Ep 9. Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (October 2020)

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is an award-winning sports journalism show that airs on HBO. Each episode delves into a variety of sports-adjacent topics, from athletes and their journeys to the political and social issues surrounding sports. In season 26, episode 9, which premiered in October 2020, viewers can expect to see a range of engaging and thought-provoking stories.

One segment of this episode features a profile of Christian Pulisic, a young American soccer star. Raised in Pennsylvania, Pulisic is considered by many to be the future of US soccer. The segment explores Pulisic's early years, his performances for the US Men's National Team, and his new role as a key player for Chelsea FC in the English Premier League. Interviews with Pulisic, his family, and his coaches provide insight into his determination and talent and his potential to energize US soccer.

Another feature delves into the financial challenges facing minor league baseball players. With many minor league teams being shut down due to the pandemic, players are facing even more uncertainty than usual. Real Sports examines the low salaries that many minor leaguers receive, with some earning less than the minimum wage, and the lack of basic benefits that protect workers in other industries. The segment features interviews with players and experts who explain why major league teams have been able to get away with underpaying minor leaguers for so long.

Real Sports also looks into the dangers of youth football. Despite growing concerns about the long-term effects of brain injuries, many young children continue to play tackle football. This segment profiles a youth football coach who has abandoned the sport because of his concerns about brain damage, as well as a college football player who has suffered multiple concussions. The segment also investigates new research into how brain injuries occur in football and what can be done to protect young players.

The episode also includes a piece on the history of women's college basketball. The segment explores how the sport has grown in popularity over the decades and how it has become a major part of the NCAA's revenue-generating machine. Viewers will hear from coaches, players, and experts about the challenges that women's basketball has faced, including unequal funding and opportunities. The segment celebrates the players who have helped to make women's college basketball the vibrant and exciting sport that it is today.

Finally, viewers can expect a report on the Sabah London boxing club, which offers a unique form of therapy to refugee and immigrant communities in the UK. Founded by a former professional boxer, the club uses boxing to help people who have suffered trauma and displacement to rebuild their confidence, strength, and sense of community. The segment features interviews with the club's founder, the staff, and members who share how this unconventional approach has changed their lives.

In this season 26 episode 9 of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, viewers will get a chance to explore a wide range of fascinating topics related to sports and beyond. The show's commitment to investigative reporting and storytelling promises to make this installment as riveting as ever.