Sports Wars

Sports Wars

By Wondery

You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

Sports rivalries can fuel fans and athletes to fight and argue for years. But what’s the real story behind these epic battles?

From Wondery, the company behind “Business Wars”, “Gladiator” and “The Lead” comes SPORTS WARS, a new series that offers an immersive look at some of the greatest athletic rivalries of all time: two superpower nations facing off in the Miracle on Ice. The battle for the starting quarterback gig in Green Bay between Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. And many more.

Host Dan Rubenstein (Sports Illustrated, SB Nation) will take you from the grudge matches to the pranks, from the tantrums to the triumphs: what really happened, who was right, who was wrong -- and you can decide whose side you’re on.

Binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/sports-wars/ now.

Episodes

Listen Now: 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast

Cuddly as a cactus and charming as an eel, Whoville's favorite talk show host is back on the mic! The Grinch may hate the holidays, but he loves his new celebrity status as a chart-topping podcaster. With Cindy Lou and Max by his side, join The Grinch each week as he stubbornly refuses the joys of the season, cozies up to his celebrity guests — and investigates a brand-new mystery that puts him right at the center of another dastardly Christmas caper. All the children of Whoville's letters to Santa have gone missing, and Grinch is Suspect No. 1. Follow along at the end of each episode to help Grinch and his crew solve this WHO-dunnit in time for Christmas! Plus, tune into Wondery+ as Cindy Lou and Max take the case into their own hands! Starring SNL's James Austin Johnson as the iconic green grump, and featuring famous faces the whole family will love, 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast might just grow your heart three sizes this winter season.For even more cheer, subscribe to Wondery+ to join Cindy Lou and Max the Dog as they take the case of the missing letters into their own hands!Follow 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Unlock Cindy Lou and Max’s exclusive Christmas mystery investigation and listen to every episode ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by visiting Wondery.fm/Grinch.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
25/11/246m 39s

Conor vs Khabib | Worlds Apart | 1

You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.One boy is from Dagestan. His father teaches him to be a disciplined wrestler, a devout Muslim. The other boy grows up in Ireland. He feels like the world is out of his control, and he channels his rage into boxing. While the two may come from different backgrounds, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor find themselves on the same path. It's a path that, one day, will lead them straight into each other's crosshairs—in UFC’s Octagon.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
23/07/2129m 49s

Globetrotters vs. The World | Survival of the Misfits | 1

You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Before LeBron, and before MJ—before Magic, Bird, and even Bill Russell, basketball was defined by one name. Globetrotters. The Harlem Globetrotters would go on to change the world. But in the beginning, the squad faced an uphill battle. They were an upstart touring team, trying to become a profitable sports organization. Yet few Americans considered basketball a sport worth watching. And the Globetrotters struggled to gain a footing amid a national crisis: the Great Depression.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
29/07/2030m 55s

Serena vs. Venus | East Compton Hills Country Club | 1

You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.They’re legends. Records breakers. Stars who’ve dominated the biggest stages in tennis. Yet Serena and Venus Williams rose to fame under some of the most unlikely circumstances. And the two would not only face off against the tennis establishment. They’d have to struggle through a complicated sibling rivalry.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
17/06/2031m 42s

Baseball After 9/11 | Mets Magic | 1

For the last twelve years, John Franco has been living a dream. The 40-year-old relief pitcher is playing ball for the Mets, in his hometown of New York City. But everything changes for Franco, his teammates, and the country on the morning of September 11, 2001. And in the days that follow, the Mets, led by Franco and Mike Piazza, will do their part to help America heal from a national tragedy.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
20/05/2029m 47s

Sports vs. the Spanish Flu - Rise of the Babe | 1

The year is 1918. And the world is stunned by a deadly new flu. But the virus can't stop one baseball player. He’s a lefty pitcher who will go on to change the game—but not from the mound. It's the surprising ascent of the Great Bambino. The Sultan Of Swat. The batting legend Babe Ruth.To hear more episodes of Sports Wars Sports vs. the Spanish Flu, listen exclusively with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for this and more exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/sportswarsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
29/04/2030m 30s

Tiger vs. the Field - Earl's Son | 1

The numbers are staggering: 82 official PGA Tour event wins. Fifteen majors. Opponent after opponent, course after course—all vanquished. In many ways, Tiger Woods doesn't have a typical rival. But he does face enormous obstacles, from his difficult father, Earl, to his own outsized ambitions. Both will propel and haunt him throughout his career. But first, he'll need to learn to swing a club.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
20/03/2032m 32s

Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock - The WWF Comes Calling | 1

Leg drops. Piledrivers. Battles with metal folding chairs. It’s the wild, over-the-top world of professional wrestling, where anything goes. And beginning in the 1990s, wrestling saw one of its great rivalries, as two stars competed for the top spot. One was a grizzled veteran on his last legs. The other: a bright-eyed rookie looking to redeem himself. It was Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, and the two would go on to change wrestling. But first, they’d have to fight to get a chance in the ring.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
26/02/2034m 34s

