The Series of Sports: Religion, Politics, and Business

                                       Sports And Religion: Chasing Similar Results

            Sports and religion are like twins who were separated at birth. Every Sunday they join together for the traditional day of church in the morning and NFL football in the afternoon. While both activities may not seem related at all, a closer look at their purposes may reveal that they’re not so separate. Whether you’re sitting in pews or bleachers, you’re a spectator in search of something more. Both sports and religion can provide this by giving people a sense of purpose, unity, and hope; however, one must not lose sight of their true meaning and purpose.   

            Distinguishing the line between god and institutionalized religion is very important in understanding the comparison. While many people automatically connect god with religion, they are not synonyms. By definition religion is simply: a particular system of faith and worship. Religion attempts to connect us to the divine power of God. Some institutionalized religions sometimes distort the true meaning of religion by taking away the most important part; the personal relationship with god. The man in the pew then becomes strikingly similar to the spectator sitting in the stands rooting on their favorite professional team.

Touchdown Jesus at Notre Dame University

A prime example of institutionalized religion becoming a spectator sport can be seen in The Confessions of St. Augustine translated by Rex Warner. By Book III, St. Augustine reaches a low point in his relationship with god. He turns to the Maniche faith, which is a heretical version of Christianity. In this situation, Christianity has been tampered with and deviated from to create the institutionalized religion run by the Maniches. For ten years Augustine searches for salvation and his purpose through this religion. Rejection of the book of Genesis, treating God as a being, and putting struggles on God were all characteristics of this religious sect that ate away at Augustine’s soul. It was ten unhappy years as he found himself chasing faith in a “false” religion, but enjoying the false fulfillment it provided. It seemed to just distance him more from God. Augustine later states that he pictured God as "a vast luminous body of immense size and myself a bit of that body.” He claims, “What extraordinary perversity I showed ” (IV, 16). This quote shows how there was nothing to his relationship with god under this religion. Although he ended up with God, his journey was rocky. Augustine taught us that once you begin to center your life on certain religions, you’re trying to find your purpose in the wrong areas. You’re on the outside of your relationship with God; looking in just like a spectator in stands. This search of purpose in the wrong places is all too familiar in the world of sports.

Personally, I love sports but I realize that it’s only a game. In our world today, sports have turned into more than just a game. The famous quote, “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing,” sums up how the importance of winning has overshadowed the meaning of life. Often, fans will place their hopes and purpose in the hands of a sports team despite having stake in the team. The most notorious example of this occurred in Kenya. BBC News reported 29-year-old Arsenal soccer fan, Suleiman Omondi, hung himself after watching his team lose European Champions League semi-final. A woman who sat next to him in the bar revealed, “Mr. Omondi was so disappointed by Arsenal's poor performance that he broke down during half-time.” Before he left the bar at halftime, Suleiman got into a little argument with a Manchester United fan. He was so angry after the quarrel that he left in a rage. He was later found hanging from a rope in his house still dressed in his Arsenal shirt. Although many times a fight doesn’t end in suicide, scuffles between fans often occur. Sign onto YouTube and you’ll be able to watch fans go at it in the stands all day. Stadiums, such as Red Bull Arena and Lincoln Financial Field even have jail cells built into them to detain fighters. Why do fans ruin their criminal records over a team they’re not even a part of? It’s the sense of purpose they find through supporting this team. That Arsenal fan lived for the Arsenal Football Club of England. Unfortunately, where he turned to find his purpose cost him his life. All teams eventually lose making sports a disappointing place to place your life’s purpose. Just as Augustine was disappointed in his Maniche religion, some fans become truly disappointed in trying to find their purpose in sports.

The New York Jets In Pregame Prayer

On the surface, sports set up artificial competitions that don’t really serve any purpose. After all, nothing really hinges on who gets to the finish line first. Athletes display their capabilities to fans, but even they shouldn’t be living through their sport. It is seen time and time again that athletes retire and become confused to where to place their life’s purpose. This is because they’ve used their sport to fill that void their whole life. Ronda Wimmer wrote about this topic in, Elite Athletes and Treating Post-Competition Depression. She said, “Many athletes train for years, reach the apex of their careers, then "crash." After the peak of competition is over, and the highs of winning, commercial endorsements, sponsors and general excitement die down; depression then sets in. One example she cites is an Olympic driver who admitted having post-competition depression for two years after the 1984 Olympics. When you place your life’s purpose in sports as an athlete, you will eventually be let down. After all, everyone must hang up the cleats sometime. It’s athletes like Tim Tebow, who play sports but give their life to god, who will never leave that void empty. Whether you’re an athlete living through your sport or a man following an institutionalized religion, you’re trying to complete yourself wrongly. The sense of unity you gain for short time may be a temporary fill, but it’s not sustainable for the long run.

