Motez Bishara

CNN • 2nd April 2020

A fierce critic of Turkey, Enes Kanter has more than just losing the NBA season on his mind

One of the NBA's most popular players has been facing a range of tumultuous challenges off the court, including death threats and the criminal trial of his father back home in Turkey.

CNN • 31st March 2020

NBA: Who will eat the billion dollar loss?

The NBA is one of the world's wealthiest sports associations affected by the coronavirus, and the disease's economic impact on it could be fierce.

The National • 24th February 2020

How Kenya's growing yoga movement is empowering the country's poor

Thanks to a grassroots initiative that began over a decade ago, Kenya has emerged as the yoga capital of Africa, churning out talented yoga instructors while broadening the country’s appeal beyond safaris and white-sand beaches.

CNN • 27th January 2020

For Kobe Bryant, being a great basketball player was never enough

The NBA legend leaves a complicated legacy in his aftermath, but his accomplishments cannot be denied.

Sky Sports • 10th December 2019

NBA Report Card: Nets shine as Knicks implode in battle for New York

The Nets have an awkward problem: They play better when one of their franchise players is not on the floor.

CNN • 25th October 2019

LAFC ousts LA Galaxy from MLS Cup as crosstown rivalry takes on new heights

A fierce cross-city rivalry is brewing off Highway 110 in Los Angeles that holds up to any of the classic derbies played in world football -- at least in terms of fan support and personal grudges on the pitch.

CNN • 23rd October 2019

NBA fans protest on home soil with T-shirt giveaway in Los Angeles

A free speech defender, who goes by the alias Sun, organized handouts of 13,000 T-shirts before the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center on Tuesday.

CNN • 23rd October 2019

NBA Opening Day: Clippers top Lakers amid Chinese protests

Once the Lakers and Clippers tipped-off opening night, the NBA reminded the world how it came to be an iconic global brand in the first place.

CNN • 9th October 2019

Pride at stake for both China and NBA, with possible $4 billion fallout

Five days after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey deleted his now famous tweet with the words "stand with Hong Kong," the most popular sports league in the most populous country in the world is getting an earful from all directions.

CNN • 1st July 2019

Yankees crush Red Sox in London, but baseball comes away winning

Given the buzz generated by the pair of games between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox over the past weekend, the unlikely marriage between London and Major League Baseball could be one that lasts.

CNN • 27th June 2019

'A fight was ready to breakout anytime': Yankees, Red Sox greats recall epic dust-ups from past decade

A lookback on the greatest rivalry in sports, through the lens of five of prominent players -- David Wells, David Cone, Bronson Arroyo, Bernie Williams and Alex Rodriguez -- from an era of peak hostility a decade ago.

CNN • 4th May 2019

'Hoop Dreams' at 25: Gates and Agee brushed by murders, remain bonded

Released in 1994, "Hoop Dreams" is considered one of the greatest documentaries of all time. While essentially creating the reality show format by shadowing two inner-city players, it exposed rife corruption in youth basketball -- a plague that now falls under intense scrutiny with an FBI investigation.

CNN • 10th April 2019

Dwyane Wade takes final steps in remarkable 'One Last Dance' tour

Wade's on court achievements are outstanding, but his lasting imprint will be left as a social activist who reawakened the political power of the pro athlete back in 2012.

CNN • 1st March 2019

Dwyane Wade on Zion: 'You hope and pray nothing happens'

As Zion Williamson remains sidelined by a knee injury, the Duke basketball star's decision on whether to return to the court as an unpaid college athlete is still a hot topic among current and former NBA players.

CNN • 19th December 2018

How Alex Rodriguez turned his life around

The former Yankees slugger is a case study on public redemption.

CNN • 28th November 2018

How Donald Trump and the anthem protest empowered NFL players

In an era marked by divided opinions in the US, a crop of NFL players is quietly trying to bridge the cultural divide with messages of inclusion and charitable work.

CNN • 20th November 2018

'It's like going in blindfolded': Jordan Mailata's incredible NFL journey

A year ago, the 21-year-old former Australian Rugby League player tried on a football helmet and pads for the very first time. By April, he was drafted as an offensive lineman by the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

CNN • 13th November 2018

How 'Last Chance U' and American Football are reshaping television

Viewers can't get enough of the grit and drama surrounding the brutal sport, and production companies led by Amazon and Netflix are taking notice.

CNN • 31st October 2018

Kevin Love: Over 40% of NBA battling mental health

With World Mental Health Day landing a few days before the NBA season launched in October, a reminder was served that the league's policy concerning mental illness is evolving.

CNN • 22nd October 2018

NFL locker room confidential

Reporting from an NFL locker room is one of the strangest things a journalist can experience. It also should come with a list of do's and dont's.