Sport in Late Capitalism - L26-28 Flashcards
How are sports perceived in the context of the economy today?
Sports are viewed as ‘big business’ and global, leading to concerns about athletes being overpaid and viewed as ‘mercenaries.’
What opportunities have emerged for consumers in the global sports market?
Unprecedented opportunities for consumption, including access to a wide range of sports and events.
Why are sports mega-events often praised?
For their potential to generate economic and social regeneration, although the benefits are increasingly scrutinized and often funded by taxpayers.
What is a common trend among towns and cities regarding sports events?
They compete to host events to gain visibility and promote civic and national pride.
What does ‘late capitalism’ refer to?
A phase of capitalism from around 1945 onward characterized by multinational corporations, globalized markets, and mass consumption.
What are key features of late capitalist economies as they relate to sports?
Intensified corporate influence, outsourcing, saturation advertising, and fluidity of capital leading to competition among locations.
How has the nature of sport changed since World War II?
The corporate influence has reorganized sport around values of profit maximization and consumer capitalism.
What does Andrews (2005) mean by the “infiltration” of market forces into sport?
Market forces have penetrated nearly every aspect of human existence, including how sports are organized and valued.
What is a key characteristic of multinational corporations in late capitalism?
They focus on conglomeration and market expansion, restructuring sports to align with capital accumulation goals.
How has sport been transformed in the context of late capitalism?
Sport is now a highly regulated and predictable mass entertainment product designed to maximize profit across multiple revenue streams.
How are sports described as corporate enterprises?
Sports are integrally tied to marketing concerns and global capitalist processes, with corporate names often associated with athletes and events.
What role do corporations play in the global expansion of sports?
Corporations use sports as vehicles for expansion, generating direct profit and promoting ancillary goods.
What is the significance of media in the context of sports and late capitalism?
Media are essential for market expansion, facilitating the promotion and consumption of sports globally.
How has the relationship between sport and society changed under late capitalism?
The social experiences, meanings, and forms of sport have been transformed, reflecting corporate values and consumer capitalism.
What is conglomeration in the sports industry?
What is conglomeration in the sports industry?
Give an example of a conglomerate acquisition involving Salomon.
Salomon acquired Mavic (bicycle wheels) and Taylor Made (golf), eventually merging with Adidas, which also bought Reebok.
Name some subsidiaries of Salomon.
Arc’teryx, Mavic, Bonfire Snowboarding, Salomon Sangiorgio Spa, Salomon Italia Spa, Salomon/North America, Inc.
Describe CrossFit.
A branded fitness regimen founded by Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai in 2000, recognized as a registered trademark of CrossFit, Inc.
What is the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC)?
A sports event promotion company that owns the Ironman brand and operates under conglomerate Advance Publications.
What trademarks does WTC hold?
Ironman, Ironman Triathlon, 70.3, and Ironkids.
What benefits come with trademark registration?
Legal action against unauthorized use, the ability to display the ® symbol, and the potential to sell or license the brand.
What are the “cultural logics” of late capitalism?
The shift from material manufacturing to cultural industries, emphasizing marketing and consumption as central to the economy.
What was the impact of the 1970s on labor costs?
The desire for reduced labor costs led to offshoring manufacturing and increased reliance on high-tech communications.
Define “Consciousness Industries.”
Industries where the monetary value of commodities is shaped by cultural and symbolic factors rather than traditional manufacturing.
How do rugby jerseys exemplify late capitalism?
The high retail price is largely unrelated to manufacturing costs; marketing creates symbolic value that inflates economic worth.
What role have sporting organizations adopted in late capitalism?
They have embraced corporate structures focused on profit, shifting control away from athletes and fans toward corporate interests.
How has television affected the Olympic movement?
It has transformed the Olympics into a commercial entity, maximizing profits through sponsorship and global marketing.
What does the IOC claim to prioritize?
Ethics, role modeling, and the aspiration for a better world, despite financial dependence on multinational corporations.
Provide examples of imbalanced rewards in the Premier League.
Executives like Richard Scudamore earn millions, while matchday workers often receive less than a living wage.
What were the earnings of top netball players compared to fringe players in 2013?
The highest-paid netballer earned $56,000, while fringe players might earn only $15,000, illustrating significant wage disparities.
How do sports organizations reflect late capitalism?
By adopting features such as institutional structure and managerial hierarchies, focusing on profit over athlete and fan interests.