Current Controversies in Sports, Media, and Society sheds light on how various issues, including racism, sexism, ageism, religion, politics, and more, are depicted in sports media. The text also demonstrates how sports media representation can influence both American culture and the individuals who consume said media. The book begins with an overview of the history of sports in American culture, the interplay of race, gender, media, and sport, and why we study sport and its role in society. Later chapters examine mass communication theories and approaches used in sports reporting and the obstacles athletes of color and women face in the world of sports media, including lack of representation, unequal media coverage, and the battle against prevalent social stereotypes. Readers learn the ways in which sports media influences our understanding of biological versus environmental influences on athletic performance, sexual orientation, and patriotism. Finally, the book analyzes modern sports journalism, exploring the causes and consequences of a lack of diversity in media and reporting. Written to spark discussion on ethics in sports journalism, media representation, and the role sports play in American culture, Current Controversies in Sports, Media, and Society is well suited for courses in mass communication, sports journalism, the sociology of sport, and race and gender studies. Dr. Cynthia M. Frisby is a full professor of strategic communication in the University of Missouri's School of Journalism. She earned her doctorate and master's degrees from the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Dr. Frisby is a nationally recognized author on media portrayals of minorities, athletes, women, and teens. She has previously investigated the sources of American viewers' fascination with reality television, the effects of idealized images on perceptions of body esteem among African American women, and race and gender representation in sports.

Media, Sports and Society provides a foundation for research on the communication of sports. The volume is framed by a seminal article outlining the parameters of the communication of sports and pointing to major issues that need to be addressed in the relationship between sports and media. Contributors examine the theoretical, cultural and historical issues, the production of media sports programming, its content and its audience. Individual chapters include a discussion of the spectacle of media sports, a comparison of Super Bowl Football and World Cup Soccer, a consideration of the spectators' enjoyment of sports violence, the rhetoric of winning and the American dream, and a fascinating examination of gender harmony and sports in

Is Equity Possible? -- References -- 8 Race and Ethnicity: Are They Important in Sports? -- Defining Race and Ethnicity -- Creating Race and Racial Ideologies -- Sports Participation Among Ethnic Minorities in the United States -- Race, Ethnicity, and Sport in a Global Perspective -- The Dynamics of Racial and Ethnic Relations in Sports -- Summary: Are Race and Ethnicity Important in Sports? -- References -- 9 Social Class: Do Money and Power Matter in Sports? -- Social Class and Class Relations -- Sports and Economic Inequality -- Social Class and Sport Participation Patterns

This research collection explores the ongoing interaction between sports, media, and society throughout important periods in history, from the nineteenth century to the present day. It examines both historical moments and broader trends in sports, with an emphasis on the media’s role. Encompassing a variety of research approaches and perspectives, the book looks at the individuals, mass media outlets and communication technologies that have affected societies on a global scale, including print, photography, broadcast (radio and television), Internet-based media, and public relations/marketing. It presents fascinating new case studies covering topics as diverse as sports journalism and the Third Reich, Argentina at the Mexico World Cup, post-9/11 sports reporting, Martina Navratilova and women’s tennis, the growth of fantasy sport, and the significance of Joe Louis and Jackie Robinson in the history of US sports reporting. This is essential reading for any researcher, student or media professional with an interest in the relationships between sports, culture, and society or in the history of media, culture, or technology.