In the aftermath of England's humiliating defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016, one of the more memorable responses came from Chris Waddle on BBC 5 Live. "They're all pampered. They're all just headphones. They don't communicate. They don't communicate on the pitch - they don't communicate off the pitch. You can't get anything out of them."
Behind the hilarity of an irate Geordie struggling to find the right words to describe an embarrassing England defeat, lies something a bit more profound. The loss of connection between the public and modern sport stars who shut themselves off from the outside world, often seen hiding under a pair of headphones because - by common perception at least, they are lacking in any real character or heart.
That's certainly not an accurate depiction of Rory McIlroy. Anyone who has been paying attention to McIlroy's public appearances over the past 12 months during the PGA-LIV saga, which has now ended in a merger that has shocked the sporting world and beyond, would have to describe him as open and engaging.
For many, his honesty has been refreshing and a welcome departure from the banal standard set by most of his contemporaries in high level sport, and he has won plaudits from many analysts and commentators for the very public stance he has taken in denouncing the LIV project and staying loyal to the PGA Tour. This is what makes it so jarring to see a dejected and defeated McIlroy, in his first public press conference since the merger was announced, acknowledging that it will "ultimately be good for professional golf."
🎙️ "At the end of the day money talks and you'd rather have them as a partner."
Rory McIlroy says that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf merger is 'ultimately good for the game of professional golf'. pic.twitter.com/ifSW1BDnNp— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 7, 2023
As is the order of the day, the response to McIlroy's position now will be divided. The moral police might question how he can face up to the prospect of playing on a tour that will effectively be bankrolled by the Saudi PIF, while realists will conclude that McIlroy has no choice but to accept this grim compromise. The latter aligns with a sentiment expressed by Padraig Harrington, who has been met with plenty of online backlash over his pragmatic, if depressing, reaction to the merger on Twitter.
Surprised that this merger has happened so quickly but not surprised it’s happened. Definitely in the financial interest of both sides. Definitely in the financial interest of the players even though some of those who gain will feel like they’re losing. Good for the cohesion of…
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) June 6, 2023
The story of Rory McIlroy and LIV Golf at this point looks like a cautionary tale for any modern sport star who is considering taking a public stand against the direction that elite level sport is heading. Discussion about sportswashing, geo-politics and the soft power of sovereign wealth funds now seems to be a central feature of analysis in almost every major sport. For the athletes competing at the top end, parking their morals at the door may as well be a term that is written into their contract.
Rory McIlroy did something that most others in his position would avoid - he put his neck on the line by taking a moral stance, albeit one that was primarily geared towards defending the principles and traditions of the PGA Tour, rather than the more troubling issues regarding human rights in Saudi Arabia. History should look back on his stance favourably, particularly when compared with the LIV defectors like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau, who have found themselves fielding questions about criticism from the 9/11 United Families group.
Awesome day today 😊 https://t.co/qUwVJiydym
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) June 6, 2023
Monumental day for the game of golf.
— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) June 6, 2023
But in the end, money wins. And for athletes like McIlroy, you're either in or you're out. The same unfair choice is forced upon footballers playing in a major tournament hosted in a country with alleged human rights' abuses, or playing for clubs that are funded by petrostates. It's the same for those involved in Formula One, boxing, WWE and an ever-increasing list of influential global brands that now reside under the sportswashing umbrella.
Sport is now compromised to the point where it's becoming near impossible for anyone involved to take a moral position and avoid being tagged as a hypocrite. In that context, the stereotypical sportsperson who chooses to be 'just headphones' seems a lot more relatable than they were before.
