Let's see...
Redskins land Haynesworth for 7 years, $100 Million
The Dodgers and Manny are fighting over $25 Million (for 1 year)
Jayson Werth's winter contract is worth $10 Million for 2 years.
$20 Million here, $10 Million there. Where's the outrage when sports stars ask for such money? Sure, they aren't responsible for the economy. But the players & the people who employ them are just as guilty of milking us. We can't watch most of their games without paid television services. The tickets, parking & food is too expensive for a family of one. We're forced to fund their new stadiums with local tax dollars under the threat that they'll move somewhere else.
When the owner of Lowes Motor Speedway wanted to build a drag strip, the town of Concord, NC didn't want it. So, he just threatened to move. Next thing you know, not only did he get to build his drag strip, the town helped.
We're so enthralled with and dependent on our sports that they have a strangle-hold on us. Yet, as we sink players like Manny Ramirez can demand millions. A-Rod, Bonds, Big-Mac. They cheated, but A-Rod is still playing. And you can bet that Bonds & Big-Mac would be too if they were still young enough.
Marbury acts like a complete jackass in New York and what does he get? He gets to join the world champion Celtics for a $20 Million contract buyout & a minimum veteran's salary of $1.3 Million.
The players aren't the only ones I blame here. They are just one part of the great sports machine that's milking us for all we're worth. Will the economy get bad enough that fans stop paying for their fancy channels & cramped seats? What then? Will the NFL be asking for a bail-out? Will NASCAR be begging for fuel-subsidies?
I've grown weary of it. Maybe I should start following my local little-league teams.
1 comment:
Pro sports didn't create a credit crisis that is swamping the entire planet.
Pro sports isn't getting a bail out from the government.
If either of these things were true then there would be calls for lower pro sports salaries as well.
And you can't start following the local little league team. You don't have any little league age children. They will think you are a pedophile.
BTW, I don't disagree about the salaries or the costs to fans. I avoid all this by not going to games in person. I miss it, but financially that's the situation I am in.
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