tag:theconversation.com,2011:/au/topics/nfl-3571/articlesNFL – The Conversation2024-02-09T16:50:30Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2225482024-02-09T16:50:30Z2024-02-09T16:50:30ZSuper Bowl: events like this are perfect for brand storytelling – unless companies get their messaging wrong<p>The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/sports/Super-Bowl">Super Bowl</a> – the championship game of America’s <a href="https://www.nfl.com/">National Football League</a> (NFL) – stands as one of the most lucrative annual showcases for big brands. With <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/216526/super-bowl-us-tv-viewership/#:%7E:text=The%202023%20edition%20of%20the,the%20U.S.%20Second%20most%20watched">115m viewers</a> watching the game last year in the US, 30-second ad spots go for a reported <a href="https://www.brandvm.com/post/super-bowl-2024-marketing#:%7E:text=The%2520highly%2520coveted%252030%252Dsecond,enthusiastic%2520about%2520the%2520Super%2520Bowl.">$7m</a> (£5.5m). These days, “Super Bowl ads” are highly anticipated in terms of creative, memorable storytelling that hits home.</p>
<p>For major corporations, getting the creative and messaging right is essential. Successful ads leverage the massive platform not just to grab eyeballs, but to reinforce brand values through authentic, engaging stories.</p>
<p>Goals range from sparking viral conversations to initiating loyal customer relationships to unveiling innovative offerings. Looking back, all-time great Super Bowl ads like Jeep’s iconic 2020 <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/216526/super-bowl-us-tv-viewership/#:%7E:text=The%202023%20edition%20of%20the,the%20U.S.%20Second%20most%20watched">Groundhog Day remake with Bill Murray</a>, cleverly appealed to audiences’ nostalgia while also pivoting towards the brand’s eco-friendly direction.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2021/03/15/how-and-why-to-build-brand-authenticity/?sh=7a35bac455b5">Brand authenticity</a> has become ever more important in our digitally connected world. Recent uproar involving brands like Peloton, whose <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/dec/04/peloton-backlash-sexist-dystopian-exercise-bike-christmas-advert">much-derided Christmas ad</a> appeared to show a husband gift his very thin, nervy wife an exercise bike for which, a year later, she thanks him profusely for “changing her life”. </p>
<p>Media-literate audiences are adept at sensing falsehoods and can become cynical, diminishing brand trust and <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/EUM0000000006475/full/html">affecting loyalty</a>. </p>
<p>But it’s not just consumers; once employees lose trust, this can further damage the brand. Our <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13162-018-0110-6">research</a> showed that employees who believe in the brand will go out of their way to do good. So when brands appear to “bang the social justice drum” publicly, but employees experience a lack of equality on the inside, this can lead to distrust.</p>
<p>This was the case with Wholefoods which, while telling the world they cared about black voices, was <a href="https://hbr.org/2020/07/woke-washing-your-company-wont-cut-it">accused of ignoring those very voices</a> among their own employees. </p>
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<h2>When brands don’t read the room</h2>
<p>Consumers prefer brands whose <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0148296321009462?fr=RR-2&ref=pdf_download&rr=84eacf091a6476ed">values align with their own</a>. Reducing environmental harm and standing up for social issues are two <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/12/people-prefer-brands-with-aligned-corporate-purpose-and-values/">examples of consumer expectations</a> of favoured brands, some of which may be tempted to jump on the bandwagon.</p>
<p>The widespread scorn over Kendall Jenner’s farcical <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/05/business/kendall-jenner-pepsi-ad.html">Pepsi ad</a> – which not only downplayed violence against black people but also glamourised it – should have been a salutary lesson for the sector.</p>
<p>But soon after, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/charlesrtaylor/2019/01/15/why-gillettes-new-ad-campaign-is-toxic/?sh=6847bf725bc9">Gillette</a>, in its attempt to play the social activist card, launched its “is this the best a man can get?” campaign. In a dramatic two-minute ad, aspects of toxic masculinity, including bullying, sexism and sexual harassment post-#MeToo were addressed.</p>
<p>This fuelled anger amongst consumers sceptical of the brand’s motives. Others felt the ad was suggesting the majority of men engage in toxic behaviours, leading to significant backlash across social media, with pundits claiming offence at stereotyping and perceived virtue signalling.</p>
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<p>In April 2023, <a href="https://fortune.com/2023/06/07/brands-caught-up-iculture-wars-retail-customers-internet-richard-torrenzano/">Budweiser</a> turned the adage “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” on its head. Sales of Bud Light <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/14/bud-light-loses-top-us-beer-spot-after-promotion-with-transgender-influencer">plunged 25%</a> in response to its promotion featuring transgender influencer/actress Dylan Mulvaney. This led to a boycott by angry conservative consumers accusing the brand of <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66398296">going “woke”</a>.</p>
<p>Before the boycott, Bud Light marketing director Alissa Heinerscheid <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/bud-light-boycott.html#:%7E:text=Before%20the%20boycott%2C%20Alissa%20Heinerscheid,for%20a%20really%20long%20time.">said in an interview</a> that the brand was in decline and needed to be more inclusive. After the backlash, CEO Brendan Whitworth <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85zvTMFv9Ck">said</a>: “We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people – we’re in the business of bringing people together over a beer.” </p>
<p>When brands fail to align their behaviours with their espoused values, this can wreak havoc with a brand’s reputation. The consumer base ends up feeling alienated by the brand’s perceived hypocrisy and inauthenticity.</p>
<h2>Evolving narratives</h2>
<p>As the 2024 Super Bowl LVIII approaches, brands want to make sure they don’t go down as yet another big corporation chasing social causes to look good. Rather than disingenuously espousing values, or grasping at emotional connections without context, brands should use the power of <a href="https://hbr.org/podcast/2022/02/the-positives-and-perils-of-storytelling">storytelling</a> to convince viewers of their underlying purpose in a way that connects to their lives.</p>
<p><a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-63614-2_6#:%7E:text=Although%2520transportation%2520is%2520distinct%2520from,or%2520actions%2520of%2520such%2520characters.">Research shows</a> that storytelling increases reader identification with characters, shifts attitudes and beliefs and creates more lasting memorability than straightforward delivery of information. Unlike explicit messaging which can feel inauthentic, getting lost in a story can inspire emotions and shape beliefs in a <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ct/article-abstract/14/4/311/4110790?redirectedFrom=PDF&casa_token=nueJDJ37xvEAAAAA:YDFDq8Dfqsr7BUGQ__E-dKX8NGQ7Sdz8Rd6uqu_aKNLEQloAHaklVqO0KIDccJqfE_0O5veQCsKwiQ">subtle, organic way</a>.</p>
<p>Look at <a href="https://youtu.be/2zfqw8nhUwA?si=rB1CVqNaIG5vZFwv">Apple’s 1984 commercial</a> introducing the Macintosh – it didn’t talk about the actual product, but rather created a hero narrative against conformity and totalitarianism. Or Coca-Cola’s famous 1971 “I’d like to buy the world a Coke” ad that united people at a time when America was <a href="https://www.historyoasis.com/post/things-go-better-with-coke">experiencing a dark period</a> during the Vietnam War. These are the storytelling ads that resonate rather than force-feed a supposed values-based message.</p>
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<h2>Digital immersive storytelling</h2>
<p>In our <a href="https://dosrhul.org/2024/01/26/meeting-net-zero-zero-sum-or-win-win-for-smes-a-novel-approach-to-marketing-a-brands-purpose-through-immersive-digital-storytelling/">research</a>, we go further. We propose using immersive digital storytelling techniques for brands to craft and validate the authenticity of their messaging. </p>
<p>Interactive digital media enables more participatory story experiences between brands and audiences. Working with a company to showcase their sustainability efforts, we created an immersive storytelling experience using extended reality technology. In this case, the founder of the company takes the audience on a walk through a forest purchased to help offset the operation’s carbon emissions.</p>
<p>This visceral storytelling immerses the viewers via a VR headset in the experience, emotionally engaging consumers with a positive real-life story, thus <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60248830">avoiding the allegations of greenwashing</a> that plague major brands like Google and Amazon.</p>
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<p>By showing rather than telling, this gives consumers a deeply authentic experience of the brand’s causes. They can see for themselves what the company is doing as opposed to being fed messages from traditional advertising.</p>
<p>Rather than indulging in virtue signalling to distinguish themselves, brands may find greater resonance in adopting more immersive and transparent approaches to connect their mission with real-world impact. Such strategies may prove more effective than preachy commercials that lack authenticity.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222548/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Preachy commercials do not go down well when big brands are suspected of disingenuous motives and virtue signalling.Lucy Gill-Simmen, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, School of Business and Management Marketing, Royal Holloway University of LondonLing Xiao, Senior Lecturer in Finance, Royal Holloway University of LondonLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2230202024-02-09T16:17:56Z2024-02-09T16:17:56ZTaylor Swift-NFL conspiracy theories are the result of two sets of hardcore fans colliding<p>At Super Bowl LVIII, Taylor Swift will appear on the field at Allegiant Stadium after her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s team, the Kansas City Chiefs, wins the game. But she won’t be performing. Swift’s appearance will be a Pentagon-backed psy-op to turn the rigged game into a calculated political endorsement, to secure the 2024 presidential election for Joe Biden. </p>
<p>At least, this is what conspiracy theorists are <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/68206676">predicting will happen</a>.</p>
<p>Swift, Kelce and the NFL have all been targets of conspiratorial thinking before. Swift has been accused of <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07494467.2021.1956270">queerbaiting</a> (hinting at LGBTQ+ identity without coming out) and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19392397.2020.1704431">neo-Nazi allegiances</a> after far right websites made memes out of her lyrics.</p>
<p>Kelce fell victim to vaccine-sceptic theories about “killer injections” when he <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/pro-vaccination-ad-leaves-nfl-s-kelce-in-misinformation-crosshairs/ar-AA1htg9O">endorsed the COVID vaccine</a>. And some people have claimed that the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2024/02/06/viral-videos-capitalize-on-conspiracy-theory-that-nfl-games-are-rigged/">NFL is scripted</a> and rigged.</p>
<p>It is not unusual for conspiracy theories to emerge in response to political, media or entertainment events. And the convergence of two American institutions – Taylor Swift and the NFL – is a perfect storm. </p>
<h2>Why people believe conspiracy theories</h2>
<p>Belief in conspiracy theories is not necessarily tied to levels of intelligence or <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-liberal-conspiracy-theories-can-be-just-as-destructive-as-their-extremist-counterparts-215424">political affiliation</a>. But <a href="https://theconversation.com/intelligence-doesnt-make-you-immune-to-conspiracy-theories-its-more-about-thinking-style-220978">research</a> shows that these types of beliefs are more common in people who tend to use intuitive, rather than critical, thinking.</p>
<p>Linked to this is <a href="https://www.thebehavioralscientist.com/glossary/proportionality-bias">proportionality bias</a>, a tendency to correlate major events with major consequences. It is associated with conspiracy theories as people search for simple answers to make sense of complicated situations.</p>
<p>The Swift-NFL conspiracy theories are fuelled by the fact that highly publicised people and events are involved. I am currently researching the relationship between Swift, the press and public opinion for a forthcoming volume on Swift edited by <a href="https://music.uchicago.edu/people/paula-harper">Paula Harper</a>, <a href="https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Taylor-Swift-s-life-and-lyrics-topic-of-virtual-16319577.php">Kate Galloway</a> and <a href="https://news.uark.edu/articles/66447/musicologist-christa-bentley-discusses-singer-songwriter-and-mega-superstar-taylor-swift">Christa Bentley</a>.</p>
<p>I am examining the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1464884919845458">journalistic practice</a> of selecting contentious tweets as evidence of <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a28067315/taylor-swift-you-need-to-calm-down-video-stereotypes/">public opinion</a> to support controversial narratives about Swift.</p>
<p>This builds on my <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07494467.2021.1945225">previous research</a> exploring social media reactions to Swift’s LGBTQ+ allyship in “You Need to Calm Down”. I have found that, while online posts about Swift are mostly neutral about the artist, this is often downplayed in the press in favour of over-reporting on controversy.</p>
<h2>America’s sweetheart, or a target for sexism?</h2>
<p>The Super Bowl conspiracy theories also appear to be influenced by political and sexist attitudes. Swift has long been a symbol of “Americana”, but one that is increasingly outwardly liberal, and told through the point of view of a young woman. As researchers <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07494467.2021.1976586">Mary Fogarty and Gina Arnold</a> note: “Taylor may be a monument to an old, white America, but she’s also an avatar of a future that is female.”</p>
<p>As the world has watched conservative politicians <a href="https://theconversation.com/will-abortion-be-the-issue-that-swings-the-2024-us-presidential-election-219495">erode women’s rights</a> in the US, we cannot ignore the fact that Swift is a powerful, billionaire, woman whose fans are mostly <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/03/14/more-than-half-of-us-adults-say-theyre-taylor-swift-fans-survey-finds/">women</a>.</p>
<p>Swift has now entered another distinctly American space – the NFL – whose fans have historically <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2023/09/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-dating-relationship-conservative-backlash-fox-news.html">tended to be conservative</a>. In doing so, she complicates an “us v them” mentality defined by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/MAGA-movement">excessive nationalism</a>, as seen in far-right conservative spaces.</p>
<p>Swift has demonstrable power within the music industry, not only through her fan support, but also in how she has fought for better <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/nov/24/taylor-swift-blow-fellow-artists-streaming-revenues-soar-universal-spotify">streaming service royalties</a> for artists and rerecorded her <a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/22278732/taylor-swift-re-recording-1989-speak-now-enchanted-mine-master-rights-scooter-braun">albums</a> in a battle over rights to her music.</p>
<p>She also has political power, contributing to a record-breaking <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/09/22/1201183160/taylor-swift-instagram-voter-registration">voter registration day</a> with one Instagram post.</p>
<p>It is difficult not to see this new conspiracy theory as partly an attempt to downplay the success of a powerful woman, by implying that her increased popularity over the past two years is the result of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/jan/31/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-super-bowl-rightwing-conspiracy-biden">a government conspiracy</a>.</p>
<h2>Clashing fandoms: Swifties v NFL fans</h2>
<p>A vocal minority of NFL fans have complained that Swift is receiving <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/25/style/taylor-swift-nfl-broadcasts.html">too much airtime</a> during games. But it is not just Swift who is disrupting the NFL, it is also her fans: the “Swifties”. </p>
<p>I have <a href="https://www.intellectbooks.com/fan-phenomena-the-twilight-saga">previously published research</a> about the clashes that occur when young girls and women move into male-dominated fan spaces. New female fans are criticised for not being “true” fans or participating in the “correct” way.</p>
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<p>The Swift conspiracy theory seems also to have partly been influenced by Swifties’ practice of looking for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/nov/09/how-taylor-swift-turned-pop-into-a-multiplayer-puzzle">“Easter eggs”</a> (hidden messages) in Swift’s lyrics. As this process has infiltrated wider audiences and the press, the search for deeper meaning is now being extended into Swift’s relationship with Kelce and the NFL.</p>
<p>Pentagon spokesperson <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/10/pentagon-taylor-swift-fox-00134866">Sabrina Singh</a> and NFL commissioner <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/american-football/68206676">Roger Goodell</a> have both made statements discrediting the conspiracy theories.</p>
<p>But if I were to trade one conspiracy for another, the situation could be setting the groundwork for a future theory. Should Donald Trump lose the 2024 election, it would be easy for those who believe these theories to blame Biden and Swift for voter manipulation, contributing to an undemocratic election.</p>
<p>Emotions run high around politics, fandom and football. This situation reveals some of the dangers of conspiratorial thinking: a loss of neutrality, a rise in ideological gaps and less reliance on critical thinking. In the words of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP4TTgt4nb0&ab_channel=TaylorSwiftVEVO">Swift herself</a>, you can’t see facts through fury.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/223020/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Melissa Avdeeff does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>This Super Bowl sees the convergence of two emotional fandoms: Swifties and NFL fans.Melissa Avdeeff, Lecturer in Digital Media, University of StirlingLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2206412024-02-09T13:33:00Z2024-02-09T13:33:00ZAds, food and gambling galore − 5 essential reads for the Super Bowl<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/574506/original/file-20240208-18-ge9cxl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=203%2C54%2C4074%2C2881&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers will try to stop the Kansas City Chiefs from winning their third Super Bowl in five years.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/christian-mccaffrey-of-the-san-francisco-49ers-rushes-news-photo/1976854646?adppopup=true">Michael Zagaris/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>On Sunday in Las Vegas, the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to win their second straight Lombardi Trophy, while a San Francisco 49ers victory would give the team its first Super Bowl <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXIX">since 1995</a>, when <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YounSt00.htm">Steve Young</a> was under center.</p>
<p>I didn’t get a pass to media day, so I didn’t get a chance to ask Chiefs head coach Andy Reid about how he tends to <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-12961001/Chiefs-coach-Andy-Reid-mustache-FREEZES.html">his mustache</a>.</p>
<p>But my colleagues and I were able to ask an all-pro lineup of scholars to write about a range of football-related topics, from the partisan food divide to the numbers behind the biggest gambling bonanza in league history.</p>
<h2>1. Flag, you’re it</h2>
<p>The Pro Bowl, the NFL’s version of the all-star game, usually gets scant attention. That’s because it happens the weekend before the Super Bowl – absent many of the stars playing in the big game – and the players seem most concerned about avoiding injuries, not winning the game.</p>
<p>A year ago, league officials decided to shake up the annual showcase. It would no longer be a tackle football game. <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-announces-the-pro-bowl-games-to-replace-tackle-game-with-flag-football-skill">It would be a flag football match</a>. The thinking went that if the league’s stars didn’t have to tackle one another, they might play harder, be more likely to showcase their athleticism and, importantly, have more fun. </p>
<p>As West Virginia University sociologist Josh Woods explains, <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-flag-football-one-day-leapfrog-tackle-football-in-popularity-222349">the NFL’s promotion of flag football is a big deal</a>, particularly for an emerging sport that’s somewhat obscure outside of Florida, Georgia and New York, where roughly 80% of high school flag football players live. Its inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics will only further bolster its profile.</p>
<p>But Woods points to a gender divide and a political divide that could end up clouding the sport’s future.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/could-flag-football-one-day-leapfrog-tackle-football-in-popularity-222349">Could flag football one day leapfrog tackle football in popularity?</a>
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<span class="caption">Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs for a touchdown in the first quarter of the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl in Orlando, Fla.</span>
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<h2>2. X’s, O’s and Z’s</h2>
<p>In 2011, former NFL cornerback Sam Shields was a rookie playing for a Green Bay Packers team that had made the Super Bowl. The night before the big game, he tossed and turned.</p>
<p>“I had stomach aches, using the bathroom, but I didn’t have to use it,” <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/31/super-bowl-2019-nfl-players-sleep-rams-patriots-atlanta">he told Sports Illustrated in 2019</a>. “It felt like Christmas too, when Christmas is the next day you can’t sleep.”</p>
<p>I’ve wondered whether I would get a wink of shut-eye if I were scheduled to pitch in the World Series. Something tells me I’d be a lot like Shields. And as if the Chiefs and 49ers players and coaches aren’t feeling enough pressure, it turns out that getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things an athlete can do before a big game, meet or match.</p>
<p>University of Pittsburgh sleep medicine specialist Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse highlights reams of studies showing how <a href="https://theconversation.com/sleep-can-give-athletes-an-edge-over-competitors-but-few-recognize-how-fundamental-sleep-is-to-performance-221403">a poor night’s sleep can effect performance and decision-making</a> while making you more likely to get injured.</p>
<p>In fact, she writes, “Sleep deficits have been linked to decreased performance in every cognitive measure.”</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/sleep-can-give-athletes-an-edge-over-competitors-but-few-recognize-how-fundamental-sleep-is-to-performance-221403">Sleep can give athletes an edge over competitors − but few recognize how fundamental sleep is to performance</a>
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<h2>3. Going all in on gambling</h2>
<p>Did you bet on the 49ers to cover the spread? Perhaps you’re <a href="https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Football-Squares">playing squares</a>. Or maybe you’re betting on Reba McEntire’s national anthem <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2024-super-bowl-lviii-odds-how-long-will-reba-mcentires-national-anthem-be">to last longer than 90.5 seconds</a>.</p>
<p>If you’ve wagered on some aspect of the big game, you’re one of roughly 67 million American adults who have done the same, according to a Morning Consult survey conducted in early February. That would make another new record, shattering 2023’s record, which shattered the mark from 2022. The country’s gambling mania has been aided, in part, by the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/us/politics/supreme-court-sports-betting-new-jersey.html">overturned a federal ban on sports betting</a>. </p>
<p>Gambling and the Super Bowl have always gone hand in hand. To University of Iowa sports media scholar Tom Oates, what makes the developments of the past few years so remarkable is <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-super-bowl-gets-the-vegas-treatment-with-1-in-4-american-adults-expected-to-gamble-on-the-big-game-222370">the NFL’s stunning reversal on its own attitudes toward betting</a>.</p>
<p>Gone are the quaint days of league officials lobbying Congress to put restrictions and guardrails in place. The NFL has gone all in on its embrace of gambling, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-inks-nearly-1-billion-212312677.html?_fsig=UXLu7VdB0Sg8Wcfmd7USNw--%7EA">forging billion-dollar partnerships</a> with the country’s top sportsbooks.</p>
<p>“But this infusion of extra cash comes with a substantial social cost,” Oates writes. “Gambling addictions are at an all-time high, likely spurred by the ease with which people can place bets from their phones.” </p>
<p>So if you want to get in on the action, gamble responsibly and don’t let your emotions get the best of you. </p>
<p>That being said, a little birdie told me that Reba <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=696443244813036">can really hold her notes</a>. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-super-bowl-gets-the-vegas-treatment-with-1-in-4-american-adults-expected-to-gamble-on-the-big-game-222370">The Super Bowl gets the Vegas treatment, with 1 in 4 American adults expected to gamble on the big game</a>
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<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Woman with red hair and silver dress holds microphone and smiles." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/574593/original/file-20240209-31-9fdvn2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/574593/original/file-20240209-31-9fdvn2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=405&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/574593/original/file-20240209-31-9fdvn2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=405&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/574593/original/file-20240209-31-9fdvn2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=405&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/574593/original/file-20240209-31-9fdvn2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=510&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/574593/original/file-20240209-31-9fdvn2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=510&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/574593/original/file-20240209-31-9fdvn2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=510&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Country music singer Reba McEntire will be singing the national anthem at Super Bowl LVIII.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/reba-mcentire-performs-at-madison-square-garden-on-april-15-news-photo/1482508270?adppopup=true">Theo Wargo/Getty Images</a></span>
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<h2>4. At least they aren’t serving donkey meat</h2>
<p><a href="https://jacobin.com/2022/01/hyper-politics-annie-ernaux-moralism-identity-media-individualization">Everything is politicized</a>, so the lament goes. And even the Super Bowl – <a href="https://thedaily.case.edu/the-super-bowl-is-a-cultural-moment-but-why/">one of the few communal events left</a> in a polarized, atomized nation – can’t avoid the creep of partisanship. </p>
<p>In recent years, some of the country’s most iconic food brands – <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/bud-light-boycott.html">Bud Light</a>, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/business/goya-boycott.html">Goya</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/papa-johns-cuts-ties-with-the-nfl-after-national-anthem-protests-2018-2">Papa John’s</a>, <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/02/23/coca-cola-diversity-training-urged-workers-to-be-less-white/">Coca-Cola</a>, <a href="https://www.vox.com/politics/2023/5/31/23742373/chick-fil-a-boycott-controversy-conservative-backlash">Chick-fil-A</a> – have been excoriated by partisans on both sides of the aisle. </p>
<p>So food spreads can color every Super Bowl party with a tinge of “red team,” “blue team.”</p>
<p>“What you serve at your Super Bowl party, or what the host serves at the event you attend, can now be interpreted, or twisted, through a partisan lens,” write political scientists Joshua J. Dyck and Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz.</p>
<p>One possible way to bridge the divide: Unite in a bipartisan celebration of Taylor Swift. Actually, <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-taylor-swift-is-an-antihero-to-the-gop-but-democrats-should-know-all-too-well-that-her-endorsement-wont-mean-its-all-over-now-222437">scratch that</a>. </p>
<p>Maybe you could just serve salmon – a food that, according to Dyck and Pearson-Merkowitz’s research, is “resistant to partisan cues.”</p>
<p>Grim times, indeed.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/super-bowl-party-foods-can-deliver-political-bite-choose-wisely-222687">Super Bowl party foods can deliver political bite – choose wisely</a>
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</p>
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<h2>5. ByeDaddy</h2>
<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-poll-commercials-halftime-1f65969d3ec56a5c3eca3ba386428d6a">According to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll</a>, 22% of Americans planning to watch the Super Bowl are most excited about the commercials.</p>
<p>That’s one reason companies are willing to fork over so much cash for a coveted slot – as much as US$7 million for a 30-second spot. </p>
<p>However, as Auburn University scholars Linda Ferrell and O.C. Ferrell point out, many regulars on the airwaves of the Super Bowl, such as GoDaddy and Ford, are <a href="https://theconversation.com/super-bowl-ads-its-getting-harder-for-commercials-to-score-with-consumers-222269">missing from this year’s lineup</a>.</p>
<p>What gives?</p>
<p>“Gen Z, in particular, is not impressed by Super Bowl ads,” they write, “and complicating the matter is their lack of interest in broadcast TV.”</p>
<p>So as a millennial who’s spent years listening to how <a href="https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/millennials-are-killing">my generation has killed</a> everything from paper napkins to mayonnaise, I take great pleasure in typing: Gen Z killed the Super Bowl ad.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/super-bowl-ads-its-getting-harder-for-commercials-to-score-with-consumers-222269">Super Bowl ads: It's getting harder for commercials to score with consumers</a>
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<p><em>This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/220641/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
Oh, yeah, and there’s a game, too.Nick Lehr, Arts + Culture EditorLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2208252024-02-09T03:53:35Z2024-02-09T03:53:35ZLamar Jackson is the NFL’s MVP. He’s also the NFL’s most valuable negotiator.<p><a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-honors-2024-lamar-jackson-wins-league-mvp-ravens-star-youngest-qb-to-capture-the-award-twice/">Lamar Jackson has been named the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player</a> for the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28614953/ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-unanimous-pick-nfl-mvp-historic-season">second time in his career</a>. Evidenced by his <a href="https://www.nfl.com/players/lamar-jackson/stats/career">3,678 passing yards, 821 rushing yards and 29 total touchdowns</a>, and in leading the Baltimore Ravens to the AFC championship game, Jackson has more than earned the MVP designation. </p>
<p>However, just as impressive, but perhaps less well known, was Jackson’s <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lamar-jackson-baltimore-ravens-260-million-dollar-extension-nfl-highest-paid-player/">remarkable off-the-field performance at the negotiating table in 2023</a>. </p>
<p>Leading into the NFL’s 2023 season, Jackson was without a long-term contract extension and without representation. <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/lamar-jackson-player-injuries">Season-ending ankle and knee injuries in each of the previous two seasons</a> could have impacted teams’ willingness to meet Jackson’s demands for a long-term contract with significant guaranteed compensation. </p>
<p>Yet despite those challenges and concerns, Jackson was able to advocate and negotiate — for himself — <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/lamar-jackson-ravens-agree-to-terms-on-new-contract">the most lucrative contract in the history of the NFL</a>: a five-year, US$260 million contract.</p>
<h2>Objective criteria</h2>
<p>There are several negotiation principles that impacted the Jackson negotiation. The first negotiation principle that helps explain how Jackson was able to achieve US$52 million per season, despite the issues and concerns discussed, is objective criteria. </p>
<p>In their book <a href="https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/negotiation-skills-daily/six-guidelines-for-getting-to-yes/"><em>Getting to Yes</em></a>, Roger Fisher, William Ury and Bruce Patton argue that using objective criteria, such as fair market value and professional and moral standards, helps focus negotiating parties on shared principles like fairness while de-emphasizing winning at the expense of the other party.</p>
<p>In Jackson’s case, the clearest example of objective criteria is the <a href="https://overthecap.com/position/quarterback">comparable NFL quarterbacks’ contracts at the time of the negotiation</a>, like those of Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers. </p>
<p>Since Jackson’s contemporaries were earning US$45 to $50 million per season (see above: fair market value), it suggests his eventual negotiated agreement with the Ravens would fall within the same ballpark — that is, if the Ravens agreed with Jackson’s assessment that his unique skills and on-field performance/potential were at, or near the top of, the NFL.</p>
<p>The lesson for those of us not in the NFL is the importance of discovering and articulating reasonable objective criteria in negotiations. For example, in a salary negotiation, we might point to colleagues who make more than we do for similar work and/or performance. While <a href="https://www.hrreporter.com/focus-areas/employment-law/ontario-introduces-pay-transparency-law/381144">publicly available figures can be hard to come by</a>, using external examples can also be effective. </p>
<p>However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that determining what qualifies as reasonable objective criteria is only half the battle. To effectively use objective criteria in negotiations, both sides must agree on it.</p>
