FREE ESSAY ON ATHLETES DESERVE HIGH SALARIES

ATHLETES DESERVE HIGH SALARIES

Andy Huckabay
PE 401
January 24, 2001
Missy Frost
Are athletes getting paid too much? Maybe they are, but I don't really believe that
athletes are over paid. People don't understand how the lifestyle of a professional
athlete really is or who would get the money we spend if the athlete's didn't get it.
They just see those astronomical numbers and think that it is unfair that us working
class people don't make that amount of money. 
Pro athletes are some of the most dedicated, hardest working people in world. They don't
just play during their season, they have to train year round or they will lose their job.
The psychological stress placed upon athletes is overwhelming. They are constantly
worrying about their bodies, because if they get hurt, their career may be over. They get
paid to compete, that in itself is stressful. It is a business, just like lawyers,
salesmen, and companies. You just don't hear about the kind of money those people make.
According to Nathan Durkee, it truly is a business and he breaks it down on his web site.
Here's how it works: Fans pay to watch the game. Numerous companies pay the team to
endorse various products. Clothing and apparel companies pay the team to make jerseys,
shirts, hats, etc. Different broadcasting corporations pay the team to cover and air the
game. All of this money goes to the owner of the particular team. The owners, in turn,
then pay their players their salaries. The truth of the matter is that the owners
actually make the most money, and only distribute a small portion of it to their hard
working employees. 
Sam Felsenfeld pointed out in one of his articles that it is a simple matter of supply
and demand when it comes to fans paying ridiculous amounts of money for tickets. Owners,
with a little help from economists and accountants, have figured out they can charge $30
a seat and fill the stands Sunday after Sunday. So why in the name of capitalism charge
only $29. As the system works now, players' salaries depend on the size of the revenue
pool. About 95 percent of revenue in the NFL comes from gate receipts and television
contracts. 
In closing, athletes are not at fault for getting paid the amount of money they get. Most
will even tell you they get paid too much. But don't try to make them feel guilty about
making that kind of money when we as a society worship them like we do. Most athletes
give back to the community and donate to charities. The NFL and the United Way have been
working together for years. Athlete's salaries must stay high to keep the level of
competition where it is, and keep striving to get better. Why not complain about
Hollywood actors getting paid astronomical amounts of money for making a movie. How are
they different, they are in the entertainment business and don't have to deal with
anything close to what athletes have to endure.