In the Journal of Sport and Social Issues, William J. Morgan posed that, “sport is an essential instrument of the social order to be used to promote economic and political agendas” and in a larger sense that, “this sport ideology is but a reflection of the larger, ideological hegemony of advanced industrial society” and “a reflection of the prevailing economic order” (Morgan 1983). Through this work, I intend to argue that this prevailing economic order can be viewed through the lens of the Australian Football League’s (AFL) contentious desire to professionalize. While critics and proponents of capital-based approaches may argue the benefit of the league’s development, the opportunity cost of alienating fans and degrading tradition is greater. The AFL should retain its current philosophy and prevent professionalization allowing the sport to preserve its traditional values, relationship with Australian communities, and prevent the development of damaging capitalist ideals. It is through the AFL’s current philosophy that it has established its success, collected a dedicated fan…