In many cases it's clear that athletes could care less about the fans that support them. We are looked upon as dirt under their fingernails. How do we justify supporting them? Granted, there are a few, too few, that understand the dynamics of the fan/athlete relationship but is it enough I wonder to save professional sports in the long run?
2006-12-13 06:45:24 · 8 answers · asked by Jen 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Today's athletes are so far detached for the everyday person it's impossible to understand the lives they lead. What I've learned from covering sports for so many years is that today's athletes do not have an appreciation of the history of the game that they play. Passion for the game is not nearly what it was when people like Mickey Mantle played. It was for the love of the game. Today it is for the love of the money that the game generates.
Would I love to be a great athlete and be able to take advantage of the system as it stands today? Hell, Yes!! I would just like to see the athletes better educated as to their own dynamics and be aware of how fortunate they really are. Stop looking down on the fans and just be thankful for them. After all without the fans the athlete is nothing.
2006-12-13 07:05:22 · answer #1 · answered by The Mick "7" 7 · 22⤊ 0⤋
I don't resent them, I envy them. It takes years of sacrifice, hard work and often extensive travel to get to elite athlete status. Some come from backgrounds that make it hard to remain committed to their sport.
There are some athletes that behave like spoiled brats, for sure, I think we all can name some of those. I'm not a fan of any of these types, for we don't have them in Chicago (at least not for long, they get shipped out). It does seem like a few are grossly overpaid, but that's the American dream!
2006-12-13 07:06:59 · answer #2 · answered by JenJen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true that there are athletes who behave like jerks out there but, like you say, there are only a handful of them who really appreciate their fans. Do I envy them? Not really. I admire the hard work that they have to endure. They work extremely hard to be where they are right now. Also, don't you think they sacrifice the time to be with their family and friends in order to have time to practice and to do their job? Take a baseball player for example. Some baseball players live in a different state, away from their family. For those reasons, I admire them more than I envy them.
2006-12-13 10:12:36 · answer #3 · answered by Cubitpipi a fan of Amazins 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't resent anyone's success. Its like the lottery winners, do you resent them because they were lucky for one day in their life?
Most professional athletes sacrifice long hours in the pursuit of their sport and are awarded by reaching the professional level and for the most part recognize the importance of the fans that were there during that ascent. I also think they realize the importance of stroking the fan base from time to time and you see that at most ballparks with player/fan interaction (Signing balls, photos for young fans).
Professional Sports will flourish for our lives and our children's children's children's lives.
2006-12-13 07:33:06 · answer #4 · answered by Oz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't resent them. It's not their fault that we live in a society that affords them multi-million dollar contracts for doing something they love, and I think most of us would trade places with them in a second.
I don't think that I can justify supporting them, but that's not how I see myself as a fan. I love the games, and I admire the players for what they do. The price I pay for doing that - going to games, paying for TV packages, etc. - lines their pockets, but again, that's not something for which I can blame them.
More power to them. They've got the best jobs in the world, and I envy them that.
2006-12-13 06:50:32 · answer #5 · answered by Craig S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the atheletes now-a-days seem to be the same as back in the days... normal people that all of a sudden get attention for doing something that they love... only difference is the salary is a lot larger, which i think turns these guys and gals into the retards we see on tv...
2006-12-13 07:43:25 · answer #6 · answered by michael_coloma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't feel any resentment. It's not their fault owners will pay unbelievable prices for these guys.
Would you take the money if you were offered it?
2006-12-13 10:37:37 · answer #7 · answered by lauriep2500 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it is a little ridiculous but i have to admit that the yankees get a little overpaid!
2006-12-13 11:44:46 · answer #8 · answered by TWINS#1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