Is a Purse too Much to Ask For?

As I took advantage of some down time today, Colt McCoy came to mind. Not only does he have one of the coolest quarterback names of all time, but he is officially one of the most sensational quarterbacks to every play ball. A true play maker- Clever, versatile, a scrambler, quick thinking and confident- oh and the very best thing about Colt? Humility. It seems not to be the norm in sports these days- which is sad. I have two high hopes for Colt moving forward: 1) Heisman 2) he remains the man of character his is today when he plays on Sundays.

There has to be a way to regain the love of the game … as I begin a modest proposal even more outlandish than that of Jonathan Swift, I realize there is an entity more powerful than the law in the way of such a suggestion. The union. Because there is no fan’s union, I must put forth an impassioned plea for reason, for sensibility, for a purse. I’m not referring to Gucci, Fendi, Louis Vuitton or even the coveted Chanel, but a financial reward for winning a competition. True, some sports – golf, tennis, boxing and others with independent contestants - play according to a purse, but the bulk of team sports? Not a chance. Purse or no purse, all athletes are fortunate we have moved beyond competitions where life itself was the recognition of victory and defeat meant death.

I know I am not alone in my frustration at finding out a much anticipated game was “blacked out”- a punishment to fans who are not able to afford to attend said game- or, if the team is lucky- unable to acquire a ticket due to the infrequency at which they come available. Or, feet on coffee table, beer in hand, wings from Hooters at the ready only to be informed my favorite player is “injured” again or has been given the weekend off due to “exhaustion.” I myself am a little tired … of all the whining, crying, pouting and complaining being done by those who play a game for what amounts to more money per year than the average American FAMILY will ever make in a lifetime. Again. To play a game. This shameful lack of humility in many over shadows the vast humility of players like- Grant Hill, Warrick Dunn, Brenden Morrow, Steve Yzerman and Peyton Manning- and yes, I am aware there are many, many more.

It started as a beloved hobby and parlayed into a career. I bet the guy stocking hammers at the hardware store started doing such work because he enjoyed it and turned it into a way to support his family. We should all be so lucky. So why don’t the bulk of professional athletes feel lucky? Honored? Humbled to be living in this great nation, loved and supported by legions of fans unable to bring their families to witness games they grew up cherishing?

What if there was a deadline for season ticket sales, at the end of which all of the money allocated for salaries was given to a commission? The commission, with money collected from every team in the league, would create one of two scenarios: a) each game in the regular season would have a purse, and each purse put forth for the victorious team would be the same; the winning team would have to disperse the monies equally between all team members and coaching staff; the losing team would get nothing, or b) same winner’s regulations as cited above. The losing team would earn a purse not greater than one quarter the amount of the winner’s purse and dispersion of monies would be the same as for the winner. In both scenarios, all contracts would include the acceptance of random and regular drug testing. Violations would result in immediate termination of the contract and no further monies owed to the player in violation, eliminating the need to involve Congress and waste taxpayer money to “investigate.”

Play-offs would work in the exact manner, with the larger purses offered for the more critical games and the players trying to earn money instead of earn bonuses. As ticket sales drive the championship games, there will be plenty of money for the players who have learned to work together and take direction from their owners and coaching staff. Without guaranteed contracts, any player found in violation of the code of ethics or conduct would lose their right to play if so deemed by coaching staff, management and owners. It’s all about incentive alignment and consequences. Radical, I know.

This scenario would ensure the players lucky enough to call themselves professional athletes would train hard and attend each practice and game with the intention of vanquishing their opponents. They would play with the ferocity of men who have a Bentley payment coming.

Knowing purses in advance would allow the players and coaches to budget (gasp!) for the season. This is a better deal for coaches because it levels the playing field - no more abuse from players who think they run the team. Coaches would no longer have to accept embarrassing or egregious behavior, as they will make more money and once again sit in a position of authority.

This change would breathe vitality back into the game, restoring the concept of heart, drive, reward, winners and losers. Players who shine as fan favorites would still be forced to share their salary with the supporting cast. After all, what good is the best wide out in the history of the game if the snap is fumbled nine of ten times because there isn’t money left to trickle down to the rest of the team? Prove your worth each week and the big endorsements will then rain down upon you. Let the huge corporations, and not the fans, assume the burden of huge bonuses.

Gone would be the entitlement, because there would be no king’s ransom offered to kids who are fresh out of college and who have never played a professional game. With every coach and player making the same amount of money, the total of which would be driven by season ticket sales, there might be some fan appreciation and, dare I say it, respect for officials.

How did we get here? Supply and demand. Greed. Only so many players of the caliber necessary to win. Winning drives sales, sales create revenue, revenue is generated and dispersed at the expense of the fans. I understand some teams have waiting lists for years, but most teams do not. The Yankees might want to lower the price of those $1,250 luxury seats in order to get them filled. Lower cost, higher value. Clever. We’ve put up with higher cost and lower value for too long.

Train. Play. Win. Lose. It’s that easy.

Obviously this is simplistic- but I also think we should have a national lottery to drive down the deficit. Ok, Clever Tribe- I am radio silent tomorrow. I'll be back on Monday and very much looking forward to hearing from Clever Kate and my Clever K-State Contingent. I also want to talk about Hooters. Not the ones on your body- the restaurant. I must be hungry- I think that is the second time they have come up in one post. Hmmm.