Corruption, document leaks, mysterious and elusive individuals labelled ''Player X'', ex-wives, extensive interviews and investigations.
Making it as a professional sportsperson is tough, and blazing a trail as the first openly gay player in a sport known for being homophobic is even tougher.
Freedom of speech plus global circulation of visual and audio recordings via social and corporate mediums equals Trouble with a capital T for individuals in sport with a tendency to run off at the mouth or be trigger happy with a smartphone.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has every right to be concerned about the request of Benji Marshall to be released from his two-year contract with the Blues part-way through the Super 15 season.
It has been difficult lately to look away when high-profile athletes have failed to engage their frontal lobe and practise self-control and good judgement.
Many of us have heard of the glass ceiling and perhaps the glass network (old boys' network), but there is a new catchphrase in gender equity dialogue known as the glass cliff phenomenon.
Why, despite some top-notch players, is Central Pulse still flat-lining?
Although the Black Caps are getting a lot of media attention in Bangladesh, very little focus is directed at their female counterparts, the White Ferns, who are also competing in the ICC World Twenty20 competition.
Rivalries in sport capture our attention, and there is no denying the showdown between shot putters Jacko Gill and world indoor bronze medallist Tom Walsh is much anticipated in New Zealand.
Spare a thought for our three Paralympians doing their best to compete despite the conflict between Russia and Ukraine over Crimea, and in spite of the weather which fluctuates between balmy spring weather, fog and rain.
The shocking change in weather conditions recently supports the claim that change is the only constant.
If Buxton Popoali'i needs some reassurance as he waits on the sidelines for future surgery and recovery over heart issues, he needs only to look at the performance of Robbie Fruean for inspiration.
Although we live, work, play and train globally we still expect athletes to put a stake in the ground and pledge their allegiance to one particular country.
New Zealand nearly made one of the strongest political statements on the international sporting stage at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, but unfortunately for human rights activists, supporters of gay rights, LGBT athletes, and openly gay short track speed skater Blake Skjellerup, he missed qualifying by one slot.
Does it matter how you acquire medals and trophies? Is it the destination or the journey that makes these objects valuable?
Watching Roger Federer clinically defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open the other night was highly satisfying.
Did Rotorua successfully host the national sevens tournament for the first time this year?
Rugby League player Russell Packer, best known to the general public as the urinating Warrior, has received a maximum two-year sentence for assaulting a 22-year-old at a Sydney bar in November last year, and Brian Lima has had to quit his role with Samoan rugby while domestic violence allegations involving his former wife are investigated and brought to court.
Farah Palmer is well placed to write about issues in women's sport. The Otago Daily Times columnist, mother, university lecturer and former long-serving Black Ferns captain contributed these thoughts to our series.
'Tis the season to start patting people on the back for a job well done in sport.