Is sports way too commercialised?

hello.

In light of the ongoing world cup, it is apt that this topic be brought up. Is sports way too commercialised?

1) Do we spend too much money on sports which could be put into better use in other areas. China, which is to host the next Olympics is spending roughly 8 billion dollars on only infrastructure. There are other expenditures too. For a developing country, is this too much? I mean China could invent this money in its growing economy, or developing its under-developed cities, improving health, education and other sectors.

2) Is the excess money leading to sports losing its value, its meaning? We used to watch sports for its sporting nature. Where the meaning was competing for fun, to acheive more. But now, the aim is winning at all cost. We hear of athletes doing whatever it takes to win, including steroids and drugs. The feild is saturated with lucrative endorsements and players aiming to receive those. We had soccer players like Pele for the love of sports but today we have players like David Beckham players to receive their endorsements! This is due to the excess amount of cash in sports. So is it becoming too commercialised.

While it maybe argued this way, people may also claim that ther are enormous benefits coming from the commercial sports. It can be argued either way and i just want to hear what u guys have to say.

Do comment

regards,
sneha

Sneha thanks for the topic. I think Sports in today's world means big money, soccer,crickt and tennis have highest paid players in the world they make millions by way of endorsements.
India will be hosting the commonwealth games shortly and the money that will be spent runs in hundreds of crores, India is not a sports crazy nation except for Cricket few really follow other games, so what will we gain by spending so much money on a spectacle that may not be able to change the state of sports in the country? our management of sports complexes is pathetic, the stadiums built during the Asian games are not being used by sports , even the new ones will meet similar fate.
As for money ruining sportmen, yes too much of it does make one materialistic, as has been pointed out in the case of several cricketers who were known to put money over every thing else, even the country. Betting scandals too came to the fore in Cricket.
Money is important for honest hardworking players, afterall there will be no motivation for them to compete in the first place. I think too much pampering through endorsements that does not really look into the players performance is not a good sign for sports in general.
Sachin is out of Cricket for a long time now, yet because of his past performanc he has managed to strike another endorsement deal. On the other hand our athletes though winning gold medals in the commonwealth games may not even be remembered by the people. Glamour and money seem to be associated with few disciplines this is not a good sign for sports.
It is said when players come on the sporting arena especially soccer, it is kind of a mini war, sports for the sake of sports has been over taken by money and politics, if u cant get even with a country do it on the soccer arena,this is not a sportsman like.

I believe sports are overrated. I fail to understand how people can sit in front of TV for that long to watch bunch of men putting a ball inside a basket..Plus why do players make so much money? There are more deserving candidate for recognition like- Elementary school teachers, scientists..etc. People who contribute to society don't get financial reward or recognition..
I wonder if players also made $25,000 to $40,000, how many will chase a ball?

I thought of making post on similar topic and before posting I checked the old topics and found this!!
I think sports are too commercialised!!

Cheers,
Mythili