Article 4: Sport and Politics

In our February 27^th and March 3^rd  we discussed the relationship between Sports and Politics. We discussed how the Athletes use Politics to enhance there brand and how Politicians use Athletes enhance there brand. According to our notes, the definition of Politics is a social process through which individuals and groups acquire, exercise and maintain power over others. In an article I found from the USAToday, it discusses the possible relocation of Super Bowl XLIX due to state of Arizona refusal serve lesbian, bisexual or transgendered people based on the religious beliefs of business owner. Super Bowl XLIX is scheduled to be played in Glendale, Arizona in February of 2015. The NFL has said that it will not relocate the Super Bowl. According the article, there have been reports that the NFL wants Arizona Politicians to veto the bill. As stated in Coakley (2009, pg. 250), that even though people say politics have no influence in sports, government plays a vital role in sponsoring and regulating the game. It states that the government’s involvement is to serve the “public good.”  Also as stated in Coakley, (2009, pg 449) it states some of the reasons that the government has become involved in sports in the past such as making laws that ban animal fighting, making laws ban or restrict gambling on sports, making laws that allow the tax code of the price of sporting events tax deductible for business, interpreting laws that show college teams make a profit to be shown as a non-profit educational program.

 

 

 

 

 

Article 3: Sport and Education

On February 20^th and February 25^th, we discussed the spending on sport and education in in the 21^st Century.  In our notes we have how major college athletic programs are characterized. They are the following:

·         Usually have primary emphasis on football or men’s basketball and their revenue generating potential

·         Less than 1 in 5 programs make money

·         Full Scholarships are available to some athletes in many of 18-24 sports

·         Teams often travel extensively

·         Quality of Skills & Competition is high

 

In the article I read from the SportsBusiness Journal, it discusses the possibility of using some of the funding that is used for athletics to be put towards the education of student athletes that return to school to complete there degree after there playing days are over.  It states that only 4.3% of all major league baseball players graduated from with a four year degree. It states that college athletics has always been about balance between the work done on the field and the work done in the classroom. As the college game involves and more money is put towards college athletics, it is imperative to remind ourselves that education is important. As stated in Coakley (2009, pg. 280) that the amount spent on athletic programs varies from less than $250,000 at smaller schools to more than $100 million at larger schools.  The life of a professional athlete is short and usually retire before the age of 40 when most people are just in the prime of there careers.  It’s about the life after the athletes playing days are over that important in this subject matter. It would also show a sense of equality between athletics and education at the university.

Article 2: Youth Sport

During the February 13^th and February 18^th class of American Sport in the 21^st Century class we discussed youth sport.  We discussed the decisions to that youths make in order to make the commitment to participate in the youth sport of there choice. We discussed some the qualities that promote the youth to participate. They are through the Agents of Socialization which is made up from Family, Friends, School, Community (47 million involved) and Mass Media (Athletes as Role Models). In an article from the Murfreesboro Post, it discusses the same qualities that we learned about in our lectures that youth sports are supposed to be FUN! As stated in our notes and in the article that I found, the participation in youth sports is supposed to teach about accountability and teamwork. According to Coakley, (2009, pg. 132), youth sports have become increased involvement and concern among the parents. Parents are becoming move involved and sometimes that will interfere with the youth participation as that will put more pressure on the young youths. Another way parents put more pressure on the kids is by put there kid in the top of the line performance institutions to work with the best instructor there is. Sometimes when the kid tries too hard and doesn’t do very well they will want to quit and it will become not fun anymore. Parents need to allow the kids there own space to have fun before they determined that they want to quit and they will never see the full potential they have if they would have continued playing.

 

Article 1: Reasons for Studying Sport

On January 23^rd and January 28^th, our class discussed some reasons for studying sport. One of the main reasons people study sports is because sport wagering is huge business. As stated from my notes, approximately $2.4 Billion of sport wagering is done legally while approximately $380 Billion is done illegally. During an article I read on Sports Business Journal on the acquisition of Osage Casino as the official jersey sponsor of the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock.  In the article it says that the sponsorship would not have been able to happen before the 21^st century. However with recent increase of online gaming and multiple states acquiring gaming casinos that sports marketers are using the extra segment to form partnership. According to Coakley (2009, pg 21,24), many people spend large amounts of money by wagering on sports teams. According to Coakley, (2009, pg.24), The sports industry and gaming industry have joined forces to be displayed throughout events that fans follow.  It forms an association between the two products. They help promote each other. It allows the people to be reminded about the other product while doing something else.