THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS LEAGUES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF RUSSIAN SPORTS GEOGRAPHY

The paper considers the applicability of the American system of professional sports leagues for the development of sports in Russia. Comparative-geographical, cartographic methods, as well as modelling method and system approach are used. The key problems of sports geography development in Russia in the conditions of sanctions after the beginning of the special military operation are highlighted. Characteristic features of the American system, its advantages and disadvantages are revealed. The existing approaches to their study in Western science are shown. The geographical and social factors of placing professional sports teams in Russia and the USA in different sports are compared. The similarity of American sports geography at the initial stage with modern Russian sports geography is noted. The way of overcoming the problems of the initial stage of development of sports geography in the USA and its applicability in the realities of Russia is analysed. Advantages and disadvantages of the American system of professional sports leagues for Russian sport are highlighted. Possible centres for the development of club sports in Russia using the American system are proposed. It is concluded that, in the conditions of the continued exclusion of Russian teams from international competitions, the American system is one of the options for the sovereign development of sports in the country.