Love of the Game

Becoming a professional athlete takes time, skill, perseverance, dedication to intense training, and some good luck. Sometimes, however, the small percentage of those who make it to the “big leagues” are often regarded as being overpaid for their talents and deemed unworthy. Tiger Woods, professional golfer, is the highest paid athlete in world, making $75 million last year (Highest). Before assuming that athletes are paid too much, it is extremely important to think about what they contribute to the needs and wants of society. Professional athletes are not overpaid because they meet society’s demand for entertainment, dedicate their lives to fulfilling their potential, and risk their careers and health in every game and performance. Most people will argue that professional athletes make too much money because they don’t think that playing a sport for a living is sufficient reason for getting paid so much. Despite ongoing comments created from jealousy or the like, it is truly the fans themselves that are responsible for these athletes’ salaries. “It is simple. If you do not want an athlete to make so much money, do not go give them money” (Johnson). The fans are the people paying over $100 for seats to a game and buying the merchandise. If nobody came to watch, Alex Rodriguez wouldn’t get paid what he does (Shannahan). They give the fans what they want, thus allowing the NFL, NBA, MLB or other sport’s league to make a lot of money. “’Someone who provides a service or form of entertainment you want does so because there is a need for them in society. Their financial gain should be an understood bi-product of that’” (Johnson). Not only do these athletes engage in athletic competition for a living, but they also undergo intense training to perfect their skill to become the best. They work hard for their job, just like everyone else. “Professional athletes are always traveling, away from family for most of the year, and train and compete together through an