Elite Athletes are Being Paid too Much

Are elite athletes/sports men or women being paid too much if not how are there high salaries justified, if so, why, and how could there money be put to better use?

To most people one million dollars a lot of money, to most people one thousand dollars is a lot, but even though it is hard to believe, to some people these figures mean nothing. It is no secret that professional athletes particularly those who play soccer, golf, and race F1 cars make big bucks, but people do not realize to what extent.

Last year tiger woods made 87 million dollars, to put that into perspective that’s 34800 times what George Bush makes a year and he is one of the most influential, powerful people in the world. During Mike Tyson’s match against Peter McNealy he made 281,000 dollars, in a single second. This poses the question, how can he, or anyone for that matter deserve to make that much money?

To become an elite athlete such as Tiger Woods, it is not easy. Statistically it is harder to become a NBA player than to become a brain surgeon. There are some key factors and sacrifices that need to happen to ensure success. Just like if someone was to become a highly successful businessmen or surgeon.

1. You need to be brought up in the right environment, exposed to the way the game works, and the correct technique involved. In Tigers case his father showed him how to play from the age of two. In the case of a businessmen, his father might have told him about the stock market etc also from a young age, this way their education begins early.

2. To most professional athletes, to realize their dream also means to forget about an education, Tiger Woods quit college to pursue a life of a professional golfer.

3. A professional athlete’s career ...

... middle of paper ...

...gets paid.

The money given to the athletes could be used for more probable causes. Recently Alex Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers signed a contract for 252 million dollars over a span of 10 years. This is enough money to feed the nation's poor for a year or to provide a lot more housing and shelters for the homeless. Others could benefit from the millions being wasted on these athletes. Not because the players don’t earn the money but because it could just be better spent on more important issues in our communities.

In closing, these athletes are making too much money in a society that traditionally bases salaries on the value of ones work. These athletes do not know what real work is or how hard it is to make a dollar. Although their job is difficult, they do not play a role in our economy like their salaries indicate. Therefore, they should receive less money.