“If the New Deal could not end the Great Depression, a world war would.” (Schultz, Hist 383).  Coming from an economic downfall, war seemed to be the best option in order to bring back prosperity to the states.  Just as predicted, World War II helped increase productivity of industry, which meant more income to Americans, and at the end of the war, Americans found themselves with more money and more time.  These combined ultimately helped sports become “America’s Favorite Past Time”.  Sports, specifically on the West Coast, grew in importance in American society due to greater accessibility to a broader public, the stress relief it brought to people, and it’s new found affordability.