Abstract This paper discusses the current salaries of professional athletes and their impact on the sports world. The author examines how the skyrocketing salaries have affected experiences and perceptions of fans and negatively impacted professional sports.
From the Paper "If you are planning on taking your family to a ball game, be sure to come with your favorite team's t-shirt, your camera and binoculars, and a fat wallet. That's right, be prepared to fork over the cash, because it will cost you upwards of over $250. Athlete salaries have drastically increased over the past couple decades. As these wages continue to mushroom to unprecedented heights, the cost of attending sporting events elevates to new plateaus of its own. In addition to increased ticket prices, which hurt the ability of many fans to go to games, exploding salaries have resulted in greed of players and owners and a lower quality of play in some areas. All of this has left a bad taste in the mouths of even the most diehard sports fans. If current trends continue, professional sports might lose what remains of its integrity and become just another industry where victory is auctioned off to the highest bidder."
This paper is a critical review of H.G. Bissinger in "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and A Dream", which discusses the impact of high school football on socioeconomically deprived Odessa, Texas.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, 1994, $ 39.95
From the Paper "H.G. Bissinger, in "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and A Dream", uses high school football as a window through which we can study the soul of a Texas town. It is clear that Bissinger's study is meant to shine a light on the problems of American society in general, because the social and economic troubles of Odessa, Texas, are the troubles of the country as a whole. The book must be seen as a pessimistic one, because the problems of the town are not faced honestly and courageously, but are instead buried in the town's obsession with football, just as an addict would bury his troubles in his obsession with drugs.
The book might be seen as an academic, judgmental indictment from on high, the product of a writer from the big city who comes to the little town to study the inhabitants like a scientist studying rats. But it is clear that that is not what Bissinger ... "
Abstract The paper begins by looking at arguments for the use of steroids in sports. It quotes Barry Bonds, a major league baseball player who has no reservations about the use of steroids in sports; as well as Ken Caminiti, who won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1996. It lists the arguments of the proponents of steroid use. The paper then turns to study the side effects of steroid use and the reservations held by opponents of using drugs in sports. The paper concludes with the writer's personal opinion on the topic.
From the Paper "Should athletes be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs in order to improve their performance? Steroid usage in sports has long been a big issue for many athletes both professional and amateur. Steroids are not condoned in any sport however; some athletes do take the chance by using performance-enhancing drugs in order to increase the chances of a successful outcome in a competition. Many athletes have been barred from participating in certain sports because they were convicted of taking steroids. In light of this, one can only wonder how many top athletes have won events due to the use of steroids. There are many sides to the debate of whether or not athletes should be able to use steroids. Despite health reasons there are quite a few people who do believe that athletes should be allowed to use performance-enhancers. On the other hand, there are those who believe that steroids should not be used."
Abstract This paper examines the use of performance enhancing steroids for professional athletes. It argues in support of legalizing the drug in order for athletes? usage to be supervised by health care professionals. The paper illustrates that professional sports is a business and athletes will use steroids in order to succeed.
Table of Contents:
Background
Availability Of Steroids
Is The Bad Publicity Of Steroids Valid?
Why Take Steroids
Legalizing Steroids
Conclusion
From the Paper "Through medical professionals misconception, and misunderstandings, the use of steroids has gained the popularity and reputation as the same caliber as dangerous street drugs. Steroids are medically prescribed drugs to treat certain symptoms and diseases, but has been widely abused by dedicated and obsessed athletes willing to go beyond their physical capacity to accomplish athletic endeavors. This sometimes includes the abuse of steroids. However, controlled steroid use with the purpose for increasing athletic performance can actually permanently improve an athlete's strength, and is not entirely destructive when used responsibly, and under the supervision of a health care professional."
Tags: athlete, drug, abuse, health, care, legal, congress
Abstract This is a paper about internet marketing research, and uses Nike and it's women's products as a case study to show how this is an effective marketing tool in today's market. The paper gives a brief history of Nike, and looks at its share of the women's market, it's competitors and different ways in which Nike has tried to distinguish itself from the other companies in the women's market.
From the Paper "Now we see more and more women becoming physically active and we also see more women's sports being acknowledged, such as the Women's National Basketball Association. Our views towards women as athletes are finally changing for the better. Nike picked up on this and realized that they had a new market to really focus on. Nike Goddess was developed through a very solid marketing strategy, which had much research, and planning behind it. The site should do very well with these young female "Gen-Xers" and "Gen-Yers"."
