Have paydays in sports gotten obnoxious?

[jebartle]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

[Taltarzac725]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

Probably all based on ads on TV and elsewhere that a top athlete can generate based on his or her fans watching on various platforms.

[tophcfa]

It’s a business, revenue is generated through ticket sales, sponsors, television contracts, merchandise sales, etc…. The elite athletes that are getting paid ridiculous amounts of money are getting paid because their popularity generates huge amounts of revenues that make money for the team owners who pay their salaries. The team owners don’t pay the athletes because they like them, it’s a business decision based on economics. Don’t blame the athletes if you think they are overpaid, blame society for putting them on such a pedestal. The same can be said for many Hollywood actress and actresses, musicians, etc…. It’s also why most male athletes make significantly more than females, society is way more willing to pay to watch and support most sports played by males. If female sports generated the same revenue as male sports, the pay of the athletes would reflect that.

[retiredguy123]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "
No. Professional athletes are part of a profitable business that pays taxes to the Government. Almost all income that the Government receives is from income taxes paid by profitable businesses. Without private businesses generating a profit, the Government could not even exist. And, most surgeons rely on the Government for their education, hospitals, and for most of their income that is paid by Government subsidies to insurance companies and patients. Without indirect financial support from the Government, surgeons would make a lot less money than they do. Ironically, without the Government, the only customers surgeons would have would be wealthy people, like professional athletes. So, I don't see anything obnoxious about professional athletes making a lot of money.

[ohioshooter]

$18M for 1st place Fedex cup.

[Mrs.Guy]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

:shrug: Could you please give us a "free estimate" of what a sports professional should be paid. Just a ballpark figure .... I won't hold you to it. ;)

[Stu from NYC]

:shrug: Could you please give us a "free estimate" of what a sports professional should be paid. Just a ballpark figure .... I won't hold you to it. ;)

50 million per year to play basketball is a bit much

[Mrs.Guy]

50 million per year to play basketball is a bit much

:ho: You're right about that, but what I posted was meant as a joke for jebartle and not meant for to be taken seriously. It went over your head..... sometimes I just says things to amuse myself. No problem. :kiss:

[Stu from NYC]

:ho: You're right about that, but what I posted was meant as a joke for jebartle and not meant for to be taken seriously. It went over your head..... sometimes I just says things to amuse myself. No problem. :kiss:

Actually I have seen comments like this before and understood what you were saying but did not think it was a joke. In a capitalist society money flows according to the profitability of whoever is doing the work.

[Blackbird45]

The title Professional Athlete, give them the right to demand whatever they believe is their worth. There are CEOs in this country that exceed over $100 million a year and do very little to earn it. Plus, if the company takes a downturn the CEO contractually walks away with a large severance package. It doesn't matter what your profession, in this country the sky is the limit.

[dewilson58]

It’s a business, revenue is generated through ticket sales, sponsors, television contracts, merchandise sales, etc…. The elite athletes that are getting paid ridiculous amounts of money are getting paid because their popularity generates huge amounts of revenues that make money for the team owners who pay their salaries. The team owners don’t pay the athletes because they like them, it’s a business decision based on economics. Don’t blame the athletes if you think they are overpaid, blame society for putting them on such a pedestal. The same can be said for many Hollywood actress and actresses, musicians, etc…. It’s also why most male athletes make significantly more than females, society is way more willing to pay to watch and support most sports played by males. If female sports generated the same revenue as male sports, the pay of the athletes would reflect that.

Bingo

[jimbomaybe]

The title Professional Athlete, give them the right to demand whatever they believe is their worth. There are CEOs in this country that exceed over $100 million a year and do very little to earn it. Plus, if the company takes a downturn the CEO contractually walks away with a large severance package. It doesn't matter what your profession, in this country the sky is the limit.

You can "demand" anything you want, convincing some one else to pay you is another thing, its called competition, if you can play what is a game for children at a very high level your abilities are worth a lot as an entertainer , watching on TV/or video doesn't give a good appreciation of the physical abilities of the athlete what ever the worth financially, CEOs are put in place by ownership in an effort to keep the business profitable, the only reason it can exist, of course there are examples of dumb ,ill-considered moves on the part of CEOs of large corporation,( in hindsight) Say what you will about capitalism but it has allowed for creation of the wealthiest period in human history, yes I know not for everyone, (is there a government program that supplies crying towels? ) Much of this is due to the ability to manage all the variables, insight into what is and the creative abilities of good management. A top CEO is worth much more than an entertainer to the people who hold equity in the business, those who make their living working for the business.

[vickersbond]

You hit the nail on the head pefectly. And - no end in sight.

[Worldseries27]

where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "
the trouble with your issue is that your ok with the players making less and disregarding the fact that the owners will merely pocket it. Please dont tell me owners will charge less for admission. Tale a look at the empty box seats behind every home team in baseball. So my choice is let the kid who beat the odds ( only 5 out of 100 thriple aaa players ever appears in one big league game) have his payday

[Fran from MI]

It's not just Professional Athletes, CEO's and Movie Stars. $93BILLION for the Artemis Space Program!

NASA will spend $93 billion on Artemis moon program by 2025, report estimates | Space (https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-moon-program-93-billion-2025)

[Sandy and Ed]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "
Amen to that.

[Sandy and Ed]

It's not just Professional Athletes, CEO's and Movie Stars. $93BILLION for the Artemis Space Program!

NASA will spend $93 billion on Artemis moon program by 2025, report estimates | Space (https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-moon-program-93-billion-2025)
Rather put my money into that latter program than the former ones

[B-flat]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

Another Amen to your comment!

[me4vt]

$1.5 million for top athletes plus bonuses…….

[hdanielblank]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

In capitalism, how much you get paid is how much someone is willing to pay you. Period. It has NOTHING to do about intrinsic value to society. Look at what you pay for a yacht as compared to what you pay for water. Which is intrinsically needed more?

The entertainment industry is hugely profitable. Sports is part of that industry. The very best performers, top 1/10 of 1 percent of athletes (or other would-be entertainers) are the only people who demand the very top paydays. If you want remuneration to be consistent with value to society, try socialism. I say, no thank you!

