Episode 72: College Sport ’Apocalypse’

*Content warning: discussion of physical and sexual abuse within the episode*

 

On this episode of The End of Sport, Derek and Nathan break down why recent name, image, and likeness developments in college sport are neither apocalypse nor cause for celebration by focusing on the myriad ways college sport remains profoundly exploitative. The hosts draw on their work in a recent piece published in The Guardian, entitled "There's never been a better time for US college athletes to unionize," to show that unionization and explicitly employee status are the only avenue of reform that can comprehensively address the layers of harm that define the college sport industrial complex, including the horrific abuse that has recently been disclosed at the University of Michigan.

For more background, check out two other pieces heavily cited in the episode: our article on the plantation dynamics of college sport and a column by Nathan and Kevin Shafer on the abuses in Ann Arbor and Columbus. The End of Sport crew have also published a number of relevant articles on the corrupt college football system, health and safety issues related to college sports during the pandemic, and the NCAA's union-busting tendencies. 

 

For a transcription of this episode, please click here. (Updated semi-regularly Credit @punkademic)

Research Assistance for The End of Sport provided by Abigail Bomba.

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