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Oct. 3—Real fans don’t have a portal.
Maybe we could rig one that could transport them back to the days when college sports were simpler, stabler and less transactional.
Through all the changes, though, the real ones sustain allegiance to their teams.
It’s the finest quality of real fans — and Washington State has some of the most loyal and avid, those who offer the vaguely mystical explanation that “there’s just something about the place.”
But suddenly, like so many fan bases around the country, Cougar faithful are being asked to not only relinquish loved ones on an annual basis, but to also help finance the temporary workers brought in to replace them.
Fans are having to adapt to this new era of fanning. And it can be painful.
Picture having to watch a young player develop with your team and then leave to find extraordinary success elsewhere.
How to react? For Cougar fans, quarterback Cam Ward is a test case.
The former WSU quarterback is now the darling of Miami Hurricane fans, and is one of the front-runners for the 2024 Heisman Trophy. The Hurricanes are undefeated and ranked No. 8, powered by Ward’s nation-leading 18 touchdown passes.
And, in some numbers very relevant to this examination, his name-image-likeness value has been reported at roughly a million dollars, but may have risen to twice that with new endorsements.
How, then, are the Cougar fans supposed to feel about Ward’s emergence? Is he a mercenary ingrate? Or do they appreciate his two-season contribution to WSU and offer all well-wishes?
“I think it’s kind of split, honestly; there are people who wish him well and some who don’t, because he left the school,” said Paul Sorensen, a former Cougar defensive back who is now vice-president of the Cougar Collective, which raises funds for WSU’s NIL program.
“Cam did it right,” Sorensen said. “He did his two…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/dave-boling-washington-state-fans-020200950.html
Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Publish date : 2024-10-04 02:02:00
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