M
MR.KAZ
Lurker
Hello Folks!
In various places I hang out at,this topic almost always comes up,so I thought I'd see what you all think.I'm referring to professional athletes and the huge amount of scratch that they earn,and I mean earn.I think that most people don't realize just how insanely difficult it is make it to the Pro's.On top of that,you have to be very productive just to stay in that kind of elite company.
A good example would be that poor soul(s)that had to play behind the likes of Michael Jordan or Shaq,who are very fortunate just to get a few minutes of play per game,which I believe makes it much more difficult to prove that you are worthy to remain on that team,or any other for that matter.Most of these guys have college educations which is hard enough too attain these days anyway.In Canada,there are people with college degrees driving armored trucks for $9.00 an hour!It's ridiculous.
The last time I checked,the league minimum in the NBA was around 300K a season,there is a staggering amount of players that don't make millions like Shaq or Kobe Bryant.The belief that they all make millions is simply not true.People say that.."They make this cash just to run up and down a court for 48 minutes is on only half true.They practice brutally,(unless you are Alan Iverson lol),they don't get much down time,they are away from their loved one's a lot(which can put a strain on any marriage,if they're married).God forbid they should want to go to a bar for a beer without a billion people hounding them for autographs.
When you become a celebrity,you also become very vulnerable.So many people know your comings and goings,pretty much destroying any kind of private life you would desire.You're wide open to any wingnut who decides to sue you for any stupid reason,not to mention the press stuck up your ass all the time.
In closing,these people do understand that this comes with the territory,but it doesn't make it any easier.Larry Bird once stated that he would like to just once be able to walk into a bar,sit down and have a drink,without someone approaching him for an autograph or a little conversation.All the money is great,but to have to sacrifice so much to enjoy it,seems bittersweet to me.The people that complain that these people make too much money,are the one's that don't mind plunkin' down thousands for a closer seat to the court, do they?
Shaquille O'neal donated $3 million dollars to help those poor souls in Louisiana.The first thing people say...So what,it's a tax writeoff.Maybe so,but it's not like he had to.
God Bless,
MR.KAZ
In various places I hang out at,this topic almost always comes up,so I thought I'd see what you all think.I'm referring to professional athletes and the huge amount of scratch that they earn,and I mean earn.I think that most people don't realize just how insanely difficult it is make it to the Pro's.On top of that,you have to be very productive just to stay in that kind of elite company.
A good example would be that poor soul(s)that had to play behind the likes of Michael Jordan or Shaq,who are very fortunate just to get a few minutes of play per game,which I believe makes it much more difficult to prove that you are worthy to remain on that team,or any other for that matter.Most of these guys have college educations which is hard enough too attain these days anyway.In Canada,there are people with college degrees driving armored trucks for $9.00 an hour!It's ridiculous.
The last time I checked,the league minimum in the NBA was around 300K a season,there is a staggering amount of players that don't make millions like Shaq or Kobe Bryant.The belief that they all make millions is simply not true.People say that.."They make this cash just to run up and down a court for 48 minutes is on only half true.They practice brutally,(unless you are Alan Iverson lol),they don't get much down time,they are away from their loved one's a lot(which can put a strain on any marriage,if they're married).God forbid they should want to go to a bar for a beer without a billion people hounding them for autographs.
When you become a celebrity,you also become very vulnerable.So many people know your comings and goings,pretty much destroying any kind of private life you would desire.You're wide open to any wingnut who decides to sue you for any stupid reason,not to mention the press stuck up your ass all the time.
In closing,these people do understand that this comes with the territory,but it doesn't make it any easier.Larry Bird once stated that he would like to just once be able to walk into a bar,sit down and have a drink,without someone approaching him for an autograph or a little conversation.All the money is great,but to have to sacrifice so much to enjoy it,seems bittersweet to me.The people that complain that these people make too much money,are the one's that don't mind plunkin' down thousands for a closer seat to the court, do they?
Shaquille O'neal donated $3 million dollars to help those poor souls in Louisiana.The first thing people say...So what,it's a tax writeoff.Maybe so,but it's not like he had to.
God Bless,
MR.KAZ
