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Feb 01 2009

Social change and the match day

Published in values, social change, psychology, hooliganism, culture, collective action by Tuomas Kuronen

Speaking of social change is a complicated matter. I approach this thorny issue with an example: a football match.

Even visiting East London for just any reason can be an intriguing anthropological endeavour. Not to speak of going to the home ground of a known problem team. These problems occurred mostly in the distant past of 1970s and early 1980s, but still, there's a sense of ‘loudness' that can be felt amidst the crowds.

Nevertheless, to my surprise the event was completely civilised. No brawling, no throwing objects, no nothing-only friends and families watching a game. Naturally, the security measures were strict, as usual, but the only sign from the good old bad days were the somewhat worn-out faces of some of the older loyalists. What has happened? Have people just become emotionally too fat to care? Or is the identity construction sliding away from the former ‘loyal supporter' nexus? Times have surely gone by gangs like The Mile End Mob.

So, the most ‘interesting' phenomena never emerged (and nothing like in Rio). I don't know if the main reason for this is the hedonistic, consumerist undercurrent of the contemporary Western society, or the fact that the home team prevailed.

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Economic value and the loss of 'supporters'
written by Tuomas Kuronen, February 09, 2009, 16:24

Interesting... Someone could actually take a look at the social consequences of the 'money creep' into large-scale spectator sports.

I believe the worst material stays nowadays away from the stadium, for a multitude of reasons. They may be banned from the matches, or the ticket is just too expensive to them.

Or is just that people too well off have too much to lose with hooliganism?

Social change
written by Henri Schildt, February 06, 2009, 22:12

-Value of first Premier League TV deal in 1992-1997: £191m (60 matches per season)
-Value of 2010-2013 Premier League TV deal: £1.782bn (138 matches per season)

Talk about social change! There is something to be said about cultural environment, business models, and complementary assets in explaining why BSkyB is paying at least fourfold price now in comparison to 15 years earlier.

And these are broadcasting rights for UK only.

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