Sport in Late Capitalism - L26-28 Flashcards

1
Q

How are sports perceived in the context of the economy today?

A

Sports are viewed as ‘big business’ and global, leading to concerns about athletes being overpaid and viewed as ‘mercenaries.’

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2
Q

What opportunities have emerged for consumers in the global sports market?

A

Unprecedented opportunities for consumption, including access to a wide range of sports and events.

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3
Q

Why are sports mega-events often praised?

A

For their potential to generate economic and social regeneration, although the benefits are increasingly scrutinized and often funded by taxpayers.

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4
Q

What is a common trend among towns and cities regarding sports events?

A

They compete to host events to gain visibility and promote civic and national pride.

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5
Q

What does ‘late capitalism’ refer to?

A

A phase of capitalism from around 1945 onward characterized by multinational corporations, globalized markets, and mass consumption.

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6
Q

What are key features of late capitalist economies as they relate to sports?

A

Intensified corporate influence, outsourcing, saturation advertising, and fluidity of capital leading to competition among locations.

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7
Q

How has the nature of sport changed since World War II?

A

The corporate influence has reorganized sport around values of profit maximization and consumer capitalism.

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8
Q

What does Andrews (2005) mean by the “infiltration” of market forces into sport?

A

Market forces have penetrated nearly every aspect of human existence, including how sports are organized and valued.

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9
Q

What is a key characteristic of multinational corporations in late capitalism?

A

They focus on conglomeration and market expansion, restructuring sports to align with capital accumulation goals.

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10
Q

How has sport been transformed in the context of late capitalism?

A

Sport is now a highly regulated and predictable mass entertainment product designed to maximize profit across multiple revenue streams.

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11
Q

How are sports described as corporate enterprises?

A

Sports are integrally tied to marketing concerns and global capitalist processes, with corporate names often associated with athletes and events.

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12
Q

What role do corporations play in the global expansion of sports?

A

Corporations use sports as vehicles for expansion, generating direct profit and promoting ancillary goods.

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13
Q

What is the significance of media in the context of sports and late capitalism?

A

Media are essential for market expansion, facilitating the promotion and consumption of sports globally.

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14
Q

How has the relationship between sport and society changed under late capitalism?

A

The social experiences, meanings, and forms of sport have been transformed, reflecting corporate values and consumer capitalism.

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15
Q

What is conglomeration in the sports industry?

A

What is conglomeration in the sports industry?

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16
Q

Give an example of a conglomerate acquisition involving Salomon.

A

Salomon acquired Mavic (bicycle wheels) and Taylor Made (golf), eventually merging with Adidas, which also bought Reebok.

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17
Q

Name some subsidiaries of Salomon.

A

Arc’teryx, Mavic, Bonfire Snowboarding, Salomon Sangiorgio Spa, Salomon Italia Spa, Salomon/North America, Inc.

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18
Q

Describe CrossFit.

A

A branded fitness regimen founded by Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai in 2000, recognized as a registered trademark of CrossFit, Inc.

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19
Q

What is the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC)?

A

A sports event promotion company that owns the Ironman brand and operates under conglomerate Advance Publications.

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20
Q

What trademarks does WTC hold?

A

Ironman, Ironman Triathlon, 70.3, and Ironkids.

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21
Q

What benefits come with trademark registration?

A

Legal action against unauthorized use, the ability to display the ® symbol, and the potential to sell or license the brand.

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22
Q

What are the “cultural logics” of late capitalism?

A

The shift from material manufacturing to cultural industries, emphasizing marketing and consumption as central to the economy.

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23
Q

What was the impact of the 1970s on labor costs?

A

The desire for reduced labor costs led to offshoring manufacturing and increased reliance on high-tech communications.

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24
Q

Define “Consciousness Industries.”

A

Industries where the monetary value of commodities is shaped by cultural and symbolic factors rather than traditional manufacturing.

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25
Q

How do rugby jerseys exemplify late capitalism?

A

The high retail price is largely unrelated to manufacturing costs; marketing creates symbolic value that inflates economic worth.

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26
Q

What role have sporting organizations adopted in late capitalism?

A

They have embraced corporate structures focused on profit, shifting control away from athletes and fans toward corporate interests.

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27
Q

How has television affected the Olympic movement?

A

It has transformed the Olympics into a commercial entity, maximizing profits through sponsorship and global marketing.

