Question 1

We can conclude from knowledge in sport sociology about the social and economic organization of sports that:

Accepted Answer

The global expansion of commercial sports is largely motivated by the interests of sports leagues, media companies, and corporate sponsors to increase their market reach and profits. This growth is not just about the love of the game but also about the economic benefits that come with wider audience engagement and commercial opportunities.

Question 2

An implication of the antitrust exemption granted to Major League Baseball by the Supreme Court in 1922 is that:

Accepted Answer

The antitrust exemption granted to Major League Baseball in 1922 allowed team owners to implement practices that would otherwise be considered anti-competitive under normal circumstances. This included restricting players' salaries and their ability to move freely to other teams, as it exempted the league from certain provisions of antitrust laws that would normally prohibit such restrictions.

Question 3

A manifestation of the effective cartel-like or monopolistic structure of professional sports is:

Accepted Answer

Restricted opportunities for prospective new owners to enter a league are a manifestation of the effective cartel-like or monopolistic structure of professional sports. This is because cartels and monopolies often control market entry to maintain their power and economic advantages, similar to how professional sports leagues control franchise ownership and expansion.

Question 4

Research has generally shown that public financing of professional sports facilities, such as Orioles Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank (Ravens) Stadium, results in:

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the financial benefits of public financing for professional sports facilities tend to accrue more to commercial developers and investors than to the average citizens. The tax dollars used to fund these projects often do not translate into proportional benefits for the local population in terms of employment or economic growth, as might be expected or promised.

Question 5

If Marx were alive today, he would:

Accepted Answer

Marx's theories focus on class struggle and the exploitation of the working class by the ruling class. In the context of professional sports, players could be seen as the working class who generate value through their labor, while the management councils represent the ruling class that profits from this labor. Therefore, Marx would likely be more supportive of the interests of players than those of the management councils.

Question 6

Discussions about NASCAR and the NFL in the text and in this course revealed that:

Accepted Answer

The NFL has a more equitable revenue-sharing model compared to the other major North American professional sports leagues, which helps maintain competitive balance among its teams.

Question 7

Discussion in the text and in this course about commercialism and franchise values of teams in the major North American sports leagues (i.e., the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL) revealed that:

Accepted Answer

The NHL generally has the least valuable franchises among the major North American sports leagues, reflecting its smaller television contracts and overall revenue compared to the MLB, NBA, and NFL.

Question 8

The special "sport in the news" feature about Brazilian soccer in the text indicated that:

Accepted Answer

The correct choice indicates that despite the challenges of disorganization and corruption, soccer remains a popular and successful sport in Brazil, aligning with the common narrative around Brazilian soccer's resilience and passion despite systemic issues.

Question 9

In considering the Golden Triangle in relation to professional and commercialized sports, we can conclude that:

Accepted Answer

The Golden Triangle in professional sports refers to the interconnection between sports organizations, athletes, and commercial interests, all of which are driven by a desire for economic expansion and benefit from organizational rationalization and commercial partnerships.

Question 10

In their research about the connections of media and entertainment corporations and entrepreneurs to North American professional sports leagues, Harvey, Law, and Cantelon found that:

Accepted Answer

Harvey, Law, and Cantelon's research indicates that media and entertainment businesses have a significant presence among franchise owners in North American professional sports leagues, highlighting the strong connections between these industries.

Question 11

According to recent evidence about the relationship of the media to major North American professional sports:

Accepted Answer

NASCAR earns more in media rights fees than the NHL, reflecting its significant popularity and the value of its broadcasting rights.

Question 12

In the recent history of women's professional sports leagues in the U.S.:

Accepted Answer

The WNBA's financial survival has indeed been supported by subsidies from the NBA, which has been crucial for its operations over the years. This support has helped the league to grow and stabilize in the competitive sports market.

Question 13

The professional sports league "wealth gap":

Accepted Answer

The "wealth gap" in professional sports leagues can be measured by comparing the percentage of revenue generated by the poorest team with that of the richest team. This method allows for an understanding of the economic disparity within the league.

Question 14

In comparing the economic structures of different types of professional sports, we see that:

Accepted Answer

A single major boxing event can indeed generate significant revenue, sometimes surpassing the annual earnings of many professional sports teams, except for those in the NFL.

Question 15

Evidence regarding ticket prices in professional sports in the U.S. has indicated that:

Accepted Answer

Monopolistic control in sports markets can lead to higher ticket prices due to the lack of competition, allowing teams to set higher prices without fear of losing fans to a competitor.

Question 16

In their analysis of the evolution of the professional sports ballpark, Ritzer and Sullivan argued or observed that:

Accepted Answer

Ritzer and Sullivan's analysis on the evolution of professional sports ballparks highlights the concept of McDonaldization, where they argue that as sports facilities have grown in size, they have become more rationalized, potentially diminishing their appeal to fans. This reflects a broader critique of modern consumer and cultural spaces becoming overly standardized and efficient at the expense of character and individuality.

Question 17

Efforts to expand the reach of sports in the global sports marketplace:

Accepted Answer

Efforts to expand the reach of sports globally have indeed included collaborations among major entities such as the NFL, large sponsors like Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser), and international broadcasters like British television, forming a so-called "Golden Triangle" that promotes the global visibility and commercialization of sports.

Question 18

According to Miller, Rowe, McKay, and Lawrence's analysis of the media and professional sports in North America, Germany, and Great Britain:

Accepted Answer

Miller, Rowe, McKay, and Lawrence's analysis indicates that many of the major professional sports in North America, Germany, and Great Britain inundated or saturated their domestic media markets in the 1990s, leading to a situation where these markets were heavily filled with sports content.

Question 19

Free agency in professional sports:

Accepted Answer

Free agency in professional sports has resulted in more economic freedom for players by allowing them to negotiate contracts with teams other than the one they were previously bound to, often leading to better pay and conditions.

Question 20

Which is not a part of Bill Bradley's conception of the "life on the run" of professional athletes?

Accepted Answer

Bill Bradley, in his conception of "life on the run" for professional athletes, does not include the enjoyment of constant travel as a part. Instead, he highlights aspects like loneliness, a sense of impermanence, frequent public attention, and invasions of privacy as part of the challenges faced by professional athletes.

Quiz 10: The Professional Sports Industry and Sports Careers