<h2>Building a golden bridge</h2>
<p>A second negotiation principle illuminated by the Jackson negotiation is the importance of managing the relationship by “<a href="https://www.beyondintractability.org/bksum/ury-gettingpast">building a golden bridge</a>.” </p>
<p>Particularly useful in heated negotiations, the golden bridge principle invites parties to set aside their often self-defeating ambition to win at all costs, and instead, imagine how they can make it as easy as possible for their negotiation counterpart to say yes.</p>
<p>In Jackson’s case, the relationship between him and the Ravens organization appeared compromised throughout the negotiation, in part because <a href="https://theathletic.com/4427133/2023/04/19/lamar-jackson-ravens-contract-negotiation/#">the Ravens’ side held certain asymmetric powers over Jackson</a>, including the ability to trade the quarterback and/or unilaterally sign him to a one-year extension at US$32.4 million. </p>
<p>As a result, the relationship deteriorated to the point where Jackson announced on social media that he had <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-says-he-requested-trade-on-march-2">requested a trade</a>.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1640365154880704514"}"></div></p>
<p>Remarkably, at the very same time, <a href="https://x.com/Ravens/status/1640365741277937664?s=20">Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was speaking to media at the NFL owners’ meeting</a>, and, calm and composed, reiterated his endorsement of Jackson as the team’s quarterback for the future. </p>
<p>Later, in substantive negotiations, both sides embraced the golden bridge principles by incorporating both sides’ ideas and helping one another save face. This approach played a crucial role in repairing the strained relationship between Jackson and the Ravens organization.</p>
<h2>Lessons for all of us</h2>
<p>There are valuable lessons to be learned from Jackson’s negotiation. First, it’s crucial to recognize and appreciate tensions and frustrations that put our relationships at risk can and do occur in high-stakes negotiations. </p>
<p>Second, these tensions and frustrations can be overcome through careful and composed attention to the relationship between parties — using reasonable objective criteria and building the golden bridge.</p>
<p>In the case of Jackson and the Ravens, their use of objective criteria and the golden bridge principles ultimately resulted in a win-win — a five-year, US$260 million contract extension, of which US$185 million was guaranteed. </p>
<p>This extension allowed the Ravens to secure their franchise quarterback for the future and overcome the pressure to abandon their long-term financial interests and guarantee US$185 million instead of US$260 million.</p>
<p>Jackson’s US$52 million annual salary meant he had reasons to celebrate as well. Not only did he become the NFL’s highest paid player, but he also negotiated the highest per-year contract in the league’s history. Credit is due to Jackson and the Ravens for achieving this remarkable win-win.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/220825/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Despite being without a long-term contract extension and representation, Lamar Jackson was able to advocate and negotiate the most lucrative contract in the history of the NFL. Here’s how.Ryan Clutterbuck, Assistant Professor in Sport Management, Brock UniversityMichael Van Bussel, Assistant Professor in Sport Management, Brock UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2228532024-02-09T00:36:19Z2024-02-09T00:36:19ZHigher, faster: what influences the aerodynamics of a football?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573580/original/file-20240203-27-i63qjv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5472%2C3579&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">In addition to a player's ability to throw it, a number of factors will influence a ball's flight, including its size, inflation pressure and texture.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>With <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/super-bowl-lvii-averages-audience-of-113-million-viewers-fox-sports">113 million viewers in the United States</a> and 40 million more around the world, the Super Bowl is the most popular sports event in North America. This year’s event on Sunday – with the added attraction of a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2024/02/06/super-bowl-players-vegas-taylor-swift-wire-nc-vpx.cnn">romance in the spotlight</a> – promises to attract as many fans.</p>
<p>In Canada, the most recent Grey Cup final, last November, reached a <a href="https://twitter.com/RDS_RP/status/1726722586816430330">record audience</a> of 3.7 million viewers who tuned in to watch the Montréal Alouettes’ victory.</p>
<p>The two leagues definitely don’t enjoy the same popularity – far from it. Nor do they have the same rules. But there is another difference: although similar in appearance, the famous oval balls used in football have specific characteristics on both sides of the border that can affect their aerodynamics, i.e. the forces exerted by the air on the ball during its flight. The design and characteristics of the ball have an impact on the magnitude of these forces.</p>
<p>It might be news to football players, but their talent for throwing balls long distances is not the only thing that matters. A number of factors affect the ball’s aerodynamics, including the way it is made and its inflation pressure.</p>
<p>As a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Québec’s École de technologie supérieure, I am interested in experimental fluid dynamics. I study the physics of fluid flows and certain applications (e.g. propulsion of aquatic vehicles, aerodynamic applications). Fluid dynamics is a vast field and affects many aspects of our lives, such as the flow of blood in the heart, the flight of aircraft, the beautiful swirling patterns in Jupiter’s atmosphere or the perfect football pass for a touchdown.</p>
<h2>Ball size affects flight stability</h2>
<p>The NFL and CFL have the same <a href="https://cfldb.ca/faq/equipment/#:%7E:text=The%20CFL%20football%20dimensions%20are,to%2028%201%2F2%20inches">rules</a> regarding the dimensions of their balls. They must be between 11" and 11.25" long. They must also be inflated to between 12.5 psi and 13.5 psi, giving them a maximum circumference of between 28" and 28.5" around the length and between 21" and 21.25" around the width.</p>
<p>These dimensions are important. The football acts like a gyroscope. The higher the speed of rotation, the more stable the ball will be during its flight. Different dimensions can therefore have specific effects on the stability of the ball’s flight.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="An American football player catches a ball in mid-flight on a field" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573219/original/file-20240203-25-y5at9n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573219/original/file-20240203-25-y5at9n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=438&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573219/original/file-20240203-25-y5at9n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=438&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573219/original/file-20240203-25-y5at9n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=438&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573219/original/file-20240203-25-y5at9n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=551&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573219/original/file-20240203-25-y5at9n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=551&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573219/original/file-20240203-25-y5at9n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=551&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The size of the football matters. The ball acts like a gyroscope. The higher the speed of rotation, the more stable the ball will be during its flight.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A larger circumference suggests that more of the ball’s mass is located away from its centre line. This means that it will have a higher moment of inertia (resistance to rotation) and, therefore, that the same force applied to make it rotate will result in a lower speed of rotation.</p>
<h2>Two stripes and laces make a difference</h2>
<p>While there are two white stripes on the Canadian ball, as well as laces, American rules don’t mention these.</p>
<p>The differences between the Canadian and American balls can have an effect on their drag. A drag force is the resistance to a moving object in a fluid. In this case, it is mainly the resistance caused by the air (a fluid), which is called form or pressure drag.</p>
<p>Let’s take the example of a golf ball. Its dimples encourage turbulence, which allows the airflow to stick to the ball and reduce its total drag. Less drag means the ball can fly further with the same force applied.</p>
<p>The laces on a football and any other significant modification to its surface (a logo, a valve), in combination with the rotation of the ball, will to some extent have the same effect. It would be interesting to study how <a href="https://www.engineering.com/story/the-aerodynamics-of-a-football">these differences</a> between NFL and CFL footballs affect their respective drag.</p>
<h2>NFL or CFL, which ball is better?</h2>
<p>To do this, we could use a wind tunnel (an experimental installation in the form of a tunnel with a controlled airflow) to simulate the movement of air (fluid flow) around the two balls that will be fixed in space, put into rotation and subject to an airflow speed that would imitate the balls’ speed of flight.</p>
<p>An aerodynamic force balance could be used to measure the differences in drag between the two balls subjected to the same conditions. Ideally, to eliminate other factors of variability, the two balls would have the same dimensions.</p>
<p>The passage of air around the ball could be visualized using smoke or particle image/tracking velocimetry. The latter is a method in which the air is seeded with particles (helium-filled soap bubbles or oil droplets). The movement of these particles could then be captured using a camera to quantify the airspeed at all points around the ball. This would allow regions of flow separation and recirculation to be seen, and provide an idea of the distribution of aerodynamic forces around the ball.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A gloved hand holds a football on a grassy surface" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573221/original/file-20240203-21-3s2qf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573221/original/file-20240203-21-3s2qf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573221/original/file-20240203-21-3s2qf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573221/original/file-20240203-21-3s2qf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573221/original/file-20240203-21-3s2qf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573221/original/file-20240203-21-3s2qf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573221/original/file-20240203-21-3s2qf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A ball about to be kicked. A number of factors will influence the aerodynamics of the ball.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Different rotation speeds and flight speeds could be examined, as there is always the possibility of developing flow instabilities, which would lead to a change in its behaviour around the ball. </p>
<p>This would help determine whether the NFL or CFL ball is better.</p>
<h2>Ball texture influences drag</h2>
<p>There is another type of drag, this one attributable to the friction between the air and the surface of the ball. This is called friction drag.</p>
<p>It depends mainly on the texture of the ball and its speed. The rougher the texture of the ball, the greater the friction drag for the same speed. Similarly, a faster ball speed will have a higher friction drag.</p>
<p>By reducing the form drag, we further reduce the total drag of the ball, which can therefore go further and faster on the football field.</p>
<h2>And then there’s the weather!</h2>
<p>The weather also plays a role in the aerodynamics of the football.</p>
<p>Cold or hot temperatures can affect the size of the ball by reducing or increasing the air pressure inside it.</p>
<p>Similarly, temperature can have some effect on the material properties of the ball, with colder temperatures making it stiffer and warmer temperatures making it softer.</p>
<p>Temperature and humidity also play a role in the physical properties of air, altering its density and viscosity.</p>
<p>Rain will also directly affect drag as, in a sense, it affects the texture of the ball’s surface as felt by the air.</p>
<p>But that won’t be an issue in Las Vegas on Feb. 11 for the Super Bowl game, since Allegiant Stadium is covered.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222853/count.gif" alt="La Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Giuseppe Di Labbio ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d'une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n'a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.</span></em></p>A football’s dimensions, pressure and texture affect its aerodynamics, i.e. the forces exerted by the air on the ball as it flies.Giuseppe Di Labbio, Professeur adjoint, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2223702024-02-08T13:39:16Z2024-02-08T13:39:16ZThe Super Bowl gets the Vegas treatment, with 1 in 4 American adults expected to gamble on the big game<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573295/original/file-20240204-21-h057fn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=499%2C7%2C3408%2C2468&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Billions of dollars are being bet on the matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/signage-for-super-bowl-lviii-is-displayed-on-a-pedestrian-news-photo/1974137455?adppopup=true">Ethan Miller/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573875/original/file-20240206-22-1s0mgu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573875/original/file-20240206-22-1s0mgu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=255&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573875/original/file-20240206-22-1s0mgu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=255&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573875/original/file-20240206-22-1s0mgu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=255&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573875/original/file-20240206-22-1s0mgu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=321&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573875/original/file-20240206-22-1s0mgu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=321&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573875/original/file-20240206-22-1s0mgu.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=321&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="attribution"><a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></span>
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<p>A record 67.8 million American adults are expected to bet US$23.1 billion on Super Bowl LVIII, <a href="https://www.americangaming.org/new/record-68-million-americans-to-wager-23-1b-on-super-bowl-lviii/">according to a new survey conducted by Morning Consult for the American Gaming Association</a>. The estimated number of bettors has increased 35% from the previous Super Bowl, while the total amount being bet is estimated to have shot up from $16 billion in 2023. </p>
<p>Both figures would represent records – fitting for a Super Bowl held in Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the U.S.</p>
<p>For the NFL, partnering with sportsbooks <a href="https://www.espn.com/sports-betting/story/_/id/38338437/nearly-735m-american-adults-bet-nfl-season-survey-says">has been a boon for business</a>. The relationship appears to be a natural one: Though sports betting was illegal in most of the country until 2018, <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-gambling-built-baseball-and-then-almost-destroyed-it-123254">it’s always been a part of sports fandom</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tcvNTxMAAAAJ&hl=en">But as a sports media scholar</a>, I find the league’s embrace of gambling so striking because for most of its history, the NFL had pushed the government for stricter regulations, not more lenient ones.</p>
<p>Particularly in its early days, the NFL wanted to avoid the stain of bookies, bets, fixed games and the gambling crises <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-gambling-built-baseball-and-then-almost-destroyed-it-123254">that had befallen other professional sports leagues</a>.</p>
<h2>Staunch opposition</h2>
<p>In 1963, just as the NFL was starting to become profitable <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_on_television_in_the_1960s">thanks to broadcasting deals</a>, a gambling scandal threatened the league’s growing popularity. </p>
<p>Commissioner Pete Rozelle <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/18/archives/football-stars-banned-for-bets-hornung-and-karras-are-suspended-by.html">suspended two of the league’s stars</a>, the Green Bay Packers’ <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HornPa00.htm">Paul Hornung</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KarrAl00.htm">Alex Karras</a> of the Detroit Lions, for a full season after both players admitted to placing bets on NFL games.</p>
<p>“This sport has grown so quickly and gained so much of the approval of the American public,” <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/mike-freeman/2021/08/31/nfl-sportsbook-deals-decades-long-hypocrisy-gambling/5655252001/">Rozelle told Sports Illustrated at the time</a>, “that the only way it can be hurt is through gambling.” </p>
<p>But football and gambling eventually resumed their delicate dance. In 1976, CBS hired bookmaker and newspaper columnist James “Jimmy the Greek” Snyder <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1976/09/03/archives/a-star-is-born-by-8-points-sports-of-the-times.html">to join the cast of its flagship pregame program</a>, “The NFL Today.” CBS Sports president Bob Wussler knew that millions of viewers wanted to know the betting lines for upcoming games. It was Snyder’s job to communicate them. </p>
<p>The NFL’s leadership, however, remained adamantly opposed to its broadcasting partners explicitly encouraging gambling. So Snyder communicated the lines by predicting the final score, <a href="https://read.dukeupress.edu/radical-history-review/article/2016/125/159/22306/Race-Economics-and-the-Shifting-Politics-of-Sport">thereby allowing careful listeners to learn a point spread</a>. The routine lasted until 1988, when Snyder suggested that slavery had made Black players better athletes. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1988/01/17/jimmy-the-greek-fired-by-cbs-for-his-remarks/27536e46-3031-40c2-bb2b-f912ec518f80/">He was fired the next day</a>.</p>
<p>In 1992, the NFL and other major sports leagues <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/senate-bill/474/text">lobbied for the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act</a>, which would severely restrict sports gambling, allowing it only in Nevada, Oregon, Delaware and Montana. Rozelle’s successor, Paul Tagliabue, testified in favor of the bill, telling Congress: “We do not want our games to be used as bait to sell gambling. We have to make it clear to the athletes, the fans and the public, gambling is not a part of sport, period.” The measure passed.</p>
<p>In 2017, current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated the league’s stance. Speaking in the wake of the owners’ decision to allow the Oakland Raiders to relocate to Las Vegas, <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/goodell">he insisted</a>: “We still strongly oppose … legalized sports gambling. The integrity of our game is No. 1. We will not compromise on that.”</p>
<h2>More money, more problems?</h2>
<p>Everything changed a year later, when the Supreme Court <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/05/14/supreme-court-sports-betting-paspa-law-new-jersey/440710002/">declared the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act unconstitutional</a>, which left the decision to allow sports gambling to the states. Since then, <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/u-s-sports-betting-here-is-where-all-50-states-currently-stand-on-legalizing-online-sports-betting-sites/">more than 30 states have legalized sports gambling</a>.</p>
<p>Despite its historical opposition to sports gambling, the NFL moved quickly to take advantage of the new legal landscape.</p>
<p>In 2021, <a href="https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/nfl-sports-betting-sponsorship-betmgm-pointsbet-wynnbet-tv-advertising/?zephr_sso_ott=6Qvsdy">the league announced seven companies</a>, including BetMGM, Draft Kings and Caesars, as the league’s official gambling partners. Two years later, ESPN, one of the league’s major partners – <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/society/espn-nfl-journalism/">and one in which the league may soon buy a stake</a> – announced the formation of <a href="https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/38897700/what-espn-bet-how-do-use-where-legal">ESPN BET</a>, a sportsbook partnership with Penn Entertainment. ESPN immediately began promoting its new venture on its television and web platforms. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Caesar's Palace video screen advertising Super Bowl matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573296/original/file-20240204-19-nqnfp6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573296/original/file-20240204-19-nqnfp6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=393&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573296/original/file-20240204-19-nqnfp6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=393&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573296/original/file-20240204-19-nqnfp6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=393&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573296/original/file-20240204-19-nqnfp6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=493&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573296/original/file-20240204-19-nqnfp6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=493&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573296/original/file-20240204-19-nqnfp6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=493&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Gambling and football have become two peas in a pod.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-marquee-at-caesars-palace-displays-super-bowl-lviii-news-photo/1984286077?adppopup=true">Ethan Miller/Getty Images</a></span>
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<p>By embracing sports gambling, the NFL has unleashed new profit streams. Even casual fans can’t miss the surge in gambling advertisements that now air during the games, all of which buttress the value of media rights. Meanwhile, the NFL’s official sportsbook partners will fork over <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-inks-nearly-1-billion-212312677.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACW45R03fmohhc_B1ZlWpY7_zcvqe5EV5sh9G1SgB7Vt_g9Xpu0ghK4RC7rVNpXCRtLUe0jtLvMKCSXNafnOuM4ZlKFd1nD9s2zqyLhninUA3cFZQRqqA6ZAwHrOYhC27SJZ3rV7SjQLXzycbVwXxSCqKsLek1dHNpXL6ZzSro4t">more than $1 billion</a> to the league over the course of the five-year contract. </p>
<p>But this infusion of extra cash comes with a substantial social cost. Gambling addictions <a href="https://money.com/gambling-addiction-all-time-high/">are at an all-time high</a>, likely spurred by the ease with which people can place bets from their phones. <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-treat-people-with-gambling-disorder-and-im-starting-to-see-more-and-more-young-men-who-are-betting-on-sports-198285">Young men seem to be especially vulnerable</a>.</p>
<p>Ten NFL players <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-gambling-suspensions-0c31c118f637efa159fad75e7b949418">have been suspended for gambling on sports</a> since 2022. Several former athletes have come forward <a href="https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/calvin-ridley-nfl-football-jacksonville-jaguars">to share stories of their struggles with sports betting</a>.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, the league continues to promote gambling sites to its fan base. The gambling prohibitions for players have not substantially changed, but the environment in which they work and live <a href="https://www.mlive.com/sports/2024/01/nfl-wide-receiver-accused-of-making-thousands-of-illegal-bets-while-starring-at-lsu.html">has made the temptation far more difficult to avoid</a>.</p>
<p>Goodell has cast the league’s partnerships with sportsbooks as a no-brainer for the bottom line: “We have to be in that space,” <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/goodell">he plainly stated in a September 2023 interview</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the potential costs – for the league and for its fans – are a bit harder to see, at least right away. But to anti-gambling advocates, they’re no less pernicious.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222370/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Thomas Oates does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>What makes the NFL’s embrace of gambling so striking is that for most of its history, the league had pushed the government for stricter regulations – not more lenient ones.Thomas Oates, Associate Professor of Sport Media, University of IowaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2223492024-02-07T13:13:04Z2024-02-07T13:13:04ZCould flag football one day leapfrog tackle football in popularity?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573480/original/file-20240205-21-8bd16d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=12%2C6%2C2032%2C1355&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Youth flag football players run drills with their coach before a game in Dayton, Ohio, on Oct. 8, 2023.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/flag-football-team-beavercreek-raiders-run-drills-with-news-photo/1850858257?adppopup=true">Megan Jelinger/The Washington Post via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>One hundred years into the future, what if millions of people gathered every February, not to watch the Super Bowl, but to instead watch the annual world flag football championship?</p>
<p>Once a casual activity played at family reunions, the competitive sport of flag football is “<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/10/22/flag-football-why-sport-is-becoming-so-popular-with-girls-kids/71270522007/">soaring</a>,” “<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/17/sport/flag-football-nfl-olympics-cec/index.html">exploding</a>” and “<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flag-football-popularity-girls-women/">skyrocketing in popularity nationwide</a>,” according to mainstream news outlets.</p>
<p>There’s some data behind the breathless headlines: According to the <a href="https://nflflag.com/about">NFL’s official flag football program</a>, since 2015 the number of kids ages 6 to 12 who play flag football has risen by 38%, to more than 1.5 million.</p>
<p>In my recent book, “<a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-76457-9">Emerging Sports as Social Movements</a>,” I explore nontraditional sports like flag football and disc golf. One of my key findings is that splashy headlines about trendy sports rarely capture a sport’s true reach and staying power. </p>
<p>For every sport like pickleball that gains widespread, sustained popularity, there are several – <a href="https://www.usara.com/new-to-adventure-racing/whatisadventureracing">adventure racing</a>, paintball and wakeboarding – that remain firmly ensconced in their niche.</p>
<p>In the case of flag football, there are a handful of recent trends that truly do point to a promising future. But there are also some red flags that could end up hampering its growth.</p>
<h2>A fun, fast, safer alternative</h2>
<p>Though its rules are similar to tackle football, flag football is currently gaining attention for what makes it different. </p>
<p>It’s considered a no-contact sport. A “tackle” involves snatching one of two flags that hang from the hips of the ball carrier. While players face injury risks, they sustain <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pubs/youth_football_head_impacts.html">far fewer head impacts</a> than athletes who play tackle football.</p>
<p>With the public’s concerns about brain injuries <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-01-24/youth-football-participation-declining-amid-safety-concerns">on the rise</a>, many parents are opting for flag football instead of tackle for their kids.</p>
<p>Obscurity is a powerful barrier to emerging sports. But getting noticed may not be a problem for flag football.</p>
<p>The International Olympic Committee <a href="https://www.nfl.com/partners/flag-football/">announced in October 2023</a> that flag football would be headed to the Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028. It’s not clear yet if active NFL players can compete, but if they are eligible – and if the U.S. assembles a “<a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/dream-team-roster-history-usa-1992-olympics/4o78v2slilky1inrskk8h6wkb">Dream Team</a>” like the Olympic men’s basketball team of 1992 that included superstars Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson – flag football could get on the radar of millions of casual sports fans in 2028.</p>
<p>The Olympic version of flag football is fast-paced.</p>
<p>Games are shorter than a typical game of tackle football. Five players compete on 50-yard fields with 10-yard end zones for two 20-minute halves. This format made its first big appearance in the <a href="https://olympics.com/en/news/flag-football-rules-players-origins-things-to-know">2022 World Games</a> in Birmingham, Alabama, where the U.S. men won gold and the women took home silver.</p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">A short overview of how to play flag football.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>The NFL cultivates the grassroots</h2>
<p>Although it may come as a surprise, the NFL is embracing flag football and taking its growth seriously.</p>
<p>In 2021, the NFL and Nike committed <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/nfl-and-nike-court-a-new-football-market-girls-11612854854">US$5 million in equipment</a> to support high school flag football teams across the nation. The NFL’s <a href="https://playfootball.nfl.com/about-youth-football/find-a-league/">official flag football program</a> operates more than 1,600 local leagues and receives sponsorships from top brands like Visa, Gatorade and Subway.</p>
<p>Most NFL teams are currently supporting the grassroots of flag football with summer camps, clinics and regional tournaments.</p>
<p>During last year’s Super Bowl, an estimated 115 million viewers watched <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/videos/sports/Ad-Meter/2023/02/13/ad-meter-2023-nfl-run/11245547002/">a flag football TV commercial</a> featuring Mexican quarterback Diana Flores bobbing and spinning to evade NFL players and celebrities as they attempted to take her flag. </p>
<p>On Feb. 4, 2024, the Pro Bowl – the NFL’s annual all-star game – sidelined tackle football for the second year in a row. In its place was a 7-on-7 flag football game that aired on ESPN and ABC and streamed on ESPN+.</p>
<p>Prior to that game, on Feb. 2-3, the league also hosted the <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-hosts-12-international-youth-flag-football-teams-at-2024-pro-bowl-games">International NFL Flag Championships</a> as part of the Pro Bowl Games, featuring young athletes from 12 countries.</p>
<h2>By the numbers</h2>
<p>Flag football may be having a moment, but the question remains: Is the sport actually experiencing a meaningful surge in participation that could extend into the future?</p>
<p>According to figures collected annually by the <a href="https://www.nfhs.org/">National Federation of High Schools</a>, 21,980 students played high school flag football in 2023. To put this number in context, however, tackle football attracted 47 times more students – roughly 1 million players – the same year. Track and field, basketball and soccer have roughly 1 million participants apiece.</p>
<p>Interest in flag football seems to be concentrated in a few regions, with roughly <a href="https://www.nfhs.org/">80% of high school players</a> living in just three states: Florida, Georgia and New York.</p>
<p>Though high school participation in flag football has <a href="https://www.nfhs.org/">increased steadily</a> since 2007, almost all the growth comes from the girls’ side.</p>
<p><iframe id="D5FkA" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/D5FkA/3/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>A nationwide <a href="https://sportsmarketanalytics.com/home.aspx">sports participation survey</a> finds that the number of casual players of flag football is up, but core participation is down. The study defines “casual players” as those who play fewer than 50 times per year, whereas “core players” participate 50 or more times each year.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://sportsmarketanalytics.com/home.aspx">share of Americans</a> who play casually increased by 41% between 2016 and 2022. But core participation declined by 13% during this period.</p>
<p><iframe id="0oquc" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/0oquc/3/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>For sustainable growth, nontraditional sports need to generate excitement among both core and casual players. Top-down investments and marketing strategies may attract new players, but grassroots organizing keeps them coming back.</p>
<p>Take pickleball. In recent years, the sport has generated plenty of cultural clout, with high-profile athletes like LeBron James investing in the professional circuit, and <a href="https://www.paddletek.com/blogs/news/celebrities-in-pickleball">celebrity pickleball players</a> making headlines. There has also been <a href="https://theconversation.com/pickleballs-uphill-climb-to-mainstream-success-193052">tremendous growth</a> in pickleball’s social and physical infrastructure. For these reasons, both casual and core participation in pickleball <a href="https://sportsmarketanalytics.com/home.aspx">more than doubled</a> between 2016 and 2022.</p>
<h2>Red sport, blue sport</h2>
<p>In the end, the future of flag football may hinge on the public debate over tackle football’s safety. Over the past decade, <a href="https://theconversation.com/childrens-high-impact-sports-can-be-abuse-experts-explain-why-222651">several studies</a> have found a link between repeated head impacts and the risk for serious brain injuries, <a href="https://www.bu.edu/cte/our-research/significant-research-findings/">including chronic traumatic encephalopathy</a>, or CTE.</p>
<p>Yet <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/california-youth-tackle-football-ban-clears-first-legislative-hurdle-assembly-committee-ab734/">recent efforts</a> to make tackle football safer for young athletes have been met with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1353/jsm.2019.0002">fierce resistance</a> from families, fans and organizers. In many regions of the U.S., tackle football is deeply ingrained in the culture, leading to strong opposition to any changes.</p>
