By Ken Reed

In research to be published this summer in the International Journal of Sport Communication, negative tactics, including verbally aggressive language, were found to be less effective in motivating athletes than coaches with a more affirming style.

“This study shows that extra amounts of verbal aggression in the coach-athlete relationship is a negative [...]

By Ken Reed

Frederick Douglas once said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand.” It’s a great quote. However, most of the time, demands — even of the loud variety — won’t do the trick.

People in power, especially those with economic power, don’t change the models that have given them an advantageous position without being [...]

By Ken Reed

Two of the most active advocates for social justice and human rights in the NFL have been released within a month of each other.

Punter Chris Kluwe, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, and Linebacker Brandon Ayanbadejo, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens have been cut this NFL offseason. Kluwe and Ayanbadejo were outspoken [...]

By Ken Reed

Sportsworld, perhaps the last bastion of pure unadulterated homophobia in American culture, had its closet door kicked slightly ajar Monday when NBA player Jason Collins became the first active, openly gay athlete to come out in one of the four major American team sports leagues.

In a poignant letter in Sports [...]

At League of Fans, we deal with sports issues that impact both fans and participants, from the youth level to the professional level. Usually, we focus on issues of fairness and justice in sports. But today I want to take a little fork in the road and touch on a phenomenon that’s common to all [...]

By Ken Reed

Moviegoers applaud at the end of 42 – the emotional tale about Jackie Robinson breaking the color line in Major League Baseball – as well they should. It’s an inspiring story of the triumph of social justice.

But as people file out of theaters across the country, there’s also a palpable sense [...]

By Ken Reed

Soon after the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy, we had media individuals and organizations (not to mention bloggers and tweeters across the country) lining up to jump to the conclusion that the case was a clear act of terrorism backed by a terrorist organization. In particular, all Muslims were stigmatized as potential terrorists [...]

By Ken Reed

Once again, we witnessed a tense, dramatic Sunday at the Masters. What a great shootout over the last couple holes and sudden death. Adam Scott has to be one of the classiest athletes in all of sport. And Angel Cabrera was a gracious runner-up.

As Scott was celebrating his last putt, [...]

By Ken Reed

The world of sports needs to grow up.

The latest example occurred this past Thursday night. In the sixth inning of a 2-1 baseball game, the Los Angeles Dodgers Zack Greinke hit the San Diego Padres Carlos Quentin on a 3-2 count. Greinke displayed obvious frustration with himself. However, Quentin, instead [...]