quarterback there ever was. But for all his obvious faults, no one can say he fell short of expectations.
The 2018 World Series Was Good for the Red Sox—And Bad for Baseball
With lengthy games and a lack of star power, this October fell flat in many ways.
If the Dodgers Win the World Series
A championship victory for Los Angeles would mean the team’s sustained ability to make it to the postseason—year after year—has finally paid off.
The Red Sox Need a World Series Win
Anything short of a championship would in many ways render Boston’s entire season a failure.
Fight Night With LeBron
Laker fans get their first glimpse of L.A.’s newest megastar, in one of the most chaotic home openers in memory.
How the Yankees Became Baseball’s Most Improbable Underdogs
The Red Sox’s ALDS victory completes the archrivals’ role reversal.
Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid Are Torching the NFL
The Kansas City Chiefs’ upstart signal-caller and oft-imitated coach have the league buzzing.
The Chicago Cubs’ Best Player Can Do It All
Javier Báez stands out for his incredible versatility—a trait not common to, or usually required of, MLB superstars.
How iRacing Is Democratizing Motorsports
These days, amateur speed enthusiasts can use digital simulators to compete against the car-racing industry’s biggest stars. The e-sports arena is a playground for gamers, pros, and talent scouts alike.
A Heartbreaking Reality for Mets Fans
Despite a fantastic start to the season that suggested the historically disappointing New York team was on the upswing, it appears greatness is still out of reach.
Colin Kaepernick’s Shadow Still Looms Over the NFL
As the league begins its 2018 regular season, a player whose presence it hoped would fade from view is very much in the spotlight—and on multiple fronts.
Will Juan Martín del Potro Usher In a New, Younger Generation of Tennis Greats?
In 2009, the Argentine player was primed to lead a youth movement in men’s tennis and shift the demographics of the game. It didn’t happen, but he may have a second chance this year.
The San Diego Padres Found a Way to Monetize Bad Baseball
By building a promotion around poor on-field performance, the team may have offered a grim look at the future of one of pro sports’ most controversial practices: tanking.
Randy Moss and Terrell Owens Reach the Hall of Fame
The wide receivers, known as much for their off-the-field antics as their game-day accomplishments, challenged the NFL’s domineering mores.
An Incomplete Portrait of Baseball and America
A new Library of Congress exhibition showcases the sport’s ties to the best parts of U.S. history—while overlooking some of the darker implications of those connections.
What It Means for Kawhi Leonard to Join the Raptors
Toronto fans may be upset about losing DeMar DeRozan, but the end of two franchise players’ tenures is a reminder that loyalty in sports is meant to be rebuilt.
Who Wins When France Claims the World Cup?
Three Atlantic staffers discuss tricky questions of national—and international—allegiance in sports, after the victory for Les Bleus, which some called “the last African team.”
Baseball Needs Bryce Harper to Be Better
The Washington Nationals slugger, arguably the sport’s most famous player, no longer numbers among its best.
The Wildest Wimbledon in Recent Memory
The tournament boasted chaotic early matches, a record-long slugfest, and a monumental comeback for Novak Djokovic.
The Elusive Underdog Magic of the World Cup
When you root for the world’s less powerful, the tournament can read like a run-on sentence of tragedy, only loosely punctuated with joy.
France’s Ghosts Return for the World Cup
Much has happened since the country won its last World Cup two decades ago, making this a bittersweet moment in a country always romancing the past.
England’s Unfamiliar Emotion: Hope
In the wake of results at the 2018 World Cup that no one was expecting, a nation adjusts awkwardly to success.
The Improbable Beauty of Lukaku’s Hop
One of the most generous and intelligent moves of the World Cup helps explain why people all over the planet are obsessed with soccer.
The Annoying Genius Who Makes the World Cup Worth Watching
In defense of Brazil’s Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior—and all his antics
What’s Different About LeBron’s Move to the Lakers
The last time the basketball star left Cleveland, the world erupted. This time around, he leaves behind a legacy that’s bigger than the sport.
What’s Going on With Novak Djokovic?
He’s perhaps the most confounding player the game has ever seen—and he enters the Wimbledon draw after emerging from one of the coldest stretches of his 15-year career.
The Yankees–Red Sox Rivalry Is Back in Full Force
As New York and Boston clash for American League supremacy, the excitement that surrounded the teams last decade looks to have returned.
Chasing the ‘Holy Grail’ of Baseball Performance
Inside the wide-ranging search—led by economists and psychologists—for the elixir that turns good squads into great ones
A World Cup Without Eduardo Galeano, Soccer’s Poet Laureate
As the 2018 tournament kicks off, it’s worth revisiting the late Uruguayan writer’s classic book on a sport he approached as both a fan and a social critic.
The Warriors' All but Inevitable Victory
The outcome of the NBA Finals between Golden State and Cleveland was rarely in doubt, even if the winner didn’t need to play its very best.
Shohei Ohtani Is Proving Himself Already
Despite the early skepticism, the 23-year-old Los Angeles Angels pitcher and hitter is exceeding expectations in just the first couple months of his major-league career.
