neo-gladiatorism

[Faux Real]

One thing that has bothered me for time immemorial is the proportion of white-to-non-white fans there are at major sporting events.

I am not sure about countries outside of the USA, but the amount of fans in the crowd in stadiums is almost 100% white males that look like they just left their multi-story office building with their trophy wife/girlfriend at the side, while the players are almost exclusively of color.

Considering that most of these players usually come from rather poor, working class or below, backgrounds, it is just bizarre to think that these well-to-do white folk shell out their cash to see a few pro's who (e.g. for basketball) come from the hood and battle it out with other men who came from the hood. The people these players used to know cannot afford being within the same block let alone pay the ticket required to see them play.

The slaves of old are slaves anew... or am I overthinking?

[bcbm]

What sporting events do you go to?

[Faux Real]

I almost never have but I used to watch baseball, american football, and basketball on the TV plenty. Those tickets are just too damn expensive unless you want a seat so distant you'll get a nosebleed.

[bcbm]

Baseball tickets are quite cheap, at least in Milwaukee, and most college sporting events are as well. In my experience most of the people who go don't look anything like what you described.

[Faux Real]

Yes MLB ones are pretty cheap, but college ones aren't professional alebit popular (I never liked the NCAA). I meant to stress the NFL/NBA

[bcbm]

NFL/NBA are fairly expensive, though if I recall correctly (been awhile since I went to a game) they aren't out of the average person's price range entirely.

As for your original analysis... (didn't mean to get too off topic), I don't think they are particularly comparable to slaves, given the salaries many players make. I think that it does fit with historical pattern though. Gladiators fought as a means to win freedom from slavery and in this sense many of the players do come from under-class backgrounds and sports is one of the few economic avenues available.

[MarxSchmarx]

I do not believe there is any "exploitation" of professional athletes along racial lines. First, who wouldn't want to earn a few million playing the game that you love?

Second, although ticket sales are important to a franchises' economic success, they are dwarfed by merchandizing and advertising for television. Black and white, rich and poor, young and old across America and the world contribute far more to the economics of professional athletics than a few idiots in the benches.

[Trystan]

In Britain all the "top teams" in football/soccer are bourgeois. "New fans" (the white, middle-class males with their trophy wives/girlfriends) are pushing out the real fans. You can't regularly attend games by Arsenal, or Chelsea, or Man U if you want money enough to enjoy other things. Luckily I support a team with a grassroots support.

Ach, I've gone off topic . . . I'll say that there is no any racism involved though (racism is actually a "grassroots" problem in my experience).