Commercialisation Advantages/Disadvantages AQA GCSE PE

Summary

The video explores the impact of commercialization on various stakeholders in sports, including sponsors, athletes, spectators, and officials. It discusses both the benefits, such as increased funding and exposure, and the drawbacks, such as ethical issues, pressure on athletes, and higher costs for spectators. Commercialization has led to positive outcomes like global fame for players and improved grassroots funding, but also challenges like increased cheating and loss of sportsmanship. It also highlights the negative effects on fans, with higher ticket prices and disruptive TV broadcasts. The role of officials has become more scrutinized, with increased use of technology and heightened public criticism.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sponsors can benefit from associating their brands with sports, creating a healthy image (e.g., McDonald's sponsoring the Olympics).
• 😀 Commercial sponsorship can have negative effects if associated with teams or athletes involved in scandals (e.g., Saracens rugby club).
• 😀 Increased commercialization brings more money into sports, which can be used to fund grassroots programs and increase participation.
• 😀 The pressure of commercialization can lead to unethical behavior, such as doping in cycling, as athletes strive to meet financial rewards.
• 😀 The obsession with winning, driven by financial incentives, has contributed to a decline in sportsmanship in some areas.
• 😀 TV broadcasts of sports have reduced attendance at live events, as games can be watched conveniently at home.
• 😀 Commercialization provides athletes with the chance to become global superstars, which can result in wealth and fame (e.g., Lionel Messi).
• 😀 The media focus on sports can encourage more people to try new sports or participate more often at the grassroots level.
• 😀 Commercial pressures can turn athletes into commodities, limiting their freedom and impacting training time due to endorsement commitments.
• 😀 TV networks influence match schedules to suit viewers, sometimes at the cost of the athletes' well-being or preferences (e.g., changes to football kick-off times).
• 😀 Commercialized sport allows spectators to access live events on TV, but also leads to higher ticket prices and subscription-based viewing platforms like Sky Sports.
• 😀 Officials in commercialized sports are paid more and benefit from technologies like VAR to make more accurate decisions, but their decisions face intense scrutiny and public criticism.

Q & A

What is one key advantage for sponsors in the commercialization of sports?

Sponsors benefit from being linked to sports, which often promote healthy lifestyles, helping to improve their brand image. For example, McDonald's sponsoring the Olympic Games can create an image of healthiness, even if their product does not align with that image.

What is a potential disadvantage for sponsors when they are linked to an athlete or team with a negative image?

If an athlete or team is involved in a scandal or negative event, it can harm the sponsor’s image. For example, after the Saracens rugby club was involved in financial misconduct, many of their sponsors withdrew to avoid negative associations.

How does commercialization financially benefit sports at the grassroots level?

The increased money flowing into sports through commercialization can be reinvested at the grassroots level, helping to boost participation in sports and encouraging a healthier society overall.

What are some negative effects of commercialization on the integrity of sports?

Commercialization has led to negative outcomes like doping scandals, where athletes use performance-enhancing drugs to meet the financial pressures of winning. It also results in a decline in sportsmanship, as the obsession with winning overshadows fair play.

What is one advantage for athletes in a commercialized sports environment?

Athletes can gain global recognition, fame, and significant financial rewards. For example, Lionel Messi has become incredibly wealthy and famous due to the commercialization of football.

What is a disadvantage for athletes due to commercialization in sports?

Athletes often become commodities controlled by sports organizations and sponsors, with their time split between training and promotional work, which can detract from their performance. Additionally, match schedules may be altered to suit TV networks, which may not be ideal for the players.

How has commercialization impacted spectators' access to sports?

Commercialized sports are more accessible on TV, but this has come at a cost. Fans are often bombarded with advertisements, and ticket prices have risen. Additionally, some sports are now only available through subscription services like Sky Sports, limiting access for fans who cannot afford these services.

What is one positive effect of commercialization for sports officials?

Officials benefit from improved support through technology like video assistance, such as VAR in football and video referees in rugby, which helps ensure more accurate decisions are made during matches.

What is a potential downside for sports officials in a commercialized environment?

Officials face increased scrutiny and criticism due to the high stakes of commercialized sports. Even with video assistance, their decisions are often questioned, and in some cases, officials may face abuse or trolling on social media.

How has commercialization affected the atmosphere at live sports events?

The commercialization of sports has led to a decline in the atmosphere at live events, as many fans prefer to watch games on TV due to the convenience. This decrease in attendance can impact the experience for both players and fans at the event.