The word “Sport” means many different things to many different people. To some, it is a mode of physical and mental fitness and recreation; to others, sports is a perfect setting for gambling. For people in this line of business, it is an exciting marketplace worthy of immense investment. However you define sports, it is surely a global industry that evokes deep passion for athletes and spectators alike.
From today’s small town park football games to the NBA team you placed your bet on, sports have indeed become very much a part of our daily lives. It has come a long way from its ancient Greek roots when the first ever Olympic games started.
Background
People’s interest in sports dates back to 776 B.C. when the first organized athletic events took place in Greece. Known as the Olympic games, the event featured throwing contests, running races and other competitive events.
Eventually, different cultures developed their own sporting pastimes. Tennis, a game that was first played by the monks in France, has been around for over a thousand years now. The monks used their hand to hit a wooden ball over a rope stretched across the courtyard. The game became extremely popular in Europe and since then had a number of upgrades. These included indoor venues, leather balls and paddles, among others.
Additionally, North American Indian tribes had started to play lacrosse with hard wooden balls and webbed sticks. Originally known as stickball, tribal warriors used to play this game to toughen up the young ones for war. Aside from that, the game was also a recognized recreational and religious activity.
Sports In The United States
In the United States, interest in this industry grew during the 19th century, when the first intercollegiate football games commenced in 1869. Basketball soon followed when it was invented by a physical education instructor, James Naismith, in 1891. The instructor created the indoor game for students who were miserably forced to stay in the gym doing calisthenics and march during the winter time.
American baseball’s exact origin, on the other hand, is a bit more difficult to track. For a time, Abner Doubleday of Cooperstown, New York received the invention credit, but it has been debunked. Credit has since been given to Alexander Cartwright, a bank clerk and member of the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club, who codified a new set of rules in 1845 that formed the basis for modern baseball. in 1892, New Orleans held the first ever boxing championship and golf and tennis became popular. Other types of sports soon followed.
The Sports Industry Now
The 20th century has seen a speedy growth in this industry in the US, both on professional and amateur levels. A large part of the population is involved in sports, may it be tennis, basketball, swimming, and many others. At present, the five primary team sports are basketball, football, hockey, soccer, and football. There are also a wide number of individual sports including horse racing, boxing, skiing and snowboarding, among others.
Over time, the industry also started recognizing the ability of women to excel in sports. They developed leagues and competitions specifically for women and offered athletes new and much-needed venues for participation in professional sports.
Sports have evolved from athletic contests to big business. We are seeing a large and continually increasing interest in this industry. According to the market research group IBISWorld, the sports franchises industry in total generates $30 billion in revenue. The franchises that contribute the most are the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL).
How Sports Are Changing
With the increasing popularity of sports, more and more opportunities have also opened for the workforce. Sports have evolved to include facilities, promoters, rights holders, buyers and sponsors, agents, event management and of course, athletes.
Aside from these, print, television companies and the Internet started employing more people to bring the games to larger audiences. Sports medicine, manufacturing and design, sports technology and other industries involved in sports are also benefiting from this worldwide eminence.
Conclusion
Overall, the sports industry is seeing its growth now more than ever and there’s no sign of it slowing down. From an exciting athletic event to one of the most lucrative enterprises now, the industry has evolved so much. The evolution and popularity of sports has made it a business and a lifestyle; by following your favorite athletes’ social media profiles (marketed and advertised by sponsorships) by having a group of pals you meet on exciting game nights, or actually being involved in any kind of sports you fancy.
And for the sports fans out there who prefer a cozy game night at home, why not take your experience to the next level? Nothing beats the thrill of seeing your favorite team live or being with a crowd who shares the same passion. However, if you’re planning to attend a live sporting event in the near future, make sure to check out The Seat Stop for the exact tickets you are looking for!
