SPORTS WRITERS CALL PopMatters seeks articles devoted to sports culture. Articles for this section will consider sports in a cultural context, identifying and articulating aspects of this field within social and political frameworks. Ideally, submissions will discuss sports in ways not already done to death by mainstream talk shows and cable networks. I'm happy to read pieces on any "sport" (a word I recognize as subject to debate), not just the majors, and invite you to put forward your ideas for essays. Topics that we have touched upon in the past include: The globalization of the NBA and the ways in which the influx of foreign players has affected American receptions to, and representations of, the sport. The selective disapproval of student athletes who enter professional sports. Basketball and football players are roundly condemned, while soccer and golf stars occasion far less furor when they turn pro at a young age. The rise of the throwback jersey in hip hop culture, which marries street cred and regional affiliations with sports stars and teams of days gone by. How the Rush Limbaugh - Donovan McNabb controversy managed to avoid a substantial discussion of race and class relations in professional sports in favor of knee-jerk reactions from both supporters and detractors. Again, these are just a few examples. I'm looking forward to reading pieces of any sort that fly in the face of the old adage, "It's just a game." Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions, abstracts, or drafts. Thanks! Pitch your feature ideas to BOTH: Tobias Peterson, Sports Editor AND Sarah Zupko, Editor & Publisher.