ˈshaməˌtərˌizəm, -əd.əˌri-, -əˌt(y)u̇(ə)rˌi-, -əˌchu̇(ə)rˌi-, -əchəˌri- noun
( -s )
Etymology: blend of sham (III) and amateurism
: the practice of treating certain athletes as amateurs so that they will be eligible for amateur competition while subsidizing them with illegal payments or with excessive expense money