Free agency players in all sports are left with the choice of staying loyal to a team or going for more money/to compete for a championship. Although athletes deserve to get paid their worth, it can be argued that players are chasing after money rather than loyalty.
On March 10 at noon, the National Football League unofficially started free agency. It wasn’t until March 12 that players could actually sign the new contracts. This two day window is the negotiation period for players looking to move teams. This past NFL season a few players made it clear they wanted to be traded or were going to explore free agency. During this period of time players showed their true colors, that money is the main motivator.
On Feb. 3, Myles Garrett requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns. His reasons stated that he wanted to compete for a championship, and felt that the Browns are not at the point of competing for a Super Bowl. However, March 9 Garrett signed a contract extension with the team for $40 million per year and $123.5 million in guaranteed money. This new contract lasts four years and includes a no trade clause. This is a huge switch from what Garrett previously wanted, and an argument can be made that he signed it because of the money offered.
On March 7, the Bruins and Panthers completed a trade nobody saw coming. The Bruins traded their current captain Brad Marchand to the Panthers. This was shocking seeing that Marchand was in his second year as captain with the Bruins and has spent 16 years with the organization. In February the Bruins extended an offer to Marchand that reportedly did not meet his desired salary, thus the trade with Florida. However, even after the trade Marchand stated that he wanted to stay in Boston, but the money wasn’t there.
There are some cases in which players stay with organizations despite unsuccessful seasons and lack of money. Take Sidney Crosby for example. In 2012 he signed a 12 year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has never requested a trade. During last year's offseason there was debate of if Crosby would stay with the organization since his contract was ending. Crosby then signed a two year extension for the same value as his original contract in 2012 of $8.7 million. Crosby, who is 37, could’ve left to go to a competitive team for one last cup run and get more money, but he stayed with the only organization he has only known.
Athletes in sports get paid more than the average American and it is deserved from their hard work on the field. However, almost no amount of loyalty to a team can top the amount of money an athlete is offered by someone else. It is rare to see a player play for the same organization the entirety of their career. This is because if a team wants to keep a player in most cases, money talks.
Cassie is a junior studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu.