[Keefelane66]

50 million per year to play basketball is a bit much
Let me interpret the statement: people of color should make 50 million to play basketball. Thank You for your honesty

[CoachKandSportsguy]

A couple of points missed in the biased generalizations:

First: professional team sports individual contracts may total a large $ amount, but each contract has many achievement bonuses such that the base and the total are no where near the same amount. Pitchers can miss 10's of thousands of dollars with a difference between a strike out and a walk at the end of the season.

Second: individual sports are about the closest to a meritocracy. You eat what you kill. Not enough talent, not enough desire, not enough adaptability, you die, very simple.

Third: do the organizations supporting the athletes, who are the product, giving back to the community? Are the athlete themselves setting up foundations to help important causes? Are the athletes being required to go into the community and meet/give encouragement to children who need support hi hospitals. .

What you don't see, again because no one who isn't an insider can see / read / know everything, that many team members are required to go to hospitals, communities, and give support and encouragement to children and others, which can make a life long difference to many children. Most have something written into their contracts requiring public appearances, etc.

Steelers star T.J. Watt 'whooped' in pickleball by Minkah Fitzpatrick, local Pittsburgh woman - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-star-t-j-watt-whooped-in-pickleball-by-minkah-fitzpatrick-local-pittsburgh-woman/)

its called entertainment, helping you forget your struggles or remember your struggles as we all are humans. . giving hope to your struggles, and just lifting spirits, if even for a day to remember like mink fitzpatrick

so enough with the sour grapes about your lot in life by comparing someone's else's public persona with your private one. Enjoy what you have, forget about what you didn't get get due to random gene matching of your parents, and didn't spend an entire life dedicated to one activity, enjoy what gives you happiness, there is not as much time left.

Besides, no one like a bitter old person about what could have been. . .

[RiderOnTheStorm]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

The answer is simple; if you are dissatisfied with the operating arrangements simply quit endorsing them; don't watch/attend the games or buy the endorsed products. Team owners are keenly aware of these factors. College sports are a good alternative if you need a sports fix, or better yet, get outdoors and do something with your family. Just saying.

[Bay Kid]

Aren't college players now allowed to get endorsements?

[golfing eagles]

50 million per year to play basketball is a bit much

Let me interpret the statement: people of color should make 50 million to play basketball. Thank You for your honesty

That didn't take long.

Let me interpret the first post: No person of ANY COLOR should make 50 million for playing basketball. Thank you for your obvious bias.

[Villages Kahuna]

It ends when enough of us cancel our subscriptions to the sports packages or cable TV altogether. “Cutting the cord” has become a increasingly popular option. Ask the younger members of your family. You’ll find that streaming is widely favored by them instead of paying the ever-increasing cable TV subscription fees.

[rpalumberi]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

agree 100%, on so many levels

[Stu from NYC]

That didn't take long.

Let me interpret the first post: No person of ANY COLOR should make 50 million for playing basketball. Thank you for your obvious bias.

I made an example why in the world would you make this about racism?

[KYtoTV2021]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

Are you kidding me? The average American worker makes around $48K and the average surgeon makes around $400K/year. What are you thinking?

I just had cataract surgery (one eye) last week. The surgeon had 35 cases scheduled for that day -- and his fees (not including the $1,850 "facility fee") was $1,600. That amounts to $56,000 in ONE DAY -- just for the surgeon's fees.

I don't think many people are going to cry over ANY surgeon being under-paid.

[meridian5850]

Isn't it great that we live in a capitalist society/culture where you get paid what you're worth based on your skills, knowledge, intelligence, and work ethic or any combination of these?

[Johngramuglia]

I think it is an indicator of what is valued. A researcher trying to cure cancer would make a tiny fraction of what an athlete makes. I don't begrudge them what they're making because the business makes money off of them. As long as people are willing to pay the prices and TV revenues and licensing provides money, it will continue that way. I just think it I snore of an indicator of what the humans value

[golfing eagles]

I made an example why in the world would you make this about racism?

I didn’t. The second poster did. I was taking racism out of the equation

[Kenswing]

Let me interpret the statement: people of color should make 50 million to play basketball. Thank You for your honesty
Wow! You seem to play the race card every chance you get. It seems you look for anything that can be even the tiniest bit construed as racial. Even if it's not. How sad.

[Stu from NYC]

Let me interpret the statement: people of color should make 50 million to play basketball. Thank You for your honesty

I gave an example nothing more nothing less.

Do not believe anyone in any other major sport makes $ 50 million a year. Why in the world does racism become a part of this?

[sail33or]

2 Points to make:

1. Humans repeat history. Always. Roman emperors created the Coliseum for athletes to compete, so citizens dumbed down, became distracted, changed values and accepted dictatorship.

2. Rich athletes, like most rich people usually spend the money on themselves. Find me one that lives in a 2,000 sq ft house or drives a $30,000 car. If they give to charity, it is their own Golf School, Basketball Camp, etc. A Higher Authority must be troubled with such suffering in the world that could be helped by the money going to personal selfishness. Ever see any athlete going into Chicago and taking on gang/drug violence?

[Vikingjunior]

PGA is a not for profit with a tax free exemption. They save about $40 million a year in not paying taxes.

[golfing eagles]

PGA is a not for profit with a tax free exemption. They save about $40 million a year in not paying taxes.

How much does the United Way "save" by not paying taxes?????

[Worldseries27]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "
NYU BASICALLY 100 TO 1
BASEBALL 659 to 1
FOOTBALL 4233 to 1
FYI
SHOW ME THE MONEY

[spinner1001]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

The present system of setting wage levels is the best system and other systems are worse.

Wage levels here are the result of free markets — the best system for setting wages. What other system exists that is better for setting wage levels? I don’t know of one.

If a free labor market does not set wage levels, then what person or committee would determine how much a person is worth and ought to be paid? And how would this dictator or committee be chosen? There is no good way. Would this dictator or committee set wage levels at the same as what you believe is the right level? Probably not. What then? Fire the dictator or committee until you get one that you like?

There is no better system for setting wage levels than the present system. Other systems have been tried and don’t work well.

[golfing eagles]

The present system of setting wage levels is the best system and other systems are worse.

Wage levels here are the result of free markets — the best system for setting wages. What other system exists that is better for setting wage levels? I don’t know of one.

