Game Over: How Politics Has Turned the Sports World Upside Down
Short of wearing out the subject of politics in sports (Bad Sports, 2010, and A People’s History of Sports in the United States, 2008), sports analyst Zirin focuses here on the pushback by athletes and fans around the globe against injustices they see, whether in sports alone or on the larger political stage. For example, the NBA’s Phoenix Suns changed their name to Los Suns for their 2010 Cinco de Mayo game versus the San Antonio Spurs to express their solidarity with Arizona’s Hispanics over the state’s tough anti-immigration laws. The NFL Players Association stood against Wisconsin governor Scott Walker’s efforts to strip collective bargaining rights from public workers there. And there was worldwide support of South African runner Caster Semenya, who won silver in the women’s 800-meter event at the 2012 London Games, over questions regarding the legitimacy of her stated gender. Other subjects include the Penn State scandal, the public reaction to Linsanity, and the continued objectification of women in sports. Readers who have responded to Zirin’s other highly engaging books will find more of the same here. --Alan Moores