I have a question .

[kevin37b]

I am a union operator . I dig 20 ft deep , pull 2 boxes ,got a man in the hole and one on top . I might make 70 80 k yearly . Where do these coaches , players , criminals get off making MILLIONS . Just a question .

 

[Industrial Toys]

Don't know. I crawl around attics and under buildings, have no one to pass any buck to, don't have any "plans", and no pension plan or retirement savings. Sometimes I have to drive 400KMS to make fifty bucks! Usually my accountant brings my income down to the poverty level of 9K.

Want to trade places?

 

[nybirdman]

You have to remember a lot of these pro athletes end up broke and unskilled in anything but their "game"
Nothing wrong with making an honest living;I worked for 25 years in construction and 17 in a industrial plant and wouldn't trade places with any of these "temporary" millionaires.

 

[CobyRupert]

Because they can.
Supply and demand (by both the owners and the fans).

 

[MoKelly]

I am a union operator . I dig 20 ft deep , pull 2 boxes ,got a man in the hole and one on top . I might make 70 80 k yearly . Where do these coaches , players , criminals get off making MILLIONS . Just a question .

I guess when millions and millions of people are willing to watch you do your work on TV, then you will be higher compensated.

It all TV driven.

Just look at that bunch from Orange County Choppers. They have made millions. Its all TV.

MoKelly

 

[reb]

I find nothing wrong with sports figures being paid large salaries, as long as it is not coming out of my pocket. The problem is that public financing of sports facilities is part of the reason those salaries are so large.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

It's all about supply and demand.
Good Professional athletes a few and far between in the entire population, and they have a short professional lifespan; plus they have every sports fan in the nation as their demand level. Brady is at the top of his game, there's only one of him, and he's only got a couple years left in him as a QB.
A good machine operator tends to be much more common in the entire population, have a very long professional lifespan, and only have a limited number of people looking for them. Which means you have several people potentially for a single job, and the employer can afford to offer less.

 

[MoKelly]

Don't know. I crawl around attics and under buildings, have no one to pass any buck to, don't have any "plans", and no pension plan or retirement savings. Sometimes I have to drive 400KMS to make fifty bucks! Usually my accountant brings my income down to the poverty level of 9K.

Want to trade places?

You have an accountant?:drink: Lucky you!

MoKelly

 

[KiotiKowboy]

If someone is earning their income through legal and legitimate means, it is very selfish of you to begrudge them their success. You should be happy when someone is successful. You may have a valid position on debating the merit of their income - but they are simply getting paid what has been offered.

I worked with people who were always angry when another employee got a raise. Why? It seems this is a miserable way to go through life.

It's hard to count your own blessings when you are constantly jealous for those of another.

 

[/pine]

There is a simple way to bring down the high dollar amounts associated with professional sports...
The fans actually hold the purse strings...but as long as they (the fans) continue to patronize the corporate sponsors that pay for the TV advertising time etc...nothing will change but ticket prices (will keep going up)...

 

[tcartwri]

I am a union operator . I dig 20 ft deep , pull 2 boxes ,got a man in the hole and one on top . I might make 70 80 k yearly . Where do these coaches , players , criminals get off making MILLIONS . Just a question .

Chances of playing Pro Hockey in Ontario are 1 in 4000... ( 0.0003 % )
Chances of being one of those elite players that makes more than average in their career, about 1 in 12,000.
Chances of playing for more than a few years at the pro-level once you actually make it... not very good.

Believe me, they are worth it.

 

[turnkey4099]

I find nothing wrong with sports figures being paid large salaries, as long as it is not coming out of my pocket. The problem is that public financing of sports facilities is part of the reason those salaries are so large.

I suspect it has a lot do with the high cost of tuition at many colleges.

Harry K

 

[timswi]

If someone is earning their income through legal and legitimate means, it is very selfish of you to begrudge them their success. You should be happy when someone is successful. You may have a valid position on debating the merit of their income - but they are simply getting paid what has been offered.

I worked with people who were always angry when another employee got a raise. Why? It seems this is a miserable way to go through life.

It's hard to count your own blessings when you are constantly jealous for those of another.

I fully agree. I could care less how much others make. As long as my income supports my family, I'm happy. If I want to increase that standard, I have to increase my skills and therefore demand which equates to dollars.

Being jealous of others is a pretty miserable way to go through life.

