Slowly but surely, seasons across Europe are coming to a close. Hopefully your experience overseas was a success and you are happy. Unfortunately, towards the end of a season, things can quickly turn sour when players are faced with petty behavior from teams. Whether it’s paying late, checking the state of your apartment and/or car, or even unfulfilled promises to fix broken amenities, these experiences can leave players feeling disrespected and violated.
One common issue faced by players overseas is delayed payment. This can range from a few days to several months and can have serious consequences for the athlete, who may be unable to cover their living expenses without their expected salary. Not only is this a breach of trust, but it can also lead to financial stress and put a strain on personal relationships.
It is sometimes not limited to late payments though. I have a client that has a clause in his contract that specifically states that he is due a certain amount of money if he works the team’s camps. For example, let’s say it is $500. Nowhere does it state that the money was dependent on how many participants there are in the camp. My client was told that because they did not have as many participants as expected, he would receive less money. I advised him to show the manager the clause in the contract because this is a time when teams try to take advantage of players while saving money. If this had been early in the season, there is no way the team would have tried this.
Another way in which teams can exhibit petty behavior is by searching players’ apartments and cars without proper cause or consent. This invasion of privacy can leave athletes feeling violated and can also expose them to potential theft or damage to their property. It’s not uncommon for teams to use these searches as a means of controlling player behavior or to check for any illegal substances. However, it’s important for teams to respect the privacy of their players and to follow proper procedures when conducting searches.
I can understand that the teams would like to make sure as the season is ending, that the apartment or car is left in a good condition, but there is a time and a place for this. Insist that these types of infringements be set as an appointment and not just coming by and wanting to check things over.
Finally, it’s not uncommon for teams to neglect to fix broken amenities promptly. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or a broken oven, these issues can make daily life uncomfortable for the player and can also put their health and safety at risk.
Although not a safety issue, if a player’s Wifi is out, that could lead to serious mental issues. Being away from family and friends is an experience only a few managers or bosses have made firsthand. They may not understand why it is so important for you to have your Facetime date with your boyfriend/girlfriend back home. In some cases, teams may even ignore players’ requests to fix these issues, leaving them feeling frustrated and disrespected.
In conclusion, end-of-season petty behavior from teams overseas can have a major impact on a player’s well-being. Teams need to be mindful of how their actions affect the players they employ and to work to create a supportive and respectful environment for all…even as the season winds down. By doing so, they can help ensure that playing overseas remains a positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved.