The Business of Sport

It was a tough choice last night--what to watch Westminster or the Olympics? In the end, I chose the Olympics and TIVO-ed Westminster and can't help wonder if the article in Sunday's NY Times, about the hype, dough (as in money) and public relations campaign it takes to win a coveted Best in Show, clouded my judgment.

In case you missed it, I offer the following quote and see if it reminds you of some other sport:

"[In] the most prestigious event on the thoroughbred canine calendar, money will quietly play a role in determining the winner, just as money quietly shaped the filed of contenders--and just as money shapes almost every nook and cranny of the dog show business."

Did you catch that word "thoroughbred?" I think the writer may have confused dogs with horses, but the sentiment is valid for either sport. Money talks and just as few dogs have won Westminster without the deep pockets of their owners (and a media pr campaign that includes spreads in the trade publications), few horses have won an Eclipse without a similar well crafted campaign.

All those ads in Bloodhorse for stud farms tell the tale. Its all about wins, losses and black typeface and it costs a pretty penny to campaign a horse in the Big Time. You're up against a lot of deep pockets that may not be as deep as they once were, but know how to play the game.

In the end, is Westminster any different that horse racing? An elite sport to be sure, that has built an entire industry around taking care of its own. And what happens when that barrier begins to crumble just a little bit? Well instead of opening up the gates to the masses, they close ranks even tighter to plug the hole.

To be sure, horse racing is much less subjective--a horse either wins or loses, regardless of how he looks, but for those who think the sport is not for the insiders, well think again. It takes a long time to crack the code and just when you think you've got it, they change the combination.

Don't get me wrong. I love both sports for what they are, but wonder how long they can continue to play to themselves.