How Money is Corrupting Sports

There once was a time where both professional and college sports were played because athletes loved the game and fans enjoyed watching the sport.  Where fans could afford to attend games, players didn't worry about hitting other athletes too hard and receiving expensive penalties, fans weren't concerned about seasons being canceled because of disagreements involving money, and student athletes chose a school because they wanted to go there not because of the benefits they received from signing with that team.

Money has changed the way sports are played in every aspect.  Over the past twenty years ticket prices have tripled.  Higher ticket prices together with lower income makes it harder for fans to attend their favorite sporting events.  For instance, when the Yankees opened the new Yankees Stadium in 2010 tickets in the home plate section cost as much as $2,500.  Owners could care less if fans attended games because they make enough money on television contracts to turn a profit.


Players could play the game the way they want to and the way they have been playing since they were kids without worrying about injuring other players and receiving fines.  Last year sixteen players in each conference were fined in one day by the NFL for illegal hits, including Atlanta defensive end Kroy Biermann and Cincinatti linebacker Dhani Jones each docked $15,000.

A lockout in professional sports in the ultimate disagreement in money.  It's an aspect of professional sports that the business part of sports is much bigger then the sport itself.  One side of the issue always believes that they have it right and the other believes the same thing.  Money is bigger then the sports.  It's more then just allowing players and fans to enjoy the game that they love to play and love to watch.  It's the ability to realize that the love of the game needs to continue from a child to professional sports.  The integrity of the game is lost behind the business aspect of the NBA, Owners and players that put money first before the game.  Sports is about the love of the game, not about the money that comes along with it.  The money should be a bonus, not the priority of NBA athletes.

All current college recruits are receiving some sort of compensation because they sign with a school.  The idea of going to a school you like to obtain a proper education, or to enjoy your college experience has been changed with the implementation of some sort of bribery whether in the form of money, scholarships, or other material possessions.  Reggie Bush of the S.C Trojans admittedly received several benefits including credit card debt cancelation, helicopter rides, and even liquid cash.  In June 2010 the NCAA announced that they had come to a decision regarding this scandal and U.S.C was forced to remove any proof of Reggie's existence including loosing his Heisman Trophy.

All these aspects have diminished the foundation that modern sports have been built upon for the last fifty years.  Fans, players, owners, coaches, and everyone else who has a genuine love for the sport should understand that money is changing modern athletics and need do everything they can to protect the the sports they love.

Works Cited

Harris, Mike. "Reggie Bush Scandal" mademan.com N.p. 8 March 2011. Web. 31 March 2011



Pictures Cited

http://www.beltwaysports.com/blog/?p=933
http://sheltonmedia.blogspot.com/2010/12/comments-from-peanut-gallery-mike-in-da_10.html
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=49905
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/09/reggie_bush_will_give_back_his.html