Do you think professional athletes are over paid?

You are totally right, but the same reason a basketball player gets paid so much is because people are willing to pay ridiculous amount of money for the 'service' that they provide: which is nothing more than trivial entertainment!

big time

except for hockey players

I see no reason to pay someone that kind of money to play a game.

I have NO idea. I certainly don't and don't know anyonw who does. Could be why I can't see the reason for them to be paid so much.

I think we are a country that has our priorities backwards. We pay athletes more money then they deserve, while at the same time we are cutting the funding for our childrens education.

The average family cannot afford to go to the games anymore. The costs are way out of line. I do understand that the players can only play a few years because their bodies take such a beating, but millions of dollars. Unnecessary.

have you even considered how much their bosses make?an athlete,on average,makes about a million a year.he must stay in shape-year round.he then,puts his healthon the line everytime he plays.(sometimes his life!) he does this all for our ENTAERTAINMENT.now,an actor,on average,makes about 2 1/2 million a film.he can do what he likes,as long as it's not durring a shooting schedule.he does it for entertainment as well.how often do you hear people b*tch about them?how about ceos that work for failing companies?most people understand this,but then you have people like realin 2008,who are motivated by hatred of people of color.people like that clog the airwaves of sports-talk radio whinning about a highly disciplined athlete,while they sit at home on their fat *sses,watching said athletes-and fantasizing about a life that doesn't suck like theirs!

TS, I see your point but your 2.5 million figure isn't even close to realistic... try closer to an average of less than $50,000 across the industry. Those big salaries you hear about don't raise the level of the other thousands of actors who are still waiting tables etc.

i agree,i was thinking of another level of actors.i know some of those waiters.it does annoy me though,the double standard that exists.if you've ever seen the once great earl campbell,and how he can't walk on his own,or the number of people whose minds,and lives have been destroyed by concussions.all for our entertainment! do they deserve the money?!!

I agree... those sports are brutal on your body... but they are adults and the decisions they make are no more serious than the 18 year old who goes to war, never to return home... life is about decisions

wow,i'm having that exact discussion on another poll.i completely agree,and that is the premise of my argument.

link?

Nah, they've earned it..

They work for it..so why not?

i dont think they should get minumin wage...but the idea of a person making millions just from throwing a ball is ridiculous...they are entertainers...teachers,health care givers should be making that money instead....come on america..get the priorities straight

Some are such as golf or tennis players but football players put there bodies at risk.

I think the question is moot. The market supports it, so it is what it is.

waaaaaaaaaaaay!

Its the free market at work.

Kinda like the free market at work on our economy mk? lol

Apples and oranges. If you or better yet those who go to the games, stop going, the players will earn less.

stopped going a long time ago mk

I haven't gone since 1976. And that was only the third time ever.

it spoils them.

what? what? who dose'nt? come on rite up there with actors and politicians.

s, actors maybe, but politicians... c'mon.. they don't make anything

more then i do for partying on my dime

ok, you got me there.. Hhhahaaaaa

Hell Yes i dont go to pro baseball since the strike i go to AAA its alot more fun and they play from the heart

God forbid you actually do something meaningful with a salary like that, like maybe save lives or find cures for diseases.

We live in star-loving society. $100 million to shoot basketballs or hit baseballs for 10 years is great for the stars but indicative of of a society with somewhat of an impaired judgment.

People that save lives on a daily basis don't get paid even close to those outrageous salaries.

I don't really know how to answer that one. I totally agree with cornerblitz' assessment of sports salaries. I do think however, that players should be docked some pay when they're not on the field of play.

commission structure, play & win = high pay, lose or don't play = min salary

Think fantasy sports scoring but in real dollars.... SWEET