If a free labor market does not set wage levels, then what person or committee would determine how much a person is worth and ought to be paid? And how would this dictator or committee be chosen? There is no good way. Would this dictator or committee set wage levels at the same as what you believe is the right level? Probably not. What then? Fire the dictator or committee until you get one that you like?

There is no better system for setting wage levels than the present system. Other systems have been tried and don’t work well.

First of all, I agree with you, I'm a believer in capitalism and free markets. However, our markets are not necessarily "free".

Ever hear of RVRBS? (Resource Based Relative Value Scale). This is the system used by CMS (Center for Medicare Services) and most 3rd party payers for physicians. This system, approved by "committee", sets payments for all medical services. There is no "free market", no negotiation, you either accept the decision of the "committee" or not participate in Medicare and any insurance that uses RBRVS. BTW, this system was developed 40 years ago by a Harvard economist who had no idea of medical services and their value, resulting a deeply flawed system that vastly overpays for "new" procedures and technology.

Another example: By regulating the number of hours a long haul trucker can drive (not necessarily a bad thing), the government in effect limits his income.

There are many more examples, but this gives the poster who stated surgeons are paid less than sports figures an idea of why. (Not so much why the sports figure is paid so much, but why the surgeon is paid relatively little)

[spinner1001]

First of all, I agree with you, I'm a believer in capitalism and free markets. However, our markets are not necessarily "free".

Ever hear of RVRBS? (Resource Based Relative Value Scale). This is the system used by CMS (Center for Medicare Services) and most 3rd party payers for physicians. This system, approved by "committee", sets payments for all medical services. There is no "free market", no negotiation, you either accept the decision of the "committee" or not participate in Medicare and any insurance that uses RBRVS. BTW, this system was developed 40 years ago by a Harvard economist who had no idea of medical services and their value, resulting a deeply flawed system that vastly overpays for "new" procedures and technology.

Another example: By regulating the number of hours a long haul trucker can drive (not necessarily a bad thing), the government in effect limits his income.

There are many more examples, but this gives the poster who stated surgeons are paid less than sports figures an idea of why. (Not so much why the sports figure is paid so much, but why the surgeon is paid relatively little)

While the present system is the best, it is not perfect. No economic system is perfect. There are only systems that are better or worse. Take your pick!

[LianneMigiano]

Worse yet are the ridiculous sums paid to CEO's! Don't ever tell me that they "worked hard for it"... There's NO AMOUNT of work worth the kind of money they are paid. Athletes shouldn't be either - but they are at least putting their physical health condition on-the-line. TV/movie stars are another group of overpaid people. How did this world ever get this skewed out of line????

[Worldseries27]

the present system of setting wage levels is the best system and other systems are worse.

Wage levels here are the result of free markets — the best system for setting wages. What other system exists that is better for setting wage levels? I don’t know of one.

If a free labor market does not set wage levels, then what person or committee would determine how much a person is worth and ought to be paid? And how would this dictator or committee be chosen? There is no good way. Would this dictator or committee set wage levels at the same as what you believe is the right level? Probably not. What then? Fire the dictator or committee until you get one that you like?

There is no better system for setting wage levels than the present system. Other systems have been tried and don’t work well.
let's look at the average professional athlete salary not the skewed highest. I daresay there is not a lot of difference
my dad once told me figures dont lie
but
l. S know how to figure

[threefootputt]

Paul Samuelson, U of Chicago economist, coined the phrase “dollar votes”. People vote with their dollars. Athletes would not be paid these amounts unless there was revenue to support it. It is what people perceive as value. The same people who balk at paying an additional two millage increase in taxes in order to pay teachers more don’t hesitate to spend $15-$20 for beers at the stadium. The same people who object to assistance for mental health continue to buy their favorite player’s $150 jersey. They are exercising their votes on their priorities by using their dollars.

[jebartle]

:shrug: Could you please give us a "free estimate" of what a sports professional should be paid. Just a ballpark figure .... I won't hold you to it. ;)

FREE estimate, hmmmm!, have you ever paid for one, not me!!!!- I must have missed the "joke"

[jebartle]

Paul Samuelson, U of Chicago economist, coined the phrase “dollar votes”. People vote with their dollars. Athletes would not be paid these amounts unless there was revenue to support it. It is what people perceive as value. The same people who balk at paying an additional two millage increase in taxes in order to pay teachers more don’t hesitate to spend $15-$20 for beers at the stadium. The same people who object to assistance for mental health continue to buy their favorite player’s $150 jersey. They are exercising their votes on their priorities by using their dollars.

Like I said, " our values are out of whack "

[jimjamuser]

Worse yet are the ridiculous sums paid to CEO's! Don't ever tell me that they "worked hard for it"... There's NO AMOUNT of work worth the kind of money they are paid. Athletes shouldn't be either - but they are at least putting their physical health condition on-the-line. TV/movie stars are another group of overpaid people. How did this world ever get this skewed out of line????
"How did the system get skewed out of line"? Well, one big factor is the changes in taxes and tax brackets that began evolving in the 1950s for the benefit of the more wealthy. Any country's government can control the amount of greedy overreach by way of its tax law. Another factor is social values of fairness. Around 1980 just like in the movie, America adopted a "greed is good" philosophy, which persists today (and can be seen right here in this forum)

Not all countries SHARE the US deification of GREED. This may have changed, but around 1990 Japanese CEOs would be SHAMED in society if their salary was more than 10 times that of their average worker. Recently Japanese citizens returned lost paper money to the bank in that nuclear accident. It shows big differences in attitudes in different countries. Maybe Japanese people have greater respect for their laws and their fellow citizens?

Jingoism is a belief in EXTREME patriotism and that one's own country IS the best at everything.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

Have gotten? Where have you been for the past few decades? According to Minimum salary: - BR Bullpen (https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Minimum_salary:)

The average salary for a Major League Baseball player was $44,676 in 1975.

Only five years later in 1980, the average was $143,756 - more than three TIMES what it was 5 years prior.

Five years after that in 1985? $371,571 - almost twice what it was five years prior.

Fast forward to 2022: the AVERAGE salary for MLB players is $4,414,184. That's almost 100 times what it was back in 1975.

