What is an athlete's 'job'?

[Lord Camomile]

Question that comes up in my mind during various conversations in sport.

Obviously in one sense their 'job' is simply playing whatever sport they are paid to play.

However, even that's not as simple, because some athletes are paid regular wages, while others aren't 'paid' a wage but have to win prize money. Alongside, obviously, sponsorships and other deals.

But I suppose for me the question I'm most interested in is whether it's an athlete's job to win, or to entertain?

For example: Jose Mourinho sides (in the past, at least...) won many trophies, but were often described as 'boring' in the pragmatic, risk-averse way they played the game. Meanwhile, aside from the First Division title in his first season, Kevin Keegan's Newcastle won dick all, but were lauded as a fantastically entertaining team who many fans from other clubs enjoyed watching.

Football is the sport I know most about so the one I can reference examples most easily in, but this is obviously a question relevant to all sports, hence putting it in this forum, and would be interested in what other examples or issues there are in other sports away from football.

For example, Naomi Osaka recently decided not to do post-match press conferences, and there was a lot commentary along the lines of "but that's part of her job".

 

[A380]

They are part of the entertainment industry. Their job is to divert and entertain those that are interested in the sport they compete at.

 

[WouldBe]

Work in film / TV as a runner.

 

[souljacker]

Question that comes up in my mind during various conversations in sport.

Obviously in one sense their 'job' is simply playing whatever sport they are paid to play.

However, even that's not as simple, because some athletes are paid regular wages, while others aren't 'paid' a wage but have to win prize money. Alongside, obviously, sponsorships and other deals.

But I suppose for me the question I'm most interested in is whether it's an athlete's job to win, or to entertain?

For example: Jose Mourinho sides (in the past, at least...) won many trophies, but were often described as 'boring' in the pragmatic, risk-averse way they played the game. Meanwhile, aside from the First Division title in his first season, Kevin Keegan's Newcastle won dick all, but were lauded as a fantastically entertaining team who many fans from other clubs enjoyed watching.

Football is the sport I know most about so the one I can reference examples most easily in, but this is obviously a question relevant to all sports, hence putting it in this forum, and would be interested in what other examples or issues there are in other sports away from football.

For example, Naomi Osaka recently decided not to do post-match press conferences, and there was a lot commentary along the lines of "but that's part of her job".

A football managers job is to manage a football team. They will be given targets, like all managers. For a shit team, that target will be 'don't get relegated'. For a decent team, it will be qualify for Europe or get promoted. There won't ever be a target of 'play nice football, doesn't matter what League position you get' because it's League position that makes the money.

Osaka is contractually obliged to attend press conferences. She isn't allowed to play in certain tournaments if she won't do them. The fact that she refuses because of her mental health should be taken into consideration imo but it isn't. Footballers and other athletes will also have clauses in their contract saying they must do post match interviews and local charity work too. They will also have contractual obligations to their sponsors.