Sociological analysis of book on Odessa, Texas, high school football team & town's values, using approaches of functionalism, conflict theory & interactionism.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 6 sources, 1996, $ 79.95
From the Paper "In Friday night lights: A town, a team, and a dream H. C. Bissinger recounts his observations of living in Odessa, Texas where he sees "high school sports keeping a town together, keeping it alive" (Bissinger, 1990, xi). With passion and sensitivity Bissinger records the triumphs and failings of Odessa's Permian Panthers. As a journalist Bissinger's aim is to explore the town's values about race, education, politics and the economy (Bissinger, 1990, p. xiii). Analysis of the sociological concepts emergent in Friday night lights will be examined against the rubric of functionalism, conflict theory, and interactionism. Since sports pervade contemporary American culture, it has become a preferred target of study for many sociologists. A new field of specialization, the sociology of sports, emerged with..."
Abstract This study was undertaken with a purpose of analyzing and making recommendations based on the analysis of situation and strategy identified within the mountain bicycle industry. In particular, close attention is paid to Cannondale Corporation, the leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance aluminium bicycles and its immediate rivals. Assessment of the nature and strength of competitive forces in the mountain bike industry is based on the five factors analysis and allow to identify key success factors that are a must for survival and profitability of any company that operates in the mountain bicycle industry. A graphical representation of current rivals allows to judge strength of the competition in the industry and influence the choice of alternatives and eventual recommendations for Cannondale corporation.
From the Paper "The global bicycle industry, including bicycles, parts and accessories, is estimated to have total retail sales in excess of $20 billion. The bicycle-manufacturing segment of the industry produces approximately 100 million units per annum. The global market for bikes is reported to be dominated by just a few big players, many of whom seem to bounce from owner to owner, and from cash crisis to cash crisis, on a distractingly regular basis. (bikebiz.com). Even though people seem to be "saturated" with bicycles and the mountain bike boom is proclaimed to be over (bikebiz.com), comments of the cyclist community allow to conclude that the industry's and segment's decline is not likely. It was also noted that the worldwide cycling industry is waiting for the "next big thing" in cycling which will likely shift position of major players in the industry if they can't keep up with the trend."
Abstract This paper looks at the health problems faced by diabetics and how exercise and a proper diet can help mitigate some of those problems. The paper focuses on the finding that exercise is an essential factor in the successful management of diabetes and in improving insulin sensitivity. The paper also provides physiological explanations of the benefits of exercise to the diabetic.
From the Paper "Diabetes is increasing in the United States and throughout the world due to the ever-growing adoption of an unhealthy lifestyle, including poor diet and lack of physical activity. Obesity is a characteristic often present in individuals with diabetes, and in order for the occurrences of diabetes to be reduced and the effects of diabetes to be minimized, efforts must be put in place to encourage weight loss and the maintenance of a healthy weight. It is expected that obesity and diabetes will reach epidemic proportions unless prompt action is taken to counteract these conditions."
A look at college athletes and controversial issues about their payment. The paper deals with college athletes that are not collecting the money promised them. The author investigates how college athletes are often denied payment as a result of their free
1,280 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 6 sources, 2001, $ 43.95
Abstract The paper deals with college athletes that are not collecting the money promised them. The author investigates how college athletes are often denied payment as a result of their free education and examines reasons for this.
From the Paper "College athletes are being deprived of money they deserve and they should be compensated for their efforts. Athletes across the nation practice hours each day, with the hopes of representing their institution to the best of their ability. Billions of dollars accumulate each year, but the athletes that are responsible for this revenue have yet to profit from it. Their time is primarily dedicated to the team and their trials in the classroom, yet these athletes are still expected to support themselves and maintain the standards set for the average student."
Abstract The paper begins with a history of stadiums and spectator sports, and compares the current period with ancient Greece and Rome. The paper then cites reasons given for public funding of stadium building and refutes each reason. The paper concludes that public funding of stadiums is a bad idea; Public money should be used for activities and institutions that provide substantial benefit to the public such as education, environmental protection and healthcare.
From the Paper "While it has become common practice during the last decade for cities to spend vast sums of money to build new stadiums and arenas for sports teams, they should not do so. Public money should be spent only on those activities and institutions that benefit society as a whole, and professional sports must certainly does not qualify for such a characterization because not all people are sports fans. Of course, there are many publicly funded institutions that not everyone uses. You may never need to have firefighters come to your house, or may never need to be transported to a hospital. You may not have children and so may not use the public schools. However, these services are different in that most if not all citizens want to have such services available if they are needed. People do not want to see members of their families die because there is no ambulance service. People do not feel the same way about sports facilities for the very good reason that such facilities do not serve either the needs or potential needs of all citizens."
