Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

I was just reading the "Will NE Resign Moss" thread and saw that Randy was paid 8 million for this year alone. Now whether he got paid that much or not isn't the point of this thread. The point is lately with the various Bengals players, Pacman, Vick & Willie Andrews. Are these huge pay days messing up the minds of the youth & current NFL players? For instance, you turn in a two weeks notice at a job ok lets McDonald's a mininum paying job to take on a $15-20 per hour job for those two weeks most people have the attitude of you can't tell me nothing. Ok lets put that same perspective with sport athletes are the $2-10 million a year salaries corrupting these players & the youths minds? Does the pay days develop that "I'm Larger Than Life Cockiness" & "I'm Rick James Bitch Mentality?" Not to say all sport athletes act like this but you know they say rotten apples spoil the bunch.


The reason I said that is it destroying the youth my nephew is 11 smart kid makes straight A's but he wants to be in the NBA. It's actually possible he is pretty damn good but his mentality is to make millions get woman and do what he wants to do. Well that is a bad mentality for the youth to have and instead of developing his craft and love the game for what it is he only wants to play to make big money. He fill if he plays one year of pro ball he is set for life. It is amazing how many kids think like that across the nation. What do you think? I hope I not gonna be on thread probation for this.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

Like Darrell green said: I was over paid, over cared for what?

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

You can't compare their wages with your own. It all comes down to this, if the going rate for any position in a commercial workplace is at a certain mark then you will expect compensation comparable to that mark.

If you accept less then you are just going to be shorting yourself value that someone else is going to be compensated with.

Considering the average NFL career is 3 years they essentially get paid a normal lifetime's worth of checks in the short amount of time they are expected last...works out if you ask me.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[QUOTE=Skinny Tee;419067]You can't compare their wages with your own. It all comes down to this, if the going rate for any position in a commercial workplace at a certain mark then you will expect compensation comparable to that mark.

If you accept less then you are just going to be shorting yourself value that someone else is going to be compensated with.

[B]Considering the average NFL career is 3 years they essentially get paid a normal lifetime's worth of checks in the short amount of time they are expected last...works out if you ask me.[/QUOTE][/B]

A normal lifetime worth of checks? What the hell are you calling a normal lifetime worth of pay? The average nfl salary per year is 1.1 million.

Im not saying they are overpaid but, theirs no way that they make close to what any normal person makes.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=WaldSkins;419085][/b]

A normal lifetime worth of checks? What the hell are you calling a normal lifetime worth of pay? The average nfl salary per year is 1.1 million.

Im not saying they are overpaid but, theirs no way that they make close to what any normal person makes.[/quote]

Let's say a common worker makes on average $50,000 a year. Multiple that by 45 years and you have a cool 2.25 million. That equates to what an average NFL player can expect to walk away with after his average 3 year stint.

That's why it is always important to maximize your payouts whenever possible. It's not selfish, it's business.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

duh, yes...pro sports athletes get paid way too much.

The argument that their career may be short is crazy.
They must get another job after that career like everyone else.
No one should retire at 25...what are you contributing to society?

Just because I may be too old to do physical labor in my 50's doesn't mean I need to be paid double for that type of work when I can so I can sit on my butt the rest of my life.

If anything...they should be paid LESS than the average worker....they are playing a GAME for heaven's sake.

And regarding kids going for the big payoff....look at society....we teach them this.
You ever buy a lottery ticket?

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=Skinny Tee;419091]Let's say a common worker makes on average $50,000 a year. Multiple that by 45 years and you have a cool 2.25 million. That equates to what an average NFL player can expect to walk away with after his average 3 year stint.

That's why it is always important to maximize your payouts whenever possible. It's not selfish, it's business.[/quote]

Im not saying I disagree with you, but $2.25 mil now is worth a ton more then $2.25 mil spread out over 45 years. This is based off of the idea that if you invest the money now, you can make a profit off of it. Whereas if you are only given small amounts, you cannot afford to invest, and thus your money can't make you more.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=WillH;419100]Im not saying I disagree with you, but $2.25 mil now is worth a ton more then $2.25 mil spread out over 45 years. This is based off of the idea that if you invest the money now, you can make a profit off of it. Whereas if you are only given small amounts, you cannot afford to invest, and thus your money can't make you more.[/quote]

That's what makes it a funny business. You get your lifetime of money up front but you also put at risk your lifetime of health in the process.

