Show me the money!

Many kids look up to sports stars. Sports stars are kids' heroes. Kids want to hit home runs like Alex Rodriguez. Slam dunk like LeBron James. Throw touchdowns like Michael Vick. So now will kids want to demand more money like their favorite sports stars?

Too many sports news stories seem to be filled with players demanding more money from their teams, and its becoming a despicable act.

The National Football League (NFL) is beginning their training camp and preseason, and with it, comes the news of the holdouts. To those not familiar with the term, a "holdout" is when a player refuses to show up for team practices/meetings because he is trying to get a new contract (with more money, usually). One of the biggest stories has been that of Terrell Owens of the Philadephia Eagles.

Owens joined the team last summer, signing a seven year contract, worth roughly $49 million. Owens had a great season, but about 3 quarters into the season, he was injured. Owens heroically returned in the Super Bowl, playing against doctor's orders, and in the process, caught 9 passes for 122 yards. Had the Eagles won, Owens might have been named the MVP. But after the Super Bowl, the "acting up" started. He called out teammates for their performance in the Super Bowl. He fired his agent. Then, as training camp drew near, he declared his intention to hold out. That's right, after only 1 year of a 7 year contract, Owens believed he deserved more. He even mentioned phrases like "I have to start thinking about my family" in interviews. This, despite about $7 million a year, and more in endorsements? Why even sign the original contract in the first place? Who knows. At this time, Owens is practicing, but is still desiring a new contract. Another player on the team is also holding out, less than one month after signing a new contract.

There are several reasons why the National Hockey League had a dispute between players and owners, which cancelled all of last season. Of course the main reason was, money. The owners wanted to establish a salary cap for the teams, which players opposed. Again, for those who are not familiar, a salary cap is a limit in the combined amount of money a team can pay its players. This eliminates "wealthy" teams from paying large wads of money to get all the best players, while the less fortunate teams get the "mediocre" players. It also provides a good deal of competition. Of course players wanted their 10 year, $100 million contracts. That's not to say the owners are innocent of blame. Of course your hockey team isn't going to be popular in Florida. It's a cold weather sport in a warm climate. Brilliant!

Other sports are filled with similar stories. Players demand higher and higher salaries, and the dedicated fans pay more and more in ticket prices. Forget taking your family to the ball game. It'll be cheaper to buy a High Def television. Why do players want the higher amounts of money? Granted, they are very talented. But most of these players could (and do) retire by age 32. Even the bench warmers on a team can get a contract of $400,000 a year. That's right, sit on the bench and cheer your team on, and you get more money in a year than most people will see in a lifetime, or even a decade.

I'd much rather see stories like that of Shaquille O'Neal. Dominant basketball player, highly paid. O'Neal joined the Miami Heat last year for a wad of cash. Just recently, O'Neal decided to restructure his contract. The contract had more years on it, but with LESS money. The reason? He wanted to free up some money for his team to be able to sign more players, to help it win a championship. Putting team ahead of money. What a concept.

I shudder sometimes about what kids might be learning from these money grubbing players. I just hope they don't try to "hold out" in real life.

"I refuse to do the dishes until I get paid more allowance!"
"Fine, we won't feed you then."
"I'll be good!"