Check on any politician's annual paid salary, any teacher, police officer or firefighter, any administrative assistant in an office, any minimum wage earner, any restaurant manager - and you won't find those kinds of salary jumps.

[golfing eagles]

"How did the system get skewed out of line"? Well, one big factor is the changes in taxes and tax brackets that began evolving in the 1950s for the benefit of the more wealthy. Any country's government can control the amount of greedy overreach by way of its tax law. Another factor is social values of fairness. Around 1980 just like in the movie, America adopted a "greed is good" philosophy, which persists today (and can be seen right here in this forum)

Not all countries SHARE the US deification of GREED. This may have changed, but around 1990 Japanese CEOs would be SHAMED in society if their salary was more than 10 times that of their average worker. Recently Japanese citizens returned lost paper money to the bank in that nuclear accident. It shows big differences in attitudes in different countries. Maybe Japanese people have greater respect for their laws and their fellow citizens?

Jingoism is a belief in EXTREME patriotism and that one's own country IS the best at everything.

Yep, that post is right again :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Our country, which BTW IS pretty much the best at everything (have some jingoism), would be so much greater if it weren't for those darn corporations and the rich people. They've contributed nothing to the building and growth of America, they've employed nobody, they've put forth no venture capital, and of course, they pay no taxes.

Give us a break.

[Michael G.]

The answer is simple; if you are dissatisfied with the operating arrangements simply quit endorsing them; don't watch/attend the games or buy the endorsed products. Team owners are keenly aware of these factors. College sports are a good alternative if you need a sports fix, or better yet, get outdoors and do something with your family. Just saying.

To add to this, in the next couple weeks, notice the people, especially in the "student
section" in those college football stadiums.

Some of those tickets go for $150,00 -$250,00 EVERY WEEK and they all insist that their student loans be cancelled.

[jimjamuser]

Paul Samuelson, U of Chicago economist, coined the phrase “dollar votes”. People vote with their dollars. Athletes would not be paid these amounts unless there was revenue to support it. It is what people perceive as value. The same people who balk at paying an additional two millage increase in taxes in order to pay teachers more don’t hesitate to spend $15-$20 for beers at the stadium. The same people who object to assistance for mental health continue to buy their favorite player’s $150 jersey. They are exercising their votes on their priorities by using their dollars.
Is it really THEIR priorities or are they falling prey to massive propaganda created by massive ad campaigns? Up north people are often practically mesmerized by devotion to their city's pro football team. There are fewer activities available up north in the winter (football season). Often many people approach near insanity levels of devotion to THEIR pro football team. They act like they THEMSELVES win or lose depending on THEIR team's outcome on Sunday. They MUST have the clothing and other paraphernalia of THEIR chosen team. Then, on Monday at work, most conversations are about that near-holy team.

In the South, where there is more to do in the winter, pro Football teams like the Tampa Bay Bucs have less of an avidly insane following. Personally, I have always found spectator sports to be greatly lacking compared to participation sports. I actually feel that if Tom Brady came to watch me play softball, I MIGHT go to watch him play football. And incidentally, I find pro baseball to be so s-l-o-w that it becomes boring. They need to record the game and cut out the slow parts, then it might be interesting. I stopped watching pro baseball on TV in the 70s. So, naturally, pro athletes do NOT get their HIGH salaries from me. Sorry, Tom !

[golfing eagles]

Is it really THEIR priorities or are they falling prey to massive propaganda created by massive ad campaigns? Up north people are often practically mesmerized by devotion to their city's pro football team. There are fewer activities available up north in the winter (football season). Often many people approach near insanity levels of devotion to THEIR pro football team. They act like they THEMSELVES win or lose depending on THEIR team's outcome on Sunday. They MUST have the clothing and other paraphernalia of THEIR chosen team. Then, on Monday at work, most conversations are about that near-holy team.

In the South, where there is more to do in the winter, pro Football teams like the Tampa Bay Bucs have less of an avidly insane following. Personally, I have always found spectator sports to be greatly lacking compared to participation sports. I actually feel that if Tom Brady came to watch me play softball, I MIGHT go to watch him play football. And incidentally, I find pro baseball to be so s-l-o-w that it becomes boring. They need to record the game and cut out the slow parts, then it might be interesting. I stopped watching pro baseball on TV in the 70s. So, naturally, pro athletes do NOT get their HIGH salaries from me. Sorry, Tom !

I think you got it right!

It's escapism, no different than the movies or even a good book.
People go to Star Trek conventions and dress up like Mr. Spock or Star Wars and dress up as Chewbacca. The more people perceive their life as sucking, the more they need to escape

[Stu from NYC]

Yep, that post is right again :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Our country, which BTW IS pretty much the best at everything (have some jingoism), would be so much greater if it weren't for those darn corporations and the rich people. They've contributed nothing to the building and growth of America, they've employed nobody, they've put forth no venture capital, and of course, they pay no taxes.

Give us a break.

Very well said. It is those rich people who make investments that provide lots of our jobs but so many think they should not be rewarded for their investments.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

If team owners, leagues and associations didn’t think these people were worth the money they wouldn’t pay it. Yes, there are people that perform services that are much more important than what athletes do but you have to understand that when Tom Brady throws a pass millions of people are watching. Millions of people are buying merchandise. Millions of people are buying cable television channels to watch him. The people that own the team are making billions because of him and the other players. A surgeon deals with one person at a time. When 70 million people want to tune in to watch a surgeon at work and buy a shirt with his name on the back, when the hospital gains billions because of the surgeon then he’ll get paid the same.

[Babubhat]

It’s about tv money and gambling. Only going to grow.

[JMintzer]

Have gotten? Where have you been for the past few decades? According to Minimum salary: - BR Bullpen (https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Minimum_salary:)

The average salary for a Major League Baseball player was $44,676 in 1975.

Only five years later in 1980, the average was $143,756 - more than three TIMES what it was 5 years prior.

Five years after that in 1985? $371,571 - almost twice what it was five years prior.

Fast forward to 2022: the AVERAGE salary for MLB players is $4,414,184. That's almost 100 times what it was back in 1975.

