ATHLETES AND MOVING

Andy Pettitte and perhaps Roger Clemens are but the latest in a trend I’ve been noticing a lot in recent years: professional athletes who feel the need to leave a successful team and an adoring fan base in order to be closer to their family. As someone who grew up in a military family, attending seven different schools before graduating high school, I’m wondering why it is that people making upwards of $10 million annual salaries can’t just move their family to the city in which they are employed. I’m given to understand that people often do just that while making a fraction of the salary.

FILED UNDER: Sports
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Tero says:

    Maybe because money isn’t everything?

  2. James Joyner says:

    Well, certainly true. But, surely, one can provide a good setting for one’s family in any Major League city–especially on a professional athlete’s salary.

  3. jen says:

    As another mil-brat, I’ve always wondered about that too. Moving isn’t that big a deal – there are houses and school and shopping in every major city in the US. Surely the family can learn to adjust? Especially given the money.

  4. Fred says:

    Uh.

    Because top pro atheletes are rarely worldly and cosmopolitan people?

    Because they married people who aren’t.

    Because they can?