Why Are Pro Athletes So Greedy?

[ROH522155]

ok say im Ray Lewis. I get a 30 million dollar offer to play for the Jets. And i get a 20 million dollar offer to play for baltimore the city that i love. why not take the 20? why do pro athletes take the higher number to go to a place less fun to play when either way they are going to be making more money than they really need, and WAAYYY more than the normal person. WHY? WHY ARE THEY SO GREEDY??

[Rocky Mountain Raven]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' post='147677' date='Jan 30 2009, 02:50 PM']ok say im Ray Lewis. I get a 30 million dollar offer to play for the Jets. And i get a 20 million dollar offer to play for baltimore the city that i love. why not take the 20? why do pro athletes take the higher number to go to a place less fun to play when either way they are going to be making more money than they really need, and WAAYYY more than the normal person. WHY? WHY ARE THEY SO GREEDY??[/quote]

I have a feeling your about to get fired on. They put their bodies at risk, they're worth every penny, they need to get they're money now, all that BS. It's part of the business and the answer is because they can be. I think its a total vanity issue. How many guys are unhappy with they're current contracts because someone else in the league got the real payday. Look at Boldin and Fitz, Boldin's unhappy because Fitz got the real money. When is enough going to be enough; I dont think it ever will be. Keep raising the league minimum and paying guys larger contracts every year and we'll continue to see the greed of the NFL players. But then again, who wants to get paid less for doing the same job.

[MKdave]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' post='147677' date='Jan 30 2009, 09:50 PM']and WAAYYY more than the normal person. WHY? WHY ARE THEY SO GREEDY??[/quote]

And a normal person does what for their job? sits infront of a computer typing? Procrastinating much of the time. A little different from sacrificing your body for the entertainment of the masses, having your personal life invaded and making your organization millions of dollars.

The fans who expect them to take pay cuts so THEY can continue to watch them are greedy. Why should they? And who are you to say how much money somebody else needs to feel comfortable taking the risks football players take? It's their business, not ours.

[PuRock]

Exactly Dave.

Why are fans so greedy to expect football players to sign with THEIR team for less, just because we need them so bad and we enjoy watching them? "They mean so much to us, man?!"

If I had the option between a 10 million dollar contract. I'd take the additional 10 million. Just like it's relative in my job. If I had an option between my current job and a job that pays 20k more. I'd probably take the 20K more job. You live by the means you get. The more money, the more your means.

But Greedy is a word that can apply to our society as a whole. Because money makes the world go round. Don't blame the players for this, they are conditioned by the western culture.

[Moderator 2]

Most of us have 30 to 40 years to make our money, average life for a pro-football players is 3 to 4 years. So you need to make enough money to live off of in that time. Rays career is not the rule it is the exception, and he needs to spend money to pay for his trainers, his nutritionist and chef so he can keep his body in the shape he is in to play football. Remember football contracts are not guaranteed money like they are in baseball. Sports agents also get a sizable cut of what the player makes.

[MKdave]

[quote name='Moderator 2' post='147690' date='Jan 30 2009, 10:30 PM']Most of us have 30 to 40 years to make our money, average life for a pro-football players is 3 to 4 years.[/quote]

Exactly. That's a point I made in another thread, but forgot to make here.

[theFRANCHISE]

To add onto Dave's point, you also have to factor in how much of that money they actually see after agents get their share and lawyer fees are paid (lawyers ARE necessary for things other than court battles.) And then there's all the other monthly expenses that we regular folks have, but blown up due to their lifestyle.

And although athletes don't NEED to live a lavish lifestyle, being in the public eye creates societal pressure and taps into their psyche to where they are compelled to project a certain image. Not only that, but why shouldn't athletes, for the physical sacrifice they make for our entertainment, be allowed to enjoy themselves?

