Sport-Labour-Late-Capitalism

Concussion Crisis

A significant issue in sports related to the injuries sustained by athletes, often leading to serious long-term health problems.

Free Agency

A labor right in professional sports allowing athletes to choose their teams without restrictions imposed by previous teams.

Reserve Clause

A clause that prevented players from moving to different teams unless they were traded, keeping them under the control of one team.

Marxist Vocabulary

Specific terms used to discuss the relationship between labor, capital, and class struggle, including concepts like alienation and commodity fetishism.

Alienation

A condition where workers feel disconnected from the products of their labor, often resulting in a lack of fulfillment.

Discipline & Submission

Mechanisms in sports that enforce compliance and conformity among athletes, often at the expense of their autonomy.

Conveyor Belt

A metaphor for the systems in youth sports that promote discipline and conformity while discouraging dissent among athletes.

Child Labour Laws

Regulations aimed at protecting minors from exploitation and abusive practices, particularly in the context of sports.

Surplus Value

The difference between what athletes earn and what value they produce, often highlighting the exploitation within the sports industry.

Millionaires v. Billionaires

A narrative in sports economics that contrasts the wealth of players against that of team owners, oversimplifying complex labor issues.

Social Class

A division of society based on social and economic status, which can influence access to opportunities, including in sports.

Sport as an ISA

The concept that sport functions as an Ideological State Apparatus, which helps reinforce social norms and class structures.

Labour Struggles

Conflicts that arise in the sports industry regarding fair compensation and working conditions for athletes.

Athlete Self-Responsibility

The narrative that athletes are solely accountable for the risks they take in their professions, often downplaying structural issues.

Black Muscle

A term used to describe the commodification of black athletes in sports, emphasizing racial dynamics in labor relations.

Curt Flood

A professional baseball player who challenged the reserve clause, leading to changes in free agency and labor rights in sports.

'The Fab Five'

A group of NCAA basketball players who challenged traditional athletic norms and advocated for player rights and representation.