I wish I didn't know who Lebron James was

[Guy Incognito]

Never heard of him till all this hype the last week or so. Personally, I really don't care about these egotistical, overpaid, athletes who are doing it for the women and money and could care less about the love of the game.

I understand the sentiment, but to be fair, that's his (or any professional athlete's) job. They aren't doing it "for the love of the game". They do it because they are good at it and can make very good money doing it.

If someone offered me significantly more money to do the exact same job I'm doing now, and with more talented co-workers to assist me; you can bet that I'd take the offer.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I understand the sentiment, but to be fair, that's his (or any professional athlete's) job. They aren't doing it "for the love of the game". They do it because they are good at it and can make very good money doing it.

If someone offered me significantly more money to do the exact same job I'm doing now, and with more talented co-workers to assist me; you can bet that I'd take the offer.

And there in lies the problem. The public is accepting of this kind of thing and even celebrate it.

It's sports. Not the end all and be all of life. Yet sports are treated as if they're everything important. The sports stars are paid outrageous sums of money to play a game and treated as if they're gods.

No one who plays a game for a living should make the kind of money they get. There are more important people in this world who actually do something important with their lives.

 

[Heidict]

I understand the sentiment, but to be fair, that's his (or any professional athlete's) job. They aren't doing it "for the love of the game". They do it because they are good at it and can make very good money doing it.

If someone offered me significantly more money to do the exact same job I'm doing now, and with more talented co-workers to assist me; you can bet that I'd take the offer.

Yes, an obscene and offensive amount of money. Back in the day, the players where not paid this way. Now, they just pump themselves full of steroids so that they can be the best and get the most money.

Nothing wrong with being paid well for a job well done, but $100 million? Seriously? NOBODY is worth that kind of money. NOBODY!

 

[Sparx]

Yes, an obscene and offensive amount of money. Back in the day, the players where not paid this way. Now, they just pump themselves full of steroids so that they can be the best and get the most money.

Nothing wrong with being paid well for a job well done, but $100 million? Seriously? NOBODY is worth that kind of money. NOBODY!

I wish we lived in a society where teachers, doctors, nurses, firefighters and police workers, librarians, professors, child care workers and social workers were valued as much as these sports stars.

I wish that people who actually affect and help the lives of others were valued more than stars on a television.

 

[AndreaDM]

He says he'll keep his home in Ohio, but I'll be everything I own that he'll become a Florida resident now. He'll save millions not having to pay state income tax.

In Cleveland it is like all war, famine, oil spills, and disease has stopped

Isn't that the truth? To quote my friend last night, "it's not like he capped the oil spill or anything!". I think his mother is excited with the prospect of a whole new team of players to choose from

 

[FireDancer]

I wish we lived in a society where teachers, doctors, nurses, firefighters and police workers, librarians, professors, child care workers and social workers were valued as much as these sports stars.

I wish that people who actually affect and help the lives of others were valued more than stars on a television.

It is a matter of economics. First there is supply and demand. There are a lot less people in the world who can hit .300, score 40 goals, or score a triple double then any of those things. And while those things are essentially unimportant (which I am in full agreement on) there are people willing to pay a lot of money to watch them do it, put their brand in view of the television cameras while they are doing it, and subscribe to sports packages to see them do it from their home or at bars.

If people were willing to pay $75 to sit in the bleachers and watch a teacher teach or social workers do their thing and there were channels dedicated to broadcasting their jobs that people were willing to pay premiums for and watched in high enough quantities to justify million dollar commercials they would make the same money.

In a free market these things are much more important that what we attach morally to a profession. It may not be right, but it how it works.

And there in lies the problem. The public is accepting of this kind of thing and even celebrate it.

It's sports. Not the end all and be all of life. Yet sports are treated as if they're everything important.

I agree with this. I said the exact same thing about the whole Tiger Woods affair and was flamed. He is paid a lot of money to golf and wear Nike clothing. He isn't paid a lot of money to be a model husband or father. There are athletes I care about in the capacity of their sport but the second they step off of the field or off the bike or whatever I don't care. I don't see a reason to extend our admiration for their ability to hit a ball, score a goal, peddle up a mountain, or anything else into their personal lives.

