Sport is often described as the great American escape; a place where the rules are clear, the stakes are simple, and the drama unfolds on the field rather than in the halls of power. But in reality, American sport has always been political. From Cold War Olympic boycotts to anthem protests, from global tournaments shaped by diplomacy to domestic leagues shaped by culture wars, sport is one of the most visible stages for national identity and political conflict. And today, with controversies surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup and even a UFC event planned for the White House lawn, that relationship feels more charged than ever. So in this episode, I’m asking… is American sport ruined by politics? . Special Guest: Adam Burns, the Head of Politics at Brighton College, and the author and editor of Sports and the American Presidency: From Theodore Roosevelt to Donald Trump. . Highlights: 02:43 - Has American Sport Always Been Political? 06:53 - Presidents and Sport 10:10 - Global Sport and Diplomacy 17:47 - 2026 World Cup 23:26 - Geopolitics on the Sports Field 29:26 - UFC Freedom and Presidential Endorsements 37:34 - Athletes as Politicians 42:38 - Player vs Club vs Country 50:34 - Does Politics Ruin Sport? . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: [email protected] Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices