Frontline Season 12 Episode 13 In the Game

In the Game is the thirteenth episode of the twelfth season of Frontline, a long-running investigative documentary series on PBS. This episode explores the world of professional sports and how it has become a big business in America. The hour-long program delves deep into the consequences of this dynamic, revealing the darker side of sports fandom from the perspectives of athletes, fans, and the industry behind the spectacle.

The episode begins by examining the life of young athletes who aspire to become professionals and how sports have become a path to prestige, fame, and wealth. However, the program also shines a light on the financial burden that many of them face, with the high costs of training programs, travel, and equipment putting them at a disadvantage. With many sports teams now owned by wealthy corporate entities and sponsorships dominating the industry, the episode raises the question of whether the love of the game can still drive players towards success, or whether it is all about making money.

In the Game then takes viewers behind the scenes and into the world of sports agents, revealing the courting practices of agents to lure potential talents, but also the unscrupulous tactics used to secure them for their roster. Using interviews with athletes and industry insiders, the episode uncovers the manipulative practices that agents deploy and how it can ultimately hurt their clients' careers.

The second half of the episode takes a closer look at the fans and their relationship to their favorite teams and players. The program talks about the culture of fandom and how it can lead to destructive mob behavior and violence at stadiums and arenas. This is especially relevant in American football, where the sport has shown to have a much higher rate of concussions and traumatic brain injuries compared to other professional sports. Ultimately, the episode questions whether the entertainment value of sports justifies the physical, emotional, and financial damage inflicted on players.

Throughout the entire episode, Frontline offers a sobering critique of the sports industry and its impact on the lives of those who participate in it. It shows how the allure of sports can overshadow the negative aspects, leaving athletes, fans, and the culture at large to grapple with the real-world consequences. In the Game calls on everyone to take a hard look at what they value most about the sports culture and whether it has strayed too far from its original intent.