Kobe vs. Shaq Revisited - It’s Showtime | 1

*In light of Kobe Bryant's tragic passing, we're re-airing our series on the rivalry between Kobe and Shaquille O'Neal.* It’s 1996, and the Los Angeles Lakers are priming for greatness. First they sign the gargantuan, indomitable Shaquille O’Neal. Then they bring on a 17-year-old with epic potential: Kobe Bryant. What a coup, right? There’s only one problem. Shaq and Kobe can’t stand each other. (This is the first episode in a six-part series.)You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
05/02/2029m 26s

Brady vs. Manning - Family First | 1

For years, football fans were divided. You were either a Tom Brady fan or a Peyton Manning fan. The two quarterbacks came to define the modern NFL, as they cemented their status as all-time greats. It was a rivalry between two players with remarkable similarities and differences—one who came from football royalty, and one who’d been long overlooked.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
08/01/2034m 22s

LeBron vs. The Warriors — Chosen One vs. the World | 1

It was the king versus the upstarts. The superman versus the superteam. It was LeBron versus the Warriors. The rivalry, which spanned four straight NBA Finals, would reshape basketball for years to come. And it began with two kids from Akron, Ohio—one who lived in poverty, and one who grew up the son of NBA royalty.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
06/12/1934m 28s

Sanders vs. Rice — Running Against the Dark | 1

For nearly twenty years, Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice wowed football fans with their dazzling speed and athleticism. And for nearly twenty years, neither man could stand the other. There were on-field battles, handshakes ignored, wars of words, and blow-ups in the media. And for one contentious season, they were forced to be teammates with a shared goal: a Super Bowl championship.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
13/11/1934m 49s

Mets vs. Yankees — Interleague Play | 1

The Mets and the Yankees may share a city, but they’ve never really been rivals. That all changes in the summer of 2000. You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
18/10/1926m 16s

Tyson vs. Holyfield — Sweet Science Schooling | 1

Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. It's one of the greatest rivalries in boxing history, and it began with sterling mentors, Olympic dreams, and bad luck.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
25/09/1925m 14s

McGwire vs. Sosa — Saving Baseball | 1

Blasts. Jacks. Moonshots. Grand salamis. Nothing's quite so mythical as baseball's home run. In 1998, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa reminded the nation of that as they tried to smash into the record books. They thought they were going to save baseball. Instead, they destroyed their reputations.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
30/08/1929m 30s

Texas vs Oklahoma - The Red River Shootout | 1

What makes the rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma so doggone contentious? Maybe it’s that these states hate each other so much they almost went to war over a bridge. Maybe it’s the underhanded stunts coaches like Mike Leach have pulled to win. Or maybe it’s just because with great proximity comes great hostility. Over the next three episodes, we’ll dig into this unparalleled grudge match.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
14/08/1922m 34s

Georgia vs Florida - The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party | 1

For the next six episodes, we're focusing on two of the greatest rivalries in college football: Georgia vs. Florida and Texas vs. Oklahoma. We begin with Georgia vs. Florida, a long-simmering, start-studded, completely unruly matchup. These schools have hated each other for a century. Here's why.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
02/08/1922m 5s

Kobe vs Shaq - It’s Showtime | 1

It’s 1996, and the Los Angeles Lakers are priming for greatness. First they sign the gargantuan, indomitable Shaquille O’Neal. Then they bring on a 17-year-old with epic potential: Kobe Bryant. What a coup, right? There’s only one problem. Shaq and Kobe can’t stand each other. (This is the first episode in a six-part series.)You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10/07/1927m 57s

Jordan vs Isiah - The Freeze Out | 1

It’s 1985. Michael Jordan is a flashy Chicago Bulls rookie, and Isiah Thomas is an established star for the Detroit Pistons. When they’re thrust together at the NBA All-Star Game, it’s not exactly love at first sight. Jordan feels slighted by Isiah, and Isiah can’t stand Jordan’s swagger. A brutal rivalry starts in a weekend and lasts for over a decade.You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
07/06/1925m 49s

Federer vs Nadal - The Hothead | 1

In this series we explore the unique tennis rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal-- two very different players, both exceptional, in pursuit of perfection. Swiss-born Roger Federer was seemingly born with a racquet in his hand and at a young age he quickly masters the game, but what he needs to reach the top is to learn how to master his emotions. Meanwhile, Spaniard Rafael Nadal learns the game under the tutelage of his uncle Toni on the clay courts of Mallorca, where the decision to make him a left-handed player separates him early from his competition. You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Support us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
08/05/1926m 58s

Favre vs. Rodgers - Good Morning, Grandpa | 1

You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.It's 2005 and The Green Bay Packers are on the clock in this year's NFL Draft. The last thing most Packers fans think the team needs in the draft is a new quarterback. Their team already has Hall of Famer, Brett Favre, who is in the middle of his record-breaking Iron Man streak for consecutive games started. But when Aaron Rodgers slips in the draft, the new Packers GM makes a risky call, and sets up a bitter rivalry between two quarterbacks with very different styles.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
17/04/1926m 36s

Introducing Sports Wars

Brett Favre vs. Aaron Rodgers. Michael Jordan vs. Isiah Thomas. And many more...You can binge all episodes of Sports Wars exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
05/04/191m 49s
-
-
Heart UK
Mute/Un-mute