<p>New rules to protect NFL players have seeped into mainstream politics. For instance, in 2019, former <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcook/2019/02/03/donald-trump-who-wants-more-violence-in-the-nfl-doesnt-want-his-son-playing-football/?sh=5ffeb68a342a">President Donald Trump</a> dubbed the NFL’s concussion protocol “soft” and said that safety measures were “ruining the game.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Democratic state lawmakers in New York, Illinois and California have <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/governor-newsom-says-he-wont-sign-bill-banning-tackle-football-for-young-kids/">introduced bills to ban tackle football for kids under 12</a>, often citing flag football as a suitable alternative. None of these bills, however, have passed.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Two teenaged girls fight for a ball." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573483/original/file-20240205-27-v9xcvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573483/original/file-20240205-27-v9xcvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=440&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573483/original/file-20240205-27-v9xcvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=440&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573483/original/file-20240205-27-v9xcvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=440&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573483/original/file-20240205-27-v9xcvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=553&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573483/original/file-20240205-27-v9xcvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=553&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573483/original/file-20240205-27-v9xcvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=553&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Flag football has become more popular among girls and women.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/long-beach-ca-lilianna-sarmiento-of-jordan-reaches-for-a-news-photo/1743556245?adppopup=true">Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Some research shows that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2018.1524784">Democrats are more likely to trust concussion science than Republicans</a>. Democrats also <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.655890">pay more attention to news about concussions</a> than Republicans. </p>
<p>As beliefs about the dangers of tackle football become polarized, the perceived benefits of flag football will likely follow suit. As I showed in a recent study of sport popularity in 207 areas of the U.S., <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2022.2074516">flag football is more popular in regions that tend to vote Democratic</a>, with tackle football more popular in Republican areas.</p>
<p>So in addition to going after the resources needed for sustainable growth – investment, organization, visibility, legitimacy – flag football’s advocates will also need to navigate a nation divided by politics.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222349/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Josh Woods does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The NFL’s embrace of the sport points to a promising future. But gender and political divides could stand in the way.Josh Woods, Professor of Sociology, West Virginia UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2214032024-01-31T13:36:42Z2024-01-31T13:36:42ZSleep can give athletes an edge over competitors − but few recognize how fundamental sleep is to performance<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/571989/original/file-20240129-15-rvkoy3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=8%2C0%2C2663%2C1778&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Sleep has been an underappreciated strategy for gaining an edge over an opponent at any level of athletic competition.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ChiefsRavensFootball/47d36cdc32f2464d8b6aaed9cba32412/photo?Query=football%20playoffs&mediaType=photo,video,graphic,audio&sortBy=&dateRange=now-24h&totalCount=54&currentItemNo=44">AP Photo/Alex Brandon</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>In the adrenaline-packed world of professional sports, the power of sleep rarely gets adequate attention.</p>
<p>A healthy sleep pattern can be a stealthy game plan for athletes to gain an edge over their opponents. Only a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/21/lebron-james-reveals-the-nighttime-routine-that-sets-him-up-for-success.html">few top elite athletes</a> know the secret of early bedtimes for optimal performance.</p>
<p>Sleep is vital not only for keeping the mind sharp and body healthy but also for excelling in all fields in life – whether <a href="https://theconversation.com/school-start-times-and-screen-time-late-in-the-evening-exacerbate-sleep-deprivation-in-us-teenagers-179178">in the classroom</a>, on the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5158299/">battlefield</a> or in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsab051">other professional arenas</a>. </p>
<p>As a <a href="https://www.neurology.pitt.edu/people/joanna-fong-isariyawongse-md-faes-faan">neurologist specializing in sleep medicine</a> at the University of Pittsburgh, I have devoted my career to understanding and advocating for the importance of sleep health. </p>
<p>Here are some key facts to understand why sleep matters.</p>
<h2>The critical role of sleep in performance</h2>
<p>Sleep is a complex, <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep#">cyclical process</a> that progresses through several stages, each with distinct characteristics and functions. Initially, it begins with light sleep, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526132/#">encompassing stages 1 and 2</a>, where the body starts to relax and brain wave activity begins to slow down. </p>
<p>These stages are followed by deep sleep, also known as <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep/slow-wave-sleep#:">slow-wave sleep</a>, where the body undergoes significant restorative processes. The final stage is <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/12148-sleep-basics">rapid eye movement</a>, or REM sleep, characterized by vivid dreams and increased brain activity. Typically, a person cycles through these stages four to six times each night, with each cycle lasting approximately 90 minutes. </p>
<p>Sleep is when our bodies heal. Deep sleep helps repair muscles and bones through several key mechanisms, including the release of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2824213/">human growth hormone</a> – a protein produced in the pituitary gland – and various <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2016.148">anti-inflammatory agents</a>. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/growth-hormone-athletic-performance-and-aging">Human growth hormone is a key player</a> in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2824213/">muscle development, tissue repair</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2008-0027">metabolism</a>, and is it vital for maintaining physical health. It significantly enhances the body’s capacity for self-repair, be it following an intense sports event or recovering from a sports-related injury. </p>
<p>In addition, sleep helps your brain to recalibrate through the waste-clearing <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2022.11.012">glymphatic system</a>, which is part of the central nervous system. Think of it as a dishwasher in your brain, flushing out waste products, including neurotoxic proteins such as <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2015.00221">amyloid-beta</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1755-5949.2010.00177.x">abnormal tangles of a protein called tau</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1101%2Fcshperspect.a009399">alpha-synuclein proteins</a>. </p>
<p>All three of those proteins have direct association with neurodegenerative diseases such as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.3889">Alzheimer’s dementia</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.08.016">chronic traumatic encephalopathy</a>, a disorder thought to be caused by repeated head injuries. For athletes, maintaining proper brain health and cognitive function is paramount.</p>
<p>In addition, deep sleep <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-011-1044-0">strengthens the immune system</a> to help keep us healthy and free of illnesses.</p>
<p>REM sleep is the most active stage of sleep, the one in which we experience dreams. This contrasts with deep sleep, where the brain enters a state of synchronized slow waves, indicative of restorative rest. REM sleep is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-013-0430-8">essential for memory</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00459">emotion processing</a>, which help with recall and reducing anxiety. </p>
<p>Athleticism by its purest definition and overall body control can often be linked to the benefits of Stage 2 sleep, which has been shown to play an instrumental role in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002429">consolidating of motor sequence memories</a> and physical skills learned during practice.</p>
<p>To fully benefit from these sleep cycles, adults need <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721815000157?via%3Dihub">seven to nine hours</a> of sleep per night. This duration ensures that they complete the necessary four to six sleep cycles, allowing their bodies and minds to fully experience the restorative effects of each sleep stage, which is essential for optimal health and performance.</p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Sleep is a performance enhancer, if you do it right.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>How sleep helps prevent injuries</h2>
<p>In professional sports, more training and higher pressure increase the chances of getting hurt. Research shows that collegiate athletes who sleep less than seven hours per night are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000849">nearly twice as likely to get injured</a> when compared with those who sleep more than eight hours. In a game like football, where split-second decisions can lead to a touchdown or interception, a well-rested brain is the best tool for quick thinking and staying free of injury. </p>
<p>Good sleep also cuts down on the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2019.03.008">risk of concussions</a>, which, sadly, are pretty common in sports. Up to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/00001199-200609000-00001">3.8 million cases</a> of concussions occur annually in the U.S. during competitive sports. Studies have shown that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2019.03.008">sleepy athletes</a> are nearly three times more likely to suffer a concussion.</p>
<p>Sleep deficits have been linked to decreased performance in every cognitive measure, including <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsab051">vigilant attention, spatial cognition</a> and tasks involving <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.034">inhibitory control</a>. On the sports field, this translates to sleepy athletes making more impulsive and risky decisions. </p>
<h2>Enhancing athletic performance through ample sleep</h2>
<p>Athletes of any level, even at the highest levels of competition, could gain a competitive edge by giving more attention to the value of sleep. Studies focusing on <a href="https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31820abc5a">sprinters</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.07.002">tennis players</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31820abc5a">endurance athletes</a> have found that sleep can enhance the following four key abilities: </p>
<ul>
<li><p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31820abc5a">Speed, strength and endurance</a>: More sleep can lead to faster sprint times, greater strength and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1103-9">higher endurance</a>, which are crucial in sports where every second counts. Adequate sleep enhances muscle recovery and energy restoration, which are crucial for the strength and power needed in sprinting. </p></li>
<li><p>Accuracy and reaction time: One study found that tennis players who got more sleep showed better <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.07.002">accuracy and faster reaction times</a>. Increased sleep enhances brain function by boosting cognitive processes such as focus, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsab051">decision-making</a> and sensory perception. Well-rested individuals also experience <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002429">better neuromuscular coordination</a>, essential for precise movements and quick responses. </p></li>
</ul>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Sleep can make a critical difference when it comes to split-second decision-making.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<ul>
<li><p>Cognitive skills and inhibitory control: Good sleep helps with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsab051">strategizing and decision-making</a> through improved recall and a clearer mind, thanks to the cleansing action of the glymphatic system. Sleep deprivation, on the other hand, can impair cognitive abilities, as evidenced in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsab051">research involving NASA recruits</a>. </p></li>
<li><p>Pain tolerance: More sleep can lead to <a href="https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.1830">increased pain tolerance</a>, playing a vital role in the quality of life and recovery process following injuries or intense physical exertion. While the exact mechanisms are complex and involve a two-way relationship between sleep and pain, this benefit is particularly important in physically demanding sports. Improved pain tolerance can aid athletes not only in recovery but also in maintaining mental well-being, allowing them to focus on rehabilitation and training without being overly hindered by discomfort. </p></li>
</ul>
<h2>Essential sleep tips for peak performance</h2>
<p>Here are some practical and effective sleep tips tailored for athletes, designed to help them harness the power of sleep for top-notch performance in their respective sports: </p>
<ul>
<li><p>Consistency and quantity: A regular sleep schedule is crucial for peak performance. Athletes should make sure they’re getting eight to 10 hours of sleep, not just the day before a big game but every day throughout the competitive season. </p></li>
<li><p>Environment: A sleep-conducive environment – dark, quiet and cool – is essential to getting a restful night’s sleep.</p></li>
<li><p>Pre-sleep routines: Relaxing activities such as reading, stretching and meditation before bed can enhance sleep quality.</p></li>
<li><p>Screen limits: <a href="https://theconversation.com/school-start-times-and-screen-time-late-in-the-evening-exacerbate-sleep-deprivation-in-us-teenagers-179178">Reducing screen time</a> before bed helps maintain natural sleep rhythms and the production of melatonin.</p></li>
<li><p><a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-the-best-diet-for-healthy-sleep-a-nutritional-epidemiologist-explains-what-food-choices-will-help-you-get-more-restful-zs-219955">Dietary considerations</a>: Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and heavy meals before sleep aids in restfulness.</p></li>
<li><p><a href="https://theconversation.com/short-naps-can-improve-memory-increase-productivity-reduce-stress-and-promote-a-healthier-heart-210449">Strategic napping</a>: Short, well-timed naps can be a valuable tool for recovery and achieving peak performance. </p></li>
<li><p>Sleep banking: To prepare for travel when you anticipate reduced sleep, consider sleeping longer beforehand. This can be achieved either through extra napping or by extending your regular nightly sleep. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>It’s important for any athlete to remember that sleep isn’t a weakness. Success as an athlete is about more than just physical training and tactical preparedness; it’s also about harnessing the power of sleep for optimal performance.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/221403/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Studies show college athletes sleeping less than 7 hours per night are almost twice as likely to be injured when compared with athletes sleeping more than 8 hours.Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, Associate Professor of Neurology, University of PittsburghLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2210572024-01-18T13:27:31Z2024-01-18T13:27:31ZBill Belichick’s hidden playbook – the 19th century origins of ‘The Patriot Way’<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/569590/original/file-20240116-15-uaomih.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=5%2C224%2C1429%2C936&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Bill Belichick during his last game as head coach of the New England Patriots.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/new-england-patriots-head-coach-bill-belichick-looks-on-in-news-photo/1915226241?adppopup=true">Winslow Townson/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>To the New England Patriots fans enrolled in my <a href="https://www.coursicle.com/qu/courses/SPS/362/">Story of Football</a> class at <a href="https://www.qu.edu/">Quinnipiac University</a>, <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Education_of_a_Coach.html?id=7a92PwAACAAJ">Bill Belichick</a> is the only Patriots coach they’ve ever known.</p>
<p>The 71-year-old coach and team owner <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kraft">Robert Kraft</a> amicably parted ways after 24 years on Jan. 11, 2024, following the end of a dreary season. </p>
<p>Despite my students’ familiarity with the image of Belichick stalking the sidelines, the coach’s world – at least, as far as technology goes – has had little, if anything, in common with theirs. </p>
<p>When he began coaching the Patriots in 2000, and for years afterward, Belichick seemed to ignore the digital revolution erupting around him. He’d joke about a reporter being on “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7U2ew9nMxo">Snapface</a>,” or he’d call Facebook “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GPemM8FAfo.">Your Face</a>.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Education_of_a_Coach.html?id=7a92PwAACAAJ">Belichick’s moments of social media virality</a> have been rare – and usually limited to <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/18/bill-belichick-patriots-coach-hates-tablets/?sr_source=Twitter">his abuse</a> <a href="https://www.nfl.com/videos/bill-belichick-throws-tablet-on-sideline-after-chiefs-late-td-401238">of the blue Microsoft Surface tablets</a> NFL coaches and players use on the sidelines to study instant replays. </p>
<p>Most of the time, though, he exudes stoicism – some might say arrogance – offering little words of value to the fans and the media.</p>
<p>Yet his legendary terseness and his rejection of the latest technology belie a wealth of knowledge about the game and its history. If there ever were a living historian-coach, it was Belichick.</p>
<h2>Historian at the lectern</h2>
<p>Most reporters covering the Patriots learned the drill during Belichick’s news conferences: ask him about next week’s starters, and you’d get a vague retort, perhaps followed by a snort or a sneer.</p>
<p>But prompt him on football history, and he’d respond like a scholar. </p>
<p>During a 2021 new conference, he delivered a 1,500-word soliloquy on the history of the <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bill-belichick-offers-1500-word-discourse-on-long-snappers-off-the-top-of-his-head">long snapper</a>, which is perhaps the most specialized, obscure position on a football team – a player tasked with snapping the football during punts and field goal attempts. Before a 2020 game against the Denver Broncos, <a href="https://nesn.com/2023/12/watch-bill-belichick-give-history-lesson-on-3-4-defense-1978-broncos/">Belichick analyzed the evolution</a> of a defensive formation consisting of three linemen and four linebackers, known as the “<a href="https://footballtoolbox.net/3-4-defense">3-4 defense</a>,” which he learned in 1978 during his one year as an assistant to Broncos defensive coordinator <a href="https://denvergazette.com/sports/denver-broncos/legendary-broncos-defensive-coordinator-joe-collier-looks-back-at-an-incredible-career/article_8e291b8c-1393-11ee-bed4-df445c0a2fd6.html">Joe Collier</a>.</p>
<p>Sports Illustrated senior writer Greg Bishop <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/01/11/bill-belichick-unparalleled-legacy-new-england">described Belichick as</a> “part librarian in addition to all coach,” and the more than <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2015/01/28/bill-belichick-library-steve-belichick-naval-academy">400 football books</a> that the coach donated to the Naval Academy Athletic Association in 2006 reflect his lifelong love of the game’s history. </p>
<p>That passion was spurred on by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/21/sports/football/steve-belichick-coach-who-wrote-the-book-on-scouting-dies.html">his father, Steve</a>, who started collecting the works after World War II. The elder Belichick even published a book himself in 1962: “<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=9pkjHN2C4tUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=steve+belichick&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi7i5adz-KDAxV7rYkEHbppBSkQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=steve%20belichick&f=false">Football Scouting Methods</a>,” a respected primer on how to properly assess opponents by observing their games and detecting tendencies and patterns of play.</p>
<h2>The father of football informs ‘The Patriot Way’</h2>
<p>The oldest book in the donated collection is “<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=-vS_ZugKGTcC&pg=PP9#v=onepage&q&f=false">American Football</a>,” written in 1891 by Yale football coach Walter Camp, who’s credited with inventing rules, such as <a href="https://operations.nfl.com/learn-the-game/nfl-basics/terms-glossary/glossary-terms-list/line-of-scrimmage/">the line of scrimmage</a>, which made the game distinct from rugby. </p>
<p>In the book, Camp also detailed the physical requirements and roles of each position, such as guard and quarterback, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=-vS_ZugKGTcC&vq=specator&pg=PA165#v=snippet&q=specator&f=false">and included a chapter</a> for spectators to teach the game to the growing number of fans. </p>
<p>In 1896, Camp updated the book, this time with a co-writer in Harvard coach Lorin Deland. They simplified the title to “<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=z4soAAAAYAAJ&pg=PR1#v=onepage&q&f=false">Football</a>.”</p>
<p>One chapter, titled “<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=z4soAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA180#v=onepage&q=don&f=false">Football Don'ts</a>,” lists 40 tips to help coaches and players win. Belichick never used the expression “<a href="https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/kevin-faulk-patriots-way">The Patriot Way</a>,” the phrase the New England sports media used to describe the Patriots’ team-first culture and disciplined approach under Belichick. But a sampling of the “Football Don'ts” reveals that The Patriot Way has 19th century origins. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Black and white photo of mustached man wearing heavy winter coat and a fedora." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/569581/original/file-20240116-25-yz6xu1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/569581/original/file-20240116-25-yz6xu1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=423&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569581/original/file-20240116-25-yz6xu1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=423&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569581/original/file-20240116-25-yz6xu1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=423&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569581/original/file-20240116-25-yz6xu1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=532&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569581/original/file-20240116-25-yz6xu1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=532&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569581/original/file-20240116-25-yz6xu1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=532&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Walter Camp is known as the ‘Father of American Football.’</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/walter-camp-father-of-american-football-1925-news-photo/106500770?adppopup=true">Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>“Don’t answer back to a coach upon the field, even if you know him to be wrong. Do exactly what he tells you to do, so far as you are able, and remember that strict obedience is the first requirement of a player.”</p>
<p>In short, “<a href="https://nesn.com/2017/01/bill-belichicks-do-your-job-mantra-goes-way-back-as-this-2000-interview-shows/">Do Your Job</a>” – the mantra that Belichick drilled into his players to remind them that he’s given them each a specific task to accomplish. Everything else is noise. </p>
<p>“Don’t fail to play a fast game. Line up instantly after each down. Your game is twice as effective if there are no delays.”</p>
<p>In 2012, the Patriots ran <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2012.htm#all_team_stats">1,191 plays</a>, the second-most ever at the time. </p>
<p>“Don’t be satisfied with a superficial knowledge of the rules. Master every detail.”</p>
<p>“Players say Belichick is constantly plucking obscure penalty situations from across the league and showing his players tape every week,” wrote <a href="https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/2/1/16958718/super-bowl-new-england-patriots-bill-belichick-rules-penalties-study">The Ringer’s Kevin Clark in February 2018</a>.</p>
<p>“Don’t be an automaton. Thoroughly master each principle, and then vary your play as emergencies arise.”</p>
<p>In 2019, in the two weeks before Super Bowl LIII against the high-scoring Los Angeles Rams, Belichick <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25920798/how-patriots-defense-stymied-sean-mcvay-super-bowl-liii">overhauled the Patriots’ defensive line formation and pass coverage</a>. </p>
<p>The Patriots <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401038115/patriots-rams">held the Rams to three points</a> en route to Belichick’s sixth Super Bowl title as a head coach.</p>
<h2>On to the next challenge</h2>
<p>Belichick routinely credits other coaches for his success: <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/belichick-credits-parcells-after-using-the-wind-to-patriots-advantage">Bill Parcells</a>, whom he worked under for the New York Giants and Patriots, and Paul Brown, the co-founder and first coach of the Cleveland Browns, a franchise that still bears his name.</p>
<p>Brown was the first coach to use a playbook and the first to suggest that coaches and players communicate via headsets.</p>
<p>“It was very insightful to see how far ahead of his time he was. What a great, great football mind,” <a href="https://www.bengals.com/news/six-degrees-for-bengals-pats-17880223">Belichick said in a 2016 interview</a>.</p>
<p>“Everything I do today, Paul Brown did. It all started with Paul Brown,” <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bill-belichick-proclaims-paul-brown-the-greatest-coach-in-pro-football-history">Belichick added in 2019</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Black and white photo of man wearing fedora and long overcoat patrolling the football field with his hands in his jacket pockets." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/569582/original/file-20240116-21-s6m6tc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/569582/original/file-20240116-21-s6m6tc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=419&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569582/original/file-20240116-21-s6m6tc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=419&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569582/original/file-20240116-21-s6m6tc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=419&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569582/original/file-20240116-21-s6m6tc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=527&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569582/original/file-20240116-21-s6m6tc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=527&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/569582/original/file-20240116-21-s6m6tc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=527&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">The Cleveland Browns were named after Paul Brown, their co-founder and first coach.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/photo-shows-paul-brown-head-coach-of-the-cleveland-browns-news-photo/514968198?adppopup=true">Bettmann/Getty Images</a></span>
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</figure>
<p>Even the deflection and praise seem to be an intentional part of Belichick’s approach to the game.</p>
<p>In “Football,” Camp also discussed coaching, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=z4soAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA194#v=onepage&q=thoughtful&f=false">delivering a lesson</a> about the importance of coaches’ keeping a low profile.</p>
<p>He wrote: “The thoughtful man who finds himself appointed to such a position will make his influence felt in all important matters, but he will himself be rarely. His power is well-nigh paramount, but the public display of his exercise of that power might easily become intolerable.”</p>
<p>Belichick has certainly heeded Camp’s advice in his refusal to make himself the story. After losses, there are no excuses, no second guesses, no calling out individual players. Instead, he’ll often reiterate that he has to do a better job – that everyone has to do a better job.</p>
<p>After a brutal <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/400554325/patriots-chiefs">41-14 loss</a> to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, Belichick infamously responded to a barrage of questions from reporters with the same phrase, repeated ad nauseam: “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GaUO67FYok">We’re on to Cincinnati</a>,” the team’s next opponent. <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2024/01/11/bill-belichick-on-to-cincinnati-interview/72191389007/">One reporter</a> noted that Belichick used the word “Cincinnati” 15 times.</p>
<p>Now, Belichick will stalk the sidelines <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/style/bill-belichick-hoodie-patriots.html">in his trademark hoodie</a> somewhere else.</p>
<p>If not to Cincinnati, Belichick will almost certainly coach again. He has interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons. Other teams are also rumored to be in the mix. </p>
<p>Maybe the interviewers should add a question about long snappers. That way, they can see how they’ll be getting more than just a coach.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/221057/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rich Hanley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The coach’s legendary terseness and his rejection of technological trends belie a wealth of knowledge about the game and its history.Rich Hanley, Professor Emeritus of Journalism, Quinnipiac UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2148272023-11-17T13:28:35Z2023-11-17T13:28:35Z5 marketing lessons from the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/558651/original/file-20231109-21-nq5bse.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C28%2C4785%2C2529&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The stands at Kansas City Chiefs games look different than they used to.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/fans-hold-up-placards-referring-to-taylor-swifts-boyfriend-news-photo/1764920016">Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>What happens when you unite the biggest pop star in the world and a two-time Super Bowl champion? A whole lot of excitement, as the romance of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce has shown. But amid all the <a href="https://people.com/taylor-swift-supporting-travis-kelce-at-kansas-city-chiefs-games-pictures-8357398">cheering</a>, canoodling and <a href="https://people.com/taylor-swift-liked-people-instagram-post-about-travis-kelce-amid-romance-8387691">Instagram flirting</a>, the situation lends some useful insights into marketing – and as an <a href="https://www.clemson.edu/business/about/profiles/aschein">expert in sports marketing</a>, I know that this is a topic worth focusing on. Here are five lessons the NFL and other experiential marketers can consider to enhance their brands and reputation.</p>
<p><strong>1) “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ORhEE9VVg">Blank Space</a>”: Embrace audience expansion</strong></p>
<blockquote>“Cause you know I love the players … And you love the game!” – “Blank Space,” 2014</blockquote>
<p>Great entertainment marketers know how to fill a blank space. And Swift has given the NFL a unique opportunity to expand its appeal to a demographic – young women – that may not have been interested in football before. Swifties, as Swift’s fans are known, are eager to see the pop icon embrace being in love. So whenever she visits a stadium to cheer on her new lover, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Kelce – which she has done four times in the past two months and <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article281904423.html">may well do again soon</a> – a media frenzy follows. </p>
<p>While serious football fans want the focus to stay on football, the NFL is smart to capitalize on this opportunity. After all, Swift is a mega-popular star: She has more charted songs (212), top-10 hits (42) and No. 1 song debuts (five) on the <a href="https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swift-hot-100-billboard-200-chart-records-broken/">Billboard Top 100</a> than any other female musician in history.</p>
<p>The Chiefs remain known for their winning ways and star power, and they’re still drawing – and satisfying – their traditional fans. Yet Swift’s presence has brought a more playful tone to the games. The ordinarily serious Chiefs coach Andy Reid has <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/andy-reid-setting-up-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-joke-1235447334/">taken to joking</a> about the pair (“I set them up”), while memes about Swift having to leave the stadium <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2023/09/25/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-popcorn-machine-suite-swifties-fan-theory/">in a popcorn machine</a> are a next-level combination of participatory pop culture, celebrity and sports.</p>
<p>Audience expansion is an effective tactic for businesses, as long as marketers don’t alienate old fans by opening up to new ones. And so far, this is paying off for the NFL: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-nfl-jersey-sales-game-fanatics-merchandise-2023-">Ratings soar</a> when Swift attends a game, and Kelce <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-nfl-jersey-sales-game-fanatics-merchandise-2023-9">jersey sales</a> have also skyrocketed. This new interest in the sport is welcome, especially since NFL television ratings among <a href="https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/nfl-tv-ratings-viewership-2023/">18- to 35-year-olds</a> had previously shown some declines.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Taylor Swift and Donna Kelce both wear red in support of the Kansas City Chiefs as they watch the first half of an FNL game from a box seat." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551553/original/file-20231002-16-eiap6r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=5%2C5%2C3518%2C2340&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551553/original/file-20231002-16-eiap6r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551553/original/file-20231002-16-eiap6r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551553/original/file-20231002-16-eiap6r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551553/original/file-20231002-16-eiap6r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551553/original/file-20231002-16-eiap6r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551553/original/file-20231002-16-eiap6r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Taylor Swift cheers from a suite with Travis Kelce’s mother, Donna Kelce, as the Kansas City Chiefs play the Chicago Bears on Sept. 24, 2023.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/taylor-swift-cheers-from-a-suite-with-donna-kelce-as-the-news-photo/1687517675">Cooper Neill/Getty Images</a></span>