 

[IslandTractor]

I suspect it has a lot do with the high cost of tuition at many colleges. Harry K

I doubt it. The athletic directors and elite coaches make a lot more than faculty or even the university presidents. But the money comes from income generated by the sports program not tuition, at least for the major division 1 schools. The ones being most cheated by the current system are the "student" athletes. Many are there only to play sports so are really just unpaid professionals.

 

[HCJtractor]

I doubt it. The athletic directors and elite coaches make a lot more than faculty or even the university presidents. But the money comes from income generated by the sports program not tuition, at least for the major division 1 schools. The ones being most cheated by the current system are the "student" athletes. Many are there only to play sports so are really just unpaid professionals.

That's a really difficult argument. I can see your point but also understand the majority of college athletes are just regular students who have little chance of becoming professionals. We hear about the "one and done" superstars, but far more student athletes study for four years, play the sport they love, and get a free education. Of course they pay a price of a tremendous time commitment, but don't most good athletes enjoy and relish the competition? I know many parents who struggle to pay the high cost of an advanced education, and are overjoyed when their child signs a scholarship deal. And certainly, the lessons learned by playing at a high level are valuable lessons in life, not to mention the connections made in terms of relationships and job opportunities. But I do agree the colleges rake in big bucks from the toil of their student athletes. Perhaps a small stipend to cover miscellaneous expenses would be prudent. I think that's in the future. But all in all, I think most athletes who graduate from college with no debt would have few regrets.

 

[IslandTractor]

That's a really difficult argument. I can see your point but also understand the majority of college athletes are just regular students who have little chance of becoming professionals. We hear about the "one and done" superstars, but far more student athletes study for four years, play the sport they love, and get a free education. Of course they pay a price of a tremendous time commitment, but don't most good athletes enjoy and relish the competition? I know many parents who struggle to pay the high cost of an advanced education, and are overjoyed when their child signs a scholarship deal. And certainly, the lessons learned by playing at a high level are valuable lessons in life, not to mention the connections made in terms of relationships and job opportunities. But I do agree the colleges rake in big bucks from the toil of their student athletes. Perhaps a small stipend to cover miscellaneous expenses would be prudent. I think that's in the future. But all in all, I think most athletes who graduate from college with no debt would have few regrets.

Understood. However the graduation rates and even more important the quality of education received by many of the big program division 1 school athletes are not great. Sure, a free ride to a major school is great so long as you benefit educationally. No doubt the kids who get scholarships for soccer, baseball, lacrosse etc get a fair deal. They are true scholar athletes. The kids who get exploited are the ones who are admitted to play high profile sports at schools where they are otherwise non competitive academically. What good is a pseudo education obtained by taking gut (easy) classes in topics that really don't get you ready for the job market? The universities benefit far more than the typical student athlete in televised sports. Football and basketball are the worst offenders.

 

[mbohuntr]

If someone is earning their income through legal and legitimate means, it is very selfish of you to begrudge them their success. You should be happy when someone is successful. You may have a valid position on debating the merit of their income - but they are simply getting paid what has been offered.

I worked with people who were always angry when another employee got a raise. Why? It seems this is a miserable way to go through life.

It's hard to count your own blessings when you are constantly jealous for those of another.

I am humbled by what you just wrote. Someday I hope to be as good a person as you sound like. WELL SAID!

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I am humbled by what you just wrote. Someday I hope to be as good a person as you sound like. WELL SAID!

You are very kind - but - I am the "wretch" they wrote about.

 

[Looking4new]

I fully agree. I could care less how much others make. As long as my income supports my family, I'm happy. If I want to increase that standard, I have to increase my skills and therefore demand which equates to dollars.

Being jealous of others is a pretty miserable way to go through life.

:thumbsup: I couldn't have said that better myself. :thumbsup:

 

[Citydude]

I am a union operator . I dig 20 ft deep , pull 2 boxes ,got a man in the hole and one on top . I might make 70 80 k yearly . Where do these coaches , players , criminals get off making MILLIONS . Just a question .

Kevin, 20 years ago, I was an operator then moved into management. The higher I climbed the ladder, the more money I made. Looking back after retirement, the happiest times of my working life was being an operator and developing my skills. Money has its perks however in my case, I feel I traded in something I was very good at and loved to do for money. It's not what you make in life, it's what you make of your life.

Professional and college sports are in the entertainment business. I have a hunch that some of them sold their soul for money. Just ask A-Rod how he likes his life, Lance Armstrong?

Regards,