Why the Spanish soccer league is playing some of its league games abroad.
Spanish officials have revealed a 15 year plan to promote the Spanish soccer league known as “La Liga”, and it includes playing games in the United States. Many major sports such as baseball, hockey, and football have been doing the same for the last ten years and it has caused a lot of controversy because the player’s health is at risk. When athletes travel, symptoms such as fatigue, heavy legs, and jet lag are all in affect when traveling for a long time.
The president of the Spanish league stated “Our goal, our job, our responsibility is to try to build La Liga”. The owners might be promoting their league in the United States, but let’s be clear—it is all about making more profit. The players are concerned because they are losing home games in order to play games overseas and the tradition of the league has always been to keep things close to the Spanish fans.
Moreover, all of the captains from each La Liga team met up in early August and spoke out “to strike if they are made to play abroad”. One captain said that “footballers are not bargaining chips that can be used to benefit third parties”. However, with all the money professional soccer players make is that a right comment to make? Some players are making average wages, but there are superstars that make millions of dollars. In saying this, is this what athletes are signing up for nowadays? Do athletes have to follow the orders they are given?
Sports are changing in many ways and that includes promoting sports around the world. Gabriele Marcotti, a writer for ESPN, says, “we’re reaching the point where the vast majority of fans experience the match through broadcast media – not in person – and often not in the league’s country”. Some athletes may hate the idea of playing league games overseas, but if they really want to become professional athletes I believe it is something they have to do. The owners may be greedy in making more profit, but many of the best sport leagues in the world are doing this. This means that other leagues have to adjust if they want to “keep up with the Joneses”.
Questions:
Is this what professional athletes are signing up for nowadays?
Do athletes have to follow the orders they are given?
Is this the best way to promote sports/leagues overseas?
Bibliography
MailOnline, Pete Jenson for. “La Liga Captains Join Forces to Rally against Plans for US Game.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 23 Aug. 2018, www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6090333/La-Liga-captains-join-forces-rally-against-plans-game.html.
Marcotti, Gabriele. “La Liga's Plan to Play Matches in the U.S. Isn't Going to Ruin Football – It's Smart Business.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 21 Aug. 2018, www.espn.com/soccer/blog/marcottis-musings/62/post/3604638/la-liga-plan-to-play-matches-in-us-isnt-going-to-ruin-football----its-smart-business.
“Spain's La Liga Plans to Play Regular Season Matches in United States.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 16 Aug. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2018/08/16/la-liga-to-begin-playing-regular-season-matches-in-the-united-states-xxx/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d9c38679f5e9.
