DHARMA’s Post

Is football coming home, finally? And what on earth is coming home to? England has finally clawed their way to the Euro 2024 final, facing Spain in Berlin tonight. The nation is collectively losing its mind, with "It's Coming Home" echoing through pubs, living rooms, and (probably) a few too many government offices. For those unfamiliar with this national English football anthem, it is NOT a boastful war cry of imminent victory. It starts with "I think it's bad news for the English game. We are not creative enough and we are not positive enough". Talk about setting the bar low! The song refers to the trophy returning to its alleged birthplace, like a prodigal son who has been on a 58-year gap year. It is because the English think they invented football... While they have not won a major tournament since colour television was a novelty! Never mind that "it" is not coming home to a country that's exactly thriving. The "home" is a place where train strikes are more reliable than the actual trains, where the housing market is about as accessible as the moon. Where getting a doctor's appointment is as predictable as a game of Russian roulette (a record 7.7 million people are currently waiting for routine hospital treatment). Where funding for school sports has been slashed by 23% since 2010 and where nearly a third of English children are now overweight or obese. But from what I can see, the song is not just about the game. It is a national coping mechanism. It perfectly captures uniquely English talent for mixing self-sabotage, impending doom and magical thinking that somehow, everything will work in their favour. The kind of thinking that led to Brexit. But with better music... But while the nation seems to believe that they somehow contributed to the English success so far, the true hero of the story is Gareth Southgate, the English Football Association manager. I learnt a lot about him from the play "Dear England", based on the letter he wrote for the nation. And was rather impressed. His leadership, vision, commitment to youth development, building a positive culture and fostering a sense of unity is really what England should celebrate and appreciate. So here's to Southgate, who with football, managed to unite the country divided by, well, everything else. At least for a moment. #Football #EURO2024 #England #Spain #championship #anthem #ItsComingHome #delusion #hope https://lnkd.in/ehCu4YHV

Did you know that tug of war was once an Olympic sport? It featured in the Summer Olympics from 1900 to 1920. Interestingly, countries could enter multiple teams in the competition, allowing them to sweep the podium. In 1904, the United States achieved this feat, winning all three medals, and in 1908, British teams took all the top spots. Curious about other sports no longer included in the Olympic games? Find out more in our upcoming resource, The Olympic Movement: Sport, Global Politics and Identity: https://okt.to/Kb1oyP

Hello Network! After a long hiatus I have decided to bring back my blog! In my latest article I have discussed CAS’ decision to strip Jordan Chiles of the bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Floor Final. https://lnkd.in/e-sd6j4C

American sport is created to serve the owners, European clubs exist to serve their fans. Open v closed leagues, certainty v volatility. Those are some of the binaries that you bump in to when talking about American investment in European club football. Is there another way? Barney Schauble co-owner of Venezia FC and Oakland Roots Sports Club is our guest on Unofficial Partner, along with Omar Chaudhuri and AJ Swoboda from Twenty First Group

**The Fascinating Origins of Football: Where It All Began** 🏈⚽ Ever wondered where the beautiful game started? The history of football, as we know it today, is a rich tapestry of cultures, centuries-old traditions, and global evolution. ### **Where It All Began** The roots of football trace back thousands of years to ancient civilizations. In **China around 206 BC**, a game called *Cuju* (*kick ball*) involved kicking a leather ball through a small goal without using hands. Meanwhile, variations of ball games appeared in **ancient Greece, Rome, and even Mesoamerica**. However, modern football finds its true foundation in **medieval England**. Villages would compete in chaotic, often violent, "mob football," which had very few rules and could involve entire communities! ### **The Turning Point** In the mid-19th century, England began formalizing the game. Schools like **Eton** and **Harrow** had their versions, leading to the need for standardized rules. In 1863, the **Football Association (FA)** was established, drafting the first official rules of the game. This moment marked the birth of association football (*soccer* for some). From there, the game spread across the globe, growing into both **soccer** and **American football**—two wildly popular branches of the same historical tree. ### **Why Does This Matter?** Football's journey reflects how cultures blend and innovate. It began as a pastime, became a passion, and now stands as a universal language that connects billions of people worldwide. What do you find most fascinating about the history of football? Let’s talk about it in the comments! 👇 #hitandrun #Football #Soccer #vizagsports #culturereflects #Ronaldo #Messi

Imagine you have two events, A and B, occurring in a vast universe of possibilities. In this universe, the occurrence of A doesn't sway the likelihood of B happening and vice versa. This lack of influence defines the independence between these events. Thus, in the dance of probabilities, A and B move to their own rhythms, untouched by the steps of the other. This harmony is the essence of independent events, creating a symphony of certainty in the realm of chance.Consider the Semi-Finals of Euro 2024: if France wins the 1st Semifinal, it doesn’t mean the Netherlands will win the 2nd Semifinal, nor does Spain’s win in the 1st Semifinal imply England will win the 2nd Semifinal. Two semifinals are independent if the outcome of one doesn’t affect the outcome of the other.More precisely, if there are two candidates in an election, and if Q loses, then P must win, and if Q wins, then P is considered lost. This scenario is not an example of independent probability. In essence, true independence means each event unfolds its own story, unaffected by the tale of the other, weaving a tapestry of probability that is both intricate and beautifully unpredictable.

