The commercialization of sports is largely owed to mass media, which often showcase events and individual athletes. These media are critical for the evolution of modern sports and the development of sports culture. In this sense, mass media and sports are inextricably linked. In the US, for instance, television sports coverage is heavily influenced by advertising.
In the 20th century, sports were transformed into a form of national identity construction, with established and outsider groups using sports to project their national identities. These changes have influenced the production and consumption of global sports products. However, non-Western sports did not disappear, and today, non-Western sports have gained prominent status in sports cultures, especially in Europe and North America.
As time passed, scientific advances influenced sports, and the emphasis on quantification increased. The word measure once connoted an aesthetic sense of balance and proportion, but gradually became synonymous with numerical measurements. This change led to the development of modern-day sports, such as basketball and volleyball. Even though some games of these types have been around for centuries, they were first invented during the Industrial Revolution. In 1891, James Naismith invented the basketball and volleyball. Both of these sports were developed in response to the perceived need for indoor games in cold New England winters.
In addition to the physical benefits of playing a sport, it can also promote mental health and develop social skills. Studies have shown that participating in sports helps develop students’ confidence and personality. Moreover, participating in sports improves their social skills and helps them get along with other people. Students who take part in these activities learn to deal with different types of people, from peers to adults. They also learn to think critically and make decisions.