The Importance Of Sport in American Culture
Around the world, America is known not only for the quality and dedication of its athletes to showcasing the best of the best, but also for its cultural commitment and commitment to sport. It’s a cultural phenomenon across the country: sport is a common thread that connects most Americans. People of all backgrounds, from medical doctors to waste management professionals, and people of different ethnicities, genders, ages and personality types can all come together around a shared sport.
America’s love of the sport is evident across many parts of American culture, and typifies Americans’ view of baseball as a “national pastime.” Online sports betting in America is an incredibly lucrative business and many sports lovers enjoy the occasional flutter over the outcome of a game involving arch-rival teams or players. Sport is a cornerstone of American culture and society, but how did it get there? Let’s take a look at the facts.
Sport, society, economy
Sports are so deeply woven into the fabric of American society on so many levels that the average American probably has no idea that they are such a big part of their lives as they are. For one thing, sport in the US is a huge part of the local economy. The tickets taken at an average Bulls game, the fees paid to players who then pay taxes, the money managers and agencies and social media managers make: these amounts approach the billions every year. That much money keeps the wheels of any economy turning without even the slightest hint of a squeak.
The result of such a solid partnership between American business and the world of sports means that the sport continues to be elevated and held an even higher place of honor in the eyes of not only the people who directly benefit from it, but also the US public higher priority who sees more and more of these athletes and their sport on television and in special media.
The sideline jobs as a sports star in the US are diverse and lucrative. Shoes, sportswear, food, drinks, training programs … all sources of income are open to sports stars during and after their sporting career. The bigger the star, the bigger the status symbol of their shoe collaboration with Adidas or Nike and the closer the mainstream to owning them. These collectibles, in turn, can be resold for substantial sums, keeping the wheels of the economy, well greased by sport and American society, turning.
sports and culture
Ever since America has been America, Americans have worked hard to support every American industry, including sports. Take a look at football fans and the big role football plays in their lives. The sheer amount of social interaction that is brought into the life of a sports fan, especially football fans, is overwhelming. Superbowl parties, tailgate parties, games, fantasy football, betting on game outcomes…all of these things offer Americans forms of social interaction that can expand their social circle. Without football none of these opportunities would have arisen in such high volume as sport and socializing go hand in hand.
America has always prided itself on being a strong nation that is not afraid to fight for its victories. Sports culture celebrates excellence and the competitive spirit that characterizes modern America. The formula for being good at sports is working hard and honing your skills: values Americans find at the core of the American Dream. It only makes sense that most Americans would appreciate this almost kabuki-esque play-off of the values they hold so dear. Sports offer America a new, safe breed of heroes who push their skills to the limit without engaging in any sort of combat or non-family-safe violence.
Perhaps the most important link between sports and American culture, at least in the last decade, is that sports serve as a throwback to simpler times. Most sports haven’t changed much since their inception. Boxing, soccer, baseball… all of these sports that have brought Americans together for hundreds of years are, in some cases, almost exactly what they were when they were born today.
In modern America there is a general sense of nostalgia and reminiscence of “the good old days”. Pretty girls cheering from the sidelines, hot dogs and beers in the stands, crowds united in a single goal; This combination brings that desire for simple things to the surface while satisfying it at the same time. America is a nation that loves its nostalgia and will seize (with both hands) every opportunity to forget the woes of the world and indulge in a pastime that transports it completely.
Wrap up
American culture and a deep, passionate love for sports are inextricably linked. Supporting your team and your sport, no matter what is considered the modern American ideal, just like a love of apple pie and pickup trucks. And really, who can blame them?