Making Sports Work
This article appears in the February 2026 issue of The American Prospect magazine. Read more from the issue.
The realities of sports, just like the realities of our politics and our economy, can seem bleak. A small group of oligarchs and vulture funds are dictating the structures of sports for their own benefit, fans struggle to afford their favorite pastimes, and players aren’t getting the value they deserve.
But none of this is etched in stone. Owners can make players and fans their most important stakeholders, and let that drive financial success. For that matter, owners don’t have to be wealthy individuals, hunting for a new way to extract cash from people. And players can recognize their collective power to make sure they receive fair treatment. These are not fantastical ideas but real-world examples we can see in sports today. If replicated across the country, sports might just live up to its ideals on the field by giving fans, communities, and players fair treatment off it.
Bananas for All
The secret to the Savannah Bananas’ success is a relentless focus on making the experience entertaining, affordable, and fan-friendly. David Dayen explains the rapidly growing popularity of Banana Ball.
Getting a Share in Green Bay
In the modern era of pro sports, major league executives have throttled public ownership. But there’s an exception, writes Naomi Bethune, and it’s one of America’s oldest professional football teams.
Diamonds in the Rough
James Baratta reports on Rochester Community Baseball, a locally operated nonprofit corporation in upstate New York that has owned the Rochester Red Wings since 1957.
Striking Out—and Winning
For decades, baseball’s minor league players endured a shocking amount of labor exploitation at the hands of their teams and the league. Emma Janssen describes how a new players union has changed the game.
The post Making Sports Work appeared first on The American Prospect.