Workbook chapter 10

Big Money

Task 1       

Are these sentences true or false?

Correct the false ones and write down the new versions:

a) 

When they signed a ten years contract with Michael Jordan in 1984, it was considered to be a financial scoop.

b)

The product line they produced was a hit with the supporters but the shoe that was designed was difficult to sell in any great numbers.

c)

The estimate is that the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan generated more than half of the total revenue of the NBA.

d)

The postponement of the 1999 season was due to a disagreement between the advertisers and the players who felt that they did not have their share of the money they generated.

e)

The effects of the 1999 season postponement were very positive both for the game and the players.

Task 2       

There have been discussions in the media about the money involved in sports, in particular the great amount of money the players earn. This goes for professional players in all sports. Our media have focused mostly on the salary of Norwegian soccer stars.

Find some facts about this topic in the papers and other media and make a note of them. Use these facts in part A below.

A:

Young football players earn millions every year.

Do you think this is right? Explain why you agree or disagree.

Write down your argumentation.

Discuss in class.

What do you think of the astronomical amounts of money involved in sports in general? You might know that a sport’s company pays Manchester United soccer club 4.1billion kr for playing with their   logo and with their equipment?

B:

What do you think of the fact that money dominates the sports to this extent? What do you think of this development? Is there any alternative? Write down all your arguments and present your opinions in class.

Task 3       

For the 2000 season Norwegian Basketball has been organized in a new way. The model for the change is the American NBA. Find information about the changes in the media. You can also           phone Norsk Basketballforbund.

What is your opinion of the change?  What are the positive and negative aspects of following an American model?

Write down your information and ideas and present them in class.