Pablo Torre Finds Out

USMNT's Tim Weah on World Cup Dreams, the American Idea... and Wu-Tang

He is the realest member of Team USA — an activist athlete, from Brooklyn and the African diaspora, choosing to represent a divisive nation as it tries bringing the globe a little closer together. In a rare sit-down ahead of the U.S. men's national team match against Australia, Timothy Weah explains the pressure of this moment, the power of soccer over politics... and why the Knicks' good-luck charm might need to strike again.• Listen to The Athletic FC Podcast• Listen to Tifo Football Podcast• Subscribe to The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The (Summer School) Sporting Class: Sex, Dolan and Contract Haircuts

Did the Knicks owner's pump-up speech help them win it all? Did their players stop fornicating because of it? How much do billionaires matter to championships anyway? And should superstars sacrifice millions for the greater good? David Samson and Domonique Foxworth chart the power and powerlessness of the billionaire class.• Subscribe to "The Domonique Foxworth Show"• Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Reverse 9/11": Celebrating These Knicks Title Vibes, with Desus Nice

Transcendence on the court. Dancing in the streets. And a drunk Instagram Live for the ages. Why wait 'til the parade? Pablo raises a glass (while devouring an egg-and-cheese) with Desus — his fellow New Yorker and bard of Knicks nation — to the commute of a champion and the beauty of a bandwagon; to the drip of Landry Shamet and the sweat of Patrick Ewing; to KAT and OG and Wu-Tang and, yes, even Coldplay. Just not that traitor from Sesame Street.• Subscribe to "Desus Pieces"• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter • Subscribe to The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UFC at the White House: How Dana White and Donald Trump Cashed In

The president's birthday-party fight card is straight out of central casting — and chock-full of political favor-trading. Who stands to gain the most? Luke Thomas unapologetically explains why everyone, from MMA fans to D.C. pundits, is missing the real story... then unearths fresh evidence of a purely transactional relationship.• Take the PTFO audience survey• Subscribe to "Morning Kombat" with Luke Thomas• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter• Subscribe to The AthleticPreviously on PTFO:• The Right-Wing Takeover of Combat Sports Is Upon Us• The White House's Dirty Takeover of Public Golf Courses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America Signed Up for the World Cup. FIFA Stuck You with the Tab.

The biggest party in global sport is underway, and soccer's governing body stands to profit nearly $9 billion. How did FIFA squeeze U.S. taxpayers with so many hidden costs? The Athletic's Adam Crafton crunches the numbers on wasted public money, as Pablo dissects comically absurd demands upon host cities — from "clean" stadiums and super-V.I.P. treatment... to a pop-up jail.• Take the PTFO audience survey• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter• Subscribe to The AthleticFurther reading:• "The U.S. signed up for the World Cup — and its host cities are paying for it"• "U.S. states waived taxes to host World Cup"• "The $25.8m Kansas City 'World Cup jail'"• Rahm Emanuel Q&A: 'The numbers don't work'" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.