The National Basketball Association (NBA) generated well over $4 billion in revenues during the 2014-15 season. I analyze the value of a win to a team in terms of revenue and examine the potential underpayment or overpayment of players and superstars throughout the league relative to their marginal revenue product (MRP). My findings suggest that players are overpaid, especially superstars. However, it is important to consider the fixed-revenue streams a team receives before assuming a player is simply overpaid compared to his MRP. In congruence with previous literature, I find that veterans are overpaid at the expense of younger players’ lower salaries. I also look at the drivers of a player’s salary and find that general managers tend to overpay for points relative to other statistics.

<p> The purpose of this quantitative, correlational research was to assess the relationship between academic motivation and sport motivation among NCAA Division I student athletes enrolled at colleges and universities in the southern and western regions of the United States. The theoretical foundation was based on the Self-Determination Theory. The Self-Determination Theory includes three specific types of motivation: intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation. The study was comprised of three research questions, which were designed to determine the relationship between academic and sport intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation among NCAA Division I student athletes. The research was undertaken at two public higher education institutions in the southern and western portions of the United States. The sample for the study included 91 NCAA Division I student-athletes. The analysis involved nonparametric Spearman&rsquo;s correlations. The findings indicated a statistically significant relationship between academic and sport intrinsic motivation among NCAA Division I student-athletes (<i>r_p</i> = 0.210, <i>p</i> = 0.046). The findings indicated no statistically significant relationships between academic and sport extrinsic motivation (<i>r_p</i> = 0.126, <i> p</i> > 0.05) and between academic and sport amotivation among student-athletes (<i>r_p</i> = 0.091, <i>p</i> > 0.05). The results justify further research on student-athlete motivation. </p><p>

abstract: Resettled refugees face numerous challenges including unsafe living conditions, loss of permanent shelter, adjustment to a new culture, loneliness, and separation from family, friends, and community. Of particular importance is the lack of a feeling of sense of community (SOC) within their new surroundings. SOC is not only worthwhile as an outcome of its own, but may also predict additional positive outcomes such as resilience and cultural adjustment. Literature has shown participation in sport can develop youth positively and build social skills, while studies in other regions of the world have also found a sport team setting to be a place for immigrants to experience SOC. In this study, I use a congruent mixed methods approach to both explore the experience of SOC for youth refugees in a soccer club, and examine the relation of SOC to resilience and cultural adjustment. Using photo-elicitation and semi-structured interviews with 11 youth participants, the qualitative portion of the study explored SOC among youth participants. Findings note the presence of SOC as matched to theoretical frameworks both specific to sport, and to a more general theory of SOC. Further data were collected through questionnaires distributed to club members. Results from the quantitative analysis indicate a significant positive relation between SOC and resilience, and SOC and perceived acculturation. This study’s contribution is to illustrate how refugee youth in a sport club in the United States experience SOC, and the impact of that SOC. Results suggest practical implications for sport managers who wish to provide positive sport experiences for youth refugees. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Community Resources and Development 2018

<p> Recognizing that the percentage of females in NCAA Division I athletic department leadership positions lag far behind their male counterparts, this study sought to learn about the lived experiences of females who have reached a senior level, defined as associate athletic director and athletic director using narrative inquiry. </p><p> The purpose of this study was to record the lived experiences of senior-level women administrators in intercollegiate athletics. Data was gathered through in-person interviews. Participants were asked to describe the paths their careers have followed, including the factors, issues, and circumstances that they feel have shaped the process by which they made career decisions. </p><p> Four primary themes from the participants&rsquo; backgrounds and life stories emerged that influenced the paths of the participants&rsquo; careers. They were: (1) the willingness and desire to take on challenges and opportunities; (2) the importance of family considerations, (3) influence of support they received from colleagues and people they came in contact within athletics; and (4) the impact of lack of support they received from colleagues and people they came in contact within athletics during their careers. This study revealed the presence of a strong sense of efficacy within the participants, which influenced the persistence of the participants in pursuing this particular career path, even when faced with obstacles. Finally, these participants offered advice, based on their career experiences to other current and future female athletic administrators. Policy implications and recommendations for institutions and athletic departments are provided.</p><p>

Since 2000, Russian players are increasingly absent from the National Hockey League. This project explores the relationship between changes in the political economy of Russian hockey and the factors that shape the migratory decisions of Russian players. In using Wallerstein's World Systems Theory, it is argued that specific events relating to a nation's place within an economic and/or cultural relationship can significantly alter patterns of migration. Russia's newfound economic strength and confidence on the world stage is evident in the support for the country's new Kontinental Hockey League. The resulting changes in the political economy of Russian hockey, coupled with the restrictive nature of the National Hockey League's salary cap have led to a tremendous decrease in the number of Russian players in the NHL.

