Professional sport has enormous power to influence positive change. So ahead of this weekend’s grand finals, let’s examine the carbon emissions of our major men’s football leagues.
The pandemic has caused massive disruption to cricket in Australia and revealed just how dependent many sporting organisations are on their broadcast deals.
Why are sport broadcasters using fake crowd noise? It might be because crowd noise can help us bond with our tribe and acts as a psychological cue for when to pay attention.
The league is facing financial ruin unless it restarts play soon. Yet, even with strict biosecurity measures in place, there are significant questions as to whether it can effectively police itself.
Australian sports officials have thus far taken a wait-and-see approach to the coronavirus outbreak, leaving the impression they are on the back foot when it comes to preparedness.
The A-League is struggling to attract TV viewers and fans at matches. Would a move to the winter make any difference?
Gary Day/AAP
Many believe a move to the winter would be beneficial for football, particularly as our summers grow hotter. But competing directly with AFL and NRL could pose a serious risk to the sport’s future.
The Sharks’ Ben Barba (centre) was sacked by his club after allegations he assaulted his partner.
AAP/Dan Himbrechts
NRL’s culture was once one of hyper-masculinity, but it has failed to change wth societal mores – it now finds itself out of step and in need of reform.
Referee Matt Cecchin at a match between the Penrith Panthers and the Warriors.
AAP Image/Joel Carrett
Professional sports is bucking major trends in industrial relations, such as a marked decline in both union membership and industrial disputes over recent decades.
Sports betting has become a high-profile part of the rugby league’s income and branding.
Karl Monaghan
Australian sport will never have the commercial clout to bring the economy out of recession or solve a regional unemployment problem. But it is more than a fringe player in the economic game.
Even though the AFL has tried to gather support in the northern states its viewership is still in the codes’ heartland.
Dan Himbretchs/AAP
The goal of identifying leadership attributes that translate into team success remains as elusive in sport as it does in other spheres of human endeavour.
Referee Jared Maxwell gestures during this year’s Round 5 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos.
AAP Image/Dave Hunt
The North Queensland Cowboys will be hoping to win back-to-back grand finals in this year’s NRL. But what about that old saying on winning and losing?
A decision is referred to the video referee in this year’s game between Melbourne Storm and the Eels, at AAMI Stadium in Melbourne, June 15.
AAP Image/Julian Smith
A centralised video ref for next year’s NRL season aims to reduce the dramas surrounding refereeing decisions in the game. But how often do the on-field refs get it wrong?