Coronavirus Leads Some Athletes to Opt Out, if They Can Afford to

These were for the most part wealthy, established players, and in each instance a question could be posed: Could another player with the same level of concern for his well-being, the same level of fear of the coronavirus and its multifarious consequences, but with less money and less job security, come to the same decision?

The coming weeks could show who feels empowered, and who feels handcuffed, in making the decision to prioritize safety.

“If you’re a player who’s made $30 million a year for the last three years, you’re ability to say ‘I’m not playing’ is different from the guy who’s been struggling for the last three years, is ready to play now in the big show, has debt coming out of his ears, and who needs to show his talent and get rewarded,” said Gene Orza, the former general counsel and chief operating officer for baseball’s players union. “Those are two completely different human beings.”

“So to have a one-size-fits-all approach to it is silly,” he added. “It’s just not going to work.”

Every athlete had, in Orza’s words, “a uniquely personal constellation of factors” underpinning his or her decision to play. But it has become clear that those with the financial means or a level of professional status will be best equipped to make the choice to forgo a paycheck and year of play.

Zimmerman, 35, who announced on Monday that he would be “staying safe at home,” has earned about $136 million in his career and won a World Series. Desmond, 34, said on the same day that playing this season was “a risk I am not comfortable taking,” noting his desire to stay close to his pregnant wife and four children. He has made $76 million in his career.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/03/sports/coronavirus-players-nba-mlb-opt-out.html