In the context of social change in sports, what role do values play?

Values play a fundamental role in shaping how sports are organized, experienced, and understood within society. They provide the underlying principles that guide interactions among athletes, coaches, fans, and organizations. For example, values such as fairness, integrity, and respect influence the rules of the game, the culture within teams, and the expectations of behavior both on and off the field.

In terms of social change, values can drive movements aimed at increasing inclusivity, promoting diversity, or addressing issues like athlete activism and mental health. This means that the way sports are played, governed, and consumed is profoundly impacted by the prevailing values of a society.

The other options don't adequately capture the importance of values in the context of sports. While some may downplay their significance by suggesting they are secondary to performance metrics or irrelevant in professional settings, that perspective overlooks the profound impact that values have on shaping the narratives, identities, and cultures within both professional and amateur sports. Thus, values are not just influential but rather central to the structure and evolution of sports as a societal institution.