Overall, the globalization of the NFL in London would be cool. However, it is not realistic. The NFL is succeeding in the US without it having to go to London. The organization makes more than enough revenue here due, to how popular it has become over the years.
However, the NFL is so keen on expanding its organization solely on the hope of gaining more revenue. The organization chose London because it is an "internationally renowned city", and the fact that Wembley Stadium is easily accessible only would help bring in that much more revenue. This way people from all over Europe can attend the games. Although, this would attract all different Europeans, the likelihood of the stadium filling up like they would in the US is unlikely. The factors that are facilitating
the expansion of the NFL tends to lean towards the fact that some NFL team owner's also own a percentage of the English Premier Leagues. For example, as stated in an article by The New York Times, "Randy Lerner of the Cleveland Browns has bought into Aston Villa, and Stan Kroenke of the St. Louis Rams also owns 12 per cent of Arsenal, the North London team" (New York Times). Even though, these guys think this is the gateway into expanding the NFL in London the disadvantages outweigh the advantages of expansion. For instance, the travel time to go overseas not only takes a toll on the athletes physically, it also takes a significant amount of time out of their schedules for a single game. Not to mention, the living costs are more expensive, so the athletes salaries would have to be higher, the schedules would have to completely change just so that playing in the US/London would be possible. This is when the idea of building a facility in the US for the London team came up. Even though, that would be helpful, and logical the only place this would be remotely possible would be Orlando, Florida, but then again it still takes away from other NFL teams.
Also, this expansions could come with serious consequences, and the consequences could really hurt the athletes. With the no guarantee of a resign of players contracts after a year could make the move and playing for the team not even worth it at all. In my opinion, no athlete in their right mind is going to risk everything for a team that might not even resign them especially with all the other disadvantages. Organizations tend to talk players into contracts that are focused on benefiting their interests more than the players. Due to, all the disadvantages of the NFL expanding into London, it is unrealistic, however the proponents will continue their campaign for the expansion.
Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/sports/football/26vecsey.html?_r=0
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Sociogenesis of Baseball
It is well known that baseball is known as the "All- American" sport. However, according to Wikipedia it is traced back to the 18th century, in England where they believe it was derived from a British game called Rounders. Although, this maybe true, Albert Spalding, the baseball executive in America did not agree. He believed that baseball was created in America, and that it was the "American sport". Baseball was then founded in New York by a man named Abner Doubleday. The first team was the New York, Knickerbockers.
Baseball, in the early years was known to be played by the middle to upper class white males. For years, whites did not let the African Americas participate until the year 1947. The game consisted of nine players, nine innings, and the bases 90 feet apart. Over the years, they changed the rule from being able to throw the ball at the runner to get them out (like they do in kickball) to having to touch the base, or tag the runner. At this time, the only equipment used was a baseball, glove, wooden bats, soft bases, and a pitching mound. In the present day, baseball is still played with the same fundamentals as it did back in the day; nine players, nine innings( in the MLB), and bases 90 feet apart. However, the equipment is more updated with metal or wooden bats, plastic bases, smaller pitching mound, helmets, and more high quality leather gloves. As in any sport baseball has injuries as well; sore arms, torn tendons/ligaments, bruises from getting it by the ball, or even concussions.
In 1857 the National Association of Baseball Players was established. It was the first organization of baseball, and it was the first organization to come up with the World Series. Also, the Civil War is when baseball started to get really popular because the soldiers would play, and it just continued to expanding from there. In 1869, is when baseball became a professional sport. The first pro team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings. However, this was only the minor leagues; the major leagues did not start till 1871.
Still to this day baseball is a very popular sport in America. Athletes from all over the world come to America to play in the MLB. It is the famous "American Past Time". It is very likely that everyone has been to a major league baseball game before. In 2012, the MLB had the highest attendance of any sport of over 75 million spectators. Baseball might not always be the most interesting sport to watch, but it will always be the famous "American Past Time".
Baseball, in the early years was known to be played by the middle to upper class white males. For years, whites did not let the African Americas participate until the year 1947. The game consisted of nine players, nine innings, and the bases 90 feet apart. Over the years, they changed the rule from being able to throw the ball at the runner to get them out (like they do in kickball) to having to touch the base, or tag the runner. At this time, the only equipment used was a baseball, glove, wooden bats, soft bases, and a pitching mound. In the present day, baseball is still played with the same fundamentals as it did back in the day; nine players, nine innings( in the MLB), and bases 90 feet apart. However, the equipment is more updated with metal or wooden bats, plastic bases, smaller pitching mound, helmets, and more high quality leather gloves. As in any sport baseball has injuries as well; sore arms, torn tendons/ligaments, bruises from getting it by the ball, or even concussions.
In 1857 the National Association of Baseball Players was established. It was the first organization of baseball, and it was the first organization to come up with the World Series. Also, the Civil War is when baseball started to get really popular because the soldiers would play, and it just continued to expanding from there. In 1869, is when baseball became a professional sport. The first pro team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings. However, this was only the minor leagues; the major leagues did not start till 1871.
Still to this day baseball is a very popular sport in America. Athletes from all over the world come to America to play in the MLB. It is the famous "American Past Time". It is very likely that everyone has been to a major league baseball game before. In 2012, the MLB had the highest attendance of any sport of over 75 million spectators. Baseball might not always be the most interesting sport to watch, but it will always be the famous "American Past Time".
