The Political Economy of Sport

Stefan Szymanski

Published: June 2000

The political constitutions of both the US and Europe provide no guidance on the role of organised sport in society. Without a proper set of rules politicians are finding sports issues increasingly hard to handle. In the US there is widespread concern at the commercial exploitation of major league sports, particularly through the relocation of franchises. In Europe there are anxieties about the increasing polarisation of wealth and the fear that traditions built up over a century will be lost. These problems are not only likely to grow, but a new dimension will develop as sports bodies seek international expansion. In the future sports businesses may become a source of trade friction between the US and the European Union.