The Value Of Money: Why the Green Darkens the World Of Sports

Albert Haynesworth, John Calipari , C.C Sabathia, A.J Burnett, Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez.

This list you see above is just a short bunch of coaches/athletes who left their teams to receive huge contracts, as if their original ones weren't enough.

Yes, we are in one of the worst economic crisis the U.S has faced. But where is the dedication? Where is the actual dedication to the sport itself? Is money the only thing players will work hard for?

The power of money has affected many of the top sports in the world.

With the MLB, this past year we have seen teams lose their top player to another team despite making very tempting offers.

The Brewers offered C.C. a contract of more than 100 million dollars, yet that wasn't enough for him. The Brewers at the time were a young team on the rise who gave up their top prospect just to get Sabathia for half of a year.

He completely dominated the NL, and could have made them a big time contender each and every year.

Yet, he along with Teixeira and Burnett decided to go to the Yankees.

Even though I don't like the Yankees and their usual spending spree, they did what they needed to do if they wanted to start winning again.

It's up to the minds of the players. They should make the final decision, and shouldn't just say "yes" because their agent says to.

We also have Manny Ramirez, who never gives 100 percent when on the field. With his most recent tactic last summer with forcing himself out of Boston by not hustling, basically doing it on purpose so the Red Sox would give in to him.

All sports players need to swallow their pride and need to start playing with a bigger heart, and need to think about the fans who pay with their small hard-earned money to see the professionals give it 100 percent.

In the NFL, even with the salary cap; there were also players who left for more money; two in particular that upset me.

First, Albert Haynesworth, the new Washington Redskin, signed his 7-year 100 million dollar deal after his monster year with the Titans.

My question is: Why didn't he always have such productive seasons? Al wasn't always this productive in the past, so is it a coincidence now?

This is becoming a trend in a lot of the sports; in particular the NFL where players have their best season while in the final year of their contract.

Why is it that this small percentage of players can't give a full 100 percnet each and every year, like the others do?

In the real world, if a hard working employee wants the annual bonus the company gives out each year, besides working to the best he can be, he even has to put extra effort into his job if he wants the reward.

I, myself, was also upset about the departure of Brian Dawkins. Dawkins was one of my favorite players to watch on the field, as well as the kindness he showed off it.

Being one of the more fierce defensive players in the league; I am sure the die-hard Eagle fans are more saddened about this than me.

Who knows: Maybe it was the Eagles' fault for not spending their money on basically the heart and soul of the franchise.

What does bother me is he wouldn't take less money to stay in Philly.

Brian has been there his entire life, has faced the good and the bad times, and once again was one game away from making it back to the Super Bowl.

He would rather go to a team that just parted ways with their franchise QB, and won't be a competitor for a possible Super Bowl birth for the next few years?

He's nearing the end of his career and has had his good share of contracts. It is sad he could not finish wearing the green.

From my perspective, I was almost heart-broken by Ray Lewis. I did feel upset inside when he wouldn't take a pay cut, and was considering going to another team, even though no home is better fit for Ray than Baltimore.

Over the past year or so, I have also been getting discouraged about the trouble makers the NFL in general has to offer, who are making millions of dollars, yet are not cautious enough with their personal lives.

Mike Vick and Plaxico Burress, just to name a few: Talented stars who make stupid decisions with the financial position they were in.

I feel especially bad for Vick, who was in a big contract with the Falcons, and has already filed for bankrupcy.

However, what finally put me over the edge was John Calipari leaving Memphis for Kentucky. There is no doubt that Kentucky is the top job to have in college basketball, however, why couldn't he honor the contract he was in?

I am always furious when I see coaches take another job while still being under contract.

When your contract is up, of course you have the right to go to anywhere you please. Yet, in his recent interview with ESPN, he told Andy Katz that he didn't take it for the money at all, but only because Kentucky is such a great program.

I do not buy that cover-up at all. Him completely ignoring the fact of becoming the highest paid coach in basketball doesn't do it for me.

It is a shame how money has affected the players, most importantly the role-models of kids wishing to become like these stars.

The power of money has become a dark cloud over the sports world, and to be quite honest: I am not sure if this will end anytime soon.

Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com