We’ve all seen it before… a superstar or popular player coming of a great season or playoff round and…heading for free agency. Teams are in a tizzy, tossing money at these men in short shorts, tight pants or helmets like it going out of style, BUT after all is said and done the player ends up signing with the incumbent team for less cash/years than they would have been able to get by selling out on the market. THIS is a (loose) definition of the all-important (to GMs…not to us) Hometown Discount!
This year Dallas Mav, Dirk Nowitzki gave the team one and apparently do did Boston Celtic, Paul Pierce. Ray Allen is up next.
Players will often say something like:
“I love playing here. The fans are great! I love the city and I want to stay here for my whole career.”
Good luck with that!!!
NBA owners claim that they we losing their shirts last year “please give us a discount and we’ll take care of you come contract time”. These are the same owners that threatened a lock out!!
Help me out here. Why would I give you a hometown discount knowing that I can make more money elsewhere? Would the owners promise not to trade me? Quick…how many players have a no-trade clause in their contract? Answer: Not many!!
Show me the money, even if I’m playing in the Sibera that is Milwaukee. Guaranteed money now is better than a hand-shake, hometown discount any day.
What do you think? Should players be “loyal” to their hometown team? Is there any real loyalty with free agency anymore??
TallChick, out!
