Why do Americans put so much emphasis on sports to the point of paying the players millions of dollars a year?

Answer 1

This is really two questions, which are both interesting and which I would like to answer. These questions are:

1. Why is sports such a big deal to Americans?
2. Why are the athletes paid so much?

Americans are not the only people that emphasize sport. Most other nations in the world do so as well. Have you seen the audiences for the World Cup, made up of almost no Americans? Or the Tour de France? Have you seen the bid process for the Olympics, or seen how many countries make a huge deal of their Olympic teams and medalists?

The fact of the matter is that sports is a worldwide phenomena, not just an American thing. Other countries may be into different sports, but sports, especially team sports, are an important part of social life.

One large reason for this is that in today's electronic society, there is very little that brings us together. I may live next door to you and be a Republican Christian sports fanatic, while you may be a Democratic Jewish outdoors-person. As neighbors, we will have nothing in common, except to say 'hi' and be generally polite. But if we live in the same town, we may share the same pride in the local sports team. In fact, pride in the local sports team, in today's society, is one of the few things we are likely to have in common if we live in the same city.

You'll notice that in rural areas, the State University fulfills the role of the pro sports teams. In places like Nebraska, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Tennessee (although they now have an NFL team), the games of the state college teams are a huge deal. In places like Florida, where there are 'Florida State', 'Florida', and 'Miami' fans, the rivalry aspect is a little different, but game day in Nebraska is a big deal, and almost everybody is cheering for the Cornhuskers.

This unifying feeling is even more significant when it applies to countries. While people feel an affiinity towards their city team, the group of people with whom they feel affinity expands when applied to the national team. A Brasilian may be a Flamengo supporter, and the Vasco supporters are their biggest rivals, but when it comes to the World Cup, they are all Brasilians and supporting the national team together.

Americans don't really have this as much, since most 'championships' in American sports are really American championships (I know they call it the 'World Series', but oh, please). The closest thing Americans have to this is support of American teams in the Olympics. And having gone to the Olympics, there is a certain bonding you get when you go to an event and the crowd starts cheering 'USA....USA'. There is very little in today's American society that provides this type of connectedness with complete strangers besides sports.

2. Why are the athletes paid so much?

The athletes are paid based on the value of what they are able to provide.

Think, for a moment, of the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is viewed on television by an estimated 130-135 million people. For this entertainment, those 130 million people pay the admission price of $0.00 (or close to $0 - they have to own a TV set and pay for the electricity). This is a good deal for them.

Based on the 130 million people watching, advertisers are charged $2.5 million for a 30 second commercial for this game. This is less than 2 cents per viewer. In American society today, I know of no way to promote a product to 130 million people faster than buying a Super Bowl ad. The price for the commercials is based on the audience, and the result of fair market competition. If they cut the price of Super Bowl commercials to less than market, then the right to get this space would become an 'entitlement', since the space would be selling for less than what it is worth. So the commercials are probably priced fairly.

Based on all the money the commercials are worth, the networks pay the NFL $3.1 billion per year for the rights to televise NFL games. Keep in mind that the networks are making a profit on this $3.1 billion, otherwise, they would not pay. And also keep in mind that the viewers (most of them, anyway) are still getting a product for the price of free. So the viewers and the networks should both be happy.

OK, now there is $3.1 billion paid to the NFL, and that doesn't include ticket sales. Should all of this money go to the club owners, sitting in their executive suites, while young men spill their blood and guts on the field? Or should the players get a representative amount of this money?

When you boil it down, the money is coming from the audience that the sports leagues get, and most of that audience is not paying anything to watch the games. Fans watch in a large part because sports offers a focus of connection with others in the community that few other activities can provide.

Answer 2

It's not that the emphasis is on the sport that has caused the high pay. It is the fact that the owners were becoming multimillionaires off of the athletes and not paying them well.
Some where in the late 70's and in to the 80's the players caught on and demanded a cut of the pie.

If you boss made ten million off of the work that you did wouldn't you want to have 1 million of it???

Answer 3

I thought we did until I found out Rhonaldino can get $35 million a year playing soccer in Europe. That is about $10 million more per year than the highest paid American athlete. Who knows, someone might get $28 but that is still less that a soccer player in Europe.

Answer 4

Isn't that sad? It's a form of entertainment. America pays for entertainment. It's sad how meaningless people can be. American's also pay millions and billions of dollars for other sources of entertainment (drugs, alcohol, sex, porn, tv, internet, cars, videogames, childpornography, etc.) It's sad, but it's just the way the world is...and remember at least in America each individual has a reason for why his source of entertainment is correct and worth that much money. And you also have to think, knowing all of that, and American's still think they are intelligent.

Answer 5

Americains? Why are you saying its only americains. Here in england there are millions of fans that travel the WORLD to see their team then would fight for their honour! I'd say its some sort of fixation, maybe they watch football because they like the thrill.

have you ever watched a final in football (soccer in usa) where your team could win. Every second is adreniline packed. I love the finals but i dont like any other moments.

To answer the question, Its probably to look be like the rest who like the sport, or to feel that adreniline rush.

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Answer 6

It happens in toher countries too you know you are not alone!
I hate sport because it isnt a game it is a compitition of who has more money!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Bread & Circuses

Answer 8

Because we can't stop sucking on the teat of that whore Entertainment. Cause without it, we would be really bored.

Answer 9

Becaus Bush is our president and we are shallow and don't support education.

Answer 10

because we are fat, stupid ignorant people