Jim Calhoun's behavior in this clip is awful but masks an uglier truth that can be seen only upon further inspection. That Jim Calhoun doesn't want to give any of his salary back despite the condition of Connecticut's state budget is only moderately offensive. I don't know of a single person who has voluntarily paid more in federal income taxes to help address the glaring deficits that the federal government is running. Calhoun could show less greed and more generosity, but so could we all.
This exchange is more offensive because it highlights the most offensive aspects of revenue generating collegiate athletics. Jim Calhoun first bristles and retorts that he wont return a single dime. (Greed? Check) Calhoun is then moderately offended that the reporter in question thinks he only makes $1.5 million and advises the reporter to "Shut up." (Arrogance? Check) Heres where things get really ugly. Calhoun asks what the take for ticket sales was that evening and launches in to a tirade while providing a neat little fact: UCONN's Mens basketball team turns over $12 million to the state run university every year (this blogger has since learned that the $12 million in question is gross revenue and not profit for the University and the actual total is much lower owing to basketball related expenses.) A now shouting Calhoun tells the reporter to "get some facts" (Calhoun's salary figure is, in fact, a fact.)
Calhoun may take credit for the money generated by basketball for the University only if he also takes credit for the unjust system of collegiate athletics in place. You see, I am under the impression that Hasheem Thabeet and the rest of the UCONN mens basketball team is more responsible for that revenue than the arrogant Calhoun. You can say that the players are being compensated with scholarships to a fine institution of higher learning, however graduation rates at top football and basketball schools are notoriously low and I fear that were the players given the choice, they would overwhelmingly choose monetary compensation. One can always return to college, just ask Troy Aikmen. Alternatively athletic careers, while lucrative at the highest levels, are risky and short lived. At any moment Blake Griffin might blow out a knee and cost himself millions of dollars yet Oklahoma will have its take on ticket sales. Revenue generating collegiate athletic programs should be disbanded in favor of professional developmental leagues.
6 comments:
"I don't know of a single person who has voluntarily paid more in federal income taxes to help address the glaring deficits that the federal government is running."
You know me. I have voluntarily paid more taxes than I was legally required to.
Furthermore, I would caution you before you start divorcing athletics from institutions of higher learning. I like the Wisconsin Badgers because I attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and have lived in the state my entire life. There is a part of my identity tied up in this team and in this system.
This way, those urges of "Home Team Beats Outsiders from Other City" (please help me find the Onion article with that headline or something close to it) are moderated. This is not a normative statement; I know that you and I both hate the "Our Tribe GOOD! Your tribe EVIL!" mentality of sports. But until the Second Coming, we will fall short of a Universal Brotherhood of Man, and will need sports teams to talk about endlessly.
THERE MUST BE A COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF AND IF YOU DISAGREE I WILL FIGHT YOU. MEAT! MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!
I can see where professional development leagues could improve the overall level of play and be more fair to the athletes.
But if you thought that the point of basketball was to put a ball through a hoop, you'll miss the big picture. We need to change the big picture, and your blog post is a start.
My favorite sports moment, the one image that I think sums up all that sports can (and should) be, happened last year with a college women's softball game. A senior girl hit her first home run ever, but as she went around first base, she hurt her knee. The members of the opposite team picked her up and carried her around the bases, and would go on to lose the game.
It shows sportsmanship, respect for one's opponents, teamwork, and respect for rules. I don't think it's a coincidence that this was a women's game.
How do you feel about participation trophies?
Note: I found the Onion article minutes after posting this. It's from the A.V. Club section, in a review of Slap Shot:
http://www.avclub.com/articles/leave-the-kids-at-home-15-proudly-profane-sports-m,2181/
Quoting:
Led by its standout trio of dorky psychopaths, Newman's motley assemblage of not-so-loveable losers quickly becomes the meanest, dirtiest, brawlingest team in the league. This lets the film to simultaneously satirize and satiate hockey fans' insatiable bloodlust, while spoofing professional sports' tendency to appeal to mankind's basest instincts. (Blood good! Home team smash strangers from other city!)
Thats one. I also would like some off-line clarification and detail as to why you volunteered to pay more taxes. Even after you pardon my mistaken hyperbole the point remains that the majority of Americans are not keen to volunteer to pay more in taxes and a larger point regarding the right to negotiate and enter into contracts is also intact.
It is not that sports being involved with institutions of higher learning is problematic. It is only when the university system and professional sports leagues conspire to use the popularity of a few sports to exploit the athletes that partake of them.
We also have slightly divergent views of the "big picture." Sport centers around a deliberate, unnecessary, and ultimately irreconcilable conflict. That I should want to put this orb through that hoop seems irrational. That you should want to prevent me from doing so is bizarre. That an elaborate system of rules is developed to judge in what manner I may put this ball through that hoop and in what manner you are permitted to prevent me from doing so is the height of absurdity. The conflict is the point of sport. It is through this conflict where we explore the best, and, unfortunately, sometimes, the worst (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxbEOaF5A1s) that lies within us.
The value of trophies lies in their ability to remind us of the glories and shames of the past. The T-Shirts I have acquired from triathlons are more valuable to me than Lord Stanley's Cup (by far the best trophy in sports.)
(1) Point of contention! If David has volunteered to pay any more taxes than he was required, it is the result of his sheer laziness to fill out a tax return form and get his $30 back.
(2) POC 2! Hasheem Thabeet probably wouldn't be at UCONN if it weren't for J. Calhoun's sheer awesomeness. College coaches are quite valuable. Was anyone shocked Tubbie Smith turned Minnesota's program around?
(3) I am sure Calhoun pays his fair share of taxes.
(4) The simplest way to solve this problem is to pay players more.
In case you missed it, I used the word 'sheer' twice.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123751289953291279-lMyQjAxMDI5MzI3MDUyMTAyWj.html
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