'Basketball can be sold just like Coca-Cola': an examination of the principle of amateurism in Israeli sport over time

This article seeks to examine how the principle of amateurism in Israeli sport dwindled during the country's first two decades. To understand the change that took place in the attitude toward this principle, we present two events from the world of basketball: the Harlem Globetrotters visit to Israel in 1955 and the establishment of the European Professional Basketball League in 1975. These two events shared some similarities: both represented American culture and both operated contrary to the principle of amateurism.This article discusses the special significance attributed to the principle of amateurism in Israel and its gradual erosion due to the Americanization of Israeli sodety.The article also investigates the efforts to establish the professional league and the factors that led to its failure.

Automated summary

This article examines the decline of the amateurism principle in Israeli sports during the country's early years. It focuses on two basketball events, the visit of the Harlem Globetrotters in 1955 and the establishment of the European Professional Basketball League in 1975, which both went against the principle of amateurism. The article discusses the significance of amateurism in Israel and its erosion due to American influence, as well as the efforts and factors that led to the failure of establishing a professional league.