“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”—Malcolm S. Forbes.
Quid pro quo literally translates, "something for something." Adam Grant's book Give and Take explores transactional behavior.
The organizational psychologist Penn professor describes styles as "givers, matchers, and takers." He amplifies that the most successful are ambitious givers.
Years ago on a Southwest Airlines flight, the male flight attendant repeatedly asked us, "If there's anything you need, please let me know." That left a powerful impression.
How do you feel about relationships built upon quid pro quo? Would you rather have relationships built upon respect and admiration or exchange?
Coaching is complexity.
"Coaches get more than we give." - Brad Stevens
"When a person shows you who they are, believe them." - Maya Angelou
"Happiness begins where selfishness ends." - John Wooden
"Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson
“Thinking in a more compassionate way is the best way to fulfill your own interests.” - Dalai Lama (Literally, what is good for others will help you.)
Share relentlessly. Do more for our teams by asking better, specific questions.
- What does our team need now?
- How can I improve today?
- What interactions will allow me to be successful?
- Stopping what will allow me to be better?
- Ask players, "what do you think?" To figure it out players need involvement.
Lagniappe. ChatGPT product re: quid pro quo in sports
"Quid pro quo" is a Latin term meaning "something for something," or an exchange of goods or services where one transfer is contingent upon the other. In the context of sports, this concept can manifest in various ways, some of which are legitimate and others potentially controversial or even illegal. Here are some examples of how quid pro quo can appear in sports:
Player Trades and Transfers:
- Teams trade players with each other, where each team gets a player (or players) they believe will enhance their squad. For example, a baseball team might trade a promising young pitcher to another team in exchange for a veteran outfielder.
Sponsorship Deals:
- Companies sponsor teams or athletes, providing financial support, equipment, or other resources. In return, the athletes or teams promote the company's brand through advertisements, wearing branded gear, or participating in marketing events.
Endorsement Deals:
- Athletes receive compensation or other benefits from companies in exchange for endorsing their products. This often involves appearing in commercials, using the products publicly, or being featured in promotional campaigns.
Match-Fixing and Bribery:
- In more nefarious scenarios, quid pro quo can involve unethical or illegal agreements, such as match-fixing, where a player, coach, or official is bribed to influence the outcome of a game in favor of one party. This could involve deliberately losing a game or manipulating scores.
Recruitment Promises:
- In collegiate sports, there can be quid pro quo arrangements where coaches or recruiters offer scholarships, playing time, or other benefits to promising high school athletes in exchange for their commitment to play for their college team.
Facilities and Benefits:
- Schools or municipalities might offer improved facilities or financial incentives to teams or sporting events in exchange for the economic boost or prestige the event brings to the area.
Ethical Considerations
While many forms of quid pro quo in sports are perfectly legal and ethical, others can be problematic:
- Conflict of Interest: Situations where the exchange might benefit the involved parties but harm the integrity of the sport or disadvantage other stakeholders.
- Exploitation: Scenarios where the power imbalance leads to unfair or exploitative conditions, particularly in amateur or youth sports.
- Corruption: Illicit activities such as bribery and match-fixing undermine the fairness and unpredictability that are core to sporting competition.
Case Studies
Endorsement Deals:
- Michael Jordan's longstanding endorsement deal with Nike is a classic example of quid pro quo, where Jordan receives financial compensation and a share of profits from the sale of Air Jordan sneakers in return for his promotion of the brand.
Sponsorships:
- The deal between the English Premier League (EPL) and Barclays, where Barclays provided significant financial support to the league, and in return, the league carried the bank's name as part of its branding (e.g., "Barclays Premier League").
Recruitment Controversies:
- The NCAA has seen multiple scandals involving improper benefits provided to recruits or players, such as the case with Reggie Bush and USC, where Bush received illicit benefits, leading to severe sanctions for the university.
Quid pro quo is a fundamental concept in sports business and management, with a clear presence in legitimate transactions and agreements, but also in actions that can jeopardize the fairness and integrity of sports.
Lagniappe 2. "Great offense is multiple actions." For example, clearing one area and running an action into it becomes viable.
“SLICE 2”
Out of a series of five plays all starting with the same basic movement to set various backdoor actions pic.twitter.com/0E8sRrWIw0
The Duke "Elbow series" is another good example.
— Matt Hackenberg (@CoachHackGO) May 31, 2024