Sports & Economics

SPORTS & AMERICAN CULTURE

UNIT 3: SPORTS & ECONOMICS

The United States has prided itself on the elements of capitalism. Sports are no exception. This unit will explore how capitalism is reflected in sports and how it is shaping the future of sports. Beginning with sports’ simultaneous growth with industry, students will examine the parallels of sports and economics to include issues such as the effects of capitalist principles, employer/employee relations, and class. In addition, students will explore current sports-economic issues such as public subsidies for stadiums and the payment of college athletes. The unit will also build from the previous one to examine consumer behavior of fans to support their “religious” following.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

To what extent do sports mirror capitalism and socialism?
Do team owners (and colleges) exploit athletes?
Should sports gambling be legalized?

Essential Questions

VIDEOS

Comparing American and European Professional Sports

Why are American sports socialist and European sports capitalist?

Curt Flood: The Athlete Who Made LeBron James Possible

How did Curt Flood's actions pave the way for free agency?

Professional Sports & The Salary Cap

Do salary caps ensure a competitive balance?
Are salary caps socialist?

Minor League Pay: Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel

Are minor league baseball players being exploited?
Why would team owners be afraid of allowing minor league players to unionize?

Stadiums: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

WARNING! There is use of one profanity.

Should public money be used to build sports stadiums?
Do new sports stadiums improve the local economies?
Should team stadiums be exempt from property taxes?

The Economics of Sports Stadiums

Should public money be used to build sports stadiums?
Are new arenas and stadiums good for the economy?

The Economics of NCAA Sports

Why did the NCAA create the term student-athlete?
With so many entities profiting off of student-athletes, should the players get paid above their scholarships?

NCAA Student-Athletic Academic Reform

Are collegiate players student-athletes or athlete-students?

Sports Betting

Would sports gambling ruin the integrity of the game?

The Fantasy Sports Gamble

Are daily fantasy sports gambling?
Are daily fantasy sports too big to fail?
Why don't the professional sports leagues consider daily fantasy sites/games to be gambling?

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Videos