Can we really justify the amounts of money paid to sports figures & actors?

Question

In a world that appears to be 'circling the drain', Is it moral & ethical to continue to allow these entertainment industries to influence and drive our society for their own profits?

Answer 1

I don't believe we can justify it, but as long as the public continues to support it then they will be paid crazy amounts of money.

Answer 2

Its even more scary when you break down the numbers. Some of the guys get paid more than 100,000 a game. Or if you look at like this that they get paid like 6,000 dollars an hour. I dont know how i did it it was in the newpaper once when they broke it down. 6,000 a hour to play a sport for entertainment. If you look at how hard it is for a doctor a lawer to do what they do to save lives comapered to someone who plays a game that doesnt mean a thing. I think they should get paid like the best in the league shouldnt get more than 3 million a year. Im from cleveland and its crazy because wally zcherbiak gets paid 14 million dollars within year or two too come off the bench and just shoot some threes. You dont even have to make all of them. Make 3-8 from the 3 point line and your get your money. Its riduculious when you think about it

Answer 3

Why do "we" need to justify it. I don't like it anymore than anyone else but how is it our place to tell a company or business what they should pay their employees. The celebrity and athlete is obviously generating a substantial revenue stream for their employer or they would not be paid as much.

I worked at Home Depot while attending college and listened to 3 of my coworkers saying they worked as hard as some celebrities so they should be compensated the same. How ridiculous is that? My response was that the second Home Depot built a 40,000 seat arena and people paid $100 to watch us sell a dishwasher was the minute we could renegotiate our contracts.

Answer 4

People do not receive what they receive because it is just.

Justice has really nothing to do with it. Life is not fair.

There is no way to prevent the entertainment industry from paying celebrities as they do other than to refuse to watch or hear them or to buy the products that sponsor them.

Of course developing a vaccine is more important and valuable to us than anything anyone could possibly do with a ball or even a song so sweet it would cause Simon Cowell to have an orgasm.

But it is unlikely to be rewarded as well with money or fame, because, as I pointed out, life is not fair.

If you don't like it the way it is, figure out how to be really, really rich, like Bill Gates, and you can decide how to reward great accomplishments.

Remember, however, that you might do a lot of harm getting rich.

Answer 5

I think it is unfair. Call it the Cheerios Tax. It works this way: you like something, say Cheerios just for fun. Ten people like David Letterman, Kelly Rippa, Snoop Dog, it doesn't matter, are on TV saying how great Cheerios are. For this they get a lot of money. The cost of Cheerios goes up to pay for the ads. But guess what? You are like me and only watch DVDs because you pay $35.00 a month for the privilege. Yet, all those people are getting money from you. I say no taxation without entertainment! Ban the Cheerios Tax.

Answer 6

i understand you totally... celebs get paid SO much money, and only a select few actually use at least a little of it to help causes that will make the world a little better. i mean can u imagine getting paid millions and millions of dollars a year just for acting or just for playing a few games of basketball or football or baseball? i mean MiLLiOnS!!! enough money to buy a poor homeless family a mansion and sports car and still have enough left over to feed a starving village in africa? could u even fathom having so much money? and what do the bulk of celebrities do with their money? buy homes for 2 with 50 rooms and $300 pairs of underwear? how can u justify giving billions away to people who don't really do anything but get in front of a camera and show off their artistic or physical talents? sure, many actors play roles in very influential and profound movies, movies that affect society and people's perspectives, maybe even changing the world for the better, but MiLLiOnS!!!??? come one? why pay them so much for doing so little? don't get me wrong. i love celebs, actors, pro-athletes... they're fun to watch and it's fun to get a sneak peek into the lives of the rich and famous, but they do NOT need all tha money... i can think of a few million starving kids in africa who DO though.....

Answer 7

The masses justify it everyday. If we refused to pay 50 dollars for tickets to that concert, or thousands of dollars for tickets to the big game, it would drive prices down. Our willingness as consumers to pay the prices is the cause for their wealth. The majority of us obviously think it is worth the money to see Chad Johnson perform his latest touchdown celebration and to see Jay-Z sing about pimpin'. All you can do is your own part by not participating in it if you feel it is wrong.

Answer 8

Ahh supply and demand.
People want see them, so yes they are worth it.
In a nut shell --> people derive fair amount of utlity by watching pro sports and movies, thus expense is justified.

Answer 9

The money they take home is a percentage of what they generate. What amazes me is the influence they have in areas outside their field of expertise.

Answer 10

Lol, Kelly Ripa (Regis and Kelly) gets $37,000 PER SHOW.

I about hit the floor when I heard that oe.