How much is too much?

Posted Monday, August 25, 2008, at 4:30 PM

Peyton Manning will make over $1 million dollars per game this year.

Let's talk about some of todays most prominent sports figures salaries. What team or what sport gets the most bang for their buck? These figures do not include any extra salaries like shoe deals and Gatorade commercials, just their contract says they will get for playing this year.

Alex Rodriguez makes (I refuse to use the word 'earns') $28 million this year..... divided by 162 games equals $172,840 per game.

Kobe Bryant made $17,718,750 last year divided by 82 games equals $216,082 per game.

Scott Gomez made..... wait, do you honestly even know who Scott Gomez is? Gomez is a first line center for the NHL (that's National Hockey League) New York Rangers. Gomez made $10,000,000 last year..... divided by 82 games equals $121,951 per game.

Peyton Manning is due to make this year $18,700,000 divided by 16 games equals $1,168,750 per game.

WOW!!!!

Where do the owners draw the line? How high are the salaries going to continue to climb? What are todays players worth in your mind?

This should strike up good conversation. What do you think?

Comments
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But celebrities are smarter? Right?

-- Posted by Jim Morrison on Wed, Sep 3, 2008, at 2:45 AM

hoon - I've been watching a bit, but it has no influence. The owners would have to collectively agree in order for teams to be competitive, and it is unlikely. Capitalism is the best system so far, but regulation is needed. I feel the same way about all these celebrities...and they should accept heavy taxation b/c most are liberals...or would they?

-- Posted by layne staley on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 11:25 PM

So, I just asked what would a dolphin know about this topic. YOU mentioned chicks, dolphin.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 8:23 PM

Unless it's a chick comment like Bobby's, lol.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 2:30 PM

baseball card chick.... that's cool.

-- Posted by greer958 on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 12:58 PM

Just because I have a girly name doesn't mean I'm a girly-girl. I'm far from an expert...but I keep up. I watch all the games I can, and I even used to collect baseball cards when I was younger. I hate chick comments, lol.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 12:52 PM

What would a Dolphin know about this topic?

Owners can limit salaries by offering what they feel the athletes are worth. Looks like Layne has been watching the DNC this week.....

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 11:44 AM

chuckd has a sense of humor! good one!

-- Posted by greer958 on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 9:23 AM

I agree with layne, a 1 million salary cap would be ideal. The best players would still get their endorsement deals on the side, so they would have more than enough money to live comfortably for life. And I agree Jim, I would play for the league minimum, too. (Even though I am going to be 40 this year, am 60 pounds overweight, and am coordination challenged. That is, extremely clumsy. But hey, I guess I could still play for the Royals!)

-- Posted by chuckd on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 8:49 AM

That's the attitude Jim!

-- Posted by greer958 on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 8:16 AM

I'll play for the league minimum. Hit for .023 and love it.

-- Posted by Jim Morrison on Wed, Aug 27, 2008, at 1:21 AM

Get rid of agents and put a cap on the salaries...say $1M a year. And no gov't spending on stadiums. We could reallocate the cash from salaries to stadiums...or go no cap and add an entertainment income tax of around 80%. These guys are playing games, not curing cancer. It is way out of control!

-- Posted by layne staley on Tue, Aug 26, 2008, at 11:24 PM

The movie "The Game Plan" reminds me of those big-headed egos you're speaking of chuckd. Then again, you can also read the article in the magazine called "Giant" that T.O. just did about just this such topic...and see what he says about how people portray him.

-- Posted by mrsdolphin on Tue, Aug 26, 2008, at 5:51 PM

chuckd, you are trying to make valid points, but you forgot one of the biggest reasons they make so much money. TV CONTRACTS. Bottom line. "Back in the day" as you called it, they didn't have these huge television contracts or media outlets. They also generate huge revenue from merchandise in today's sports. These two things, plus free agency, is the reason these players get paid the money they do. And if you want fans to quit going to games, then you are also going to have to have them quit watching on TV.

-- Posted by BonScott on Tue, Aug 26, 2008, at 5:21 PM

It's hard to know where to draw the line, but salaries have definetely spiraled out of control in the last 20 years. Back in the early years of pro sports, and even into the 70's, unless you were one of the few elite players making huge bucks, most had to supplement their income by getting a part time job in the off season to make ends meet. And I do blame the owners for paying these athletes much more than they are worth. I personally think it is shameful that even average talent pro athletes make much more than the President of the United States. (Although I'm not sure the President deserves much money himself, after all, he gets free room and board and free transportation for 4 years). But I digress. This cycle of greed will continue unless the fans get sick of it and stop buying tickets to games and then the players and owners will start getting a reality check. But that won't happen, so for me, although I still love to watch sports and always will, I always wonder if my favorite stars are in it because they truly love the competition, or because of the huge paycheck.

-- Posted by chuckd on Tue, Aug 26, 2008, at 4:16 PM

Good comment chuckd. But as long as the owners are going to hand out that astronomical paycheck the egos will be there. Where does an owner draw the line?

-- Posted by greer958 on Tue, Aug 26, 2008, at 1:58 PM

In my opinion, the sky-high salaries, especially in my favorite sport of baseball, have contributed to the erosion of the honor and morality of the game. When the sport makes players millionaires, they seem to lose touch with reality. Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds, and plenty of others have forgotten that there is no "I" in team, they are selfish, spoiled brats that need a lesson or two in humility. Yes, there are exceptions, there are some players that money hasn't corrupted, but plenty more who think the world revolves around them because of what they make. I have a life long love of baseball, but nothing gets me steamed quicker than when I see someone stand and admire their home run shot, or won't dive for a ball in the field, or do any number of things that bring attention to themselves instead of the game. Totally disgusting!

-- Posted by chuckd on Tue, Aug 26, 2008, at 1:04 PM

I absolutely agree hoon. Someone is worth what their employer is willing to pay them. I guarantee you that if a teacher was offered 1 million dollars a year to teach, they wouldn't say "I don't deserve that." These athletes are worth every penny of it.

-- Posted by BonScott on Mon, Aug 25, 2008, at 7:30 PM

Worth it.....best at what they do and provide unlimited entertainment to millions. No limit...if someone wants to write the check, good for them.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Mon, Aug 25, 2008, at 4:41 PM

Run with it

Bobby Greer

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Bobby is currently the General Manager and Assistant Publisher at the Daily Statesman after serving his term as Managing Editor. He wears many hats in the office, including coordinator of all things online, but his real passion is sports.

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