DMN Burnett Blog: Player Salaries

[stealth]

If he was making ten bux an hour at home depot and said the same things then no one would say a thing to him.


Perspective dictates how each of us interpret his words, he alone walks in his shoes, its not his fault pro athletes get paid what they do and frankly I agree with his points.
Fairness should be universal regardless of how much money you make.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Breaking news - owners bank more than their employees.

No, I do not have a degree in business.

But I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night.

hahahahah

 

[Disturbed]

The method of determining pay for NFL players is rather arbitrary ... and the player's pay depends as much on the player's circumstances as that player's actual performance and value (e.g., some rookies getting paid far more than proven and productive vets, etc.).

I can understand Burnett thinking that the current payment scheme is unfair and in need of an overhaul.

But the tone of this particular column sounds whiney ....

The NFL should set up a pay scale for all players in the league less than 3 years -- including the rookies. The rookies would be paid based on where they are drafted, and not crazy media hyped salaries. The salaries should increase based on performance and tenure, and some of the crazy money now thrown at rookies should really be set aside for older retired players (medical, pensions, etc) who did not make that much years ago but helped develop the league into what it is today.

Rookies and players in general are not "entitled". This is the only profession I can think of where unproven talent makes more than already successful talent.

 

[Boom]

We make a lot of money, but we spend a lot of money too.

/Ewing

 

[Nightman]

The reality of it is, these guys get paid the money they do because there are very few people who can do what they do: to play at an elite level.

Joe Schmoe isn't willing to plop down hundreds of dollars to see his neighbor throw his football. But he is willing to plop down hundreds of dollars to see Tom Brady zing the ball all over the place.

There are faaaaaaaaaaaaaaar many more Schmoe's than Brady.

That is why their salaries are high. That is why they are justified. They are talented enough to attract people willing to pay to watch them play and a small enough group that they are in high demand.

Millions of people are qualified to become cops, firefighters and teachers. They are important professions, but they don't fill stadiums. The NFL took in over $9 billion in revenue last year and the players and owners deserve every dollar because US fans are crazy about sports and will spend the money. If the product sucked than people would stop paying.

 

[TNCowboy]

A retired owner can watch his son and grandson run the team while he still collects the checks. MAKES YOU THINK. I admire Jerry because he is a business mind he knows how to keep it in the family. Jerry's grandkids (Shy in particular) probably knows more about running a football team than I do. I have a Master's degree in Sports Administration and Business.

Shy out of high school will make more than I do right now as a 4th year pro athlete.

This is probably the most pathetic, embarrassing thing a player has written since the infamous, unsigned Roy Williams letter.

 

[JBond]

That's why I own my business. I bought out my partner two years ago and have never been happier and more satisfied in my life. Owners earn every penny. It is not easy.

 

[burmafrd]

No pro athlete should ever complain about what he earns. Bottom line is that it is a game. Its entertainment. You are not walking a beat, working a garbage truck, selling fast food. You are rich and somewhat or maybe even a lot famous. you have people yelling your name by the thousands every week in some cases. Collectively or individually. You make more in 2-3 years then many make their whole lives. Sorry but any complaints about anything there is not something I will EVER listen to.

 

[parchy]

Kevin's blogs have been nice, and I'm sure he's a real cool dude, but he sounds like an absolute idiot in this one.

Dude... dude... you are the last person on God's green Earth to be complaining about one damn thing you do for a living. You play a game for millions. Realize that 5 billion of the world's population lives on less than a dollar a day, and think about what you'll be doing tomorrow... lifting weights for what amounts to a few thousand dollars for your efforts... in one day.

Dude... Kevin... you're better than this. You have to be.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Its a matter of supply and demand.

There are less than 1000 people that can do what he and his contemporaries do so they can demand market price. People that think the players make too much money are monopolists.

Most owners --ours being the obvious exception-- make their money by virtue of some arbitrary possession. If they did not do anything they would still make income.

We go to see the players and without the players there would be no football.

Anyone with money can conceivably own a football team. The same cannot be said about playing at that level.

 

[ndanger]

Its a matter of supply and demand.

There are less than 1000 people that can do what he and his contemporaries do so they can demand market price. People that think the players make too much money are monopolists.

Most owners --ours being the obvious exception-- make their money by virtue of some arbitrary possession. If they did not do anything they would still make income.

We go to see the players and without the players there would be no football.

Anyone with money can conceivably own a football team. The same cannot be said about playing at that level.

Yeah out of anyone with any money, at any given time there will only be 32 of them.

 

[Big Country]

"And your asking me Why players are pissed about their contracts. Your asking me to put my life, my health, and my overall metal well being on the line day in and day out for, HOW MUCH? Yes this is a touchy subject for me."

