As cultural and political movements grow across the United States, their impact on sports is undeniable. Women command a larger place on the American sports horizon, while free agency rebalances the dynamic between owners and players.
Television revolutionizes the way Americans enjoy sports, bringing games, especially from the NFL, into tens of millions of homes. Certain stars, Bill Russell, Joe Namath, Muhammad Ali, and Peggy Fleming, seem born for the camera.
As tensions between the USSR and the United States heat up in the 80s, so do sports rivalries. Everett vs. Navratilova and Bird vs. Magic in the NBA dominate their respective sports, while The Great One bursts onto the ice in the NHL.
In the 1990s, athletes' celebrity power transcends the world of sports. Sports scandals are increasingly smeared across tabloid headlines, while Michael Jordan wins six titles and becomes one of the most recognized athletes in the world.
National tragedy, historic comebacks and grand slams define the 2000s in sports. Tiger Woods in golf, the Williams sisters in tennis, and a shakeup of one of the greatest baseball rivalries in history prove that sports belong to all Americans.
Huge names emerge in sports in the 2010s, including LeBron James, Simone Biles, and Steph Curry. As social media revolutionizes fan engagement, direct interaction and sports betting change the way viewers see celebrity athletes forever.
