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SPORT AND THE USA

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)

RESEARCHIn 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.

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

America

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

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.

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’

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.

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

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  

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.

EXAM QUESTIONS

Q1. Describe the nature of sport in the USA (5).

http://www.ocr.org.uk/images/59864-mark-scheme-january.pdf (p. 18).

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).