Positive effect 1: Increased participation. When sports are shown on television or promoted on social media, it can inspire people, especially young people, to take up the sport. Seeing role models perform can motivate viewers to get involved, increasing grassroots participation.
Positive effect 2: Increased revenue/commercialisation. Media coverage, particularly television rights, brings huge amounts of money into a sport. This revenue can be used to improve facilities, increase prize money, pay players higher wages, and fund development programmes, helping the sport to grow at all levels.
The media has a profound impact on sport. Positively, it can raise a sport's profile, turning athletes into global superstars and creating role models that inspire new participants. The sale of broadcasting rights generates massive income, making sports richer and more professional. This 'golden triangle' (sport, media, sponsorship) fuels the growth of many sports. Media coverage can also lead to rule changes designed to make the sport more exciting for viewers, such as the introduction of the 20/20 format in cricket.
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