In Sports Leagues, Collusion and Lack of Competition are Necessary for Success

1min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Sports leagues, unlike corporations, do not face much competition from upstarts or rivals, so they actively work to crush their competition. This behavior, while seemingly collusive, is necessary for the functioning of sports leagues. In contrast to companies like Apple and Samsung, sports teams need each other to play and create an entertaining product, which ultimately leads to a lucrative business.

They’re heading to the Super Bowl for the second time in five years. But back in 2018, they were coming off a long losing streak — and that’s the year we sat down with 49ers players, coaches, and executives to hear their turnaround plans. It’s probably time to consider the turnaround a success.

SOURCES:
- Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders; former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Al Guido, president of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Kyle Juszczyk, fullback for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Bob Lange, senior vice president of communications for the Philadelphia Eagles; former vice-president of communications for the San Francisco 49ers.
- John Lynch, general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises and executive vice-president of football operations for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Victor Matheson, economist at College of the Holy Cross.
- Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Malcolm Smith, former linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Joe Staley, former offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Solomon Thomas, defensive tackle for the New York Jets; former defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers.
- Jed York, C.E.O. of the San Francisco 49ers.