Monopoly Money is Everywhere

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

August 2000

The first wave of NBA signings has come and gone with huge salaries going to good, very good, and, on a few occasions, superstar players. As Indiana Pacers' forward Austin Croshere said at the press conference announcing his re-signing, the money is being handed out like it's "Monopoly" money. No argument from me. People have called radio shows and asked me if I thought Player X was "worth all that money". I answered their questions the same way each time: "No. He isn't worth the money; but, if a team is offering the money, he's going to take it."

Let's admit it: if a company offered you $90 million over 6 or 7 years, would you turn it down and say, "Thanks; but, no thanks; I'm not worth that much money."? Of course you wouldn't. (If you would turn it down, I'm shocked; but, I'll send you a "Congratulations on your high Morals card" on my way to the bank.)

Forward Brian Grant took some verbal shots this summer for turning down $90M from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Initially, I thought Brian had lost his mind; but, I've changed my opinion. As a free agent, he didn't have to accept the Cavs' offer. Brian (and his agent) took a gamble by not accepting the $2.25M salary cap exception; but, the gamble will pay off August 26 or thereabouts very well. Brian is going to get his money as well as a chance to start for a title contender with the Miami Heat; Cleveland rids itself of forward Shawn Kemp's heavily back-loaded contract; and Portland receives a player they believe wants to be in Portland who should be able to score, rebound, and defend against the LA Lakers.

Portland fans blasted Brian for bolting the Blazers and questioned Grant's "loyalty" to Portland. What does loyalty have to do with professional sports?

I'm not going to tell fans to stop rooting for their teams; however, don't take shots at a player for taking more money from another team that made a better offer because most of us would do the same thing if a better job offer came along.

I freely admit money doesn't necessarily buy happiness; but, it sure does pay the bills. Also, the millions of dollars offered in pro basketball, baseball, football, and hockey should last these players and their families for generations to come. However, pro sports is not the real world. Real fans can't afford to attend NBA games anymore accept for those 500 tickets Commissioner David Stern has mandated teams allot in the upper level of their arena. Gee, thanks Dave.

I could say only superstars like Shaq, Kobe, and Tim Duncan should make huge salaries; but, the Players' Association would argue the rest of the players are being denied a chance to earn a living. While the argument seems completely ridiculous to Joe Fan, it's very plausible in today's pro sports. Free agency has given players the opportunity to shop their services to other teams; so, if teams are willing to offer millions to sign players, players are more than willing to accept the money. Why shouldn't they?

If the fans don't like it, stop watching the games on t.v.; stop buying the tickets; stop buying the satellite tv packages; stop buying the sports apparel and merchandise. If the fans do that; maybe the money dries up and teams would gain fiscal responsibility. Nah.