It's basically like being put in a scientific aging machine. You live your life ten times as fast but you get paid and pay for it at the same time.

Ask Kevin Everett if all of the money pro player gets is worth it?

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=Skinny Tee;419107]That's what makes it a funny business. You get your lifetime of money up front but you also put at risk your lifetime of health in the process.

It's basically like being put in a scientific aging machine. You live your life ten times as fast but you get paid and pay for it at the same time.

Ask Kevin Everett if all of the money pro player gets is worth it?[/quote]

True that, Under Water Welding isn't the most vital job in the world, but it certainly one of the most dangerous, and those guys get paid handsomely for it. Although, not in the same proportion as Athletes. Athletes wages are indeed over inflated, and Im not sure they "deserve" it because of what they do, but the jobs that are created by their performances might be worth it. To be honest Im torn about it. Shouldn't teachers be paid more then athletes? I certainly think so, but at least they create a market within which others benefit.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=WillH;419110]To be honest Im torn about it. Shouldn't teachers be paid more then athletes? I certainly think so, but at least they create a market within which others benefit.[/quote]

Teachers just need to find a way to get people to pay $150+ for tilefloor level seats to watch them teach.
:laughing-

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

ya know what....in the 70s when these guys got paid what we did (and got off season jobs) ...they played with their heart for the team.

Interesting that the touchdown dances, trouble with hookers in clubs, and various greed related activities weren't occuring then.

Who do you want your kids to look up to?

I still say ART MONK and Darrel Green....who were still "old school" in the 80s

Early money is corrupting many of our young athletes.
(Not to mention those smarmy agents)

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[QUOTE=skinsnut;419120]ya know what....in the 70s when these guys got paid what we did (and got off season jobs) ...they played with their heart for the team.

Interesting that the touchdown dances, trouble with hookers in clubs, and various greed related activities weren't occuring then.

Who do you want your kids to look up to?

I still say ART MONK and Darrel Green....who were still "old school" in the 80s

Early money is corrupting many of our young athletes.
(Not to mention those smarmy agents)[/QUOTE]

Drugs, hookers, illegal gambling was all around back in the 70s. What wasn't around were message boards, cell phone cameras, 24 hour news channels

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

Exactly, NFL radio old players talk about the crazy shit they used to do when they were rookies. They said they did it and no one cared that much. Hell, you think LT would be able to carry on a coke habit like he did back then today? Hell no!

Bottom line is these players sacrifice their bodies and potentially years off their life. I bet if you were in a job with these types of hours and conditions you would be wanting to be compensating handsomely. Also, these are RARE human beings. Few people posses the gifted natural size and athleticism NFL players posses. Not to mention, every week during the season they go out and entertain how many millions of Americans? If the athletes were getting paid too much, the NFL would be out of business, but business is thriving.

The only place I split off of this argument, is teams have to pay FAR too much money to high draft picks. It's ridiculous to give that amount of money to a completely unproven commodity. The first pick in the draft seems to be more of a curse than a blessing.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=Daseal;419128]Exactly, NFL radio old players talk about the crazy shit they used to do when they were rookies. They said they did it and no one cared that much. Hell, you think LT would be able to carry on a coke habit like he did back then today? Hell no!

Bottom line is these players sacrifice their bodies and potentially years off their life. I bet if you were in a job with these types of hours and conditions you would be wanting to be compensating handsomely. Also, these are RARE human beings. Few people posses the gifted natural size and athleticism NFL players posses. Not to mention, every week during the season they go out and entertain how many millions of Americans? If the athletes were getting paid too much, the NFL would be out of business, but business is thriving.

The only place I split off of this argument, is teams have to pay FAR too much money to high draft picks. It's ridiculous to give that amount of money to a completely unproven commodity. The first pick in the draft seems to be more of a curse than a blessing.[/quote]

I agree here with this. Although it seems quite a bit, they get what they deserve because they do entertain tons of people.

