Sports and Scandals: How Leagues Protect the Integrity of Their Games

by Edward J. Lordan

Overview

Sports are inspiring and uplifting. They can also bring out some of the worst characteristics in human nature: narcissism, prejudice, greed. This book looks at the major sports scandals in modern American history, from the Black Sox fix of 1919 to the current concussion crisis in the NFL.

With today's digital media and the tremendous amount of money involved in sports, scandals are becoming more frequent and more damaging. How should a sports league respond to a scandal, act to protect the integrity of their organization, and address their many audiences—the fans, the media, and other players—when things go wrong? This book covers the big three sports—football, baseball, and basketball—to illuminate some of the biggest scandals in the history of American sports, using case studies to explain the scandals and the organizations' responses to crises.

The work examines the major sports scandals in the 20th and 21st centuries, including the Black Sox fix of 1919, the institutional racism faced by Jackie Robinson in the late 1940s, the point-shaving scheme in 1950s-era college basketball, and unresolved crises that continue to damage sports today. Author Edward J. Lordan describes the historic conditions surrounding the scandals and administrators' responses to identifying, addressing and, when possible, resolving these crises.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440829925
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/11/2014
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Edward J. Lordan, PhD, is professor of communication studies at West Chester University, PA.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

1 Anatomy of a Scandal 1

2 The Black Sox Scandal (1919) 15

3 Baseball's Reaction to Jackie Robinson (1947-1956) 39

4 Point-Shaving in College Basketball (1947-1951) 57

5 Race and Drug Issues in the National Basketball Association (1970s and 1980s) 75

6 Amphetamines and Steroids in Major League Baseball (1940s-Current) 91

7 Concussions and the National Football League (1900-Current) 115

8 The Penn State University Football Child Molestation Scandal (2009-2013) 137

9 Individual Gambling Scandals 159

10 The Social Contract: Scandals That Transcend Sports 193

11 Ethics, Effectiveness, and a Changing Environment 217

Notes 233

Index 243

What People are Saying About This

Bob Ford

"A thorough, provocative exploration of scandal in the world of sports and how the individuals involved and their organizations have sought to manage the crises and prevent future ones. Lordan also tackles the toughest question of all: In today's world, what still qualifies as a scandal? A delightful read, with meaningful historical context."