The annual lights festival by the Ravenswood Neighbors Association resumed Friday evening.

Chicago News Sports Events Culture

If you have ever spent time in Chicago you will have to admit that the city has a rather impressive sports culture. Whether it is the NBA’s Bulls, the NHL’s Blackhawks, or even the Cubs, the fans in the Windy City are always ready to cheer on their favorite team. The fact that the Chicago sports culture has garnered several awards speaks volumes about the dedication of the fans.

In the early 19th century the print media’s sports coverage was limited to announcing events. But in today’s digital age, print media has evolved far beyond its humble beginnings. A well designed sports website, for instance, provides readers with an enlightening glimpse into the world of athletics and the athletes themselves. This, in turn, has led to a bona fide industry, as measured by its economic contributions. In 2010, sports generated $340 million for the New York City economy.

In addition to helping boost the local economy, sports have a significant role to play in socializing fans. In 2013, for example, the Boston Bruins visited a local children’s hospital on Halloween. Similarly, the Reach out and Reinforce Respect program launched by Northwestern’s athletic department is a good place to start. And if you’re a fan of the sport, you’ll be happy to know that Jay Cutler’s jersey burning didn’t deter attendance.

Overall, the evolution of the sports industry can be seen as a result of the emergence of an interconnected global marketplace. The most obvious outcome is that sports have moved from the hinterlands to the foreground.