The Athletics-Industrial Complex: An Interview with Dave Zirin
By Simon J Black
Published: 05/28/2007
Dave Zirin combines progressive politics with sports journalism, exposing the “athletics-industrial complex” that rules professional sports. He is both a columnist for SLAM Magazine, a regular contributor to the Nation Magazine, and an occasional op-ed writer for the Los Angeles Times. His first book "What's My Name, Fool?" Sports and Resistance in the United States" (Haymarket Books) has entered its second printing. Zirin is also working on "A People's History of Sports," part of Howard Zinn's People's History series for the New Press. He spoke with me from his home in New York.
SB: As a radical sports journalist, you've explored the
dimensions of professional sports that many on the Left tend to ignore. What is the importance of seeing professional sports as a
political space?
DZ: The importance is that right now sports is a "one sided"
political space. It’s a monologue where some of the most objectionable ideas in the
modern world - the drum beats of war, unfettered corporate greed,
racism, sexism and homophobia - are given free reign to roam and take
root. For many they have overwhelmed and obliterated the sports themselves. The best way to "take back sports" from these interests
is
to build a counter movement where we celebrate athletes past and
present who stand up for change and expose the worst political excesses in sport.
SB: A number of professional athletes in the U.S. have spoken out against the war in Iraq. How has the media and the general public
received them?
DZ: The list is impressive but their views aren't known for two reasons:
1 - They have been met by a great wall of silence by the media.
2 - They are completely unorganized. If they could stand
together, as Athletes Against War, or some such thing, it could really make a
difference. That is the next step.
SB: Traditionally, the Left's critique of sports has centered on the idea that
sports promotes unhealthy competition, aggression, and a negative masculinity.
Is this critique
wrongheaded?
DZ: It's certainly not entirely wrongheaded. So much of the athletic industrial complex is drenched in sexism. But as an overarching
theory, I think it badly misses the mark. Too much of the patriarchy
theory states that sports itself is inherently patriarchal: that competition is in and of itself wrong. I think that just isn't the
case. Sports in our modern age certainly reflect these ideas, but I
don't believe sports to be "inherently" anything.
SB: You're new book Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics and Promise of Sports has just been published by Haymarket Books. What can readers expect from your latest offer?
DZ: The book, published by Haymarket Books, is a look at how corporate interests have taken something beautiful -- sports -- and turned it
into the "athletic industrial complex" -- a sprawling, overly
influential industry that has impacted all of our lives: like it or not. The title is a reference to the Louisiana Superdome, the homeless
shelter of last resort in New Orleans which was perhaps the most
gruesome collision of the sports world and the real world that I have ever seen. It's also a song by Public Enemy (Chuck D writes the intro)
a hip hop group that has proven to be prophetic in its view that
popular culture was careening out of control. As the title promises, it is not just about the "pain and politics"
of
sports, but the promise. I also highlight athlete rebels, fans, and
coaches trying to use sports as an arena to project social justice and rebel against its corporate trappings.
SB: Tell us about the People's History of Sports project you've been working on for the New Press. When will it be available?
DZ: It is definitely written. And that's all I can tell you.I don't know what the release date is going to be but I am very proud of it. It is
part of Howard Zinn's people's history series: an attempt to develop a
compelling sports narrative "from below."
SB: With Vancouver hosting the Winter Olympics in 2010, what should Canadian progressives be on the look out for?
DZ: The Olympics are coming in 2010? Three words of advice: Start. Organizing.
Now.
SB: Dave Zirin, thanks.
Published in Canadian Dimension