1. Sport and the USA
07/12/2012

2. Learning objectives To recap the nature of sport within the USA.
To understand how commercialisation and capitalism have influenced sport in the USA.
To understand and explain the significance of the Super bowl in regards to commercialisation.

3. Spider diagram
As a group, how many key words can we think of that relate to sport in the USA?
commercialisation
Drafts
Franchise
Religion
Violence
Frontier spirit
Sponsorship
Sport in the USA
American dream
Collegiate sport
Pioneer spirit
Money
Success
‘Win ethic’
Capitalism
Individualism
Land of opportunity

4. History of America
During the 19th century millions of immigrants left Europe and arrived on the east coast of the USA.
‘Land of opportunity’
Equivalent today – relocating your family to the moon
Poor infrastructure/utilities
Only possible because of the industrial revolution – creation of sea going vessels.
During the 19th century millions of immigrants left Europe and arrived on the east coast of the USA.
‘Land of opportunity’
By 1900 farms and factories were producing more than other country in the world, thus increasing wealth and power.
Individualism
Capitalism
Capitalism directly influences the nature of sport in the USA

5. Win ethic Watch this video clip:
How do you think this video clip relates to the American ‘win ethic’?
Passion
Life/death
Win at all costs
Religious undertones
Sport in the USA reflects the country’s culture.
European games were adapted to suit their environment and rapidly evolving culture.
New games were invented in the ‘land of opportunity’
The pioneering spirit of enterprise and drive needed games that were high scoring and action packed.
‘Win at all costs’ ethic dominates sport in the USA.
Very competitive/no draws

6. The American dream What is the American dream?
Watch these clip of President Obama:
It assumes that anyone can be a success – sport as a vehicle.
Also an opportunity for their children to grow up with an education and become professionals.
The ‘American dream’
Refers to the idea that prosperity depends on your own ability and hard work, not class.
It assumes that anyone can be a success.
Sport is a way in which people can achieve success
Chance for migrants to achieve better prosperity than in there own countries.
Also an opportunity for their children to grow up with an education and become professionals.

7. the Super Bowl 111.3 million watched the 2012 Super bowl.
Estimated cost of 30 seconds of adverts during a commercial break is $2.6 million.
Half time is one hour long.
TV networks take advantage of the huge TV audience by scheduling independently produced half-time entertainment.
Cheerleaders/band marches
Second largest food consumption day after Thanksgiving.
Super bowl Sunday spectacle.
111.3 million watched the 2012 Super bowl.
Estimated cost of 30 seconds of adverts during a commercial break is $2.6 million.
Half time at the Super bowl is one hour long and many TV networks take advantage of the huge TV audience by scheduling independently produced half-time entertainment.
Cheerleaders/band marches
Second largest food consumption day after Thanksgiving.

8. Super Rich
Drew Brees.
Signed a five-year, £62.1 million contract with Saints (£12.4 million per year).
Between July 2011 and July 2012 Brees earned £30.7 million thanks to a £23 million signing bonus with his new Saints deal.
£3.1 million from Sponsorship
Nike, Pepsi, Verizon Communications and Procter & Gamble’s Vicks brand
The Saints rewarded their franchise QB in July with a five-year, £62.1 million contract. His £12.4 million per year average salary is the highest in the history of the NFL. That works out at £34,000 a day, £1,415 an hour, £24 a minute.
2012 earnings:
Brees ranks No. 1 among the NFL’s highest-paid player between July 2011 and July 2012 with earnings of £30.7 million thanks to a £23 million signing bonus with his new Saints deal.
Sponsorship deals:
Brees earned £4.6 million in salary during the 2011 and netted an estimated £3.1 million from endorsements and licensing. He is one of the NFL’s most marketable players and has sponsorship agreements with Nike, Verizon Communications and Procter & Gamble’s Vicks brand. He also has a Pepsi deal and is slated to star in a new ad campaign with British boy-band One Direction. The six-time Pro Bowler earned £ through group licensing deals and appearances arranged by the players union over the last year, which was tops among NFL players.

9. ‘more money, more money’
Ferrari F458 costs £178, Drew Brees can buy 70 Ferraris a year.
Chanel bag costs £3, Drew Brees can buy 3974 Chanel bags a year.
Nike Blazers cost £ Drew Brees can buy 177,143 pairs of Nike Blazers a year.
A pint of milk costs 85p Drew Brees can buy 14,588,235 pints of milk a year.

10. American football & rugby
List the similarities and differences between American football and Rugby:
Similarities
Differences
‘H’ shaped goals
Ball can be thrown forward
Same shaped ball
Can tackle people without the ball
Tackling is aloud
Protective clothing
Try line/touchdown zone
Four quarters
Conversions
11 players /15 players
Punting/kicking
Game stops from an incomplete pass
Line of Scrimmage/Scrum

11. American football & rugby
How did sport develop in America?
Sports were:
Adapted (Ivy colleges)
Revised/developed
Environment
Facilities
Need for a result
Success
Reflects the pioneering/frontier spirit
Sports in America developed almost identically to those in England.
Sports were developed, revised, adapted and modernised to suit the needs of the people playing them (Americans; individualism; capitalism; success).
Facilities, environment

12. Exam question
Q. Identify the economic system of the USA and explain how it influences sport in the USA (5).