Religion and sports both bring about unity, and it’s that unity that gives people the feel like their larger than life. People need to find a purpose to fulfill their lives. Some find that purpose in religion, and some find it in sports. Some even find it in both. When you’re standing in MetLife stadium screaming with eighty thousand other Giants fans, it makes you feel like you are a part of something bigger. It’s a feeling of belonging. It’s similar to the same feeling of belonging that Augustine felt for the ten years he followed the Maniches. Religion unites people of common interest. Every Sunday a community comes together to praise, sing and worship together. Although at times, religion has shown to be the force that divides people, it has often served as a uniting force. After all, religion was one of the driving factors that united the people who first came to America. In excess of four million people went to Pope John Paul’s funeral. That number in itself shows that religion brings people together who unite under one belief.

AtheistConnect Depicting How Sports Has
Become Today's Religion

Institutionalized religion and sports are both huge in the world today for a reason. It’s the similar attributes they offer to followers that appeals to people. Even consider the vocabulary overlap associated with both: faith, devotion, rituals, sacrifice, commitment, spirit, prayer, suffering, and celebration. Besides unity and purpose, they both give people hope. The same way people turn to religion when they’re at their lowest, people turn to sports to stay on track in life. After Mike Vick got arrested for dog fighting, he then turned to football to turn his life back on track. And as the famous saying goes, everyone seems to find god once their behind bars. It’s this purpose, hope and sense of unity that will always appeal to people. Yet, if you’re not putting your faith in god himself, you’re bound to fall at one point. So next time you go to church don’t bother ironing up your “Sunday Best.” Save some time and wear your NFL jersey to church. After all, the people in the pews and the football spectators are all in search of similar attributes, hope, unity, and purpose.

                                

          Sports and Politics: When Cultural Super Powers Merge

            Sports and politics are two of the most influential aspects of the world today. Their interaction is inevitable as a result of the large population they collaborate to control. It’s not uncommon to see these super powers join forces or collide on a controversial issue. When sports has spiraled into chaos, governments have stepped in to diffuse the situation. When governments struggled to accomplish a goal, sports has helped to attain even the most daunting of tasks. It’s a unique relationship that comes in so many different ways, but is often overlooked.

            Many sports have prevailed to intercede at times when governments were weak. Franklin Foer states in his book, How Soccer Explains The World, “soccer clubs don’t represent geographical areas but rather all social classes and political ideologies.” Foer is right, soccer’s powerful because of the way it unites beyond geographical boundaries. It’s the world’s game. The game talked about, celebrated and watched by billions from every corner of the globe. Spanning its influence over all the globe’s countries, it’s no surprise that it has helped the governments of the world by bringing about a sense of nationalism and unity that can only be found through sports. Ivory Coast’s trip to the 2010 World Cup is a prime example of sports helping to solve government issues.Telegraph writes how the country’s rebel-held north and pro-government south were fighting violently when Ivory Coast superstar Didier Drogba took the microphone and fell to his knees live on television. He begged the fighting factions to lay their weapons down and in the middle of a bloody civil war they ceased fire. Afterwards, Drogba reflected on the situation, “(Through soccer), I had a unique opportunity to plead the cause of unity. Ivory Coast could not sink into chaos forever.” For the first time, people came together from both regions peacefully to support their team during World Cup warm up games. Ivory Coast’s government can thank the powerful reach of sports for the temporary unity of their country. After an international match, accomplished Greek soccer coach Otto Rehhagel claimed, “It is great that soccer can unite all people for one day. It is something politics has often tried, and we were able to do it today. All people became brothers.” This quote certainly applies to the heart-warming story that occurred in the summer of 2010 for the Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast Fans Show Their Support For Drogba

Sports and politics have also benefited from a mutualistic relationship. The United States Congress passed Title IX in order to provide more opportunity for women across the country for the betterment of collegiate athletics. Also, Major League Baseball’s front office ran into severe steroid issues during the 2007 season that they proved incapable of handling. The infamous four hundred nine page Mitchell Report accused baseball heroes of taking performance enhancers. Congress accompanied baseball commissioner Bud Selig by putting major juicers in front of a legal setting. Together, politicians and sports heads worked together to solve the rampant steroid problem of the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Today, steroids in baseball are a rare sight to see with increased testing and more attention. It’s been proven that when these two super powers work together, even the impossible becomes possible.

