On Tuesday, former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue ruled on the appeals of New Orleans Saints players implicated in the NFL bounty scandal. He disagreed with current commissioner Roger Goodell, saying the players should be reinstated and have their fines vacated. Bill talks with Slate Magazine’s Executive Editor Josh Levin about the politics of the decision.

The Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers are formerly successful teams not finding success this season, but both teams still have plenty of fans. As the teams prepare to face off this weekend in Dallas, Bill talks with former and extended members of the OAG family about how they’re feeling.

The New York Knicks won a close game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, solidifying their seat atop the Eastern Conference and their status as one of the hottest teams in basketball. Howard Beck, who covers the NBA for the ‘New York Times’, chats with Bill about what’s been working for the Knicks this season.

In 1977, a recipe of minor league hockey, swearing and violence produced an enduring piece of sports cinema. This year marks the 35th anniversary of ‘Slap Shot’. Only A Game’s Doug Tribou looks at the staying power of the hockey comedy that starred Paul Newman and three bruising, bespectacled brothers.

An urban horse race track in Hong Kong has a deep history dating back to British rule. OAG’s Charlie Schroeder brings us the story of Happy Valley.

A high school basketball game this week ended in a score of 107-2, inspiring debate over mercy rules, coaching, and the psychological toll of blowouts on the athletes. Dr. Daniel Gould of Michigan State University joins Bill to discuss how athletes deal with such losses.

OAG analyst Charlie Pierce joins Bill to talk about developments in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, the suspension of Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice, the future of the Big East Conference, and a giant lizard hanging around a golf tournament.

Public financing of sports stadiums raises questions of the impact on communities surrounding the venues. Patrick Hruby wrote an article for the website Sports on Earth about his ideas of the negative side effects of such monumental spending. He joins Bill to discuss his rationale behind this argument.

In the aftermath of the Connecticut school shootings, Bill reflects on covering sports in difficult times.

Gary Waleik lists some of the music played on Only A game this week.