Globalization has influenced sports development as it is part of a larger process, a global network of interdependencies. The 20th century saw the birth of global economies, transnational cosmopolitan cultures, and a broad range of international social movements. With the increased mobility of people, money, images, and ideas, these patterns have influenced the growth and development of modern sports. What is interesting is how sports have evolved from local, regional, and national practices to global phenomena.
Emotions in sports are orchestrated, starting with the arousal of expectations, which is then directed into a series of identifiable displays. Elite athletes internalize a script dictated by coaches and media pundits, and stage setters elicit emotional responses from spectators throughout games. These processes are crucial in shaping the roles of players, coaches, and fans, and they form a link between sports and national identity. However, the emotional experiences of individuals vary significantly, and this diversity may make it difficult to define the role of sports as a whole.
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, globalization has impacted the nature of sports and their popularity. Several sports have become highly commercialized, with many transnational corporations seeking to market every type of product to every available consumer. This means that modern sports have become more than just a source of leisure, they are signs of power, distinction, and prestige. There are also numerous examples of sports that are no longer considered elite and have become mass-market phenomenons.