Extra Point

The reporters and editors at USA TODAY Sports examine the latest news and the biggest issues that make sports more than just a game. We go in-depth to explore personal fouls to finances and everything in between. We’ll expand on our reporting, argue about issues and interview guests who take you behind the scenes. 

Assessing the WADA database hack

USA TODAY Sports' Nancy Armour and Rachel Axon take an in-depth look at the recent hacking of the World Anti-Doping Agency's medical database. Nancy and Rachel provide the particulars into the spearfishing hack, which is being claimed by the "Fancy Bears Hack Team," a Russian espionage group that insists U.S. athletes have been given free passes on positive drug tests. Nancy and Rachel talk about why it happened, what it means -- especially for the athletes -- and what WADA should be doing about it all. Subscribe, rate and review the podcast on iTunes. Follow us on Twitter @nrarmour and @RachelAxon.

09-15
27:28

The latest on Russia's doping scandal

After an independent investigation found evidence of widespread doping by Russian track and field athletes, the team was banned from Rio 2016 by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Now, there are questions about whether the entire Russian delegation will be banned by the International Olympic Committee. USA TODAY Sports' Nancy Armour and Rachel Axon discuss the latest news from the scandal and ponder what might happen next. (Photo: Kay Nietfeld, EPA)

06-14
28:35

The photos that sent O.J. Simpson spiraling

The detailed story of a collection of damaging photos in the O.J. Simpson civil trial almost 20 years ago is finally brought to the foreground. This episode features USA TODAY Sports investigative reporters Rachel Axon and Erik Brady discussing Erik’s latest story, which focuses on Western New Yorker E.J. Flammer photographing Simpson wearing the rare kind of Bruno Magli shoes that he disputed possessing at the time his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were brutally murdered in 1994. Erik also goes in depth on the phone with John Q. Kelly, the attorney for the estate of Brown Simpson, about how the pictures sealed the result for the 1997 civil trial, in which Simpson was found liable for wrongful death and $33.5 million in damages. Read the complete story at usatoday.com, and subscribe and rate to out podcast on iTunes.

06-02
25:11

Bonus Track: What makes TPC golf's "fifth major"?

In this special episode leading up to The Players Championship, Nancy Armour and Steve DiMeglio of USA TODAY Sports gab about what makes this event the fifth major in golf. They discuss the popularity of the event, which lures a loaded field year in and year out, along with the difficulty (and background) of the course. Then they break down the story lines of this year's tournament, including the return of Jordan Spieth, the title defense and mind-set of Rickie Fowler, and the possible contenders.

05-11
23:51

Female sports reporters and online harassment

WARNING: This episode of Extra Point may contain some language offensive to listeners. Rachel Axon is joined by USA TODAY Sports colleagues Christine Brennan and Nancy Armour to discuss the recent #MoreThanMean video released by the Just Not Sports podcast, and examine the enormity of online harassment for female sports reporters. View the video and a column about the topic by Christine at: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2016/04/27/brennan-powerful-psa-mean-tweets-years-making/83620310/

04-30
30:15

Will Smith's death, Sean Payton's response

USA TODAY Sports' Rachel Axon and Jarrett Bell talk about the shooting death of former NFL defensive lineman Will Smith, including what we know about the traffic altercation that happened in New Orleans. Bell shares his conversation with Saints coach Sean Payton, who coached Smith from 2006-2013 and didn't hold back his feelings for gun laws and New Orleans crime.

04-12
20:16

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