It is when we allow them to become life models as opposed to role models that it is a problem. In the role of golfer Tiger Woods is a role model. People should segregate that role from all the other rolls. He can be a roll model in a sport while not a role model in a marriage or a life model. It is up to parents to explain this difference to their kids. You can look up to an athlete for their athletic ability but that doesn't mean you emulate them in everything they do...that is just stupid.

As for the rest of what you said, see above, it is just economics.

 

[ICF]

I wish we lived in a society where teachers, doctors, nurses, firefighters and police workers, librarians, professors, child care workers and social workers were valued as much as these sports stars.

I wish that people who actually affect and help the lives of others were valued more than stars on a television.

It's a nice thought and all, but I dont know that many people are going to pay money to go watch a fire being put out or someone teaching a math class?

There is also a much smaller % of people that can be an athlete vs. working in a library or day care.

 

[Missy1961]

Never heard of him till all this hype the last week or so. Personally, I really don't care about these egotistical, overpaid, athletes who are doing it for the women and money and could care less about the love of the game.

Technically, he gets less money by going to the Heat instead of staying in Cleveland. Of course, by not having to pay state income tax in Florida, he is making more money there.

 

[FireDancer]

Technically, he gets less money by going to the Heat instead of staying in Cleveland. Of course, by not having to pay state income tax in Florida, he is making more money there.

And the endorsement deals increase with market size. Miami is a much higher profile market then Cleveland so his endorsement contracts will almost certainly increase.

 

[Heidict]

I wish we lived in a society where teachers, doctors, nurses, firefighters and police workers, librarians, professors, child care workers and social workers were valued as much as these sports stars.

I wish that people who actually affect and help the lives of others were valued more than stars on a television.

I know, it would be nice, wouldn't it. Of course, heaven forbid we actually pay people good money for being a contribution to society. Nope, we just throw obscene amounts of money at those who know how to dribble or throw a ball.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Adulation of "athletes" has been around since Ancient Greece. It's still a bread and circus type thing in many respects.
What really bugs me about basketball is that now they hardly even need to jump to get above the basket!! What could be easier????

 

[Guy Incognito]

And there in lies the problem. The public is accepting of this kind of thing and even celebrate it.

It's sports. Not the end all and be all of life. Yet sports are treated as if they're everything important. The sports stars are paid outrageous sums of money to play a game and treated as if they're gods.

No one who plays a game for a living should make the kind of money they get. There are more important people in this world who actually do something important with their lives.

Yes, an obscene and offensive amount of money. Back in the day, the players where not paid this way. Now, they just pump themselves full of steroids so that they can be the best and get the most money.

Nothing wrong with being paid well for a job well done, but $100 million? Seriously? NOBODY is worth that kind of money. NOBODY!

while some athletes do use steroids, not all of them do; so throwing out a blanket accusation at all of them is unfair. Are they worth that much? If the team owners believe they can still make a profit by paying them that much, and if the public is willing to pay the price for tickets to the game/merchandise/etc, then yes, they are worth it. It might seem unfair that someone can make more money for about 2 hours of work than most people make all year; but that's what the market allows.

you could make the same complaints about obscene paychecks with movie/tv actors and actresses, or musicians. They are only entertainers, just like athletes, yet they can make obscene amounts of money for it. The way to change that is for the public to stop spending money on their product.

I wish we lived in a society where teachers, doctors, nurses, firefighters and police workers, librarians, professors, child care workers and social workers were valued as much as these sports stars.

I wish that people who actually affect and help the lives of others were valued more than stars on a television.

there's a solution to the problem of underpaid teachers, firefighters, police, and anyone else who gets paid with taxpayer money: Approve a significant tax increase so that they get more money. The only problem is, most times when a tax increase is on the ballot for such an increase, the public will vote against it and say "I already pay enough taxes" or something. Not sure I'd say doctors are underpaid/undervalued. Of course, if you do, the next time you go to the doctor/hospital and the bill shows up, just double it and pay more (don't see anyone doing that either).