How Sports Became Our Civic Religion

For tickets to our live recording with Jon Meacham in Philadelphia, click here and register. Use code TFP for a 20 percent discount.  In this episode, Shilo sits down with sportswriter Wright Thompson to explore what the ESPN mainstay has learned from decades of covering elite athletes such as Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. Does greatness require rage, dysfunction, or “daddy issues”? And what does GOAT culture teach young men about winning—and losing?  They dig into why sports matter so deeply: tribal belonging, meritocracy, tradition, and the rare intensity of collective experience that borders on the religious. Thompson also explains why the most passionate fandoms often emerge in poor, deindustrialized towns. They also examine the controversies and contradictions of modern sports, from coaches and universities running de facto professional programs to the rise of gambling and debates over salary caps. Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices