The Sociology of Sport

This book critically evaluates the historical accomplishments, current challenges and future opportunities of the sociology of sport, offering a bold new vision for the field's development in the 21st century. Unlike previous assessments that have portrayed the sociology of sport as being in crisis or decline, this book provides an empirically grounded analysis that situates disciplinary developments within broader contexts of global political change, evolving expert roles in society and challenges to post-enlightenment knowledge frameworks. Drawing on case studies in physical activity, health research and sport-related concussion, the author demonstrates the distinctive value of sociological perspectives in addressing contemporary challenges. The book examines previously proposed advancement strategies, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary research and public sociology, before advocating for a more autonomous subdiscipline built around a bespoke 'theory of sport'. Ultimately, the book’s proposal suggests that the sociology of sport should be less deferential to mainstream sociology, while championing sport's significance in modern society. This book will be useful for students, scholars, researchers across sports science, physical education and health disciplines interested in interdisciplinary approaches, as well as sport administrators and policymakers.