ammattilaisliiga
Ammattilaisliiga is a Finnish term used to describe a professional sports league, in which players are paid salaries and the competition is organized as a full-time professional endeavor. The term is not the name of a single league; rather, it functions as a generic descriptor for the highest level of play in a sport where professionalism is established.
Etymology and usage: ammattilainen means professional and liiga means league. The compound emphasizes the transition from
Usage and examples: In Finland, the top leagues in several sports are commonly treated as ammattilaisliiga.
History and development: The professionalization of Finnish team sports accelerated in the late 20th century with