What classifies something as a "sport"?

**jtd9046** · 02-19-2007, 10:02 AM

Is beer pong a sport?

**mj4cy** · 02-19-2007, 10:02 AM

Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Used by itself, sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determiner of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors.

from wikipedia

while ESPN loves to show the spelling bee each year, which is obviously not a sport, i would have to say NASCAR is a form of sport by definition

**ISUKyro** · 02-19-2007, 10:06 AM

mjones34 - your post brings up a good point. Being that we can't decide on the definition of what is a sport, this debate will never end.

Many think it is, many don't.

**brianhos** · 02-19-2007, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by ISUKyro

mjones34 - your post brings up a good point. Being that we can't decide on the definition of what is a sport, this debate will never end.

Many think it is, many don't.

Totally agree, we could debate this for pages and pages, but we will all have to agree to disagree. What we really need to be concerned with is how can I get better football seats before we start challenging for big 12 championships again!

**cycloneworld** · 02-19-2007, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by tigershoops31

My Grandpa Jerry is 70. He can still beat the pants off of me at Memory...darn game (or would it be considered a sport?).

Was your match on ESPN? If so, then maybe.

**ISUKyro** · 02-19-2007, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by brianhos

Totally agree, we could debate this for pages and pages, but we will all have to agree to disagree. What we really need to be concerned with is how can I get better football seats before we start challenging for big 12 championships again!

Brianhos - for the first time in 2 days now I think I agree with you 100%

**cycloneworld** · 02-19-2007, 10:17 AM

Last year's ratings prove that the audience must think it's a sport as NBC and Fox bill it as a sport. Here are just a few ratings from last year:

Daytona - 11.3 rating/23 share - NBC
California - 7.4 rating - Fox
Las Vegas - 6.2/12 - Fox
Martinsville - 6.2/15 - Fox

We'll see how this year's ratings compare with last year's.

As a comparison...the NBA Finals last year averaged an 8.5 rating.

**brianhos** · 02-19-2007, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by ISUKyro

Brianhos - for the first time in 2 days now I think I agree with you 100%

That is the first sign of the apocolype right? I am going to go hide in the basement, something is wrong.

**brianhos** · 02-19-2007, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by cycloneworld

Last year's ratings prove that the audience must think it's a sport as NBC and Fox bill it as a sport. Here are just a few ratings from last year:

Daytona - 11.3 rating/23 share - NBC
California - 7.4 rating - Fox
Las Vegas - 6.2/12 - Fox
Martinsville - 6.2/15 - Fox

We'll see how this year's ratings compare with last year's.

As a comparison...the NBA Finals last year averaged an 8.5 rating.

Being better than the NBA does not say much, I really cannot stand nascar (gee can ya tell), but it is still much more exciting than the nba.

**CyCy** · 02-19-2007, 10:20 AM

If it's ever been televised on ESPN, then it must be a sport. I guess that would then include poker and blackjack.

**jkoo** · 02-19-2007, 10:21 AM

the main component in NASCAR is the car itself. A MACHINE. basketball, football, track, fencing, etc all require human physical skill and a higher spatial capacity. so in my opinion nascar and horseracing are one in the same. competitive, but not sport.

**cytech** · 02-19-2007, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by CyCy

If it's ever been televised on ESPN, then it must be a sport. I guess that would then include poker and blackjack.

Don't forget about the world series of domino's that was on during the world cup. And the hot dog/krystal eatting contests too lol

**cycloneworld** · 02-19-2007, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by jkoo

the main component in NASCAR is the car itself. A MACHINE. basketball, football, track, fencing, etc all require human physical skill and a higher spatial capacity. so in my opinion nascar and horseracing are one in the same. competitive, but not sport.

I understand and respect that position. However, with restrictor plate racing (like Daytona) basically means that all of the car engines perform the same. So really it's the setup of the car by the team and the drivers ability that decides the race.

**Schriner** · 02-19-2007, 10:40 AM

This is an argument that I've had many times over the years, usually when it's time for the Olympics and I'm subjected to hours of gymanstics and figure skating. My arguments have evolved over the years - it used to be that it's not a sport if the outcome is solely determined by judges. Then it became it's not a sport if I can't bet on it. Currently, my position is that it isn't a sport if there are no fantasy leagues associated with it. This definition may not work for everyone, though.

**cmoore_23** · 02-19-2007, 10:55 AM

It IS a sport.. but one that requires more mental toughness then others.. and also it does require some physical, because you are so tense in the car and you have to have some arm strenth..