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Please, explain American sport system to an European

posted 8 years ago by Djedo
7 replies | jump to latest

I guess this board could be as good as any for me to finally ask this question. I'm almost 40, and I've watched dozens of American sport films (far more than European, seems Europeans do not make sport films that often), mostly about football and baseball, but also about basketball and hockey. But, still, I didn't grasp how the system works. Now, the question is, to put it simple: what is the road for a boy in USA to become a professional player (NBA, NFL, MLB or NHL)? Does it always has to be through high school and college? What happens with players who finish college, but do not make it to professional league? I have more questions, but let's start with these.
Here I'll add a short explanation of the sport system in my country, which is basically the same in all of Europe, at least with soccer or basketball. First, it is usually not connected to the school system in any way. You sign your kid with a club, which could be some little town club, but also it can be national or European champion, depends where you live, how much money you have or how talented your kid is. He starts with U-12 category, then he advances to U-14, U-16 and U-19 or something like that. But all the time in the same club, unless you move it to another club by yourself. Also, doesn't have to wait to be 18 to become professional, if the club finds him to be ready to compete with others at professional level. When he reaches 18 years he can sign for any club in Europe which shows interest or offers enough money. All the professional clubs are obligated to have in their structure all those different age levels. League system is unified in the whole of Europe through the promotion/relegation system, so a team from a little village can theoretically advance in several years to become European champion (but just in theory, practically not possible, unless you have a billion dollars to invest in players and club infrastructure). This is oversimplified version I laid there, but basically this is how it works. So, please, try to explain how this works in USA, and be detailed as much as you can. I hope we'll have nice and informative discussion. Thanks.

[–] strntz 8 years ago

For NFL, MLB and NBA, most players come from the college teams. These players are often scouted from high school (although some players don't appear on scout's radar until their senior year of college) and are signed.

There is no prerequisite that players must go from college (or high school) to the pros. Players who don't get signed out of school will often join amateur or non-affiliated leagues. Scouts watch the non-affiliated leagues looking for late bloomers. Players who do well in these leagues can get a pro-contract.

MLB and NBA players can also be international free agents.

Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Is very bad.

[–] does_england_exist 7 years ago

I'm American, but I know a little of what you're talking about. Our young athletes usually leave city-organized sport in favor of playing for a school team when they enter high school. In fact, many schools have policies stating that their players cannot practice with another team during their specific sport's season, due to risk of injury.

In high school, one's hope is to be scouted by a university and offered a place. An exemplary collegiate player can be drafted by a professional team. That's usually the way it goes, but there are exceptions.

We don't really have clubs the way you do. Cities organize softball/soccer/basketball leagues for adults, but for recreation only.

[–] mgustafson (9) 10 months ago

I'll give my 2 cents.

College football is unique. As far as I know there is nothing quite like it in Europe or the UK. That a sport featuring non professionals(That has changed some.) would be so popular. But college football was around a long time before pro football and has an incredible tradition that is not equaled.

There are 8 college stadiums with over 100,000 seats and not one that big for a pro team. Those stadiums are packed for every game. The Notre Dame stadium holds 82,000. While most American football fans have 2 favorite teams a fav NFL team and a fav college team there are still some fans who are fanatical about a college team and care little about the NFL.

College basketball is also hugely popular so i would say that is the biggest difference between here and over there. That 2 non professional college sports are so popular and so important to so many and this film is about that.

[–] moviechatterer (13558) 10 months ago

thanks for 2c,
as non USA , I'd never really put 2 + 2 together to realize college is non pro .
the clues are there in the name i guess.

So when Swayze recognsed undercover agent Johhny Utah - "Hey its number 9 ! " . He was non pro and at college?

I had heard stories of college coaches being on mega bucks tho due to their sports temabeing more important than anything else going on at the college

[–] mgustafson (9) 10 months ago

The simple point is that college football and basketball are hugely popular here unlike college sports anywhere else.

There are 10-11 college football stadiums that are larger than Wembley in London and they are full every game that is played there.

[–] Stratego (29347) 8 months ago

It's a ridiculous concept, really.

[–] liscarkat (16750) 6 months ago

One thing that I've always thought odd is that while college football and basketball are extremely popular in the U.S., college baseball is almost ignored. Games are usually played on campus diamonds with bleachers that can hold a hundred or so spectators. Usually it's just some parents and friends watching, and there's no television coverage. I've seen far bigger crowds at local Little League games. College baseball has just never caught on with the general public.