"Drawing on thorough and wide-ranging research, Robert C. Trumpbour examines the political institutions, commercial entities, civic leadership, and media organizations that influenced stadium construction. The author analyzes three significant recent historical periods: the Progressive Era, when modern fireproof stadiums were first built; the late 1960s and early 1970s, when multipurpose stadiums were built in downtown areas to promote urban redevelopment; and the late 1990s, when retro ballparks were designed to accommodate commercial and entertainment space. Charting this evolution, Trumpbour argues that there has been a dramatic shift in the role of the media, with media access emerging as a vital element in setting the ground rules for the debate on stadium construction."--BOOK JACKET.