Why are sport players idolised?

[Soubriquet]

What is it that they can do that makes them seen as the most fantastic person?

Football;-you kick a ball in a net. Big whoop
Rugby;- you try and get a ball to the end. Knock down some people to do it
Tennis;- hit a ball trying to out the other player
Golf;- whack a ball as hard as you can to get it into a hole

You can probably see I don't like sports

But I don't understand it. Why are they given TV space? Why do people fall over their feet to see them?

[deathandtaxes123]

I get your point but have you tried to play these sports? They're bloody difficult!

I don't think they should be paid as much as they are but there is a certain amount of skill, dedication and sacrifice that allows them to as good as they are!

[Matchingbluesocks]

It's just cultural I think. After all lots of things take a high degree of skill or even intelligence but we don't hold the people who do those up on such a pedestal

[Soubriquet]

It's the money and the fame that astounds me more than anything

Why are they paid so much?

Ok so it's a skill but everyone has a skill at something

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

Why do people fall over their feet to see them

What do you mean, them as individuals? People watch the team as they like the sport, whatever that is. We are big football fans in this house but we don't hold up any individual as a role model.

[reallyanotherone]

Well I'd rather my child idolised a sports player than some random "singer" or other media hungry reality show star who has done nothing but be relatively good looking and put their body and life in the public eye.

Sports players have a talent they have worked hard to nurture. Many many years training. Not done for 5 minutes of fame or money (except maybe the 4 sports you mention) either.

I do agree with you on football/rugby/golf to some extent. I prefer dancers/swimmers/gymnasts/athletics etc.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

The footballers are paid vast amounts because the sport is recognised as the most popular in the UK at least and the TV companies pour in billions.

[HuskyLover1]

Uugh, I don't get it either. Most footballers are cheating A holes, who think they are gods gift. And they're wimps.

My mum thinks it's crazy that they can miss penalties. She says "All they have to do all day, every day is get the ball in the net, with all that practice, how is it conceivable that they would ever miss?" I tend to agree.

I do fancy those big rugby players though

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

Not all sports people are 'paid so much'.

Rugby players for example aren't paid anywhere near footballers in the slightest. -or golfers or tennis players for that matter

[Soubriquet]

It's the amount of aggro that comes with it too

Obviously this is mostly football

The fans who brawl in the street over which team is best.

Why? It's just sport

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

Ds3 was at a football academy when he was younger, to say it was ruthless is an understatement.

If a boy or girl is talented enough to reach the top of their chosen sport I applaud them and if they're offered £50,000+ a week to play that sport good luck to them.

Yes it's an obscene amount of money but they didn't make the rules.

[Shiningexample]

There are many aspects to this, partly physical prowess is an admired trait, in particular it is often regarded as something essentially masculine

There is the discipline and hard work required for training at an elite level

Allegiance to teams, the iconic status of some athletes

[NerrSnerr]

Not all sports stars are paid loads and are still idolised. I have done diving before and the top British divers have loads of young fans worldwide who idolise them. I also think Jessica Ennis Hill has been a great roll model for young sports people, even though she has earned lots through advertising I think she's great.

[Soubriquet]

I think the point of this thread does go back to Ched Evans in a way.

Would he have been granted a re-trial if he wasn't a famous footballer?

[LikeDylanInTheMovies]

Some sports I enjoy more than others. But even if you aren't a sport fan, I don't understand why you can't see the appeal.

Football isn't just kicking a ball into a net, Golf (which I personally can't stand) isn't just putting a ball into a hole, that is just the mechanics. What you're overlooking is the competative element and the spectacle that goes with it.

It is thrilling watching people or teams at the very peak of their powers compete against one another in a way that taxes them physically and mentally.

I don't see what you don't 'get' about this.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

There was a lot of money backing a retrial for him, his gf's family are loaded and made it their mission to find 'evidence', there's tons of threads about it.

Other footballers who've committed crimes have been sent down, no retrial just because of their profession.

[Soubriquet]

I truly don't understand the appeal

I don't watch the Olympics

I don't watch the World Cup

I turn on the TV, if there is sport on, I imedietally turn it over

[EastMidsMummy]

Why are they paid so much?

Because the 'performances' they put on attract enormous global TV audiences that people are willing to pay to watch.

It's exactly the same as music stars, many of whom I wouldn't cross the street to see.

[LikeDylanInTheMovies]

East Mids

Yep, annoys me know end. The short answer is that they are psid what the market thinks their talents are worth. Just like any other occupation.

Even more pernicious is the Wayne Rooney's weekly wage would pay for x number of nurses line that gets trotted out. He isn't paid out of public funds for his endeavours. It doesn't matter if he's paid 250,000 or 50 quid a week.

[potentialqualms]

I'm very upset by the whole Ched Evans thing, think he's guilty and should never play again BUT I think it's highly unlikey he would have been charged at all if he wasn't a footballer, so it does work both ways.

A EastMids says. they're paid so much because they "earn" it. Their performances bring the money in.

The best ones are admired becuase they're the best in the world at something very many people love to do and know just how hard it is to do it at that level.

As for brawling in the street, really? That happens very rarely now. There's disorder anywhere where there are gatherings of people on that scale. Football suffers occasionally because it is literally the only thing that can attract that many people on such a regular basis.