Final answer:
The United States played a pivotal role in the development of modern sports and sport management, originating basketball in 1891 and transforming boxing and other sports into mainstream culture with celebrated athletes like Babe Ruth becoming global icons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Birthplace of Modern Sport and Sport Management
The claim that 'The United States is the birthplace of modern sport and sport management' is supported by several historical advancements in sports that originated within the country. In particular, basketball was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891. This sport has become a cornerstone of American culture and athletics. The United States also witnessed the rise of professional and college sports during the late nineteenth century, with boxing and iconic figures like John L. Sullivan paving the way for sports to become part of mainstream culture. Interaction with sports figures extended beyond the arenas, with athletes like Jim Thorpe and Babe Ruth capturing the public's imagination and achieving stardom that transcended the sports themselves.
Furthermore, the evolution of sports management can be traced back to the organization of teams and management techniques akin to that of modern corporations, specifically seen in college football. The era also saw the proliferation of sports through advancements in motion pictures and media, cementing figures like Babe Ruth not only as a sports icon but as an international symbol of the United States. The proliferation of world-class American sports figures in various sports, their ascension to celebrity status, and the desire by foreign governments to host sporting events featuring them indicate the significant global impact the United States had on modern sports and sport management.