The gladiatorial fights in Roman amphitheaters evolved into a lucrative business model and industry, creating many jobs such as editors, coaches, doctors, musicians, retailers, and more. In many ways, the economy around gladiators resembled modern professional sports leagues, with salaries, champion wealth, local fan clubs, merchandise, betting, and more. While the Greeks are credited with inventing amateur sport, the Romans could be said to have invented the structured professional sport business through the gladiator contests and accompanying industry that emerged in their amphitheaters.

1. How the
Romans
Invented Pro
Sport
Business?

2. • The gladiators fight in the amphitheater
became during the roman empire a real
lucrative show business. A real business model
emerged around and in the amphitheater. A
lot of jobs were created: fights editor, coaches,
team doctors with energy drinks, musicians,
specific merchandising retail and production,
food, fan and pillar rental, advertiser …

3. • “Gladiators of Modern Times” has for some
time been a frequently used journalistic
expression when speaking of professional
athletes.

4. • What if it this were true? More precisely, if
the Greeks “invented” amateur sport, then
wouldn’t the Romans have “invented”
structured professional sport?

5. • Indeed, athletes in the first Olympic games
received bonuses as well as being exempted
from military service.

6. • Nonetheless, the economy that grew around
gladiators’ combats in many ways resembles
that of our times: salary cap, champions’
wealth, local supporting clubs, supporters of
round or big shields, hooliganism banning
access to amphitheaters, as well as the
merchandising of champion gladiators,
cushion and fan rentals, food and drink sales,
compensation for wounds, speculation on the
value of gladiators, betting, etc.…

7. • 1. How the Romans Invented Pro Sport Business
•
• 2. Death, first injuries and knock-outs
•
• 3. Tie fights / matches
•
• 4. Gladiator Coaches (doctore) and Modern
Sportsmen

8. • 5. Gladiator Combat Referees and Sports Referees
•
• 6. Champions’ money and the wealth of stars
(gladiators and athletes)
•
• 7. The audience’s role
•
• 8. Supporters of different type of gladiators

9. • 9. A 10-year ban for the city of Pompeii
(hooligans in the amphitheater)
•
• 10. Stadium crowds and capacity
•
• 11. Stage Names of Gladiator’s
•

10. • 12. Energy drinks, food and miraculous
products
•
• 13. Graffiti

11. • https://www.amazon.fr/Gladiators-Pro-Sports-
Invented-Business-
ebook/dp/B077Y1F7VK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-
text&ie=UTF8&qid=1512759745&sr=1-
1&keywords=Gladiators+vs+Pro+Sports+How+the
+Romans+Invented+Pro+Sport+Business%3F
•
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1321007030
•

12. • https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gladiato
rs-vs-pro-sports-paternus-de-
lumo/1127594873?ean=9781912317851
•
• https://www.kobo.com/fr/fr/ebook/gladiators
-vs-pro-sports