Sport and Politics.

Aims:To understand the concept of ‘the American dream’.To understand the characteristics of sport and commercialism.

Commercialism. What is commercialism and how is it linked to

sport? In the US sport means business! At every

level it is driven by commercialism. Both private and corporate business use

sport to promote their products and to achieve good will.

Reading page 215.

The American Dream. The top US sports stars are the richest in the

world.The ‘American Dream’ assumes that anyone can be a success in society, irrespective of age gender or ethnic background.

This creates the ‘win at all costs’ ethic to sports and within society.

US games are high scoring, action packed, short bursts of excitement are followed by commercial breaks.

Sports stars can earn more from commercial sponsorship than their sports earnings.e.g. Tiger Woods + Happy Gilmore.

What are the +/- outcomes of commercialism?

POSITIVE: Funding gives athletes

a better chance of success.

Commercial sponsorship leads to events which other wise might not happen.

It matches the ‘win ethic’ of US culture.

NEGATIVE: Performers become

mobile adverts. Money determines the

location, timings and nature of events.

Sporting values can be lost.

Only high profit sports and the most successful performers benefit.

The ‘Shop Window’.

Politicians used sport to promote their country and their political system worldwide, The Olympics is often the chosen stage.

In communist countries such as China and the old USSR, talented children were tested and selected, given the best coaching, facilities, diet and even drugs to ensure international success.

They were given token jobs such as the army so they could devote themselves to sport, this was all controlled by the government.

In small groups discuss the possible positive outcomes of sport being used as a political tool.

EXAM QUESTIONS. What does the American dream mean in relation

to sport? [2]

Sport in the UK has become increasingly commercialised. Why has this occurred, and how is it evident in contemporary sport? [6]

Answer: Sport has become a business. Businesses use sport and sports people to promote their products. Commercialism has influenced many large sporting events. Commercialism has developed some sports. Sports performers can earn more from sponsorship than participating

in sport (extra mark for relevant E.G.) Examples of commercialism within sports clubs/individuals.