the word "sport" first meant something that people did in their free time. later it often meant hunting wild animals and birds. about a hundred years ago the word was first used for organized games.

　　this is the usual meaning of the word today. people spend a lot of their spare time playing football, basketball, tennis and many other sports. such people play because they want to. a few people are paid for the sport they play. these people are called professional sportsmen. they may be sportsmen for only a few years, but during that time the best ones can earn a lot of money.

　　for example, a professional footballer in england earns more than 30,000 pounds a year. the stars can earn a lot more. international golf and tennis champions can make more than 50,000 pounds a year. of course, only a few sportsmen can earn as much money as that.

　　it is only possible in sports for individuals, like golf, tennis and motor racing. perhaps the most surprising thing about sportsmen and money is this: the stars can earn more money from advertising than from sports.an advertisement for sports equipment doesn`t simply say,"buy our things". it says, "buy the same shirt and shoes as..." famous sportsmen can even advertise things like warches and food.

　　they allow the companies to use their name or a photograph of them and they are paid for this. sport is no longer just something for people`s spare time.