On a side note, their payrolls aren't helping the documented growing inequality in this nation. A rising tide lifts all boats, but not equally.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[QUOTE=Daseal;419128]Bottom line is these players sacrifice their bodies and potentially years off their life. I bet if you were in a job with these types of hours and conditions you would be wanting to be compensating handsomely. [/QUOTE]

Funny,
Are you talking about our armed forces or sports entertainers?
You have got to be kidding me.

Please compare the 2 and tell me why sports athletes should be paid a single cent more that those that sacrifice their lives for us.

Someone mentioned teacher too...
C'mon man....you truly think Sports athletes are not GROSSLY overpaid?

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote]
Please compare the 2 and tell me why sports athletes should be paid a single cent more that those that sacrifice their lives for us.[/quote]

Guess what nearly all these professions you're listing have in common -- they're paid by the state. People already complain enough about taxes. And guess what, the best of the best in the armed services DO get rewarded very well financially. Along with teachers, everyone at the NFL level is the best of the best.

But just like everything else, the best money is in the private sector.

Even if you want to get into sports contracts, look at baseball and basketball before football.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

Want players to make less? Stop supporting the NFL. Otherwise they are going to get a share of the profits commensurate with what their respective unions can negotiate.

I think some of you need to go back to Russia:)

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

Maybe they do, maybe they don't. I know I couldn't go out there for 3 years and protect a QB, catch a bunch of deep balls, work my butt of 365 days for 16 weeks of gain. These guys do a lot in the offseason also. Also, take a look at the risks of physical harm.
On the flip side, most of them have college degree's that could earn them so good money, but not what thier making now.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

Sure they get paid a ton but they also put a lot at risk. I'm not sure of the exact numbers but the overall life expectancy of a NFL player is much shorter than your average person. They are also more prone to suicide, divorce, obesity, heart problems, depression, etc. Something about crashing into other people at full speed over an extended period of time doesn't do the body good. Go figure.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

For years, owners abused players rights before the advent of free agency. With the NFL being the gold standard, franchises are hugely successful businesses today, and the players bring the compelling entertainment value. I have no problem with any man making what the open market will bear.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

As a teacher, I definitely have a strong opinion on the matter. Unfotunately, have to go teach in a few minutes and do not have enough time to write a really long rant.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=Daseal;419146]Guess what nearly all these professions you're listing have in common -- they're paid by the state. People already complain enough about taxes. And guess what, the best of the best in the armed services DO get rewarded very well financially. Along with teachers, everyone at the NFL level is the best of the best.

[B] But just like everything else, the best money is in the private sector.[/B]

Even if you want to get into sports contracts, look at baseball and basketball before football.[/quote]

Private school teachers make less then public school teachers. Not saying it disproves your argument, just stating the truth.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=skinsnut;419120]ya know what....in the 70s when these guys got paid what we did (and got off season jobs) ...they played with their heart for the team.

Interesting that the touchdown dances, trouble with hookers in clubs, and various greed related activities weren't occuring then.

Who do you want your kids to look up to?

I still say ART MONK and Darrel Green....who were still "old school" in the 80s

Early money is corrupting many of our young athletes.
(Not to mention those smarmy agents)[/quote]
What are you talking about. Griggo admitted to getting drunk while playing football. I heard of a QB that the Dline joked always smelled like booze. If you think those guys did not hang out in strip clubs your crazy. Its just now sports are a bigger deal and you have so much media they need to find things to report about so now they follow players personal life off the field. S for if they are paid too much I guess you could say some are some are not. What gets me is these guys who come out of college and have never played one down in the NFL get paid these millions without ever proven they can play in the NFL. Allot of them fail and make enough money to never work another day in their life. People like Moss have proven their worth and get paid because of it.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

No. Next questions.

Instead of rehashing, take some of SmootSmack's answer, a little of Daseal's, and a dash of djnemo's, and you have how I feel. Not saying it's fair, but it is what it is...

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=Skinny Tee;419091]Let's say a common worker makes on average $50,000 a year. Multiple that by 45 years and you have a cool 2.25 million. That equates to what an average NFL player can expect to walk away with after his average 3 year stint.