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<p><strong>2) “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdneKLhsWOQ">Wildest Dreams</a>”: Capitalize on the many motivations for fandom</strong></p>
<blockquote>“Say you’ll see me again/Even if it’s just in your wildest dreams.” – “Wildest Dreams,” 2014</blockquote>
<p>An entertainment or sports marketer’s wildest dream is to be able to bring in all sorts of fans and deliver on their personal reasons for being there. That’s why marketers are wise to think about “psychographics” in addition to demographic appeals. This means that instead of just segmenting audiences by demographic – such as younger women or college students – marketers tailor their appeals to lifestyles, interests, activities and the way consumers think. </p>
<p>My co-authored research shows that <a href="https://doi.org/10.2501/S0021849906060430">engaged sports fans</a> are motivated by psychological desires such as escape and building self-esteem – everyone wants to be associated with a winner – as well as social motives such as wanting to strengthen in-group bonds and participate in traditions and rituals. </p>
<p>Football is known for intense strategies, masculine bravado and violent hits. So the Swift crossover gives NFL sport marketers an opportunity to attract new fans with different motivations. A good example is when the NFL changed its X (formerly Twitter) bio to <a href="https://theathletic.com/4909874/2023/10/01/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-nfl-jets-chiefs/">“NFL (Taylor’s version)”</a> – a nod to Swiftie in-group identity and humor. New fans who are drawn in by such appeals may become more serious about the sport later.</p>
<p><strong>3) “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuNIsY6JdUw">You Belong With Me</a>”: Let consumers feel like they belong</strong></p>
<blockquote>“If you could see that I’m the one who understands you, been here all along so, why can’t you see? You belong with me.” – “You Belong With Me,” 2008</blockquote>
<p>When it comes to sports, and especially football, some people think that the game isn’t for them. The NFL and the Chiefs now have a unique opportunity to leverage sudden interest from a group of people not known for being football superfans. But to convert them into regular viewers, they’ll need to make sure the newcomers feel a sense of belonging.</p>
<p>A subtle example of this sort of outreach happened when the Chiefs used social media to <a href="https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1706044628787462409?lang=en">welcome Swift</a> – and by extension, her loyal fans – to “Chiefs Kingdom.” Similarly, the league has made it abundantly clear that Swifties are <a href="https://theathletic.com/4909874/2023/10/01/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-nfl-jets-chiefs/">welcome in the stands</a>, even if a small yet loud cohort of NFL fans would <a href="https://theathletic.com/4924355/2023/10/03/nfl-taylor-swift-fans-chiefs/">rather they stay away</a>. This open-mindedness is good for business. </p>
<p><strong>4) “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xg3vE8Ie_E">Love Story</a>”: Leverage human co–branding and appeals to fun and fantasy</strong></p>
<blockquote>“You’ll be the prince, and I’ll be the princess/It’s a love story, baby, just say yes.” – “Love Story,” 2008 </blockquote>
<p>I study <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11747-010-0221-6">human brands</a> – the people, well known or emerging, who are the subject of marketing, interpersonal or interorganizational communications. In this age of social media, human branding has never been more important. Having a strong personal brand is associated with more endorsements, Google searches, merchandise sales and ticket sales. So Swift and Kelce are reaping the benefits of <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cobranding.asp">human co-branding</a>. </p>
<p>What makes these particular human brands so compelling? Many Swifties are invested in Taylor’s romantic life and are cheering for her to find love and one day pick out a white dress. This interest and fantasy takes the form of a parasocial – or one-sided – relationship, where one party invests emotional energy and time, while the other person is unaware of the first person’s existence. While these can potentially become harmful, in most cases <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.2022.2066034">parasocial interactions</a> are a source of escape, fun and fantasy. </p>
<p>In an era of negative news and doomscrolling, a story that’s fun and entertaining can be powerful. And research in our advertising and branding book shows that sport marketers are eager to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Advertising-Integrated-Promotion-Angeline-Scheinbaum/dp/0357721403">capitalize on positive appeals</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/559721/original/file-20231115-29-lderl2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A football fan wearing a Chiefs jersey holds a handmade sign that says " src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/559721/original/file-20231115-29-lderl2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/559721/original/file-20231115-29-lderl2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/559721/original/file-20231115-29-lderl2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/559721/original/file-20231115-29-lderl2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/559721/original/file-20231115-29-lderl2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/559721/original/file-20231115-29-lderl2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/559721/original/file-20231115-29-lderl2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A Taylor Swift fan holds a sign in the stands of the Chiefs-Minnesota Vikings game on Oct. 8, 2023. The game was held in Minneapolis, more than a thousand miles from Boston.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/kansas-city-chiefs-fan-holds-up-a-sign-in-reference-to-news-photo/1724636637">Stephen Maturen/Getty Images</a></span>
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</figure>
<p><strong>5) “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osdoLjUNFnA">Exile</a>”: Don’t just think locally</strong></p>
<blockquote>“You’re not my homeland anymore/So what am I defending now?” – “Exile,” 2020</blockquote>
<p>A final insight for brands and marketers is to not be constrained by geography. With digital commerce and social media, researchers have become increasingly interested in “faraway fans” who travel long distances to events. In a recent study about professional cycling fanship in sporting-event sponsorship, my colleagues and I found that sport event attendees that traveled from farther away <a href="https://doi.org/10.2501/JAR-2022-001">were more invested</a> in the event and more willing to buy merchandise. This has big implications for new fans who may travel to Kansas City to catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift. </p>
<p>The Swift/Kelce relationship and the NFL’s highlighting of it is one example of why it is important not to be hemmed in by geography. As one cardboard sign at a recent Chiefs game in Kansas City proclaimed, “I traveled here to see Taylor Swift!”</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214827/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Angeline Close Scheinbaum does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Of course the NFL is embracing Taylor Swift.Angeline Close Scheinbaum, Dan Duncan Endowed Professor of Sports Marketing.Associate Professor of Marketing, Clemson UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2144412023-09-28T12:36:50Z2023-09-28T12:36:50ZTaylor Swift and the end of the Hollywood writers strike – a tale of two media narratives<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550689/original/file-20230927-29-ed9vu2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C17%2C3977%2C2632&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Taylor Swift cheers as the Kansas City Chiefs play the Chicago Bears on Sept. 24, 2023.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/taylor-swift-watches-during-a-regular-season-game-between-news-photo/1700723950?adppopup=true">David Eulitt/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>This fall, I’ve been starting my sociology classes by asking my students to share some uplifting news they’ve come across. </p>
<p>On Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, they were abuzz about <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/av/entertainment-arts-66919232">Taylor Swift’s appearance at the Kansas City Chiefs game on Sunday</a>. Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had left Arrowhead Stadium together in Kelce’s convertible, confirming dating rumors. </p>
<p><a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=B2WlnYkAAAAJ&hl=en">As a scholar of the attention economy</a>, I wasn’t exactly surprised. Many of my students love Swift’s music, and the story had dominated major social media platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, as a trending topic. </p>
<p>But I was taken aback when I learned that not a single student had heard that the Writers Guild of America <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2023/09/24/writers-strike-agreement-wga-amptp/">had reached a deal</a> with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, or AMPTP, after a nearly 150-day strike. This <a href="https://www.wgacontract2023.org/WGAContract/files/Memorandum-of-Agreement-for-the-2023-WGA-Theatrical-and-Television-Basic-Agreement.pdf">historic deal</a> includes significant raises, improvements in health care and pension support, and – unique to our times – protections against the use of artificial intelligence to write screenplays. </p>
<p>Across online media platforms, the WGA announcement on Sept. 24, 2023, ended up buried under headlines and posts about the celebrity duo. To me, this disconnect felt like a microcosm of the entire online media ecosystem.</p>
<h2>Manufacturing consent online</h2>
<p>It almost goes without saying that news and social media platforms promote some stories and narratives over others. </p>
<p>This particular occurrence is fascinating, however, because the AMPTP represents some of the media conglomerates that directly disseminate news. For example, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/business/media/warner-bros-discovery-cnn-streaming-max.html">CNN is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery</a>, a member of the AMPTP. </p>
<p>At the time of this writing, CNN.com has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/search?q=wga&from=0&size=10&page=1&sort=newest&types=all&section=">three headlines</a> about the WGA strike and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/search?q=taylor&from=0&size=10&page=1&sort=newest&types=all&section=">eight headlines</a> about Swift at the Chiefs game. </p>
<p>Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky’s 1988 book “<a href="https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/5537300/mod_resource/content/1/Noam%20Chomsky_%20Edward%20S.%20Herman%20-%20Manufacturing%20Consent_%20The%20Political%20Economy%20of%20the%20Mass%20Media-Bodley%20Head%20%282008%29.pdf">Manufacturing Consent</a>” outlines the problem of media ownership by conglomerates. According to this theory, powerful interests control narratives, in part, by owning news sources. </p>
<p>There’s a free press in the U.S. But Herman and Chomsky argue that the news that reaches everyday people tends to be framed by a set of assumptions that align with the ideological interests of the media corporations and their advertisers: maintaining the economic status quo and spurring consumerism. </p>
<p>In the U.S. today, <a href="https://techstartups.com/2020/09/18/6-corporations-control-90-media-america-illusion-choice-objectivity-2020/">six conglomerates own and control 90% of media outlets</a>.</p>
<p>Per Pew Research Center data, a majority of Americans <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/01/12/more-than-eight-in-ten-americans-get-news-from-digital-devices/">get their news from online sources</a>. Scholars have since adapted Herman and Chomsky’s propaganda model <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Demuyakor/publication/348404543_The_Propaganda_Model_in_the_Digital_Age_A_Review_of_Literature_on_the_Effects_of_Social_Media_on_News_Production/links/606f00b2a6fdcc5f778e81e2/The-Propaganda-Model-in-the-Digital-Age-A-Review-of-Literature-on-the-Effects-of-Social-Media-on-News-Production.pdf">to explain how social media ecosystems function</a>.</p>
<p>The role of <a href="https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/94d7/4593f66af3675f6bd1a8fb3abd4e89e0d7e2.pdf">algorithms is a key focus</a> of emergent research on manufacturing consent online. Sociologist Ruha Benjamin’s work consistently shows that <a href="https://aas.princeton.edu/publications/research/race-after-technology-abolitionist-tools-new-jim-code">algorithms are encoded with their developers’ biases</a>. Other studies show that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2021.1994624">critiques about algorithmic biases are suppressed</a> by corporate digital media platforms through <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221077174">strategies like shadow-banning</a>, which refers to covertly banning users of concern without their knowledge. These algorithms determine what is trending on websites like X. This, in turn, influences trends on other platforms, like Google searches.</p>
<p>Google trend results show an enormous increase in search queries about Travis Kelce since Sept. 20, 2023, with the WGA strike victory receiving almost no interest in comparison. The massive gap in interest between these topics serves as an example of algorithms supporting trending topics over other newsworthy content. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550730/original/file-20230927-21-lwplc4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Graph showing a spike in searches for Swift and Kelce." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550730/original/file-20230927-21-lwplc4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550730/original/file-20230927-21-lwplc4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=206&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550730/original/file-20230927-21-lwplc4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=206&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550730/original/file-20230927-21-lwplc4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=206&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550730/original/file-20230927-21-lwplc4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=259&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550730/original/file-20230927-21-lwplc4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=259&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550730/original/file-20230927-21-lwplc4.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=259&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A Google Trends graph shows online searches since Sept. 20, 2023, for ‘Travis Kelce,’ represented by the blue line, and ‘WGA,’ represented by the red line.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Aarushi Bhandari/Google Trends</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Another key focus of the propaganda model for social media is <a href="https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/25880/1/1004203.pdf">targeted advertising</a>. </p>
<p>Unlike their predecessors in television, social media companies use “big data” to know users intimately and present ads that are personalized to each user. This strategy includes guerrilla marketing techniques like the ones employed by several companies after Swift’s appearance.</p>
<p>For example, the National Football League <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/nfl/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-nfl-jersey-sales-1.6978782">changed its X bio</a> to read “NFL (Taylor’s Version).” Sales of Kelce’s jersey <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38496220/taylor-swift-effect-travis-kelce-jersey-sales-spike-nearly-400">skyrocketed in the few days</a> after Swift’s appearance at the Chiefs game. Hidden Valley Ranch changed its X handle to “Seemingly Ranch” after a Swift fan account noted that during the game, Swift had dipped her chicken fingers in “<a href="https://twitter.com/tswifterastour/status/1706076507540767211">seemingly ranch</a>.”</p>
<h2>Corporate media coverage of labor issues</h2>
<p>The muted coverage of the writers strike fits into <a href="https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780875461854/through-jaundiced-eyes/#bookTabs=1">a longer historical pattern</a> of tension between labor movements and corporate media. </p>
<p>In many cases, corporate media has <a href="https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801488870/framed/#bookTabs=1">framed disproportionately negative narratives</a> about strikes and union activities. </p>
<p>For example, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0160449X9902300402">an analysis of media coverage</a> of tensions between the United Auto Workers and General Motors from 1991-93 found that major newspapers, including The New York Times, consistently framed GM’s position in a positive light, while crafting significantly more negative stories about the strike and autoworkers. <a href="https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801488870/framed/#bookTabs=1">Similar patterns are visible</a> in media reporting on the 1993 American Airlines flight attendant strike and the 1997 United Parcel Service strike. </p>
<p>When not covering labor issues in a negative light, corporate media has a track record of ignoring and minimizing these issues. Communications scholar Jon Bekken’s meta-analysis of media coverage discovered <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20141222211416id_/http://javnost-thepublic.org:80/article/pdf/2005/1/5/">substantial drops in coverage of labor issues</a> by major outlets like the Chicago Tribune, The New York Times and CBS throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century.</p>
<p>This historical dynamic is <a href="https://read.dukeupress.edu/labor/article/19/3/77/318130">beginning to change</a>. Increasing <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/510281/unions-strengthening.aspx">public support for labor unions</a> and worker action have made it difficult to ignore the bubbling currents of organized labor across many industries, from <a href="https://sbworkersunited.org/strike-with-pride">Starbucks</a> to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2023/09/26/uaw-strike-big-three-reputation/">autoworkers</a>. </p>
<p>Today, <a href="https://perfectunion.us/americans-broadly-support-the-uaw-strike-regardless-of-party/">58% of Americans support the ongoing United Auto Workers strikes</a> against GM, Ford and Stellantis, the company that makes Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles.</p>
<p>Despite corporate ownership and biased algorithms, labor movements have managed to secure public support, demonstrating that Americans are increasingly aware of their own class interests. During such a fraught political climate for the economic status quo, the WGA victory is a major indicator that strikes work.</p>
<p>So, amid these tensions, a feel-good story about Taylor Swift and football is a gift to media executives – and one that helps sell more ranch dressing, too.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214441/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Aarushi Bhandari does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>What does it say about the online media ecosystem when the end of a 146-day strike is buried under headlines and posts about Swift’s budding romance with NFL star Travis Kelce?Aarushi Bhandari, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Davidson CollegeLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2137192023-09-22T12:30:44Z2023-09-22T12:30:44ZAaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles tear resurfaces questions about player safety on artificial turf<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549613/original/file-20230921-23-1tbdis.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=4%2C12%2C2780%2C1882&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon after being sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aaron-rodgers-of-the-new-york-jets-is-sacked-during-the-news-photo/1689810103?adppopup=true">Jim McIsaac/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>In the first quarter of his first game as a New York Jet, quarterback Aaron Rodgers dropped back to pass. Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd blew past the offensive line and wrapped up Rodgers, dragging him awkwardly to the ground. Rodgers got up, before falling back to the turf, grimacing in pain. </p>
<p>Just like that, the Jets lost their biggest offseason acquisition <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/18/aaron-rodgers-complete-achilles-tear-explained/70853550007/">to a season-ending Achilles tendon tear</a>.</p>
<p>Blame quickly circulated. To some football players, it wasn’t Rodgers’ age – the quarterback will turn 40 in December 2023 – nor was it simple bad luck that caused the injury.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/13/sport/aaron-rodgers-injury-artificial-turf-nfl-spt-intl/index.html">It was the artificial turf</a> at MetLife Stadium, where the Jets and New York Giants play their home games.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1701402938642415783"}"></div></p>
<p>Two days after the injury, the NFL Players Association <a href="https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/09/13/nfl-players-union-renews-call-for-grass-fields-after-aaron-rodgers-injury/">called on the league to convert all playing fields to natural grass</a>. It joined <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2014/05/21/nfl-history-95-objects-artificial-turf">a chorus of players and coaches</a> across sports who, for decades, have blamed artificial turf for injuries ranging from sprains and strains to tendon ruptures.</p>
<p><a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=_AxjgecAAAAJ&hl=en">As a physical therapist, researcher</a> and director of performance and sports science, I help elite athletes minimize injury risk and maximize performance. It’s always difficult to tell whether an injury could have been prevented had someone not been playing on a certain surface - particularly because muscle and tendon strength, pliability and stiffness usually play a much more important role.</p>
<p>However, some studies have linked playing on artificial turf to injury risk, though the risk tends to be limited to a few body parts.</p>
<h2>The grass is always greener?</h2>
<p>In 1966, Houston’s Astrodome became the first major sports venue <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1941738118793378">to install synthetic turf</a>. It was originally called “<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-astroturf-1991235">ChemGrass</a>,” though Monsanto, the company that invented it, later rebranded its product as “AstroTurf” due to its association with the Astrodome.</p>
<p>Not everyone was jazzed about the cutting-edge carpet.</p>
<p>“Imagine that – a [US]$45 million ballpark and a 10-cent infield,” <a href="https://sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/turf-wars/">groused Chicago Cubs manager Leo Durocher</a>. Players said the surface didn’t have the same give as grass – making <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1975/10/14/archives/astro-turf-is-looming-as-reds-weapon-astro-turf-looming-as-red.html">diving for balls a risky endeavor</a> – and <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-17-sp-269-story.html">claimed their knees deteriorated</a> from the daily grind of playing on the harder surface. </p>
<p>The technology has come a long way since then. Today’s synthetic turf systems have shock-absorbing technology and glasslike fibers that essentially mimic natural grass. <a href="https://keystonesportsconstruction.com/10-ways-synthetic-turf-fields-beat-the-competition-grass-fields/">Its proponents argue</a> that they’re low-maintenance, cost effective and more durable. </p>
<p>Some athletes disagree. Not only do they point out that artificial turf is still a lot different to play on than grass, but they also question the league’s commitment to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nfl-players-rip-league-artificial-turf-aaron-rodgers-season-ending-injury-profit-over-people">safety over saving money</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Panoramic view of domed baseball stadium with bright green artificial grass." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549624/original/file-20230921-22-kgyc7o.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549624/original/file-20230921-22-kgyc7o.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549624/original/file-20230921-22-kgyc7o.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549624/original/file-20230921-22-kgyc7o.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549624/original/file-20230921-22-kgyc7o.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549624/original/file-20230921-22-kgyc7o.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549624/original/file-20230921-22-kgyc7o.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">When Houston’s Astrodome was built, it was dubbed the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World.’</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/general-view-of-the-astrodome-during-a-houston-astros-game-news-photo/50830647?adppopup=true">Bill Baptist/MLB via Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>So what does the evidence show?</p>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546519833925">There have been studies</a> looking at the rate of injury on different playing surfaces. A handful have found that the overall incidence of football injuries is significantly higher on artificial playing surfaces. </p>
<p>However, orthopedic resident Heath Gould – a former college football player – <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2473011421S00217">led a review of existing studies</a> and found that most studies identified similar rates of injury on natural grass compared with artificial turf. There have even been <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20075177/">a few studies</a> that reported a higher overall injury rate on natural grass. </p>
<p>Interestingly, the incidence seemed to be related to specific body parts. There was a higher rate of foot and ankle injuries on artificial turf – both older versions and newer ones – compared with natural grass. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101956">And a recent meta-analysis</a> observed that the overall incidence of injuries in professional soccer is actually lower on artificial turf than on grass. It concludes that the risk of injury can’t be used as an argument against artificial turf when considering the optimal playing surface for soccer. </p>
<p>These findings suggest that while playing surface is important to take into account when assessing injury risk, other factors must be considered.</p>
<h2>The human factor</h2>
<p>The human body is a kinetic chain that consists of body segments linked together by joints. Those joints need to work together to create and dissipate forces needed for us to move and perform athletic motions. </p>
<p>Any chain, however, is only as strong as its weakest link. The muscles, ligaments and tendons in our bodies play an important role in supporting those links. </p>
<p>For athletes, the stakes are even higher because of the incredible power and momentum they are able to generate and absorb. <a href="https://theconversation.com/stiff-muscles-are-a-counterintuitive-superpower-of-nba-athletes-116252">They rely on muscle, tendon and ligament stiffness</a> in order to take advantage of the elastic energy they create. Like a spring or rubber band, when a muscle is stretched, its stiffness helps create elastic energy that can then be used with a muscle contraction to help athletes run, jump, accelerate or decelerate. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2018.7192">Research I conducted with colleagues</a> found that injuries can occur when there is too much stiffness or compliance in these tissues. In fact, we’ve found that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2022-0088">Achilles tendon ruptures</a> in professional basketball players tend to occur when the ankle flexes beyond the muscle and tendon’s ability to withstand the forces incurred with certain maneuvers.</p>
<p>Certainly, several other variables factor into injuries: muscular strength, power, flexibility, body type and tissue elasticity.</p>
<h2>What gives?</h2>
<p>Playing surface is another important aspect of this equation. </p>
<p>Think about the contact point between the athlete and the surface that they’re playing on. This represents an additional link in the chain because forces must be exchanged between the player and the ground.</p>
<p><a href="https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/newtons-laws-of-motion/">As Isaac Newton noted</a>, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” </p>
<p>The playing surface must be firm enough to allow an athlete to push off to accelerate or jump. At the same time, the surface must be compliant enough to be able to absorb forces when a player lands or slows down. There is a sweet spot between the ability for playing surfaces to offer enough resistance and support, but also absorb forces. </p>
<p>Therein lies the question as to whether artificial turf is appropriate and safe enough for athletes. The research might be somewhat hazy, but Rodgers’ Achilles tendon rupture did occur in a part of the body <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35593739/">that is correlated with more injuries on artificial turf</a>. </p>
<p>It’s encouraging that playing surface technology continues to evolve. But replicating mother nature isn’t easy.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/213719/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Philip Anloague does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Two days after Rodgers’ injury, the NFL players union called on the league to convert all playing fields to natural grass.Philip Anloague, Adjunct Professor of Physical Therapy, University of DaytonLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2122422023-08-31T12:23:04Z2023-08-31T12:23:04ZMichael Oher, Mike Tyson and the question of whether you own your life story<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/545972/original/file-20230901-21-zovk4b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=17%2C26%2C2977%2C1985&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Michael Oher and his family celebrate his selection by the Baltimore Ravens at the 2009 NFL Draft. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/baltimore-ravens-draft-pick-michael-oher-poses-for-a-news-photo/86217296?adppopup=true">Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>What if you overcame a serious illness to go on to win an Olympic medal? Could a writer or filmmaker decide to tell your inspiring story without consulting you? Or do you “own” that story and control how it gets retold?</p>
<p>Michael Oher, the former NFL player portrayed in the 2009 blockbuster “<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0878804/">The Blind Side</a>,” has sued Michael and Anne Leigh Tuohy, the suburban couple who took him into their home as a disadvantaged youth.</p>
<p>In his official complaint, Oher claims that through forgery, trickery or sheer incompetence, the Tuohys enabled 20th Century Fox to acquire the exclusive rights to his life story. </p>
<p>The Tuohys, Oher continues, received millions of dollars for a “story that would not have existed without him,” while he claims that he received nothing.</p>
<p>Just a year earlier, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/08/media/mike-tyson-hulu-series/index.html">similarly incensed</a> when he learned that Hulu had created <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14181914/">a miniseries dramatizing his career</a> without seeking his permission. </p>
<p>“They stole my life story and didn’t pay me,” Tyson charged <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg7JRAeLY9B/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=8c5ce5bc-6faf-4c49-b355-4b25d72418b8">in an Instagram post</a>.</p>
<p>Oher and Tyson – not to mention countless influencers and wannabe celebs – share the conviction that they own, and can monetize, their life stories. And given regular <a href="https://www.ibtimes.com/kurt-warner-movie-20th-century-fox-acquires-rights-former-qbs-life-story-plans-film-adaptation">news stories about studios buying</a> “life story rights,” it’s not surprising to see why. </p>
<p>As law professors, we’ve studied this issue; <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4480628">our research shows</a> that there is no recognized property right under U.S. law – or the laws of any other country of which we are aware – to the facts and events that occur during someone’s life.</p>
<p>So why are Oher, Tyson and others complaining? And why do publishers and studios routinely pay large sums to acquire rights that don’t exist?</p>
<h2>No monopoly on the truth</h2>
<p>In most states, the commercial use of an individual’s name, image and likeness is protected by the so-called “<a href="https://rightofpublicityroadmap.com/">right of publicity</a>.” But that right generally applies to merchandise, apparel and product endorsements, not facts and actual events. So you can’t sell a T-shirt with Mike Tyson’s face on it without his permission, but writing a book about his rise to fame is fair game.</p>
<p>In the U.S., the freedom to describe historical events is rooted in <a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt1-7-1/ALDE_00013537/">the free speech clause</a> of the First Amendment, and it’s a fundamental principle that no one – whether it’s a news agency, political party or celebrity – holds a monopoly on the truth.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/business/media/gawker-hulk-hogan-verdict.html">The law doesn’t sanction the invasion of privacy</a>, so an investigative journalist who uncovers some unsavory detail of your past can’t publish it unless there is a legitimate public interest in doing so. Nor does it condone the dissemination of false information, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/04/18/business/fox-news-dominion-trial-settlement">which can lead to defamation lawsuits</a>. </p>
<p>The First Amendment, however, does allow authors and film producers to truthfully depict factual events that they have legitimately learned about. They are not required to receive authorization from or pay the people involved.</p>
<h2>The origin of life story ‘rights’</h2>
<p>Film producers, however, are accustomed to paying for the right to repackage or use existing content. </p>
<p>Copyright licenses are required to commission a script based on a book, to depict a comic book character in a film and to include a hit song on a movie soundtrack. Even showing an architecturally distinctive building often requires the consent of a copyright owner, which is why the video game “Spider-Man: Miles Morales” <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/spider-man-miles-morales-doesnt-have-the-chrysler-building-due-to-copyright-issues">had to remove the Chrysler Building</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Manhattan skyline with art deco skyscraper in the foreground." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/545622/original/file-20230830-24-kgtp41.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/545622/original/file-20230830-24-kgtp41.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/545622/original/file-20230830-24-kgtp41.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/545622/original/file-20230830-24-kgtp41.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/545622/original/file-20230830-24-kgtp41.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/545622/original/file-20230830-24-kgtp41.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/545622/original/file-20230830-24-kgtp41.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Studios hoping to include a shot of the Chrysler Building in their films might have to pony up.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-chrysler-building-stands-in-midtown-manhattan-january-9-news-photo/1079651514?adppopup=true">Drew Angerer/Getty Images</a></span>
