Would you rather be an A list player with zero championships or a B-C with multiple?

A. Give me the money a top tier guy makes.

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A. Give me the money a top tier guy makes.

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OK how about flash in the pan A list with a very short career or B-C list with 15-20 year career with 7-8 championships?

I'd rather be Dan Marino than Trent Dilfer.

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Am I David Tyree or Mike Bell?

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Would Tyree be an even C level player?

Of course, we all want to be great, but I think the long-term lifestyle,
sense of privacy
I would much rather be a long-time major league Utility player, they make enough money that their kids and grandkids could have a comfortable life without being the subject of public scrutiny

I think it would suck to be a celebrity or famous

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That changes it completely. Give that scenario if I’m b list, but still a starter, I’ll make up the wage difference over time and adding in endorsements stemming from being on a championship team.

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But still never really a household name. Only hardcore fans know your name

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But still never really a household name. Only hardcore fans know your name

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Maybe, but that could be a blessing. You avoid the paparazzi circus, get paid, get rings, and have generational wealth you can give to your family if you’re smart with investing.

B-C list for sure. If you're an A-lister with no rings, your name is perpetually brought up in "good but never won a championship" talk. B listers with multiple rings get mentioned in "overlooked players who actually made a difference" talk. Easy choice

Depends on the sport.

In the NFL, I'd rather be the A list player and make the big bucks

MLB or NBA, I'd be more inclined to be a 2nd tier player and win a few championships.

Reasoning is that NFL players have the shortest average career length and a lower average salary than MLB or NBA.

NFL contracts are rarely fully guaranteed unless you're a top tier QB. Your max value is usually going to be in your 2nd contract, which is probably only 2-3 seasons worth of guaranteed money before teams can cut you with little or no additional money owed to the player. And you're at higher risk of having an injury that is either career ending or that you're never the same again after.

MLB and NBA career lengths are longer. Mid level players make a higher average salary than NFL. And the contracts are guaranteed.

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But still never really a household name. Only hardcore fans know your name

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Who cares? Poll 100 random kids asking who Mel Ott was. How many know? 5, maybe? Yet, when he retired, he had 200 more home runs than the next closest player in National League history, back when that distinction still meant something.