Get ready for a game-changer! WHYY is hitting the airwaves with ‘Sports in America,’ a brand-new national show hosted by the brilliant David Greene. Forget the scores; this program dives deep into the fascinating human stories, struggles, and triumphs that make sports truly captivating. What hidden narratives are waiting to be uncovered?
Philadelphia’s public media landscape is set to expand significantly with the launch of “Sports in America,” a groundbreaking national program from WHYY. Hosted by the acclaimed journalist David Greene, this new venture promises a fresh perspective on the world of athletics, moving beyond traditional scoreboards to explore the profound human narratives that define our connection to games. Debuting on September 30, 2025, the weekly public radio show and podcast will be distributed nationwide by PRX, reaching a broad audience of listeners and public stations.
“Sports in America” is meticulously designed to highlight the often-overlooked human dimension of sports. Through in-depth, long-form conversations, Greene will engage with athletes, coaches, and passionate fans, delving into their personal journeys, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and the triumphs that shape their experiences. This approach aims to illuminate why sports resonate so deeply within American culture, positioning the program as a distinctive voice in contemporary sports journalism.
David Greene, widely recognized for his tenure as a host on NPR’s “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” brings a wealth of experience in guiding audiences through complex topics with both clarity and empathy. His current role as host of KCRW and PRX’s politics program further underscores his versatility. Greene expressed his enthusiasm for crafting “immersive conversations that peel back layers and allow people to reveal their truth,” emphasizing the show’s goal to honor public media while delivering the energy sports enthusiasts crave.
WHYY President and CEO Bill Marrazzo articulated that the program perfectly aligns with the station’s core mission and directly addresses a palpable demand from its audience. Marrazzo highlighted the vital societal role of sports, stating, “Behind every game is a story of identity, struggle, and triumph waiting to be told.” This sentiment reinforces “Sports in America’s” commitment to profound storytelling and its potential to contribute meaningfully to national dialogue.
PRX, a distinguished distributor for notable programs such as “This American Life” and “Radiolab,” will manage the national distribution of “Sports in America” across both radio and podcast platforms. Stephanie Kuo, PRX’s Vice President of Content, lauded Greene’s exceptional ability to foster “illuminating conversation” and forge genuine connections with listeners, underscoring the high expectations for the program’s impact. This partnership ensures broad accessibility for the innovative sports journalism content.
Beyond its primary broadcast and podcast formats, “Sports in America” is set to enrich its offerings through additional multimedia elements. The show will incorporate curated content from “More Than a Game,” a podcast developed in collaboration with Religion of Sports, further diversifying its narrative scope. Furthermore, a dedicated video version of the program is scheduled to launch on YouTube in 2026, signaling an expansion into visual storytelling and broader digital engagement for the American sports culture narrative.
Greene acknowledged the invaluable support from his partners at WHYY and PRX, crediting them for backing this ambitious project. He expressed his honor to be part of a team dedicated to bringing the “incredible stories” embedded within the sports world to life. With its unique blend of insightful journalism, compelling storytelling, and a profound passion for athletics, “Sports in America” aims not only to broaden the reach of public media but also to tap into one of the few cultural arenas where Americans consistently gather and connect, fostering community through shared narratives.