On the other hand, this deep influence over society is a problem when a disagreement arises. As two powerful entities of the American culture, they each have lots of leeway into accomplishing tasks. When in contradiction, it seems as if these two cultural giants are at a stalemate. An ongoing scenario of a stalemate is occurring in downtown Minneapolis concerning the Minnesota Vikings new stadium. The current stadium is rotting and proved its instability when the roof collapsed during a major winter snowstorm. Vikings officials have been lobbying for a new stadium for several years and have run many sketches by the Minnesota legislature. Government officials refuse to take on the billion-dollar bill that other cities, such as New York and Dallas, have taken on to keep their football team in town. Now, the Vikings are a serious relocation risk to Los Angeles. Fans feel heartbroken and betrayed by their government while taxpayers are relived that they won’t have to help the cause. It’s a conflict that proves sometimes sports and politics just can’t get along.  This argument would be an economic loss for both the NFL franchise and the city.

A Saddened Vikings Fan Shows Up To The Minnesota
Legislature While Discussing The Proposed Stadium

            Besides the professional relationship, there’s also a lighter side to the relationship between sports and politics. Politicians continually pop up into the entertainment atmosphere displaying their passions for sports. It’s a common sight to see New York mayor Rudy Giuliani using his season tickets to support the Yankees from his seat behind home plate. All college basketball fans can expect to see Barack Obama filling out his basketball bracket every March. His Republican rival, Mitt Romney, is well known for his ownership and friendships in NASCAR. Most importantly, let’s not forget all the visits the president receives from sports champions. College Football, college basketball, NFL MLB, NHL, MLS, NASCAR, and PGA champions can traditionally expect to receive an invitation to the White House after winning their major championship. I would consider this the lighter side of sports and politics. When the business is put aside, it allows for the playful personalities to come out. As many times as politicians support athletes, athletes have been known to comment on their politicians.

Athletes have been known to endorse candidates they wish to see represent their country. In the upcoming November election, Mitt Romney strives to battle Barack Obama’s chances in office. Athletes and owners have submitted their donations in support of the candidate they want to be in office this January. The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is continued as most Yankees front office men are pushing for Romney as the Red Sox push for an Obama reelection. The Yankees and Red Sox even feud over politics; what a rivalry! Because athletes are viewed as role models, they realize their words have serious persuasion behind it. Some have not shied away from speaking their endorsements or political issues. Bruins goalie Tim Thomas previously refused to accompany his team to a White House ceremony with President Obama honoring their 2011 win. He reasoned, "I Stand with the Catholics in the fight for Religious Freedom." Arguably the most famous stance against the government ever occurred when Mohammed Ali evaded the Vietnam War draft and served jail time as a result. Any average citizen wouldn’t have had the impact that Mohammed Ali did. His stature and fame allowed for such a bold move to create shockwaves and send a strong message.

President Obama Fills Out His March Madness Bracket

Sports and politics is a healthy relationship that I hope will never wither down. Ceasing to exist would mean a less connected world and an inability to fall back upon each other when one is failing. It’s proven to work and I hope sports can continue to unite the globe in a positive manner. Furthermore, I respect the athletes who speak on public matters displaying an admirable sense of public awareness and courage. It’s nice to see athletes caring for more than just homeruns, touchdowns or multimillion-dollar contracts. The government helping sports, sports helping politics, and an occasional butting of heads is great for society. As the bond strengthens between politics and sports, I can assure you that the world’s unity will follow.

           

           

            Sports and Business: The Money Making Machine

            Sports is a business and businesses benefit financially from sports. This two-way relationship is the driving force behind every pitch, kickoff, and tip off. The casual sports viewer may fail to realize that sports entertainment provides much more than simple amusement. From the time the ticket booth was built and the fencing was erected around the field, ring, rink, or court, the team has not only attempted to entertain but to profit. One doesn’t have to look beyond the outlandish salaries paid to athletes to recognize the staggering amount of money passing hands in the business of sports. Every detail of sports is submerged in business and one must wonder whether business being intertwined into sports is a healthy relationship.  

The business foothold within sports is increasing by the day. Before Lebron James played one second of professional basketball, he had already signed a $90 million dollar deal with NIKE (Sports, Inc.). This would be an unheard of salary figure for an unproven athlete decades ago. The salaries are increasing at astronomical speeds. Take into account Babe Ruth’s 1927 earnings of  $70,000 compared to current Yankees star Derek Jeter pulling in $14.6 million. In 1975, the average NFL salary was $78,000 and had risen to $1.1 million by 2002. In that same time frame, NBA players have enjoyed a jump in wealth from $170,00 to $5.5 million (Sports, Inc.). This dramatic increase in salaries outpaces inflation by miles. The increase in player salaries can be attributed to four things; player agents, increased legal mobility, more media coverage and greater and more sources of revenues. Media coverage and alternative revenues contribute the most to salary increases. It shows the ever-increasing money available to sports owners and the business influence the media and business revenue (sponsorships, marketing, etc.) have provided to sports.