That's why it is always important to maximize your payouts whenever possible. It's not selfish, it's business.[/quote]

They can keep their $2 million in investments for 45 years.

We can't do that. Ours is needed at the time it is made and the later income won't be able to sit and grow.


Just pointing out another difference.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=djnemo65;419149]Want players to make less? Stop supporting the NFL. Otherwise they are going to get a share of the profits commensurate with what their respective unions can negotiate.

I think some of you need to go back to Russia:)[/quote]

Nice! I always throw out the socialist implications of this argument as well. The only way it makes sense in a capitalist economy to question what someone "should" make, is if you mean it relative to another position in their organization.

e.g. it would make sense to pose the argument, players make too much & some of their pay should go to other positions in the front office such as scouting.

Otherwise, I find the statements about how teachers should get paid more to be very tired, and for that matter, intellectually challenged. Also, Why single out athletes? Julia Roberts gets paid a lot more than most any of these guys w/out virtually any of the risk.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

Entertainers period get paid too much. but thats what people want to see. its all demand.....

nobody wants to go see you sit at your desk and work, and thats why you dont get paid 1.1 mill

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=freddyg12;419219]Nice! I always throw out the socialist implications of this argument as well. The only way it makes sense in a capitalist economy to question what someone "should" make, is if you mean it relative to another position in their organization.

e.g. it would make sense to pose the argument, players make too much & some of their pay should go to other positions in the front office such as scouting.

[B] Otherwise, I find the statements about how teachers should get paid more to be very tired, and for that matter, intellectually challenged. Also, Why single out athletes? Julia Roberts gets paid a lot more than most any of these guys w/out virtually any of the risk.[/B][/quote]

I agree that it does not apply only to athletes, but how can you say: "I find the statements about how teachers should get paid more to be very tired, and for that matter, intellectually challenged."


That is just BS, you have made no real argument, just criticized people for their view. Maybe these intellectually challenged individuals are so because their teachers weren't good enough because it is such a low paying position. Look their is a big difference between socialism and trying to balance wages to make sure that those who deserve money more get it. Should a custodian get paid the same as a Doctor? No F'ing way, but there are circumstances when a capitalist system falls short. We, by the way, do not have a completely free market, we have subsidies, taxes, and the like. So why not give compensation where its due? And the reason teachers always come up is because our educational system SUCKS and our teachers are grossly underpaid, and I'd argue that the two are related.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=Buster;419218]They can keep their $2 million in investments for 45 years.

We can't do that. Ours is needed at the time it is made and the later income won't be able to sit and grow.


Just pointing out another difference.[/quote]

Already addressed this difference, professional players are risking their lifetime of health and welfare in those three years. They're living life at an accelerated pace, physically and financially.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=djnemo65;419149]Want players to make less? Stop supporting the NFL. Otherwise they are going to get a share of the profits commensurate with what their respective unions can negotiate.

I think some of you need to go back to Russia:)[/quote]


I know you were trying to be funny, but have you even been to Russia? They are WAY more capitalist than we are. More Billionaires come from Russia than anywhere else in the world...talk about free markets.

Agree with your point on supporting the league though...they only get paid because we're willing spend/watch TV, so there is your option.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

You get paid what the market will bear. If you don't like it, don't pay $15 to see a movie, by a $20 dollar DVD or shell at $1500 for season tickets. If you think that there is a moral argument for guys running around on a field making too much, so be it. As long as only 1700 guys are able to play in the league in any given year, 131.7 million people watch the superbowl, and the average value of a franchise in 2006 was $819 (the Skins are worth over 1.3 Billion) these guys are going to get what the market will pay them and it is a HUGE market.

Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo raked in $57 million per while helping to create the sub-prime mortgage crisis that the country is in. I have a bigger beef with that than B Lloyd taking 10 mil in signing bonus out of DS's pocket.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;419059]Like Darrell green said: I was over paid, over cared for what?[/quote]

I dont remember the exact amount though and his pay for his rookie season was what.... 200K???

