Week 2 Essay

Week 2 Essay

1. What cultural factors must U.S. sports franchises overcome to increase popularity abroad? Why?

When the U.S. sports franchise is looking to increase popularity overseas, there are many cultural factors that get in the way and prevent a sports team from growing fame and notoriety. Introducing a new sports team to a foreign country is like walking into the unknown. You are never sure of how the countries abroad are going to like it. But first you must look at it through the eyes of the people overseas. You will often ask yourself questions like, how will the sport fit into their lives and are they accustom to this sport in some type of way? It is very unpredictable and nearly impossible to predict what cultures are going to enjoy the new sport for sure. (Radcliffe, 2014)

When a sports team is deciding to branch out, market research comes into heavy play, because it is a huge risk trying to overcome the cultural differences. One way the U.S. sports franchise can gain popularity abroad is to recruit athletes from different countries overseas. This will make the new country more open to welcoming and liking this different and foreign way of life. By doing this, it will also greatly help the U.S sports franchise gain huge success abroad. People are going to be less likely to want to see what all the sport has to offer if it does not having something to do with their own home country. People like going to sports games or to huge events like the Olympics because they are able to cheer and root for their country or team. It is something that people find joy and take pride in. (Radcliffe, 2014)

Having the understanding of cultures, manners, customs, values, languages, attitudes, and personal communications are some of the biggest things when taking the U.S. sports franchise overseas. Once, these obstacles are faced, concurred, and broken down the U.S. can successfully gain popularity. (Radcliffe, 2014)

2. How can franchises ensure their products are...