Lin Worth More To Knicks Than Any Other Team
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By DERON SNYDER
An item’s value and its worth aren’t necessarily the same thing. A person’s wedding ring might be valued at X amount of dollars, but it can be worth many times that amount to the owner. Intrinsics and intangibles often are beyond the grasp of a price tag.
The same is true in sports. Derek Jeter’s worth to the Yankees certainly exceeded his value a couple of seasons ago when the team signed him to a three-year, $51 million contract with a player option for 2014, when he’ll be 40. What he means to the Bronx Bombers can’t be measured in dollars and cents alone.
The overwhelming majority of player signings are fueled by performance on the field/court, not results at the box office/retail outlet. But certain stars force management to tinker with the equation, or at least reconsider it, based on their broad appeal and financial impact.
Tim Tebow earned that type of consideration before the Denver Broncos opted to pursue Peyton Manning. Although his style of play doesn’t inspire much success, management could have ridden his tidal wave of popularity while giving him time. Arguably, only a bona fide star like Manning could have displaced Tebow in Denver.
In 25 starts with the New York Knicks last season, Jeremy Lin became an international sensation like none ever seen, including Tebow.
