Does Leaving A Franchise Make An Athlete A Villain?
Start writing a post
Sports

Does Leaving A Franchise Make An Athlete A Villain?

After an NFL Free-Agency that say many players leave their teams and an NBA season with a lot of moves, it's to to really ask this.

128
Does Leaving A Franchise Make An Athlete A Villain?
Facebook CBS Sports

Loyalty: 1. the quality of being loyal to someone or something. 2. a strong feeling of support or allegiance.

Betrayal: 1. the action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; treachery.

Traitor: 1. a person who betrays a friend, country, principle, etc.

I think it's important to remember exactly what these words mean before I start this article.

In sports, there are three ways to leave a team: free agency, trade/cut, and retirement.

Those first two are going to be the main focus here.

When players leave a franchise via free agency, they are considered disloyal, people say they betrayed their team, and they get labeled a snake or a traitor. When a franchise trades away or cuts a player, it was done to improve the team, the player wouldn't take a pay cut, or they were a "locker room" problem. Basically, if a player choose to leave, they are a villain, but if a franchise gets rid of a player, it was best for business.

If you don't see at least a small problem with that, then you are part of the reason I decided to write this article.

Let me give you two examples, one that is sports related and one that is a bit more of a real-world example.

Tom Brady, yes the Patriots quarterback, is one of the most underpaid players in the league, and that is being generous. He is one of the greatest NFL players of all-time but was paid BELOW the league average for starting quarterbacks. Brady did this because he is loyal to the Patriots and wanted championships, but now that he is forty, he is getting closer to market value which is also starting to cause problems for the Patriots dynasty, i.e. they don't have a backup QB or much depth on the team.

The end of the Patriots dynasty is on the horizon, not just because of Brady's age, but the fact that he is going to want finally be getting paid a fair wage.

In a more real-world example for why the current mentality toward loyalty is a problem, think about any job you ever had. Now imagine if that job wanted to pay you below market value. Would you be a Tom Brady and take less than what you deserve because you would have the opportunity to be a part of a successful business, or would you actually want to get paid what you deserve?

If the options are $12 per hour at, I don't know, Panera, or $20 per hour plus tips at a steakhouse, which one are you taking? Money isn't everything, but are you really going to take that kind of pay-cut for a job? The problem is that, when it comes to sports, having that mentality makes you a villain.

The modern age has made money the most important thing to being considered successful. Yet we hold athletes to a different standard when it comes to going after money, rather than staying loyal to the franchise that drafted or signed them. Then those very same franchises do not have to have the same level of loyalty towards their players.

The next time one of your favorite players chooses to leave your favorite franchise, remember that they were just doing what they thought was best for them. It's not about loyalty, or betrayal, or being a traitor, but it's about doing what they had to do. Having them no longer with you team sucks, but if you really like the player, then you should be happy for them because they got to make the choice rather than the franchise making it for them.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

39657
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24229
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950220
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

129534
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments