The Business of Sport: A Sociological, Economical, and Historical Analysis of Sports through the Ages provides students with a comprehensive overview of sports from ancient to contemporary times, chronicling how sports evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry. The book also demonstrates how modern sports, markets, and culture are intrinsically intertwined and constantly influence each other. The book is divided into two units. Unit I begins with a chronological discussion of the evolution of sports from religious and martial purposes to a rationally driven industry. It then examines the unique interplay between politics and sports, and religion and sports. Unit II focuses on the business aspects of sports with chapters dedicated to the youth sports industry and its role in a culture of consumerism, the college sports industry as a financial resource for colleges and universities, and the sport media industry with regard to mass media systems, athlete representation, and more. Additional topics addresses include the global economics of sports and the Olympics. Thoroughly engaging and unique in critical perspective, The Business of Sport is an ideal resource for courses in sports management, sociology, cultural studies, marketing, and psychology.