<p> This study focused on the experiences of Black male student-athletes in Division I sports and used critical race methodology to present counter narratives. These narratives highlighted successes and heightened awareness about the needs and concerns of an extremely important, but often silenced, population. The purpose of this research was to examine the experiences of Black male student-athletes in the Division I revenue-generating sports of basketball and football. This study examined how Black males perceived the effectiveness of the NCAA supports in place for their academic success, degree attainment, and postcollegiate leadership and career opportunities. This dissertation also sought to understand the extent to which the legacy of racism in the United States has impacted the collegiate experience of these athletes. This research utilized critical race theory to frame the counter narratives of Black male student-athletes participating in this study. Through counter stories, the researcher offered suggestions that more effectively serve NCAA Black male student-athletes during their transition into and beyond Division I university sports participation as a strategy to achieve social justice for a historically marginalized group.</p><p>

<p> Intercollegiate athletics have received considerable attention by scholars in higher education. Despite this wide treatment by scholars, there is little examination of the athletics director. Most of the published research on athletics directors disproportionately focuses on the responsibilities of the athletics director, the pressures of the leadership position, the characteristics and behaviors of these leaders, and the organizational culture of athletics departments. The purpose of this study was to investigate and gain insight into the environmental forces that disrupted and influenced athletics director leadership. This study explored how the participants understood, acknowledged, and reacted to forces that unavoidably influenced their choices. Particular attention was placed on comprehending how these individuals led change in their organizations while at the same time balanced the intersecting demands on their positions. </p><p> Qualitative research methods were used to explore the forces that influenced athletics directors at large, public and private research universities that were part of the NCAA and sponsor Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) or Division I-AAA (no football) athletics. A grounded theory methodological approach was used in the design and execution of this study. Using this method built theories through systematic stages of data analysis and conceptual development. The development of these concepts became the building blocks of theory,which explained the participants&rsquo; experiences as athletics directors. These findings offer insight into the forces that influenced athletics directors as they led change in their organizations.</p><p>

M.Comm. / Physical education and school sport are for the majority of students the only opportunity to be involved in physical activity and sport. In the new educational system, where physical education is being phased out due to the new teacherpupil ratios, school sport has to take over the role of physical education. The focus has shifted to school sport to fulfill the educational role, in terms of sport previously done by physical education. A case study was done at a school where the management of educationally justified school sport and physical activities was analyzed. The problem of what the management of the educationally justified school sport and physical activity would entail is seen as the central point of this study. To solve this main problem three sub-problems should be addressed, namely: • what educationally justified school sport and physical activities entail? • what the management of school sport and physical activities entail? • how the management of educationally justified school sport and physical activities manifested in a school? As a result of the problem statement, the all-encompassing aim of this study is to develop criteria for the management of educationally justified school sport and physical activities. In order to achieve this all-encompassing aim, it was necessary to: • describe the role of educationally justified school sport and physical activities~ • analyze and describe the management of school sport and physical activities; and • analyze the management of educationally justified school sport and physical activities in a school. To find possible solutions to the stated main- and sub-problems, the development of children and the role the school has to play in that development was described in the literature study. Management and all the different management functions were also described in the literature study. A case study was undertaken to analyze and describe the management of educationally justified sport and physical activities in a school. A questionnaire was compiled and handed out to the teachers involved in school sport and physical activities to complete. A structured interview was also compiled and iv the two members of the top management involved with sport and physical activities were interviewed. The following conclusions were drawn from the literature survey research: • school sport and physical activities will be educationally justified if children are led to achieving an all round development through their participation in school sport and physical activities. • it is essential that teachers realise that sport and physical activities are an extension of the classroom and it can be used as a tool in the development of children to total adulthood. • for management to be successful it needs to adhere to the following functional areas. This includes: • the marketing function; • the external relations function; • the financial function; • the human resources function; • facility and event management; • risk management. The following conclusions were drawn from the case study: • educationally justified sport and physical activities are not managed according to drawn up criteria. • some functional areas are managed properly while others don't get any attention. • a good starting point will be to set a vision and mission for school sport and physical activities. • more people could be involved in strategic management for school sport and physical activities.

D.Com. (Sports Management) / Sport as a phenomenon has been part of different cultures throughout the ages, and in literature various authors emphasise the significant role it played and still plays in people's lives. From a cultural-historical perspective, sport as a time-filling activity therefore forms an important foundation for the development of sport as an industry. The possibilities of using leisure as an industry have been considered from early times. Participants in sport, magnates and the public sector made an important contribution to the development of sport, although everybody also benefited indirectly from this. In the examination of sport as a business, sport is measured against the standards set for a business, and from this it is evident that sport meets these requirements in all instances. In the light of these facts, it is necessary for sport to be managed like a business. Management and managerial behaviour are defined in a theoretical foundation, but particular attention is devoted to concepts in sport with a view to providing an own point of view. As a result of this theoretical foundation, a base is created for drafting a curriculum for a course in Sport Management. Various models and points of view are discussed and suggestions on the ideal contents of such a curriculum are made. The B.Comm. degree and certificate courses in Sport Management at the Rand Afrikaans University are used as a model. The fundamental personal traits of sport officials and students of Sport Management are examined in the empirical study. Various psychometric tests and questionnaires are employed, enabling the creation of an instrument in future research to screen students and sport officials. As a result of this research, certain recommendations are made with regard to further research, drawing up a curriculum for Sport Management and measuring personal traits of sport officials.

<p> Enrolling children in youth sport is an American tradition to keep children active while learning life lessons such as teamwork, commitment, and work ethic. However, youth sport is becoming extremely expensive and demanding, resulting in high parental involvement. Research shows over-involved parents cause stress, anxiety, and even burnout. The overall purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of NCAA Division II student athletes&rsquo; perceptions of their parents&rsquo; level of involvement and support through childhood. Through the lens of the Family Systems Theory, a qualitative single case study examined 11 Ferris State student athletes&rsquo; perception of their parents&rsquo; involvement and their opinion of what they would consider the optimal level of parental involvement. Athletes&rsquo; preferences of parental involvement should serve as recommendations for parents wanting to support youth participants who would like to complete at the collegiate level.</p><p>