General

Media observers—critics, journalists, broadcasters, and producers—suggest the rise of social media changed the way we talk about sports. Although it fits the broad “social media matters” narrative, the premise isn’t exactly true. Our sports conversations changed, more precisely, because of Twitter. Fans use platforms like Facebook to share sports news […]

Fantasy sports are part of American sports culture; it’s an undeniable fact. Companies like ESPN, Yahoo!, and NFL.com host fantasy leagues for millions of fans around the world. The fantasy craze helped create a multi-billion dollar industry as well as spur demand for thousands of new jobs. Fox Sports, CBS, […]

Not enough sports fans grasp the uniqueness of Houston. Many believe Houstonians wear cowboy boots and hats, drive pickup trucks and eat too much steak and barbeque. And while that may be true, it only scratches the surface of Space City. The city’s visitor website sums it up well: Houston […]

Risk is fundamental to the world of sports. Athletes risk injury and, in some cases, death for fame and riches. Coaches expose family members to media scrutiny and fan antagonism. Front office personnel work on short-term contracts, moving like nomads across the country to stay in business. And team owners […]

Many of us grew up playing high school ball, while a gifted few experienced the thrill of college athletics. But nearly all kids dream of hitting buzzer-beaters in Madison Square Garden, crushing home runs into the Wrigley Field bleachers, and catching touchdown passes in frigid Lambeau Field. Only a select […]

Social media isn’t new—Facebook and Twitter are a decade old, and Instagram and Pinterest are celebrating their five-year anniversaries. The next wave of social media apps, like Vine and Snapchat, are gaining popularity too. Millions of people from all generations share, like, post, pin, and tag multiple times a day. […]

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania doesn’t hold the sex appeal of California, the buzz of New York, or the Lone Star State’s ruggedness. It isn’t part of New England yet doesn’t identify with the Midwest or Southeast. While it lacks a strong identity, The Keystone State—the geographic wedge in the east […]

Located a mile above sea level, Denver, Colorado, is a spectacularly rare city. Situated at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, Denver is often described as urban sophistication meets outdoor adventure. Check out a few pictures of the cityscape, and you’ll realize that it’s one of […]

Californians and New Englanders think of the Southeastern US as rural, remote and somewhat removed from modern ways. In truth, the southeastern region is quietly diverse—beaches line the Atlantic Coast from the Carolinas to the Florida Keys, and skyscrapers touch the clouds in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Miami. The sports scene […]