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<p>Along with these other rights and permissions, Hollywood studios have paid individuals for their life stories for at least a century. </p>
<p>Yet, unlike copyright clearances, life story deals do not involve the acquisition of known intellectual property rights. Life story “rights” are not rights at all. Instead, they bundle together a set of contractual commitments: the subject’s agreement to cooperate with the studio, not to work on a similar project, and to release the studio from claims of defamation and invasion of privacy. </p>
<p>By packaging these commitments under the umbrella of “life story rights,” studios can signal to the market that they have acquired a particularly juicy story. </p>
<p>For example, Netflix’s quick deal with convicted fraudster <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-scammers-like-anna-delvey-and-the-tinder-swindler-exploit-a-core-feature-of-human-nature-177289">Anna Sorokin</a>, the subject of the popular streaming series “<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8740976/">Inventing Anna</a>,” seems to have <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56113478">deterred competing adaptations</a> of Sorokin’s story.</p>
<p>What’s more, the acquisition of life story rights has become so common that it is viewed, in many cases, as a de facto requirement for film financing and insurance coverage and thus part of the standard clearance procedure for many projects.</p>
<h2>Exceptions don’t make the rule</h2>
<p>As always with the law, though, there are exceptions. </p>
<p>Notably, the producers of the 2010 film “The Social Network” <a href="https://perma.cc/SN4H-UXAP">did not obtain the permission</a> of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg before dramatizing the origin story of his company. In moving forward with the project, they risked a defamation or publicity suit by Zuckerberg and others depicted in the film. But their gamble paid off: Zuckerberg, while <a href="https://perma.cc/SN4H-UXAP">critical of his depiction</a>, didn’t sue.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, other subjects who have been depicted in dramatic features without their authorization have sued to recover a share of the profits. </p>
<p>Silver screen legend Olivia de Havilland, for example, <a href="https://casetext.com/case/de-havilland-v-fx-networks-llc-1">sued FX Studios</a> for briefly depicting her in a miniseries about Hollywood rivals Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. She won at trial, though an appeals court reversed her victory, citing the producers’ First Amendment rights. </p>
<p>Lawsuits can even be brought when the characters’ names and story details have been changed. U.S. Army Sgt. Jeffrey Sarver, the bomb-defusing expert who inspired the Oscar-winning film “<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%2520hurt%2520locker">The Hurt Locker</a>,” <a href="https://casetext.com/case/sarver-v-chartier">sued the film’s producers</a> for violating his right of publicity. He lost.</p>
<p>Lawsuits like these are not the norm. But many producers hope to get ahead of a flimsy lawsuit and bad publicity by acquiring nonexistent rights.</p>
<h2>History is in the public domain</h2>
<p>Ultimately, there is nothing wrong – and much that is right – with paying individuals to cooperate with the production of features about themselves. Doing so can convey respect toward the subject and make the production go more smoothly. </p>
<p>But the fact that life story acquisitions have entered the popular consciousness has spurred the widespread belief that any portrayal of a factual series of events entitles those depicted to a lucrative payday. This expectation increases production costs and the risk of litigation, thereby deterring otherwise worthwhile projects and depriving the public of meaningful content that is based on true stories.</p>
<p>What could be done about this situation?</p>
<p>One idea <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4480628">that we’ve written about</a> would prevent right of publicity laws – the basis for many life story lawsuits – from being used against works that convey ideas and tell a story, such as books, films and TV shows.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most important thing that can be done, though, is educating people that they don’t have a right to cash in on every description of the events of their lives. </p>
<p>Collective history, in our view, belongs in the public domain.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212242/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Publishers and studios routinely pay large sums to acquire ‘life story rights.’ Two law scholars explain why the phrase is misleading.Jorge L. Contreras, James T. Jensen Endowed Professor for Transactional Law and Director, Program on Intellectual Property and Technology Law, University of UtahDave Fagundes, Baker Botts LLP Professor of Law and Research Dean, University of Houston Law CenterLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2123692023-08-29T01:36:06Z2023-08-29T01:36:06ZNew study highlights the brain trauma risks for young athletes<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/544981/original/file-20230828-245330-4v4rcf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=4%2C0%2C3197%2C2136&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/australian-rules-youths-leaping-take-mark-4816717">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://www.bu.edu/articles/2023/young-amateur-athletes-at-risk-of-cte-study-finds/">Boston University CTE Center</a> today reported the results of the largest-ever study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in young athletes. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2808952?resultClick=1">study</a>, examining autopsied tissue, found signs of CTE in 63 out of 152 young athlete brains. The subjects of the study competed in youth, high school and college competitions, and all died before the age of 30. </p>
<p>This case series includes the first American woman athlete diagnosed with the disease, just months after the Australian Sports Brain Bank reported the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-researchers-confirm-worlds-first-case-of-dementia-linked-to-repetitive-brain-trauma-in-a-female-athlete-208929">world’s first</a> case of CTE in a female athlete.</p>
<p>The results of this study have major implications for sporting leagues around the globe. Like other dementias, CTE is often assumed to be a disease that develops later in life, but as neuropathologist and Boston University CTE Centre Professor Ann McKee says, “this study clearly shows that the pathology of CTE starts early”. </p>
<p>These latest findings come as Australia’s Senate is due to <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Headtraumainsport">report</a> the findings of its inquiry into concussions and repeated head trauma in contact sport. </p>
<p>This should push sporting organisations to do more to protect the brains of all athletes, especially in junior and recreational competitions.</p>
<h2>CTE and young athletes</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20370921">CTE</a> is a devastating and currently incurable form of dementia which causes <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.938163/full">neurodegeneration of the brain</a>. The disease has <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.676463/full">long</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3987576/">been</a> associated with contact sport participation. </p>
<p>Dementias like CTE are often thought of as diseases of the elderly. However, some high-profile cases of CTE have been identified among younger athletes. </p>
<p>In Australia, much-loved NRL player and coach <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-22/qld-paul-green-brain-scans-reveal-brain-disease-cte-diagnosis/101566032">Paul Green</a> was 49 when he died and was later found to have CTE. Former AFL star <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/01/nrl-and-football-australia-accept-link-between-head-trauma-and-cte">Shane Tuck</a> was 38 when he died with the disease. Former AFLW player <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-04/cte-diagnosis-in-female-athlete-heather-anderson-aflw-730/102555944">Heather Anderson</a> was only 28. A <a href="https://www.bu.edu/cte/our-research/case-studies/18-year-old/">recent study</a> in the United States also found CTE in the brain of an 18-year-old athlete. </p>
<p>The disease is <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20370921">known</a> to cause mood disorders and behaviour changes. People with CTE may be at higher risk of suicide. </p>
<p>These cases and the latest Boston University study indicate the risk of developing CTE is not restricted to those in their middle or older years. Although there is some evidence <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27552147/">developing brains are more vulnerable to trauma</a> – it creates a chronic inflammatory response affecting brain development – the pathology of CTE is still being studied.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde2302021">risk factors for young athletes</a> are complex and multifaceted but it is likely that playing junior contact sport heightens an athlete’s risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases as an adult.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1675987912066727936"}"></div></p>
<p>The strongest <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39183-0">predictor</a> for developing CTE is cumulative exposure to repeated brain trauma, rather than the number of diagnosable concussions. Prolonged exposure to repeated low-level impacts appears to produce a greater lifetime volume of brain trauma when compared with athletes who sustain a small number of more forceful injuries.</p>
<p>Again, the reasons for this dynamic require further study. One potential explanation is that low-level impacts, which often do not reach the <a href="https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au/medical_practitioners#assessment_of_concussion">clinical threshold</a> for a concussion diagnosis, are easier to ignore and play through. </p>
<p>For the athletes in the Boston University study to develop CTE before the age of 30, it is likely they were exposed to repeated brain trauma from an early age through youth sport.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-researchers-confirm-worlds-first-case-of-dementia-linked-to-repetitive-brain-trauma-in-a-female-athlete-208929">Australian researchers confirm world’s first case of dementia linked to repetitive brain trauma in a female athlete</a>
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<h2>Are contact sports safe for kids?</h2>
<p>Public health advocates in <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-law-medicine-and-ethics/article/abs/youth-sports-public-health-framing-risks-of-mild-traumatic-brain-injury-in-american-football-and-ice-hockey/1529848D096AD28A080B3EE828E7E553">North America</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.880905/full">Australia</a>, <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/129063074/new-zealands-teenage-concussion-issue-rugby-pushes-for-national-guidelines-to-erase-blurred-lines">New Zealand Aotearoa</a> and the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25586912/">United Kingdom</a> have long expressed concerns about the risks of contact sport for children. </p>
<p>Improved oversight would go some way toward reducing the serious health risks of mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). These include <a href="https://concussionfoundation.org/PCS-resources/what-is-PCS#:%7E:text=Post%2DConcussion%20Syndrome%2C%20or%20PCS,may%20diagnose%20Post%2DConcussion%20Syndrome">post-concussion syndrome</a> (where symptoms do not resolve within the expected time period of about one month) and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448119/">second impact syndrome</a> (where a young athlete who has previously been concussed receives a second impact either on the same day or up to a week later, resulting in catastrophic outcomes).</p>
<p>Although professional athletes are increasingly subject to monitoring for brain injuries, these practices are not consistently in place for participants in <a href="https://theconversation.com/repeated-head-injury-may-cause-degenerative-brain-disease-for-people-who-play-sport-juniors-and-amateurs-included-196042">semi-professional, club or junior competitions</a>. It is essential that sports bodies implement the same reporting, monitoring and exclusion protocols all the way through their competitions, especially in junior sport.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/544979/original/file-20230828-189469-cedpkj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=40%2C0%2C6669%2C3098&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="young players huddle on sporting field" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/544979/original/file-20230828-189469-cedpkj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=40%2C0%2C6669%2C3098&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/544979/original/file-20230828-189469-cedpkj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=282&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/544979/original/file-20230828-189469-cedpkj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=282&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/544979/original/file-20230828-189469-cedpkj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=282&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/544979/original/file-20230828-189469-cedpkj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=354&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/544979/original/file-20230828-189469-cedpkj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=354&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/544979/original/file-20230828-189469-cedpkj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=354&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Some codes have introduced restrictions to protect young players.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/kids-sport-team-gathering-rising-hands-1682342155">Shutterstock</a></span>
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</figure>
<h2>First steps</h2>
<p>Existing concussion guidelines are not designed to account for the types of sub-concussive injuries (where an impact does not result in observable symptoms) most strongly associated with CTE. To protect them from the disease, contact sporting bodies must reduce young athletes’ lifetime exposure to brain trauma. One way to do this would be to restrict contact in training and games for juniors. </p>
<p>Some sporting bodies have already taken the initial steps. <a href="https://www.play.afl/play/junior-football-rules">Australian Rules football players</a> are restricted to modified tackling until the age of 12. The <a href="https://www.playrugbyleague.com/framework/tackleready/">National Rugby League</a> will soon implement a ban on tackling until midway through under-7s competitions. </p>
<p>The US Soccer Federation <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/10/sports/soccer/us-soccer-resolving-lawsuit-will-limit-headers-for-youth-players.html">prohibits</a> children under 11 from heading the ball. The UK Football Association will trial <a href="https://www.thefa.com/news/2022/jul/18/statement-heading-trial-u12-games-20221807#:%7E:text=The%20FA%20has%20been%20granted,of%20the%202022%2D23%20season.">a ban on deliberate heading</a> before age 12 – a clear acknowledgement of the dangers of repetitive low-grade brain trauma. </p>
<p>The prevalence of CTE in this study from the US, where athletes routinely wear helmets to play football and ice hockey, is further evidence helmets do not protect young players from concussions or the risk of CTE. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/do-women-soccer-players-have-more-concussions-this-world-cup-and-beyond-heres-how-to-keep-our-players-safe-208292">Do women soccer players have more concussions? This world cup and beyond, here's how to keep our players safe</a>
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<p>Changes to tackling rules were met with resistance by those who <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/article-11746861/Is-rugby-league-going-soft-Controversial-changes-NRL-leave-parents-fuming.html">fear</a> they would “soften” the games. Further measures to protect athletes will require courage from contact sports administrators.</p>
<p>This new study shows CTE can develop in young brains and builds off previous research suggesting the origins of this pathology may lie in junior contact sport. To protect players from neurodegenerative diseases like CTE, sports must <a href="https://concussionfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/CTE%20prevention%20protocol%20062023.pdf">reduce cumulative exposure to brain trauma</a> for all athletes, beginning with the junior leagues. In Australia, where children have at least four football codes to choose from, this message must be received with particular urgency.</p>
<hr>
<p><em>If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14. The National Dementia Helpline number is 1800 100 500.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212369/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alan Pearce is currently unfunded. Alan is a non-executive unpaid director for the Concussion Legacy Foundation. He has previously received funding from Erasmus+ strategic partnerships program (2019-1-IE01-KA202-051555), Sports Health Check Charity (Australia), Australian Football League, Impact Technologies Inc., and Samsung Corporation, and is remunerated for expert advice to medico-legal practices.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kathleen Bachynski is a member of the Pink Concussions professional advisory board.
</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Stephen Townsend does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is often assumed to be a disease which develops later in life, but a new study clearly shows it can start early in the brains of young athletes.Stephen Townsend, Lecturer, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of QueenslandAlan Pearce, Professor, College of Science, Health, Engineering, La Trobe UniversityKathleen Bachynski, Assistant Professor, Public Health, Muhlenberg CollegeLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2076862023-07-19T17:14:52Z2023-07-19T17:14:52ZBrain injuries may affect women worse than men – introduction of concussion spotters to Women’s World Cup could prove vital<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537815/original/file-20230717-224833-1nr3qo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=6%2C6%2C4486%2C2984&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Kelley O'Hara of the USA playing in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup final. O'Hara was substituted for a head injury at half time. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/kelley-o-hara-usa-lieke-martens-1445105285">Romain Biard/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The matches at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup will be watched by <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fifa-concussion-spotters-womens-world-cup-r5cttkbcp">concussion spotters</a> for the first time. These medical staff will attempt to identify potential concussions that may have been overlooked by the officials on the pitch. </p>
<p>The role of the concussion spotter may be particularly vital in the women’s game because there is evidence that concussion has a worse impact on women.</p>
<p>Their use at the Women’s World Cup comes after a <a href="https://theconversation.com/world-cup-concussion-rules-may-be-putting-players-lives-at-risk-195150">similar trial</a> at the men’s competition in Qatar in 2022. However, while those in the men’s game were present at the stadium, in this tournament concussion spotters will work remotely, watching incidents on a screen, which may have an impact on their effectiveness.</p>
<p>A <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594">concussion</a> is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Immediately after the injury, concussion can lead to dizziness, confusion, and vomiting, but it is important to remember that sometimes there may be no initial symptoms. Losing consciousness only happens in about <a href="https://www.centracare.com/blog/2022/march/hit-your-head-look-for-these-warning-signs-of-co/#:%7E:text=Only%20about%205%2D10%25%20of,and%20forth%20within%20the%20skull.">10% of conscussions</a>. </p>
<p>Concussion can have longer-term effects, too. Research suggests that repeated concussions can lead to <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/current/research-news/rugby-concussions-and-mental-health/">poorer mental health</a> and that repeated head injuries can result in <a href="https://theconversation.com/world-cup-concussion-rules-may-be-putting-players-lives-at-risk-195150">degenerative brain diseases</a>. </p>
<p>My own research has found that people who had <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20597002221142379">experienced a concussion</a> struggled with switching between tasks more than people with no history of concussion. Task switching is important for daily life as well as in sport – it allows us to quickly adapt to different situations.</p>
<h2>Concussion in women</h2>
<p>What’s more, <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0363546509332497?casa_token=PSiaYFA0CzAAAAAA%3AqrgtYGzDAB_tuxMXRIOmuxAGngTDLWF96-aukO3-EfhvTlOxhBiLSrad4aBXEB7OBefaWhUswFq4268">research has found</a> that women reported more concussion symptoms than men. Some studies suggest that it takes women <a href="https://www.sportsmed.theclinics.com/article/S0278-5919(10)00053-0/fulltext">longer to recover</a>. </p>
<p>A <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2779117">large-scale study</a> of teenage footballers found that concussion was almost twice as likely in girls than their male counterparts. The research also found that boys were over one and a half times more likely to be removed from play immediately. </p>
<p>In American football, the National Football League (NFL) introduced ATC (athletic trainer certified) spotters in 2012. Their <a href="https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/behind-the-scenes/atc-spotters/">primary job</a> is to alert the sideline medical staff of potential concussion. The NFL spotters are independent to ensure they prioritise the players’ health over the team’s fortunes. They cannot cover a game if they have worked full-time in the past for a team involved, and they must not have been employed by an NFL team in the past five years.</p>
<p>A 2019 <a href="https://meridian.allenpress.com/jat/article/54/8/852/420841/Engaging-Athletic-Trainers-in-Concussion-Detection">report</a> found that the use of ATC spotters improved the real-time detection of concussed players in the NFL.</p>
<h2>Power to the spotters</h2>
<p>Since 2015, ATC spotters have the ability to stop the game with a medical time-out. This can be enforced if there is <a href="https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/behind-the-scenes/atc-spotters/">clear visual evidence</a> that a player is obviously disorientated, or if a player is trying to stay in the game and not receive medical attention. </p>
<p>The importance of this became clear when, on just the second day of the 2022 men’s World Cup, an incident showed that, even with the concussion spotter system in place, team staff were allowing injured players to continue. </p>
<p>Iranian goalkeeper <a href="https://theconversation.com/world-cup-concussion-rules-may-be-putting-players-lives-at-risk-195150">Alireza Beiranvand</a> collided with his teammate, ultimately leading to his withdrawal from a group match against England. But first, the Iran coaching staff allowed the player the opportunity to carry on playing. Beiranvand fell over when attempting a goal kick – at which point he was finally deemed unable to continue. </p>
<p>Having independent medical staff is imperative given the pressures that club doctors are sometimes under to let a footballer play on. FIFA’s medical director <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/06/fifa-to-bring-in-concussion-spotters-for-qatar-world-cup">Andrew Massey has spoken out</a> about how difficult it is for club medics to make a decision to remove a player with a possible concussion.</p>
<p>In 2019, Massey was part of Liverpool FC’s medical staff when star player Mohamed Salah sustained a heavy blow to both head and body and was substituted. Liverpool were fighting for the Premier League title and given Salah’s importance to the team, Massey has admitted to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/06/fifa-to-bring-in-concussion-spotters-for-qatar-world-cup">possible consequences</a> of the substitution being in his mind. </p>
<p>Increased efforts to develop concussion protocols in the game is a positive step. We are increasingly learning about the significant effects of head injuries in sport, and the focus on the issue at major tournaments will help widen this understanding. The spotters will be discussed in commentary and broadcasts around the world. </p>
<p>This increased exposure should help alleviate poor attitudes towards concussion in sport. Although the current power of concussion spotters may be debatable, it is a step in the right direction. </p>
<p>As the tournament commences, the concussion spotters will have a keen eye on the players – but many people, like me, will be paying attention to the spotters, too.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/207686/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Daniel Walker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Football is starting to take concussion seriously – but there’s more to do.Daniel Walker, Lecturer in Psychology, University of BradfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1992432023-02-10T22:12:35Z2023-02-10T22:12:35ZWhat to watch for when you are watching the Super Bowl: 5 essential reads<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509546/original/file-20230210-14-t9c1mn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=16%2C0%2C5380%2C3616&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Clash of the tight ends?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/kansas-city-chiefs-linebacker-ben-niemann-tackles-news-photo/1235721523?phrase=kansas%20chiefs%20Philadelphia&adppopup=true">Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The Super Bowl – an annual celebration of advertising, calorific bar food, Roman numerals and occasional on-field action – is upon us, again.</p>
<p>At 6:30 EST on Feb. 12, 2023, the <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/super-bowl-lvii-picks-will-kansas-city-chiefs-or-philadelphia-eagles-win-lombard">Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will take the field</a> in Arizona before moments later trundling off for one of the many breaks that are a feature of football. </p>
<p>But there is an upside to all those breaks. It means you can read an article or two from The Conversation’s archive. To that end, below is a selection of stories tackling what is happening in the world of football, but not necessarily on the field.</p>
<h2>A game of wounded warriors</h2>
<p>A specific part of the anatomy of Kansas City star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been scrutinized in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl: his right ankle.</p>
<p>You see, despite Mahomes’ being more handy with his hands than with his feet, he still needs to be able to move around with some dexterity to be effective – and Mahomes’ mobility is a key aspect of his game. And on Jan. 21, 2023, the 27-year-old athlete awkwardly fell after a tackle and sprained his ankle.</p>
<p>But what exactly in an ankle sprain? The University of Pittsburgh’s <a href="https://mirm-pitt.net/staff/macalus-v-hogan-md-mba/">MaCalus V. Hogan</a>, a surgeon who specializes in sports-related ankle injuries, <a href="https://theconversation.com/patrick-mahomes-injury-an-ankle-surgeon-explains-what-a-high-ankle-sprain-is-and-how-it-might-affect-mahomes-in-the-super-bowl-199248">explained that they occur</a> when someone rolls an ankle joint, resulting in the stretching or tearing of ligaments that hold the ankle together.</p>
<p>The good news for Chiefs’ fans? Hogan reckons their quarterback will be OK come gametime: “While Mahomes may not be at 100%, given the moderate severity of the injury, his fitness and the high quality of care he is receiving, I expect that he will be ready to play an exciting game come kickoff on Super Bowl Sunday.”</p>
<p>Of much more concern are the life-threatening injuries of the sort that afflicted Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earlier in the season. </p>
<p>Both collapsed to the turf after jarring tackles, Hamlin from heart problems, Tagovailoa from a concussion. As paramedics administered treatment on the field, <a href="https://theconversation.com/sports-broadcasters-have-a-duty-to-report-injuries-responsibly-in-the-case-of-nfls-damar-hamlin-they-passed-the-test-197192">broadcasters faced a dilemma</a>, as <a href="https://comm.osu.edu/people/kraft.42">Nicole Kraft of The Ohio State University</a> explained.</p>
<p>“When disaster strikes on a live sports broadcast, it’s easy to say something wrong, especially in an age where words can be distributed widely, dissected and criticized on social media,” wrote Kraft, noting that broadcasters also have a decision to make over whether or not to show replays of the injury.</p>
<p>In the case of Hamlin, ESPN and others behaved responsibly, Kraft concluded. Instead of filling the air with speculation, broadcasters instead appealed to the NFL to suspend the game.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/patrick-mahomes-injury-an-ankle-surgeon-explains-what-a-high-ankle-sprain-is-and-how-it-might-affect-mahomes-in-the-super-bowl-199248">Patrick Mahomes injury: An ankle surgeon explains what a high ankle sprain is and how it might affect Mahomes in the Super Bowl</a>
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<a href="https://theconversation.com/sports-broadcasters-have-a-duty-to-report-injuries-responsibly-in-the-case-of-nfls-damar-hamlin-they-passed-the-test-197192">Sports broadcasters have a duty to report injuries responsibly – in the case of NFL's Damar Hamlin, they passed the test</a>
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<h2>The rise and pitfalls of sports gambling</h2>
<p>A subplot of this year’s Super Bowl advertising rush is the growing presence of betting companies like DraftKings and FanDuel.</p>
<p>It’s only been five years since the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-legalized-sports-betting-has-transformed-the-fan-experience-194994">Supreme Court opened up legalized sports betting</a> across the states. Since then, “a whole industry has sprouted up that, for tens of millions of fans around the country, is now just part of the show,” wrote <a href="https://www.bellisario.psu.edu/people/individual/john-affleck">Penn State’s John Affleck</a>. He added: “Betting’s seamless integration into American sports – impossible to ignore even among fans who aren’t wagering – represents a remarkable shift for an activity that was banned in much of the country only a few years ago.”</p>
<p>The damage being done by the explosion of easy-to-bet apps and websites is only just being understood. <a href="https://socialwork.rutgers.edu/node/677">Lia Nower</a>, director of The Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University, has been tasked by New Jersey to <a href="https://theconversation.com/data-from-new-jersey-is-a-warning-sign-for-young-sports-bettors-197865">evaluate the impact of sports gambling</a> by interviewing gamblers and analyzing every bet placed online in the state since 2018.</p>
<p>She reported that “those wagering on sports in New Jersey were more likely than others who gamble to have high rates of problem gambling and problems with drugs or alcohol, and to experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Most alarming, findings suggest that about 14% of sports bettors reported thoughts of suicide, and 10% said they had made a suicide attempt.”</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-legalized-sports-betting-has-transformed-the-fan-experience-194994">How legalized sports betting has transformed the fan experience</a>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/data-from-new-jersey-is-a-warning-sign-for-young-sports-bettors-197865">Data from New Jersey is a warning sign for young sports bettors</a>
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<h2>It really is time to drop the ‘chop’</h2>
<p>Kansas City fans inside the State Farm Stadium in Glendale during the Super Bowl might at various points during the game engage in what is known as the “tomahawk chop.” Outside the stadium, Native Americans intend to protest. What they want – along with an end to that offensive gesture – is a new name for the franchise.</p>
<p>Such re-branding is not, of course, unheard of. Washington’s NFL team dropped its racist moniker in 2020. And last year, the Cleveland Indians changed its name to the Guardians.</p>
<p>But as <a href="https://www.oxy.edu/academics/faculty/peter-dreier">Peter Dreier of Occidental College</a> noted, <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-cleveland-indians-changed-their-team-name-whats-holding-back-the-atlanta-braves-181662">not all teams are on board</a> with jettisoning their problematic names. The Atlanta Braves are one team that refuses to move on, sticking with its name, along with its “tomahawk song” and accompanying crowd gesture.</p>
<p>“Today, many fans – not to mention many Native Americans – cringe at the music and the chop. To them, it reflects a stereotypical image of Native Americans as violent and uncivilized, similar to those that appeared on TV and in movies for many years,” wrotes Dreier.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-cleveland-indians-changed-their-team-name-whats-holding-back-the-atlanta-braves-181662">The Cleveland Indians changed their team name – what's holding back the Atlanta Braves?</a>
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<p><em>Editor’s note: This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/199243/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to take on the Philadelphia Eagles, The Conversation takes a critical look at some of the biggest news stories from the past NFL season.Matt Williams, Senior International EditorLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1996582023-02-10T18:07:25Z2023-02-10T18:07:25ZThe Super Bowl — what we love but mostly hate about it<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509786/original/file-20230213-21-vm1b6d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C6%2C4493%2C2984&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes holds the trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Super Bowl on Sunday. </span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)</span></span></figcaption></figure><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 100px; border: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;" allowtransparency="" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" src="https://narrations.ad-auris.com/widget/the-conversation-canada/the-super-bowl-—-what-we-love-but-mostly-hate-about-it" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<p>This past weekend, <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/world-cup-2022/how-does-world-cups-viewership-tickets-and-attendance-compare-nfls-super#:%7E:text=World%20Cup%20vs.-,Super%20Bowl%3F,of%20227.27%20million%20per%20day.">millions of North American (and worldwide) eyeballs were glued to their TVs</a>, beer and chicken wings in hand, to celebrate perhaps the last truly bipartisan “national holiday” that America has left: the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>While the Super Bowl is ostensibly a football game for the NFL championship, it is really a combination of sporting event, concert and advertising convention. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/protests-not-welcome-in-the-spectacle-of-sports-84817">Protests not welcome in the spectacle of sports</a>
