"This important and accessible book about the evolving treatment of LGBTQ athletes in organized sports should be required reading for anyone involved in the playing, coaching, and administration of organized sports. Zeigler, an expert in LGBTQ athletics and cofounder of the online magazine Outsports, revisits key moments that have shaped sports participation for openly LGBTQ athletes...The author debunks the myth that having a nonstraight athlete on a team's roster is a 'distraction' and shares positive stories of younger athletes at high school and college levels who have come out to coaches, teammates, and family members. Zeigler argues that the dominant emotion holding back LGBTQ athletes is fear, reminding them and everyone else that courage is contagious." --Publishers Weekly "Outsports.com founder Zeigler gives an account of the great strides LGBTQ athletes have made in the sports world over the last 15 years...Lively and provocative, the book not only offers a much-needed perspective on what until recently has been one of the last bastions of heterosexism. It is also significant for its conscious consideration of how current developments will impact LGBTQ athletes of tomorrow. An informative, necessary work." --Kirkus Reviews "Zeigler is the cofounder of the online magazine Outsports, and he is a vocal and respected advocate for the LGBT sports community. Here he pens a series of essays about athletes who have come out, noting the misguided homophobia in the locker-room culture of sports, and the important role that straight athletes can play in the gay movement...Well researched, timely, and provocative, Zeigler's book provides readers with candid personal accounts of the struggles and triumphs of LGBT athletes across a wide spectrum of the sports world." --Booklist "Zeigler candidly examines the issues involved in gay athletes' coming-out processes, and the support (or, often, lack thereof) they receive from teammates, coaches, and their sports. front offices...Zeigler gives due credit where it's deserved, while sharply analyzing the deep undercurrents of squeamishness and hesitation that still stymie team sports' full acceptance of their LGBT participants...Cyd Zeigler is here to remind us that there's still much work to be done." --ALA's Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Round Table "Fair Play, published in conjunction with Akashic Books, tells the story of how sports are transforming for LGBTQ athletes, and specifically focuses on the time period following the turn of the 21st century. Zeigler's book covers treatment of LGBTQ athletes, touching on bullying and hazing that has surrounded, and continues to surround, LGBTQ athletes, specifically in high school and college, while weaving in stories of LGBT athletes and allies such as Michael Irvin, Fallon Fox, and Michael Sam, among others." --GLAAD The latest from Akashic's Edge of Sports imprint. When Cyd Zeigler started writing about LGBT sports issues in 1999, no one wanted to talk about them. Today, this is a central conversation in American society that reverberates throughout the sports world and beyond. In Fair Play, Zeigler tells the story of how sports have transformed for LGBT athletes, diving into key moments and issues that have shaped sports for LGBT people today. He shares intimate behind-the-scenes details about various athletes and stories--including NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, transgender MMA fighter Fallon Fox, and NFL hopeful Michael Sam, among others--along with contextual insights about elite sports, including the overhyped "distraction" myth surrounding gay athletes. Always the forward-thinker, Zeigler maps out the necessary steps to complete sports' transformation and fully open athletics to LGBT people.

Why do women follow sports? How do they participate from the sidelines and what is the significance of this contribution? What can female fandom tell us about gender relations in sport? This book explores these and related questions by bringing together the varied strands of research being conducted internationally across the social sciences and humanities on this emerging and topical field. While sports spectatorship is a popular and well-respected site of analysis, no book-length, scholarly contribution documents women’s experiences of sports fandom. For this reason, there is an obvious need for a book that offers researchers, students and non-professional readers an authoritative introduction to women’s modes of sport support. Sport and Its Female Fans will be a landmark contribution in the field of sport research and in studies of sports fandom, making an original contribution to the growing, yet under-researched, area of female sports spectators.

