Helping Those Who Helped You

By Bob Wolff

I've been sitting in on meetings with high school coaches and athletic directors who are cutting schedules, shifting teams to new leagues to cut travel costs, and reduce the charge for buses and drivers. Some schools may not have sufficient resources to keep teams playing.

Meanwhile I'm reporting on the fantastic contracts being given to major league stars. Last month, the Yankees finalized a contract with CC Sabathia, giving the pitcher 23 million for seven years, totaling a record 161 million. If CC can get this, more power to him and his family.

All these stars developed their talents in high schools. Now their schools need help. This can be furnished by all players making a million or more each year if they voluntarily would give one percent of their fortune each season back to their high school.

The Players Association may not agree, but agents can write this one percent clause into player contracts with the clubs.

I don't believe in telling others how to spend their money, but this is more than public relations, it's human relations.

I'm Bob Wolff and that's my Point of View.

Comments

[Peggy Lazenby- Retired teacher]

I agree that players on major teams should think about helping the high schools that prepared them to make their multi-million dollars, After all, if it wasn't for the training and exposure they received from their high schools, thy probably wouldn't be playing for major league teams that pay them these huge salaries. So,one would think these players would be happy to help in appreciation for their training playing for their high school teams. One would also expect them to give thanks to God for their talents by helping their high schools keep up their sports programs by making donations to help in this endeavor.

[John]

If I might make a recommendation (since you probably have the contacts to make this heard, and I certainly don't), forget about the players. Go for the teams, or better yet, the governing franchise.

It could be a hard sell to convince players to pay for their own future competition, but it's in the best interests of the larger organizations to maximize the pool of possible players. And one percent of their operating budget is better than one percent of a fraction of the overall salaries.