While thousands suffer, is it right for footballers to get paid as much as they do each week?

Question

I'm not trying to force a particular answer, I'm really asking the question: is it right (it fits the influence they have and pressure they're under) or isn't it?

Answer 1

Why single out footballers?Ive just read in the papers that the BBC are paying Jonathan Ross £6,000,000, per year.Is this justified?Wogan gets £800,000 per year.Bruce Forsyth £40,000 per show.What about the cast of Friends the fortunes they were paid per episode.What about Shumacker £1,000,000, per race?Don't forget its only in the Premiership where its big money,and not every team can afford to pay big wages.Why not have a look at the salaries of some of the chairmen in industry and you will get a shock,average between £500,000/£1.000,000, per year plus massive pension funds.I will not even go into Pop Stars and the fortunes they have.So lets be fair and stop knocking footballers all the time.There is an awful lot of people making a lot more money than them,but it never gets in the press.

Answer 2

Football is not sport it's a commerical business! If there in business yes they should get paid!

Should people stop supporting football, yes, it's taking over from things that really matter.

If nobody went to the world cup and instead gave 2hrs of there time or €20 to ending poverty we'd have the problem solved!

Football is Gay, Hurling is a mans sport with the same dedication yet the players don't get paid!

Answer 3

just goes to show how much we value escapism. we are all under so much pressure to do our jobs, pay our bills, have a busy social life that we all lose track of what really matters. we pay the prices that are set because it gives us a release from our average daily grind. those who dont have this release might be forced into a life of crime, abusive or intolerable conditions which then means there are more violent or fraudulent crimes as people strive to gain a more liveable quality of life or just blow a pressure valve. this puts strain on the emergency and social services as there are more people who need their heads/lives sorting out. Maybe we should all take a step back, stop focussing on the material aspects of life and look at the bigger picture, because all the time this is happening we are neglecting the environment and climate.

Answer 4

Its not right but its unavoidable if we want to live in a free market. There are plenty guys working in the City who earn footballers kind of money and plenty people all across the country who earn a lot more. I'm as envious of their cash as the next man but I do OK and if I lived in a Communist state where (in theory) everyone was equal, I'd be a lot worse of than I am.

I go and watch Liverpool now and again though and it amazes me when all the fans leave the ground and walk past the Bentleys and Astons and almost pay hommage to them rather than recognise that they're effectively paying for them and if they stopped their season tickets, away games and Sky subscriptions they could probably drive themselves home rather than getting the bus. Their choice though. Thank goodness our country leaves us fee to make our own decisions.

Answer 5

It is never right that the divide between the very rich and poor is ever widening. Footballers have a limited usefulablity of at the most, ten-twelve years. I feel all footballers and clubs have a responsibilty to the local areas and if they could put a percentage into the local area to help with health and leisure facilities.

Answer 6

The natural cap on their salaries is when we refuse to go in to the grounds to watch. Guess it's a good time to be a footballer eh?
As for the thousands suffering, when their own people and govts are doing something about it the problem will stop.

Answer 7

Way too much emphasis on sports, not enough on what really matters in life. Yes, all pro sports people are paid way too much. It sickens me. For instance, the hockey players that went on strike a few years back, they were crying about having salary caps. I'll never see the kind of money they made in one year and they were whining that they couldn't support their lifestyles. Well, maybe they should try to live like the rest of us - in modesty.

Answer 8

They are being paid what the market will allow. Billions of people can sit on their butts and do nothing all day. Only a few people can bend a ball into a net from 10 meters out.

Answer 9

yes and they go on about poverty in the 3rd world when they pay thousands a week for some spotty youth to MAYBE kick a muddy football,the chances are he will be off sick with a scraped knee but he will still get paid,life isnt fair

Answer 10

I don't think it is right but while there are teams out there willing to pay obscene amounts weekly to the players it will just continue. I don't blame the players though, they are doing their jobs. (Some more professionally than others.)There aren't many people who would say "hang on, you're paying me too much". I would hope that there are a few who make magnanimous gestures now and again though.