Do professional athletes make too much money?

Question

Do you think sports figures are over paid? If so, why?
If not, why?
On going debate at our house.. Thanks to all..

Answer 1

well i'd much rather have the athletes earning that money, instead of it going to the guys who own the teams. and people really underestimate just how hard it is to be pro athlete. it takes hours of work every single day for years to be even considered. the only reason athletes make as much as they do is because people pay that much to watch them. if people didn't pay that much money for tickets and tv deals weren't so big, they would make much less. of course the standard of pro sports would go down, because the money is the lure.
certainly there are people who do jobs that are more important to the survival of society, but it's not like doctors and politicians aren't making good salaries as it is. and the other jobs mentioned have a very strong service element, as in they involve giving back to the community and serving society. this service element is what draws most of applicants for those positions

Answer 2

If the athletes didn't get paid then who exactly is going to collect all the money from ticket sales and advertisements?

If all the people who complained about celebrities and athletes making too much money stopped going to movies and watching sports on tv...then the celebrities and athletes would no longer be making so much money.

Answer 3

of course they are, they get paid many times more than people who, teach our young (teachers grossly underpaid) protect us (military and law enforcement) make decisions on how we should live(politicians)...if you follow a sport and watch a hand full of games each year you spend thousands (a good part of your yearly income if you make your money by the hour or make less than 150k per year) just to have multi millionaire , mosty irresponsible, socially unaware young athletes entertain us...

Answer 4

In england there is a sport called rugby league and most of the player only earn £19,999 a year because of a salary cap.
They deserve to be paid more than the soccer players who are way overpaid because it is more physical and more chance of getting injured

Answer 5

The market eventually determines the worth of athletes, entertainers, and practically every profession in a free market economy. Being the best in a certain field gets one compensated well.

Answer 6

I think they are overpaid. They get paid millions of dollars to play sports. Yet, there are other professions that are tough, but they don't get paid nearly as much.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

They are grossly overpaid as to their importance to society.
Our society places an undue and inappropriate emphasis on entertainment and celebrity.

Answer 9

i think they do get paid too much, they make more than the president who is responsible for running our country