Realistically, even though a lot of us SAY we would never be changed by money, 95% of us would probably end up being hypocrites if actually placed into that situation.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Moderator 2' post='147690' date='Jan 30 2009, 05:30 PM']Most of us have 30 to 40 years to make our money, average life for a pro-football players is 3 to 4 years. So you need to make enough money to live off of in that time. Rays career is not the rule it is the exception, and he needs to spend money to pay for his trainers, his nutritionist and chef so he can keep his body in the shape he is in to play football. Remember football contracts are not guaranteed money like they are in baseball. Sports agents also get a sizable cut of what the player makes.[/quote]

It is an excellent point.

To the average person, the difference between 10 million dollars and 20 millions dollars is just unfathomable. When you are making 10 million dollars, I'm sure you will then see the true reality between those two figures. Their houses are just that more expensive than the average person. Their schools turn into private schools. The trainers, agents, etc. It adds up relative to the amount you make.

[b]Lets not forget about taxes, this is also relative.[/b]

[FerrariFan87]

It's all about market value, ladies and gentlemen... if there weren't the BILLIONS of dollars coming in via TV revenue, the salaries wouldn't be what they are because the money, sponsors, etc. wouldn't be there either.

[BirdWatcher]

And don't forget that, realistically, this is Ray's LAST chance for a big contract. What he gets now is to set him up for life after football.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Moderator 2' post='147690' date='Jan 30 2009, 05:30 PM']Most of us have 30 to 40 years to make our money, average life for a pro-football players is 3 to 4 years. So you need to make enough money to live off of in that time.[/quote]

Just to play devil's advocate...

You mean to tell me that they can't get a job after their football career is over?

[flynismo]

[quote name='Moderator 3' post='147708' date='Jan 30 2009, 06:28 PM']And don't forget that, realistically, this is Ray's LAST chance for a big contract. What he gets now is to set him up for life after football.[/quote]


I dunno, he must have earned close to $100M in his career, if not more, including his endorsements and such...I dunno bout you, but I could live on $100M for the rest of my life.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='flynismo' post='147711' date='Jan 30 2009, 06:38 PM']Just to play devil's advocate...

You mean to tell me that they can't get a job after their football career is over?[/quote]
Many football players never finish their college education, or simply coasted through college and high school because of their athletic ability. The latter is basically the jock stereotype.

Although most football players are much more educated these days, many have never had a real job and cannot find careers after football. Though the popular decision these days is to enter the world of sports broadcasting and journalism, only a few ever make a career out of it.

We see plenty of football players as analysts on TV -- but that only represents maybe 10% of the players who try their hand at broadcasting. The majority of them are never signed to a major network, and the few that are, usually don't last very long unless they are a big enough name or become good enough at what they do to justify further employment.

Sportscasting really isn't as easy as a lot of people think.

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='flynismo' post='147712' date='Jan 30 2009, 06:41 PM']I dunno, he must have earned close to $100M in his career, if not more, including his endorsements and such...I dunno bout you, but I could live on $100M for the rest of my life.[/quote]
Yeah, you probably could, but you are not Ray Lewis. Once you have obtained a certain standard of living it is difficult to give it up. I'm sure that Ray would like to maintain his current standard of living for the rest of his life - who wouldn't. Having said that, I am fairly certain that Ray would have a lot of opportunities open to him once his playing career is over. He is articulate, I could see a broadcasting/journalist opportunity available. With his high level of recognition, due to his stellar football career, the opportunities should be endless for him.

[flynismo]

[quote name='kash96ravenstotalfan' post='147716' date='Jan 30 2009, 07:01 PM']Yeah, you probably could, but you are not Ray Lewis. [b]Once you have obtained a certain standard of living it is difficult to give it up[/b]. I'm sure that Ray would like to maintain his current standard of living for the rest of his life - who wouldn't. Having said that, I am fairly certain that Ray would have a lot of opportunities open to him once his playing career is over. He is articulate, I could see a broadcasting/journalist opportunity available. With his high level of recognition, due to his stellar football career, the opportunities should be endless for him.[/quote]


So you admit he's greedy then...

