It is a question asked by most sports critics, that speculate the true motives of professional athletes. Just about everyday you hear in the sports world of some famous baseball player signing a new contract for 50 Million dollars, or Lebron James signing a shoe contract for 45 million dollars. It is hard to ask yourself is he in it for the money or the love of the game. Now I'm not ragging on LeBron he is an amazing athlete in his own right. However he is a prime example of excessive revenues that professional athletes make. The sports industry is the most popular as it's ever been. It has grown to one of the leading money-makers bringing in astronomical figures. TV Commercials, Product promotions, and sports memorabilia. Just recently a baseball player from Japan negotiated a contract with the Boston Red sox for over 50 million dollars just to negotiate a contract now that is ridiculous in my opinion. I mean this guy must be quite the prodigy to pull a scheme off like that.
If you were to take at a look at some of the sports that aren't quite mainstream as The NBA, NFL, or MLB. You would see athletes that are dedicated to the game just for the love not just for a fat paycheck. Take National League Lacrosse, It's just starting to become viewed on TV. But nearly all of the athletes in the league have a full time job elsewhere. Whether it be teaching, construction, Lawyer, or etc. They are only paid a 14,000 a year for the average player. Obviously this is not enough to live on, yet alone buy multi-million dollar mansions, luxurious vacations, or the latest SUV with 26 in wheels. If you ask me it's the athletes in the sports like soccer, lacrosse, volleyball and other "underground" sports that have not become "corporate" and influenced by the $ sign. They are the real athetic heroes, they still have the passion and love for the game. The kind of athletes that would still play the game even if weren't paid a dime.
If anybody has some input on this subject please don't hesitate to state your opinion.
posted by Alex J @ 9:07 AM
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