18. Sport and Leisure

Arguments against Professional/competitive sport

Sport has become a business

Professional sport encourages people to compete for money

Many sports stars are only concerned about money and fame

Some athletes take drugs in order to win at any cost

Competitors are often selfish and rude

They are not good role models for children

All sports should be amateur

Sports should be leisure activities rather than jobs

People should do sporting activities for enjoyment and health reasons

Taking part is more important than winning

Arguments for Professional sport

Professional sports are the same as any other business

Many people are employed in the sports industry

People should be able to use their talents to earn a salary

Sports stars entertain millions of people

Money is necessary to improve facilities and train athletes

The level of professional sport is much higher than that of amateur sport

Arguments for Competitive sport

Competition is a natural instinct in humans

In daily life we compete to get jobs or the highest grades

Sports are a safe form of competition

Competition is healthy because it pushes us to give our best

Competitors and fans can release energy and aggression

Supporters of teams feel a sense of belonging to a community

Opinion: professional sport salaries are too high

Sports professionals earn too much money

They do not provide a vital service

Football players, for example, earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball

We could all live happily without professional football

Life would be difficult without doctors, engineers and other vital professionals.

Society does not seem to value these professions as highly as professional sport

Sports salaries should be compatible with the wages most people earn