ABSTRACT
In this chapter we examine the role of the mass media and media sport in American society. Media are omnipresent and media consumption fills many hours of the everyday lives of Americans. Sport has a prominent place in all types of media, and sport consumption via the media or life in the stadia is one of the most common leisure activities. Media have transformed sport in many ways, from the change of rules to the construction of new sports and new events. Media sport1 has changed the leisure habits of Americans. We will explore the coverage of various sports and the interests of sport consumers as well as the gendered and racialized media discourses. Major issues in this chapter are the sports consumers and/or sports fans, their behavior, and the reasons for their addiction.
