It seems like book clubs are becoming popular among various groups, including celebrities like Dua Lipa, Morgann Book, Reese Witherspoon, and Oprah. However, a new trend is emerging in professional sports, where athletes are organizing book clubs for their teams.
In the NBA, San Antonio Spurs players Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes have initiated a book club and are encouraging more team members to participate. The NHL’s San Jose Sharks also have a book club involving players such as Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, Tyler Toffoli, and Ty Dellandrea, where it’s become a playful secret about the books they’re reading.
Athletes from the PWHL and the WNBA, including teams like Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, Toronto Tempo, and New York Liberty, have embraced book clubs as a way to bond outside of their sports activities.
For instance, forward Claire Dalton from the Toronto Sceptres shared her enthusiasm for reading on an episode of The Next Chapter. She co-started a book club with teammate Raygan Kirk, aiming to discuss and relax with fellow players over coffee during the season. Their book selections have included titles like Gone Before Goodbye, The Heir Apparent, and Palm Villa.
The Toronto Tempo, a new WNBA team, also launched a book club inspired by player Kia Nurse and teammate Nyara Sabally. This initiative is part of their efforts to build camaraderie off the court, essential for a newly formed team like the Tempo.
Nurse emphasized the value of exploring different perspectives through book discussions, highlighting the joy of sharing interpretations and insights with teammates.
Reading serves as a getaway for athletes like Nurse, offering a break from the pressures of sports and allowing them to explore diverse identities and experiences through books.
The impact of these team book clubs extends beyond their locker rooms. The Toronto Sceptres’ book club garnered significant attention on social media, prompting them to share their reading list with fans. This engagement led to a community event, Sceptres Storytime, in partnership with The Children’s Book Bank to promote reading among children.
The event featured goalies Raygan Kirk and Jessie McPherson reading books to kids, sparking a newfound interest in reading, particularly in hockey-related literature. The collaboration aims to break stereotypes and show that anyone can enjoy reading, regardless of their background or interests.