For the Love of Money

[ArkansasI]

When free agency (and unions) hit professional sports, players were able to better participate in financial success that owner's enjoyed through shared revenues derived primarily through national viewing audiences.  The folks most affected were the fans.  Gone were the days of player allegiance. . . ticket prices, not to mention concessions, began skyrocketing.

With increased costs come increased expectations.  A fan shouldn't have to pay $XXX to watch his team play poorly, without emotion or organization.  Throw on top of that the complete lack of sportsmanship exhibited by the majority of athletes (hey, this is business - no need to behave here), and the result is today's professional athlete.

College athletics is the trickle down of professional sports.  For the amount of money that fans are expected to pay for the privilege of watching our Hogs, we demand results.  Of course, the fans of every other school that we compete with have the same expectations and costs.

HDN is a victim of his own profession.  Considering the amounts coaches are paid, no coach can expect fan sympathy for doing his job.  Games were more fun when tickets, concessions and contributions didn't affect the other entertainment options that you had. . .  You could feel the difference in the game atmosphere 25 years ago.

Nowadays, we have too much invested in the game.  Hurt for losses has been replaced with anger for what we invested in it (and lost).  Hurt fans mourn.  Angry fans demand coaching changes.

Money has changed the landscape of college athletics for the worse.  We all know that this change is permanent.  Since I mourn less and get angry more, change is necessary.  Without change comes apathy - now that is really bad.