A friend texted the other day “Money corrupts at all levels”.
It was part of an exchange about college football, and the effect money is having on the sport.
I love college football – I love money too – and was excited when the season restarted.
But I understood his point, though I would say it another way: “Money is the reason for everything”.
Whenever my kids would express surprise about why something had happened, or why a decision was made, I would tell them “Money”.
Which made sense when they moaned about having to get summer jobs.
Though I’d also slip in some parenting advice like “They also ate their vegetables, or did their homework” – which confused them.
But the money thing stuck with them.
And confusing them was a hobby of mine.
Money has had a major impact on college sports, particularly football, and combined with the transfer portal has completely reconfigured the sport.
The jack arrives as NIL – Name, Image, Likeness – funds, the outgrowth of the NCAA screwing athletes for decades, punishing kids for ‘illegally’ doing fund-raising calendars, giving tickets to the Boys and Girls Club, and coaches for illegal recruiting.
The last thing actually made sense, but we still hated the NCAA.
And eligibility post-transfer is now immediate, the transfer portal a reliable source of new players – as well as departing players. The inflow vs. outflow confusing – one team lost all their players without replacing them. Higher education…
But money’s also impacted other sports as well: Rugby teams have upgraded to premium beers, cross country runners are now using bikes, and the chess nerds are gettin’ the chicks.
So, the athletes finally getting their share of the pie, but the bad news: It’s now taxable income, replacing the cash that used to get passed under the table.
And while many believe money will ruin college football, I’m just here to enjoy the show… assuming things will change, hopefully getting better.
I’m also helped by advancing age – I’m into it, but not into it, if you get my drift: It doesn’t mean as much as it used to – paling in comparison to bodily functions, where the remote is, and whether we’ve seen this Hallmark before.
But Saturday football games are appointment television.
And fortunately, the family follows UGA, which wins pretty much every game – I’m OK knowing who’s going to win before the game – suspense is for one of those Gen X, Y or Z types.
Though last night’s suspense was a bit much…
Despite my fandom, I acknowledge fandom is pretty silly:
Dressing in your team’s colors probably won’t affect the outcome;
Chanting D-fense, which is an obvious bit of direction;
Eating a hot dog at the first game – probably left over from last season.
And for fans, more money literally means more money: Higher ticket prices, Higher contribution requirements to pay higher ticket prices, Higher commercial counts on TV games to pay the bills.
The amount of money flying around is confounding – it’s like that with politics as well, where the candidates raise hundreds of millions monthly – making me wonder if the rumor about one person owning everything might be wrong.
But I think the political angle is OK – not like either candidate would do anything in return for the money…
So, we’ll watch the barrage of money’s unintended consequences continue to rock the sport – treating sports as the momentary diversion they’re intended: A loss fading quickly, no death threats against the kicker who missed the winning kick required.
And appreciate the community of fans rooting for the same goal, victory!:
GO (insert team name here)!
For 248 more posts like this –each with a wish for a hint on who these people are– go to beersatthenifty.com. Your phone will display every post, and you can waste an hour or two.
ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING ‘AGING HIPSTER MUSIC’:
A lot of weird football music, much of it Queen – arguably the worst rock band ever.
But I’ve added ‘World in Motion’ by New Order, ‘Shout’ Tears for Fears and ‘Pump It Up’ Elvis to the BATN playlist