There’s more to sports than what occurs during games. Check your social media, listen to sports talk radio, or watch ESPN–there are daily stories of social issues in sports regarding concussions, playing hurt, gambling, Olympics and politics, athletes as social activists, paying college athletes, recruiting violations, academics, youth sports, diversity and gender issues, hazing, athletes’ mental health, disabled athletes’ rights, sportsmanship, and media coverage.
How do these issues affect athletes, fans, and society?
Written equally for casual and hardcore fans, this book analyzes social and ethical issues in sports in a lively, journalistic manner, combining quotes from writers, broadcasters, athletes, coaches and others with the author’s observations. It shows pros and cons of how sports affect our daily lives and society. While sports inspire and excite us and lead to social change like the civil rights movement, Title IX, and rights of disabled people, controversies surrounding sports can be divisive even as sports work as a uniting factor in society.

Larry Atkins teaches journalism at Temple University and Arcadia University, where he also teaches social issues in sports. He has written more than 500 Op-Eds, articles, and essays for many major publications, including Newsweek, The Hill, Huffington Post, Washington Post, National Public Radio (NPR Commentaries), Real Clear Politics, The Progressive Magazine, Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, and Morning Consult.

Larry Atkins

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 280
Bibliographic Info: 22 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2024
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8621-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5099-9
Imprint: McFarland

• “As always, Larry Atkins shows great mastery of his subject and thorough and impactful research in his social and ethical issues in sports book, Foul or Fair. In his new book, he provides great insight into these complex topics, including diversity, youth sports, mental health, gambling, sportsmanship, and media coverage. His new book is worth every moment you spend on it! This is a great read for those who are avid or casual sports fans, and everyone else who wants a terrific read with a lot to learn and great food for thought!”—Debra Wallace, award-winning journalist

• “An incredible read that really paints the picture of life inside and outside of sports. People say that sports are the greatest reality shows on television. We say that because sports are not just about what happens between the lines. Athletes, like us, are humans. Athletes, however, live lives that most of us cannot relate to. This book dives deep into what many of us don’t think about when watching a game, but follow along on social media and the news because we can’t get enough of it. It is informative, entertaining, and very timely as the personalities (and struggles) of athletes become more and more public.”—Andrew Salciunas, producer and on-air host for 97.5 the Fanatic, Sports Talk Radio

• “Larry Atkins plays very fair with this excellent and insightful book on sports ethics. Every coach, player, and fan should read this. This one’s a winner!”—Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author and educator

• “Sports are the great common denominator for society, one of the few things in this fragmented world that brings masses of people together. Athletes, teams and leagues are mega-powerful, fueled by the media who document and rely upon teams’ successes. Larry Atkins goes deep into these ideas, presenting a thorough history of sports and journalism, from youth sports to the pro leagues. The way we participate in, talk about and regard sports influences how we, as people, act and react to life. There are important lessons here for everyone.”—George Miller, associate dean for academic affairs, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism