Good Morning Vietnam. A major complaint of sports fans all over the world is that the athletes that the idolize make too fat of a paycheck. This argument is ignorant and biased. Even athletes that I hate make fair paychecks in my opinion (I am not a laymen such as the reader of this article. I even have numerical statistics to back my correct-ity up). When Babe Ruth was asked by a reporter if he deserved to make more than the President of the United States, he responded by asking, "Can Mr. President hit a baseball?" Professional athletes get paid what they get paid because they specialize in what they do. The pros in any sport is a collection of the very best athletes in their given position (if you were one of the very best at what you did, you would get a fat check, too). One (ignant) might argue that if one does not actually perform academic work, they do not deserve a paycheck. This argument is simply a grasp at acceptance by the mediocre. An athlete should be considered a role model for the youth and adults of the world, based on the mental and physical aspects of what they do* (Do soccer players count? American football players make less than basketball, baseball, soccer, and tennis players individually. Yet they are still singled out as making too much.) Education goes a long way in this particular instance. In a business where millions of dollars worth of admission are collected per sporting event, where would you suggest the money goes? I personally think that it is ignorant to have the money go to the rich, aristocratic, (caucasian) owners of the sports teams and clubs to which these players belong. If the players are the reason that these events draw such interest, they should split the money without giving any to the owners. However, it is in everyone's best interest if the owners, coaches, and other supporting staff get a fair paycheck. If you actually play a sport [or played a sport (on a team)], and you would like to share your opinion, please write it below. Thank you, thank you very much.
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I agree that if you are the best at what you do, you should be compensated fairly. But, that is certainly not the case in many professions. The argument that those who scoff at the weighty paychecks of athletes is ignorant and biased is in fact biased itself. Many who argue against obscene athlete paychecks are not jealous of their wealth, they are frustrated with the lack of equality amongst professions - especially those professions that are not necessary for the improvement of society as a whole (and I know that statement just cause another major argument :).
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying, but in a way athletes are still role models. They inspire young children to work hard at their dreams to one day becaome the very athlete they admired. Sure they aren't good role models in the way that they spend their obnoxious checks, but they are in the way that they earn them. Just think of all the children that didn't quit basketball because of Michael Jordan. The kids that didn't quit soccer because of David Beckam. And even Ben Rothlisberger, with his two super bowl rings he now inspires the masses to follow their dreams.
ReplyDeleteThere is no denial that professional athletes are the best at their trade. This being said being the best athlete should not equate to nine figure contracts like some players are getting paid. The best doctors in the world are lucky to make a million dollars. These men and woman save lives. There is no excuse why the best athletes should make over 100 times the amount of the best doctors. You also said that athletes should make a vast portion of the revenue a team makes. While this should be the case teams should not be taking in as much money as they do. They should be lowering ticket prices so that more fans can go to the games. Although both players and managment alike would be making less money they would be helping the community out in these tough economic times. O yeah lets not forget that both of these parties would still be making a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteI agree that nfl contracts can get a little inflated. But I think nfl contracts are basically competition amongst nfl players. seeing that if you get paid the most money then you are thee best at your position, but they do get paid to be the best.Maybe It's not saving somebodys life but it is giving people something to get their minds off these tough times and something to root for.
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