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<p>This year, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64602594">Rihanna performed at halftime</a> in a much-anticipated return to the stage. And 30-second <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/id/35587895/super-bowl-2023-commercials">advertising spots</a> sold for as much as $7 million apiece. </p>
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<img alt="Signer Rihanna in a black outfit sitting on a couch speaking into a microphone." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509267/original/file-20230209-24-g29sqj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509267/original/file-20230209-24-g29sqj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509267/original/file-20230209-24-g29sqj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509267/original/file-20230209-24-g29sqj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509267/original/file-20230209-24-g29sqj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509267/original/file-20230209-24-g29sqj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509267/original/file-20230209-24-g29sqj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Rihanna will perform at halftime during the Super Bowl LVII NFL football game.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)</span></span>
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<p>One <a href="https://www.summitwealthgroup.com/blog/2023-super-bowl-by-the-numbers">investment management group estimated</a> the event will bring $700 million to the city of Phoenix, and an estimated $16 billion <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/super-bowl-2023-20-percent-of-american-adults-expected-to-bet-on-chiefs-vs-eagles-according-to-survey/">will be wagered on the game</a>.</p>
<p>And, oh yeah, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in what turned out to be an entertaining game.</p>
<h2>Professional sport is primarily a business</h2>
<p>While the league may like to promote itself as simply men playing sport for the love of the game, their teammates, and the city they have been drafted or signed to play for, elite and professional sport is first and foremost a business. </p>
<p>More specifically, it is a commodity spectacle where athletes put their bodies and brains on the line for our entertainment. They are both workers and product. Dollars and cents come to the league through ticket sales, TV licensing deals, merchandise, advertisement and anything else the league and its organizations can possibly sell. </p>
<p>While we may know elite sport is business, rarely do we ask what the business and profit-making mean for everyone involved in the NFL business ecosystem, from the workers (players) to the capitalists (managers and owners) to the consumers (fans). </p>
<p>This is by design. The NFL, like most businesses, does not want its consumers to see how their sausage is made, especially when it involves the amount of violence, exploitation and harm that exists in football.</p>
<h2>Threat of brain injury</h2>
<p>The most obvious of these harms is the long-term injury — specifically brain injury — to players. There is continued evidence of football’s relationship with traumatic brain injury, dementia, memory loss, depression and premature death.</p>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.8334">A 2017 study</a> published by the <em>Journal of the American Medical Association</em>, said 177 of 202 former football players studied of all levels had <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy">Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)</a>, including 110 of the 111 NFL players studied.</p>
<p>In the latest <a href="https://www.bu.edu/articles/2023/bu-finds-cte-in-nearly-92-percent-of-former-nfl-players-studied/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=link&utm_content=research_brain&utm_campaign=social_main">research out of Boston University,</a> 345 of the 376 former NFL players studied had (CTE). </p>
<p>Because CTE can only be diagnosed post-mortem, these studies contain samples of brains that were donated by concerned families, and therefore are more likely to have CTE. Still, they show rates of 92 per cent for the NFL players studied. </p>
<p>In contrast, a <a href="https://www.bu.edu/articles/2023/bu-finds-cte-in-nearly-92-percent-of-former-nfl-players-studied/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=link&utm_content=research_brain&utm_campaign=social_main">2018 Boston University study</a> looked at 164 donated brains of men and women: only one had CTE, and he was a former college football player. </p>
<p>It is harrowing to imagine how many players — not just in the NFL, but in college and at the high school level — are developing CTE, and suffering irreparable and lifetime damage to their brains and lives.</p>
<p>Football is not the only sport where athletes are at risk of lifelong injury (rugby, ice hockey and combat sports are other big culprits), but many football players aren’t even able to earn any money for their bodily sacrifice. </p>
<h2>Labour exploitation</h2>
<p>While the NFL and the college football industry sell the dream of scholarships and superstardom, only 6.5 per cent of high school students will even play college football. And they do not get paid for their labour. And a miniscule 0.00075 per cent (800-900 out of 1.1 million) will <a href="https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/how-many-ncaa-football-players-make-nfl">play the game professionally</a>.</p>
<p>If players do beat these lottery-level odds and make it to the NFL, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/29/sports/football/nfl-contracts-injuries-young-players.html">football player careers average about three to four years</a>. Many contracts are not guaranteed, with teams able to cut players and not pay them the full amount of their salaries. </p>
<p>Add to this the exploitation of a predominantly Black workforce of unpaid players who sacrifice their bodies and brains to <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9780230105539">fill the coffers of largely white coaches and team owners.</a></p>
<p>As scholars <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/sep/07/race-money-and-exploitation-why-college-sport-is-still-the-new-plantation">Nathan Kalman-Lamb, Derek Silva and Johanna Mellis put it in <em>the Guardian</em>,</a> “big-time college sport is often about rich white people using Black people for profit.”</p>
<p>The treatment of athletes as mere commodities or investments, to be drafted and traded, used for value and profit extraction and then thrown away, permeates every layer of the NFL. </p>
<h2>Super Bowl traditions have a strong hold</h2>
<p>There are other issues too: this is not an exhaustive list of the harms associated with football and the NFL. These are just some of the behind-the-scenes facts and relationships that the NFL does not want fans thinking about, least of all during the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>The Super Bowl — as the culmination of the NFL’s season long coverage — is meant to make sure we continue to ignore these issues <a href="https://theconversation.com/protests-not-welcome-in-the-spectacle-of-sports-84817">by providing us with a spectacle to take our minds off the hard questions</a>. </p>
<p>Karl Marx originally coined religion as the “opiate of the masses,” and sport scholars have long adapted this passage to sport, and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14775085.2017.1401383">specifically to mega-events</a> like the Super Bowl or the Olympic Games.</p>
<p>Beyond distracting fans from their own personal problems and the unequal world they inhabit, the goal of football’s spectacle (from the league’s perspective) is also to distract fans from the very harms that the sport itself produces.</p>
<p>Super Bowl traditions have a strong hold, and the game is often something that brings family and friends together. But at the very least, keep in mind the violence and harm that it takes to get to this game, and remember that there are human beings under those helmets.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/199658/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Daniel Sailofsky does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The Super Bowl is more than a game — it’s an ecosystem of parties, the halftime show, the ads and 100 million people watching despite the sport’s ugly and dangerous side.Daniel Sailofsky, Lecturer, Department of Criminology, Middlesex UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1992482023-02-10T03:02:53Z2023-02-10T03:02:53ZPatrick Mahomes injury: An ankle surgeon explains what a high ankle sprain is and how it might affect Mahomes in the Super Bowl<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509243/original/file-20230209-18-uzy9pe.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=30%2C91%2C6212%2C4415&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sprained his right ankle in a playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Jan. 21, 2023.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BengalsChiefsFootball/e5bc45506f6949aca8a6fff63d3cc543/photo?Query=mahomes%20chiefs&mediaType=photo&sortBy=&dateRange=Anytime&totalCount=11452&currentItemNo=88">AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Leading up to the 2023 Super Bowl, one of the biggest points of discussion has been the <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/patrick-mahomes-ankle-injury-is-the-biggest-variable-of-this-super-bowl-the-latest-update-is-a-big-win-for-the-chiefs/ar-AA17gaCO">right ankle of Patrick Mahomes</a>. During a playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Jan. 21, 2023, Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, awkwardly fell on his ankle after being tackled. Mahomes finished the game after trainers taped the ankle up, but after the game, news broke that he’d <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2023/1/22/23566337/patrick-mahomes-injury-2023-nfl-playoffs-chiefs">suffered a high ankle sprain</a>. </p>
<p>As a surgeon who specializes in sport ankle injuries – and having myself sustained a similar injury while playing high school football – I cringed when I saw Mahomes go down during the game against the Jaguars. Ankle injuries are serious affairs. High ankle sprains are painful and can limit performance, but given the level of fitness of an NFL quarterback like Mahomes and the elite-level treatment and rehabilitation teams provide to help players recover, I expect he will be ready to play at Super Bowl kickoff and the injury will cause few if any problems during the game.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509244/original/file-20230209-14-vew1rr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A diagram of a human ankle." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509244/original/file-20230209-14-vew1rr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509244/original/file-20230209-14-vew1rr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=575&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509244/original/file-20230209-14-vew1rr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=575&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509244/original/file-20230209-14-vew1rr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=575&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509244/original/file-20230209-14-vew1rr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=723&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509244/original/file-20230209-14-vew1rr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=723&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509244/original/file-20230209-14-vew1rr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=723&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The ankle joint is where the lower leg bones are stabilized and attached to the foot by a group of ligaments. This diagram shows the outside view of a right foot.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankle#/media/File:Ankle_en.svg">Jak/Wikimedia Commons</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>What is an ankle sprain?</h2>
<p>The ankle is comprised of two large leg bones – the tibia, or shin bone, and the smaller fibula, which sits outside the tibia – and a number of strong ligaments that attach the leg bones to the foot and stabilize the whole area.</p>
<p>An ankle sprain occurs when someone abnormally bends or rolls their ankle joint, leading to the stretching or tearing of the ligaments that hold the ankle together. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2106/jbjs.20.01787">Ankle sprains</a> can be either “low” or “high” based on the location of the affected ligaments and are graded on a scale from one to three – mild, moderate or severe.</p>
<p>The most common type of ankle sprain involves <a href="https://www.upmc.com/services/orthopaedics/conditions-treatments/sprains-strains">ligaments of the lower, outside part of ankle joint</a>. Low ankle sprains usually occur due to an inversion, or when the outside edge of the foot rolls inward toward the sole of the foot.</p>
<p>High ankle sprains, like the injury Mahomes suffered, are rarer than low ankle sprains and are caused by the opposite motion. When a defensive player for the Jaguars tackled and fell on Mahomes, the defensive player landed on Mahomes’ leg, causing the inside of his foot to roll outward toward the small toe. This motion is what <a href="https://doi.org/10.5435/jaaos-d-13-00135">stressed his high ankle ligaments</a>. </p>
<h2>Walking it off or needing surgery</h2>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509247/original/file-20230209-24-zpj3xf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A football player limping." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509247/original/file-20230209-24-zpj3xf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509247/original/file-20230209-24-zpj3xf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=899&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509247/original/file-20230209-24-zpj3xf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=899&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509247/original/file-20230209-24-zpj3xf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=899&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509247/original/file-20230209-24-zpj3xf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1130&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509247/original/file-20230209-24-zpj3xf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1130&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509247/original/file-20230209-24-zpj3xf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1130&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">After the injury, Patrick Mahomes was visibly in pain but able to hobble off the field.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/patrick-mahomes-of-the-kansas-city-chiefs-limps-on-the-news-photo/1458310007?phrase=mahomes%20injury&adppopup=true">David Eulitt/Getty Images Sport</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Most sprained ankles will result in some level of pain, swelling and difficulty walking on the affected joint — all things that would affect Mahomes’ ability to play comfortably and at the level needed to bring home the Lombardi Trophy. But there is a huge difference between a minor, grade I sprain or a severe grade III sprain in terms of performance and recovery time.</p>
<p>The ligaments of a healthy high ankle provide more stability than the lower ligaments, so high ankle sprains are often more serious injuries. In a bad high ankle sprain, the majority of the ligaments tear completely, resulting in severe pain, swelling and often bruising of the ankle. Initially it is very difficult to even stand on the ankle, let alone run or jump. If not properly treated, the injury can lead to instability, weakness and pain that limits function, especially for an elite athlete.</p>
<p>Based on the video of the injury and my experience treating professional athletes, it looks like Mahomes suffered at minimum a grade II, or moderate, sprain. After a grade II sprain, most people need a period of rest and treatment to reduce the inflammation of the ankle. Resting from running and jumping is important in the immediate days following the injury. If an athlete is able to return to play in the same game or soon after, that is usually a good sign. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509248/original/file-20230209-28-rfuoq8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Two football players stretching on a field." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509248/original/file-20230209-28-rfuoq8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/509248/original/file-20230209-28-rfuoq8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509248/original/file-20230209-28-rfuoq8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509248/original/file-20230209-28-rfuoq8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509248/original/file-20230209-28-rfuoq8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509248/original/file-20230209-28-rfuoq8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/509248/original/file-20230209-28-rfuoq8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">After a week of rest and treatment, Patrick Mahomes was back practicing, though his ankle was heavily taped to improve stability.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/patrick-mahomes-and-clyde-edwards-helaire-of-the-kansas-news-photo/1464249594?phrase=mahomes%20training&adppopup=true">Christian Petersen/Getty Images Sport</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Treating high ankle sprains</h2>
<p>Generally, high ankle sprains take <a href="https://doi.org/10.5435/jaaos-d-13-00135">longer to heal and recover from</a> than other types of sprains, but treatment can help speed up this process.</p>
<p>When a patient comes in complaining of a rolled ankle, I start with a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/jisakos-2017-000183">physical exam to check the stability of the joint</a>. If the ankle is stable and the patient can run and jump with little pain, that usually means they have a low-grade injury and will not require much time away from sports. With a bit of rest, most people are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/jsm.0000000000001019">back at their activities within a few days</a>. </p>
<p>For more serious injuries, it is first essential to reduce the pain and swelling through a routine of rest, ice, compression and elevation, the well-known <a href="https://share.upmc.com/2014/08/rice-method-for-treating-injury/">“RICE” method</a>. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help reduce pain as well. In cases where the ankle is moderately unstable, research shows that providing patients with a boot to immobilize the ankle can <a href="https://doi.org/10.5435/jaaos-d-13-00135">speed up the healing process</a>.</p>
<p>I also recommend that my patients stay off the injured leg for a couple of days. After those first days of rest, most patients, and especially elite athletes, can begin putting weight on the ankle with the boot still on. After about four to seven days, I will begin to transition my patients into strength and stability training with a focus on reducing swelling. This will usually include low-impact training such as stationary bike and pool therapy. Gradual return to sport-specific drills occurs prior to return-to-play. </p>
<p>In the most severe cases of grade III high ankle sprains, the ligaments can be torn completely or injured to the point that they are unlikely to heal in a way that supports the ankle. In these cases, <a href="https://doi.org/10.2106/jbjs.20.01787">surgery involving screws, plates and other hardware</a> to hold the fibula and tibia together can be the best option.</p>
<p>Thankfully for Mahomes and football fans across the U.S., his injury <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/02/07/patrick-mahomes-ankle-injury-update-super-bowl-chiefs-eagles">does not appear to require surgery</a>, at least not immediately.</p>
<p>Research shows that most athletes with high ankle sprains often return to their sports and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/jsm.0000000000001019">can play at a similar level</a> to how they played before their injury. While Mahomes may not be at 100%, given the moderate severity of the injury, his fitness and the high quality of care he is receiving, I expect that he will be ready to play an exciting game come kickoff on Super Bowl Sunday.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/199248/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>MaCalus V. Hogan is affiliated with American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery,and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine; Hall of Fame Health Medical Advisory Board</span></em></p>Sprained ankles are a common injury to anyone who plays sports and usually not a serious concern. But with an NFL championship on the line, the specifics of an ankle injury and how to treat it matter.MaCalus V. Hogan, Professor and Chair of Orthopedic Surgery, University of PittsburghLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1949942023-02-02T13:23:01Z2023-02-02T13:23:01ZHow legalized sports betting has transformed the fan experience<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/507660/original/file-20230201-9483-d3kdz7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C8%2C5434%2C3368&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">DraftKings is one of a handful of sportsbooks that have been advertising during live sporting events.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/detail-view-of-a-draftkings-sportsbook-advertisement-during-news-photo/1433395123?phrase=draftkings sportsbook&adppopup=true">Brett Carlsen/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>A couple of days before Christmas, I went to see the NHL’s Nashville Predators play on their home ice against the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.</p>
<p>Amid all the silliness of a modern pro sports experience – the home team skating out of a giant saber-toothed tiger head, the mistletoe kiss cam, a small rock band playing seasonal hits between periods – there was a steady stream of advertising for <a href="https://www.draftkings.com">DraftKings</a>, a company known as a sportsbook that takes bets on athletic events and pays out winnings.</p>
<p>Its name flashed prominently on the Jumbotron above center ice as starting lineups were announced. Its logo appeared again when crews scurried out to clean the ice during timeouts. Not only was “DraftKings Sportsbook” on the yellow jackets worn by the people shoveling up the ice shavings, it was also on the carts they used to collect the ice. </p>
<p>This all came a few days after the Predators <a href="https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/betmgm-named-an-official-sports-betting-partner-of-nashville-predators/c-338972672">announced a multiyear partnership with another sportsbook, BetMGM</a>, that will include not only signage at their home venue, Bridgestone Arena, but also a BetMGM restaurant and bar.</p>
<p>If I had cared to that evening, I could have gone onto the sports betting app on my smartphone and placed a wager on the game. Tennessee is one of <a href="https://www.americangaming.org/research/state-gaming-map/">33 states plus the District of Columbia</a> where sports betting is legal. On Jan. 31, 2023, <a href="https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/legal-sports-betting-in-massachusetts-begins-tuesday/">Massachusetts became the latest state to legalize the practice</a>.</p>
<p>The point of depicting the whole scene is simply this: In the nearly five years since the Supreme Court allowed states <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/us/politics/supreme-court-sports-betting-new-jersey.html">to legalize sports betting</a>, a whole industry has sprouted up that, for tens of millions of fans around the country, is now just part of the show.</p>
<p>Betting’s seamless integration into American sports – impossible to ignore even among fans who aren’t wagering – represents a remarkable shift for an activity that was banned in much of the country only a few years ago.</p>
<h2>A new sports world</h2>
<p>Let’s look at the numbers for a start.</p>
<p>Since May 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a law that limited sports betting to four states including Nevada, US$180.2 billion has been legally wagered on sports, according to the American Gaming Association’s research arm. That has generated $13.7 billion in revenue for the sportsbooks, according to figures provided to me by the AGA, the industry’s research and lobby group.</p>
<p>Before the NFL kicked off last September, the <a href="https://www.americangaming.org/new/record-46-6-million-americans-plan-to-wager-on-2022-nfl-season/">AGA reported</a> that 18% of American adults – more than 46 million people – planned to make a bet this season. Most of that was likely to be bet through legal channels, as opposed to so-called corner bookies, or illegal operatives.</p>
<p><iframe id="D0Ren" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/D0Ren/2/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>So, who’s betting on sports? In an interview, David Forman, the AGA’s vice president for research, told me that compared with traditional gamblers – those who might play slots, for instance – “sports bettors are a different demographic. They’re younger, they’re more male, they’re also higher income.”</p>
<p>They’re people like Christian Santosuosso, a 26-year-old creative marketing professional living in Brooklyn, New York. Santosuosso didn’t bet on games until it became legal. Now he and his buddies will pool their money on an NFL Sunday to spice up both the interest in a game and the conversation in the room.</p>
<p>“It’s entertainment,” he told me in a phone interview. He explained that even a tough gambling loss can be amusing or funny, a way to look back on the mistakes your team made that ended up affecting whether you won the bet. But he added that he has a limit on how much he’ll bet.</p>
<h2>Coverage and conversation</h2>
<p>Shortly after Supreme Court ruling in 2018, I wrote a piece for <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-states-legalize-sports-betting-will-sports-media-go-all-in-98686">The Conversation</a> asking if the media would start to produce content aimed at bettors. </p>
<p>The answer has been an unequivocal “yes” – and it seems to have helped change the way sports betting is talked about. </p>
<p>As I write this, if I look at the front page of ESPN.com, I see that the University of Georgia is a 13.5-point favorite over Texas Christian University in the college football national championship. It’s front and center, right next to the kickoff time and the TV network where it’s airing.</p>
<p>But that’s the least of it. </p>
<p>ESPN has broadcast a gaming show since 2019, “Daily Wager.” In September 2022, the sports conglomerate announced <a href="https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/09/espn-expands-sports-betting-content-portfolio/">an array of new content</a> centered on betting advice and picks. And SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt is famous for his <a href="https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-has-given-scott-van-pelts-bad-beats-segment-a-monthly-show.html">“Bad Beats” segment</a>, in which Van Pelt typically highlights how a team on the winning side of the point spread falls apart at the last second in a crazy way.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a cottage industry of betting tip channels has emerged on YouTube – if you type “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sportsbetting">#sportsbetting</a>” into YouTube’s search bar, you’ll find thousands of them.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dwiCuTX9ay0?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Gambling-centered programming is now a regular feature of sports media.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Another example of how things have changed: On Jan. 2, 2023, the University of Utah’s football team had the ball first and goal with 43 seconds left, down 21 points to Penn State in the Rose Bowl. The game was essentially over. However, the commentators noted that a touchdown would mean a lot to some people.</p>
<p>Who? Why? The announcers didn’t elaborate, but the implication was obvious: Those who had bet the over – wagering that together the two teams would score more than 54 points – had a lot riding on that touchdown. So, in a sense, did ESPN. In a blowout, fans of both teams are likely to tune out. But when there’s money riding on something like the over, eyes stay glued to the screen. </p>
<p>Utah ended up scoring on third down with 25 seconds remaining. <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401442014">Final score</a>: Penn State 35, Utah 21. </p>
<h2>The danger and the ceiling</h2>
<p>I’ve been editing sports articles since the early 1990s and have run <a href="https://www.bellisario.psu.edu/people/individual/john-affleck">the sports journalism program at Penn State</a> since 2013. I have noticed how my students now routinely talk about the point spread – the expected margin of victory – and even the over-under, a wager on the total number of points scored.</p>
<p>That just did not happen so often when I first got to State College, nor in the newsroom before that.</p>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Magazine cover with basketball hoop filled with dollar bills." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/507171/original/file-20230130-24-njtnah.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/507171/original/file-20230130-24-njtnah.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=802&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/507171/original/file-20230130-24-njtnah.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=802&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/507171/original/file-20230130-24-njtnah.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=802&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/507171/original/file-20230130-24-njtnah.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1007&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/507171/original/file-20230130-24-njtnah.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1007&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/507171/original/file-20230130-24-njtnah.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1007&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">For decades, fears of game fixing – and the ways in which it would taint the image of sports leagues – made gambling a taboo among league executives.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://sicovers.com/featured/boston-college-point-shaving-scheme-february-16-1981-sports-illustrated-cover.html">Sports Illustrated</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sports leagues were once <a href="https://www.si.com/betting/2021/08/09/gambling-issue-daily-cover">vehemently opposed to gambling</a>. And while they’re still concerned <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/07/1085045547/nfl-receiver-calvin-ridley-suspended-for-2022-season-after-gambling-on-games">about keeping players from betting</a>, many leagues – particularly the NFL – have made a complete U-turn since legalization.</p>
<p>There are multiple reasons for this change of heart. While the concern used to be about <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-gambling-built-baseball-and-then-almost-destroyed-it-123254">losing the integrity of the game to a betting scandal</a>, now sports leagues can argue that legal betting allows for better monitoring of potential cheating. If heavy betting happens on one team, or if there’s sudden shift in betting patterns, it’s all visible to the sportsbooks and might indicate nefarious activity. </p>
<p>There’s also <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/09/14/as-more-states-legalize-the-practice-19-of-u-s-adults-say-they-have-bet-money-on-sports-in-the-past-year/">significant fan interest in legal wagering</a> – 56% of Americans adults, and nearly 7 in 10 men, recently told Pew that they’ve read at least a little about how widespread legal sports betting has become.</p>
<p>And, of course, there is <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/26/tech-gambling-alcohol-helped-nfl-earn-almost-2-billion-in-sponsorships.html">big money from a new sponsorship group</a> – the sportsbooks – that helped drive overall NFL sponsorship revenue to a record $1.8 billion in the 2021 season. </p>
<p>The danger, of course, is <a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gambling-disorder/what-is-gambling-disorder">gambling addiction</a>.</p>
<p>And while the AGA is quick to note that its member companies pledge to <a href="https://www.americangaming.org/resources/responsible-gaming-regulations-and-statutes-guide/">give information about problem gambling to their customers</a>, legalization has undoubtedly provided <a href="https://theconversation.com/access-to-sports-betting-in-the-us-has-exploded-since-2018-and-were-just-starting-to-learn-about-the-effects-192055">easier and more secure access to sports betting</a>. </p>
<p>Keith Whyte, executive director of the <a href="https://www.ncpgambling.org/">National Council on Problem Gambling</a>, said in a telephone interview that research by his group had found that roughly 25% of American adults bet on sports, somewhat more than the AGA’s estimate. That percentage has jumped from roughly 15% before the Supreme Court ruling, per the NCPG.</p>
<p>While that’s a big increase, it also suggests that perhaps there is a ceiling coming up – in other words, when all the states that will do so legalize sports betting, wagering still won’t be done by many more people than now, Whyte speculated.</p>
<p>“I think it’s changing the market in a lot of ways,” Whyte said, “but my guess is it’s mainly to increase the intensity – and associated risk of problem gambling – among fans that were already engaged fans.”</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/194994/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>John Affleck does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The opportunity to place bets has changed the way games look, the way they’re talked about – and, of course, how many people have money riding on the outcome.John Affleck, Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society, Penn StateLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1973442023-01-08T13:26:19Z2023-01-08T13:26:19ZDamar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest shows need for CPR training and emergency defibrillators in public spaces<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503471/original/file-20230106-16856-utpr0c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C238%2C4016%2C2619&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin is examined after collapsing on the field on Jan. 2. He received CPR and defibrillation on site before being sent to hospital by ambulance.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source"> (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Football — a sport that involves violent collisions — came under shocking scrutiny on Jan. 2 when Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed from a <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nfl/news/damar-hamlin-injury-collapses-field-hit-tackle-cpr-ambulance-bills-bengals/hayshufiopjoaeuomfxagwt4">cardiac event immediately following an on-field collision</a>.</p>
