ABSTRACT
Elite sport is in many cases a form of big business and its governing bodies are ruled to a great extent by the laws of supply and demand. This chapter explores a range of arguments that provide possible normative grounds for objecting to the commercialisation of sport. It also explores some of the most significant normative issues surrounding the commercialisation of sport and which lead some to regard it with suspicion and, sometimes, outright hostility. Additionally, there is a more general literature on commercialisation and markets that can readily be applied to sport. The chapter considers the philosophical literature dealing directly with commerce and sport. The idea is that such commercial understandings and attitudes are at odds with the ideals and motives internal to sport. In Michael Sandel’s work, commercialisation of sport is seen as a genuine threat to what matters about sport because of the consequences it has for access.