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Sports in the Ancient World
Throughout Guttman's chapters he talks about all the different countries "sports", and what they were originally created for. He had stated that "primitive societies frequently incorporated running, jumping, throwing, wrestling, and even ball playing in their religion rituals and ceremonies" (Guttman). It is interesting to read that sports originated and were used for from religious rituals, or for pleasing the Gods; as did the Greeks. It is also interesting to read how different cultures had different sports. For instance, the Olympics originated from Greece. The Greek men participated in the Olympics to please the Gods, and if they were successful in the games, they would receive a prize from Zeus (the most powerful God). Another example, would be the Italian gladiators that went into battle for pure entertainment for the Roman people, but would show the Emperor honor by winning. It just shows how different sports in culture are, and what they represent. It also is cool to look at how much sports have evolved especially in the Olympics. However, not much as changed from sports being played predominately by men.
Sport, Society, Me
Sports for me have just been a way of life. Since, I was little my parents always had me in sports, and everyone is my entire family has played, or still play sports. I couldn't imagine life without them. I played softball all through high school, and absolutely loved it. Being on a team, and practicing for league, play-offs, or State is rewarding. You build bonds, and make memories that stay with you forever, and come on there is no better feeling then "game day". Playing a sport in my opinion is thrilling; its a rush. Not only is playing a sport thrilling, but it teaches you discipline; it builds character; it teaches you to overcome adversity, and it teaches you how to work together as a team. There is a lot a person can learn from sports.
Even if you don't play sports anymore or never did it is always fun to go to the games, and be apart of that atmosphere.Sports are entertaining and exciting. That is why most people love them.
Even though sports can be positive on society majority of the time, there are negative aspects to them as well. For instance, the fights that break out (even though they are always entertaining), the trouble the athletes get themselves into, the performance enhancing drugs, and the argument of how much money the professional athletes should make. All the negative aspects of sports in society only takes away from the sport and in my eyes ruins it.
Even if you don't play sports anymore or never did it is always fun to go to the games, and be apart of that atmosphere.Sports are entertaining and exciting. That is why most people love them.
Even though sports can be positive on society majority of the time, there are negative aspects to them as well. For instance, the fights that break out (even though they are always entertaining), the trouble the athletes get themselves into, the performance enhancing drugs, and the argument of how much money the professional athletes should make. All the negative aspects of sports in society only takes away from the sport and in my eyes ruins it.
Sports Ethics
In the article about sports ethic by Hughes and Coakley, describes sport ethic as being a criteria defining what real athletes are (Coakley). This criteria consists of four elements. These elements are:
"1. Being an athlete involves making sacrifices for the Game
2. Being an athlete involves striving for distinction
3. Being an athlete involves accepting risks and playing through pain
4. Being an athlete involves refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities" (Coakley).
It makes complete sense that these are the elements that real athletes have. Anyone that has played a sport understands what it takes, and that you do need all four elements to succeed. Real athletes are determined, and do these things because they strive to be the best, whether it is individually or as a team. In college and in professional sports, the fans really promote their success, and the teams and athletes don't want to let the fans down. In a way, fans help them with their success as they do in any profession in entertainment, and look up to them.
"1. Being an athlete involves making sacrifices for the Game
2. Being an athlete involves striving for distinction
3. Being an athlete involves accepting risks and playing through pain
4. Being an athlete involves refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities" (Coakley).
It makes complete sense that these are the elements that real athletes have. Anyone that has played a sport understands what it takes, and that you do need all four elements to succeed. Real athletes are determined, and do these things because they strive to be the best, whether it is individually or as a team. In college and in professional sports, the fans really promote their success, and the teams and athletes don't want to let the fans down. In a way, fans help them with their success as they do in any profession in entertainment, and look up to them.
Sports In The US.
There are a lot of popular sports in the US, but it is proven that the most popular is football. However, I think the argument could be made that both baseball and football are the most popular sports in the US. Maybe, baseball is not as popular in Colorado, but places like for the LA Dodgers, the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, etc. have those crazy passionate fans just like the NFL teams do. People get just as pumped for baseball games, as they do football games. However, in US there are more sports than just these two. There is hockey, basketball, soccer, tennis, college softball, and many more; these ones just aren't as popular.
A typical game day for a sport consists of tailgating, and the town decking out in the team's colors, flags, most bars have drink specials, people wear the team's jerseys or colors, people get together to watch the games, and much more. For instance, when the Broncos play, in downtown Denver, Market St. hangs banners of the teams colors to show some team spirit. People live for "typical game" days.
In the US we measure a teams success on how well they do in their season, and if they make it to the World Series, the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, or the NBA Finals etc. We also measure team success by their tough wins, how their leaders do ( like Payton Manning for an example), and what records they break. Success for players are similar. We measure their success, by how well they preform, medals they will, awards they receive, and if they get into the hall of fame or not.
A typical game day for a sport consists of tailgating, and the town decking out in the team's colors, flags, most bars have drink specials, people wear the team's jerseys or colors, people get together to watch the games, and much more. For instance, when the Broncos play, in downtown Denver, Market St. hangs banners of the teams colors to show some team spirit. People live for "typical game" days.
In the US we measure a teams success on how well they do in their season, and if they make it to the World Series, the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, or the NBA Finals etc. We also measure team success by their tough wins, how their leaders do ( like Payton Manning for an example), and what records they break. Success for players are similar. We measure their success, by how well they preform, medals they will, awards they receive, and if they get into the hall of fame or not.
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