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

The problem with athletes getting overpaid are the agents!! I guess entertainers in general are overpaid, from regular actors to porn actors (what's the difference now a days) they are paid too much whether they are standing in front of the camera to scandals or someone getting blown on the screen.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=Redskin Warrior;419055]I was just reading the "Will NE Resign Moss" thread and saw that Randy was paid 8 million for this year alone. Now whether he got paid that much or not isn't the point of this thread. The point is lately with the various Bengals players, Pacman, Vick & Willie Andrews. Are these huge pay days messing up the minds of the youth & current NFL players? For instance, you turn in a two weeks notice at a job ok lets McDonald's a mininum paying job to take on a $15-20 per hour job for those two weeks most people have the attitude of you can't tell me nothing. Ok lets put that same perspective with sport athletes are the $2-10 million a year salaries corrupting these players & the youths minds? Does the pay days develop that "I'm Larger Than Life Cockiness" & "I'm Rick James Bitch Mentality?" Not to say all sport athletes act like this but you know they say rotten apples spoil the bunch.

The reason I said that is it destroying the youth my nephew is 11 smart kid makes straight A's but he wants to be in the NBA. It's actually possible he is pretty damn good but his mentality is to make millions get woman and do what he wants to do. Well that is a bad mentality for the youth to have and instead of developing his craft and love the game for what it is he only wants to play to make big money. He fill if he plays one year of pro ball he is set for life. It is amazing how many kids think like that across the nation. What do you think? I hope I not gonna be on thread probation for this.[/quote]

If they get paid too much then you pay too much for tickets, jerseys, etc. Players are the labor, if you want to get mad at someone look to billionaire owners who get major public subsidies in order to finance stadiums, etc. which basically make the whole sports business possible (I'm in the midst of reading a bunch of labor history, by the way, so take that for what it's worth). It just doesn't seem to me that you can sit and consume the entire sports culture (and I consume as much as anyone) and then turn around and complain about the profits generated. Recognize your own part in the entire culture.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=WillH;419230]I agree that it does not apply only to athletes, but how can you say: "I find the statements about how teachers should get paid more to be very tired, and for that matter, intellectually challenged."


That is just BS, you have made no real argument, just criticized people for their view. Maybe these intellectually challenged individuals are so because their teachers weren't good enough because it is such a low paying position. Look their is a big difference between socialism and trying to balance wages to make sure that those who deserve money more get it. Should a custodian get paid the same as a Doctor? No F'ing way, but there are circumstances when a capitalist system falls short. We, by the way, do not have a completely free market, we have subsidies, taxes, and the like. So why not give compensation where its due? And the reason teachers always come up is because our educational system SUCKS and our teachers are grossly underpaid, and I'd argue that the two are related.[/quote]
My daughter went to private school and the teachers there make less then at a public school. Were her teachers better than public teachers? NO not really but private schools can get rid of bad teachers where in public they have a union and are tough to fire. So whats the big difference. You have parents that care and the schools do not become a babysitter for bad behavor. They can just kick the kids out.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

A resounding NO. While professional athletes are paid huge sums of money, on the whole they are not overpaid. Whether we like it or not, us Americans spends billions and billions of dollars each year on pro sports memorabilia, clothing, and tickets and we watch ESPN, the NFL network, and other sports news channels. It's not so much that the players' slices of the pie are large, it's that the pie is so god damned enormous. So, if you think NFL players are overpaid, look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are contributing to those high salaries by spending money that ends up in the hands of the NFL owners and players. The man behind the curtain is not inflating players' salaries, we consumers are.

But even if players are paid too much, should the "excess" cash go to the owners? The owners are not exactly hurting for cash and, while players make millions more now than they did in the 80s, the owners are making tens of millions more. Moreover, the revenue is pretty much evenly divided between the owners and the players. The owners invest the cash in an investment that is virtually risk-free and the players put in the sweat equity in an investment that is full of risks. Sounds like the owners are getting a fair deal to me.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

I used to wait tables and I never got this crazy type of money. People would have never received a hot meal if I decided not to come in to work.

Makes you think how unjust it is. I guess it's all about not having a biased perspective.

