Sport in a Global Context

Question 1

What are the economic benefits of globalization?

Answer 1

Expands market size and consumer options.
Creates broader investment opportunities.
Leads to wealth generation through enhanced trade.
Encourages the notion of ‘freedom of movement’ and ‘free trade.’

Question 2

What do critical approaches reveal about globalization?

Answer 2

Globalization may not result in harmony or integration.
It can increase inequality and create insecurities like unemployment.
Encounters with globalization can bring about new anxieties alongside opportunities (Robins, 1997).

Question 3

How has the globalization of sport evolved historically?

Answer 3

The spread of sport has long followed political and military power vectors, notably during the British Empire.
The diffusion of Western sports began in the 1800s, affecting various cultures worldwide.

Question 4

What is the role of governance in global sports?

Answer 4

Key organizations like the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) oversee international sporting regulations.
These organizations influence the structure and organization of global sports.

Question 5

Describe the diffusion of cricket in India.

Answer 5

Cricket was introduced to India by the British in 1721 and adopted by local elites.
It gained popularity over traditional games, becoming a symbol of Indian nationalism and resistance against colonial rule.

Question 6

How has globalization transformed local sports contexts?

Answer 6

Local sports are increasingly influenced by global processes, making them interconnected with international trends.
Historical sporting identities are reshaped by the global media landscape (Maguire, 1999).

Question 7

What is the significance of the A-League in the context of globalization?

Answer 7

Established in 2004, the A-League is a prominent soccer league in Australia, including teams from New Zealand.
It reflects the globalization of soccer and regional collaborations in sports.

Question 8

Explain the transformation of Australian Rugby League in the 1980s and 1990s.

Answer 8

The NSWRL grew into a commercial product, leading to geographical expansion beyond traditional boundaries.
Media deregulation opened new avenues for broadcasting, intensifying competition between media moguls like Kerry Packer and Rupert Murdoch.

Question 9

What was the impact of the ARL vs. Super League conflict?

Answer 9

The conflict illustrated a struggle for broadcasting rights, leading to the formation of new franchises and realignment of the league structure.
It marked a significant shift in how rugby was consumed and presented to audiences.

Question 10

Discuss the implications of economic rationalization in Australian rugby.

Answer 10

The South Sydney Rabbitohs were cut from the league in 2000, showcasing the impact of corporatization on traditional fan loyalty.
This event sparked public discourse on the effects of globalization and economic pressures on local sports communities.

Question 11

How is global sport characterized regarding cultural influences?

Answer 11

Global sport is predominantly Western-dominated and market-driven, reflecting specific ideologies of Western masculinity and nationalism.
Local sporting traditions may also persist and influence global narratives.

Question 12

What pressures does globalization exert on local sports?

Answer 12

Globalization can lead to restructuring and alignment of local sports with international trends, potentially diluting local identities.
However, resistance and revitalization of local cultures can occur, energizing traditional sporting practices.

Question 13

What does the term “global sports” imply about cultural homogenization?

Answer 13

The concept of global sports does not result in a culturally uniform world; local cultures and identities continue to shape the experience of sports.
Global influences coexist with local traditions, preventing total homogenization.

Question 14

How does media influence the global sport landscape?

Answer 14

Media plays a critical role in shaping narratives around sports and athletes, influencing public perception and consumption patterns.
It enhances the visibility of sporting events, impacting how sports are experienced across different cultures.

Question 15

How can sports serve as a site for national identity construction?

Answer 15

Sports events can evoke patriotic sentiments and unite disparate groups under a common national identity.
National events, such as the Melbourne Cup or Super Bowl, act as cultural celebrations, reinforcing societal bonds.

Question 16

Discuss the implications of the selective construction of national identities in sports.

Answer 16

Media often highlights particular athletes as national icons, which can serve specific cultural or political interests.
This selective representation can obscure internal divisions and power imbalances within a society.

Question 17

What role does sport play in reinforcing or challenging social hierarchies?

Answer 17

Sport can both reflect and challenge societal norms related to race, class, and gender.
It can be a platform for promoting equality or a means of perpetuating existing inequalities.

Question 18

What is globalization?

Answer 18

Globalization is the worldwide interconnectedness of human relations, characterized by the intensification of social relations linking distant locations.

Question 19

Who defined globalization as the intensification of social relations at the world level?

Answer 19

Anthony Giddens.

Question 20

What are the key characteristics of globalization?

Answer 20

Increased flows and encounters between distanced societies and populations, leading to a radical shift in how we live our lives.

Question 21

What type of flows involve goods and services?

Answer 21

Commodity flows, such as those of Coke and Levi’s jeans.

Question 22

What do financial flows encompass in the context of globalization?

Answer 22

The movement of money and its equivalents, often facilitated by institutions like the IMF.

Question 23

What do technological flows refer to?

Answer 23

The movement of technologies, such as machinery and plants.

Question 24

What do population flows involve?

Answer 24

The international movement of people, including tourists, migrants, workers, and refugees.

Question 25

What are ideological flows?

Answer 25

The movement of ideas and ideologies, such as the green movement or anti-globalization sentiments.

Question 26

How do media flows manifest in globalization?

Answer 26

Through the distribution of media images and information, including sports broadcasts and online content.

Question 27

What is an example of sports-related flows in globalization?

