Taking a Closer Look at Spain's Sport Industry

After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we headed to Camp Nou, the home of F.C. Barcelona or "Barca."  The stadium is the anchor piece of a large sport-entertainment complex.  There is a tech-rich museum, Barca's famous youth development academy complex, retail, restaurants, a mega store, a hockey rink, and basketball and handball museum.  All of us couldn't help but think this facility had a mini "Disney village" feel.  There were lots of tourists moving throughout the complex with a personal audio tour device.  The integration of technology throughout the stadium was impressive and we just happened to be there the day that the club was announcing the signing of Thomas Vermaeven, formerly of Arsenal F.C. of the E.P.L.  There was a live telecast of the event and the students were able to watch as the event unfolded on large screen televisions located throughout the large outdoor concourse area.  Students had a great opportunity to identify elements of Catalan culture woven into the complex compared to what the group had previously seen at Real Madrid's home stadium.  After spending some time and  euros in the stadium three story gift store, we boarded the bus and headed out of the city.

Along the way, the class heard presentations about the state of sport in Spain from Neil Williams who identified the Barcelona Olympics as a significant event in the modern growth and development of Spain's sport industry.  Doug Castellano in comparing Ronaldo and Messi provided the group with fodder for a provocative discussion about the role of futbol in Spanish culture, the integration of foreign players into La Liga....and of course, the age old question of who are the best futbol players of all time.  It is probably no surprise to you that the Messi vs. Rondaldo debate is a contentious one and that ultimately, the group agreed that each athlete has contributed in meaningful ways both from a cultural and business standpoint to their respective franchises.  Lastly, Scott Trautwein presented research on the state of the Spanish sport industry.  His talk featured a summary of current world class professional athletes ranging from Nadol to Gasol.

After arriving in Costa Brava, the students and coaches checked into our seaside hotel and spent free time exploring the area.  We held an early evening class where we continued to discuss the cultural and historical etiology of the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barca, dating back to the Spanish Civil War and Spain under Franco.  Quiz three results were given and YES, you guessed it....the coaches and the students quiz scores were tied!  Quiz four was administered....stay tuned for the results.

The class closed with a discussion of the continued call for independence by Catalonia.  Students recounted several observations and experiences that spoke directly to the on-going push and pull between Madrid/the traditional Spanish nationalists and Catelonia.  The hotel is just teeming with people.  This is the largest facility we have stayed in.  Interestingly enough, the water flowing from the taps in the rooms is salt water so many of us made a bottled water run to the local market.  Dinner was a large scale buffet and tomorrow we head off to France for a one day visit with a stop at the Salvador Dali museum.