Taking Copa America to the U.S. is great for business but is worrying sign for football's loyal fan base in Latin America. Lionel Messi returned to a national team football competition last week when Argentina took on Canada during Copa America's inaugural match. And the lucky Americans who want to see the best player of all time in action didn't need to travel to Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro for that, but just head to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For the second time in eight years, Copa America takes place in the US and not in South America, birthplace of football's oldest international tournament. This is the result of an almost irresistible business strategy seeking to promote regional football more widely while fattening the national federations' pockets. But at the same time, it also reflects two troubling trends: the growing elitism of mega-sports events and South America's concomitant struggles to host big competitions in this increasingly winners-take-all era. When deciding where Copa America will go next, organizers should look beyond the commercial gains. While playing in the US has many benefits, it also means leaving behind many football-crazy, loyal South American fans without the possibility to see their favorite stars closer home. To be sure, the expanded tournament in the US has lots of positives, from increasing the tournament's reach and attendance — CONMEBOL (the body that governs South American football and the owner of the cup's rights) said over one million tickets have already been sold — to generating more revenue for the federation to invest in their own projects. According to sources cited in an ESPN report, organizers will give the teams a record $72 million in participation fees and prize money, over three times what was paid in the 2016 edition also held in the US. The question of visibility is important not least because this year's Copa America overlaps with the Euro 2024, a similar continent-wide tournament played by European countries in Germany. Football obsessives will be able to watch over 80 matches without any of them overlapping. It's a fan's dream, and fodder for some enterprising economist to study its real-time impact on global economic productivity. My personal plan is attend Copa America 3-d Place competition in Charlotte, NC on July 13th at Panther's Stadium. What are you planning to watch? #Sports #Economy

Noah Lyles Defends Clubbing After COVID Diagnosis at Paris Olympics, Criticizes Team USA Support Noah Lyles, the celebrated American sprinter and reigning 100m Olympic champion, has recently addressed the controversy surrounding his decision to go clubbing after revealing he tested positive for COVID-19 during the Paris 2024 Olympics. His statements shed light on his actions and criticisms directed at Team USA for their lack of support during the episode. #CovidDiagnosis #NoahLyles #ParisOlympic #USASupport >>> Read more

That time of the season again: Promotions and relegations Every season we see the fight for promotions intensify. The increase in revenue apart from prestige is the obvious reason. That led to us at Sports Business Institute Barcelona to do a quick analysis on the possible increase in revenue on promotions Taking the revenues of top teams away from each league, we find an average. That, essentially, would be the estimated jump from the average revenue of second tier league (by the way, top teams contribute an astonishing share of club total revenues. Sample this: #PremierLeague: top 6 contribute 56% of the total club revenues #Bundesliga: top 2 contribute 37% #Ligue1: PSG contributes 40%) The chart shows the possible jumps English football: Approx. €100+mn German football: approx. €80mn French football: approx. €50mn

Why Take the Inside Old Trafford: The Ultimate Stadium Tour 2024? If you're a football fan, especially a Manchester United supporter, there's no better way to immerse yourself in the club's rich history and atmosphere than by taking a tour of Old Trafford. Here's why: Walk in the Footsteps of Legends: Experience the thrill of walking through the same tunnel as your football idols,standing on the hallowed turf, and sitting in the manager's dugout. Uncover the Club's History: Delve into the fascinating story of Manchester United, from its humble beginnings to its status as one of the world's most iconic football clubs. Explore the museum and learn about the club's legendary players, managers, and unforgettable matches. See Behind the Scenes: Get a unique glimpse into the inner workings of a top-tier football stadium. Explore the players' changing rooms, the press room, and other exclusive areas that are normally off-limits to the public. Immerse Yourself in the Atmosphere: Feel the electric energy of Old Trafford, even when there's no match. Soak up the atmosphere and imagine the roar of the crowd as you stand on the pitch. Create Unforgettable Memories: Capture photos and create memories that will last a lifetime. A tour of Old Trafford is an experience you won't forget. Whether you're a die-hard fan or simply curious about the world of football, the Inside Old Trafford tour offers an unforgettable experience. https://lnkd.in/gamXDEiE