>>reggie@jps

3.4.02 -all or nothing

As more athletes are paid over millions of dollars each year, the overpaying controversy has become one of the heated topic we debate over the years. Should athletes be paid that much? Are they worthy enough to get that much of money, even more than doctors and scientists? From my point of view, I believe those athletes deserve that amount of money they receive.

I have encountered many people’s reactions toward the athletes overpaying issue, and I often get answers that disapprove the fact that athletes should paid few millions a year. However, I find their disapproval either unsubstantial or are simply just out of their own jealousy.

First, the reason why I agree athletes deserve millions of dollars each year is that they are actually one of our main streams of economy. For instance, famous athletes have brought tons of fans to the stadium to watch games. At the mean time, the fans spend money on food, team t-shirts, and other goods that are produced by our industry. At the end, the money is put back into the companies to promote a greater and richer economic cycle.

Also, has anybody ever thought about the origin of the money that is paid to the athletes? Athletes don’t get paid over millions just because of the fact they play for world wide known athletic associations such as NBA ( National Basketball Association ) or NFL ( National Football League). The reason athletes are capable of demanding large amount of salaries is that they have earned so much money for the athletic associations from the tickets that fans paid for. In other words, those athletes have brought billions of dollars back to the league already before getting their large amount of money. For instance, Michael Jordan has been one of the greatest athletes who has brought so much of influence in basketball more than anyone. Although his over three million dollars of salary seems ridiculous for a man who just plays eighty-two games of basketball a year, his contribution to NBA is beyond anyone in the history. People from worldwide are eager to see him play, and he became a model for young kids and adults also. Therefore, a great athlete deserve as much as he contributes to the league.

From the examples I have illustrated above, I truly believe that athletes are not overpaid. Their great demand of money is simply the part they deserve. At the end, they don’t just play for their own individual gain, but they also play for the boost of our economy.