thejumper5
Well-Known Member
-Steve Nash in a Sportscenter interview that aired today.
Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Do you agree or disagree? Why?
"There's really no true loyalty in sports."
- Thread starter thejumper5
- Start date
Cyclones17
Well-Known Member
I agree for the most part. It sucks but the only way there is loyalty is if a STAR is drafted by a big franchise in a big market. The team isn't going to trade their star, and the star knows he won't be as big a star in a small market, so they stay. See Derek Jeter, Kobe Bryant, etc.
Alex Rodriguez was in Seattle, didn't last. Lebron James in Cleveland, didn't last.
Now I will say that I think football is a little different and there is a bit more loyalty but still not a ton.
Alex Rodriguez was in Seattle, didn't last. Lebron James in Cleveland, didn't last.
Now I will say that I think football is a little different and there is a bit more loyalty but still not a ton.
In pro sports? Yes. Teams will cut players at any time, especially in the NFL. Players leave teams all the time. There are less and less die hard fans it seems.
However, this does not apply to college sprots or International Soccer. Those soccer fans are crazy as hell but college football fans aren't far behind.
However, this does not apply to college sprots or International Soccer. Those soccer fans are crazy as hell but college football fans aren't far behind.
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Scorpio79
Guest
Pro sports are businesses, for all involved. Why else would so many lawyers (agents) be associated with teh pros if it weren't all about money?
If you want loyalty, adopt a dog.
If you want loyalty, adopt a dog.
ssckelley
Well-Known Member
There is not much loyalty in sports at the professional level, owners treat it as a business which they should. Once in a while a player comes along that shows loyalty to a team, Chipper Jones comes to mind. But that is an example of where the player and the team owners took care of one another.
DexterMorgan
Well-Known Member
Well you can't really just change teams.
If GMs show too much loyalty they start losing games and lose their jobs. If owners show too much they start losing and people stop filling seats. If players show too much they are accused of not wanting to win.
Fans are the only people that can show 100% loyalty and not get hurt by it.
Fans are the only people that can show 100% loyalty and not get hurt by it.
I think the only thing that inspires true loyalty is national teams. People will watch swimming in a month and really care about the outcome because they have caps with American flags on them.
All loyalty is still predicated on winning, even in English soccer and college football. Iowa, Wisconsin, these schools have great fans. If either school went in a 40 year losing streak they'd have a lot fewer and a lot less passionate fans. Soccer fans are crazy... unless you root for Sunderland FC, then they like to follow them but don't get too worried about it.
Sorry, I meant the league's like the Premiere League. I was trying to differentiate between that and the MLS.
What about Iowa State football? They haven't won anything meaningful in a century, yet that doesn't stop people from going to the games. Well at least when it's warm out, they don't have to pick the harvest, they're playing a good team, and the game starts at either 1 or 2:30.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
That's not true loyalty. Both sides are acting selfishly in the scenario you just described (perhaps that sounds a little harsh, but it's true). True loyalty is what LeBron, A-Rod, etc., failed to do. As mentioned, Chipper is a good example of a guy who could have easily chased greener pastures (and found them), yet chose to stay in Atlanta. Dirk is a good example in the NBA.
There are others, though there are fewer and fewer all the time. It's a business, and there's really nothing wrong with accepting that. But that doesn't mean it isn't refreshing to see guys like Chipper out there. There's a very good reason he's one of the most beloved players of his generation, regardless of the team he plays for (He's my favorite active player, even as a die-hard Cubs fan. He's my second-favorite player all-time behind Junior). We like to see guys do things the old fashioned way.
DesMoinesHawki
Well-Known Member
Absolutely no loyalty in sports -- especially at the professional level. Sure, there are a few athletes who will turn down a pay raise to remain with their current team. But that is a rarity.
Gone are the days when you could identify with players. Now, you identify with laundry (i.e. the jersey itself). I used to love the days of Magic and Bird, etc. Teams stayed intact. Now, it is 100 percent a business.
Injure your knee? Put you out to pasture. Can't win a championship by drafting and coaching? Go out and buy a championship (hello Boston Celtics and Miami Heat).
Very few players are loyal to a team. And honestly, can't really blame them because it is just a different world in general. As in the corporate world, companies will dump you at the drop of a hat if they decide they need to save a little $. Same goes for sports ... When they no longer feel they need you ... they ship you off or kick you to the curb.
The loyalty factor is gone, for the most part. But lots of people played a part in it (i.e. crazy owners; crazy fans; the general 'what have you done for me lately?' society we live in) ... It is just the nature of the beast. You have to win now. And if you can't help me win now you are of no use to me ...
Gone are the days when you could identify with players. Now, you identify with laundry (i.e. the jersey itself). I used to love the days of Magic and Bird, etc. Teams stayed intact. Now, it is 100 percent a business.
Injure your knee? Put you out to pasture. Can't win a championship by drafting and coaching? Go out and buy a championship (hello Boston Celtics and Miami Heat).
Very few players are loyal to a team. And honestly, can't really blame them because it is just a different world in general. As in the corporate world, companies will dump you at the drop of a hat if they decide they need to save a little $. Same goes for sports ... When they no longer feel they need you ... they ship you off or kick you to the curb.
The loyalty factor is gone, for the most part. But lots of people played a part in it (i.e. crazy owners; crazy fans; the general 'what have you done for me lately?' society we live in) ... It is just the nature of the beast. You have to win now. And if you can't help me win now you are of no use to me ...
What about Iowa State football? They haven't won anything meaningful in a century, yet that doesn't stop people from going to the games. Well at least when it's warm out, they don't have to pick the harvest, they're playing a good team, and the game starts at either 1 or 2:30.
Actually ISU is a pretty good example - averaged 55k+ in the 70s when they were good, gradually dwindled down to almost nothing in the 90s (I would know, I went to some games then) and now has some semblance of a decent fanbase again with some increased success.
homes
Well-Known Member
From a player or owner perspective, I think it is true. From a fan perspective, I don't think it's true. Seinfeld was correct when years ago he said that fans just cheer for the uniform. That's all we got.
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
What fantasy world are you living in? (a cardinal and gold colored one no doubt)
Cyclone stadium had a capacity of 42,500 until 1976, then it was enlarged to 48,000. So you're telling me they sold out and also sold 12,500 SRO tickets for every game.... (7,000 SRO after 1976). How bout a reality check.
They've only had crowds of 55K five times in history (perhaps 7 including last year's Iowa and OSU games), and NONE of them were in the 70s. So not only did they not average anywere near 55K in their "heyday" they didn't even have a single game...where the attendance was over 55,000 during that period.
(Iowa by comparison averaged over 50,000 in the 70s with lousy teams)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Trice_Stadium
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Scorpio79
Guest
HawkeyeMike23
Banned
Is this serious? Larry played for a team that won division titles his first 12 years with them. What a hero for sticking it out during those dark days, by the time the Braves weren't winning the title he was already on the down side of his career.
My bad, 50+. How does this change my point at all? My point was that there was a lot of interest when they won, there was little interest after 15+ years of sucking, and now there is interest again now that we have experience some level of success. I didn't remember the exact numbers, I just remembered it was greater than it was for 20~ years until the 2000s.
chipper was offered major money by the yankees to leave. remember while chipper was winning consistently it wasnt like the yankees witha ws title every 5 yrs. he would win in the regular season and then lose in the playoffs. that could wear on anyone. obviously he wasnt with a bad team but he could have left for more money. atlanta for all the winning they had done recently doesnt have the deepest pockets.