<p>Most fans already knew <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/injuries">the sport was dangerous</a>, often leading to broken limbs, torn ligaments and life-altering <a href="https://theconversation.com/nfl-player-tua-tagovailoas-concussion-might-have-been-prevented-with-rugbys-stricter-protocols-191830">concussions</a>. What Damar Hamlin’s catastrophic incident reminded many is that death might be close by if critical medical equipment and care is not readily applied following a cardiac arrest.</p>
<p>Hamlin seems to have benefited from top-notch, immediate care from trained medics and team staff who responded with life-saving speed and skill. Doctors who treated Hamlin told reporters on Jan. 5 that <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/01/05/damar-hamlin-doctors-bills-player-health-recovery/10997780002/">both cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated external defibrillator (AED) had been used</a> to restart his heart and restore a pulse on the field before being taken to hospital.</p>
<p>They placed a tube down his throat to help him breathe, supplied oxygen and transferred him to hospital where he is receiving intensive care. Later reports indicated that Hamlin was <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/01/06/damar-hamlin-health-updates-what-we-know-friday/10997169002/">responding and communicating</a> to family and doctors.</p>
<p>The average citizen — at home or at play, engaged in contact sports or casual interaction — may not be so lucky.</p>
<h2>Cardiac arrest</h2>
<p>Globally, 3.8 million people experience cardiac arrests outside a hospital setting, according to the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001013">American Heart Association</a> (AHA). Fewer than three per cent get CPR and AED. Only eight to 12 per cent survive to hospital discharge.</p>
<p>CPR is the act of applying pressure to the heart manually, until its normal rhythm and activity resumes. An AED, a portable automated device that is easy and safe to use, can help shock the heart back into such an appropriate rhythm in certain circumstances.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503472/original/file-20230106-9978-znu74w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A person in a blue shirt with hands on the chest of a dummy, while other people observe." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503472/original/file-20230106-9978-znu74w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503472/original/file-20230106-9978-znu74w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=429&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503472/original/file-20230106-9978-znu74w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=429&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503472/original/file-20230106-9978-znu74w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=429&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503472/original/file-20230106-9978-znu74w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=539&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503472/original/file-20230106-9978-znu74w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=539&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503472/original/file-20230106-9978-znu74w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=539&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Demonstration of CPR on a first aid dummy. CPR is the act of applying pressure to the heart manually, until its normal rhythm and activity resumes.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/conditions/cardiac-arrest">Cardiac arrests</a> occur when the heart stops beating suddenly. They are not the same as <a href="https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/conditions/heart-attack">heart attacks</a>, which are an interruption of blood flow to the heart that leads to damage to the heart muscle. Heart attacks can certainly lead to cardiac arrest, but they are not synonymous. </p>
<p>A third term, <a href="https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/conditions/heart-failure">heart failure</a>, similarly represents a distinct condition in which the heart is not able to pump as effectively. Usually this syndrome, which has multiple causes, occurs more chronically to those who have sustained heart damage.</p>
<p>Canadian figures show more than 35,000 cardiac arrests every year — two-thirds of them at home. One in five occur in public where a defibrillator and/or CPR can increase the chance of survival. Bystander intervention with CPR and AED saves more than 400 lives annually, the <a href="https://www.heartandstroke.ca/-/media/pdf-files/canada/2017-position-statements/final-en-addressingcardiacarreststatement-nov-2019.Ashx?Rev=388eeef4069747dcb4ab6353d36b3f7b&hash=9e27a3232e8f908e45e115b0b9dcc9d5">Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) reports</a>.</p>
<h2>The life-saving importance of CPR and AEDs</h2>
<p>Academics and scientists who study CPR say cardiac arrest survival rates increase greatly when bystanders use an AED. However, these rates are still low and warrant further public awareness and education efforts as well as increased, widespread access to AEDs. This is especially so in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, the HSF says.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A white box reading Defibrillator with a red box inside it hanging on a wall" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503474/original/file-20230106-17-y5vchz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503474/original/file-20230106-17-y5vchz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503474/original/file-20230106-17-y5vchz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503474/original/file-20230106-17-y5vchz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503474/original/file-20230106-17-y5vchz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503474/original/file-20230106-17-y5vchz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503474/original/file-20230106-17-y5vchz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">In a cardiac arrest, survival is significantly decreased for every minute without access to CPR or an AED.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Dr. Mike Howlett, president of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, said in an interview that he supports “widespread education for the public on CPR and AED use” as well as “increased availability of AEDs in public settings, especially recreational and sport settings.” This is consistent with the position of the AHA and the HSF.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.heartandstroke.ca/-/media/pdf-files/canada/2017-position-statements/final-en-addressingcardiacarreststatement-nov-2019.Ashx?Rev=388eeef4069747dcb4ab6353d36b3f7b&hash=9e27a3232e8f908e45e115b0b9dcc9d5">HSF data shows that when a bystander uses an AED, the chance of survival nearly triples</a>. Survival is significantly decreased for every minute without access to CPR or an AED.</p>
<h2>Installing AEDs in Canada</h2>
<p>Canada has made strides with the increase in AEDs at sporting facilities, notably thousands of arenas. Through a <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases/cardiovascular-disease/national-automated-external-defibrillator-initiative.html">pilot program that ran in conjunction with the HSF from 2012 to 2016</a>, officials installed 3,000 AEDs and trained 23,000 Canadians in their use.</p>
<p>Nine lives have been saved to date as a result of this initiative, according to a program summary from the government of Canada. Further expansion to other recreational facilities is planned.</p>
<p>While this is a step in the right direction, hurdles remain. A 2016 article in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.150544">Canadian Medical Association Journal</a> showed that living on higher floors in apartment buildings is associated with lower survival rates for cardiac arrest in Canada. The <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.11.001">closer one is</a> to life saving equipment, and providers trained in its use, the better the chance of recovery.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A sign reading AED with a heart icon in the foreground, with athletes in a gymnasium in the background." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503473/original/file-20230106-19-ytjfqf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503473/original/file-20230106-19-ytjfqf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503473/original/file-20230106-19-ytjfqf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503473/original/file-20230106-19-ytjfqf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503473/original/file-20230106-19-ytjfqf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503473/original/file-20230106-19-ytjfqf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503473/original/file-20230106-19-ytjfqf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Canada has made strides with the increase in AEDs at sporting facilities, but more work is needed.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This highlights again the importance of timely recognition and response as well as the availability of equipment in private settings. Survival rates decrease with every minute of delay. AEDs and trained providers need to be as close as possible.</p>
<p>Hamlin’s diagnosis is still unclear but what is evident is that he had a cardiac arrest due to an abnormal heart rhythm, and that prompt resuscitation restored his pulse.</p>
<p>The HSF and AHA both advocate for increased <a href="https://www.heartandstroke.ca/how-you-can-help/learn-cpr">CPR education</a> and AED use for the treatment of acute cardiac events. As Hamlin continues to heal, he provides proof that this approach seems to have merit.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/197344/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Adam Pyle currently does education work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation on CPR and AED use.</span></em></p>Survival rates for cardiac arrest outside of hospitals is very low. The fast response to Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during an NFL game shows the value of access to CPR and emergency defibrillators.Adam Pyle, Emergency Medicine Physician and Lecturer, University of TorontoLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1971922023-01-05T13:27:38Z2023-01-05T13:27:38ZSports broadcasters have a duty to report injuries responsibly – in the case of NFL’s Damar Hamlin, they passed the test<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503131/original/file-20230104-64877-4qdtfn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=7%2C11%2C2542%2C1686&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Medical personnel attend to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin after he collapsed on the field during an NFL game in Cincinnati on Jan. 2, 2023.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BillsBengalsFootball/cb4e320fc1b7472cbe0c692d94d07a6e/photo?Query=damar%20hamlin&mediaType=photo&sortBy=arrivaldatetime:desc&dateRange=Anytime&totalCount=453&currentItemNo=112">AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Injuries are an unfortunate part of any sport – none more so than in the NFL, where players can be felled in front of a TV audience <a href="https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/09/espns-monday-night-football-nabs-nearly-20-million-viewers-in-record-setting-season-opener/">in the tens of millions</a>.</p>
<p>Typically, when a player suffers an injury, the media cuts to commercial and returns with replays of the injury – sometimes running it over and over, using every available camera angle, while analyzing what might have happened and the ramifications for the player and team.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35368372/damar-hamlin-collapses-field-bills-bengals-temporarily-suspended">But in the case of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin</a>, who collapsed to the ground after a tackle during the “Monday Night Football” game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, it quickly became apparent that this was no broken arm or torn ACL. This was a matter of life and death. Paramedics worked to keep him alive on the field before he was transported to a hospital, where he <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/04/football/damar-hamlin-collapse-bills-status-wednesday/index.html">remains in critical condition</a>.</p>
<p>As the tragic scene played out, ESPN’s broadcasters and studio hosts were left to explain what was happening in real time, with virtually no information.</p>
<p><a href="https://comm.osu.edu/people/kraft.42">I am a professor of sports journalism</a> and spend much of my time teaching students how to cover games. As a sportswriter, I have covered many contests as if they were battles, <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-warspeak-permeating-everyday-language-puts-us-all-in-the-trenches-121356">with the language of war</a> interwoven with feats of extraordinary human accomplishment.</p>
<p>When crisis strikes sports, however, it is left to the media to report in, around, about and through the moment. Some do it well and some fail miserably.</p>
<p>In its coverage of Hamlin’s injury, ESPN was, I believe, a sound and responsible broadcaster during one of football’s darkest on-field moments.</p>
<h2>ESPN’s measured, restrained response</h2>
<p>ESPN’s broadcasting duo of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, along with sideline reporter Lisa Salters, relayed the scene as it unfolded. But instead of filling the live airtime with rambling commentary and sensationalism, they responded with compassion and care. They avoided speculating about Hamlin’s condition and ultimately <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/damar-hamlin-collapse-injury-buffalo-bills-cincinnati-bengals-ambulance-nflpa-postponement">appealed to the NFL to suspend the game</a>, with Aikman asking, “How do you, as a member of the Buffalo Bills or the Cincinnati Bengals, continue on to play football?”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/01/02/espn-damar-hamlin-bengals-bills/">As The Washington Post noted</a>, “The broadcast was measured, informative and emotional.” </p>
<p>From the studio, former NFL players Booger McFarland and Ryan Clark offered their perspectives on what it might feel like to be a player on the field, in that moment – whether as a member of the Bills or the Bengals. They reminded the audience that players are first and foremost people. McFarland <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/3797278-damar-hamlin-injury-tests-espn-with-terrifying-live-television-moment/">acknowledged the inherent violence of the game</a>, adding, “I think we reached a point where nobody is concerned about football anymore tonight.” </p>
<p>Clark, who himself was hospitalized for a splenic infarction in 2007 <a href="https://www.on3.com/news/ryan-clark-provides-unique-insight-reflection-terrifying-damar-hamlin-injury-collapsed-cpr/">shortly after playing a game for the Pittsburgh Steelers</a>, <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/espns-ryan-clark-earns-rightful-plaudits-for-powerful-handling-of-damar-hamlins-life-threatening-injury/">acknowledged</a> that part of living an NFL dream is “putting your life at risk.”</p>
<p>“Tonight we got to see a side of football that is extremely ugly, a side of football that no one ever wants to see or never wants to admit exists,” he said.</p>
<p>The gravity of the situation was reflected in ESPN curtailing all commercials for more than an hour to provide uninterrupted coverage. In doing so, the network <a href="https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/damar-hamlin-collapse-espn-coverage.html">stressed the importance of a player’s life over the game or profit motive</a>. </p>
<h2>When the media misfires</h2>
<p>When disaster strikes on a live sports broadcast, it’s easy to say something wrong, especially in an age where words can be distributed widely, dissected and criticized on social media.</p>
<p>Just ask controversial sports commentator Skip Bayless, who wasn’t even on the air, but nonetheless went viral for all the wrong reasons <a href="https://twitter.com/realskipbayless/status/1610101204687949827">after tweeting</a>: “No doubt the NFL is considering postponing the rest of this game - but how? This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is crucial to the regular-season outcome … which suddenly seems so irrelevant.”</p>
<p>Bayless may have had a point – the NFL must now work out how to address the outcome of this game and the implications for the postseason – but his tone and timing led to <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/sports/skip-bayless-apologizes-after-tweet-on-bills-safety-damar-hamlin-sparks-outrage/">much criticism</a>.</p>
<p>Bayless is far from the only broadcaster to be accused of insensitively following the death or serious injury of sports stars.</p>
<p>The 2020 death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna was a model for what can go wrong, with TMZ breaking the news <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/media/480066-tmz-scolded-by-police-for-breaking-news-of-kobe-bryants-death-before-his/">before their family was notified</a>. ESPN relegated the news to ESPN2 <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/01/27/kobe-bryant-media-coverage-espn-mike-breen-jay-williams">so as not to interrupt Pro Bowl coverage</a>. In their rush to break details from the story, some reporters trafficked in misinformation. <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-01-29/abc-news-has-suspended-correspondent-who-said-four-kobe-bryant-daughters-were-on-his-helicopter-matt-gutman">ABC News ultimately suspended a reporter</a> who said on air that all four of Bryant’s daughters were among the crash victims, while the BBC ran footage of LeBron James instead of Bryant.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1221686041083613186"}"></div></p>
<p>Driver Kevin Ward, Jr. was killed during a 2014 sprint car race, but it was Tony Stewart, the man whose car struck him, <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/2014/08/11/tony-stewart-crash-coverage-challenge-media/13916449/">who garnered most of the media coverage</a>. The media was quick to lay the blame squarely on Stewart before an investigation absolved the driver and revealed Ward was under the influence of enough marijuana to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2014/09/24/column-tony-stewart-grand-jury-no-charges-kevin-ward-jr-death/16165885/">impair him at the time of the crash</a>.</p>
<p>Sports media was perhaps never more criticized for incident coverage than it was in 2020, when Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest on the field. BBC cameras <a href="https://theconversation.com/christian-eriksen-broadcast-the-bbc-and-the-question-of-public-interest-162726">showed not only medical professionals performing chest compressions as Eriksen struggled for life</a>, but also his crying life partner and traumatized teammates. Cameras lingered for a full 15 minutes before cutting to the studio hosts. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Man stands at podium speaking before a mass of reporters." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503156/original/file-20230104-105135-rlymua.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503156/original/file-20230104-105135-rlymua.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503156/original/file-20230104-105135-rlymua.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503156/original/file-20230104-105135-rlymua.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503156/original/file-20230104-105135-rlymua.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503156/original/file-20230104-105135-rlymua.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503156/original/file-20230104-105135-rlymua.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Tony Stewart, front right, speaks to the media three weeks after his car hit and killed sprint car driver Kevin Ward, Jr. during a dirt track race.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/tony-stewart-driver-of-the-bass-pro-shops-mobil-1-chevrolet-news-photo/454335928?phrase=kevin%20ward%20jr&adppopup=true">Jamie Squire/Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Prioritizing mourning over moneymaking</h2>
<p>From the tragic deaths of basketball players Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis, to the deaths of auto racers Dan Weldon and Dale Earnhardt and to Chuck Hughes who, in 1971, became the first and only NFL football player to die in a game, it is the media’s responsibility to navigate a tragedy on behalf of the public.</p>
<p>Research has shown that the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/0163443708098251">media is often responsible for modeling appropriate public displays of emotion</a> when traumatic or tragic events occur, be it respect for victims and their families or public mourning. It <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17512780701275457">can be argued</a> that the media – especially in the digital age – is a key conduit to community connection amid a tragedy, when people seek to show their support and share their grief.</p>
<p>There is a fine line when it comes to sports and catastrophe, for much of what people love about football is its warlike nature. Players are depicted like gladiators in a coliseum. Media quote athletes saying <a href="https://twitter.com/bethhooleVNL/status/1599313686199345152?s=20&t=_2oFgUiDhSlJgUGe8BGcnA">they will die for their teammates</a>.</p>
<p>But when life and death become all too real, the athlete’s well-being takes precedence over wins and losses. At that point, the media, in my view, has one main job: help remind viewers of the player’s humanity.</p>
<p>As “SportsCenter” <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/01/damar-hamlin-bills-espn-salters-ryan-clark-booger">host Scott Van Pelt put it</a>: “Sports is important. And suddenly it’s not.”</p>
<p><em>This article has been updated to correctly identify Skip Bayless.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/197192/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Nicole Kraft does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>ESPN commentators avoided speculation and struck a compassionate tone.Nicole Kraft, Associate Professor of Clinical Communication, The Ohio State UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1972682023-01-05T00:17:33Z2023-01-05T00:17:33ZDamar Hamlin injury: Was it commotio cordis? How to prevent a potentially fatal blow to the heart in young athletes<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503162/original/file-20230104-130036-uc4c1u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C19%2C3131%2C2093&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">NFL player Damar Hamlin's injury during a game on Jan. 2 may have been a heart injury called commotio cordis. Researchers are working on ways to prevent this rare but often fatal sports injury.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)</span></span></figcaption></figure><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 100px; border: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;" allowtransparency="" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" src="https://narrations.ad-auris.com/widget/the-conversation-canada/damar-hamlin-injury--was-it-commotio-cordis-how-to-prevent-a-potentially-fatal-blow-to-the-heart-in-young-athletes" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<p>A routine tackle in an NFL game on Jan. 2 almost turned fatal when Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills was injured during a play, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/damar-hamlin-collapse-buffalo-bills-football/">leading to cardiac arrest</a>. </p>
<p>After popping up briefly after the play, Hamlin suddenly collapsed. Within seconds, Paycor Stadium, the home of the Cincinnati Bengals, went from a raucous crowd to hearing a pin drop as Hamlin lay unresponsive on the ground, requiring immediate external defibrillation to restart his heart. </p>
<p>This appears to have all the characteristics of commotio cordis. The NFL’s chief medical officer said that is a possibility, but doctors are <a href="https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/damar-hamlin-nfl-buffalo-bills-news-01-04-23/h_5fffef4ac321b89bcc65334e13229069">investigating every possible cause</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526014/">Commotio cordis</a> is the result of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmra0910111">blunt trauma to the heart</a> and is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death in youth sports. Fatal blows to the heart <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2021.05.053">occur predominately in young athletes</a> with an average age of 13. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A player wearing the number 3 falling onto the field, surrounded by other players" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503158/original/file-20230104-129741-1lh5zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503158/original/file-20230104-129741-1lh5zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503158/original/file-20230104-129741-1lh5zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503158/original/file-20230104-129741-1lh5zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503158/original/file-20230104-129741-1lh5zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503158/original/file-20230104-129741-1lh5zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503158/original/file-20230104-129741-1lh5zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) collides with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the first half of an NFL football game on Jan. 2 in Cincinnati. Hamlin was injured on the play, and collapsed on the field.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Commotio cordis causes the heart to go into <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/ventricular-fibrillation">ventricular fibrillation</a>, leading to pump failure. Although rare, this condition is fatal unless immediate resuscitation is conducted. Currently, commotio cordis still occurs <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2006.10.053">despite the use of chest protection</a>. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/damar-hamlins-cardiac-arrest-during-monday-night-football-could-be-commotio-cordis-or-a-more-common-condition-a-heart-doctor-answers-4-questions-197177">Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during 'Monday Night Football' could be commotio cordis or a more common condition – a heart doctor answers 4 questions</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>As a PhD student in biomedical engineering, I specialize in commotio cordis. My colleagues and I research how we can create safer chest protectors and safety regulations to prevent this tragic incident from occurring in sports globally. </p>
<p>While commotio cordis predominately occurs in youth sports, it can happen at all ages. Survival rates have increased over the years, but <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2012.10.034">commotio cordis is still often fatal</a>. </p>
<h2>The perfect storm</h2>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="People seen from behind, crouching around an unseen person on a field." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503159/original/file-20230104-129813-x4inu6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/503159/original/file-20230104-129813-x4inu6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503159/original/file-20230104-129813-x4inu6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503159/original/file-20230104-129813-x4inu6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503159/original/file-20230104-129813-x4inu6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503159/original/file-20230104-129813-x4inu6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/503159/original/file-20230104-129813-x4inu6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin is examined after collapsing during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Previous <a href="https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199806183382504">pig model studies established a series of conditions</a> that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra0910111">must be met simultaneously</a> in order for commotio cordis to occur: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>The impact must occur over or around the heart, </p></li>
<li><p>the impact speed ranges from 48 to 80 kph (30 to 50 mph), and </p></li>
<li><p>the impact occurs during the vulnerable period of the cardiac cycle which is approximately 20 milliseconds in length, just before the peak of the T-wave on an <a href="https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=zm2308">electrocardiogram</a>.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The only known treatment for commotio cordis is immediate defibrillation, and the quicker an athlete’s heart can be electrically restarted, the higher the chances of their survival. </p>
<h2>Developing new commotio cordis injury metrics</h2>
<p>In 2021 our lab group developed <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10255842.2021.1948022">new injury metrics for commotio cordis</a> safety which provided the analysis of measuring rib cage deformation from impact. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://nocsae.org/">National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment</a> (NOCSAE) has established chest protector safety protocols to prevent against commotio cordis, and while they are not perfect they exist for baseball and lacrosse. Unfortunately, these regulations are absent for both hockey and American football. </p>
<p>They are urgently needed to prevent incidents occurring in all levels of sport, and our lab continues to pursue these goals of safety for all. We believe that, in addition to measuring force from impact, the inclusion of rib deformation would greatly improve the accuracy and effectiveness of these injury metrics. We also believe the inclusion of hockey and football in commotio cordis safety standards would help prevent these injuries. </p>
<h2>Identifying vulnerable impact locations</h2>
<p>Piggybacking on our initial commotio cordis injury metric study in 2021, our lab was able to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4052886">identify potentially vulnerable impact locations over the heart</a> which are currently not considered as a point of emphasis in commercially available chest protection on the market. </p>
<p>Using simulations, we were able to recreate these injuries and designed heat maps that overlay the chest of individuals to really highlight where the most dangerous locations may occur. We found that impacts slightly offset of the heart resulted in high strain values of cardiac tissue elements. </p>
<p>It is important to note that this location becomes exposed quite easily from athletic movement in which the chest protector may move around on the body of the athlete. </p>
<h2>Optimizing commotio cordis safety standards</h2>
<p>Recently, our lab group collaborated with cardiologist <a href="https://physiologie.unibe.ch/%7Erohr/">Stephan Rohr’s</a> <a href="https://physiologie.unibe.ch/%7Erohr/group/">lab at the University of Bern</a> in Switzerland. We conducted a study to identify further ways to optimize commotio cordis safety standards, while improving on the current regulations. This research is currently under peer-review. </p>
<p>To our knowledge, this is the first study to report on peak strain values that can be expected to occur at the level of the left ventricle of the heart during commotio cordis — inducing impacts for different age groups. The results from this study may contribute to the understanding of the cellular mechanisms responsible for commotio cordis, alongside sport safety and equipment regulations. </p>
<p>Our lab group is committed to ensuring we can reduce instances of commotio cordis. To make sports safer for people of all ages, and prevent the tragic loss of athletes on our playing fields, we will keep investigating the fundamental mechanisms and developing novel countermeasures. </p>
<p>Recent events may increase awareness of this rare but serious injury, and help promote improvements in protective equipment in many sports.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/197268/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Grant James Dickey has previously received funding from Mitacs to assist in the Cellular Optics laboratory in Bern, Switzerland to further understand cardiac cell stretching from impact. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Haojie Mao, Kewei Bian, and Sakib Ul Islam do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Commotio cordis is the result of blunt trauma to the heart, and is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death in youth sports. Improvements in protective equipment may help prevent it.Grant James Dickey, PhD Student in Biomedical Engineering, Western UniversityHaojie Mao, Assistant Professor/Faculty of Engineering/School of Biomedical Engineering/Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western UniversityKewei Bian, PhD Candidate, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western UniversitySakib Ul Islam, PhD Candidate, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1919752022-11-07T13:35:47Z2022-11-07T13:35:47ZYe and Adidas break up: Why brand marriages sometimes go bad<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492643/original/file-20221031-23-ir8tys.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=80%2C67%2C2910%2C1926&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Ye, formerly Kanye West, lost some of his corporate partners after expressing antisemitic remarks. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/YeSportsTerminations/fb53306fd45643e48955537691a04757/photo?Query=Kanye%20west&mediaType=photo&sortBy=arrivaldatetime:desc&dateRange=Anytime&totalCount=2813&currentItemNo=0">AP Photo/Evan Vucci</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Brand partnerships between seemingly disparate companies or organizations are all around us.</p>
<p>Clothing retailer H&M <a href="https://www2.hm.com/en_us/life/culture/inside-h-m/co-exist-peta-approved.html">partnered with animal rights group PETA</a> in 2021 to launch a vegan fashion collection. <a href="https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/worldcup/goal-of-the-century">FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, and automaker Hyundai agreed</a> in 2022 to run a global campaign that uses soccer to promote sustainability. Meditation app <a href="https://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/whole-foods-market-and-headspace-team-up/">Headspace collaborated with Whole Foods Market</a> in 2021 to create a video series on Instagram’s IGTV video app on mindful shopping, cooking and eating.</p>
<p>The idea of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.1050.0153">two brands getting hitched for strategic purposes</a> is a quintessential marketing tactic. When done well, the collaboration helps both partners grow their brands and amplify a shared message, such as the idea of animal-friendly clothing in the case of H&M and PETA. </p>
<p>But just like any marriage, it doesn’t always go well.</p>
<p>Recent examples of this are breakups between fashion line Yeezy – owned by rapper and artist Ye, formerly known as Kanye West – and clothing retailers Gap and Adidas. Ye said on Sept. 15, 2022, that he <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2022/09/15/kanye-west-gap-partnership-done-ends-terminated/">ended his company’s partnership</a> with Gap because the company had “abandoned its contractual obligations.” The New York Times reported that the cited reasons were that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/business/kanye-west-yeezy-gap.html">Gap had failed to sell Yeezy products</a> in its namesake stores and had not opened new stores specifically to sell them. </p>
<p>Adidas <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/25/adidas-terminates-partnership-with-ye-following-rappers-antisemitic-remarks.html">broke off its partnership</a> with Yeezy over Ye’s recent antisemitic remarks.</p>
