A solid overview of topics, but not without its flaws

Steph Doehler
The Open University, UK

The United States of Sport undertakes a thorough examination of the dynamic relationship between American culture, media, and sports, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of their mutual influence. Diverging from the structure often found in comprehensive works on an expansive subject matter, this publication stands out for its authorship by three principal contributors, as opposed to being an edited compilation. This provides a relatively consistent writing style and approach across all chapters, enhancing coherence throughout the publication.

Foremost, it is important to note my positionality within this review. Whilst I am a fan of the US and US culture, and a frequent visitor of the country, I am also a Brit who may occasionally miss certain subtleties inherent in the portrayal of American culture within the text, or even approach some chapters from an ‘outsider’ perspective, influenced by my distinct cultural vantage point.

The book comprises of 14 chapters organised into three distinct sections, and at its heart lies a profound understanding of the multifaceted relationship between sports and the broader context in which they are embedded. In Section I the authors demonstrate how pivotal moments in American history, from the Roosevelt administration’s impact on the formation of the NCAA, to the 1958 NFL championship game which the authors suggest launched the dominance of the sport within American culture, to Muhammad Ali’s protest of the Vietnam War, have left an indelible mark on the sports industry. The latter inclusion is, perhaps, somewhat predictable, just like the opening and closing chapter of Section II which address Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protests and athlete activism during the Covid-19 pandemic respectively.

A criticism I have consistently voiced in numerous book reviews for this website is the glaring lack of attention given to women’s sports.

Any book about sport and culture published in the last few years will undoubtedly focus some attention on athlete activism, just as this book has. This is not a criticism, the chapters are enjoyable despite arguably not adding much depth to the already significant narratives on the topic. Sandwiched between the bookends of Section II, which focuses on sport and American sociopolitical issues, are chapters on the US women’s soccer team’s fight for equal pay, athlete disclosures of mental health struggles, and the ‘steroid era’ in both baseball and professional wrestling.

Section 3 diverges from more conventional topics, focusing on the intersection of sport and American popular culture. Within this section, readers encounter chapters exploring the evolution of athlete endorsement, the influence of fashion in sports, the legacy of Kobe Bryant, the impact of the John Madden gaming series, the relationship between hip-hop and the NBA, and the significance of sports movies. Each chapter provides a fresh perspective on the relationship between sports and various aspects of American society, revealing how deeply entrenched athletes are in the cultural fabric of the nation. Each chapter reveals astute perspectives, illuminating the symbiotic relationship between athletes, media, entertainment, and society. Together, they paint a comprehensive portrait of how sports serve as both a reflection and a catalyst for broader cultural shifts, offering insights into the complex dynamics shaping American life.

A compelling aspect of this book lies in its exploration of various facets of sport and American culture through the lens of media framing. Rather than presenting mere descriptions of significant topics, each chapter studies the narratives of newspapers, online news outlets, television, and other media related to these issues. The introduction offers theoretical insights into media framing, presented in accessible terms suitable for readers approaching the book out of personal interest rather than purely academic pursuits. Through extensive research, the authors bring these moments to life, inviting readers to reconsider their understanding of the role that sports play in American society. However, despite this comprehensive examination of media framing therein lies an area of development for the book here. Throughout the chapters, there is a conspicuous absence of critique regarding the media’s approaches and practices. Rather than offering nuanced analysis or criticism of media biases, the authors primarily relay what the media have reported on various topics. This lack of depth in critiquing the media’s role may leave readers wishing for a more robust examination of the responsibilities and ethical considerations associated with media representation in sports.

A criticism I have consistently voiced in numerous book reviews for this website is the glaring lack of attention given to women’s sports. While it may be unfair to label the chapter on the US women’s national soccer team in this book as superficial, there remains a lingering sense of unease. It seems somewhat tokenistic to include just one chapter solely dedicated to women’s sport, raising questions about whether this choice is a deliberate editorial decision by the authors or merely a reflection of the persistent trend of inadequate representation of women’s sports in both media and academic discussions.

For the most part the book is written in an engaging and readable prose. However, the chapter on John Madden is somewhat peculiar, as the author(s) consistently refers to him as ‘Madden’ instead of using the pronoun ‘he’. This stylistic choice results in a repetitive narrative, with Madden’s name appearing in almost every sentence, making for an odd reading experience.

These criticisms aside, The United States of Sport is recommended for anyone interested in better understanding the complicated interplay of culture, politics, and sports in America. Rich in detail and thoughtful in its insights, the book is sure to spark lively conversations and inspire further exploration of this fascinating subject.

Copyright © Steph Doehler 2024