AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > November > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAthletes’ clout fading in management disputes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
In the ever-changing captaincy on the good ship “Doesn’t Get It,” it would be hard to top the reign of the Denver Nuggets’ Marcus Camby. When asked his opinion of the NBA’s new dress code, Camby said he would only comply if the league gave him a clothing allowance. Because as we all know, $7 million a year doesn’t go as far as it used to, even if you hit one of those one-day sales.
But there may be hope in matters regarding the Lost Boys of professional sports. I’m not sure why it turned or how it turned or whether it ever will turn back. But this past year has been like the Winnebago of reality dropping on a prima donna’s head. Or Lamborghini.
When Terrell Owens’ was so thoroughly pummeled by an arbitrator this week — effectively losing out the rest of his season, and salary and bonuses that may amount to over $2 million by the time this is done — it was the latest in a series of rulings or agreements that have gone against The Player and for The Man.
Congressional hearings and Bud Selig’s ensuing decision to wrap himself in Washington’s coat tails forced the players union to accept a drug-testing policy with some teeth. Now, a positive test gets you more than 10 minutes in timeout. Three positive tests and you’re out.
Imagine that. It’s almost like real life.
Baseball also will test for amphetamines. That’s more significant than you know. While juiced players have set records, games largely are played by guys being kept awake on something other than French roast. If there’s suddenly a hole between second and third next season because the shortstop is literally taking a dirt nap, now you know why.
Reality has hit every sport. NHL salaries weren’t excessive but the league’s TV deal had the worth of a TV dinner. Owners threatened to cancel the season. Nobody believed them, until they did. Players lost a year’s pay. They gave back everything but their socks. They were forced to accept a hard-cap deal that’s suddenly the envy of every sports owner.
The NBA has managed to survive this season without Latrell Sprewell. He turned down $7 million a year from Minnesota, and the rest of the league has since turned him down. The market for stranglers apparently isn’t what it used to be.
Ron Artest is back in the league. But he’ll never get back the $5 million in salary he lost for last year’s suspension after brawling with fans. He appealed. He lost. An arbitrator reaffirmed his stupidity.
The Detroit Lions have filed a grievance against wide receiver Charles Rogers, trying to recoup more than $10 million of a $14 million signing bonus because the receiver violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy. This case is being watched even more closely by teams than the Owens’ situation — if for no other reason than a drugged player is more prevalent than one who calls his quarterback a slug and employer classless on national TV.
Which leads us back to Owens. He is drug-free and a star, arguably the best at his position. But he has been shelved for the year and is devalued for life. What were the odds of that?
As to the potential ripple effect, Falcons general manager Rich McKay said: “I hope so. It doesn’t mean all players will be satisfied with their contracts. Players are no different than any of us. Most people feel, ‘We’re underpaid and undervalued.’ I don’t have any problem with that. The question is, what actions follow that? I can’t imagine you being mad about your pay, then writing columns, and in it saying, ‘The AJC stinks.’ “
Hmmm.
I’m sorry. Where was I?
Owens will get a job. But he’ll never get what he sought — a multi-year deal with a fat signing bonus and increased guaranteed salary. A team simply won’t risk the outlay.
“Teams always should have the expectation that a player is going to honor his contract,” McKay said. “Sometimes, holdouts occur, and you have to deal with them. But in this case, it went beyond that. The ruling was important, for the sanctity of the team.”
What’s a self-respecting prima donna without a sports coat to do?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Falcons / NFL, Hawks / NBA, Jeff Schultz, Other, Thrashers / NHL
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By boogerjuice
November 25, 2005 07:40 PM | Link to this
Well bring on Carroll, LeTwat, RR, and their mamas…more of the same b******!…
By Jim
November 26, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this
Another story on T .O. Give It a rest, enough———
By JohnBonRocker
November 26, 2005 11:59 AM | Link to this
Since the Braves aren’t doing anything ‘again’ this offseason—Atlanta Journal Constipation has resorted to T.O.—-Who is T.O.?
By Jeff Schultz...
November 26, 2005 12:14 PM | Link to this
…likes men.
By Sue D Nym
November 26, 2005 03:15 PM | Link to this
The only interesting thing to learn is what impact does this have on his new agent, the one that talked him in to the histrionics in the first place.