Are athletes overpaid?

Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. The website, letsdebate.com, has asked its readers to share their view on the topic.

JOHN MAY: I believe that professional athletes get paid too much just because we are a consumer society, whatever sells well, pays well. However, people tend to forget that people in many more important professions are paid less than they deserve. There are other jobs in the world such as police officers, fire fighters, doctors and dentists. Police officers risk their lives to protect all of us so that we can enjoy a great game of football or which sport we are interested in. That’s not fair, is it?

HANS HAMMER: Athletes are not overpaid. From their childhood, they sacrifice a lot to become pro. They put a lot of effort in all training. They sometimes have to leave family to go play and make it. I respect their dedication to their games.

TENESE TAME: I don’t think they are paid too much. They face tremendous pressure in each and every game, match or competition. They have a high risk of injury and some of them have to quit the profession at an early age after dedicating a lot. You see only a few of them can go pro. What is more, only a few of them get paid too much, so it isn’t all athletes. If they can go pro, they cannot go on their jobs as long as other professions.

ALAN PATTON: In my view, paying enormous salaries to sportspeople is unnecessary. We need to reconsider our social priorities and eliminate the great disparity in income received by diverse professionals. By doing so, we can build societies in which each one feels valued, appreciated and appropriately compensated for their own vocation or specialization.

DILARA ZEWIERS: Sport is a form of entertainment industry. Therefore, society decides the price based on the popularity of a sport. First of all, successful sportsmen through their skills bring excitement and thrill to our boring lives. Consequently, society is willing to pay a price to see their sports hero to play well in the field. It is a win-win situation for all.

DENNIS WHITE: Pro athletes are overpaid by a lot. The money that goes to athletes is better off going to something else. They may entertain us but isn’t it too much only for an hour for about twice a week. There are also other means of entertainment. People struggle to get by, hunger and suffer from illnesses in the world. I think they could spend more money on charity to solve the problems of our world.