Money Games: The Business of Sports [Hardcover]

Ann E. Weiss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1993

In this lively and provocative book, Ann Weiss considers the way in which money has shaped and continues to define the world of sports, and traces the evolution of both professional and amateur sports and the often blurred line between them. "A well-balanced book that will alert readers to the realities behind the hype and encourage them to learn the facts before counting on future glory as sports stars." -- Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-- Well written and thoroughly researched, Money Games takes a sweeping historical look at the financial side of athletics. While average fans may be of the belief that not too long ago games were played purely for pleasure, Weiss points out that competitors have been compensated in various ways throughout the history of sports. She shows the connections between many sports in myriad ways from sponsorship and endorsements to gambling and memorabilia collecting. While the book deals with such complex topics as antitrust exemptions and reserve systems, it never gets bogged down in technical terms. Although the author's sentiments seem to be with the athletes, she does present both their side and that of the owners in what are often acrimonious labor situations. An extensive bibliography serves as documentation for her sources. There are a couple of fairly minor errors: she states that the Washington Redskins football team moved to Minnesota when it was actually the baseball Senators, and that a baseball franchise was granted to Fort Lauderdale when it was Miami that was awarded the new team. Nonetheless, a solid purchase for most libraries. --Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Pub. Lib., WI
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

After a major boom in investment and public interest, professional and college sports appear to be faltering under intense criticism. In his insightful account, Weiss--drawing a useful distinction between games (played for the sake of the players) and sports (performed for audiences)--punctures numerous long-standing myths about the origins of sports (Abner Doubleday didn't invent baseball, he standardized the rules) and shows how financial considerations have always motivated public sporting events. Dividing participants into capitalists and laborers, the author explains the steep inflation in player salaries and tells why club franchises are shuffled from city to city; she also explores university sports' close ties with the professional system and takes up drug abuse, gambling, and fan disillusionment. Especially interesting are discussions of whether amateurism helps or hinders sports, and the offering of some possible futures for American sports. Among the more disturbing revelations is the reason why Astroturf is used when grass is known to be safer, and why rest periods have been shortened: money. A well-balanced book that will alert readers to the realities behind the hype and encourage them to learn the facts before counting on future glory as sports stars. Extensive source list. Index not seen. (Nonfiction. 12+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 186 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company (April 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395574447
• ISBN-13: 978-0395574447
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,017,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.