Washington Nationals New Expensive Ballpark

While all this growth is creating an explosion in profits, one can’t help but question the effects. Money is great, but the integrity and passion of sports is an unmatchable byproduct of sport competition. There’s a risk that enormous salaries signed before a player puts on his professional jersey could affect work ethic and humbleness; accusations Lebron has fallen victim to. In the days of Larry Bird and John Stockton, there was no such thing as easy money. Guaranteed contracts didn’t exist and if you didn’t perform, you were left to find another career. It’s impossible and foolish to stop the money flow into the sports scene, but sports does have to rethink how the outflow and operation of these big businesses.

One major sports business operation that has constantly been criticized is the NCAA. While all the major professional sports leagues are extraordinary businesses, there’s no other than the NCAA. The NCAA has such a stronghold and edge over professional leagues because it controls all the sports and tournaments of college play. Between the college football championship series and March Madness tournament, it’s unbelievable how much revenue this single entity can pull in. For instance, the NCAA men’s tournament is in the midst of an eleven-year contract with CBS worth $6 billion (Sports, Inc.). Six billion dollars! Being such a powerful business, they have been criticized for the way they’ve handled college sports and student athletes.

The NCAA organization is an extremely successful legal monopoly. There is no other organization that oversees college athletics and there’s absolutely no competition. They profit off athletes who never see a dime of the revenues they helped produce. While some argue players should get a cut of these profits after graduation to help them financially with their futures, I completely disagree. These athletes are mostly receiving full tuition scholarships; amounting to a $150,000 check right there. It’s not stipends that the NCAA should consider, but the ethics behind their business. For example, if a coach messes up at a university it is the college that is punished, not the coaches. The coach can freely depart for another job while the college suffers through harsh penalties he/she caused. It can take years to turn a program back around, especially if it is suffering from loss of scholarships or a post-season ban. While this forces a university to be tough on a coach’s actions, it ruins universities based on the actions of one individual. I trust that the NCAA will not abuse its monopolistic powers and hurt college athletics. After all, every college needs the NCAA or they cannot compete in the prestigious- money making tournaments.

The Major Sports Networks

            Aside from monopolies in college athletics, professional sports also have their share of business dilemmas. Professional athletics are dealing with the scrutiny of over paying athletes. The question isn’t about controlling the money intake, but rather how should the money be spent? Let’s be honest, nobody likes paying $6 for a hot dog and $12 for a beer, but if people buy it than that’s the price at which it’ll be sold. It’s the simple economics concept of supply and demand. Concessions prices are through the roof, ticket prices are sky high, and the owners and players are making fortunes. Lots of this money comes from broadcasting revenues. In baseball, television revenues have gone from $1.5 million in 1950 to $570 million in 2000. That’s over $568 million jump in a span of fifty years! The NFL has $16 billion worth of contracts with ABC, CBS, Fox and ESPN (Sports, Inc.). It just goes to show that television revenue truly is king. Should the athletes reap the monstrous benefits of these revenues? Personally, I’m in favor of a capped salary, preventing athletes from making more than $15 million a year. If so, there will be excess cash in the system and a clever plan would need to be devised to redistribute the tens of millions not spent on athletes. A larger government tax could be one example. I’m not usually one to speak in favor of taxes, nor do I like too much government regulation and intervention in business. However, if these contracts don’t settle down than who knows what the athletes will be making when our children grow older. I’m afraid to see the salaries that will be paid out in fifty years from now.

            The sports scene will always be business motivated. It’s evolved from average outdoor venues to spectacular air conditioned domed stadiums that practically constitute as an adult playland inside. With the growing influence and revenues of sports, I’ll be the first to predict the dilemma’s the overly wealthy financial giants will face as people become dissatisfied at watching athletes make $30 million a year. While professional sports faces minimal regulation, I won’t be surprised to see the NCAA face pressure to loosen their regulations on the colleges they control. It’s a necessary monopoly that must not abuse their power. Hopefully, sports and business can continue to work jointly together in order to provide entertainment free from bowing down to the power of money.  

Schaaf, Phil. Sports Inc.: 100 Years of Sports Business. Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 2003. Print.