ABSTRACT
Whereas the first chapters are intersectional, this chapter begins a study of sports and religions as interactional. After acknowledging some flaws within sporting institutions today, the chapter, using professional basketball players as the primary example, dissects direct and indirect dialogue between sporting stars and religious leaders and laypeople. Due to the influence of religious leaders and athletes today, there exist opportunities for collaboration in order to address social issues. One such case is the meeting of Pope Francis and NBA basketball representatives, which shows the ability of athletes and religious leadership to converge to ameliorate racial inequalities. Yet, the athletes and religious adherents do not always agree on specific matters, as the case of NBA player Jason Collins demonstrates. Focusing on social media as a powerful platform and situating athletes as contemporary prophets bringing a spotlight to injustices in the world today, this chapter demonstrates that sports and religions occupy a space in society for offering social critiques and public discussions.
