So why is it that professional athletes make millions of dollars playing games? Now don't get me wrong I am in no way putting down that they have amazing talent and that they deserve to get paid but why so much? Think about all that money that goes to them and some probably just waste it on materialistic things. Here are some athletes from different sports and how much they made. "Tiger Woods gets the most with his endorsements. He made over 87 million dollars in 2004 alone. Race car driver Michael Schumacher made $80 in 2004, Peyton Manning made $42 million, Michael Jordan made $35 million, and Shaquille O'Neal made $31.9 million dollars in 2004. A-Rod signed a 10-year 256 million dollar contract." http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_is_the_highest_paid_athlete_in_tbe_world_and_in_the_USA
After seeing how much they made I thought it was ridiculous. What does Woods do with 87 million dollars from just one year? A-Rod with his 256 million dollar contract...what do they need that kind of money for? They are the top players of their sport but why should they get so much money? It is unnecessary and just flat out wasteful. Here is one of the main articles that I was reading and saw how much they really were getting paid. http://media.www.quchronicle.com/media/storage/paper294/news/2004/04/01/Commentary/Professional.Athletes.Are.Overpaid.And.Selfish-646941.shtml The writer makes a strong arguement that most people can live with under $100,000 income so why should they have all that money.
Did anyone even notice that athletes, especially baseball players say "it's not about the money?" If it is not about the money, then why do players like the NFL's Clinton Portis and Ty Law threaten to skip training camp or demand to be traded because they do not like their contract? Law was recently quoted saying he wanted more than the $7 million he was guaranteed for the 2004-05 season because he "has to eat." That much money could buy Law a lot more than he needs.
Child poverty is defined as children who live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level (FPL). The annual FPL is $16,090 for a family of three and $19,350 for a family of four.
Extreme child poverty is defined as children who live in families with incomes below half the FPL. Half of the annual FPL is $8,045 for a family of three and $9,675 for a family of four.
So if these people are having to live with basically nothing and make no where near enough to survive why should we be paying people millions of dollars for just playing a game that kids can play? I think that we should take some of that money and help these people out.
I agree that its not just athletes but just think of all the pro teams for football and basketball and baseball etc how many teams are there?And how many guys?The numbers are just crazy. But yes I am on a computer but my family is no where near wealthy i had to work for my stuff.As a matter of fact im at work on this computer. But why do people bring up other countries? like africa why not just say people here in america?
Athletes get paid so much because they are what enables the teams to make hundred of millions of (and even billions) of dollars. Athletes get paid millions for the same reason the BIG Hollywood stars get $15-20 million a movie: They bring in the dough.
Aside from that, I agree it's sad to see so much going to one person, and I'd hope anyone so financially well off might choose to give back, but I'm in no place to judge them as individuals. I don't know who donates to what or volunteers where. And how much giving is enough? Bill Gates is worth billions upon billions, and if you looked at his donations it'd seem like an ungodly amount, but compared to the money he has it's a drop in the bucket.
-Tim
"It costs nothing to be honest, loyal, and true." -Avett Bros.
Yeah, it is pretty ridiculous. What makes me the maddest is when celebrities set up charities, then donate to those charities, yet they secretly own those charities so the money goes nowhere, but on their tax reports it looked like it went somewhere.
Playing the devil's advocate here, but: Are you middle class? Why are you enjoying your internet access and your expensive technology etc etc while there are poor kids starving in Africa?
I still think the wealthy should carry most of the burden, but every time I complain about the wealthy my friend hands me that argument.
with you!It is heartbreaking that these athletes are being paid MILLIONS of dollars when there are not only children going hungry, but adults too! I am not saying these athletes are not talented, but do they really need that much money to play and do something they supposedly love?
Brandy Ousley