Bartolo Colón, One of the Last of His Kind
As baseball grows younger and faster, there’s less opportunity for the type of late-stage reinvention that salvaged the Texas Rangers pitcher’s career.
LeBron James and the Championship Question
Having led the Cavaliers to a fourth consecutive Finals showdown with the Warriors, the game’s best player doesn’t need another ring to prove himself.
The NFL Tries to Push Protest Out of Sight
The league’s new policy on how teams should behave during the national anthem adopts a familiar strategy: Focus on the spectacle of the game, and hide the rest.
The Long Shadow of MLB's Next Free-Agent Class
An impending influx of talent hitting the market in the winter is the single biggest factor informing roster construction across baseball.
What Should MLB Do About the 'Juiced' Ball Debate?
Amid a historic home-run spike, fans and players alike are wondering how long the league’s wait-and-see approach can last.
A Glorious Milestone for Albert Pujols
In reaching his 3,000th career hit Friday night, the Los Angeles Angels first baseman gave fans a chance to remember his historic greatness.
The NBA’s New Age Is on Full Display
Inspired by the dominance of the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, a new generation of superstars-to-be looks to unseat them—sooner or later.
Josh Rosen and the NFL's 'Ideal' Quarterback
Pro football tends to prefer signal-callers who fit a certain mold. But a few draft prospects stand to push the league further outside its comfort zone.
The Man Who Brought Down Lance Armstrong
Floyd Landis, a former teammate of the cyclist’s, just won more than $1 million in a legal case against Armstrong. Here are his thoughts on the suit, cycling, and his onetime rival.
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American Sports Needs More Fair-Weather Fans
Why you should root for great teams and great players—and abandon your sad-sack local franchise
The Mobster Who Bought His Son a Hockey Team
A tale of goons, no-show jobs, and a legendary minor-league franchise that helped land its owner in prison
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The Radicalization of American Football
A conversation with Malcolm Jenkins, the political activist and Super Bowl champion behind the Players Coalition
The Yankees’ Biggest Strength May Be Their Greatest Weakness
New York’s power-hitting duo, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, have set high marks in both homers and strikeouts—underscoring one of baseball’s most pressing issues.
The NCAA Is Facing a Crossroads
The college-sports body must decide whether to double down on its amateurism rules—or to use an ongoing FBI probe as a chance to soften its stance on players making money.
The NFL Offseason Is Full of Quarterbacks
The next two months are shaping up to be a rare opportunity for teams in search of a steady hand under center.
LeBron James and the Frankness of the NBA
The outspoken athlete is at the vanguard of a league that has encouraged free expression more than most.
Why Don't More Female Figure Skaters Wear Pants?
Leggings and yoga gear are common sights at practice rinks. But in competition, gender-coded costumes still prevail.
The Out Olympics
Adam Rippon and Gus Kenworthy show the entertainment value, and political power, of gay people embracing full visibility.
How the Olympics Got Disneyfied
The 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Games were star-studded and futuristic—and broadcast to U.S. audiences for the first time.
The Men's Figure-Skating Gold Is Nathan Chen's to Lose
The 18-year-old American is already seen as the greatest athlete in the sport’s history—and he’s competing at his first Olympics in an especially talented field.
Who to Watch at the Winter Olympics
A guide to some of the Games’ most exciting contenders—whether they’re making highly anticipated debuts or returns
Looking Beyond Chief Wahoo
The Cleveland Indians will stop wearing the controversial logo on their uniforms next year. What’s next for Native American–inspired imagery and names in the sports world?
An Unforgettable Super Bowl Win for the Eagles
The underdog Philadelphia team overcame the New England Patriots in a nail-biter of a game that was pure spectacle.
What's Next After Federer's Australian Open Victory
The tournament saw the Swiss veteran winning a historic 20th Grand Slam singles title—and hinted at what’s to come in the men’s 2018 tennis season.
Nick Foles Is the Eagles' Unlikely Best Hope
Philadelphia’s quarterback is facing long odds at the Super Bowl—but onlookers shouldn’t count him out yet.
There Will Never Be Another Vladimir Guerrero
The 2018 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee played with an originality that outshone even his incredible statistics.
Do Super Bowl Hopefuls Still Need Star Quarterbacks?
Though the best signal-caller ever remains in the playoffs, his also-ran counterparts may suggest the rise of a more well-rounded sport.
Derek Jeter Is Finally Failing
After retiring from a virtually flawless career, the former shortstop embarked on a messy tenure as the CEO of the Miami Marlins.
Parking for Gold
Competitive parking may not inspire the popular imagination like NASCAR or the NBA, but a handful of enthusiasts are hoping to change that. Welcome to the National Valet Olympics.
Baker Mayfield Will Not Go Down Quietly
After infusing college football with a jolt of bravado, the outspoken Oklahoma quarterback can close out his amateur career with a championship.
Against All Odds, LeBron James Is Still Getting Better
Forced to carry a heavier burden than ever this season, the 15-year NBA veteran is showing the basketball world he’s not yet finished adding to his game.
