Athletes can earn millions for potential greatness

NFL Bust Ryan Leaf

Earlier this week, I listened to a major sports radio program discuss several NFL topics. The conversation revolved around a former high draft collegiate football player. During his rookie year, he held out for money and missed training camp. He refused to play until his future employer added more zeroes to his paycheck. 

This player has now appeared in several games and has been called a bust, which is someone who doesn’t live up to their hype. The radio hosts said this young man seems unable to handle the rigors of playing in the NFL. I am not criticizing the player’s owner for giving into this young man’s demands because it’s standard. It’s a player’s only recourse to get more money. But, I do want to address a questionable NFL business practice. So I ask, if you pay a 20 something year old kid millions before he has ever done anything, what motivates him to work hard?

In professional sports, athletes drafted from college are paid millions for potential greatness. Many younger players receive more than older proven veteran players. Sure NFL contracts aren’t guaranteed, but signing bonuses are. I understand that football is a violent sport and players get hurt. But it’s a risk they willingly assume.

Regarding this player, he completes less than half of his passes, overthrows his receivers and looks more like the Pillsbury dough boy than an NFL quarterback. But then his bank statement doesn’t require greatness. If he loses his job, he still keeps his millions. Let’s consider the average working American. We don’t get paid in advance. We are only paid for what we do and not for what we might do.

With a pay-for-performance arrangement, our motivation to work hard is so that we remain employed. And if your employer paid your salary in advance, you wouldn’t be motivated to work as hard, if at all.

Human nature says people must be motivated to do anything in life. For example, if you want a new car, you may be motivated to work harder and earn a raise so you can buy your new ride. If you want to maintain a paycheck, you will be motivated to follow your employer’s policies. Perhaps the NFL should consider basing player salaries on a pay-for-performance basis. I’m willing to bet these young men would be more motivated to play harder.