Are professional athletes paid to much?

Question

I think so. So of these contracts (especially in the mlb this year) are ridiculous amounts of money for average guys.

And let me add in most cases the coach is paid half as much as the players they are coaching. Then when things go wrong, it is always the coach's fault.

Answer 1

Yeah, but we keep paying to see them and wear the merchandise sooo.....

Answer 2

Yes.

While this may sound like I'm some sort of Communist, I'm not, if people are making $60M for a 5 year contract playing a game we all play on Saturdays for free while others are losing their jobs, livelyhoods and houses, then something is terribly wrong.

Let them make money on commercial endorsements, not salaries.

One more rant: All professional teams should be owned by the city they reside in, not some owner who sucks the city dry.

That is why Green Bay will always remain as one of my favorite teams.

If it is a question that "Athletes are not average Joes", neither are some of the best minds in the world! Hawking doesn't make that much money. The teacher who helps develop their students into thinking and productive adults, lord knows they don't make any money.

Athletes are dedicated. So am I. So is every other hard working person who cares about the quality of work they do.

Athletes are over paid and over pampered.

For my main point of evidence, let me introduce you to some guy named T.O.

Answer 3

Definitely.... It's hard to believe that as a society we pay our athletes more than we pay the president (who irregardless of your political affliations still makes harder decisions than most of us ever will). We pay athletes more than scientists who everyday are searching for answers and cures to diabetes, cancer and bird flu. We pay athletes more than teachers (sorry this a pet peave of mine), so they can throw a ball around, while teachers are to impart knowledge to children.
It's ridiculous that as a society we think that any person in the world is worth $7 or $10 million a year! What could any one person spend all that money on anyway!

Answer 4

Although it might appear on the face of it that their salaries are too high there are other aspects to take into acct....

Firstly, they are not "average guys" - to be a professional athlete you have to be far from average (or we'd all be doing it!) - it takes many many hours of dedication, training, discipline and hard work - what we see is just the "fun side" of their job - a top marathon runner for example will be running 150+ miles a week!

Secondly, salaries are often based on the money that these people "bring in" - i.e. through people tuning in to watch the big games they "bring in" thousands in advertising etc - now who should that money go to? Should it be the TV networks etc? Surely it should go to those that actually do the hard work, the same as musicians should get the most from the proceeds from their songs

I totally agree they are paid massive salaries, but who should get the money that they bring in if its not them :-)

Answer 5

Yes, but you all still go so theres nothing to complain about. I went to 5 ball games last year so i contirbuted also. I would like to see people go less , slow business down and force them to pay less and drop ticket prices, but it also gives jobs to the community and that is very important.

Answer 6

no...they work hard (REALLY HARD) to get where they are. not just anyone can do there job. They are the best in their group, so they deserve the best, too.
Could you go out and be the star of the Bruins hockey team right now? Or be the goalie for the Revolution? No.

Answer 7

Yes

Answer 8

yea, but that's what the salary cap is for, if you wanna pay the tax then go ahead, but i do think the salary cap should be much less

Answer 9

no for all the things they are doing now they deserve what they get paid maybe even more!