Sports and Inequality
Drawing from our readings and films, answer all of the following questions (in about 2 paragraphs per answer). Do not draw from sources outside the class. The exam should be submitted by 3 pm on Tuesday (11/26) via Blackboard.
1) What happened in the 1987 NFL players’ strike? What impact did it have on the future of labor relations in the NFL? How (according to the article we read – Nov 5th) did it create the “modern NFL?” What are some of the difficulties the players faced in organizing? (25 points)
2) League of Denial (the documentary we watched in class) outlines how the NFL tried to discredit Dr. Omalu and his work. Describe Dr. Omalu’s work. What did it show/prove? Why was the NFL trying to discredit Omalu? (25 points)
3) Why do team owners and city leaders often want to use public/tax money to help privately owned teams build stadiums? What are the arguments for using tax money in this way? What are the arguments against it? In answering these questions, draw from both the reading and the documentary (“Throw a Billion Dollars from a Helicopter”). (25 points)
4) Towards what ends has the NCAA used “amateurism” and the notion of the “student-athlete?” What has been the NCAA’s motivation for insisting that college athletes are amateurs who are students first? What is at stake? (25 points)
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What happened in the 1987 NFL players’ strike and what was its impact on future labor relations and the “modern NFL”?,
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What did Dr. Omalu’s work on concussions reveal, and why did the NFL try to discredit him?,
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Why do team owners and city leaders support using public/tax money for stadiums and what are the arguments for and against it?,
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How has the NCAA used “amateurism” and the idea of the “student-athlete”?,
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What is ultimately at stake in debates over amateurism and labor rights in sports?
General Answers
1. The 1987 NFL Players’ Strike and the “Modern NFL”
The 1987 NFL strike was organized by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) in response to disputes over free agency, salaries, and job security. While the players initially attempted to stand together, the strike was undermined by the NFL’s use of replacement players, along with divisions among union members. This weakened the NFLPA’s bargaining position, and the strike eventually collapsed. However, the strike left an enduring mark on labor relations in the NFL. According to the November 5th article, it created the conditions for what we now know as the “modern NFL.” The reliance on television revenues and fans’ continued support of games—despite the strike and replacement players—shifted bargaining power toward owners and highlighted the commercial power of the league as a corporate brand rather than a collection of star athletes.
The difficulties players faced in organizing stemmed from unequal power dynamics, the short career span of many athletes, and financial pressure to return to work. Additionally, the lack of solidarity between veterans and younger players created fractures. These challenges underscored how difficult it was for professional athletes, despite their visibility, to leverage collective action against a billion-dollar institution with more structural resources.
Sports and Inequality2. Dr. Omalu and the NFL’s Response
Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist, discovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) while studying the brain of former NFL player Mike Webster. His research showed that repeated concussions and head trauma in football caused long-term neurological damage, including memory loss, depression, and dementia. Omalu’s findings directly challenged the NFL’s long-standing denial of the risks associated with concussions.
The NFL sought to discredit Omalu by undermining his credibility and rejecting his findings. League officials attempted to frame his work as flawed and dismissed it as inconclusive. Their motivation was clear: acknowledging the dangers of football would threaten the profitability of the sport, expose the league to liability, and potentially alienate fans. By attacking Omalu, the NFL was protecting its brand and financial dominance. However, the exposure of Omalu’s work in League of Denial eventually forced the issue into the public eye, reshaping the conversation around player safety and labor rights in sports.
3. Stadium Subsidies and Public Money
Owners and city leaders often argue that using public tax money for stadiums benefits the broader community by stimulating the local economy, creating jobs, and providing civic pride. A new stadium can serve as a centerpiece for urban development and attract additional investments in surrounding neighborhoods. Politically, city leaders often support stadium funding as a way to demonstrate commitment to economic growth and community engagement.
However, as highlighted in the reading and the documentary Throw a Billion Dollars from a Helicopter, the arguments against this practice are strong. Critics point out that the promised economic benefits rarely materialize; jobs are often temporary and low-paying, while the costs of stadium construction leave taxpayers with long-term financial burdens. Moreover, public funds are diverted from essential services like schools, housing, and infrastructure. The controversy highlights the inequality inherent in subsidizing billion-dollar franchises owned by private individuals while shifting the financial risk onto the public. This debate illustrates how sports, labor, and politics intersect around questions of fairness and reso Sports and Inequality
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