Sports

Jerry West, the perennial NBA All-Star and architect of the Lakers’ “Showtime” and Shaq/Kobe eras, dies at 86.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

University of Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley said, “Thanks, but no thanks” to a reported six-year deal to be the Lakers’ new coach. The offer would’ve doubled his salary.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Japanese Americans have played baseball in SoCal for 100 years, but the last Japanese American youth league in LA County — Sansei Baseball — is shrinking.

Sansei league shows deep bond between baseball and Japanese Californians

Japanese Americans have played baseball in SoCal for 100 years, but the last Japanese American youth league in LA County — Sansei Baseball — is shrinking.

from KCRW Features

Noah Gittell’s new book, “Baseball: The Movie,” traces the lineage of and connection between two great American pastimes — baseball and film.

Baseball movies are ‘perfect genre’ to reflect hard American truths

Noah Gittell’s new book, “Baseball: The Movie,” traces the lineage of and connection between two great American pastimes — baseball and film.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Decades worth of Negro League figures are now part of the Major League Baseball’s record books . Poet, historian, and author Rowan Ricardo Phillips argues that MLB should do more.

Is Major League Baseball doing enough to atone for past segregation?

Decades worth of Negro League figures are now part of the Major League Baseball’s record books . Poet, historian, and author Rowan Ricardo Phillips argues that MLB should do more.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The French Open kicked off on Sunday. Rafael Nadal lost in the first round, Coco Gauff advanced, while Naomi Osaka fell to Iga Swiatek in an intense match.

Will this be tennis superstar Rafael Nadal’s last French Open?

The French Open kicked off on Sunday. Rafael Nadal lost in the first round, Coco Gauff advanced, while Naomi Osaka fell to Iga Swiatek in an intense match.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Bill Walton, a UCLA star-turned-Clippers player, died on Sunday. After shooting hoops in the NBA, he became an ESPN broadcaster known for colorful commentary.

Tribute to the late Bill Walton, UCLA phenom and NBA talent

Bill Walton, a UCLA star-turned-Clippers player, died on Sunday. After shooting hoops in the NBA, he became an ESPN broadcaster known for colorful commentary.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The LA Sparks host the Indiana Fever (and phenom Caitlin Clark) on Friday.

The Caitlin Clark show heads to LA. What to expect?

The LA Sparks host the Indiana Fever (and phenom Caitlin Clark) on Friday.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Lulu’s Place will offer LA kids free sports and academic programs inside state-of-the-art facilities funded by major donations.

Lulu’s Place: $150M philanthropic project for LA youth breaks ground

Lulu’s Place will offer LA kids free sports and academic programs inside state-of-the-art facilities funded by major donations.

from KCRW Features

After the Denver Nuggets eliminated the Lakers from the NBA playoffs on Monday night, Lebron James refused to say whether or not he’ll be wearing purple and yellow next season.

Was last night Lebron James’ final game as a Laker?

After the Denver Nuggets eliminated the Lakers from the NBA playoffs on Monday night, Lebron James refused to say whether or not he’ll be wearing purple and yellow next season.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Basketball star Cailin Clark signed with the Indiana Fever, but she’s elevating the entire WNBA. Will a rising interest in women’s basketball boost the LA Sparks?

Will the ‘Caitlin Clark effect’ boost LA Sparks ticket sales?

Basketball star Cailin Clark signed with the Indiana Fever, but she’s elevating the entire WNBA. Will a rising interest in women’s basketball boost the LA Sparks?

from KCRW Features

More than a dozen horses died during the 2023 racing season at events like the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. A new documentary looks at what’s behind the crisis.

How money and greed took over professional horse racing

More than a dozen horses died during the 2023 racing season at events like the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. A new documentary looks at what’s behind the crisis.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Southern California’s Kareem Maddox, a former radio host and Princeton alum, will compete in 3x3 basketball for Team USA at the Paris Summer Olympics.

From radio waves to Olympics, Kareem Maddox shares his journey

Southern California’s Kareem Maddox, a former radio host and Princeton alum, will compete in 3x3 basketball for Team USA at the Paris Summer Olympics.

from KCRW Features

The Los Angeles Rebellion gives queer men a platform to take competition seriously while finding their people.

Queer rugby club is shattering perceptions of men in contact sports

The Los Angeles Rebellion gives queer men a platform to take competition seriously while finding their people.

from KCRW Features

The Dodgers' home opener is today as a cloud hangs over star player Shohei Ohtani due to allegations that his now-former interpreter stole millions from Ohtani to cover gambling debts.

Dodgers to play home opener while Ohtani investigation continues

The Dodgers' home opener is today as a cloud hangs over star player Shohei Ohtani due to allegations that his now-former interpreter stole millions from Ohtani to cover gambling debts.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

It’s opening day for the LA Dodgers, who are feeling the pressure amid an ongoing investigation into star Shohei Ohtani and costly acquisitions during the off-season.

Dodgers kick off home opener amid Ohtani investigation

It’s opening day for the LA Dodgers, who are feeling the pressure amid an ongoing investigation into star Shohei Ohtani and costly acquisitions during the off-season.

from KCRW Features

The Japanese American community in LA’s South Bay is taking pride in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ star Japanese players this season.

Japanese American Dodgers fans have a little more to root for

The Japanese American community in LA’s South Bay is taking pride in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ star Japanese players this season.

from KCRW Features

LA Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani said his ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly stole millions to pay gambling debts. His story raises plausibility questions.

Questions remain after Ohtani says ex-interpreter stole money

LA Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani said his ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly stole millions to pay gambling debts. His story raises plausibility questions.

from KCRW Features

Shohei Ohtani got two hits in his Dodger regular-season debut against the Padres. Plus, the NCAA women's basketball tournament is drawing more attention than the men’s competition.

Ohtani’s Dodger debut is a hit!

Shohei Ohtani got two hits in his Dodger regular-season debut against the Padres. Plus, the NCAA women's basketball tournament is drawing more attention than the men’s competition.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In Montecito, Patrick Saville cut off Mark Olson when surfing, then accidentally kicked his board toward him, hurting Olson’s back. Olson sued but lost the case.

Injured due to another surfer’s ‘kook’ behavior — can you sue?

In Montecito, Patrick Saville cut off Mark Olson when surfing, then accidentally kicked his board toward him, hurting Olson’s back. Olson sued but lost the case.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand