American sport is an enormous industry for entertainment that has become world renowned, but the globalization and rapid growth of American sport could not have been accomplished without the developments in the business of mass spectator sports. To begin, American sports such as football and baseball began to see an increasing audience surrounding their sports. In response, these sports built large stadiums that would last for decades and set the standards for the appropriate shape and materials that are necessary to hold a large audience. Next, came the incorporation of the media into American sports. With boxing, baseball, and college football dominating the scene of sports in America, the press began to cover these sports and utilize methods …show more content…
As World War 1 ensued, more efforts were made to prepare Americans for war. Different sports were implemented into military training to help with this preparation. For example, football was seen as a “great military game” because it was seen as a primary way for soldiers to develop teamwork and overcome opposition (Raycroft 201). By implementing sports like football, baseball, and basketball into military training, American sport was not only a form of entertainment but an integral part of American culture. In addition, this would aid in promotion of sports within America, further spreading the business of mass spectator sports. After World War 1, came World War 2, except this time military officers had a better concept of training methods. Thus, the United States Navy incorporated sports such as basketball and football into their preflight training program (Rominger 252). With the success of this training, the influence “gradually spread throughout the Navy to both advanced and operational bases. Instructors and non-pilot graduates of V-5 courses were often commissioned as Deck Volunteer Specialists (DVs), serving as base athletic directors and hanger deck training officers aboard aircraft carriers” (Rominger 261). The success and diffusion of American sport through the military displays the unification these sports bring and the ability to bring together people who may not have previously been familiar with sports. Thus, the militarization of American sport helped integrate sports like football, baseball, and basketball into American culture by unifying people and bringing together diverse backgrounds to achieve a common
Many kids in America today grow up playing many different sports. Two of America’s best sports are football and baseball. These two sports are both fun and romantic, in their own little way, making them both a great American pastime. Some have come to wonder which sport has the title of being America’s pastime. For many years baseball has dominated as America’s past time but times have changed, and people are starting to think that football should own the title of being America’s pastime.
A Short Storybook. Sports in America, 1950-1959. New York: Chelsea House, 2010. 42-44. The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the ' Print.
Whether it's Mark McGwire breaking the home run record, Terell Davis breaking the rushing record, or superstars retiring, Americans have always had a fascination with sports. Sports have provided entertainment even before radio or television. Sports provided many things for the fans that watched them. Sports allowed communities to grow stronger and provided great athletes to look up to. With the arrival of television sports took on a whole new meaning. Being able to watch a game together gave the community a new way to bond, giving individuals a visual image of their favorite athletes. The television also opened up the industry of commercialization. Sports, televison, and merchandising on television became a combination that continues even today.The community in the 1950's was like one big family. Children played in the streets, everyone knew everyone else on the block, and sports created unbreakable bonds. Children and their fathers, neighbors, and even complete strangers could always talk about sports. As televison began to fill American homes, neighbors flocked to each others house to watch different events. Even neighbors who loved different sides crowded around the television to watch the event. Whether it was baseball, wrestling, golf, roller derby, or another sport, television allowed the community to grow closer. It is estimated that one sporting event drew an audience of 150,000 viewers. This is remarkable considering there was only about 5,000 television sets in American homes. That is about 30 people per set! Sports and television did more than just bring the community closer together. Sports on television became so popular that merchandising became a booming business. Whether at a game or sitting in the living room, authentic merchandise was a must for any fan. Much like the merchandise in Karal Ann Marlings book As Seen On TV, the merchandising industry exploited the people.
Sports reached a new height in the fabulous fifties, both professionally and recreationally. More time to relax and a new wealth among society brought more participation to family athletics. Furthermore, households began to purchase televisions, which allowed enthusiasts to truly follow their favorite team or athlete (Bradley 1). Desegregation was the biggest c...
Sport has not always been covered in such feverish enthusiasm, now with coverage on television, radio, and internet. The real emergence of sport into everyday life began after World War II, when new heroes were needed to dazzle and inspire. With the close of the war, sports stars became the new heroes, accomplishing daring feats and pushing the limits. The general public began to want more from the athletes; they wanted a better look into the athletes' lives and more media coverage of events such as boxing matches and basketball games. Without the excitement from the war and heroic war figures, sports stars became widely more popular and the business of sport marketing took off. Post war sport and figures such as Joe DiMaggio, Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown, Wilt Chamberlain and Mickey Mantle, "filled the gap" (Whannel 44) in terms of heroic figures. Audiences craved the heroic warlike figure with brute strength and quickness as well as interesting personalities. Thus we understand more the desire to market athletes, that "Audiences ...
1920’s Sports The 1920’s were considered by some as the Golden Age of sports. These sports at this time were on the uphill rise to becoming more popular. Sports in general started to become very popular among the average person, especially young farmers or factory workers when they got done with the day’s work.
Introduction--While some sports were not as popular as they are today, little did people know how large of a role they would play in society during the 1930s.
Sports affect major institutions of society, including the mass media, politics, religion, education, and family. The Super Bowl gathers thousands of viewer’s attention, including those who do not usually watch the regular season games. Football is by all means an American sport. Since the day a baby is born in America, whether it be a boy or a girl, one of the first words they learn to say is ball, and after a few months they add the word foot in front of the word ball, and by the time you know it your baby boy is playing football, and your little girl is cheering “Go Steeler’s go!” and without intention their cultural identity starts.
Oriard, Michael. Reading Football: How the Popular Press Created an American Spectacle. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 1993. Print. This book described how the press made the game evolve and become more popular which basically was the reason that the game is so popular today and also the reason it became an american tradition
Crafting the national pastime's image: The history of major league baseball public relations William B Anderson. Journalism and Communication Monographs. Columbia: Spring 2003. Vol. 5, Iss. 1; pg. 5
Abstract: Society is affected every day by many different kinds of sports. These sports often govern society's way of life. People all over the nation turn their TVs to sporting events, such as golf, during the weekends. Scott Stossel states that "more than six million Americans enjoy watching golf on the weekends." Parents use sports as a teaching tool for their children. Kids learn teamwork and discipline from team sports programs and sports have also helped many students with their grades. Kids who want to compete in school sports are taught to keep their grades up or they won't be able to play, but the greedy coaches and schools often look around grades to keep their "star athletes" in the games. Adults have been affected by sports in their bank accounts. Tax increases for funding a new stadium, golf course and even school programs have hurt the middle class Americans. Sports have taken control of small communities and soon will take control of society
Schackelford, M. (Jul 4, 2009). The Importance of Sports in America. Retrieve for this paper Mar 20, 2014 from, http://bleacherreport.com/articles/211946-the-importance-of-sports-in-america
Sports have been around for thousands of years. The history of sports in United States began back in the 1840s. United States is a very unique country when we look at its sports, just like every country has a different structure of sports so does US. This paper will be taking about the Sports Organizations and Governance, the sports industry, sports organizations, and Structure of sports in the United States. It will also cover the Sport in the United States vs. Other Western Democracies by taking a look at the State Political, historical context, team objectives, and sports organizations. It will also cover the uniqueness of American sport as well as cover the mass participation and give recommendations on how to increase participation and success.
The Importance of Sports to Mass Communication Understanding mass communication without attention to sport coverage is practically impossible. Through the mass media, millions and even billions of viewers, listeners and readers are brought into the experience of a great sports performance. The emotional power of sports performance, enchanted by slow-motion video and musical sound track, can take you to breath away or bring tears to your eyes. There are a lot of massive spectacles like the Super Bowl, the World Series, the NBA play-offs, the Olympic Games, and the College Football Games. Each of these sports activities takes in many millions of dollars from television revenues and dominates national sports news for days or weeks.
Sports, a very popular past time today, have been around since ancient times. Greek Olympic Games featured events from chariot races, javelin throws, to wrestling. In addition, a game similar to soccer was played in China by the second century BC. In England, a violent rugby type game was even played to settle feuds between villages. With the development of the industrial revolution and the creation of the first public schools, sports decreased in violence and were played more recreationally and constructively. Basketball was invented to help the youth in New England spend their energy in the winter months. Since the early 1900’s sports have been a key experience in the United States (“History of Sports”). I have played sports for many years, and the experience has helped me grow significantly as an individual.