Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Frustration
When did pro athletes begin to make ungodly amounts of money? I don't remember hearing about massive contracts when I was younger. The best players in their respective league made huge gobs of money, but i never remember recall so over the top amounts that they are now. Chris Bosh is making 118 million over the course of 5 years which over 82 games, comes out to $287,805 dollars. Seriously? Chris Bosh is worth paying almost 300,000 K a game to? I know it's a cynical train of thought that goes through my brain but i sometimes get giddy when i read of a player playing through 100 million and is now poor on the street. Antoine Walker comes to mind. Sports Illustrated recently did an article highlighting post career retirement for these players. And while some of it makes sense most of it is just plain bull. granted i've never been making 10 million dollars to play the sport that i love, i'd think i'd be able to learn some coping skills to deal with my money and fame. If any of us would be fortunate enough to be able to retire in our 30's with millions of dollars and name/face recognition that the common man doesn't have we would be ecstatic. a suprising percentage of baseball, football, basketball players are broke within 5 years of retirement and though that may sadden many i take it and say, "f you for ruining your life that 99% of people would do just about anything to have had." i might be way offbase, which im sure i am, but having a kid i hope he chooses someone besides an athlete to idolize. A humanitarian, a city serveant, a homeless politician that worked through and made a life of himself. When a ex player like Jose Canseco who for 10 years cheated his way through baseball to make millions of dollars, and can barely freaking play baseball!!!!! is making millions of dollars because many people still recognize him and are willing to pay him money for appearances and other irrational dealings it's very frustrating. I love sports, i just really wish we as fans would all just get up and leave, and stop paying so much goddamn money to see them play and buy their jerseys and maybe than will the contracts come down again. Mic drop.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The first crazy money contract I remember is Barry Bonds's first deal with the Giants in 1993--$43.75 million. The other one I remember is Michael Jordan pulling in $30 million+ his last two years with the Bulls. (Not saying that's when it started--Curt Flood and free agency, then the collusion rulings, obviously had something to do with it in baseball--but those are the instances that stick in my mind.)
ReplyDeleteI don't think athletes are unique in blowing that money, though. This happens with lottery winners all the time, too. Sad. Does make you admire guys like Magic Johnson, who manage to parlay their earnings into a business empire.
I do wish the money was less, but as you point out, that starts with the fans--and people do pay for this. I'll try to figure out how better to articulate my concerns some other time, maybe.
Nice mic drop.