Loyalty in sport – is there such a thing? Let me modify and put my own touch on Michael Douglas’ quote in Wall Street. “If you need loyalty, get a dog”.
There’s been an abundance of talk this year about young Melbourne midfielder Tom Scully going to Greater Western Sydney (GWS) – every journalist or television reporter asks the question to whatever Demons player or coaching staff member that they interview, and yesterday leading AFL commentator Mike Sheehan wrote that Scully is heading north.
It will be hard for Melbourne to match the offer that will be put on the table, if it hasn’t already. Sport is now big business and loyalty is constantly thrown around when contract talks arise.
Here is a young player who can set his life up early on in his career but in doing so he has also attracted negative comments. Gary Ablett Jnr also came under the same scrutiny when in his final year at Skilled Stadium; talk about a move to the Gold Coast generated an incredible amount of debate.
It is interesting that there isn’t much said when players are delisted from a club’s list – loyalty is a two way street.
Put yourself in the same boat. You’re working in a business (and let me say again that sport is business, big business) and someone comes along and says to you, “I can pay double what you are currently earning…I want you to come work for me.”
What would you do? Some may say that my view is wrong because I am discussing sport, but if you enjoy your job, enjoy who you work for and are happy, and then you go and accept another job due to a higher remuneration figure, explain how that is different?
I know that many will criticise this article for what I have noted down, but I believe that sports fans need to check their emotions and think about it, even just a little.
Loyalty still remains in sport; I have written about AFL here so I will stick with the topic. Brent Harvey (Kangaroos), Brad Johnson (Bulldogs), and Dustin Fletcher (Bombers) are all players who have been at the one club for their entire career.
However, the environment is changing and we all need to understand that. But with journalists gunning daily for that exclusive story, I am sure the loyalty topic will be around for some time longer.
Republican
Guest
Ian So is loyalty now a form of tender? I agree to disagree with your interpretation of loyalty according to the book of bankers. Perhaps you and i are simply victims of our respective generations ethically speaking. You certainly set the bar very low but who am I to judge. I am envious that you are able to maintain the passion for the brave new world i.e. elite sport. I certainly am unable to make these sorts of excuses or concessions for what I have deconstructed as a complete contradiction in terms when it comes to sporting loyalty in 'professional' sport today.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Republican, Loyalty is showing up to see Tadgh Kennelley play for Derry in the Grand Final, and then loyalty is him re-signing afterwards. Loyalty is hiring a club champion in Paul Roos as assistant coach. Loyalty is being OK with Adam Goodes, who is loyal to the club but worried about his knees, refusing to play in the ruck. Yeah, you can buy loyalty. Generally, it's bought with loyalty.
Republican
Guest
Ian Whichever model you espouse, the bottom line will always be the almighty dollar which flies in the face of any notions of 'loyalty'. That you would buy a players loyalty has to be a contradiction in terms surely? You can't have your pav and eat it too.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
If Melbourne believed Tom Scully was good enough for a first pick in the draft, why on earth did they give him a two-year, rent-a-player contract ? If you dont want your players to leave, sign them on long-term contracts, and have a club culture of tearing up low-pay contracts for upgrades when players come good, so players are confident to sign a four- or five-year deal with you.
Republican
Guest
There is absolutely no doubt that 'loyalty' is a dated sentiment only manufactured by those engineers at the elite sporting tier to capture the patronage of an increasingly commmercially driven market. A more relevant question is does this matter to the consumer today? I decided to drop my support of my historically inherited footy club because I realised that tribalism, community and parochialism are all dependent on loyalty. My misguided passion for my old club had naught to do with these sentimental virtues of connectedness and tribe anymore and all to do with - big business. There are those who are comfortable in their support of this culture but be under no illusion that these sporting brands have no more relevance or connection to your community or tribe than the ones you so whimsically choose to purchase during your weekly supermarket excursions.
Patrick Angel
Roar Guru
Spot on. I wonder how loyal Melbourne would be to Scully if he slipped a disc and couldn't play again. He'd get a payout (probably the minimum they had to pay) and then sent on his merry way.