Will the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani Experiment Work?
After years of hype, the young Japanese star has finally arrived stateside. For his new team, the pitcher-slugger is a source of pure potential.
The Never-Ending Story of the Tiger Woods Comeback
Despite years of setbacks and controversy, the embattled golfer can still capture the sports world’s attention with one weekend of competence.
Running for His Life
One Marine learned that you can’t outpace your demons or suicidal thoughts. But it doesn’t hurt to try.
A High-Scoring Revolution Has the Rockets Soaring
Daryl Morey has spent a decade orchestrating a new kind of basketball juggernaut. Finally, Houston appears ready to deliver a title.
The 76ers' Great Basketball Experiment Is Paying Off
After years of frustration and controversy, Philadelphia finally boasts a core of young talent—led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons—that has become the NBA’s most exciting upstart.
The Case of Jay Bilas vs. the NCAA Will Now Be Heard
The outspoken lawyer-turned-ESPN analyst may be the moral conscience college basketball needs this season, as it grapples with its biggest scandal in decades.
On Thanksgiving, the NFL Faces a Collision of Crises
Turkey Day usually represents a late-season reset for pro football, but myriad controversies portend a more serious tone this year.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Exits the Fast Lane on His Own Terms
After forging his own way following his father’s death, the longtime NASCAR fan favorite prepares to hang up his helmet after one final ride.
Vince Carter and the Slam Dunk’s Day of Reckoning
After 20 years in the NBA, the most influential dunker of all time is winding down his career—and the game prepares for a new era of high-flyers.
The NFL Is Making Colin Kaepernick’s Collusion Case for Him
As weeks pass and league-wide quarterback play worsens, the athlete-turned-activist’s continued absence on Sundays is becoming impossible to rationalize.
'Our Surfing Is Revolutionary'
Bianca Valenti reveals how female big wave surfers are changing the tides.
Remembering Roy Halladay, Baseball’s Steady Marvel
Few pitchers were more committed to the daily work of the sport—and more present in the moment—than the eight-time All-Star who died at age 40.
How Kristaps Porzingis Became New York’s New King of Sports
The fans booed his arrival. He bided his time behind a hometown star. Now, this 22-year-old Latvian’s breakout moment is finally here—and the NBA may never be the same.
Being a Good Manager Is No Longer Good Enough
With the surprising firings of Dusty Baker, Joe Girardi, and others, Major League Baseball is learning that managers must do far more than just win.
An Astros Win Ends a Wildly Entertaining World Series
Baseball will endure late-night finishes and endless mound visits if it gets the kind of drama and passion that Houston and Los Angeles provided in a seven-game classic.
Doris Burke’s Expertise Is Finally Paying Off
After a quarter-century working on the sidelines, ESPN’s newest full-time NBA announcer has broken through in a big way.
Jimmy Chin on the Deeper Meaning of Climbing
Professional climber Jimmy Chin has taken to filmmaking and photography to tell the stories of his high-stakes adventures.
Basketball’s Positionless Savior Is Ready for Primetime
Shoot threes like Bird, dunk like Jordan, or pass like Magic? A new generation of NBA stars, led by Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, no longer have to choose.
How My Father (Maybe) Started the Timeless ‘Beat L.A.!’ Chant
Tracing the origins of a defining moment in sports history can be daunting, especially when your own family steadfastly insists on what happened.
World Series Hopes Ride on a Pair of Aces
Despite sluggers aplenty on Houston and Los Angeles, each club's title chances hinge on the pitching prowess of Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw.
This Race Car Driver Is Defying Stereotypes at 200 Miles Per Hour
Meet Leilani Münter, a race car driver determined to make NASCAR green.
Kyrie Irving, the NBA’s Singular Star
While players around the league team up to chase the Warriors, the Celtics’ new point guard looks for a heavier burden.
How Bullpens Took Over Baseball’s Postseason
Teams are calling on relief pitchers earlier and earlier, and October looks drastically different because of it.
Roger Goodell's Empty Letter to the NFL
The league’s commissioner pleaded for unity while masking the issues that led to the anthem protests in the first place.
Jose Altuve, Baseball’s Unlikeliest Superstar
The 5-foot-6-inch Houston Astros second baseman and American League MVP frontrunner is one of the greatest anomalies in the sport’s history.
Baseball’s Wild Cards Are the Perfect Postseason Prologue
The exhilarating MLB play-in games break with the drowsiness of the regular season in the feverish lead-up to the World Series.
The Insidious Logic of 'Stick to Sports'
The 150-year-old marketing strategy casts professional athletics as an escape from, rather than a part of, American corporate culture.
Deciding to Skip the NFL Season
A football fan says goodbye to the league, a year after Colin Kaepernick’s first kneeling protest.
Football Has Always Been a Battleground in the Culture War
The NFL has become increasingly central to how America perceives itself, which means that sport and politics can never be divorced.
They Took a Knee
This weekend, a series of taunting messages from the president led to a widescale protest among players—in the NFL, and beyond.