Upon first consideration, sport and art seem to occupy separate, even opposing, realms--sport, associated with physical prowess, and art, with the highest reaches of the human mind. But because sport is such a powerful metaphor for so many human experiences, it has found its way into artistic traditions all over the world. Part One of this book provides a basic understanding of sport as symbol. Part Two gives attention to animals as adversaries and traces the origins of sporting art back to the hunt. Part Three considers humans competing against humans in combat sports, ball games, stick-and-ball games, and racquet sports, as well as in warfare. Part Four concentrates on contesting with oneself in races and sports of grace and beauty such as gymnastics, figure skating and ice dancing. The book concludes with a discussion of the athlete's relationships to society.

Superstition is rife within sports, and especially within American football, but is there synchronicity between superbowl (superb owl?) winners and the fortune and events of the year? What are the quasi-totemic natures of NFL teams and their chosen mascots and names? Here all of this is explored in some degree of depth and attempts made to overlap football as a sport with the genuine side of the occult.

 Examining the phenomenon of nationalism in the world of sport, this collection of new essays identifies moments when athletes became national symbols through their actions on and off the field. Since the break-up of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, and related global events of the 1980s and 1990s, scholars have explored how race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality shape and are shaped by nationalism and national participation. Topics include: race, golf and the struggle for social justice in South Africa; sport as a battleground within the Israel/Palestine conflict; multiculturalism and the Olympic Games; and white privilege in sport. These case studies explore the strength (and fragility) associated with national identity, and how athletes become icons for their nations.

This is an introduction to the wide-ranging world of sport communication, integral to the successful management, marketing, and operation of sport organisations at all levels. The text outlines the full breadth of the communication industry, including the many professional careers available to students and practitioners.

Strategic Sport Communication, Second Edition, explores the sport industry’s exciting and multifaceted segment of sport communication. With communication theory, sport literature, and insight from the industry’s leading professionals, the text presents a standard framework that introduces readers to the many ways in which individuals, media outlets, and sport organizations work to create, disseminate, and manage messages to their constituents. The team of international authors has drawn on its extensive practical, academic, and leadership experiences to update and revitalize this second edition of Strategic Sport Communication. Using the industry-defining standard of the Strategic Sport Communication Model (SSCM), the text explores sport communication in depth and then frames the three major components of the field: personal and organizational communication, sport media, and sport communication services and support. Readers will discover how each aspect of this segment of the sport industry is integral to the management, marketing, and operational goals at all levels of sport organizations. The second edition includes the following enhancements: • A new, expanded chapter titled Integrated Marketing Communication in Sport allows students to explore modern marketing strategy. • Substantial updates and new information on multiple social media platforms throughout the book elucidate the latest trends. • “Sport Communication at Work” sidebars and “Profile of a Sport Communicator” features apply topics and theoretical concepts to real-world situations. • Key terms, learning objectives, and chapter wrap-ups with review questions, discussion questions, and individual exercises keep readers engaged and focused. • An expanded ancillary package provides tools for instructors to use in course preparation and presentation. The content is complemented by photos throughout and organized in an easy-to-read style. Part I of the book introduces sport communication by defining the scope of study, examining roles and functions of sport communication professionals, and looking at the history and growth of the field. Part II dives into the SSCM, which provides a macro-view of the three main components of communication in sport. This section also addresses digital and mobile communications, public relations and crisis communication, and sport research. Part III addresses sociocultural issues and legal aspects of sport communication, including culture, gender, sex, race, ethnicity, and politics. Throughout the text, individual exercises, group activities, review questions, and discussion questions promote comprehension for a variety of learning styles. With Strategic Sport Communication, Second Edition, readers will be introduced to the vast and varied field of sport communication. The framework of the SSCM prepares readers with foundational and theoretical knowledge so they are able to understand the workings of, and ultimately contribute to, the rapidly growing field of sport communication.