The metanarrative that sports is a business highlights the meaning that sports are much more than a game. Instead, there is a major emphasis on the economic aspect of sports such as player salaries, sponsorships, merchandising, contract agreements, and media rights. Every professional league commissioner and team owner shares the main goal of creating as much dollar value as possible. In my cases, winning and competing are not the main goals instead creating as much revenue as possible is.

Athletes work for team ownership and play sports to earn their income instead of for entertainment purposes. Their lifestyle and income rely on their athletic performances which further pushes the narrative that sports is a business. Many sports teams and players tend to make decisions based on what is best for their organization and themselves. For example, a player might enjoy playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs but instead sign with the Florida Panthers in free agency because they have no state income tax. This is a business decision that the athlete made to help himself and his family economically.

Many people think that professional athletes and sports teams make decisions based on their enjoyment of playing the game but this is far from the truth. Athletes and sports teams tend to make decisions for business purposes based on money. I would argue that because of the centrality of sport in our everyday lives, the role that sport plays in shaping our childhood, worldviews, and decisions is impacted by income.

There are many great examples of advocacy and activism in sports. One of the first examples that immediately comes to my mind is the support that Lebron James showed towards the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020.

As a result of the murder of African-American man, George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, protests and social movements nationwide took place. The Black Lives Matter Movement was formed to campaign against systemic racism and violence against Black people. Lebron James used his platform and influence to advocate for police reform, racial justice, and equality for African Americans. Some of his most notable actions are attending Black Lives Matter protests, using social media and interviews to raise awareness about the issues, donating to several significant foundations, and taking in stand at the NBA bubble. Once the NBA resumed play in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic players played in an enclosed environment called the “bubble”. In the bubble, Lebron held a meeting with all players and staff to use their platforms to show support towards the Black Lives Matter movement and stand up against systemic racism in America. NBA players league-wide wore shirts with powerful messages and kneeled during the national anthem to protest against racial inequality.

Overall, Lebron James is a great example of an athlete who advocated for needed change in society. It was also the first time that an athlete with the pedigree of Lebron, who is arguably the best basketball player of all time, used their platform for this. It demonstrates his leadership and courage to stand up for social justice. He is a great role model for millions of people worldwide.

The bodies-at-risk discourse problem was driven by neoliberalism and focuses on the fact that particular bodies, such as those that are marginalized, have a disability, or illness are at risk of health problems. The major issue with this discourse is that it tends to label these body types without regarding the economic, social, and environmental determinants that impact them. By stating that these particular body types are at risk of health issues, several negative issues arise such as racial discrimination, increased likelihood of poverty, and unequal access to healthcare.

The refusal to understand the health gap from a social justice perspective creates several social inequalities within society. It completely disregards the policies and social structures that are the main factor of why the issue is happening in the first place. Overall the refusal to understand the health gap from a social justice standpoint makes it difficult to enact systemic change that could ensure the health and safety of marginalized groups.

The image that stuck out to me was the bald male wearing the shirt that states “THIS IS WHAT A FEMINIST LOOKS LIKE”. From my past knowledge, typically feminists that I had seen or met were females, but this photo reminds me that men can be feminists as well. Not only does it remind me of that message, but it also encourages me to be more of an activist of my beliefs. As a male, I think that it is important to recognize that anyone can be a feminist and that change is needed in society. The more people and groups that support and advocate for everyone in society to have equal rights and opportunities, the higher the likelihood that change will be made. Once more males view other males advocating for women’s rights then they will be more comfortable to take part as well.

Overall, after viewing this image and taking a deeper dive into the meaning of feminism, my general knowledge and awareness of the meaning have changed for the better.