I was watching some highlights earlier and it got me thinking about how much leverage players have these days. It feels like every time a new season or training camp rolls around, there's always some huge name missing from the field because they’re playing chicken with management over a new deal.
I get the logic behind it—you have to maximize your value while you're at your peak—but it feels a bit disruptive to the actual sport. It's hard to get invested in the "team spirit" narrative when the biggest stars are sitting on the sidelines waiting for a signature. It feels more like a corporate boardroom negotiation than a game played for the fans.
Do you think these holdouts are a necessary part of the business now, or is it just hurting the integrity of the season?
I get the logic behind it—you have to maximize your value while you're at your peak—but it feels a bit disruptive to the actual sport. It's hard to get invested in the "team spirit" narrative when the biggest stars are sitting on the sidelines waiting for a signature. It feels more like a corporate boardroom negotiation than a game played for the fans.
Do you think these holdouts are a necessary part of the business now, or is it just hurting the integrity of the season?