This week in class, Mr. O'Connor told us Mr. Bolos had been married twice. Mr. O'Connor later told our class that a group had asked him to confirm their belief that Mr. Bolos had been married to Jayne Hartman as well as Joan Gallagher, and he answered that he believed that was correct. Later on in the week he explained to us that the way we ask our questions can sometimes determine the answer we get. This can also be true in how we look at situations through our own experience, which can sometimes determine the way we draw our conclusions.
While thinking of a blog to write this week, I remembered an article on ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100813) that discussed player contract negotiations. The article went on to discuss how fans can only see players who ask for more money as greedy and selfish. From our perspectives, a player with a twelve million dollar contract for two years, who asks for millions more, does in fact seem greedy and selfish.
While it may seem selfish to us, the players care less about the money and more about the respect. If a new AIS teacher got a job at New Trier for more money than exerienced AIS teachers who have worked fifteen years for the school, and have proven themselves be better teachers, the experienced teachers would be angry. Even if the these teachers were happy with their original salary, it is unfair to give a new, and less experienced teacher more money. This is excactly how many NFL players feel. A rookie entering the NFL often makes significantly more money than veteran players, which is why so many players holdout on their contracts. Although fans may believe a player is greedy and selfish for not playing because they want more money, they are rarely certain of the player's underlying intentions. It is not fair to compare an NFL player's salary to your own. They should be judged against their peers. Are we certain that veteran players making six million a year don't deserve a million more, as an acknowledgement of their experience, and proven ability?
I do agree that veteran players who have proven themselves on the playing field should be granted the opportunity to "holdout" in an attempt to receive a larger contract. I do not, however, believe that there should be some sort of experience clause, in which an older player with much less talent and ability could possibly earn much more than a younger player with tremendous upside. That just simply does not seem fair, as the point of a contract is to reward the player on his job.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do agree that a fair amount of respect is intertwined with a contract, I disagree that it isn't about the money. Most of these players recognize the importance of being paid as much money as possible in order to secure their future outside of football. By signing a contract, you assure yourself that whatever happens during the duration of the contract, you will get paid what you are owed.