Check on any politician's annual paid salary, any teacher, police officer or firefighter, any administrative assistant in an office, any minimum wage earner, any restaurant manager - and you won't find those kinds of salary jumps.

None of those other people you mentioned have TV contracts...

[JMintzer]

Yep, that post is right again :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Our country, which BTW IS pretty much the best at everything (have some jingoism), would be so much greater if it weren't for those darn corporations and the rich people. They've contributed nothing to the building and growth of America, they've employed nobody, they've put forth no venture capital, and of course, they pay no taxes.

Give us a break.

No to mention that Japan was THE definition of "Jingoism" throughout history...

[JMintzer]

Is it really THEIR priorities or are they falling prey to massive propaganda created by massive ad campaigns? Up north people are often practically mesmerized by devotion to their city's pro football team. There are fewer activities available up north in the winter (football season). Often many people approach near insanity levels of devotion to THEIR pro football team. They act like they THEMSELVES win or lose depending on THEIR team's outcome on Sunday. They MUST have the clothing and other paraphernalia of THEIR chosen team. Then, on Monday at work, most conversations are about that near-holy team.

In the South, where there is more to do in the winter, pro Football teams like the Tampa Bay Bucs have less of an avidly insane following. Personally, I have always found spectator sports to be greatly lacking compared to participation sports. I actually feel that if Tom Brady came to watch me play softball, I MIGHT go to watch him play football. And incidentally, I find pro baseball to be so s-l-o-w that it becomes boring. They need to record the game and cut out the slow parts, then it might be interesting. I stopped watching pro baseball on TV in the 70s. So, naturally, pro athletes do NOT get their HIGH salaries from me. Sorry, Tom !

Lord knows that the SEC (South East Conference) of college football has no rabid fans...

They all must be out doing other things...

[CoachKandSportsguy]

just take sure that you don't watch any of the sports on tv, don't subscribe to ESPN, don't buy tickets to the games, and don't buy the merchandise. Then you won't be participating in any of the payments to benefit any of the athletes of whose income you are jealous. Because if you are doing any of those, you are enjoying the benefits, paying the system, and being hypocritical for deriving the entertainment while criticizing them for making their money while doing so.

sportsguy

[tophcfa]

Have gotten? Where have you been for the past few decades? According to Minimum salary: - BR Bullpen (https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Minimum_salary:)

The average salary for a Major League Baseball player was $44,676 in 1975.

Only five years later in 1980, the average was $143,756 - more than three TIMES what it was 5 years prior.

Five years after that in 1985? $371,571 - almost twice what it was five years prior.

Fast forward to 2022: the AVERAGE salary for MLB players is $4,414,184. That's almost 100 times what it was back in 1975.

Check on any politician's annual paid salary, any teacher, police officer or firefighter, any administrative assistant in an office, any minimum wage earner, any restaurant manager - and you won't find those kinds of salary jumps.

Chalk it up to good marketing by MLB. The players union works hard to get their members (MLB players) a cut of the sports revenues/profits. The elite players that help generate the most fan interest, and corresponding revenues, get the biggest slice of the pie. The professions you are trying to compare to professional athletes are either paid by taxpayers or are relatively menial low skill workers that perform a basic function that doesn’t correlate directly to producing revenue and or profits (with the possible exception of a restaurant manager).

The highest paid state employees in many states are the coaches of the football or basketball programs of the State’s Flagship University (often making multiple times the state’s governors salary) because they want to attract the best possible talent and have a winning program, which results in huge amounts of revenue. Make no mistake, that highly paid coach has no union protection, like many other state employees, and if the team he coaches doesn’t win and generate revenue, his ass will be fired in a heartbeat.

[Blackbird45]

You can "demand" anything you want, convincing some one else to pay you is another thing, its called competition, if you can play what is a game for children at a very high level your abilities are worth a lot as an entertainer , watching on TV/or video doesn't give a good appreciation of the physical abilities of the athlete what ever the worth financially, CEOs are put in place by ownership in an effort to keep the business profitable, the only reason it can exist, of course there are examples of dumb ,ill-considered moves on the part of CEOs of large corporation,( in hindsight) Say what you will about capitalism but it has allowed for creation of the wealthiest period in human history, yes I know not for everyone, (is there a government program that supplies crying towels? ) Much of this is due to the ability to manage all the variables, insight into what is and the creative abilities of good management. A top CEO is worth much more than an entertainer to the people who hold equity in the business, those who make their living working for the business.

To me that is not always true. I negotiated a contract for a local union with CBS out of New York. I entered it with a bad hand due to the fact that other locals had agreed to a figure that I found unacceptable. It was a 3-year contract the first year with 0 increase. The argument on management side was that the local station was not generating enough revenue. I negotiated
for some other provisions and refused to sign a 3-year contract, so I would not be tied with the other local.
Now the issue I have with the CEO, is he is responsible for the entire company and if that's the case, then he should have been responsible for the New York market. While CBS was claiming poverty in New York the CEO salary was $85 million that year.
Look I'm not saying you shouldn't fight for what you believe your worth, but everyone should be allowed to demand what they want.
There was a line from of my favor movies titled Other People's Money: I play the game you make as much money as you can and who ever dies with the most money wins.

[ithos]

The career of your average professional player is probably less then ten years. Then they have to find a new career. The vast majority are not set for life and have to figure out how to make an income for many decades to come.

