Should big associations support less profitable sports?

[uneng]

Is this something you care about?

No, if a sport receives low attention, you can't force people to sponsor, support or watch it. It's normal that investment is proportional to the attention and interest received by the public. Big associations will support profitable sports, because that is what generate them profit, and consequently allow them to be big associations. If they focus their efforts and funds in less profitable ones, they will be losing relevance, while also losing sympathy from the audience, due to feeling they are trying to force things in an unnatural manner. Take women soccer as a good example of that.

[Taskford]

I was wondering what the sentiment on this matter is.

There are certain sports that in some countries never really attract only minor interest and are always outshined by the bigger sports in each respective country. For instance in Europe football is consistently the #1 sport in attendance and then there's basketball.

But there's also other competitive sports that have great athleticism like handball, volleyball, water polo and more

So if the big associations in Europe that make millions from football weren't funding a team for these league also in spite of not making money there, it's likely these leagues would collapse and there would be no incentives from regional organisations to feed their national teams either.

But maybe some of the bigger teams will want to save money or just cut costs and abandon minor sports, in spite of making millions in the big sports. How would that make you feel? Is this something you care about?

Nope, there's no need for other big association to do that.

Those big ones succeed because they are the one making lots of effort and spend lots of money to make their leagues became so popular.

The problem with other small leagues is they settled with less and as result, they didn't get much viewership and also generate low revenue. There's nothing to gain from those big ones if they decide to support, because its like they are throwing or wasting their money for doing such thing.

If small leagues want to succeed and gain great visibility, the officials behind them should find lots ways to increase their popularity.

[Cointxz]

I was wondering what the sentiment on this matter is.

There are certain sports that in some countries never really attract only minor interest and are always outshined by the bigger sports in each respective country. For instance in Europe football is consistently the #1 sport in attendance and then there's basketball.

But there's also other competitive sports that have great athleticism like handball, volleyball, water polo and more

This is what happening in my country. Brands and government fundings are supporting mostly basketball even though our national team doesn’t even achieved anything significant on the world stage aside from being qualified while we have world class talent like gymnastics, boxing and other sports that produce significant result over basketball.

It’s a sad reality that association will always choose profit over achievements since money is the main reason why this build this organization. Love of sports is just a secondary reason.

[danherbias07]

This is something that I cared about when I joined a different sport back when I was still at school.

Here in our country, the main focus of sports is basketball and boxing. PacMan, PBA, and Team Pilipinas. There was once a lot of hype with the Philippine football team, which is the Azkals, and then the hype went down as time flew by. Unlike in other countries, especially European ones, the hype around football is consistent and sometimes intensifies during big events.

What I am really sad about is the government's lack of support for sports here in our country. It's like you have to invest in your own talent and money first, and they will just raise their hands with you and congratulate you after winning a gold medal. But they will never be there while you are still on the road to achieve it. It's the big companies that you must target to get some funds.

[ralle14]

I also want the big teams/club to keep supporting smaller sports, but we still have to understand that their business comes first because it could come back to bite them if they fail to protect their golden goose.

The others are right, the big teams are just one of the many options they could ask for support. If that is why these national teams and players regress, then that's probably more on the government failing them.

Even then, the support from these teams only prolongs the inevitable, so they still need to explore every option until they can become sustainable.

[Julien_Olynpic]

Less popular sports nonetheless have their devoted fans. Even casual football fans sometimes simply get tired of watching football. Ultimately, people value variety, and you get tired of everything. Sometimes you want to watch something original and interesting. However, if there are sports that are sorely lacking in interest, then those sports are doomed. I mean, they will only thrive on the enthusiasm of non-commercial fans. Football has too many advantages for spectators.

[jcojci]

They will figure out by themselves for searching the promoters to support the sport. They can survives and will still exist and once they get a good player or teams, that will attract attention and makes people comes to watch.

That small leagues will survives and even they almost collapse, some companies will comes and supports them. But if nothing supports for that small leagues, they will slowly collapse and people will not see the leagues.

[Sandra_hakeem]

Even then, the support from these teams only prolongs the inevitable, so they still need to explore every option until they can become sustainable.

What are the options you suggest they explore to build sustainability on their own? No need to stay shallow on that part. Shade a little light for the people love to read.

Less popular sports nonetheless have their devoted fans. Even casual football fans sometimes simply get tired of watching football. Ultimately, people value variety, and you get tired of everything.

I thought it was the lesser the options you present to your client, the better ?? That way, they don't have a choice but to go with what is available.

Football has too many advantages for spectators.

Sports betting takes care of a larger portion in that.

[Nrcewker]

But maybe some of the bigger teams will want to save money or just cut costs and abandon minor sports, in spite of making millions in the big sports. How would that make you feel? Is this something you care about?

I think it would be a real shame if big clubs dropped interest in sports like volleyball, handball etc. just because they arent making enough money from them compared to football. I understand that clubs are losing money in these sports and its not necessarily the responsibility of a football club to fund every other sport. But still shouldnt these sports be treated equally?

From a sports enthusiasts point of view, if these big clubs withdraw their support then the quality of leagues like volleyball and handball will likely come down, which could eventually lead to less interest among youngsters in these sports. Personally I dont think every sport needs to be profitable to deserve support from the general common mass. Nevertheless if you ask me, yes I would care if these sports suddenly disappeared even though I dont follow them as closely as I do football. These sports are still fun to watch and I sometimes even place bets on them.

[ralle14]

What are the options you suggest they explore to build sustainability on their own? No need to stay shallow on that part. Shade a little light for the people love to read.

It's usually the stuff we see with most teams, like sponsorships, social media presence, and merch sales.

Results may vary, but you never know until they've done it all. Sometimes they're missing that one push because i've seen teams put more effort into their visibility/branding than others.

[Fiatless]

The government in our country is the worst body I have even seen supporting sports. Aside from the national team you can barely hear about them funding other sports which are not related to national.

The goverment sponsors a sizeable amount of Premier League clubs in our country. Heartland of Qwerri. Enyimba of Aba, Rivers United of Port Harcourt and others are all sponsored by state governments. The state goverment also sponsors other sports but the problem is poor management due to corruption.

How is the government a part to decide what major sport federations do with sponsoring less competitive sports or not? What kind of law will that be? It is never the government's problem, that is the reason why each sport has its own federation, and governs the affairs of the sport for growth.

Do you know the meaning of social corporate responsibility? Is the NFF not part of the government? It is because it was established by the Nigerian Football Association Act under the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. The goverment can make laws that mandate big corporations in the country to sponsor different sporting activities as their corporate social responsibility. Any institution that makes laws can change anything within its jurisdiction.

[Russlenat]

Once they’re part of one organization, they should support each other. Maybe we don’t always see it, but behind the scenes there are officers managing the league and making sure the rules benefit the organization as a whole.

It’s normal that some teams are more profitable than others, but with the right rules, there can still be balance. Just look at the NBA, bad teams don’t stay bad forever. The Sixers, Spurs, even Detroit had their struggling years, and now look at how they’ve improved.