Sports

Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona was one of several stars who took part in Friday's draw for the 2018 World Cup. The widely watched draw was held at the Kremlin in Moscow.

2018 World Cup Draw Is Complete, With No Obvious 'Group Of Death'

2:24pm December 01, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Spain will play Portugal, France will play Peru, and Brazil will play Switzerland — but the draw for the Russian-hosted tournament lacks an obviously imposing group.

A photo from 2016 Rio Games, shows Iran's Ali Reza Karimi, right, facing off USA's J'den Michael Tbory Cox (red) in the men's 86kg freestyle quarter-final match.

Iranian Wrestler Throws Match To Avoid Facing Israeli In Next Round

9:32am November 29, 2017

by Scott Neuman

At championships in Poland, Ali Reza Karimi all but won his match against Russian opponent until his coach commanded him from the sidelines to lose.

The NHL And CTE

5:19am November 29, 2017

The NFL has been more active than the NHL in addressing concerns about concussions and CTE. David Greene talks with neuroscientist Charles Tator talks about hockey's tepid response.

Alabama Men's Basketball Team Almost Had An Amazing Comeback

4:38pm November 27, 2017

Down to only three players on the court, the University of Alabama men's basketball team came very close to pulling off the upset of a lifetime against Minnesota. Instead, the team will have to settle for one of the grittiest losing efforts ever.

Sports

Youth Soccer Referee Says Parents Are A Problem At Games

8:00am November 25, 2017

Avery Krut, volunteer referee for the American Youth Soccer Organization in Beverly Hills, Calif., tells NPR's Scott Simon about why he's had enough of parents' behavior on the sidelines.

Sports

Saturday Sports: The Future Of The NFL

8:00am November 25, 2017

Scott Simon talks with Howard Bryant of ESPN about questions of how long the NFL can continue to dominate professional sports.

A fallen leaf reflects in a puddle in a park.

For Many Native Americans, Fall Is The Least Wonderful Time Of The Year

12:24pm November 23, 2017

by Savannah Maher

"Fall is the annual middle finger this country gives Native Americans," says one member of the Oglala Lakota nation.

Sports

Is Sports A Safe Conversation Topic At Thanksgiving Anymore?

5:08am November 23, 2017

Sports commentator Pablo Torre tells NPR's Noel King about how to navigate conversation at Thanksgiving dinner now that sports has become so politicized it's no longer a go-to safe space.

Former U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Doctor Pleads Guilty To Sexual Abuse

5:31pm November 22, 2017

by Kate Wells

A former U.S. Olympic gymnastics team doctor pleaded guilty today to child sexual abuse. Larry Nassar admitted to abusing young girls under the guise of medical treatment. It was a surreal, emotional moment – especially for survivors who say they reported the abuse years ago.

What Kind Of Future Should America's Favorite Spectator Sport Expect?

4:45pm November 22, 2017

by Tom Goldman

Tomorrow a holiday tradition — Thanksgiving and the NFL. Fans have three different games they can devour, but TV ratings are down as controversy has dogged America's number one spectator sport. Is the future of the NFL at risk?