Flag Football Well Below Minimum Wage
Flag is behind several other competitive amateur sports and events…

As we approach kickoff for the MCFFU/Bud Light Great California $10K Invitational , I’m reminded of several other amateur sports and events that offer its champions more prize value than most flag football tournaments. From softball to poetry to hot dog eating contest, some reaching as much as $75,000 plus, each offering huge cash prizes for their champions.

Even NASA uses monetary inducements to entice more creative thinking in their national competitions. NASA’s competitions, open to both large and small companies, colleges, technology organizations, high school students and individuals, are seen as ways to promote innovation by letting contestants pose any solution that works to solve a problem. NASA Spokesperson Brant Sponberg said in the March 2005 addition of the New York Times “ monetary rewards were a proven way to advance innovation and technology ”.  So why not advance the level of play in competitive flag utilizing the same philosophy?

Now the question becomes, why not competitive flag football? Why does flag football, the cousin of arguably “America’s game” Pro Football, offer so little to its winners as a whole and require just as much in return as the other sports regarding travel expenses and entry fee costs? 4-Man is currently the only style in flag that offers over $10,000 for a winner with one organization giving away $15,000 to its National winners! (Divide that by four)

True, sponsorship has a lot to do with most organizations’ ability to offer large cash purses however, the willingness to do so is also required by these organizations. It does not have to be only the large organizations that offer hefty cash prizes, just the ones that possess the zeal to do so.

And yes, it does has a lot to do with total team participation, which in return induces larger sponsorship packages from companies and provides more revenue for the organization to utilize. Nevertheless, this also falls back on the shoulders of the hosting organization that must ensure quality incentives to increase team participation.

All organizations must pose the question, “For spending your money with us, we in return will provide you with “ fill in the blank ”? The best settings (fields, area, etc.) money can buy, national exposure rivaled by no other, undisputed recognition or awards worthy of ones time (practice) and expenses to play, travel included.

Granted, money does not make the sport of flag football great, it’s the competition and the love of football. However, once the sport reached a certain competitive plateau nationwide, organizations should’ve felt obligated to reward its top performers with top prizes such as cash, placing the sport in the same arena as Dodge ball of all sports who already offer in excess of $50,000! It cost to compete nationally on a regular basis, period.

Now if money were not important to competitive teams, then amateur sports organizations across the country would not be choosing this form of reward for its participants to compete for. Money obviously has a strong draw on the competitive level of any sport or competition. The only people in flag who are against the money are those who can never win it, those who can’t think of other ways to recoup prize costs or the ones who simple refuse to because they believe the new “Cash Craze” threatens the current flag ecosystem they have created.

With cash, teams and players have a clear idea of the value of their reward; there is no “perceived value” only “actual value”. The Union understands that the current rule is NOT to award cash prizes to competitive flag football teams. That being understood the Union also understands that rules only insure that history repeats itself (which is not always for the best) and sometimes need to be adjusted or at times broken.

Now I’m no rocket scientist but I do know, though it may not motivate some, money sure as hell motivates most to some degree. I also know that by placing a substantial cash prize at mid-field of any flag tournament, not only will the competition level increase but so will anxiety, the stakes and overall pressure forcing teams to perform under extreme conditions (other than weather) helping determine the best team of the tournament.

Because as good as teams may appear when the stakes are low, they are equally as bad when the pressure is applied properly. Losing a $20 trophy is one thing, but losing “10 Big Ones” is another. Ever see a grown man chock? It’s a humbling, yet humiliating sight.

So for the record please understand that the “U” does not follow the rules, but instead sets the standards by attempting to raise the stakes and the level of expectations, both on and off the field.

If you pay for something, play for something - what are “U” playing for?