Professional Athlete Salaries

[rigz]

You are comparing three different skills (Principal, Teacher and athlete).

If the teachers were good enough to be athletes, they would likely choose a different profession.

You also said the average teacher ($80k) and compared them to the best athlete. Most minor league athletes (the below average kind) make less than half the teachers salary. The average pro NBA basketball player makes about $1 M.

.

This isn't right.

[MakeAStash]

Thoughts on why pro athlete salaries have grown so much compared to most people over time?

It's the increasing standard of living found in a free market economy. Fans will pay lots to be entertained, and have more disposable money and time than in the past.

[jIM_Ohio]

This isn't right.

The figures are staggering, with NBA's average player salary clocking in at $5.15 million, $1.85 million more than players in Major League Baseball who average close to $3.2 million a year.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS594US594&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=average%20nba%20salary%20by%20year

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/visualnewscom/visualizing-the-yearly-sa_b_4184716.html

NBA $5 mil per season
MLB $3.2 M
NHL $2.4 mil
NFL $1.9 M
MLS $160k

[rigz]

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...ry%20by%20year

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/visualnewscom/visualizing-the-yearly-sa_b_4184716.html

NBA $5 mil per season
MLB $3.2 M
NHL $2.4 mil
NFL $1.9 M
MLS $160k

Exactly - So either you agree with me or I don't understand what you are saying.

[97guns]

a lot of these guys live pay check to paycheck, when the nfl went on strike many had to get loans to keep afloat. you can make a gazillion dollars, if you dont know how to budget your in big trouble.

[rennigade]

a lot of these guys live pay check to paycheck, when the nfl went on strike many had to get loans to keep afloat. you can make a gazillion dollars, if you dont know how to budget your in big trouble.

I agree. I always tell people when the brag about someone they know that makes a large salary...it doesnt matter how much they make...it what they can save. People cant seem to figure this out...they equate a big salary to someone who has a lot of money which isnt true.

[greenskeeper]

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...ry%20by%20year

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/visualnewscom/visualizing-the-yearly-sa_b_4184716.html

NBA $5 mil per season
MLB $3.2 M
NHL $2.4 mil
NFL $1.9 M
MLS $160k

NBA is skewed higher in that there are fewer roster spots compared to the other sports. However, the NFL has the shortest career expectancy.

[suite001]

It's the increasing standard of living found in a free market economy. Fans will pay lots to be entertained, and have more disposable money and time than in the past…