Sports buffs know all about famous players and coaches and can recite statistics in endless detail. But do fans know how sport is linked to other institutions of society? Do they understand the role of sport in socializing youngsters in both positive and negative ways? What about the ways in which sport perpetuates race and gender-role stereotypes in society? How do owners, coaches, and other sport authorities exercise power to maintain control over athletes?These issues and more are examined in this selection of accessible writings by journalists and leading scholars who represent a new era of critical appraisal of sports--both professional and amateur. This timely new edition includes 20 new articles while retaining the classics from the last edition. Sport in Contemporary Society is perfect for courses in sociology, sport management, and kinesiology.