Another big reason overlooked is that the courts got involved and changed how free agency works.

nytimes.com (https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/11/sports/football-nfl-s-free-agency-system-is-found-unfair-by-us-jury.html)

[jimbomaybe]

To me that is not always true. I negotiated a contract for a local union with CBS out of New York. I entered it with a bad hand due to the fact that other locals had agreed to a figure that I found unacceptable. It was a 3-year contract the first year with 0 increase. The argument on management side was that the local station was not generating enough revenue. I negotiated
for some other provisions and refused to sign a 3-year contract, so I would not be tied with the other local.
Now the issue I have with the CEO, is he is responsible for the entire company and if that's the case, then he should have been responsible for the New York market. While CBS was claiming poverty in New York the CEO salary was $85 million that year.
Look I'm not saying you shouldn't fight for what you believe your worth, but everyone should be allowed to demand what they want.
There was a line from of my favor movies titled Other People's Money: I play the game you make as much money as you can and who ever dies with the most money wins.
Your "demands" were "negotiated" the CEO surely negotiated his contract as well , making Demands sound forceful, powerful, but it comes down to what leverage you have, how far the other side can or will go, some how some way for whatever reason the CEO convinced the right people that he/she was the right choice at that price.,, I demand that someone pay off my mortgage!,, I demand that I am offered a new acceptable Vehicle at a price I find acceptable,, ( but I won't hold my breath)

[La lamy]

It’s a business, revenue is generated through ticket sales, sponsors, television contracts, merchandise sales, etc…. The elite athletes that are getting paid ridiculous amounts of money are getting paid because their popularity generates huge amounts of revenues that make money for the team owners who pay their salaries. The team owners don’t pay the athletes because they like them, it’s a business decision based on economics. Don’t blame the athletes if you think they are overpaid, blame society for putting them on such a pedestal. The same can be said for many Hollywood actress and actresses, musicians, etc…. It’s also why most male athletes make significantly more than females, society is way more willing to pay to watch and support most sports played by males. If female sports generated the same revenue as male sports, the pay of the athletes would reflect that.
Your statement reminded me of tennis salaries. Female tennis players can be a huge audience draw, so I get that they are getting equal pay to men, but my huge issue is the fact that they only have to win 2 sets in the major tournaments versus 3 for the men. MAKES NO SENSE!! They want equal pay, play equal amount of tennis. I'm an athlete and I know it's not because they can't. So bizarre and unfair IMO. But as a side note I would prefer they all just stuck to having to win 2 sets in all tournaments. Who has the patience to watch 5 sets when it sometimes takes 5 hours?! Not me.

[Daxdog]

The odd thing is the left wants to tax the rich, by that they mean CEO and business owners. None of them want to tax TV, movie stars, or rich athletes.

[rrtjp]

It's not just Professional Athletes, CEO's and Movie Stars. $93BILLION for the Artemis Space Program!

NASA will spend $93 billion on Artemis moon program by 2025, report estimates | Space (https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-moon-program-93-billion-2025)
93 billion for what? Bragging rights, we can get to the moon?
Instead how about using that money to help our veterans our homeless and for better healthcare for everyone in this country. Now that would be something to brag about.
As far as what professional athletes should get paid ? Most will not have a very long career do to injury so they should be compensated for that but as to how much they should get paid? I don’t know. How many millions should a serial massage therapist sexual predator get paid in the National Felony League?

[tophcfa]

Your statement reminded me of tennis salaries. Female tennis players can be a huge audience draw, so I get that they are getting equal pay to men, but my huge issue is the fact that they only have to win 2 sets in the major tournaments versus 3 for the men. MAKES NO SENSE!! They want equal pay, play equal amount of tennis. I'm an athlete and I know it's not because they can't. So bizarre and unfair IMO. But as a side note I would prefer they all just stuck to having to win 2 sets in all tournaments. Who has the patience to watch 5 sets when it sometimes takes 5 hours?! Not me.

I prefer watching women’s tennis. The mens serves are so powerful that there frequently aren’t any good long volleys, the womens game often has very long volleys which are way more fun to watch than men serving back and forth. Perhaps that’s why men play the best of 5 instead of 3? But that is a great example of a sport with close to equal viewership and pay for both sexes.

[OhioBuckeye]

I wouldn’t say a surgeon makes peanuts for pay but I get your meaning. A surgeon or Dr. saves your life & a athletic plays a game. I agree it’s way out of wack!

[Blackbird45]

Your "demands" were "negotiated" the CEO surely negotiated his contract as well , making Demands sound forceful, powerful, but it comes down to what leverage you have, how far the other side can or will go, some how some way for whatever reason the CEO convinced the right people that he/she was the right choice at that price.,, I demand that someone pay off my mortgage!,, I demand that I am offered a new acceptable Vehicle at a price I find acceptable,, ( but I won't hold my breath)

In most cases CEOs of companies of the size of CBS do not negotiate. it's a long food chain of people under them who keep their position and even elevate by how low they can keep the employee's gains to a minimal. By the time you get to the table you're usually dealing with a person from human resources and a couple of lawyers. I have a contract with the signature of twenty-seven names, that I faced across the table, and I can guarantee none of them were CEOs. Many of the members I represented had their own agents and never adhered to the contract. The contracts were to obligate the union to supply an employee to the employer at the price negotiated. If they wanted a specific member, they were on their own. Athletes are people and go through the same process, just on a larger scale. CEO's in most cases keep their hands clean and have underlings deal with it. Both sides have their lawyers or agents, and both have an idea what the parameters are. You push them passed theirs and they push you passed yours the hope is that that you can meet somewhere. I've had negotiations last a day and one that lasted months.

[RiderOnTheStorm]

The career of your average professional player is probably less then ten years. Then they have to find a new career. The vast majority are not set for life and have to figure out how to make an income for many decades to come.

Another big reason overlooked is that the courts got involved and changed how free agency works.

nytimes.com (https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/11/sports/football-nfl-s-free-agency-system-is-found-unfair-by-us-jury.html)


Regarding figuring out how to make a living after sports: Maybe this would be less of a problem of the majority of athletes actually finished college before jumping into the pros for their less than 10 year career. Hell, they can now get $10,000 to help them do so.

[Blackbird45]

Regarding figuring out how to make a living after sports: Maybe this would be less of a problem of the majority of athletes actually finished college before jumping into the pros for their less than 10 year career. Hell, they can now get $10,000 to help them do so.

This is on the verge of becoming political. First in almost all cases if a person reaches the pros, they been in collage under a full scholarship. Also, I believe there are restrictions who can qualify for the forgiven loan program.

[La lamy]

I prefer watching women’s tennis. The mens serves are so powerful that there frequently aren’t any good long volleys, the womens game often has very long volleys which are way more fun to watch than men serving back and forth. Perhaps that’s why men play the best of 5 instead of 3? But that is a great example of a sport with close to equal viewership and pay for both sexes.

Good points.

[jimjamuser]

The career of your average professional player is probably less then ten years. Then they have to find a new career. The vast majority are not set for life and have to figure out how to make an income for many decades to come.

