Game Misconduct: Injury, Fandom, and the Business of Sport

by Nathan Kalman-Lamb

“‘You’re not a human being, you’re a number, a product, an asset as long as you can perform. If you can’t perform, then you’re a liability and they’ll drop you.’”
Professional athletes suffer tremendous damage to their bodies over the course of their careers. Some literally lose years from their lives because of their injuries. Why do athletes sacrifice themselves? Is it the price of being a professional? Is it all for the fans, or the money? What’s clear is that the physical and emotional tolls of being a professional athlete may not be worthwhile. In Game Misconduct, Nathan Kalman-Lamb takes us into the world of professional hockey players to illustrate how money, consumerism and fandom contribute to the life-altering injuries of professional athletes.
Unlike many critical takes on professional sports, Kalman-Lamb illustrates how the harm suffered by the athlete is a necessary part of what makes professional sport a desirable commodity for the consuming fan. In an economic system ― capitalism ― that deprives people of meaning because of its inherent drive to turn everyone into individuals and everything into commodities, sports fandom produces a feeling of community. But there is a cost to producing this meaning and community, and it is paid through the sacrifice of the athlete’s body.
Drawing on extensive interviews with fans and former professional hockey players, Kalman-Lamb reveals the troubling dynamics and dangerous costs associated with the world of professional and semi-professional sport.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Hockey

192 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2018

Reviews

[Jim Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was eye-opening to say the least. While I don't consider myself a big fan of any sport (Football comes closest), this investigation based on interviews with former pro hockey players and fans reveals the way capitalism functions to create a false sense of community to placate the masses through the spectacle of professional athletes. This is a book that is bound to create discussion. Full review here: http://bit.ly/gamemisconduct

[Sherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a big hockey fan, this book completely missed the mark with me. The author reminded me of every out-of-touch ivory tower academic that I ever took a class from in my (many) college years. The first hint was on page 7, where the author used the phrase “traditional Marxist analysis of exploitation”, and proceeded to spend a large share of the remainder of the book attempting to prove his hypothesis that sports injuries are the responsibility of the fans, because if they weren’t watching, players wouldnt get hurt. I would suggest that this is a classic chicken/egg argument, but as a member of a group (fans) that Kalman-Lamb clearly regards from a position of academic snobbery and contempt, what do I know? (It’s very clear that this book is not aimed at fans when the author includes a lengthy footnote to describe Don Cherry, probably the most recognizable man in hockey for the last 40 years.)
I happen to agree with the author’s low opinion of Cherry, and parts of this book are interesting and thought provoking. But for the most part, it’s just irritating. I quit 70 pages in with no regrets.

[Vanessa Zita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in professional sports many years ago and know the drill.
It is as shocking to read the rules of this tough world as it is as shocking to see how well written it is by Mr. Kalman-Lamb.
Thrilling...