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28
Q

What does the IOC claim to prioritize?

A

Ethics, role modeling, and the aspiration for a better world, despite financial dependence on multinational corporations.

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29
Q

Provide examples of imbalanced rewards in the Premier League.

A

Executives like Richard Scudamore earn millions, while matchday workers often receive less than a living wage.

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30
Q

What were the earnings of top netball players compared to fringe players in 2013?

A

The highest-paid netballer earned $56,000, while fringe players might earn only $15,000, illustrating significant wage disparities.

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31
Q

How do sports organizations reflect late capitalism?

A

By adopting features such as institutional structure and managerial hierarchies, focusing on profit over athlete and fan interests.

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32
Q

What happens to the control of decisions in sports organizations under late capitalism?

A

Athletes often defer decisions to corporate sponsors, advertisers, and professional managers due to financial stakes.

33
Q

How have branding and celebrity culture influenced sports commodities?

A

They create inflated symbolic value for products, making them more desirable and profitable than their basic utility.

34
Q

What is an example of the IOC’s marketing strategy?

A

Employing Saatchi and Saatchi for global media campaigns that promote the Olympics as a celebration of humanity, despite corporate interests.

35
Q

How do disparities in salaries illustrate class divisions in sports?

A

Executive salaries vastly outpace those of lower-paid workers, reflecting broader social and economic inequalities.

36
Q

Why do lower-class cultures often lack representation in organized sports?

A

There may be a perception that participation offers little benefit in changing life circumstances, leading to lower engagement.

37
Q

How do middle-class sports cultures differ in their approach to physical activity?

A

They emphasize body management for health and social acceptance, often with specific incentives for women and girls

38
Q

What defines global labor markets in late capitalism?

A

They involve sellers of labor, including athletes and workers in the sporting goods industry, often involving outsourcing of manufacturing.

39
Q

What impact has deindustrialization had on the sports industry?

A

It has led to a focus on global markets for consumption, with consumers purchasing sporting products and services.

40
Q

How does ‘celebritisation’ play a role in global sports markets?

A

Sporting celebrities are central to marketing and branding, enhancing the appeal of sports commodities.

41
Q

How did the NBA transform during the late 20th century?

A

It shifted from a traditional sports industry to a multifaceted marketing and entertainment conglomerate.

42
Q

What measures were taken by the NBA to improve its image in the 1980s and 1990s?

A

Implementation of an anti-drug policy, collective bargaining agreements, and a salary cap.

43
Q

What role did promotional media play in the NBA’s re-articulation?

A

It was used strategically to enhance the game’s image and attract young audiences through fast-paced game broadcasts.

44
Q

How did the NBA diversify its operations?

A

By incorporating divisions like NBA Properties, NBA Entertainment, NBA International, and NBA Ventures.

45
Q

Who are some key corporate partners of the NBA?

A

Corporations such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and McDonald’s have used the league’s imagery for marketing.

45
Q

What is the significance of Michael Jordan in NBA marketing?

A

His promotion by Nike created a strong synergy that boosted both the brand and the league’s visibility.

46
Q

What financial growth did the NBA experience from 1980 to 1990?

A

Gross non-retail revenues rose from $110 million to $700 million, and gross retail revenues jumped from $44 million to $1 billion.

47
Q

How did the NBA approach global market expansion by the late 1990s?

A

After saturating the US market, it sought overseas growth, reaching 199 countries with extensive television coverage.

48
Q

What financial status did Manchester United achieve by 1999?

A

It became the richest soccer club, with pre-tax earnings soaring from £4 million in 1993 to £30.5 million in 1999.

49
Q

Describe the ownership transition of Manchester United.

A

The Glazer family acquired ownership through a £790 million takeover by gradually buying out shareholders between 2003 and 2005.

50
Q

How has globalization affected player demographics in the EPL?

A

By 2018, 67.3% of players in the EPL were foreign, highlighting the increased internationalization of the league.

51
Q

What disparities exist in salaries within late capitalist sports?

A

Executives earn exorbitant salaries while many matchday workers earn below a living wage.

52
Q

What were the earnings of Richard Scudamore in 2015-16?

A

He was paid £3.448 million, including bonuses related to television deals.

53
Q

What are some examples of low earnings in women’s sports?