[Rocky Mountain Raven]

[quote name='flynismo' post='147721' date='Jan 30 2009, 06:36 PM']So you admit he's greedy then...[/quote]

Ha ha ha, seriously, do you guys even hear yourselves? A certain standard of living, this is his last chance for a big contract, they coasted through college or didnt finish. So what. Like flynismo said, they can go get a job, but they or they're kids wont have to.

[flynismo]

Yeah, I'm all for these guys making all the money they can. It's not like they don't earn it.
But there is also a lot of greed involved, that's all I'm saying....I mean seriously, what is that extra $5M going to get you that the first $100M+ can't?
Besides that, anyone with an ounce of sense and a halfass financial advisor can take a "measly" $10M and turn it into a nestegg that will last generations.

[Sub-Zero]

and if not, they can always consult Ms. Suzie Orman

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='flynismo' post='147721' date='Jan 30 2009, 07:36 PM']So you admit he's greedy then...[/quote]
No - I admit that he is human and is looking out for what is best for him and his family. Wouldn't you do the same?

[PIG 20]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' post='147677' date='Jan 30 2009, 04:50 PM']ok say im Ray Lewis. I get a 30 million dollar offer to play for the Jets. And i get a 20 million dollar offer to play for baltimore the city that i love. why not take the 20? why do pro athletes take the higher number to go to a place less fun to play when either way they are going to be making more money than they really need, and WAAYYY more than the normal person. WHY? WHY ARE THEY SO GREEDY??[/quote]


Because the league is set up as "what have you done for me lately". A player can be dumped from a team for any reason regardless of a contract. If Ray wants the money, then he'll take the money. If he feels that securing his personal future is more important, then I can't sit here and say he's wrong.

Either way there is nothing we can do about it. If Ray moves on, so will the Ravens and their fans. It's just the nature of the business. Very rarely do you ever see a John Ogden in this league anymore. Starts and finishes his career with one team. Think about it, who would have ever thought that Brett Favre would have left Green Bay to QB the Jets? And it wasn't even a money thing for Brett.

I would love for Ray Lewis to finish his career in Baltimore. But if it comes at the expense of hurting this franchise for years to come, then I can't say that I agree with Ray staying. I know Ozzie will do the right thing. As a fan, having winning and competitive seasons is the most important thing to me at this point. I don't want to ever become the Bengals or Browns of this division.

[Eurich]

With 20 million you can be set for life if you manage your money well.

[flynismo]

[quote name='kash96ravenstotalfan' post='147726' date='Jan 30 2009, 08:04 PM']No - I admit that he is human and is looking out for what is best for him and his family. Wouldn't you do the same?[/quote]

No offense, but how do you know what's best for his family? Wouldn't you think that things like the roots he has in Baltimore should factor in as much as cash does?

And sorry, but doing whatever it takes to sustain "a certain lifestyle"....what lifestyle is that, exactly? He needs to make payments on his mansions, Ferraris and Hummers? Sounds like greed more than looking out for his family's best interests. If best interests were a concern, he'd be like Polamalu and drive some POS Toyota, and put the rest of his money away.

[ravens27]

[quote name='Eurich' post='147737' date='Jan 30 2009, 09:25 PM']With 20 million you can be set for life if you manage your money well.[/quote]

I agree. With 5 million you could maybe be set for life.

[ROH522155]

i see what you all are saying but i just wonder if we (normal people) can get by with what we earn, why is taking a "paycut" such a big deal? especially if you know that the place offering you less is where you really belong

[theFRANCHISE]

The main thing that I've noticed in this thread is, where is the line of greed being drawn? Is it so wrong for a man to live a luxurious lifestyle? Is it wrong for a man to want to give his family every luxury in the world?

More importantly, in his position, would you not be tempted to do the same?

