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In this week’s episode of Slate’s sports podcast Hang Up and Listen, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and David Plotz talk about the supposed redemption of Eagles receiver Riley Cooper. They are also be joined by attorney Jeffrey Tenenbaum to discuss whether the NFL’s tax-exempt status is a huge scandal or a big nonissue. Finally, they debate whether the increasing reliance on the three-pointer is good or bad for basketball.

Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:

• In July, a video surfaced showing Philadelphia Eagles receiver Riley Cooper using a racial slur at a Kenny Chesney concert. 
• The Eagles fined Cooper an undisclosed amount and did not suspend him.
• Last week, ESPN ran a story suggesting that Cooper’s on-field success has redeemed his off-field behavior.
• Deadspin’s Barry Petchesky called the ESPN story “a trite and vaguely insulting tale of overcoming self-inflicted adversity.”
• The NFL seems to have a never-ending litany of redemption stories. Past subjects include Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger
• Attorney Jeffrey Tenenbaum told ESPN that “many people have wondered out loud if the NFL should even qualify under [Section] 501(c)(6) since ...  [it] functions more like an exclusive club."
• Last week, USA Today reported that Sen. Tom Coburn and several activist groups want to revoke the tax-exempt status of sports leagues.
• Coburn has introduced a bill called the Pro Sports Act.
• Law professor John Colombo argues that the NFL’s 501(c)(6) status is a nonstory, and that said status is frequently misunderstood or misconstrued.
• Mother Jones asked, “Should the NFL Lose Its Tax-Exempt Status?”
• Gregg Easterbrook explains how NFL lobbying led Congress to confer tax-exempt status on the league in 1966.
• The Sports Fan Coalition, a nonprofit fan advocacy organization, advocates revoking the NFL’s 501(c)(6) status.
• ESPN’s Outside the Lines documented the PGA Tour’s use of tax breaks.
• Zach Lowe of Grantland asked if NBA teams’ reliance on three-pointers is good for the game.
• In June, NBA commissioner David Stern indicated that the Competition Committee was reviewing the vast increase in three-point shots.
• ESPN’s Kevin Pelton wrote a story on the D-League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers, who are taking almost 50 percent of their shots from 3-point range.
• Benjamin Hoffman of the New York Times, considering J.R. Smith’s recent 5-for-17 performance from three point range, wrote “the NBA no longer seems to pay much mind to missed 3-pointers.”

Hang Up and Listen’s weekly Greveys:

David’s Grevey: It’s a scandal that mixed martial arts is still banned in New York.

Stefan’s Grevey: On Anorthosis Famagusta, a club without a home. (Here’s video of the mural that was unfurled during a volleyball game.)

Josh’s Grevey: There once was a horse named Welfare Queen.

Podcast production and edit by Mike Vuolo. Links compiled by Casey Butterly.

You can email us at hangup@slate.com.