commercialisation

Question 1

commercialisation

Answer 1

• the management of sport for profit
• makes sport (and its associated ‘spin offs’) a product to be ‘bought and sold’

Question 2

factors leading to commercialisation

Answer 2

• growing interest from the public (want to be entertained)
• more media interest and exposure e.g. sky sports/ radio stations FOR sport
• sponsorship and professionalism
• exposure (product exposure via sport increases profit)
• (golden triangle/spectators and performers can travel/exposure to wider variety of sport)

Question 3

positive effects in individual

Answer 3

• sponsorship helps with: kit, equipment, training, travel, competition, accommodation costs
• opportunity (for small minority) to become wealthy global celebrities

Question 4

negative effects on individuals

Answer 4

• they can experience / endure high levels of pressure e.g. to attend promotional events
• sponsorship unevenly distributed between sports and/or performers; ‘marketability’ factors
• playing seasons arguably too long; pressure on players from burnout or injury
• job security reduced as poor results or performances can have an immediate negative impact

Question 5

positive effects on spectators

Answer 5

• more opportunity to see top quality sport; playing seasons longer
• more information, education, entertainment

Question 6

negative effect on spectators

Answer 6

• high cost of tickets / live attendance cost of subscribing to sports channels can be restrictive
• advertising can be intrusive
• some would prefer less razzmatazz and more sporting action (which some argue now takes second place)
• some spectators may dislike or disagree with the sponsor of their team

Question 7

positives on society

Answer 7

• the public becomes more knowledgeable about sport
• participation rates could increase due to positive role modelling, inspiration and encouragement
• watching or participating both have the potential to be ‘healthy’ pastimes

Question 8

negative effects on society

Answer 8

some may dislike the ‘win at all costs’ ethic that could be linked to violence, corruption and/or cheating

Question 9

positive effects on sports

Answer 9

• increased revenue can be used to:
• improved stadiums or training facilities
• increase player recruitment and development
• the format of some sports has changed to make them more entertaining/suitable for TV e.g. rugby league
• TV income means top clubs are less reliant on gate money
• leagues or tournaments can be established (that otherwise would not be viable)

Question 10

negative effects on sports

Answer 10

• some control has moved from NGBs to media companies
• maximum revenue goes to the ‘big sports’ which are usually male dominated
• smaller/ minority sports still lag behind
• some argue that business interests are now more important than the sport
• some mourn the fact that sport has lost its tradition and / or values
• some argue that certain sports are now simply a branch of the advertising industry
• some might dislike / disapprove of their sponsor or their stadium being named after a certain business