Selling out

Compromising integrity for personal gain To "sell out" is to compromise one's integrity, morality, authenticity, or principles in exchange for personal gain, such as money or power. In terms of music or art, selling out is associated with attempts to tailor material to a mainstream or commercial audience. For example, a musician who alters their material to encompass a wider audience, and in turn generates greater revenue, may be labeled by fans who pre-date the change as a "sellout". People who take well-paying jobs that involve ethically questionable activities, especially jobs that prop up the status quo, can also be accused of "selling out". "Sellout" also refers to someone who gives up, or disregards someone or something for some other thing or person. In sports In the context of professional sports, a "sellout" is a person or group claiming to adhere to the ideology of putting the collective interests of the team, franchise or fans above their own individual accomplishments or financial gain, only to follow these claims up with actions contradicting them, such as an athlete or coach pledging to stay with a team until a specific goal is accomplished, but immediately deciding t