Discussion #2

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University of Maryland, College Park *

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287

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Anthropology

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May 10, 2024

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Discussion #2 "Choose EITHER the COVID-19 pandemic OR the growth in the movement protesting various forms of race-based brutality and discrimination. Discuss how your chosen assemblage (either COVID-19 or activism) became connected (articulation I) to the uber-sports assemblage , and how this connection led to a new expression/form (articulation II) of uber-sport . Consider whether these changes are likely to be enduring, and/or have an influence on wider society.`` With the understanding that the uber-sport assemblage is a diverse, performance based event that has a connection between two different elements, we can recognize how COVID-19 impacted the sporting industry (Andrews, 2021a). As mentioned in Theme 4, integrated sport is composed of athletes, companies, sporting organizations, governments, and more, but it is critical to acknowledge sport consists of human and nonhuman entities (Andrews, 2021a). Elements or assemblages associated with uber-sport pre COVID-19 would include concession stands, apparel, athletes, employees, etc. However, as mentioned in Video Clip #5, COVID-19 had a huge impact on many lives. Many of those who work at these sporting arenas need this source of income to support their family. Paychecks stopped for workers behind the scenes and they are now unemployed (Video, MITAV5, 2021). It is very important to note that such assemblages have perished due to the pandemic. In fact, according to The New York Times article, “the cancellation or postponement of every sports event meant that 1.3 million jobs” and “$28.6 billion” in earnings were at risk (Drape, Chen, HSU, 2020). Even small businesses are being affected like bars because typically during a home game, bars would be so packed that a

bouncer had to stop people from entering the building (Drape, Chen, HSU, 2020). On the other hand, this connection leads to a new expression of uber-sport. Now we have been watching all sporting events on television with fake fans in the stands. Not just that, but rules of games, such as soccer, are being altered completely. Now, the physical game of soccer must follow COVID guidelines issuing “no physical contact. No slide tackles. No headers. No throw-ins” and more (Keh, 2020). These adjustments are difficult to remember, but for now will be necessary to continue being allowed to play the sport. Also, new assemblages such as the NBA bubble, constant COVID-19 testing for athletes, fake fans (as mentioned before), now exist which are transforming sport as a whole. These issues are going to continue to have an influence on wider society as the unemployment rate has increased significantly, sporting events such as the Olympics have been postponed, and the virtual crowds are eliminating a high amount of income. References: Andrews, D.L.. (2021, Spring). Module 1, Topic A: Lecture - Late Capitalism and the Uber-Sport Assemblage. KNES 287, University of Maryland: College Park, MD. Drape, J., Chen, D.W., & Hsu, T. (2020, December 13). 2020: The years in sports when everybody lost. The New York Times. Keh, A. (2020, October 12). Is this still soccer? The New York Times. Video Clip (2021, Spring). Module 1, Topic A: Video Clip 5. KNES 287, University of Maryland: College Park, MD.

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