Are you ready to experience the WNBA like never before? Have you ever felt the thrill of the game slip through your fingers? “Courtside Chronicles: The 2024 WNBA Season” is here to change that! Yes, this book is your all-access pass to understanding and loving the game on a whole new level. Benefits for WNBA Lovers: Relive the most electrifying moments of the 2024 season. Dive deep into the strategies that shaped the games. Connect with the personal stories of top WNBA stars. Why This Book? It’s packed with exclusive interviews and insights. Offers a unique blend of technical analysis and heartfelt narratives. Provides a comprehensive look at the season’s ups and downs. Experience the adrenaline of the 2024 WNBA season. Get up close with the legends of the court. Understand the plays that make or break games. Action: Don’t miss out on the chance to become a true WNBA aficionado. Grab your copy of “Courtside Chronicles: The 2024 WNBA Season” today and join a community of happier, more knowledgeable fans.

Do you find the WNBA’s complexity as puzzling as a full-court press? Ever feel like you’re on the sidelines, struggling to grasp the game’s intricacies? The answer is a resounding “No more!” “WNBA 2024 Season Highlights: Triumphs, Challenges, and Winning Spirit” is the key to unlocking the vibrant world of women’s professional basketball. This isn’t just a book; it’s a revelation for WNBA enthusiasts. Benefits for WNBA Lovers: Discover the strategies that lead to victory. Celebrate the resilience of athletes pushing boundaries. Connect with the personal triumphs and trials of the players. Why This Book? In-depth analyses of nail-biting games. Exclusive insights from the players and coaches. Inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles. A celebration of the sport’s growth and impact. The rise of a rookie sensation. The strategic masterclass in the playoffs. Emotional MVP acceptance speeches. The WNBA’s skyrocketing popularity. Action: Step off the sidelines and into the game with “WNBA 2024 Season Highlights.” Embrace the knowledge, feel the excitement, and join a community that’s more than just fans—they’re part of the WNBA family. Get your copy now and let the joy of basketball enrich your life.

Ever wondered why the WNBA captivates hearts? Why each season outshines the last? “WNBA 2024 Season Highlights: Triumphs, Challenges, and Winning Spirit” answers these questions with a resounding yes! This book is not just a collection of games; it’s a narrative of passion, resilience, and the relentless spirit of women who redefine basketball. Benefits for WNBA Lovers: Relive the most exhilarating moments of the 2024 season. Gain insights into the lives of MVPs and what makes them tick. Learn from the strategic minds of the league’s top coaches. MVPs’ secrets to success. Game-changing plays dissected. Overcoming adversity on and off the court. Why This Book? In-depth Analysis: Understand the intricacies of the game. Inspiring Stories: Draw motivation from players’ journeys. Exclusive Content: Enjoy interviews, stats, and more. Call to Action: Don’t just watch the game, feel it, understand it, and love it even more. Grab your copy and join the legion of fans who find joy in every dribble, shot, and victory.

This title tells the story of the Women's National Basketball Association, from its founding in the 1990s to its status today as a world-class showcase for basketball talent. Readers will learn about the league's stars, teams, and coaches, as well as player efforts to earn higher pay. Features include infographics, a glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

The Professionalisation of Women’s Sport draws upon the expertise of a range of scholars from the fields of sport sociology, sport history, sport economics to critically discuss the complex and often fragmented histories of women’s involvement in professional sport.

In the business of professional league sports, market conditions are the key determinate of the financial success or failure of a team. In the last few years, major league sports has experienced both growth into new markets and relocations of existing teams. Owners and the leagues use demographics, economic data, and governmental support to decide on where and when to expand and relocate. This book examines the sports business from 1950 through 2000. Historical demographic, economic, and team-related data provide the context. The authors apply metropolitan area statistics such as population growth and income, game attendance, and estimated market values to examine the business decisions made by individual teams in professional baseball, football, and basketball. The book looks at specific teams in terms of their long-term viability as a franchise and ranks their performances in economic and business terms. It also examines the related issues of taxpayer subsidies for new venues and the economic impact of professional sports on cities and regions. The book is a fascinating and comprehensive look at the business of sports and its place in American society, business, and economics.