IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY
I’ve loved sports since I was a kid, both as a fairly mediocre participant and as a fan.
My passion for sports, however, is being sorely tested and may soon flame out.
In short, I am disgusted by most of what I see happening around sports at every level, from the pros on down to high schools.
Today’s example #1: Chucky Hepburn, a good but not great basketball player for the UW Badgers.
Despite his acknowledged high value to his teammates and coach Greg Gard, as well as his failure to achieve the goals of winning the Big 10 championship and a deep run in the NCAA tourney, Hepburn has decided that “loyalty” means nothing and playing for UW apparently won’t get him drafted high enough by the NBA, so he’s headed to Greener Pastureland, i.e., the Transfer Portal.
Like so many of today’s collegiate athletes, it’s all about ”me, me, and me” and, of course, the cash payout from NIL coupled with his draft potential into the pros.
Well, I say good riddance to Chucky. His selfish attitude is emblematic of far too many of his college-level contemporaries across the country.
And then, speaking of NIL (name, image, and likeness) we have example #2: the WIAA is considering allowing high school athletes to benefit from NIL.
That’s right, your neighbor Scooter from the local high school basketball team may soon be able to offer his own signature shoe. Of course, if NIL is adopted, instead of taking the bus to school, Scooter will be driving in his new Corvette.
Is it just a fond memory of mine, or do you also remember days when people played a sport because they loved it, not because of what their participation could add to their bank account?
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