10 of 12

Yes

Write now Article Tools

Professional athletes work hard. No question about it. They deserve to be paid well for their skills. Some sports seem to pay their athletes at a reasonable level - not way too high and certainly not too low. But most sports pay athletes ridiculous sums of money to play.

The fans end up footing the bill for these expensive players in rises in ticket prices, concessions, and merchandise. The main frustration, as a fan, occurs when players "hold out" or refuse to sign a contract because they want another half-million dollars or something. I'm sorry, but if you're making more than five million dollars a year, is an extra half-million really going to make a difference? Is that third vacation home really necessary? Is that seventh car really the one that finally brings you happiness?

I know that is easy for me to say, having never been in a situation to negotiate a multi-million dollar contract. But it seems to me that at some point, the desire to PLAY would trump the desire to get rich.

Loyalty seems to have disappeared from the equation. Players switch teams on a whim if they can earn a few more bucks. The athletes certainly are not entirely to blame.

Greedy owners drive up ticket and merchandise prices, squeezing fans for every penny they can. The athletes, in turn, argue that they are the draw that is bringing fans to the stadium. They believe they deserve their fair cut of the profits. And they have a point. If some guy in a fancy suit is sitting in a skybox and making millions of dollars every day off your hard work and sweat, you'd want a bigger cut too.

As well, the athletes have greedy agents whispering in their ears while negotiating. The agents make a percentage of the contract they negotiate, so naturally they will fight for every last dime they can get from the owners.

But the fact is that all this comes at the expense of the fans. Unless you're rich, it's difficult to afford to go see a sports event anymore. Just the cost of seeing a regular season game in almost any sport is through the roof, and only the wealthiest in the country can actually get tickets to the Super Bowl or the World Series.

The only way we can begin to change the system is when we, the fans, stop going, watching, and listening to the games. We have to say enough is enough. We have to say we are unwilling to pay a ridiculous ticket price or spend $7 on a cup of beer. Unfortunately, I just don't see that happening any time soon.

Learn more about this author, Sean Curtis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Are professional athletes overpaid??
We want to hear your view. Write now!