Politics and Sports in America

Politics and Sports in America offers a fresh perspective on the dynamic relationship between athletics and political life in the United States. While recent scholarship has focused on the rise of athlete activism, few political scientists have examined sports through a distinctly American lens. Most existing studies emphasize international contexts. Thomas R. Morris and Daniel J. Palazzolo address this gap by examining the intersections of sports and politics across multiple dimensions: citizenship and civic identity, the balance between national and local forces, the role of elite athletes in advancing democratic principles such as equality and liberty, the tension between individualism and collective action, and the striking parallels between rival sports teams and polarized political parties. They also explore how politicians intentionally engage with sports through policy decisions and symbolic gestures. Taken together, these perspectives reveal how the relationship between sports and politics enriches our understanding of the American republic and its democratic traditions. Designed for scholars and instructors, this book provides a political science framework for analyzing sports as a source of civic and institutional development. It also serves as a resource for teaching American government, offering innovative ways to connect political institutions, processes, and debates to the world of athletics. Beyond academia, the work speaks to sports fans who follow politics and citizens who follow sports, inviting both groups to see how these spheres illuminate one another."

Thomas R. Morris is a retired Professor of Political Science from the University of Richmond. He was President of Emory & Henry University and Secretary of Education under Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. His publications include books on the Virginia Supreme Court and on Virginia government, as well as chapters and articles on legislative redistricting, the Voting Rights Act, and gubernatorial leadership. Daniel J. Palazzolo is a Professor of Political Science and co-Director of the Gary L. McDowell Institute at the University of Richmond. He is author of two books, co-editor of a book and author or co-author of numerous articles or chapters on congressional leadership, congressional budgeting, election reform, and Virginia politics. He is also a former American Political Science Congressional Fellow, where he handled budget issues for Congressman Robert L. Erhlich (R-MD).

1. Introduction 2. What Happened to the "Sporting Republic?" 3. The Shifting Balance of Local and National Sports and Politics 4. Athlete Activism and American Ideals 5. Equality and Competition in Women's Sports 6. Individualism and Teamwork 7. Rival Sports Teams and Polarized Political Parties 9. Conclusion