Tags: stadia, arena, stade, spectacle, taxes, sporting, event, city, subsidizing
Abstract This paper examines what the benefits of exercise are. It then looks at why exercise is so good for us which leads to a discussion of the best reason to exercise. The writer concludes that the best reason to exercise is that it has a spiral effect in that not only is it good for the health of our body and mind, but it promotes other practices that further increase the benefits to health.
From the Paper "The benefits of exercise are both many and varied. The American Heart Association lists benefits which include: reduced risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, prevention of bone loss, increased energy levels, decreased stress and tension, assistance with sleep, improved self-image, increased muscle strength and delayment and prevention of chronic illnesses (AHA, The Benefits of Daily Physical Activity). As can be seen, the benefits are not only to body but also to mind. Other studies report that exercises prevents diseases including arthritis, cancer and heart disease (Nicola). A report into health promotion and aging also cited various benefits of exercise including a reduced incidence of: heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer, depression, anxiety and osteoporotic fractures (CDC)."
Abstract This paper introduces and analyzes the book "Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team and a Dream" by H.G. Bissinger. Specifically, it discusses the philosophical, psychological, social and ethical views from the book, in regards to life, sports, coaching and the students/players. Football in Odessa is the only reason most people live, and "Friday Night Lights" vividly shows the petty small town bigotry, small mindedness and mentalities that create a culture out of football and create life or death drama over winning or losing.
From the Paper "Psychologically, the people of Odessa seem not only extremely simple minded, they obsess over the games as if they were life and death. One prominent businessman says, "'Life really wouldn't be worth livin' if you didn't have a high school football team to support'" (Bissinger 20). It would be funny if it were not so sad. These people, even those who are happy and successful, seem to have nothing else in their lives but these Friday night games. What causes them to lead such empty and superficial lives that football is the only entertainment? Admittedly, Odessa is a "wretched" place to live, and there seems to be little else to do there to keep society interested and involved."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts Asian women in professional and competitive sports against American women that are engaged in the same sports. The author emphasizes the role of Chinese and American women in the Olympic games. He then demonstrates how the popular media in the United States tends to present female Asian athletes as being overly dedicated to their respective sports to the end goal of drug use or cheating, while female American athletes are presented as being dedicated but also are completely honest in all respects.
From the Paper " The American and the Asian medias treat their own female athletes much as they would their male athletes, but it is evident that the American mainstream media tends to portray Asian women as athletes that are not really competitors but are instead almost monstrous. In articles from the 1998 Summer Games, for example, the allegations that the Chinese athletes were using drugs allowed the media to vilify these women. "
An analysis of the athletic shoe industry with an emphasis on the segmentation, target market and pricing strategies of the athletics- industry giants.
Abstract This paper discusses the main players in the sports shoe industry: Nike, Adidas and Reebok. It examines the merits and marketing strategies of each brand individually and the global competition between them. It evaluates trends in the athletic shoe industry and shows how Nike, Reebok, Adidas and other sports companies are fitting in as the new fashion powerhouses although not in the same category as Giorgio Armani and Gianni Versace!
From the Paper "Nike builds its image by concentrating on the benefits of difference and diversity. In Ireland Nike is the governing brand among 12-13 year old males. Adidas is the second preference here, with Reebok a relatively distant third. Nike depicts the best way to adapt a product without depending on brand-name recognition or the withholding of product attributes. The personality of their product patronizes loyalty among people of different ages. Nike ads presenting women with icon of competition even victory and a motto of self-reliance describe a version of feminism that is affirmative with their aspirations. In Southeast Asian countries, Nike footwear is a symbol of class and status. The prices charged here are relatively high, since the disposable income is low as compared to United States. The Nike slogan, "just do it" revitalize people to believe everything is possible as long as you believe in yourself and does not give up. Hence, when purchasing Nike sportswear, customers do not only purchase the utilitarian product but recognize with the values and attitudes allied with the "Nike story". Nike footwear are well known, but its basketballs, golf bags, soccer pads, football gloves and watches are less celebrated. Nike products are produced all over the world and have to some extent monopoly in the sports-shoes business."
Abstract Shows how a regular exercise routine provides short and long term health benefits. Examines the spiritual rewards of taking timeout of one's schedule to look after one's body. Discusses how exercise helps to prevent conditions such as heart disease.
From the Paper "Everyone should be responsible for the well being of one's belongings, and health is a simple, yet very strong reason why a person would do that. For the modern and busy life, there would be little time people could make to have regular exercises, however there are some reasons why we would need to consider before giving it up. Many researched facts have proved that regular exercise could improve one's whole physical and spiritual condition. Exercise does not only enhance heart function, but also prevents many other high-risk diseases, and give emotional development to the people who do it regularly."
