Sports in American Society
Your first discussion for module five will ask you to comment on the political economy of professional sport. Of particular interest in this discussion will be the transition from collegiate athletics into professional athletics. As many writers and athletes contend, the transition into professional sport is a wake-up call in which multiple stakeholders have an interest in an athlete’s success on the court or field. In this sense, athletes move from the world of “amateur” sport into one in which sport is a legitimate industry.
Before participating in this discussion, make sure you have completed all video and reading content for the module. Using as many of the module readings and other module learning materials as possible, please respond to the following questions in your post:
• Drawing upon the readings you have done concerning commodification and the murky difference between amateur and professional sport, is it a fair argument that professional athletes are themselves a commodity? Why or why not? Are amateur, college athletes any different? Cite your readings in your response.
• Explain some of the ethical arguments in favor of, and opposed to, paying amateur college student-athletes. For example, is it fair to regard student athletes as employees of the University? Why or why not?
