Deviance

Boston Red Sox outfielders celebrating.

On November 2nd and November 7th of 2017, we discussed deviance in sport. This article is about how the Boston Red Sox cheated during a baseball game. A member of the Red Sox training staff was caught looking at his Apple watch in the dugout, which was being used to help relay signals that the other team was using to the players in the dugout. The MLB has rules that prohibit technology in the dugout. The Red Sox admitted to cheating and had been using this system for several weeks claiming it reduced the time lapse of passing on signals. This article relates to what we learned about in class in regards to deviance in sport. In the article, cheating and how it was done is the main focus. In class we learned that cheating is a deviant act in sport. In class, we learned that to be deviant means to act in a way that differs from the norms, especially behavior or attitudes that differ from acceptable social standards. The Red Sox have been caught doing a deviant act, setting a bad example for impressionable fans tainting the integrity of the league.

Red Sox Manager John Farrell who was fired at the end
of the 2017 season.

Read the full article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/06/boston-red-sox-admit-cheating-against-yankees-help-apple-watch/

Sport and the Media

On October 26th and October 31st of 2017, we talked about sport and the mass media in class. The following article talks about the growth of the media, the people involved with it, and the future of the media. This article directly relates to what we discussed in class in many ways. One way is that in the article, it describes how media increased with he help of sports. In class we talked about how sport and the media have a symbiotic relationship meaning they both have a mutually beneficial relationship. Also, in the article it is mentioned that fans use social media to connect better with their favorite athletes. In class we learned that this was an increasing role of social media. In class we discussed how large both the sport industry and the media industry are. In the article, it's mentioned that the increasing growth of both is due to each other. Media gives more coverage to sports and brings viewers/fans. Athlete driven media helps grow social media. Sports and media together could help create some good for society. Just like the fundraiser J.J. Watt started on twitter.

Read the full article here: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-new-face-of-sports-media_us_59a4b9f2e4b0d6cf7f404fd9

Sport and Economics

Commissioner of the NFL, Rodger Goodell

On October 19th and the 24th of 2017, we discussed sport and economics in class. In this article it discusses a specific economic issue in the NFL, the commissioner's contract dispute. The commissioner of the NFL, Rodger Goodell, is looking to get a contract extension where he would receive close to $50 million a year and get a private jet for life. In class we learned that fans are left with the feeling that they are the victims of greed. It's clear that some fans might feel this way due to Goodell's high demands, and he has a terrible public image so more money to him for not doing a good job just looks bad. Many players feel this way as well. Lions safety, Glover Quinn, was mad at the fact Goodell was asking for lifetime health care and he doesn't risk his body for the game. In class we learned that the average NFL salary is $1.85 million and since the NFL imposes a hard salary cap it's hard for players to even earn close to $50 million. Also, in class we discussed owner and that they are a diversified collection of people that operate as a cartel. In the article it mentions how one owner, Jerry Jones, protests Goodell's contract extension, which shows no unity in the NFL right now. These events do not make the NFL look good and could cost them money.

Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, who is publicly against
Goodell's extension.

Read the full article here: https://nypost.com/2017/11/16/nflers-incredulous-over-goodells-insane-contract-demands/