My contention is that the exorbitant compensation acquired by professional athletes is morally wrong as it creates an inequality for diligent individuals who earn their livelihood through honorable occupations. More precisely, when I mention compensation, I am alluding to the excessive sums of money earned by athletes for their involvement in a particular sport.
My value criteria or standards I will use are as follows:
1. A man who does not graduate college may not be as qualified to make the salaries that exist.
2. Ridiculous salaries is setting an example for our youth that just because you can hit a baseball or shoot a basketball or shoot a hockey puck or throw a football that you can make millions of dollars without truly earning it.
3. An athlete who graduates college deserves money based on his collegiate experience.
The text highlights the significance of graduation and dismisses the notion that unequal earnings can be justified by innate talent. It further acknowledges the commendation bestowed upon college graduates who excel in professional sports, exemplifying this with Kobe Bryant. Despite not having attended college, Bryant accomplished remarkable success and emerged as one of the NBA’s leading scorers and highest-earning athletes.
Should someone earning a high salary while the average college graduate struggles to find a job with similar pay be considered fair? In my opinion, I do not believe so. I am of the belief that only specific professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, and those who pursue graduate school education, should have the opportunity to earn such high incomes. These individuals not only complete their college education but also further their knowledge through advanced degrees and honing their skills.
Kevin Garnett holds the most lucrative contract in NBA history at 6 years and $126 million without ever attending a US college campus. Therefore, why should Garnett be able to earn this money without having acquired an education or understanding of society and our world?
Breaking news: Kevin Garnett is currently attending classes in Minnesota, possibly aiming to finish his education before his six-year contract ends. Additionally, I address the issue of being a detrimental role model for America’s youth. It seems unjust to offer false hope to future generations by suggesting that they will become millionaires solely based on their athletic abilities. The truth is that while many children aspire to be athletes, the likelihood of achieving such success is low.
Our athletes often utilize endorsements to promote their products, using phrases like “Buy my shoes and you can be just like me” or “Drink my product and you’ll have the same stamina and endurance as me.” However, this creates a distorted reality for our children. It is crucial that athletes also educate children about the significance of obtaining a good education and striving for personal success. If the opportunity to become an athlete presents itself, then they can consider pursuing it. It is unreasonable to assume that individuals should be paid millions of dollars solely based on their athletic abilities. The RF for the Cleveland Indians serves as a prime example of this concept.
Manny Ramirez recently announced his decision to end negotiations with the Indians and explore opportunities in the free agent market. However, he later mentioned that he would reconsider signing with the Indians if they presented him with a 10-year contract valued at $200 million. The sheer magnitude of this amount is astonishing – it surpasses what most people will ever see in their lifetimes. It is disconcerting how casually Mr. Ramirez refers to such a substantial sum of money. Athletes like him should appreciate the value of a dollar and acknowledge that while they earn millions through sports, many individuals in the United States face financial hardships as they strive to make ends meet and pursue their own careers.
According to ESPN, baseball players like Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr., and Kevin Brown sometimes request large amounts of money. In the case of Kevin Brown, he earned an incredible $105 million over 5 years for his pitching abilities. This equates to an impressive annual salary of $21 million, despite only pitching once every five days.
Although he may be a talented pitcher and respected in the Los Angeles community, I’m sorry to say that I don’t think he should receive a yearly salary of 21 million dollars for his pitching skills. Furthermore, ESPN and our friend Griffey have indicated that he was willing to take a lower salary when he joined the Reds. It’s truly remarkable to see such a commendable individual accepting a pay reduction. To be exact, Griffey was acquired for just 97 million dollars, which is widely regarded as an exceptional deal.
Why are the owners still paying these exorbitant salaries? According to WGN, Sammy Sosa, oh Sammy Sammy. Now Sammy has a case. Sammy hit 65 home runs just two years ago. Well, excuse me, that means he deserves the 150 million dollars he is demanding, RIGHT? Wrong, simply being able to hit a ball 365 feet out of a ballpark does not justify earning 150 million dollars. Mr. Sosa, you are an exceptional player and I appreciate all your contributions, but please, you do not require that amount of money and therefore should not be compensated so extravagantly.
The key message is that a college graduate’s salary in professional sports is influenced by their college experience. Rick Brunson, who graduated from Temple University and currently plays for the Boston Celtics, serves as an example of this. He presently earns the league minimum of $120,000, which was also his salary during his time with the New York Knicks from 1998 to 2000. In comparison, Kevin Garnett will receive $126 million over the following six years.
The question of why Rick Brunson should receive a $100,000 salary while being benched is raised. It is seen as immoral when owners offer more money to players like Kevin Garnett instead of individuals like Brunson. This immorality stems from going against the conventional business standards that prioritize college experience over athletic ability in this industry. It would be logical to reward someone with a position like Garnett’s if they have graduated from college. However, the current state of the professional athletic world disagrees. There are arguments claiming it is acceptable to pay athletes such large sums of money. Nevertheless, I challenge this viewpoint by stating that it is only acceptable if we desire America’s youth to become money-hungry and selfish individuals.
Another viewpoint suggests that these individuals are lucky because they work in a field that offers significant financial rewards. Imagine if there was no money involved in sports, like if the highest salary in the NBA was only $200,000. Would there still be the same level of competition and would these athletes find the same amount of pleasure in the game? Moreover, when we attend sporting events, we show our support for the hefty salaries earned by these athletes. As many of you know, I am a devoted fan of sports.
As an owner of a company that covers Philadelphia sporting events, I am involved in the sports broadcasting industry. This allows me to attend games with press credentials instead of directly supporting owners and players financially. Without my career in sports broadcasting, it would be difficult for me to afford attending these games due to their exorbitant prices which contribute to high athlete salaries. To summarize, I have presented evidence-backed examples that highlight the unethical nature of athletes earning substantial amounts of money in our society.
I have presented my argument and provided evidence for why I find athletes’ salaries to be absurd. It is important that our children do not grow up believing that they can simply imitate famous athletes or buy their merchandise to achieve the same level of success. Instead, they must work hard and earn it themselves.
