The bolded question is for a Sociology of Sports class, and I can't seem to find much material to help bring a "sociological analyze" to my answer. Just one answer that satisfies the questions below would suffice. Thanks.
Why are patriotic and nationalistic themes integrated into sporting events (as opposed to other gatherings)? Why have such themes become so much more common? What are the implications of these elements for fans and players? What are the implications for sports leagues?