In The Legend of Korra (second Avatar Series from Nickelodeon) professional tournament bending has a trio of earth, water, and fire benders squaring off against one another; but why isn't airbending represented?
Answer
Avatar Aang is the last of the Air Nomads, a group wiped out by the Fire Nation. He had three children who could have been airbenders:
Kya is the first of Aang and Katara's three children and their only daughter, as well as the only waterbender that the couple parented.
Kya and most likely her children are unable to airbend, so can be discounted.
Bumi is Aang and Katara's second child and oldest son, as well as the only non-bender among the couple's three children.
Bumi is a non-bender, so he and his lineage can likely be discounted.
Tenzin, the youngest son of Avatar Aang and Katara, is the only airbending master, and represents the Air Nation on the United Republic Council. He resides on Air Temple Island,... with his pregnant wife, Pema, and his three children, Jinora, Ikki and Meelo.
Tenzin is a master airbender and until the first few episodes looked down upon the Professional Bending tournament. His three children, though all airbenders, are not skilled enough to be considered for a team (And likely too young - though who knows the rules, if Toph could previously compete in a similar tournament?)
Tenzin lives on the island with Air acolytes, but none of them are airbenders:
Air Acolytes are monks and nuns that reside on Air Temple Island. Although not airbenders themselves, they carry on the teachings of the Air Nomads, their culture, and their traditions through practice.
So as far as we know the only air-benders in existence are Tenzin and his children. None of who are eligible or willing to join the tournament.
Bear in mind that there could be a team with an airbender that we haven't seen, but it's highly unlikely.
Further to this, given that in the current rules there is one (and only one) representative for each element required for a team. If an air bender was needed, there would need to be at least as many air-benders as teams, which is unlikely given Tenzin and his family's status as the last air-benders.
Quotes taken from the Avatar Wikia
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