Unlike any other business in the United States, sports must preserve an illusion of perfect innocence. The mounting of this illusion defines the purpose and accounts for the immense wealth of American sports. It is the ceremony of innocence that the fans pay to see -- not the game or the match or the bout, but the ritual portrayal of a world in which time stops and all hope remains plausible, in which everybody present can recover the blameless expectations of a child, where the forces of light always triumph over the powers of darkness.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the unique nature of the sports industry in the United States. Unlike other businesses, sports rely on maintaining an image of pure innocence in order to thrive. This illusion is what fans pay to witness - not just the game itself, but the carefully curated performance that transports them to a world where time stands still and hope is always possible. In this world, everyone present can experience the pure and blameless expectations of a child, where goodness ultimately triumphs over evil. This illusion plays a vital role in both the purpose and profitability of American sports.

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