There was a lot made recently of the relative’ take home pay’ by the top athletes in the country. While for the individual sportsperson, i.e. the golfer, the tennis player, the surfer, the skier, there is little guaranteed pay (apart from appearance fees), the ‘take home pay’ is directly related to their performance.
For the team player such as cricket, football of all codes, baseball and motor racing, the individual receives a contract each year based on certain criteria of previous year performance and what they will possibly do the following year or years.
This American research article looks at all areas of work but particularly focusses on Major League Baseball. And it compares the top level or status player verses those below that level, in terms of performance after their ‘take home pay’ has been cut.
The study reveals the higher status players’ performances decline with respect to those of lower status.
Have we seen evidence of this research in Australian sport?
In cricket, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden’s performances declined towards the end of their careers and coincided with a ‘take home pay cut’
Have we seen similar occurrences in AFL, Rugby League and Rugby Union?
The research asked what lessons might be drawn from the paper’s findings -.
- “The first is to acknowledge that even top performers — in fact, especially top performers — are prone to make mistakes and suffer poor performance in the aftermath of status loss, which suggests that this is not the time to be taking significant actions or making important decisions. It is prudent to take some time off and restore one’s sense of self-worth before returning to work.
- “Second, you can reduce the harm from status loss by taking some time to think about a valued relationship and, in general, by recognizing the value of meaningful relationships or aspects of one’s life outside of work. These elements can compensate for threats to the self that loss of status can entail. Another way to achieve this may be by looking to change jobs, to find work at another organization where you feel respected.
- “Finally, our research investigates the immediate consequences of status loss, but over time individuals find ways to affirm themselves and come back. Steve Jobs was a prime example of that. Maybe we’ll see the same thing with A-Rod now that he has a year off courtesy of a Major League Baseball arbitration. He’s talking about coming back better than ever, and, who knows, if he’s learned a lesson, he just might.”
While the lessons suggested are useful, generally what is happening with the athlete of higher status is that their career is coming to an end. The game is passing them by, and they no longer have the same motivation to keep in front. Cricketers like Brad Hogg at 44 are the exceptions that prove the rule, although he was never a cricketer who would have seen himself as high status – rather a battler who just loved playing the game!
