Professional and elite sport in America The purpose of every professional sports team in America is to make money. The purpose of every professional sports team in America is to make money. Sport is run according to a franchise system. Sport is run according to a franchise system. This system works according to geographical situation. This system works according to geographical situation. All clubs have to be a specific distance from each other, to ensure that that club has a monopoly over goods and products. All clubs have to be a specific distance from each other, to ensure that that club has a monopoly over goods and products. This will lead to profit maximisation. This will lead to profit maximisation.

The private sector dominates American sport. The private sector dominates American sport. There is very little funding by the voluntary and public sectors. There is very little funding by the voluntary and public sectors. Sport depends on gate money, media fees and company sponsorship. Sport depends on gate money, media fees and company sponsorship. Rules state that every club has to be owned by a company. Rules state that every club has to be owned by a company.

e.g. Annheuser-Busch (Budweiser) owns the St Louis Cardinals e.g. Annheuser-Busch (Budweiser) owns the St Louis Cardinals McDonalds - San Diego Padres McDonalds - San Diego Padres Wrigley - Chicago Cubs Wrigley - Chicago Cubs

In addition each team has a nickname – which differentiates teams from one another In addition each team has a nickname – which differentiates teams from one another E.g Cowboys or Bulls Detroit Tigers E.g Cowboys or Bulls Detroit Tigers

Activity Try to match the nickname with the correct town BullsLos Angeles CowboysChicago PhilliesBoston LakersDallas Blue SoxLos Angeles RedskinsPhiladelphia RaidersChicago CelticsOrlando MagicsWashington

AMERICAN LEAGUE NATIONAL LEAGUE East Mid West Conferences East Mid West Conference Champions Conference Champions League Champions League Champions NATIONAL CHMAPIONS “Superbowl” for Football World Series for Basketball and Baseball The Structure of American professional sport

Athletics has always had a high profile in the colleges, but by now it has also become an output for the professional system.

The commercial nature of professional sport Alongside the increase in professional sport there has been an increase in the commercial interest and investments. Alongside the increase in professional sport there has been an increase in the commercial interest and investments. Athletes are used in all ways to promote sales of different products. Athletes are used in all ways to promote sales of different products.

American sports teams have been designed with business in mind. American sports teams have been designed with business in mind. The games are short rapid periods that are followed by breaks for team changes, coach talks and phase changes. The games are short rapid periods that are followed by breaks for team changes, coach talks and phase changes. This allows breaks to be filled with advertisements by sponsors. This allows breaks to be filled with advertisements by sponsors.

The media and professional sport The media, especially television, have increased the money-winning potential for women and men in 2 ways: The media, especially television, have increased the money-winning potential for women and men in 2 ways: An increase in wages by clubs through sponsorship by companies. An increase in wages by clubs through sponsorship by companies. The use of athletes as ‘advertising poster boards’ has led to more money from sports products and other goods. The use of athletes as ‘advertising poster boards’ has led to more money from sports products and other goods.

A negative side to this is the fact that people like Rupert Murdoch try to gain control over a number of sports, clubs and governing bodies. A negative side to this is the fact that people like Rupert Murdoch try to gain control over a number of sports, clubs and governing bodies. Media companies now own many American clubs. Media companies now own many American clubs.