Sport and the USA 30/11/2012

Learning objectives To be able to describe and explain the nature of sport within the USA. To understand how commercialisation and capitalism have influenced sport in the USA. To understand the origins, violence and nature of American football.

Exam question Q. Explain the relatively recent move from a more traditional amateur to a more professional approach to the organisation of sport in the UK. (2) http://www.ocr.org.uk/images/60041-mark-scheme-unit-g451-an-introduction-to-physical-education-january.pdf (p. 22)

Research In pairs, discuss the research you have found regarding: The nature of sport within the USA. How commercialisation and capitalism have influenced sport in the USA. The development of American football.

America Young Nation 300 million population capitalist economy George Washington (1787)

The United states of America During the 19th century millions of immigrants left Europe and arrived on the east coast of the USA. ‘Land of opportunity’ By 1900 farms and factories were producing more than other country in the world, thus increasing wealth and power. Individualism Capitalism Capitalism directly influences the nature of sport in the USA During the 19th century millions of immigrants left Europe and arrived on the east coast of the USA attracted by the dream of freedom and fortune in the ‘land of opportunity’ By 1900 the nation’s farms and factories were producing more than other country in the world, thus increasing wealth and power. This healthy start, along with the notion of individualism (where each person is responsible for their own destiny and success), meant that an economic system of individual enterprise evolved. The system is known as capitalism and is dominated by individual or shared ownership of business or profit. Capitalism encourages individuals to accumulate wealth and directly influences the nature of sport in the USA which is a gigantic profit orientated business.

The ‘Win Ethic’ Sport in the USA reflects the country’s culture. European games were adapted to suit their environment and rapidly evolving culture. New games were invented in the ‘land of opportunity’ The pioneering spirit of enterprise and drive needed games that were high scoring and action packed. ‘Win at all costs’ ethic dominates sport in the USA. Very competitive/no draws Overtime in the NFL/NBA. Extra innings in baseball. Sport in the USA is a superb reflection of the country’s culture. In the late 1800s, European games arrived and were adapted to suit their environment and rapidly evolving culture. Some games, such as basketball, were invented. This new ‘land of opportunity’ with its pioneering spirit of enterprise and drive needed games that were high scoring and action packed. ‘Win at all costs’ ethic dominates sport in the USA. Sports have overtime until a winner is found. 9 innings in baseball. Overtime in NFL and NBA. Very competitive/no draws

commercialisation Sport means business. Business means money. US pro sport reflects the countries competitive and capitalist nature. School sport attracts big sponsorship. College players receive top level coaching . College sport is heavily funded by TV and sponsorship deals. College athletes become huge stars (hero worship) Top athletes become ‘drafted’ Sport means business. Business means money. Professional sport dominates society in US society reflecting the countries competitive and capitalist nature. School sport attracts big sponsorship. College players receive top level coaching and are under enormous pressure in a highly competitive field, which is heavily funded by TV and sponsorship deals. College athletes become huge stars (hero worship). Top athletes become ‘drafted’ TV and advertising not only fund professional sport, but also govern procedures and influence its rules. Sport is dictated by commercial breaks. Players receive multi-million pound salaries

Michigan Stadium, University of Michigan – 109,901

commercialisation TV and advertising not only fund professional sport, but also govern procedures and influence its rules. Sport is dictated by commercial breaks. Players receive multi-million pound salaries Positives Negatives Funding gives athletes a better chance of success and promotes events which otherwise might not happen Only very few sports, or performers, get supper rich and those who do become little more than ‘mobile adverts’ in an arena where money determines the location, timings and nature of sport.

The American dream The ‘American dream’ Refers to the idea that prosperity depends on your own ability and hard work, not class. It assumes that anyone can be a success. Sport is a way in which people can achieve success Chance for migrants to achieve better prosperity than in there own countries. Also an opportunity for their children to grow up with an education and become professionals. The ‘American dream’ refers to the idea that prosperity depends on your own ability and hard work, not class. It assumes that anyone can be a success, irrespective of age, gender or ethnic background and sport is a particularly useful vehicle for success Chance for migrants to achieve better prosperity than in there own countries; for others it is the opportunity for their children to grow up with an education and become professionals.

American football Physical contact is allowed (not just the player in possession of the ball). Rules encourage violence Specific positions/specialist roles (encourages violence) Developed in the Ivy league Universities. No standardised rules in 1800. Was banned because it was so rough (even death in the early days) By 1900 it was violent, sensational and hazardous Physical contact is allowed between players who are not in possession of the ball and obstruction of opponents’ moves by deliberate body checking is allowed. The game involves intricate planning with carefully concealed strategic moves and very complicated tactics whereby each player has a specialist task in each play or move. Game developed in the Ivy league (Yale, Harvard, etc) universities (equivalent to Oxbridge) in north east USA. In 1800s there were no generally accepted rules. Some universities ran with the ball some did not. VERY SIMILAR THE ORIGINS OF FOOTBALL AND RUGBY IN THE ENGLISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS. By 1900 the game had developed into a violent, sensational, hazardous conflict with survival and success dependent almost entirely on physical force (ball around this time was round).

Characteristics of American football Toughness, endeavour, ferocious courage and physicality are needed in order to be successful in the game - reflects the spirit of the early settlers to the USA. American society was established and later prospered as a result of these characteristics. The ‘frontier spirit’ of the early pioneers and their determination to stand up to a harsh and sometimes unforgiving environment of American society. Gradually over time the rules of American football became more revised, adapted and modernised. Introduction of protective clothing (led to increased violence!). Crowd loves violence/exciting spectacle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tBkPxrQ9dQ   Characteristics of toughness, endeavour, ferocious courage and physicality which were needed to be successful in the game reflected the spirit of the early settlers to the USA. American society was established and later prospered as a result of these characteristics. The ‘frontier spirit’ of the early pioneers and their determination to stand up to a harsh and sometimes unforgiving environment of American society. Gradually handling and carrying of the new oval ball were introduced, along with the forward pass and the ‘snap back’ to the quarterback. After further adaptations, revisions and modifications American football developed its own rules, tactics and style of play. Introduction of protective clothing (led to an increase violence).

American football and commercialisation American football is a multi-billion dollar business (capitalism) NFL is a group of companies (Franchises). Owned by wealthy business men or run as public companies. NFL Franchises have been known to relocate. 2 conferences/4 groups in each. ‘Super bowl Sunday’ spectacle. 111.3 million watched the 2012 Super bowl. Competition between TV networks for coverage rights inflates the cost of NFL franchises which sometimes relocate from their traditional fan base just for profit. North, south, west, east. Spectacle: Football is laced in entertainment. Cheerleaders/marching bands. Estimated costs of 30 second adverts during commercial breaks is $2.6 million. Half time at the Super bowl is one hour long and many TV networks take advantage of the huge TV audience by scheduling independently produced half-time entertainment. Los Angeles rams moved to St Louis in 1995. California to Missouri (1,828miles) equivalent to London to Moscow (1,792 miles).

Exam questions Q1. Describe the nature of sport in the USA (5). Q2. The game of American football is extremely popular in the USA. Give reasons for the violence and commercialisation associated with American football (5). http://www.ocr.org.uk/images/63492-mark-scheme-january.pdf (p.11).

homework To design and present a power point presentation about American football and commercialisation. To research sport in Australia. What is ‘Australian rules’ football? Read pages (p.246-250).