The compound adjective 'sport-related' is a modern English formation that transparently combines two established elements. The first element, 'sport,' has a journey from Old French, where it denoted diversion or leisure, narrowing in English to specifically denote physical games and contests. The second element, 'related,' originates from the Latin verb referre, meaning to carry or bring back, which evolved to signify a connection or association. The logic of the compound is direct and compositional: something 'sport-related' is literally "connected to or bearing a connection with sports," reflecting the modern need to categorize items, activities, or information by their association with the domain of athletics.

Structure: sport + related - sport: From Middle English sport, disport, from Old French desport, deport ("pastime, diversion"), from desporter ("to carry away, divert, amuse"). The functional role is the core noun/root meaning "an athletic activity or game." - related: From Latin relatus, past participle of referre ("to carry back, bring back, report"), from re- ("back") + ferre ("to bear, carry"). The functional role is a participial adjective suffix meaning "connected to."