by Saurabh Pal

Created on: February 05, 2010   Last Updated: February 06, 2010

The payment of an athelete is not derived from the number of medals won or the tournaments won. It is derived from the marketing value that they present. A classic example is that of tennis player Maria Sharapova. She has not won any major tournament to date and yet she is perhaps one of the most valuable players on the circuit. So it is not how they play but what their potential is to push sales of endorsements, beers, burgers and stadium tickets that matter.

When we ask if they are overpaid then the question is, overpaid compared to what? When compared to the average common man then
they are definitely earning many many times. But the comparison should be amongst similar professions which will provide some objectivity.

So it is all about how much money the sponsors can get out of you. Remember the atheletes that are paid such large amounts are
actually paid on the expectation that their skills will get spectators and fans like you to watch their matches.

This in turn will fetch big time money for the team owners through TV broadcast rights, brand sponsors, beer sales and food sales. Most of us buy overprized beer and burgers at the stadium without realizing that these dollars contribute towards the high price of these atheletes.

So atheletes are just like other entertainers like movie actors and actresses. If the athelete is successful during a year then in the following year they will get a more lucrative contract. But should they not be successful or more correctly, popular then they will not get a well paid contract.

However, time has come to ask atheletes that they show some responsibility as well. They should not waste their money on dog fights and palatial beach-side homes. Most atheletes forget that they have only a couple of seasons to make money which is to last their entire lifetime.

Waste not, want not should be the norm rather than whiling it all away. One must also remember that not all atheletes get this kind of money. Players of more popular ones like baseball, basketball, soccer get more money than others.

So if you strictly go by performance of the atheletes then they are overpaid many many times in comparison to other professions. But if you look at their brand value and how much money they help their sponsors, teams and owners to earn, then they are not.

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