I see a nuance in your point about holding sports person to a higher standard. We don’t consider every sports person a role model. I am sure more people would consider Dhoni a role model than those that consider Gambhir a role model. It’s not just the star factor or how they play the game, but it’s also how they conduct themselves on and off the field that elevates players into role models.

It would be interesting to figure out how we map them to a role model – because they are the cream of the crop in one aspect, we instantly expect them to be the cream in all aspects, even though it defies all logic and in many cases the players behave that way too based on our expectations – a big cycle of Pygmalion effect.

Good point about IPL. Coarsen the human spirit – now, that’s deep

In the case of IPL, we are having trouble because the negotiation is an open and naked process and that adds a vulgar twist for many. We don’t have issues with players signing up for marketing deals etc because we are not part of the negotiation. I am sure if we are part of that negotiation or at least we know the intricacies of that negotiation, we will consider that taboo too.

That’s the same reason why I think people are upset of Manny Ramirez – we were too privy to the negotiation process and it was out in the open.

Loyalty – now, that’s a loaded topic. I can’t tell if I started like Ferrari after Schumacher or if it was the other way around. Ganesh in his latest comment points out that we support the team and the jersey more than the player and I agree with that.

In my opinion, how an individual deals with the scenario that you’ve mentioned is purely based on perspective. If the person has different perspectives, he/she might be more open and not look at it as loyalty. On the other hand, it could be out-of-sight out-of-mind too

I have no qualms with athletes moving from one team to another if the monetary reward associated with the move is significant. Why should I expect any loyalty from them, when I would perhaps do the same. As Seinfeld says, we do not root for players anymore, we root for teams and the jerseys!!.

About them being role models, I would paraphrase “Sir Charles” – Athletes are not role models, it must be the parents, uncles and aunts who slog their butt off in a non-decrepit job to enable their children/relatives have a decent living”. It is these common and decent folks that one should look up to. Kids can use athletes as avenues to get motivated, but they are not role models.

Ganesh