Its a double edged sword on this topic:If you go to an AFL game you will see kids as young as 5-10yrs wearing their team colours with a number on the back off it,that number represents their fav player(young kids like to meet them at football club BBQ for kids or Aus kick ect).If that player gets into strife off the field the young supporter will hear about it through the endless media hounding or through word of mouth(public).I dont know what impact that will have on a 5-10yr old but being that young they proberly will not give a shait but- if the parents have a say in the matter and depending on what the football player has done,the parents will influence the childs decision on that player and CLUB.(THATS JUST AN EXAMPLE).
All sports are diff in the way they are played(obviously) and all off field incidents are diff and handled diff by the powers that be for diff codes.(Swimming,AFL,NRL,ect.)
The result is that yes i think they are to a certain point but how far are they OUR property and not their OWN???.
