Ever notice how when a team wins a championship, most everyone involved in their glory, except the players, is high on more success right away? It's difficult to win a playoff series, or a playoff game, let alone a sports title. So much can and does go wrong for teams trying to repeat.  Take the Pittsburgh Steelers of '05 or every team that was a reigning champ from MLB since 2001. None except the Red Sox from last year managed to get to the conference finals of their sport. 

It seems that while fans expect more titles immediately after the first one, the owners are more geared toward marketing and selling luxury boxes. You can look at teams like the Spurs, Celtics, and Yankees as well as the Patriots, even the Detroit Red Wings and see true commitment to the fans and share holders. The rest often seem to lose key players or don't take enough chances to improve their teams the following season.

The bar being set by owners, and in turn fans, is too high every year. The Patriots were not going to win 18 games again this year, even if Tom Brady was not taken out like Homer Simpson after too many beers. Consider the Yankees, and all that George has yet to swallow again (rings) for years now with his evil empire. With all money involved and the inflated egos of owners, the fans have leaped over reality too often. 

Maybe if the big bosses who run these franchises thought more about the team and its chemistry rather than the outside opinions, then things could take more gradual courses instead of dramatic mood swings. Seems that every team which struggles, or even the ones that "under-perform" feel like they have to sweep a coach out the door or ship a player out to see progress again. The Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos all get A's for sweeping out the old in favor of something-new-but-who-knows if it's progress.

It would put a mental shine on my overall sports outlook if more owners would think like the San Antonio Spurs or New England Patriots top men. These two organizations keep their coaches for longer periods, but find new ways to use the crayons in their boxes.  I know resources (money) is different for all the franchises but it seems to suggest that there is not enough accountability within these teams. At least the Florida Marlins know how to get small fish and see them grow into bigger ones, even with their annually low payroll. 

Imitation is arguably the greatest form of flattery so why is there not more copying on teams homework?  You notice in the NFL that teams take from the Patriots and try to get undervalued players at cheaper rates, thus there is a lot of parity within the sport. MLB has a greater appeal now with revenue sharing, even though without a salary cap Steinbrenner can spend like his pockets are as deep as outer space. Even with those positives you can watch a game in any sport with professional athletes and see a lack of discipline and mediocrity abound.

Let's hope that more fans decide to root for their teams with less criticism and more patience. There are many reasons why money can get your team fame but also many reasons why it can hinder your chances. Less ulcers, heart attacks, and stress could follow if fans take on realistic expectations, meaning that your team will play either good or bad. Let super feel super when it happens, just don't expect it.