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| "An average NBA player makes 75 times more money than an average family." |
Link to the Website: http://atlantapost.com/2010/06/29/are-professional-athletes-over-paid-or-justly-compensated/
In class on October 20th, 2011 we discussed whether athletes were overpaid. In Coakley’s text from 381-384 he discusses the salaries of the athletes over the last 50 years. Since the 1950’s, salaries have skyrocketed from thousands of dollars, to millions of dollars. “In 2007 the ratio of average salaries relative to median family income was 75:1 for the NBA; 54:1 for MLB; 28:1 for the NHL; 26:1 for the NFL; 2:1 for the MLS, and 1:1 for the WNBA.” (pg. 282) An average NBA player makes 75 times more money than an average family. But does this really mean they are overpaid?
In the article, Khalid Salaam says the athletes are both overpaid and justly compensated. First, there are two common mistakes fans make when arguing that professional athletes are overpaid. The first mistake they make is grouping all pro athletes together. There are more sports than just basketball, baseball, football, and hockey. The second mistake they make is making the issue emotional. They are not just getting paid for the game they play; they are getting paid to entertain people who watch them play the game. If the fans continue to pay to watch them play, why shouldn’t they get paid what they do. The people’s biggest complaint is that their salaries don’t match what they contribute to society. Sure their salaries don’t match but how can they criticize someone taking money someone is offering them to do their job? As long as the fans continue to pay to watch these athletes perform, the athletes are justly paid.
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