Is this the best sports podcast ever? ESPN’s 30 for 30 is all about deep dives, from Bruce Lee to OJ Simpson

It is a bit of a fudge to describe ESPN’s umbrella brand for sports documentaries, 30 for 30, as a podcast. The brand’s films, celebrated for their use of sports to ask bigger questions about life and societal issues, have aired on US TV since 2009 and are frequently referenced in pop culture, including a parody episode of The Simpsons, “22 for 30.” The podcast spin-off, launched in 2017, tells new original stories designed specifically for audio but includes bonus interviews and anniversary specials that revisit some of the films’ biggest hits such as the OJ Simpson trial and the Two Escobars, the story of a Colombian footballer murdered for an error during the 1994 Fifa World Cup and the football-mad drug lord, who may or may not have been involved.

The audio episodes follow the format of the films, taking deep dives into a varied anthology of sports history and associated tangents, which also like the films, are not just limited to American athletes. “The Loophole” explores the case of Hideo Nomo, who in 1995 fought seemingly insurmountable legal and cultural barriers in his attempt to be the first Japanese Major League baseball player in 30 years. “Pink Card” tells the story of three generations of female Iranian football fans who have dared defy the law that prohibits women from attending any live sports. “Be Water” outlines Bruce Lee’s own fight with social injustice and his close relationship with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.