What's It All About?

Last week NBA free agent Brian Grant rejected a $90 million offer from the Portland Trail Blazers. "It's incredibly unbelievable," said agent Mark Bartelstein, deploying a rare double-negative-superlative on his client's behalf, "in this day and age, for an athlete to say so strongly, 'It's not about the money' "

"It's not about the money," says free-agent running back Leroy Hoard. "There are very few people in this league who can honestly say that."

"It's not about the money," says Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman; "It's not about the money," says Washington Redskins defensive end Ndukwe Kalu; "It's not about money," says Detroit Lions running back Sedrick Irvin.

"It's not about the money thing," says Utah Jazz rookie guard De-Shawn Stevenson.

"It's not about the money, not about the fame," says New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott.

"With him, it's not about money, it's not about fame," swing coach Butch Harmon says of Tiger Woods.

"It's not about the money, the houses or the cars," says Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal.

"It's not about the money," says Chicago Cubs rightfielder Sammy Sosa. "It's about respect."

"Juan has always told me, 'Luis, it's not about money.' " rightfielder Juan Gonzalez's adviser Luis Mayoral says of his client. " 'It's about respect.' "

"As his agent, David Falk, said to me, 'It's not about money,' " Chicago Bulls part owner James Stern recalls of Michael Jordan. " 'It's about respect.' "