If you are pissed about contract money, try working 84 hours a week in the freaking oil field then jack!!!!

:violin:

 

[Doomsday101]

The reality of it is, these guys get paid the money they do because there are very few people who can do what they do: to play at an elite level.

Joe Schmoe isn't willing to plop down hundreds of dollars to see his neighbor throw his football. But he is willing to plop down hundreds of dollars to see Tom Brady zing the ball all over the place.

There are faaaaaaaaaaaaaaar many more Schmoe's than Brady.

That is why their salaries are high. That is why they are justified. They are talented enough to attract people willing to pay to watch them play and a small enough group that they are in high demand.

You are correct that is why they get paid the big money but most of us do not want to hear them whine about the money they are getting paid which no matter how you cut it is damn good money. There are many players that if they did not have the NFL would be working minimum wage jobs. Some of these guys are not the brightest people and if they could not run fast or catch a ball or throw it far would be up a creek

 

[BaybeeJay]

As people have previously posted, Burnett's point is borderline delusional. Plenty of people work in high risk jobs, such as law enforcement, construction, and waste and water treatment, and yet get paid a fraction of what athletes get. He needs to realize that the only reason he gets paid is because there is a market for his talent. He does not get paid because of the relatively high level of risk associated with his trade.

I am all for players maximizing their earning potential. However, it is silly to believe that the only reason players whine and complain for more money is because of the risk involved with their sport. It is purely because of salary inflation due to increased popularity of the sport and therefore an increased salary cap. And it is perfectly fine to want more money when your peers are getting paid more, but just call it what it is KB. Don't try to sugarcoat your intentions. The game is setup for you to be greedy, so don't feel guilty when you are.

 

[Vintage]

As people have previously posted, Burnett's point is borderline delusional. Plenty of people work in high risk jobs, such as law enforcement, construction, and waste and water treatment, and yet get paid a fraction of what athletes get. He needs to realize that the only reason he gets paid is because there is a market for his talent. He does not get paid because of the relatively high level of risk associated with his trade.

They get paid a fraction of what athletes do not because of the danger levels, but because many more people can become cops, firefighters, etc than professional football players.

 

[Doomsday101]

They get paid a fraction of what athletes do not because of the danger levels, but because many more people can become cops, firefighters, etc than professional football players.

True but the risk is not great compared to many jobs. The most dangerous jobs in the world do not include the NFL. They are paid like entertainers and I really have little issue about what they get paid but I don't like hearing them whine about it as if they are vastly underpaid.

 

[Velvet Jones]

I don't understand because it is WE that pay them. If you truely feel that they make too much then stop going to games. Stop paying for annual seats. Stop putting money into Comcast for the NFL network. It is the same with people with giant SUV's complaining about gas prices. Put in the grunt work, car pool and turn down your heat.

What it comes down to is that it is worth $50 a week in gas for me not to ride with another person to work and it is worth the price of the ticket to see the game played at a high level. You can be upset all you want but don't expect any type of change until it is no longer worth it.

 

[Vintage]

I don't understand because it is WE that pay them. If you truely feel that they make too much then stop going to games. Stop paying for annual seats. Stop putting money into Comcast for the NFL network. It is the same with people with giant SUV's complaining about gas prices. Put in the grunt work, car pool and turn down your heat.

What it comes down to is that it is worth $50 a week in gas for me not to ride with another person to work and it is worth the price of the ticket to see the game played at a high level. You can be upset all you want but don't expect any type of change until it is no longer worth it.

Exactly...

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't understand because it is WE that pay them. If you truely feel that they make too much then stop going to games. Stop paying for annual seats. Stop putting money into Comcast for the NFL network. It is the same with people with giant SUV's complaining about gas prices. Put in the grunt work, car pool and turn down your heat.

What it comes down to is that it is worth $50 a week in gas for me not to ride with another person to work and it is worth the price of the ticket to see the game played at a high level. You can be upset all you want but don't expect any type of change until it is no longer worth it.

I don't begrudge them the money again I don't want to hear them whine and complain about the Millions they are making. I don't know about you but that kind of money is damn good no matter what business you are talking about.

Do the owners make more of course they do they also make the major investment and pay 53 players on their team a pretty good wage along the way.

 

[Velvet Jones]

No matter what job you are in, you don't want to make less than what you are already making. And no matter what salary you get, you will be offended if you find out someone else is making more for doing less. Ignorance truely is bliss. The United States main export is entertainment and he is a sports entertainer.

If I know my dog is going to piss on the carpet, I don't let him in. I don't just allow him to enter and then get mad when he pulls a leg up on the couch corner.