The American sports stadium, for all its raucous glory, is an overlooked centerpiece―a veritable temple―of our national culture. A hallowed ground for communal worship, this is where history is made on grass, artificial turf, hardwood, and even ice; where nostalgia flows as freely as ten-dollar beers; where everything thrills, from exploding fireworks to grinning cheerleaders. In The Arena, “an altogether new and riveting sports classic” (Josh Wilker), intrepid sportswriter Rafi Kohan crisscrosses the country, journeying from one beloved monument to the next.

Kohan also explores the behind-the-scenes logistics and deeply ingrained traditions within these bustling facilities, cracking open a secret world of unforgettable characters―groundskeepers, mascots, halftime performers―who work tirelessly to make the live event worth the price of admission.

As he finagles access to the unexpected corners and hidden corridors of our most frequented fields, he discovers just what makes them tick―and what keeps us coming back time and time again. 

Rafi Kohan’s book is a must read for anyone in game operations and sports marketing for its insightful peek into the world we all know, but sometimes need to be reminded how insane it all is.

Rafi Kohan was a guest on the Gameops.com Podcast, click here to listen. Or you can read the transcript of his interview here, along with lots of extras, photos and notes.