and need fixing.
Why do I love college sports? Because games matter, and the kids are there (most of them) trying their hardest. In large part, it's not about the individual, but about the team. This is why successful programs constantly harp about Hold the Rope, teamwork, leadership, etc. Why am I not a huge fan of professional sports? Often, you get the exact opposite.
The Marlins player who botched a play, then jogged after the ball letting two runs score was a joke. Worse than that, was him challenging his manager. The Redskins Haynesworth has been critical of his team, his role in the game, and not showing up for workouts.
Knicks Marbury (ex) didn't want to enter a game, was suspended and sat out for a long period while getting paid.
What do all these players have in common? Guaranteed money and contracts far exceeding 50 million. I have no problem with someone getting paid.....if it is being earned. No one doubted their skill, but something is missing when after they get the big bucks they turn on the team who invested heavily in them.
It's time to stop relying on players to produce because they ought to. Teams like the Reds who have handed out large contracts have been burned by almost every one in the past 10 years. In their case, it's been more talent regression than outright selfish behavior, but does it matter? For Cincinnati, if two players making more than just 8 million don't produce, it kills them. My question would be, why should the team (and fans) be held hostage by an employee of the team? Especially when undue harm can come from it.
The answer is doing away with the large amounts of guaranteed monies inserted in the contracts. I'm all for having players be set financially, but does that involve tens of millions before it's earned on the field? A large percentage should be earned by meeting simple benchmarks like being on the roster, meeting agreed upon goals-even fairly easy ones for someone of that caliber, drug free, suspension free, etc.
If pro sports wants fans, then provide a good product. This means getting the players to actually play hard and contributing to the organization. When someone lacks motivation because the money is coming regardless, the incentive of earning your pay is lost, and the game suffers.
Why do I love college sports? Because games matter, and the kids are there (most of them) trying their hardest. In large part, it's not about the individual, but about the team. This is why successful programs constantly harp about Hold the Rope, teamwork, leadership, etc. Why am I not a huge fan of professional sports? Often, you get the exact opposite.
The Marlins player who botched a play, then jogged after the ball letting two runs score was a joke. Worse than that, was him challenging his manager. The Redskins Haynesworth has been critical of his team, his role in the game, and not showing up for workouts.
Knicks Marbury (ex) didn't want to enter a game, was suspended and sat out for a long period while getting paid.
What do all these players have in common? Guaranteed money and contracts far exceeding 50 million. I have no problem with someone getting paid.....if it is being earned. No one doubted their skill, but something is missing when after they get the big bucks they turn on the team who invested heavily in them.
It's time to stop relying on players to produce because they ought to. Teams like the Reds who have handed out large contracts have been burned by almost every one in the past 10 years. In their case, it's been more talent regression than outright selfish behavior, but does it matter? For Cincinnati, if two players making more than just 8 million don't produce, it kills them. My question would be, why should the team (and fans) be held hostage by an employee of the team? Especially when undue harm can come from it.
The answer is doing away with the large amounts of guaranteed monies inserted in the contracts. I'm all for having players be set financially, but does that involve tens of millions before it's earned on the field? A large percentage should be earned by meeting simple benchmarks like being on the roster, meeting agreed upon goals-even fairly easy ones for someone of that caliber, drug free, suspension free, etc.
If pro sports wants fans, then provide a good product. This means getting the players to actually play hard and contributing to the organization. When someone lacks motivation because the money is coming regardless, the incentive of earning your pay is lost, and the game suffers.