Sport and politics?

The sport industry in the United States is a wealthy and high priority sector and it is no secret that sport organizations have a tremendous amount of influence on consumers, and on society as a whole. However, some of the money flowing into these behemoth organizations is being used for completely non-sport related endeavors. Is this appropriate and what short and long-term intentions underlie the expenditures? A recent article posted on www.thepostgame.com references the amount of money used towards government lobbying by big-time American sports. The NFL spent more than $6.1 million in 2011 on internal and outside lobby groups. Other organizations who spent a significant amount on lobbying include Major League Baseball (2^nd at $520,000), the Ultimate Fighting Championship (3^rd at $410,000), and the U.S. Olympic Committee (4^th at $360,000). Issues being lobbied included immigration and customs, drug testing, amateur sports, community programs, and tax issues.

What issues are these organizations so interested in? First Street Research reports that a majority of sports lobbying efforts go towards player safety, drug testing, internet gambling, and broadcasting, all of which seem relevant. A majority of the UFC’s lobby spending goes towards eradicating illegal online downloads and online streaming, which makes sense because the availability of streaming live fight events usually means less physical attendance. However, a portion of the NFLs funds went towards lobbying the Federal Aviation Commission to allow the use of drones in U.S. Airspace. Say what? How is THIS relevant?

Lobbying often has a negative stigma, and is perceived as entities with a large amount of power corrupting the law (arm twisting) in order to serve their own interest. However, it could also be viewed as these entities defending others’ interests against corruption and making sure that minority interests are protected. Sport organizations seem to be fighting for issues that directly affect them and their teams, but should they even be able to influence the government? We depend on the government to design and uphold a rule structure which maintains the integrity of the sport industry. We depend on drug testing laws to reveal who the “cheaters” are. We depend on athlete immigration laws to reveal which teams are so desperate for a winning athlete that they will take them from a foreign country. If sport organizations are able to influence the legislators who design these laws, they are able to tweak the system to their best interest. However, it goes both ways. Lobbying by sport may be an attempt to tweak unfair or unjust rules, in the interest of their athletes.

Furthermore, why is the NFL lobbying the FAC to allow the use of drones in Airspace? Turns out, a few unmanned drones flew over a Giants versus Patriots game for security purposes, and the NFL probably believes that this should be important for high-profile football games. It makes sense, but it still seems odd.

Should sports and politics mix? If sports gain lobbying headway, what type of influence will they exert in the future? Will there be power abuse issues in the future?

Article referenced:

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201205/nfl-spends-big-washington-lobbyists-drones-planes

Gisele Schaaf – LT 22

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