Volume 2, Issue 1

This article asks the question about the usefulness of the concepts of americanization and globalization to describe the actual development of sports. After giving a precise description of the term ‘Sportentwicklung’ (sports development) against the background of current discussions of developmental theory and the theory of social change, the concepts of americanization and globalization will be analyzed on the basis of the outlined conceptual frame. In addition, central tendencies of the actual sports development will be portrayed. Finally, the scope of both concepts will be discussed in relation to the research on the development of sports with new perspectives being presented for future research.

This article analyses the dynamic development of the German ultra-movement, which can be understood as a new generation of soccer fans and as a medium for changes in the subculture of soccer supporters. The ultras are distinguished by their spectacular performance on the terraces and their avant-garde style of soccer fanaticism. They are looking for public attention, try to contest the rapidly changing culture of modern commercial soccer, bring about united actions and sometimes a great piece of acting. These groups are motivated primarily by the pleasure of producing their own meanings of soccer experience and the pleasure of avoiding the social discipline of the soccer industry. The ultras are portrayed in this article with the main focus on the aspects of ideology, social background, organization, general practice and cultural productivity. Based on Goffman’s work on the presentation of self in everyday life, this article will further explore this new breed of fans. In the center of the discussion will be the way the ultras see themselves, their structure and organization, as well as their actions and self-representations.

Is competition indeed positive for minorities because it seems to be effective against processes of discrimination? This article tests this current sociological thesis empirically by studying the case of immigrants in the German soccer league system. The main argument is that this field provides background conditions that are ideal for an analysis of ethnic disadvantages since the relevant capital is not specific for certain societies and the competition is institutionalized and legitimized in a special way. Data of the ‘Mannheim soccer study’ show that some important consequences deriving from the competition hypothesis can be confirmed. Specifically, social distances of colleagues, subjectively felt discrimination by immigrants, and discriminative treatment by youth coaches were less apparent at the higher leagues which yield much more intense competition. Therefore “sports” as a specific field of application is able to produce important empirical results for general integration research.

In recent years city marathons in Germany have gained more and more popularity not only in regard to economic aspects. It is the objective of this article to conduct an economic analysis of the industry and to develop recommended procedures for the organizers. Initially an extended Five-Forces-Model is used to identify the different people in the industry and to point out their behaviors as well as their core-competencies. The analysis of the strategic potential threats shows that the organizers have only little influence on the relevant determinants of demand. Instead the local communities and the suppliers are controlling the important parameters of demand. This results in a weak marketing position for the organizers. Since the market access barriers are relatively low, it allows newcomers to enter the market that is characterized by intensive competition. Against this background corecompetency-orientated procedures are recommended that seem to promise an improved market position for the organizers.