Ben Baskin, Sports Illustrated

Ben Baskin

Sports Illustrated

New York, NY, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • Sports Illustrated

Past articles by Ben:

Cleveland Browns are true contenders with Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr.

For the NFL’s centenary, a historically hexed franchise and an agonizingly vexed fan base are eagerly anticipating a resurrection of Biblical proportions. Thanks to some bold moves and brash personalities, the league’s biggest losers of the last two decades—yes, the Cleveland Browns—are Super Bowl contenders. → Read More

Penn legend Jerome Allen and the story behind his illegal payout

What would lead Penn's basketball coach, an ex-pro player and beloved Quakers star, to take payouts from the father of a phony recruit? And what would happen when that phony recruit's father turned out to be the man behind a sprawling Medicare fraud? Before the Varsity Blues scandal, there was Jerome Allen. → Read More

Patriots WR Julian Edelman has come full circle after ACL injury, suspension

Julian Edelman had big plans for his career both on and off the field, but it was all put on hold when he tore his ACL in August 2017. Nearly two years later, with his injury and suspension behind him, the Patriots’ wide receiver has come full circle, winning a Super Bowl MVP award and producing a documentary on Showtime—and he still wants more. → Read More

Women's March Madness Championship Preview: Notre Dame vs. Baylor

Notre Dame is looking to become the first non-UConn program to repeat as champions since Tennessee did so in 2007-08. → Read More

Notre Dame, Baylor Survive Back-and-Forth Affairs to Secure Spots in Title Game

Notre Dame returns to the national championship to face a Baylor team that is making its first appearance since winning it all in 2012. → Read More

Asia Durr's March Madness won't be complete without Louisville title

In four seasons at Louisville, Asia Durr has blossomed into a spectacular scorer while advancing ever closer to her dream: the school's first national title. But March can be the cruelest month—and three powerhouses stand in the Cardinals' way. → Read More

2019 Super Bowl: How Tom Brady, Bill Belichick built Patriots' dynasty

After yet another Super Bowl title for the Patriots, their sixth since 2002, it's easy to forget how New England's run of success began. These are the origin stories of football's marquee dynasty—from the Krafts' humble beginning to the rise of Brady and Belichick to the surprising stars of Super Bowl LIII. → Read More

Rocky Gets Right: How Creed (and Michael B. Jordan) Give the Boxing Franchise New Life

For decades Rocky has blurred the lines between reality and fiction, inspiring fans of a certain makeup. The franchise’s latest iteration, Creed II, leaves no doubt that Michael B. Jordan is the future—and that’s inspiring to a whole new audience. → Read More

Jarvis Landry: Cleveland Browns’ new WR out to prove his worth

Desperate to turn its fortunes around, the Cleveland Browns traded for Jarvis Landry, who mostly plays out of the slot, and then paid him big ($47 million guaranteed). Critics abound, but Landry is out to prove that the gamble on an inside receiver was worth it. → Read More

An oral history of the McGwire-Sosa toga cover

After the 1998 home run chase, SI concocted the idea of dressing Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in togas. What transpired required a private jet, a journey through the Dominican Republic and one of the strangest covers in the history of the magazine. → Read More

Ravens minicamp: Robert Griffin III mentoring Lamar Jackson

Rookie QB Lamar Jackson is getting all of the attention at Ravens' minicamp—from both the media and from Robert Griffin III. → Read More

Can Alex Smith Turn Around Washington’s Misfortunes? Players, Coaches and Fans Are Hopeful

Veteran QB Alex Smith and with a handful of new offensive pieces like Derrius Guice are here to usher in the post-Kirk Cousins era for the Washington Redskins. → Read More

Meek Mill Release: From Jail Cell to Courtside With the 76ers

After five months of work from Michael Rubin and countless others, Meek Mill is finally free. The Crossover provides an inside look into his journey from a jail cell to courtside with the 76ers. → Read More

NFL Draft 2018: Saquon Barkley Could Be the Next Face of the NFL

Saquon Barkley doesn’t just believe he should go No. 1—he also has the talent and character to become the NFL’s biggest star. → Read More

Women's Final Four Preview: Can Notre Dame Stop UConn? Who Will Win Louisville-Mississippi State?

After suffering a shocking loss in last year's Final Four, UConn will look to get past old rival Notre Dame this year. Meanwhile, Mississippi State takes on Louisville aiming to return to the title game. → Read More

A Play Call for the Ages and a (Backup) QB That Amazes: How the Eagles Won Super Bowl LII

How do you halt a dynasty and thwart a living legend? It wouldn’t be the Philly way if it came easy. So: pluck a GM and a coach from the unlikeliest places. Watch injuries ravage your roster, and drop in a discarded QB. Then risk it all and green-light the gutsiest call in title game history ... and reap the reward: a glorious, franchise-first Super Bowl win. → Read More

Case Keenum Won’t Look Back—at the Good or the Bad

Over the course of his bumpy NFL career, Vikings QB Case Keenum has learned that to make it, you’ve got to move on fast from the past → Read More

Alvin Kamara, the Saints and New Orleans: a perfect fit

The Saints’ record-breaking rookie is embracing life in the Big Easy, and everything good that comes with fame in a great, eccentric American city → Read More

What Colin Kaepernick's Philanthropy Tells Us About His Vision for Social Change in America

Colin Kaepernick took a stand by kneeling, but he speaks through the money he donates to various charities. → Read More

Josh Gordon Is Returning to the NFL and Ready to Stay Sober. Do You Believe in Him?

To bring his comeback tale to a cinematic conclusion, Josh Gordon needs you to believe in him. The problem: It's unclear which version of the exiled Browns receiver's story serves him—or those around him—best. → Read More