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BASKETBALL

Basketball is one of the most popular and exciting of spectator
sports, as well as being a favorite leisure game for many people
since it requires little equipment besides a ball and a net, called a
basket. Basketball courts are found in many parks and public
spaces. Basketball has become one of the biggest and most lucra-
tive professional sports, with top players earning huge amounts of
money both for playing and for endorsing products such as sports
shoes.
The professional basketball organization is the National
Basketball Association (NBA), which holds its annual
championship, the World Championship (or NBA Finals), early
each summer. College basketball is equally popular and gets just
as much television coverage as professional games. The NCAA
college basketball tournament (March Madness, or the Final Four)
is played each spring.

OTHER SPORTS

Americans enjoy many other sports - golf, tennis, skiing,
swimming, and cycling, just to name a few - and there are many
public facilities for doing all of them. Soccer has become
increasingly popular in recent years, especially among children
and teenagers, although it has not gained as much acceptance on a
professional level. Hockey is another favorite sport, and its
popularity is not limited to the colder, northern states.
‘Hockey’ always refers to the sport played on ice. Field hockey
is not very common and is played primarily by young women in
schools.
Bowling is a recreational sport that is popular with people of
all ages across the country. Bowling alleys can be found
everywhere, and each game costs only a couple of dollars. Many
people play in organized amateur leagues, or have a regular
bowling night. However, most Americans go bowling only
occasionally.
Lawn bowling, or bowls, and crown green bowling are not