Another big reason overlooked is that the courts got involved and changed how free agency works.

nytimes.com (https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/11/sports/football-nfl-s-free-agency-system-is-found-unfair-by-us-jury.html)
That's probably correct for US football, baseball, and basketball. I'm not sure about soccer? But, pro tennis players and golfers probably have careers longer than 10 years on average.

[jebartle]

just take sure that you don't watch any of the sports on tv, don't subscribe to ESPN, don't buy tickets to the games, and don't buy the merchandise. Then you won't be participating in any of the payments to benefit any of the athletes of whose income you are jealous. Because if you are doing any of those, you are enjoying the benefits, paying the system, and being hypocritical for deriving the entertainment while criticizing them for making their money while doing so.

sportsguy

You just don't get it, I'm a big Duke fan, I don't begrudge salaries of sports, only wishing that our values would change and give educators, and our doctors the compensation that they deserve which is MORE than they receive now.

[jimjamuser]

Your statement reminded me of tennis salaries. Female tennis players can be a huge audience draw, so I get that they are getting equal pay to men, but my huge issue is the fact that they only have to win 2 sets in the major tournaments versus 3 for the men. MAKES NO SENSE!! They want equal pay, play equal amount of tennis. I'm an athlete and I know it's not because they can't. So bizarre and unfair IMO. But as a side note I would prefer they all just stuck to having to win 2 sets in all tournaments. Who has the patience to watch 5 sets when it sometimes takes 5 hours?! Not me.
30 years ago, when I was gung ho about tennis, I would watch every point of a 5 set match. Now I may tape the final and fast forward through the change-overs and stop at a service break and watch that closely. Or the set tie breaker if there are no service breaks. Then if it goes to a 5th set, I will watch every point

[Michael G.]

My son is a VP at one of our local banks.

All of those "up-scale" mucky-mucky bean counts that sign on at banks, have an enclosure in their contracts
that when they leave the bank for any reason, their incentives pay them more to leave then they make working.

Imagine that?

[JMintzer]

That's probably correct for US football, baseball, and basketball. I'm not sure about soccer? But, pro tennis players and golfers probably have careers longer than 10 years on average.

And they get paid only if they win...

[jimjamuser]

However do you really think the govt would do a better job spending their money via taxes than rich people making investments and providing jobs? Rich people do not keep their money under their mattress.
Yes of course the US government would do a better job of spending money than the rich 1% does. In Miami night clubs the sons and daughters of RICH 1% ers try to outdo each other as to who has more money by throwing glasses of wine at $400/ glass over their shoulders. That was a story in the Miami Newspapers and throughout the US several years ago. Many in TV Land MAY remember that story. And Jeff Bezos needed to enlarge his ALREADY obnoxiously large yacht so his wife could land her obnoxiously expensive helicopter on that STATUS SYMBOL. Status symbols and showing off POWER and wealth are what they are ALL about now. They don't NEED that extra wealth as much as you and I need better roads, hospitals, airports (US is outdated), Police, good PUBLIC schools (like we had in the 1950s), bridges, affordable Universities, vocational education, other infrastructure, and many other improvements.

Why were all these things better in the 1950s and 1960s.....ask yourself ? There were no Bezos and Zuckerbergs then Jack Welsh was a piker in comparison to today - vampire squids sucking the middle class away. Because the tax system was progressive meaning higher rates for the higher earners - the potential vampire squids of America.

And super rich business people like Bezos and Zuckerberg are similar to OVERPAID athletes. ASk why? Same, same answer ........the tax brackets mean EVERYTHING. Now some athletes may be wonderful people and give back. And some CEOs may be wonderful people - like Warren Buffet. But, for many their richness drives them to be vampire squids - they go power and greed crazy. It's all caused by the moving of the tax system from progressive to practically FLAT from around 1975 to today! Look at what Putin's tax bracket is .....he pays ZERO and robs from his government! And you know what that US tax system change from 1950 to today is the same as a change from democracy TOWARD Dictatorship. Sports paydays are just a reflection of those changes. When Bill Russel played for the Celtics in 1960, he did not make a ton of money compared to today. The sports MONEY drifted upward from the middle-class sports players to the uber-wealthy pro sport athletes of today. Sport and society.....it is ALL the same.

[Kenswing]

Yes of course the US government would do a better job of spending money than the rich 1% does. In Miami night clubs the sons and daughters of RICH 1% ers try to outdo each other as to who has more money by throwing glasses of wine at $400/ glass over their shoulders. That was a story in the Miami Newspapers and throughout the US several years ago. Many in TV Land MAY remember that story. And Jeff Bezos needed to enlarge his ALREADY obnoxiously large yacht so his wife could land her obnoxiously expensive helicopter on that STATUS SYMBOL. Status symbols and showing off POWER and wealth are what they are ALL about now. They don't NEED that extra wealth as much as you and I need better roads, hospitals, airports (US is outdated), Police, good PUBLIC schools (like we had in the 1950s), bridges, affordable Universities, vocational education, other infrastructure, and many other improvements.

Why were all these things better in the 1950s and 1960s.....ask yourself ? There were no Bezos and Zuckerbergs then Jack Welsh was a piker in comparison to today - vampire squids sucking the middle class away. Because the tax system was progressive meaning higher rates for the higher earners - the potential vampire squids of America.

And super rich business people like Bezos and Zuckerberg are similar to OVERPAID athletes. ASk why? Same, same answer ........the tax brackets mean EVERYTHING. Now some athletes may be wonderful people and give back. And some CEOs may be wonderful people - like Warren Buffet. But, for many their richness drives them to be vampire squids - they go power and greed crazy. It's all caused by the moving of the tax system from progressive to practically FLAT from around 1975 to today! Look at what Putin's tax bracket is .....he pays ZERO and robs from his government! And you know what that US tax system change from 1950 to today is the same as a change from democracy TOWARD Dictatorship. Sports paydays are just a reflection of those changes. When Bill Russel played for the Celtics in 1960, he did not make a ton of money compared to today. The sports MONEY drifted upward from the middle-class sports players to the uber-wealthy pro sport athletes of today. Sport and society.....it is ALL the same.
I guess you never heard of guys like Rockefeller, DuPont, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Morgan, etc. They defined what wealthy and powerful is.

