Ricky Wysocki is a good follow on Twitter.
Or “X,” as the kiddos (and billionaires) are calling it.
Much like the rest of us, though, he’s no stranger to lukewarm takes.
As resident expert on the subject, trust me …
THIS is one of them:
For starters, let’s not treat disc golfers switching manufacturers in the off-season like something of any real, widespread consequence. We’re not dealing with nuclear launch codes in the middle of a global crisis or anything. Yes, should the public prematurely find out where you’re headed, understandably, I’m sure it’s annoying. But it’s hardly worth a passive-aggressive social post.
Disc golf is a sport.
You’ll survive.
Speaking of sports …
Outside of disc golf, have you ever experienced an off-season as a die-hard fan of a franchise? Pick a sport – any sport: hockey, football, baseball, basketball, etc. For years, as a member of Team Latitude 64, Rick rocked a flat-bill Cavs hat during tournaments. Originally from The Buckeye State, my gut tells me he might very well be a closet LeBron James fanboy.
Back in 2014, after his four-year stint in Miami, the whispers surrounding the guy’s alleged off-season move were must-read material – and this in July, August and September, if you can believe it. Rumors were a daily occurrence; mindless speculation thrived on social media.
When the official announcement came through, it was jubilation for some, while utter heartbreak for others. For those of us with no rooting interest in the outcome, it was a blast to follow.
Like it or not, disc golf has mainstream aspirations. According to Jeff Spring himself, it hopes to one day crack the Summer Olympic Games. Simply put, disc golf wants what the NBA has. And wouldn’t you know it, what The Association has is an engaged body of fans for 12 months a year. Keeping disc golf fans on the hook with off-season allegations isn’t a bad thing …
It’s growth.
Better yet, to quote Mr. Wysocki himself, it’s “hype.”
Lastly, it’s hard to talk off-season transfers without mentioning it …
Money.
Having started back in 2022, Rick’s currently guaranteed $4 million over four years with Dynamic Discs. That’s not even taking into consideration incentives or his $250,000 Bitcoin signing bonus. To the surprise of nobody, the money he’s being paid doesn’t magically appear.
And while he’s inarguably one of the greatest-ever disc golfers, his generational talent alone is incapable of footing the bill for his steep salary. The innate value of throwing a frisbee well?
Zero dollars. Zero cents.
You see, people need to care about it for capitalism to kick in. The “people” in question? It’s those irresponsibly speculative fans Dick seems to have an issue with who are the driving force behind his impressive tax bracket. Think about it: Ticket sales, event winnings, Tour Series discs, lucrative sponsorships – it’s all either directly or indirectly backed by hard-earned fan capital.
I hate to burst your bubble, Rick, but you’d be wise to keep the greater disc golf community as engaged as possible during the off-season. Cut the complaints, and let our sport’s most devout followers have fun. If players can announce an upcoming change on their own terms, great.
And if not, even better.
It gives me something to write about.
Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Disc golf: Understable discs are more fun to throw
- Disc golf: 6 tips for not mindlessly missing 10-foot putts
- Disc golf: What it means to ‘play catch with the basket’ (and how to do it)
Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.
