Participation vs Spectating

Participation and spectating in sports has a unique relationship because they go hand in hand with each other and are necessary for each other. Without spectators, there would not be high salaries which would result in less competitive sports. However, people in the sports world have realized that the fans are probably just as important as the athletes because they help the professional leagues expand through the funding they provide through ticket sales, donations, merchandise sales and television ratings which is why you always hear athletes saying they would like to thank all of their fans. They aren’t thanking the fans really for their moral support.. They are thanking them for their financial support.

While many athletes start at a young age, most of them do not become professional athletes or even high school athletes at the varsity level for that matter. It is a dilemma many people have to face because as a kid almost everyone has aspirations of becoming a professional athlete; however, they face the harsh reality that they are not gifted enough at their sport to compete at a high level. Sports always provide people with fun and excitement even though it can be done in multiple ways. Some fans feel like they play just as big of a role in the game as their favorite superstars such as LeBron James, which is why you see some fans decked out in their favorite player or team’s gear.

There is something that is universally given off by sports whether it’s participating in a sport or spectating a sport and that is an escape. Sports serve as an escape from the daily rut or routine that most people deal with as they get to enjoy watching the team that they have followed since they were little kids watching the big game with the family. Sports are also a uniting force as race and everyone’s differences are irrelevant when everyone is competing or cheering for the same goals.