Final answer:
The 'old boys club' has influenced all areas of sports-related jobs in the NBA, NFL, and MLB, including team owners, team managers, team coaches, and to a lesser extent, professional athletes. Historical trends show a slow diversification of these roles, with greater progress seen in the realm of professional athletes. The commercial success and cultural impact of stars like Kobe Bryant indicate a potential shift towards more inclusive practices in sports management over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of the "old boys club" refers to the informal system where preferential treatment is given to men, typically white, who are part of an exclusive social network, often leading to inequalities in various fields, including sports management. This phenomenon has influenced all levels of sports-related jobs in the major American sports leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Team owners, team managers, and team coaches have historically been dominated by a select group of individuals who often share similar backgrounds and networks, and continue to do so to different extents today. Although professional sports have seen some progress with the inclusion of diverse athletes, the realms of ownership, management, and coaching have been slower to reflect such diversity.
The opportunities for success in professional sports can sometimes transcend social barriers, as seen through the fame and fortune achieved by star athletes. However, positions of power behind the scenes such as owners, managers, and coaches often remain influenced by traditional social networks and may not reflect the diversity of the athletes themselves. Historical segregation and the desire to maintain the status quo or fanbase have sometimes led team management to avoid confrontation and maintain established power structures. Nonetheless, the commercialization of sports and the success of icons like Kobe Bryant have gradually chipped away at these barriers, suggesting that while the 'old boys club' influence persists, change is possible over time.