Answer 27

The migration of sports labor and the global tourism surrounding sporting events, as well as the trade of sports goods like Nike shoes.

Question 28

What is the global appeal of international rugby?

Answer 28

International rugby has become a significant commodity with a wide global audience and commercial value.

Question 29

What was the value and duration of the initial sponsorship deal between NZRFU and Adidas in 1999?

Answer 29

The deal was worth NZ$100 million over five years.

Question 30

How did the sponsorship deal with Adidas change over the years?

Answer 30

It was renewed in 2008 for ten years and again in 2017 for another ten years at $10 million per year.

Question 31

What challenges do corporations face when entering the global market?

Answer 31

Corporations must negotiate local identities and scenarios to effectively establish their presence.

Question 32

What is the significance of the All Black brand for Adidas?

Answer 32

Adidas needed to connect with the All Black brand’s history and tradition to effectively market it globally.

Question 33

What does the term “Adidasification” of New Zealand Rugby refer to?

Answer 33

It refers to the various marketing campaigns and product lines developed by Adidas for New Zealand Rugby, including advertisements, event promotions, and new products.

Question 34

What did the managing director of Adidas NZ say about the All Black jersey?

Answer 34

“We respect the sanctity of the All Black Jersey.”

Question 35

What is the economic implication of being a “true” All Black supporter?

Answer 35

Supporters may spend up to $478 on merchandise such as balls from Pakistan, scarves from Turkey, and jerseys from Thailand and China.

Question 36

What was the value of the 2012 sponsorship deal between the NZ Rugby Union and AIG?

Answer 36

The deal was worth $80 million over five years, approximately $15 million per season.

Question 37

What are some of AIG’s goals in sponsoring New Zealand Rugby?

Answer 37

AIG aims to expand the team’s presence in new territories and enhance global visibility.

Question 38

What was the attendance for the All Blacks vs. USA match in Chicago in 2014?

Answer 38

The match had a crowd of 61,500.

Question 39

How did New Zealand Rugby’s revenue change from 2011 to 2016?

Answer 39

Revenue increased from $104 million in 2011 to $161 million in 2016.

Question 40

What significant financial offer did New Zealand Rugby receive from a US tech giant?

Answer 40

A US firm offered nearly half a billion dollars for a 15% share of commercial rights valued at $3.1 billion.

Question 41

What was the financial benefit for All Blacks after the 2015 World Cup victory?

Answer 41

Each All Black received $160,000.

Question 42

How much did the Black Ferns earn through assembly fees?

Answer 42

They took home $8,000 over four weeks.

Question 43

How has globalization affected New Zealand Rugby?

Answer 43

Global commerce and media pressures have reshaped rugby, leading to a realignment with corporate-sport-media dynamics, erosion of local affiliations, and corporatization.

Question 44

What local resistance has emerged in response to globalization in rugby?

Answer 44

There has been resistance from local indigenous cultures, such as Māori claims against Adidas.

Question 45

How is rugby historically entwined with New Zealand’s colonial context?

Answer 45

Rugby reflects dominant ideas of (post)colonial nationhood, often serving as a ‘male preserve’ while marginalizing women.

Question 46

What is the paradoxical place of Māori within New Zealand rugby?

Answer 46

Māori have a complex and often contradictory relationship with rugby, being both integral to its identity and subject to marginalization.

Question 47

What historical links does rugby have with colonial networks?

Answer 47

Rugby in New Zealand is connected to white imperial/colonial networks, particularly with apartheid South Africa.

Question 48

How is amateurism viewed in the context of New Zealand rugby?

Answer 48

Rugby is mythologized as an inclusive, unifying institution, seen as a racial equalizer and a means of male character building.

Question 49

Who holds commercial control over rugby in New Zealand?

Answer 49

The NZ Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) and dominant provincial unions act as custodians of the sport.

Question 50

What were the primary sources of revenue for rugby before commercial transformation?

Answer 50

Revenue came from gate takings, tours, and match surcharges, with limited commercialism

Question 51

When did the significant commercial transformation of NZ rugby begin?

Answer 51

The late 1980s marked a heightened commercialism in NZ rugby.

Question 52

What was the impact of selling broadcasting rights to SKY TV in 1992?

Answer 52

It increased NZRFU revenue, consolidated SKY TV’s presence in the NZ market, and ended the public broadcaster’s monopoly.

Question 53

What issues arose from the transition from public to commercial broadcasting of rugby?

Answer 53

The shift raised public access issues, including debates about broadcasting vs. narrowcasting.

Question 54

What significant event occurred in August 1995 in rugby?

Answer 54

The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced professionalism, leading to the formation of SANZAR by NZRFU, ARU, and SARFU.

Question 55

What was the financial impact of the 1995 contract with News Corp?

Answer 55

The contract was valued at US$550 million over ten years, significantly impacting the global media landscape for rugby.

Question 56

What developments followed the introduction of professionalism in rugby?

Answer 56

The establishment of various tournaments, including Super 10, 12, 14, 15, 18, and Tri-Nations tournaments.

Question 57

How has the commodification of rugby affected the sport?

Answer 57

Rugby has embraced sponsorship, marketing, and merchandising to the point where all aspects, from uniforms to stadiums, symbolize corporate capitalism.