Prompt four: Do Athletes Really Need all that Money?

Today's top professional athletes often have salaries and bonus in the tens of millions of dollars. Do you think these athletes deserve such high  compensation?  Why or Why not?

            "All they do is dribble a ball and shoot it in the Basket…why should [they] make more than people who work 12 hours a day to support their families ( Williams, Teaireyana. Personal Interview. 27, October 2010)."  In truth, athletes make a farcical amount of money that would virtually put  teaching jobs and all kinds alike to shame. Once again we, the working class, are deemed worthless in the economic sense and thought of as mere ponds to prey on.  I believe athletes get over paid for a simple game of child's-play—some paid more than others. Most of that money should be used toward educational aspirations and important issues for our environment and communities.  The next thing you know, they'll start paying street performers six million per act a month.

            Athlete's money should just be what they get out of their endorsement deals and sports contracts. For instance, in 2004, baseball player Alex Rodriguez was paid a 252 million dollar ten year sports contract for the Texas Rangers and is now paid a 275 million dollar contract for the New York Yankees. Now, is that not enough? Clearly 275 million dollars means a serene, cozy life style. Nevertheless, the huge sums of money still rolls in. Fans bring in the extra money by buying drinks, T-shirts, souvenirs, hot-dogs, special hats, jerseys, and not to mention, the tickets when they come to watch their favorite team. So, does that mean teachers, police officers, and firefighters need fans to make nearly the same amount of money?

            Oh, please. It's not a matter of jealousy or intrinsic value, it is more of negligence. In other words, government tends to chop down from the bottom first and school budgets are the main ones in jeopardy. Two hundred-seventy five million dollars seems like a waste to give it all to one person. That type of money should be directed to communities and the much needed jobs instead. In fact, schools should be given the same amount of money that a single athlete is paid. That way, schools, mainly public ones, have enough money to provide their students with brand-new, updated books, computers, libraries, and hire more teachers, then create more classrooms for smaller classes. Also, the need of basic supplies, descent classrooms, gyms, educational fieldtrips, etc. Additionally, schools aren't the only ones who deserve that type of money. Police officers, firefighters, bus drivers, garbage collectors, street cleaners, nurses, any job that makes the lives of the average citizen bearable, should be given a higher pay. Athletes should be paid less.

            There are people who are okay with an athlete's salary and think us "anti's" are being invidious  crybabies who should just accept the idea that athletes do make more money than us. Let's take a middle- aged male sports fan for example. The Raiders are his favorite team and he is the type of person who agrees with the players' salaries. Knowing him, if given the chance to argue pay salaries, all that would come to mind is " Well, it's because they're talented and they're hard workers" or "Athletes are prone to greater injuries. They deserve the money they make." Aren't you and I hardworking, talented people? Of course! And you don’t need Einstein to tell you that anyone can get seriously injured. That just proves all the more that athletes make a ridiculous amount of money. It  almost seems like robbery.

            Ultimately, I firmly believe that athletes do not deserve such high compensations. It's ridiculous and tens of millions of dollars should be used towards educational purposes and the important jobs. In fact, there should be a limit to how much money an athlete makes. People may deem this too radical, but in the long run it will make a dramatic difference. And, if in the right hands, the extra money can be put fourth toward the needy, disaster victims, hospitals, and in general, America's citizens.