So, I just read an article that has to do with the NBA and race. According to this article, the author is trying to give the message that the White fan base in the NBA is dwindling down to almost nothing. The reason for this according to the author is because of the 75 percent of African American players who are made up of the NBA players. In other words, white people don't watch the NBA because there are too many "black players". He claims that the white fan base is about 10 percent. In my personal opinion, I believe that the article is silly. I don't think that race has anything to do with the fan base of certain races especially when it comes to the NBA. The NBA provides equal opportunity for all race and backgrounds. I just think that people just might not find basketball all that interesting as it once was. I bet if you ask 1,000 random people who Michael Jordan is, they would be able to tell you in a heart beat. In the days of Michael Jordan and the Bulls, basketball was the "it thing". I believe that in today's times, hockey, soccer, and other sports are the "it things" that people of all walks of like are drawn to. I think the article overplayed the fact that in the NBA 75 percent of the players are African American. I believe our society seeks "great entertainment" and excitement. You can be the judge for yourself though by looking at the article.
I think this article is very trivial. these are the things that fuel racism. Because Why does it matter what population of the fan base is white? Does the white fan base of the NBA legitimize or take away in anyway from the sport in anyway? But furthermore is anyone concerned with the minority fan base for any of the other sports that are dominated by white athletes such as Hockey? This is also a example of the dominate group asserting dominace both socially and economically for the fans and the millionair Black Athletes as well. I think this goes back to what Merger chapters 4 and 5 were refering to as racial competitivness. Just a few years back everyone was so concerned with minority athletes dominating all sport. Is it possible that this all boils back down to economic jealousies. Simialr to the attitudes towards the middle man? (ex: latino's in baseball, African American's in football and Basketall.)
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