The Geographies of: Football

When on the BBC News website I came across an article about Gareth Bale, the football player who has just been signed to Real Madrid, and the debate which has erupted over what his new salary will be. It was the world's most expensive transfer at £85m and Bale will earn £300,000 each week. I was both shocked and horrified when I heard this because personally I can see no justification in how a footballer player earns more in a week than a doctor or fire fighter ever will. I understand this is a point which is constantly raised and arguments can be fought for both sides but I cannot accept it as right. The point to this is that it got me thinking about how modern society has developed and how the general public are very accepting of things which to me are personally out of control.

Gareth Bale 

I believe that globalisation has had a huge impact on society today. As time moves forward, the amount of leisure time people have an increased quality of life and a decent stable income. It can be seen in many examples that activities people once did for enjoyment during leisure time have escalated and become major sectors and co-operations in developed countries and modern societies. For example, eating in a restaurant was once a rare treat in which people indulged however we now see them everywhere and using their services is of the norm. It has developed that McDonaldisation is actually a term and McDonalds is the basis for a development measurement index which is used by professionals in the business world. Once again with the example of football, as people had more free time and became more skilled at their hobbies, it allowed for the development of professional teams which gained extreme popularity, were followed by a large audience and allowed the opportunity to become an enormous part of modern economies.

A graph to show a footballer's salary in relative terms

To conclude, it is the development of a country which allows certain 'leisurely' activities to boom into massive districts which generate a vast amount of money. Though I will never agree with the extortionate amount of money men kicking a ball round a field earn, I must admit that it is impressive how what used to be a simple sport has become a global empire.

My next 'The Geographies of..' will be on..........   FOOD