We don't fund sports for shit. The only thing we fund is the military. We fund the Olympic team because that's just PR and marketing, but outside of that,you're on your own.
The US spends a shit-ton of money on sports... as long as it's basketball, baseball, football or soccer. Stadium construction for those sports is breaking records in the US and all of those projects are heavily subsidized. It's a giant, capitalist industry and as such it is propped up by tax money, lol.
Oh, I see. We are talking about different things. I am talking about the US funding sports programs that develop talent and allow amateur athletes pursue sports for a living. You are talking about sports entertainment.
If you are a youth or an amateur athlete, you are all on your own in the American system. Even gold medalists often have to scrape by between Olympics.
That's wrong. A big part of the reason why the US dominates in women's sports generally is because our higher education funding system is based on a bedrock legal principle from Title IX that schools must spend as much on women as they do on men, including in extracurricular activities like sports. So as a result, with college football being a men's only sport that raises a ton of revenue, a majority of our universities robustly fund women's sports programs in a large number of sports.
Plus the US has a relatively unique culture of youth sports associated with their school, sponsored by the schools and their funding.
So we do fund a lot of youth and amateur (and semi professional) sports, indirectly through schools at various levels, including through whatever government subsidies and policies affect those schools.
Wow the first lab tech to win a medal! What's next? Someone else with a job because they can't live off being one of the best in their sport? Good for her though, don't mean any disrespect, being the best in something is quite the achievement.
Is it common for curling athletes to be doing it full time? I don't know many curlers, but all the ones I'm familiar with have a day job, including the ones in Norway, where there's a pretty strong focus on winter sports.
I don't think so. My point is that 'the first American woman to win a medal in curling' just doesn't get the clicks. But unless she has a rich dad or husband paying the bills, the fact she has a job is quite obvious. I haven't read the article, but aside from the title, there probably isn't much in there about her actual work. Maybe i'm too cynical. Great for all the lab techs they get a shout out, i guess.
John Cullen in his Broomgate series said (and I'm remembering off the top of my head) the best teams might win $150k a season, split between 4 and that's before expenses. So it's not sport you'll get rich even if you're the best.
19 Comments
Thedogdrinkscoffee@lemmy.ca · 93 pts · 190d
American? It's so inspiring hearing stories about people overcoming their disabilities.
panda_abyss@lemmy.ca · 33 pts · 190d
I think that’s unfair.
Americans are great at sports, it’s the only thing they’re happy to fund.
JoMiran@lemmy.ml · 21 pts · 190d
We don't fund sports for shit. The only thing we fund is the military. We fund the Olympic team because that's just PR and marketing, but outside of that,you're on your own.
anyhow2503@lemmy.world · 23 pts · 190d
The US spends a shit-ton of money on sports... as long as it's basketball, baseball, football or soccer. Stadium construction for those sports is breaking records in the US and all of those projects are heavily subsidized. It's a giant, capitalist industry and as such it is propped up by tax money, lol.
JoMiran@lemmy.ml · 20 pts · 190d
Oh, I see. We are talking about different things. I am talking about the US funding sports programs that develop talent and allow amateur athletes pursue sports for a living. You are talking about sports entertainment.
If you are a youth or an amateur athlete, you are all on your own in the American system. Even gold medalists often have to scrape by between Olympics.
exasperation@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 5 pts · 189d
That's wrong. A big part of the reason why the US dominates in women's sports generally is because our higher education funding system is based on a bedrock legal principle from Title IX that schools must spend as much on women as they do on men, including in extracurricular activities like sports. So as a result, with college football being a men's only sport that raises a ton of revenue, a majority of our universities robustly fund women's sports programs in a large number of sports.
Plus the US has a relatively unique culture of youth sports associated with their school, sponsored by the schools and their funding.
So we do fund a lot of youth and amateur (and semi professional) sports, indirectly through schools at various levels, including through whatever government subsidies and policies affect those schools.
Redacted@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 190d
What? No. The highest paid government employee in most states are sports coaches
0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 190d
The highest paid entity in the health industry being health insurance companies doesn't mean "health" is the main goal.
Redacted@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 189d
The statement was "we dont fund sports for shit" which is false, nice gotcha tho
psud@aussie.zone · 1 pts · 187d
Coach and insurance company don't have a lot in common
huppakee@piefed.social · 29 pts · 190d
Wow the first lab tech to win a medal! What's next? Someone else with a job because they can't live off being one of the best in their sport? Good for her though, don't mean any disrespect, being the best in something is quite the achievement.
bus_factor@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 190d
Is it common for curling athletes to be doing it full time? I don't know many curlers, but all the ones I'm familiar with have a day job, including the ones in Norway, where there's a pretty strong focus on winter sports.
huppakee@piefed.social · 7 pts · 190d
I don't think so. My point is that 'the first American woman to win a medal in curling' just doesn't get the clicks. But unless she has a rich dad or husband paying the bills, the fact she has a job is quite obvious. I haven't read the article, but aside from the title, there probably isn't much in there about her actual work. Maybe i'm too cynical. Great for all the lab techs they get a shout out, i guess.
adavis@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 190d
John Cullen in his Broomgate series said (and I'm remembering off the top of my head) the best teams might win $150k a season, split between 4 and that's before expenses. So it's not sport you'll get rich even if you're the best.
MimicJar@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 190d
Just to add additional context.
This is Cory Thiesse, who won silver in "mixed doubles curling", with her curling partner Korey Dropkin on February 10th.
Cory is also a member of the women's standard (4 person) curling team, who at the moment have a chance of also winning later in the week.
milkisklim@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 190d
Thanks. I was confused how only one woman could win a curling metal. Forgot about mixed doubles.
slothrop@lemmy.ca · 15 pts · 190d
I don't wget it...
NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone · 7 pts · 190d
Isn’t curling a team sport though?
LodeMike@lemmy.today · 19 pts · 190d
Yes and the other person also won a medal
Diddlydee@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 190d