A

Top netball players earn around $56,000, while fringe players may earn as little as $15,000.

54
Q

How has the celebrity industry changed in relation to sports?

A

It has become a rationalized phenomenon where sport stars endorse consumer products, heavily influenced by media.

55
Q

How do corporations utilize sports imagery?

A

They form endorsements and sponsorship deals with high-profile athletes to enhance their brand recognition and market products.

56
Q

What structural changes have occurred in sports under late capitalism?

A

Professionalization, corporatization, and market consolidation have reshaped the ethos of sports.

57
Q

What rule changes have been implemented in sports to cater to viewer preferences?

A

Changes aimed at speeding up action, increasing scoring, balancing competition, and maximizing dramatic moments.

58
Q

How has mass consumption influenced sports marketing?

A

Saturation advertising and a shift towards service and high-tech sectors have changed how sports are marketed and consumed.

59
Q

What factors have created a need for cities to reposition themselves in the consumption economy?

A

Economic restructuring, technological shifts, and capital mobility (Rowe & McGuirk, 1999).

60
Q

What phenomenon results from economic changes among cities, states, and nations?

A

Increased competition to showcase and market themselves effectively, referred to as “putting your town/city on the map.”

61
Q

How are formerly industrial cities adapting in a late capitalist context?

A

They aim to become service centers for financial, information, and leisure services (Whitson & McIntosh, 1996).

62
Q

What happens to cities that do not succeed in inter-urban competition?

A

They risk being marginalized in the global economy (Robins, 1997).

63
Q

How are sports mega events significant for host cities?

A

They are believed to have major consequences for local economies and attract extensive media coverage (Horne & Manreitzer, 2006).

64
Q

What defines a sports mega event?

A

Large-scale cultural and sporting events characterized by dramatic appeal, mass popularity, and international significance (Roche, 2000).

65
Q

What is notable about the bidding process for sports mega events?

A

Bidding can be highly competitive and costly; e.g., Chicago’s failed 2016 Olympic bid cost around $100 million (Zimbalist, 2010).

66
Q

How do political leaders frame mega events?

A

As solutions to urban issues, promising benefits like urban regeneration, job creation, and legacy infrastructure (Theodoraki, 2016).

67
Q

What strategies are employed to garner public support for mega event bids?

A

Campaigns such as “Back the Bid” (e.g., London 2012) that highlight local enthusiasm and involvement.

68
Q

What challenges arise regarding the promised economic benefits of hosting mega events?

A

Long-term benefits are often overestimated, leading to budget overruns and financial burdens, with job creation typically being short-term (Horne & Manzenreiter, 2006).

69
Q

What key questions should be asked about the impact of sports mega events?

A

What are the physical, social, and legal changes? Who are the winners and losers?

70
Q

What are common criticisms of the impacts of sports mega events?

A

Environmental destruction, public money used for expensive facilities, distortion of local economies, and potential corruption in selection processes (Adapted from Burstyn, in Lenskyj, 2001).

71
Q

Who typically controls sports mega events, and what is the implication?

A

Owned by monopolistic transnational organizations, leading to an imbalance of power and risk among stakeholders (Theodoraki, 2007)

72
Q

What happens to sports facilities built for mega events after the competitions end?

A

Many facilities remain unused or underutilized, incurring high maintenance costs, such as the Sydney Olympic stadium costing $30 million annually.

73
Q

What does research indicate about job creation from hosting mega events?

A

While some jobs are created, they are often temporary and have no lasting impact on income for local workers (Hagn and Maennig, 2009; Matheson, 2009).

74
Q

What legal challenges did women face during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa?

A

Accusations of unauthorized commercial activities and possession of commercial objects within exclusion zones.

75
Q

What legislation was enacted in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup?

A

The Major Events Management Act (MEMA) was created to protect corporate sponsorship rights.

76
Q

What change did the International Rugby Board make regarding halftime breaks in 2010?

A

Allowed breaks of up to 15 minutes, with added time valued at $21,000 per 30-second ad slot.

77
Q

How did the America’s Cup influence Auckland and New Zealand?

A

Transformed Auckland’s international profile and promoted it as a great place to live and invest, though its impact goes beyond economic benefits.

78
Q

What are some long-term issues associated with sports mega events?

A

Environmental degradation, prioritization of event venues over community needs, and potential corruption in the bidding process.