The public bidding that took place between MTV and LBC for the rights to broadcast basketball games for the next four years has set a precedent for broadcast rights in Lebanon. This comes after years of secret bidding or brokerage that occurred under some mandates.
The federation decided that the bidding would be public and mediatized to ensure transparency in the awarding of broadcast rights. MTV had won these over four years with an amount exceeding $10 million. This outcome surprised many and sparked a wave of replies, some positive and some negative, arguing that the economic situation does not warrant such a high expenditure.
However, the matter is not that simple. It has a profound, positive impact on the Lebanese economy, for several reasons:
First, basketball has a significant social importance in Lebanon. The achievements the country has made in this sport have positioned it among the top twenty countries in the world. This clearly indicates that supporting this sport can lead to global achievements.
Second, the sport in question has played a significant political role, especially during the Syrian occupation of Lebanon. The Sagesse (Hekmeh) team became a major symbol for the Christian community in the absence of its leaders, providing it with a sense of victory and achievement. Similarly, it boosted the resolve of the Sunni community, which supported the Riyadi team, the leading club in terms of championships won to date.
Third, the ten million dollars do not go to the federation but to the clubs of the first division and other ones. Therefore, the aim is to support players and teams to improve the quality of play and make for better competition in championships. This support significantly promotes sports and encourages youth participation, diverting them from harmful activities – a principle endorsed by international charters that emphasize the importance of team sports.
Fourth, and most importantly, this move stimulates economic activity, attracting many sponsors and advertisements following the economic stagnation Lebanon has experienced over the past four years. It also opens up job opportunities since hundreds of families depend on this sport, including players, technical and administrative teams, and workers in the media and advertising sectors.
Considering all these points, basketball and sports in general are indeed worth ten million dollars. It is in fact a fundamental matter when it comes to issues unrelated to politics, as it allows players to dedicate their time to sports. Many players previously had to work full-time during the day and train at night to secure their future through other stable means.
Sports are not secondary; rather it is the entrenched Lebanese mentality that views anything unrelated to politics and economics as secondary. Countries around the world establish academies to train youth and encourage them to engage in sports, while Lebanon is preoccupied with sectarian and political conflicts. It is crucial to embrace this positively, as supporting basketball represents the first significant avenue for positivity in Lebanon, paving the way until lasting stability is attained.
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