Although implicit, within a modern context sport is utilized as a means by which to win the support and consent of the masses for a predominant political ideology. This assumption relies upon Antonio Gramsci's idea of, “hegemony,” which addresses the subtle ways in which a ruling party seeks to win the support of their constituents. This form of hegemony has been utilized throughout history, evident by the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Both events were utilized to promote, justify, and reinforce the ideologies of Nazism and State Capitalism, respectively. However, hegemony is not only utilized within authoritarian regimes. In The United States, sport is often used as a tool by both parties to promote the ideas of patriotism and meritocracy. More generally sp...

Very few things have gotten me through this quarantine as effectively as basketball. There's an undeniable beauty in its balance of skill, physical ability, and strategy. As a Miami Heat fan, the return of the NBA has been especially kind to me, as it has been a long six years since the Heat were last in The NBA Finals. Nonetheless, behind the star power and exhilaration of the NBA lies a prevailing corporate structure, designed to maximize profit by any means necessary.  When compared to other leagues, the NBA has long been a leader with regards to social justice issues. This bears roots in the activism of Bill Russell, Earl Lloyd, and others. This tradition continued this year, with the league showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement and engaging in a variety o...