The three things I hear the most about from listeners and fans on Sports Byline are players salaries, ticket prices and loyalty. All three go hand in hand, but the one that strikes the harshest and hits home the most to them is loyalty.
Players salaries go up and that drives ticket prices up. There’s nothing fans can do about controlling either and in their hearts and minds I’m sure fans know it. But, loyalty is a personal and human quality. It’s a measure of your integrity to show commitment in whatever you do. I show loyalty by walking into the studio every night. Listeners show loyalty by listening. And, fans show loyalty by emotionally and financially supporting their favorite team or player. Loyalty is a “feel good” quality that makes us all feel good about ourselves and others. You can’t put a price tag on it.
Like all things in life, there’s perception and reality. Particularly when it comes to sports in the 90’s. Do athletes show loyalty today? Of course not. Should they ? No.
This may be hard for the “lead with your heart” sports fan to grasp, but since in reality sports is a business, then one’s loyalty is limited to that which is to their own best interest. Why should athletes be forever loyal when truck drivers, school teachers, sportscasters or business executives don’t have to and are free to better themselves, take a better offer or decide where they want to live and work? What makes the athlete’s right to do the same different from everyone else who can jump to the best job situation? Computer programmers follow the money and go where the creative atmosphere is most conducive to their specialized and creative talents. I never hear anyone complain about that. I suppose the difference is we have an emotional attachment to the athlete and the team he plays for, therefore his leaving is a break in that emotional bond. And, in a sports fan’s mind, his leaving for more money, a better work place or a chance to win a championship is looked upon as greedy, unappreciative and disloyal.
Another element fans fail to think about is the lack of loyalty owners or leagues show to the players. Pro sports are a commodity business. Success comes from having the best players. If a longtime player can’t cut it anymore, then a player who can is found and hired. In the NFL, contracts are not guaranteed so even though a player has a multi year deal, an off year can lead to unemployment and loss of income. Teams negotiate buyouts at less then the contract value for injured players they let go. And, what about the team that signs a player to a long term contract, but decides to trade that player to another team because they can better the team? What if that player doesn’t want to play for that team or on artificial grass or uproot his young family? The team certainly has the right to do so, but where is the loyalty there?
Business, commerce and money has changed the game. Sports was once a playground for our emotions and feelings. No amount of money could get the fan to surrender their loyalty to their favorite player or team. But times have changed. Fans are afraid to make that emotional loyalty bond, in fear it’s not appreciated or it’s temporary on the players part and will ultimately end in a messy emotional divorce down the line when a bigger offer comes along.
What should fans do? First, remember sports is the business of entertainment. You enjoy other entertainment for the moment, with no expectation. Do the same with sports. Second, understand athletes are working people, just like you and me. They may make more than we do, but they too deserve to have the same working rights of movement as you and I do. And finally, sports should be enjoyed and appreciated for the beauty of the game, its execution and its excitement. To a degree it’s fine to attach your enjoyment of sports to an athlete, but let your loyalty be to your team, not totally to those who play for it. Of course, that’s as long as you still have a team and they haven’t moved to another city for a new stadium or more money. But, that’s another discussion.
I feel better now.
I'm Ron Barr
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