2008 Woodie Awards
Agents of Destruction
Greg Jeffers
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Sports
If Shakespeare were alive today, his famous Henry VI quote about lawyers might actually read:
"First... smite all the sports agents." While I'd never promote such a dastardly deed, few tears would be shed if every sports agent in the world happened to wake up tomorrow in another dimension.
Professional athletes would get to keep another 15 percent of their earnings, young collegiate athletes could walk to class without dodging large sums of cash being waved in their faces; and "regular people" could afford going to a ball game more than once or twice a year.
This week it was reported that Yankees third baseman, and future Hall of Famer, Alex Rodriguez is seeking a 12-year, $360 million contract. That's $30 million a year- almost $200,000 a game- not too bad for three hours' work.
Meanwhile, a family looking to enjoy a night at the stadium has to shell out at least a C-note to cover parking and admission. Assuming they'd like to enjoy some stadium treats such as hot dogs and nachos, that little family outing just turned into a $200 hit against the monthly budget.
It's time owners told the agents to take a hike and refuse to pay ridiculous amounts of money to men playing a game- a glorious, majestic game- but a game nonetheless.
Perhaps the owners need convincing. Perhaps it's time the fans stopped going to games.
If ticket sales dried up, things might actually change.
Of course, the last time the fans started a boycott, the league started encouraging the use of steroids to destroy sacred home run records; and no baseball fan could possibly stay away.
The ploy worked- fans seem to be back for good, so now the league figures it's safe to "crack down" on the issue they once ignored in the interest of revenue.
If Commissioner Bud Selig would be willing to file down his devil horns long enough to be seen in public, I'd be happy to share my ideas for the betterment of the game. It will never happen, but Major League Baseball needs to convert to an incentive based system.
In a nutshell, each player would make a healthy base salary, but be rewarded for superior performance. If players don't like the system, well, no one is forcing them to play. If today's stars threaten to leave, fine. New fan favorites will undoubtedly emerge.
Successful athletes would still make great money- plus I've heard companies like Nike and Reebok happen to pay pretty well if you're at the top of your game.
In a perfect world, there would be no need for high-powered sports agents and their ludicrous demands. In a perfect world, athletes would play simply for the love of the game- and a pretty decent paycheck.
I look forward to taking my infant son to a ball game when he's a few years older.
Unfortunately, I'd better start saving now.
"First... smite all the sports agents." While I'd never promote such a dastardly deed, few tears would be shed if every sports agent in the world happened to wake up tomorrow in another dimension.
Professional athletes would get to keep another 15 percent of their earnings, young collegiate athletes could walk to class without dodging large sums of cash being waved in their faces; and "regular people" could afford going to a ball game more than once or twice a year.
This week it was reported that Yankees third baseman, and future Hall of Famer, Alex Rodriguez is seeking a 12-year, $360 million contract. That's $30 million a year- almost $200,000 a game- not too bad for three hours' work.
Meanwhile, a family looking to enjoy a night at the stadium has to shell out at least a C-note to cover parking and admission. Assuming they'd like to enjoy some stadium treats such as hot dogs and nachos, that little family outing just turned into a $200 hit against the monthly budget.
It's time owners told the agents to take a hike and refuse to pay ridiculous amounts of money to men playing a game- a glorious, majestic game- but a game nonetheless.
Perhaps the owners need convincing. Perhaps it's time the fans stopped going to games.
If ticket sales dried up, things might actually change.
Of course, the last time the fans started a boycott, the league started encouraging the use of steroids to destroy sacred home run records; and no baseball fan could possibly stay away.
The ploy worked- fans seem to be back for good, so now the league figures it's safe to "crack down" on the issue they once ignored in the interest of revenue.
If Commissioner Bud Selig would be willing to file down his devil horns long enough to be seen in public, I'd be happy to share my ideas for the betterment of the game. It will never happen, but Major League Baseball needs to convert to an incentive based system.
In a nutshell, each player would make a healthy base salary, but be rewarded for superior performance. If players don't like the system, well, no one is forcing them to play. If today's stars threaten to leave, fine. New fan favorites will undoubtedly emerge.
Successful athletes would still make great money- plus I've heard companies like Nike and Reebok happen to pay pretty well if you're at the top of your game.
In a perfect world, there would be no need for high-powered sports agents and their ludicrous demands. In a perfect world, athletes would play simply for the love of the game- and a pretty decent paycheck.
I look forward to taking my infant son to a ball game when he's a few years older.
Unfortunately, I'd better start saving now.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jack
posted 10/20/07 @ 7:27 PM PST
So, you think ticket prices are linked to a team's expenses? Do they have an economics department at Fullerton College? Owners will maximize revenue, i. (Continued…)
Freedom is not Free
posted 10/23/07 @ 10:11 AM PST
The public will dictate the price of tickets. If the people think the prices are too high then they will not attend the games. Same with everything else. (Continued…)
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