Why all the drama over “loyalty” in the NFL

[djefferis]

A lot of people complaining about the lack of “loyalty” in the NFL - fans and players alike.

I get it - you play for a team for years - and then sign with their in-division rival. Feelings are gonna be hurt.

At the same time - it’s FREE AGENCY. Everyone - including the current team had a chance to sign these guys. In almost all cases - it’s not as if they left for an EQUAL offer. They took SIGNIFICANTLY more than their current team offered - if they offered at all.

For a lot of these guys - they didn’t pick to go to their current team - the team picked them. So that means the current team wanted them more than anyone else at the position they were drafted. Likewise / if the team wanted them bad enough - they had an opportunity to make an equal/superior offer.

The cap is something that’s easily worked around today - clubs are always asking guys to “renegotiate” - but never hear of them saying - we are under - let’s give you more now - do you? No - it’s just cuts and spreading it out longer to lower a hit. Every team is a multi million dollar profit enterprise - so saying “we can’t afford to keep…” is a joke. You CAN afford - you just don’t think they are the best value on the market.

Don’t get mad at guys for looking out for themselves - every owner/GM is doing that exact thing right now. Sucks seeing your favorite player move on - but someone with your team thinks they know better.

 

[jjgold]

Loyalty lol
Only Jews loyal to each other why the master race

Sports ?
No such thing

 

[carolinakid]

MONEY IS KILLING SPORTS WE LOVE PERIOD

 

[Archie]

laundry matters!

fanboys will kill over colors

 

[djefferis]

These guys have been going to the biggest payout since 8th grade.

Suddenly - you go pro and your “told” who you will play for.

You get the chance to pick where you want to play - you take it.

Money isn’t killing sports - it’s just creating more millionaires on the field - not just in the owners boxes.

You think if players were paid in the thousands and not millions - owners wouldn’t still charge you $75 for a seat and thousands for prime seating - you’re kidding yourself.

Go buy concert tickets - even for small venues places charge $75-125 for front row to mid sized bands. You have 20-30 seats - you milk them for what you can. Big names command between 200-400k a show - yet charge 100-200 a seat for the 20k seats for sale - do the math - artist walk away with 10%-20%of the gross at times - promoters get about the same. The chunk goes to management and Ticketmaster.

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

“Roger Clemens signs with the N.Y. Yankees”
“Brett Favre signs with the Minnesota Vikings”

nothing new…..

 

[Wagerallsports]

I’m usually on the side of the teams & owners

But teams show no loyalty & when they’ve used a player up they’ll cut them loose

So no reason for the players to show any

 

[castelion]

Loyalty is for your favourite 2 mistresses.

 

[carolinakid]

players play for money today in all sports, not for the love of the game they could give a rat ass about a team or fan base

 

[djefferis]

players play for money today in all sports, not for the love of the game they could give a rat ass about a team or fan base

Overall - I think it is true.

Not 100% - probably closer to 50/50 than you might think.

At the same time - non sports, how many of us do “what we love” for a living - vs what is most profitable/sustainable ? Just a reflection of the population as a whole.

Some players do love the game still and at the same time respect the game - to a point that they will walk away before being told it’s over and embarrassing themselves.

But way too many just stick around for a paycheck.

 

[djefferis]

Loyalty lol
Only Jews loyal to each other why the master race

Still a little bitter over your day of “bank hopping” and being turned down ?

 

[Tanko]

If there is any drama associated with players moving to other teams (including divisional teams) its unfounded. Players need to look out for themselves. Make max $$$ while they can.

The only loyalty you get these days is from your dog.

 

[jjgold]

Look at college sports, totally ruined because of money

 

[djefferis]

Look at college sports, totally ruined because of money

When did college kids play for free ??

Now it’s just more transparent than before.

It’s escalated every decade - but since late 60s - most major college stars got paid - and a number of “would be” stars too.

Don’t blame NIL for all the problems - it started long before - just spread to everyone and not just the 4 and 5 star kids.

 

[djefferis]

If there is any drama associated with players moving to other teams (including divisional teams) its unfounded. Players need to look out for themselves. Make max $$$ while they can.

The only loyalty you get these days is from your dog.

Exactly - I had an offer to change jobs last year - my employer came to me, said they wanted to keep me and reward my loyalty. Bumped my salary 20% and gave a whole thing about my new role being crucial to the company - so I stayed.

Monday call me to say they are reorganizing and my manager will change - yesterday call to say they let go a bunch of people and told me I’m getting their workload too.

Loyalty means zip when $$ is involved - on both sides.

I’m fortunate to have a job and to be well paid / but don’t think I won’t explore the market with the new developments. Fortunately - for me (as most everyday workers) EVERY DAY is free agency. For a lot of guys though - this only comes up once or twice in a career. Gotta get what’s important to you while you can.

A lot of people chase rings - $$ is guaranteed- championships are not. Sure - it’s great when you can get paid AND have a shot - but for a lot of non stars it’s a one or the other thing.