Mr. Mommaerts
20th Century
10 January 2017
How Sports Reshaped Social Issues Throughout history, athletes have made impacts on social issues. Ordinary people look up to professional athletes as their role models. One big issue was race, and discrimination. In the sports world, fans love big events. Sports always seemed to be the thing that could bring people together no matter what race or gender you were. If you cheered for the same team, you created an instant bond. Sports have positively reshaped social issues through Magic Johnson and Larry Birds rivalry, Michael Jordan’s endorsements, and Tiger Woods turing pro. “30 years ago, when Magic and Bird dominated the sport, race provided a fiery, important subtext for the game …show more content…
The Jordan brand was created in 1985. He was given his own shoe. The Jordan 1 is a classic. Since then, Jordan has made many different shoes. Nowadays many people wear his shoes for style and for basketball. The movie “Space Jam” was released in 1996 and was an instant hit. What better combination is there than the Loony Tunes and Michael Jordan. Space Jam made approximately $90.4 million. When Jordan became a well known name, and his brand was created, people were brought together by his clothing and shoes. The Jordan brand gave every basketball fan, a chance to feel apart of his greatness, no matter your race or gender. “Jordan’s extraordinary basketball skills translated into very lucrative product endorsements. Jordan endorsed numerous commercial products for big-name brands, including Nike, Hanes, Wheaties, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, and McDonald’s. The Air Jordan shoe line revived Nike’s sneaker sales. These products netted millions annually in sales and made Jordan a global advertising …show more content…
People look up to professional athletes as role models. People are influenced by what the athletes say and do. If the message is positive, like ending racial inequality, this betters the world. Magic Johnson and Larry Birds rivalry, Michael Jordan’s endorsements, and Tiger Woods turning have positively reshaped social issues through sports.
Works Cited
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Benson, Alvin K. "Larry Bird" The 1980s in America. Ed. Milton Berman. Hackensack: Salem, 2008. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 03 Jan. 2017. .
Bryant, Howgic, Bird Were More than Rivals." ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures, 11 Mar. 2010. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.ard. "Ma
Porter, David L. "Michael Jordan." The 1990s in America. Ed. Milton Berman. Hackensack: Salem, 2009. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.
McElroy, Mary. "Tiger Woods Becomes World’s Top-Rated Golfer." Great Events from History: The Twentieth Century, 1971-2000. Ed. Robert F. Gorman. Hackensack: Salem, 2008. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 10 Jan. 2017.