<p>I’m an <a href="https://www.ou.edu/price/marketing_supplychainmanagement/people/pankhuri-malhotra">assistant professor of marketing</a> who studies <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7RZwe9cAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao">user behavior on social media in the context of brand partnerships</a>. Research shows forming <a href="https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2013.0806">partnerships can be valuable for some – but they can also be perilous for others</a>. My recent work on partnerships shows a handy method that companies can use for <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/00222429221083668">finding potential collaborators</a>, by analyzing who follows them on Twitter and other social media.</p>
<h2>Why companies form branding partnerships?</h2>
<p>Brand collaborations are strategic partnerships between two or more brands to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/00222429221083668">boost awareness and increase sales</a> by tapping into the partner’s <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299305700203">existing customers</a>. </p>
<p>This whole idea of companies pooling their resources to boost their own unique value is the epitome of a <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/20110704">win-win situation</a> – at least in most situations.</p>
<p>Research shows that these types of marketing alliances have a variety of potential benefits, such as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.73.5">increasing a company’s value</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1060.0642">bottom line gains</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1060.0642">access to new products</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299706100403">skills</a>.</p>
<p>For brand marriages to truly work, both partners need to get something out of the relationship. </p>
<p>For example, in 2015, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomiprins/2015/05/19/the-spotify-starbucks-partnership-is-digital-co-branding-genius/?sh=117b10e4a7ae">Starbucks began a collaboration</a> with music streaming service Spotify. Starbucks aimed to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-spotify-partnership">add more customers</a> to its loyalty program by adding a Spotify tab to its smartphone app. And Spotify users were able to earn “stars” for free coffee products if they paid for a premium membership. </p>
<p>Both Starbucks and Spotify <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomiprins/2015/05/19/the-spotify-starbucks-partnership-is-digital-co-branding-genius/?sh=15475f014a7a">had something to gain</a> from their partnership.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A sign for Adidas and Yeezy sits behind some shoes of various colors" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492637/original/file-20221031-20-is448u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492637/original/file-20221031-20-is448u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492637/original/file-20221031-20-is448u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492637/original/file-20221031-20-is448u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492637/original/file-20221031-20-is448u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492637/original/file-20221031-20-is448u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492637/original/file-20221031-20-is448u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Adidas said it will take approximately a $250 million hit by ending its partnership with Yeezy.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/YeAdidas/074b178f0f324232a7be8686823f2c08/photo?Query=Kanye%20west%20adidas&mediaType=photo&sortBy=arrivaldatetime:desc&dateRange=Anytime&totalCount=50&currentItemNo=3">AP Photo/Seth Wenig</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Shared values</h2>
<p>But sometimes breakups are bound to happen.</p>
<p>Adidas, for instance, <a href="https://fortune.com/2022/10/25/adidas-cut-ties-kanye-west-after-rapper-anti-semitic-remarks">severed its partnership deal</a> with Ye after the controversial artist <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2022/10/27/antisemitism-kanye-trump-adidas-jews/">made a series of offensive and antisemitic comments</a> in early October 2022. On Oct. 25, <a href="https://www.adidas-group.com/en/media/news-archive/press-releases/2022/adidas-terminates-partnership-ye-immediately/">Adidas said that Ye’s comments</a> were “unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”</p>
<p>The partnership failed – with Adidas even swallowing a loss of about US$250 million – because their values didn’t align. </p>
<p>That reveals another lesson from academic research on the topic: Partnerships work out best when partners share the same values or <a href="https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2013.0806">similar brand image</a>, which refers to the way consumers perceive the company. When partner brands’ images are not aligned, consumers are more likely to question why the two companies are collaborating – and this can generate <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/002224379803500105">negative views</a> toward the alliance. </p>
<p>A classic example of how inconsistent values can lead to a parting of the ways was the brand partnership between <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/lego-to-end-shell-collaboration-after-greenpeace-campaign-1412845373">Dutch oil company Shell and Danish toy company Lego</a>.</p>
<p>Since the 1960s, Lego has sold toys branded with the Shell logo, such as gas stations and race cars. In exchange, Shell helped distribute Lego products around the world and sold them at service stations in more than 25 countries. The partnership <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/09/lego-ends-shell-partnership-following-greenpeace-campaign">was valued at about $78 million</a> in today’s dollars.</p>
<p>But their brand images weren’t well aligned. Lego, with its colorful bricks for kids, has the <a href="https://www.thebrandingjournal.com/2014/10/lego-end-partnership-shell-current-contract-ends/">image of a “friendly toymaker</a>,” while Shell is an oil giant with complicated associations with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/sep/28/shell-ceases-alaska-arctic-drilling-exploratory-well-oil-gas-disappoints">drilling in the Arctic</a> and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/25/africa/shell-oil-spills-nigeria-intl-cmd/index.html">oil spills</a>. </p>
<p>That’s why Greenpeace launched a petition in 2014 calling on Lego to end its partnership with Shell, which the environmental group said was operating recklessly by exploring for oil in the Arctic. Greenpeace said it had collected a million signatures when Lego announced in October that year that it would not renew the contract it had with Shell. The <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/220234-lego-to-cut-ties-with-shell-after-greenpeace-campaign">partnership formally ended in 2016</a>, when the contract expired. </p>
<h2>Social media followings can offer partnership clues</h2>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/00222429221083668">My own research focuses</a> more on social media and the role it can play in helping companies determine who might make a good partner. </p>
<p>Several colleagues and I found that when two brands have a lot of shared followers on Twitter or Facebook – especially when they don’t also share them with many other companies – it suggests there might be a natural alignment between them, thus making them good candidates for a partnership. And a separate study found that a company’s base of Twitter followers represents the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1509/jmr.14.0643">tastes and likes of its audience</a>; thus, more shared followers between two brands suggests they also have similar likes. </p>
<p>It’s one way companies looking for a partner can avoid going to bed with another business that doesn’t share its values or brand image. </p>
<p>For example, as you might expect, Shell and Lego don’t have a lot of followers in common. Spotify and Starbucks, however, do, which is why their partnership is going strong and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomiprins/2015/05/19/the-spotify-starbucks-partnership-is-digital-co-branding-genius/?sh=15475f014a7a">benefiting both companies</a>. They had 299,000 followers in common when we did our analysis in 2020. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nomiprins/2015/05/19/the-spotify-starbucks-partnership-is-digital-co-branding-genius/?sh=117b10e4a7ae">The partnership is also an example</a> of how having common followers could suggest the companies’ customers have complementary consumption patterns, since <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2015.0968">most people follow a brand because they like its products</a>.</p>
<p>Similarly, a significant share of Starbucks followers also follow beer maker Guinness – about 16% as of 2020 – so it wasn’t a surprise to my colleagues and me that they collaborated in 2016 on a product together: <a href="https://money.cnn.com/2016/05/31/news/companies/starbucks-nitro-cold-brew-coffee/index.html">nitro brew coffee</a>. Another example of a partnership made in social media heaven is the deal between <a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0169486EN/louis-vuitton-creates-tailor-made-luggage-for-the-bmw-i8-forward-looking-travel-bags-for-progressive-driving-made-from-carbon-fibre?language=en">car manufacturer BMW and fashion company Louis Vuitton</a>, who shared over 225,000 followers on Twitter in 2020. In 2014, they created a line of luxury luggage for business travelers. </p>
<p>We don’t know if companies like Starbucks or BMW used social media to determine those tie-ups, but in a recent paper, <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.1177/00222429221083668">we suggest it’s a smart way</a> to find a partner that shares values. </p>
<p>Just like with a marriage, the consequences of forming a bad match can be costly, as <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-09-23/the-kanye-west-gap-breakup-will-be-very-tough-on-adidas">Adidas is learning</a>.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/191975/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Pankhuri Malhotra does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>While corporate partnerships can be ‘win-win’ arrangements, sometimes they don’t work out – especially when values don’t align.Pankhuri Malhotra, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of OklahomaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1918302022-10-03T21:49:17Z2022-10-03T21:49:17ZNFL player Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion might have been prevented with rugby’s stricter protocols<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/487863/original/file-20221003-20-2vmubv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=536%2C771%2C4114%2C2586&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs onto the field before the team's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 29, despite a head injury during a game a few days earlier. </span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)</span></span></figcaption></figure><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 100px; border: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;" allowtransparency="" allow="clipboard-read; clipboard-write" src="https://narrations.ad-auris.com/widget/the-conversation-canada/nfl-player-tua-tagovailoa-s-concussion-might-have-been-prevented-with-rugby-s-stricter-protocols" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<p>Few moments in sport are more gut-wrenching than a player lying on the field, limp from the impact of a high-speed collision. The crowd’s visceral groans speak volumes, as they did during a game between the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 29.</p>
<p>Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was stretchered off the field and hospitalized with a concussion.</p>
<p>In the days since his injury, questions have increasingly been raised about whether Tagovailoa should have been playing at all that night, and whether the NFL needs to revise its concussion protocols to prevent an episode like this occurring again.</p>
<h2>Concussion in sport</h2>
<p>If Tagovailoa had been playing rugby, the story of his injury would likely be very different. World Rugby, the governing body for one of the most physical contact sports, has a clear set of guidelines on concussions that map out a pathway for players’ recovery that diverge markedly from the NFL and most other professional sports. </p>
<p>There are <a href="https://passport.world.rugby/player-welfare-medical/concussion-management-for-match-day-medical-staff-using-the-hia-protocol/hia-protocol/hia-procedures/">12 symptoms</a> of possible concussion that require immediate removal from a rugby game with no return to the field of play. A further series of assessments, which take at least a week, and a gradual scaling up of activity ensue in order for players to safely resume participation in contact sport.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/487879/original/file-20221003-14-m6zuct.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Officials with a stretcher are seen emerging from a cluster of men in teal football uniforms" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/487879/original/file-20221003-14-m6zuct.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/487879/original/file-20221003-14-m6zuct.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487879/original/file-20221003-14-m6zuct.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487879/original/file-20221003-14-m6zuct.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487879/original/file-20221003-14-m6zuct.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487879/original/file-20221003-14-m6zuct.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487879/original/file-20221003-14-m6zuct.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is taken off the field on a stretcher during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 29, in Cincinnati.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Jeff Dean)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>These measures are due in no small part to rugby’s high incidence of concussion (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546515622389">conservatively more than two and a half times the rate of football</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/2059700219860641">growing</a>) and the large number of players embroiled in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jul/25/case-against-rugby-union-governing-bodies-on-dementia-destined-for-courts">lawsuits related to after-effects of concussion</a>, such as early-onset dementia.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/concussion-is-more-than-sports-injuries-whos-at-risk-and-how-canadian-researchers-are-seeking-better-diagnostics-and-treatments-189899">Concussion is more than sports injuries: Who's at risk and how Canadian researchers are seeking better diagnostics and treatments</a>
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<p>The size of rugby players <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/026404101750158312">has ballooned</a> over the past few decades. Since 1975, the average player’s body mass has increased by nearly four times the amount observed in the previous 70 years. That, together with rugby players’ sparse protective gear and the avalanche of lawsuits, has encouraged the game’s regulatory bodies to take a far more cautious view of head injuries than almost any other sport.</p>
<h2>An injury in an earlier game</h2>
<p>World Rugby’s criteria for concussion would undoubtedly have applied to Tagovailoa in a game on Sept. 25 — in other words, four days before he played against the Bengals. <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34670980/miami-dolphins-qb-tua-tagovailoa-not-concussion-protocol-coach-mike-mcdaniel-says">He was tackled and his head struck the ground in the second quarter</a> of a Dolphins’ game against the Buffalo Bills. </p>
<p>After that play, he reached for his head with his hands, struggled to get to his feet and fell after a couple of steps, clear signs of concussion. He seemed to be propped up by his team mates. Yet, less than an hour later, he was cleared to play and returned in the game.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Two men in peaked caps assist a man in a white football uniform and helmet, seen from behind" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/487874/original/file-20221003-26-38yca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/487874/original/file-20221003-26-38yca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487874/original/file-20221003-26-38yca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487874/original/file-20221003-26-38yca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487874/original/file-20221003-26-38yca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487874/original/file-20221003-26-38yca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487874/original/file-20221003-26-38yca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is assisted off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25 in Miami Gardens. He was later cleared to return to the game, despite indication of concussion.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>If Tagovailoa had been playing rugby, he would almost certainly have been barred from returning to that game and been kept on the sidelines on Sept. 29.</p>
<p>In the days following the Bills incident, Dolphins officials, including coach Mike McDaniel insisted that Tagovailoa was being evaluated daily and that his <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34670980/miami-dolphins-qb-tua-tagovailoa-not-concussion-protocol-coach-mike-mcdaniel-says">instability after the hit was related to back and ankle injuries</a>.</p>
<p>He was cleared to start against the Bengals on Sept. 29, but hit his head on the ground again following a tackle in the second quarter. His symptoms pointed to indisputable neurological damage, including a potential brainstem injury. He was carried from the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital for evaluation.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.nfl.com/playerhealthandsafety/health-and-wellness/player-care/concussion-protocol-return-to-participation-protocol">NFL concussion guidelines</a> mandate that players suspected of concussion undergo an independent review by an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant. </p>
<p>According to the NFL, the unidentified specialist who assessed Tagovailoa after the first impact <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article/report-nflpa-fires-unaffiliated-neurotrauma-consultant-involved-in-tagovailoas-concussion-check/">has since been terminated as a result of investigations</a> into the decision to clear him for further play. The review is being conducted jointly by the NFL and the players’ association, with full results expected within a week or two.</p>
<p>Neuroscientist Chris Nowinski of the <a href="https://concussionfoundation.org/">Concussion Legacy Foundation</a>, a not-for-profit concussion advocacy organization based in Boston, tweeted after the second head injury: “Two concussions in five days can kill someone. This can end careers.”</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1575659558613172224"}"></div></p>
<p>Tagovailoa was the fifth overall draft pick in 2020, touted as a possible successor to legendary Dolphins quarterback <a href="https://www.profootballhof.com/players/dan-marino/">Dan Marino</a>. While he may have an exciting future, it is hard to argue that a third-round game, even with the Dolphins’ unbeaten record on the line, was a strong enough reason to put his health at risk. So why was he cleared to play?</p>
<h2>Conflicting pressures and interests</h2>
<p>Coaches, players and medical providers are constantly under intense pressure to allow an injured teammate back on the field, given the millions of dollars on the line in salaries, TV rights, endorsements and advertising.</p>
<p>A central issue is that most concussion protocols in professional sports, including the NFL, are subject to an element of human interpretation and judgement. Precise <a href="https://theconversation.com/concussion-is-more-than-sports-injuries-whos-at-risk-and-how-canadian-researchers-are-seeking-better-diagnostics-and-treatments-189899">diagnostic tools do not exist and players often under-report symptoms</a>. This leaves doctors leaning heavily on their judgement to make quick assessments in the heat of the moment. </p>
<p>In the case of the NFL, the final decision of whether a player should return to the field lies not with the independent specialist, but with the team physician, adding pressure on the doctor to put the team’s interests above those of the injured player.</p>
<p>The more conservative approach favoured by professional rugby has strategic and financial consequences that may discourage its adoption by football and other sport authorities. For example, football’s <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-each-position-s-importance-from-quarterback-to-returner-0ap3000000503855">highly specialized positional game</a> means that the removal of important players for concussion assessments at key times in play can have an immediate and dramatic effect on the outcome of the game. </p>
<p>Furthermore, far more money is involved in football than rugby.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/487877/original/file-20221003-24-gak47e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A football player in a teal uniform about to fall to the ground as a player in a white uniform tackles him, while another player in a white uniform runs towards them" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/487877/original/file-20221003-24-gak47e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/487877/original/file-20221003-24-gak47e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487877/original/file-20221003-24-gak47e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487877/original/file-20221003-24-gak47e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487877/original/file-20221003-24-gak47e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487877/original/file-20221003-24-gak47e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/487877/original/file-20221003-24-gak47e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals’ Josh Tupou (68) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sept. 29, in Cincinnati.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)</span></span>
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</figure>
<p>The advantage of rugby’s approach, however, is that it greatly improves the <a href="https://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2021/11/17/concussion-in-professional-mens-rugby-union-improvement-in-detection-or-increased-risk/">recognition and diagnosis of concussion among players</a>. Since 2011 the number of concussions reported in professional rugby games has quadrupled, an increase largely attributed to heightened awareness and changes to protocols.</p>
<p>There is little evidence that the incidence of long-term brain damage is different in the two sports, since the medical consequences of concussion take decades to become evident. However, recognition and removal from play are key to preventing further harm. According to an <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097699">international consensus statement on sport-related concussion</a> issued by the Concussion in Sport Group in 2017: </p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>“Having a past sport-related concussion is a risk factor for having a future sport-related concussion, and having multiple past sport-related concussions is associated with having more physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms.”</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The NFL has signalled that Tua Tagovailoa’s case <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/changes-coming-to-nfl-concussion-protocol-a-needed-step-for-player-safety">may lead to some far-reaching changes</a> to its rules for the evaluation and identification of concussion. Here’s hoping the changes come soon enough to help the next player who suffers a serious head injury on the field.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/191830/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Adam Pyle has worked for Rugby Canada. </span></em></p>Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was carried off the field during a game on Sept. 29 after his second injury in only a few days, raising questions about NFL concussion protocols.Adam Pyle, Emergency Medicine Physician and Lecturer, University of TorontoLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1804752022-04-15T12:12:46Z2022-04-15T12:12:46ZI’ve studied stadium financing for over two decades – and the new Bills stadium is one of the worst deals for taxpayers I’ve ever seen<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/458186/original/file-20220414-24-huglhv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=371%2C97%2C3068%2C2191&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Buffalo Bills owners Kim and Terry Pegula received a sweetheart deal from the state to finance their new stadium.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/terry-pegula-the-new-owner-of-the-buffalo-bills-and-his-news-photo/457118438?adppopup=true"> Brett Carlsen/Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>After New York lawmakers blew past the deadline to approve the state budget, they finally came to an agreement <a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-highlights-historic-fy-2023-new-york-state-budget">on April 9, 2022</a>, that included <a href="https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2022/03/29/18635/hochul-announces-plan-to-funnel-record-1-01b-to-bills-owners-but-its-okay-because-economic-impacts/">a US$850 million subsidy</a> for a new stadium in Buffalo for the NFL’s Bills. </p>
<p><a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jR65pQoAAAAJ&hl=en">As a sports economist</a> who has studied stadium deals for over two decades, I am not exaggerating when I write that the New York Legislature has managed to craft one of the worst stadium deals in recent memory – a remarkable feat considering the high bar set by other <a href="https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2021/04/07/raiders-go-on-defense-to-keep-tax-exemption/">misguided state and local governments</a> across the country.</p>
<p><a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4022547">Study after study</a> has shown that stadiums are terrible public investments. The taxpayers financing them rarely want to pay for them. So why are governments willing to subsidize them?</p>
<h2>A return to the bad old days</h2>
<p>There were many things to dislike about the Bills stadium project. At $850 million, it is the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-07/nfl-s-bills-get-600-million-stadium-subsidy-in-n-y-budget">largest taxpayer handout</a> for a new stadium in U.S. history even before additional subsidies such as annual maintenance costs, property tax exemptions and tax exemptions for municipal bond interest are considered. These factors could easily drive the total government price tag well over $1 billion. </p>
<p>With taxpayers footing over 60% of the $1.4 billion price tag, <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/the-bills-stadium-deal-is-indefensible-and-understandable.html">it also runs counter to the trend of the past decade</a> toward lower levels of public funding for stadium construction. </p>
<p>State and local governments on average had covered roughly <a href="https://ideas.repec.org/p/hcx/wpaper/1102.html">two-thirds of stadium construction costs</a> during the first wave of the modern stadium boom that began in 1991. During the Great Recession, however, government leaders found it <a href="https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/the-financial-crisis-reaches-a-new-arena-professional-sports/">politically unpalatable</a> to hand over hundreds of millions of dollars to billionaire owners as they were laying off teachers and firefighters. </p>
<p>Over the past decade, my ongoing research has shown that public subsidies have fallen to only one-third of building costs, on average. In fact, the most recent Super Bowl was played in the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-09-04/stan-kroenke-nfl-owners-coronavirus-workers-sofi-stadium-rams-chargers">entirely privately financed</a> SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.</p>
<p>The Bills deal evokes the bad old days.</p>
<p>Stadium subsidies in general are terrible public policy, and this arrangement is no exception.</p>
<p>The Bills and their owners, Terry and Kim Pegula, don’t need a handout. With a net worth of $5.8 billion, Terry Pegula ranks as the <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfls-richest-owners-revealed-cowboys-rams-and-panthers-top-list-of-15-wealthiest-for-2022/">ninth-richest owner in the NFL</a>. The generous revenue-sharing structure of the NFL means that even playing in one of the league’s smallest markets, the Bills <a href="https://www.forbes.com/teams/buffalo-bills/">have earned over $300 million</a> in operating income since the Pegulas <a href="https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/terry-and-kim-pegula-submit-aggressive-1-4-billion-bid-to-acquire-bills-franchise/article_2e33bbba-d682-5813-8487-f1d95ff6f23f.html">purchased the team for $1.4 billion</a> just seven years ago. And since then, the value of the Bills has risen by <a href="https://www.forbes.com/teams/buffalo-bills/">another $900 million</a>. The Pegulas have earned enough on their investment in just seven years to pay for the entirety of a new stadium on their own.</p>
<p>But the only thing better for a team owner than a new stadium is a new stadium that someone else pays for. Indeed, the new stadium is likely to further drive up the value of the Bills far more than the $350 million the Pegulas are contributing to the stadium’s construction costs.</p>
<h2>Stadiums make poor neighbors</h2>
<p>These taxpayer-funded deals are <a href="https://cbcny.org/research/determining-appropriate-buffalo-stadium-subsidy">often pitched</a> as an investment in the local economy, but <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4022547">two decades of academic research</a> on the topic have conclusively shown that stadiums and franchises have little or no impact on local economies. The Bills are not likely to be an exception. </p>
<p>For one, most of the customers at a sports venue are residents of the metro area who would simply spend money elsewhere in the local economy in the absence of the team. Second, stadiums often make poor neighbors. NFL venues, like the Bills’ current home, Highmark Stadium, are huge facilities that are rarely used: The Bills play eight home games each year in the regular season. This creates little incentive for investing in the surrounding neighborhoods. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Aerial view of football stadium." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/458185/original/file-20220414-20-4bhig.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/458185/original/file-20220414-20-4bhig.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458185/original/file-20220414-20-4bhig.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458185/original/file-20220414-20-4bhig.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458185/original/file-20220414-20-4bhig.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458185/original/file-20220414-20-4bhig.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/458185/original/file-20220414-20-4bhig.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The Buffalo Bills’ current home, Highmark Stadium, sits perched upon an island of concrete.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/an-aerial-view-of-the-ralph-wilson-stadium-as-the-buffalo-news-photo/78689906?adppopup=true">Claus Andersen/Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>And don’t think that NFL stadiums typically host a multitude of other events. Over its 50 years of existence, aside from a pair of annual high school football games and a few miscellaneous competitions, Highmark Stadium has hosted a grand total of 30 major concerts, three college football games and two large hockey games. And Buffalo’s venue is not out of the ordinary for any large, outdoor stadium.</p>
<p>Rather than creating a dense area of housing, retail establishments and restaurants, Highmark Stadium instead sits alone as an island of concrete in a sea of parking lots. </p>
<h2>The threat of relocation</h2>
<p>The stadium project is deeply unpopular, with one survey finding that <a href="https://www.wivb.com/sports/buffalo-bills-stadium-discussions/poll-majority-of-nyers-oppose-850m-for-bills-stadium/">55% of New Yorkers are opposed</a> to the plan, versus only 22% in favor of it.</p>
<p>So why did it get included in the state budget?</p>
<p>For one, stadiums are a perfect example of the classic special-interest problem. For a handful of passionate fans in Buffalo, a new stadium may determine which candidate gets their vote. But for the rest of the state, a small increase in their tax burden is unwelcome but not problematic enough to compel a voter to switch sides.</p>
<p>Teams have also gotten smart about <a href="https://www.gothamgazette.com/state/11210-buffalo-bills-stadium-hochul-ethics-legislature">minimizing transparency</a>, which is bad for public policy but good for team owners. The Bills stadium proposal was added to the state budget and dropped on unsuspecting taxpayers <a href="https://www.gothamgazette.com/state/11210-buffalo-bills-stadium-hochul-ethics-legislature">just days before a final vote</a> was scheduled in the Legislature. With such a short timeline, it was impossible for lawmakers to fully analyze the issue, and there was little time for public interest groups to mobilize against the handouts.</p>
<p>The Pegulas were essentially able to extort New York taxpayers by <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bills-future-in-buffalo-uncertain-after-2022-team-wont-renew-lease-in-city-without-new-stadium-deal-in-place/">threatening to relocate</a> the team if they didn’t pay up. Buffalo is only <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_statistical_area">the 49th-largest metro area</a> in the U.S. At least half a dozen cities across the U.S. without NFL franchises are both richer and at least twice as populous, including San Diego, St. Louis, Portland and Austin, not to mention <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/nfl/nfl-london-2021-franchise-fixtures-b1942220.html">the possibility of a franchise in London</a>. </p>
<p>With their current lease expiring in 2023, the team had already indicated that the 2022 season could have been its last in Buffalo.</p>
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<p>This threat was a slap in the face of loyal Bills fans who have supported the team for over 60 years through subzero temperatures, <a href="https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/buffalo-shatters-daily-snowfall-record-as-lake-effect-snow-brings-near-whiteout-conditions-to-western-new-york">lake-effect snow</a>, <a href="https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/revisiting-super-bowl-xxviii-bills-lost-fourth-straight-20-years-ago-today/article_9e3f9bac-c5f7-546b-9bf4-131f2622a3df.html">four straight Super Bowl losses</a> in the 1990s and more losing seasons than winning ones.</p>
<p>The NFL has long kept the number of teams lower than the number of cities that could profitably support a franchise. So as long as owners are willing to use the threat of relocation, I don’t believe any city’s fans – and any state’s taxpayers – are safe.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/180475/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Victor Matheson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Study after study has shown that stadiums are terrible public investments. Taxpayers rarely want to pay for them. So why do governments keep subsidizing them?Victor Matheson, Professor of Economics and Accounting, College of the Holy CrossLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.