The reputations of many professional sports teams within the United States took a number of hits this year alone, from their temperamental players to hosting controversial political figures. The contrast of US teams versus their international counterparts has many people wondering how things have gotten this far and if they can be better. Unfortunately, like every issue propping up within the country in the past few years, money is a major contributor.
The United States is an incredibly competitive country when considering sports. Even at the grade school level, sports are taken extremely seriously, with many youth athletes training extensively to pursue professional careers, both inside and outside of college. That said, the competitive aspect of US sports culture can be attributed to the many compounding problems the industry faces among its athletes.
Athletes from wealthy, conservative, and dedicated families are the ones who are more likely to become professional athletes in this country. Sports gear, training, and medical costs concerning athletes are a major barrier for families. While most children have access to sports equipment in schools, athletes who have the ability to join private sports organizations or have personal coaches will turn out better.
Additionally, the culture surrounding some of the most popular sports within the US typically has a deep history with Republican audiences, since a high concentration of audiences of the NFL is from the South and the Midwest. These sports teams are also deeply tied to the cultural nationalism of the United States, partnering with the military to promote patriotism through singing the national anthem and having aircraft flyovers. For a long time, US citizens were able to put aside their differences and come together to enjoy these games. Unfortunately, with how polarizing American politics have become and the increasingly violent actions of the Trump administration, potential viewers and supporters of American sports will be pulled away so long as these athletes continue to align themselves with the current traditional values the Trump Administration upholds.