[jimjamuser]

I guess you never heard of guys like Rockefeller, DuPont, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Morgan, etc. They defined what wealthy and powerful is.
I believe that a lot of the generosity and charity of those famous historic wealthy individuals came about because of pressure from the tax system. Carnegie, likely had a choice between paying taxes to the Federal Government or giving money to a library system and a University. It's like a choice between giving money locally or to the whole nation. He probably gave locally for many reasons - one of which would be that his name would be on many buildings in his local area. The highest tax bracket that he was in may ? have been partly responsible for his generosity. I would think that this is an example of good laws (tax laws) nudging citizens in the RIGHT direction.

I am NOT a gifted Historian and I have no way to be sure just what was the relationship of those "Captains of US Industry" and the existing tax law of that era. I would IMAGINE that there was an effect. There seems to be some high level Historians here in TV Land, so maybe they could render a further clarification of that question?

I appreciate your interesting comments on America's great "Industry Captains.

[JMintzer]

I believe that a lot of the generosity and charity of those famous historic wealthy individuals came about because of pressure from the tax system. Carnegie, likely had a choice between paying taxes to the Federal Government or giving money to a library system and a University. It's like a choice between giving money locally or to the whole nation. He probably gave locally for many reasons - one of which would be that his name would be on many buildings in his local area. The highest tax bracket that he was in may ? have been partly responsible for his generosity. I would think that this is an example of good laws (tax laws) nudging citizens in the RIGHT direction.

I am NOT a gifted Historian and I have no way to be sure just what was the relationship of those "Captains of US Industry" and the existing tax law of that era. I would IMAGINE that there was an effect. There seems to be some high level Historians here in TV Land, so maybe they could render a further clarification of that question?

I appreciate your interesting comments on America's great "Industry Captains.

Those "Captains of Industry" had another name... "Robber Barons"...

[Stu from NYC]

Yes of course the US government would do a better job of spending money than the rich 1% does. In Miami night clubs the sons and daughters of RICH 1% ers try to outdo each other as to who has more money by throwing glasses of wine at $400/ glass over their shoulders. That was a story in the Miami Newspapers and throughout the US several years ago. Many in TV Land MAY remember that story. And Jeff Bezos needed to enlarge his ALREADY obnoxiously large yacht so his wife could land her obnoxiously expensive helicopter on that STATUS SYMBOL. Status symbols and showing off POWER and wealth are what they are ALL about now. They don't NEED that extra wealth as much as you and I need better roads, hospitals, airports (US is outdated), Police, good PUBLIC schools (like we had in the 1950s), bridges, affordable Universities, vocational education, other infrastructure, and many other improvements.

Why were all these things better in the 1950s and 1960s.....ask yourself ? There were no Bezos and Zuckerbergs then Jack Welsh was a piker in comparison to today - vampire squids sucking the middle class away. Because the tax system was progressive meaning higher rates for the higher earners - the potential vampire squids of America.

And super rich business people like Bezos and Zuckerberg are similar to OVERPAID athletes. ASk why? Same, same answer ........the tax brackets mean EVERYTHING. Now some athletes may be wonderful people and give back. And some CEOs may be wonderful people - like Warren Buffet. But, for many their richness drives them to be vampire squids - they go power and greed crazy. It's all caused by the moving of the tax system from progressive to practically FLAT from around 1975 to today! Look at what Putin's tax bracket is .....he pays ZERO and robs from his government! And you know what that US tax system change from 1950 to today is the same as a change from democracy TOWARD Dictatorship. Sports paydays are just a reflection of those changes. When Bill Russel played for the Celtics in 1960, he did not make a ton of money compared to today. The sports MONEY drifted upward from the middle-class sports players to the uber-wealthy pro sport athletes of today. Sport and society.....it is ALL the same.

Guess I have to repeat myself. These rich people buy stuff and invest in business that provide lots of jobs. Govt brings new meaning to inefficient spending and waste.

[Worldseries27]

lord knows that the sec (south east conference) of college football has no rabid fans...

They all must be out doing other things...
southern weather didn't prevent rabid raider fans from venting their rage at opposing team fans

[fdpaq0580]

Where does it end??? A surgeon saves lives and makes peanuts compared to professional sports.... Our values are "out of whack "

Fashion models make huge money for what?
I understand the "whys" and "wherefores" of compensation, but I don't always agree when it seems over the top excessive.

[Stu from NYC]

Fashion models make huge money for what?
I understand the "whys" and "wherefores" of compensation, but I don't always agree when it seems over the top excessive.

Models make huge salaries as the companies that sell the stuff think that when the model wears their clothes or endorses them they will sell more.

Otherwise they would not get paid what they do.

[OhioBuckeye]

You’re exactly right!

[fdpaq0580]

Models make huge salaries as the companies that sell the stuff think that when the model wears their clothes or endorses them they will sell more.

Otherwise they would not get paid what they do.

I understand that. I just think that, in some instances, compensation is excessive. One pretty woman in a dress shouldn't make the dress more attractive than if another pretty woman wore it. Just my opinion.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Sports generates $$. The highest paid public employees in 40 of the 50 states are college coaches. There is a reason for that.
Surgeons saving lives by putting saline bags in boobs probably went to a school where the football team subsidized the medical school.

[tophcfa]

Models make huge salaries as the companies that sell the stuff think that when the model wears their clothes or endorses them they will sell more.

Otherwise they would not get paid what they do.

Yup, Gisele Bundchen, Tom Brady’s supermodel wife, has more career earnings than the greatest football player ever.

[Boston-Sean]

And they get paid only if they win...

Pretty sure everyone who makes the cut gets a paycheck. Some a very big paycheck.

[jebartle]

Sports generates $$. The highest paid public employees in 40 of the 50 states are college coaches. There is a reason for that.
Surgeons saving lives by putting saline bags in boobs probably went to a school where the football team subsidized the medical school.

Really?!&%?!

[kkingston57]

Biggest disparity is in the college football coaching. NIck Saban just signed a mulit gaazillon $ contract and the players get a sholarship.

[Babubhat]

Go look at the sports surcharge on the cable bill. Ridiculous