The NBA lost me as a fan a long, long time ago.
I have some interest now that I have a friend who’s son is an important part of the Lakers team. But, I can’t say the name of several players in the league even though I have a fondness of watching the highlights of Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.
I am not the strongest fan of the NFL. I do watch and keep an eye on things. I am shaking my head on how the Chiefs management could not find receivers for the greatest quarterback in the league.
The NHL does have my attention when I am in the stands watching the game. I love watching live hockey matches.
My bread-and-butter was always college sports.
They were pure. They were athletes trying their best to win.
Then we add NIL and the transfer portal. For those that don’t know, NIL stands for Name, Image and Likeness. College’s use to be able to sell jerseys of players.
That isn’t the case now. The schools can still sell the jerseys, but money has to be split among parties involved.
Also, now college players can earn money from their services…not on the court or field, but though jobs or as product spokesmen. There are also other things that can be done to earn money.
Currently, there are several athletes making more than $1M for playing a college sport. That is more than most minor league baseball players make.
NIL3 reports that K.J. Jefferson made $555K this last year as an Arkansas Razorback quarterback. I would say that Arkansas didn’t get its money’s worth.
According to the same source, Devo Davis of the men’s basketball team is making $88K a year.
Again, Arkansas is not getting its money’s worth.
In professional sports there is no loyalty. It is about getting paid.
That is the case for college sports now.
Instead of earning position and playing time, the attitude is that I am going to play. If I don’t play, I will go else where.
There is no loyalty and the very thing that team sports use to teach, is being lost.
But what is to be expected? Society has changed and athletics is beginning to reflect what society is becoming.
Is the college game beginning to rub off on high school athletes? There are too many high schoolers transferring.
Jeff Brasel is the sports and managing editor of the Newton County Times. E-mail him at sports@newtoncountytimes.com or follow him at twitter.com/jeffbrasel.
