The Sport Of Money

Today, we live in a world where everything is readily accessible. Everything is within the reach of our fingers and yet the things we desire now are so many, we don’t have enough fingers to count them; What a struggle. It is that very struggle that leaves us to crave that so-called adrenaline rush every second; an adventure, a thrill, a challenge. Adrenaline was built into our bodies for the purpose of enhancing our senses and ability for survival in danger. However, our fingers don’t want to face dangers; they just want adrenaline, and that dear reader, is where sports are for the grabs.

I for one am a fan of cricket. My long awaiting dream has been to watch the world cup finals in the stadium. Just imagine; the fluorescent green of the grass surrounded by the ocean of fans in jerseys, chanting cheers for their teams at the top of their lungs. And as those longitudinal sound waves carry the emotion and hopes of the fans into the ears of the batsman and bowlers and fielders, they are ignored; because the player must focus on the trophy – all for the cheap price of £3308. Talk about money buying happiness.

Now for us as an audience and for me as a fan, it’s all about the anticipation of who will win and the stakes of supporting a team. For the team, it’s about the battle and proving their talents. However, most of us remain oblivious to the Hermes of the sports industry. That is the media, the sponsors, the management, and logistics. And when we discuss the matter of where my £3308 went, they’re the majority of the answer. And for them, it’s all about the capital. Those broadcasting services that enlighten your TV with the live streaming of the tournament, those businesses that have plastered their logos and slogans onto every jersey, every screen, every flat surface they could think of; the stadium itself is simply an advertising billboard in a unique shape. So, when the infrastructure of these sports leagues is built on money, how did we never consider that it’s the money they’re chasing and not the score?

Did we ever wonder that perhaps our favorite player, whether it be cricket, football, NFL, tennis, and every other sport out there, was simply there not for the inspiration or dedication they felt on that day, but at the base, for their salary? Because we tend to neglect the fact that our idols through whom we experience competition vicariously, are also people with jobs. Careers. Careers that just happen to teeter on the precipice of whether the audience is pleased or not. A breeding game where it's not the mare who gallops the fastest, but it's the mare whose coat appeals the most eyes that makes it the best. And here, a well-bred team is the one who brings in the most viewers, tickets and revenue. It's that well-bred team that is the true winner, even under the masquerade of an unbiased play. So, the real question is; who will Pheme will favor?

That is where this match ends. As it was where it began. By the transaction of a paper note from you that by chance might have reached that celebrity icon on the TV which somehow held enough weight to create the contest you’re watching. But it must have stopped in a few good places if that game is that exhilarating, don’t you think?