National Football League

National Football League America’s New National Pastime BUS 475 Professor Jacinta Acquay Melissa M. Bunting October 27, 2014 Loading...The argument over which sport actually ranks as America’s national pastime is as enduring and intense as American sports themselves. Each and every week millions of Americans tune in to watch their favorite sports. Over the years baseball has traditionally been known as the national pastime among all sports, but the rich tradition and history behind baseball is almost certainly being slowly replaced by the glamour of football season. Although baseball is still referred to as America’s national pastime, football is by far the most popular sport in this country today. This can be attributed to many factors including a superior television product, more controlled violence, and legalized gambling with fantasy football. Each and every week millions of Americans tune in to watch their favorite sports. Basketball, baseball, football, golf, soccer, and racing all have a place and a market with the sports fans in America. Over the years baseball has traditionally been known as the national pastime among all sports, but the rich tradition and history behind baseball is being slowly replaced by the glamour of football season. Over the past two decades, baseball has been left behind while football has become America’s new national pastime (Gramling, 2010, p. 48, para. 1). According to Steve Rushin, a respected writer for Sports Illustrated, “to say football has displaced baseball as the national pastime is laughably inadequate, like saying that TV has edged quilting as a popular diversion” (2002, p. 21, para. 6). Although baseball is still referred to as America’s national pastime, football is by far the most popular sport in this country today. Some sports critics claim that baseball is still America’s national pastime, but Nielsen broadcast ratings prove otherwise. Football is, and always will be, the undisputed heavyweight champion in terms...