Makes you also think whether I'm being sarcastic or not.
:silly:

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

Are professional athletes paid too much, without a doubt YES. They are human just like the rest of us, and those of us doing life changing jobs make a fraction of a fraction of what they get paid. For that reason, they absolutely get paid too much. They bitch and moan about playing a game, when all the while their alternative lifestyle is flipping burgers at McDonalds.
That being said, some here are trying to justify or discredit the fact they make billions of dollars a year overall, but fail to see it is YOU that is doing it. If the going rate for a kid that mows your lawn is $20, and you pay him $1000, is it the kids fault that he is overpaid, or just a happy victim of circumstance? Now if that same kid goes around the neighborhood and says (so and so) is paying me $1000 to mow lawns, well they are gonna have to do better than $20 if they want the services of this kid right? Maybe $40? Well, that is what we have in professional sports. But by now the rates are so damn high, they are beyond comprehension. Of course, some of you are saying "well, go find a hungry kid that will still do it for $20...that's all fine and dandy, but as plenty of pointed out, these leagues (and indirectly the fans) have agents, and unions. The agents sole responsibility is to look out for the client, but they look out for #1. The unions sole responsibility is look out for the players and the respective league, even though they only care about how much money the players get at any cost, even go so far as to not agree with drug testing in certain cases. Of course, I am getting far too deep into this, but first and foremost, if you want to amazing salaries to stop, then look in the mirror. It's not like the government is paying them, it's all of US. It's our fault the players are getting paid millions upon millions, it's our fault the players unions are out of control when they aren't even really needed anymore, it's our fault the agents are money hungry blood suckers. We allow it. There is a really simple way to stop it...stop opening your wallets every 5 seconds to spend on these sports. Otherwise, not only do we have to deal with the high costs, we should expect it.

ps- same can be said for the housing market too. Guess what would happen if everyone stopped paying 500k for a subpar house, the market would crash and the prices would come down.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

Jsarno,

What is the players union not needed? Because the owners are weak? Both the owners and the players form groups to combat the other side. I'm not sure why the players get picked on.

Re: Do Sport Athletes Get Paid 2 Much?
 

[quote=WillH;419230]I agree that it does not apply only to athletes, but how can you say: "I find the statements about how teachers should get paid more to be very tired, and for that matter, intellectually challenged."


That is just BS, you have made no real argument, just criticized people for their view. Maybe these intellectually challenged individuals are so because their teachers weren't good enough because it is such a low paying position. Look their is a big difference between socialism and trying to balance wages to make sure that those who deserve money more get it. Should a custodian get paid the same as a Doctor? No F'ing way, but there are circumstances when a capitalist system falls short. We, by the way, do not have a completely free market, we have subsidies, taxes, and the like. So why not give compensation where its due? And the reason teachers always come up is because our educational system SUCKS and our teachers are grossly underpaid, and I'd argue that the two are related.[/quote]

Sorry I came across poorly. What I was referring to was the typical line that goes something like; "pro athletes shouldn't get paid more than teachers" or something to that effect. Usually, teachers are held up in such arguments rather than so many other professions.

The reason this argument is so poor is that it's essentially based on socialist principles, which in most countries (eastern europe, china, n. korea, cuba) meant that some jobs were more highly valued than others simply due to the activity of the job itself rather than the value in $. That's what led China to produce tons of iron & steel in the "great leap forward" that they couldn't use or sell. Production was valued as a noble cause, while services weren't.

That said, people who think teachers do more for society than do pro athletes - a sentiment I agree with overall - seem to think that has some relevance to what people get paid in a capitalist system (note: not a total free market, which doesn't exist in any civilized nation). In reality, it has virtually no relevance to what either gets paid.

Your statement - "Look their is a big difference between socialism and trying to balance wages to make sure that those who deserve money more get it," actually makes my point that arguments about who gets paid what are only pertinent to the organization or field itself. In this case, if you made that argument to a particular school system, that would make sense. Since any school or school system has only limited funds to pay teachers, then the issue is how much they get paid relative to other employees in the system. If you also want to make the argument that the state & fed. government should pay teachers additionally that makes sense too.

In a nutshell, pro athletes & teachers do not get paid from the same pool of money, that's why the comparison between the two might make for a good statement about wealth in the US, but doesn't have any value otherwise.