To me, greed is not giving back to your community when you're in a position to do so. Greed is being miserly with your fortune and serving only yourself rather than others. Greed is living a life of privilege with no intent or desire to do good.

Has Ray Lewis not given back to the city of Baltimore and his hometown of Lakeland, FL? Has Ray Lewis not taken care of his mother and his kids and the rest of his family? Has Ray Lewis not done speaking appearances to try to connect with youth?

My argument is, people are using such dramatic examples of greed, that they're overlooking the good that wealth and fame have done and can do.

As for these contract negotiations, the fact of the matter is, we know not of what Ray Lewis wants or needs in deciding whether or not to remain a Raven. It's easy for us to say that he should remain a Raven if he loves the game and the city of Baltimore. But, isn't it also unfair of us to demand that he sacrifice his body for our enjoyment without him getting compensation that is proportionate to his worth?

I've seen people (not necessarily on here) that want him to return for $5 million or $10 million. $20 million is the popular figure. And y'know, I can't argue against $20 million. But we are not football experts, as much as we claim to be. We know nothing of the business side of football, even though we may pretend to. We have never negotiated a professional athlete's contract, so we cannot say that we are completely knowledgeable of the process in which they are handled.

In other words: just let things be. What will happen, will happen. It's all between the front office and Ray Lewis' people. If Ray Lewis comes back in purple-and-black this fall, we'll all forget this conversation ever happen and regret ever saying that Ray Lewis was entirely motivated by money. And if he doesn't, then who knows how much more blown out of proportion this can get.

[ROH522155]

[quote name='flynismo' post='147740' date='Jan 30 2009, 10:28 PM']No offense, but how do you know what's best for his family? Wouldn't you think that things like the roots he has in Baltimore should factor in as much as cash does?

And sorry, but doing whatever it takes to sustain "a certain lifestyle"....what lifestyle is that, exactly? He needs to make payments on his mansions, Ferraris and Hummers? Sounds like greed more than looking out for his family's best interests. If best interests were a concern, he'd be like Polamalu and drive some POS Toyota, and put the rest of his money away.[/quote]


or Joe Flacco. He JUST got his first car and lives in an apartment. but im sure that will change soon a little bit but i dont see Joe going out and buying huge houses and 10 expensive cars

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' post='147761' date='Jan 30 2009, 09:44 PM']i see what you all are saying but i just wonder if we (normal people) can get by with what we earn, why is taking a "paycut" such a big deal? especially if you know that the place offering you less is where you really belong[/quote]
The problem is, as much as we try to humanize pro athletes, they are not normal people. We put them on a pedestal, so it's our own fault that their level of celebrity makes them different. They are forced to live a different lifestyle because they are in the public eye. It's important to note, however, that just because the lifestyle is different, doesn't mean it has to be lavish or extravagant.

You can have nice things and still not be living a "wealthy" lifestyle.

A paycut is a big deal because the difference [i]can be[/i] exponentially larger for an athlete; I'm not saying this is necessarily the case with Ray Lewis, but it's a possibility. And again, as I've beaten to death, the lifestyle and expenses are different.

[ROH522155]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='147774' date='Jan 30 2009, 10:51 PM']The main thing that I've noticed in this thread is, where is the line of greed being drawn? Is it so wrong for a man to live a luxurious lifestyle? Is it wrong for a man to want to give his family every luxury in the world?

More importantly, in his position, would you not be tempted to do the same?

To me, greed is not giving back to your community when you're in a position to do so. Greed is being miserly with your fortune and serving only yourself rather than others. Greed is living a life of privilege with no intent or desire to do good.

Has Ray Lewis not given back to the city of Baltimore and his hometown of Lakeland, FL? Has Ray Lewis not taken care of his mother and his kids and the rest of his family? Has Ray Lewis not done speaking appearances to try to connect with youth?

My argument is, people are using such dramatic examples of greed, that they're overlooking the good that wealth and fame have done and can do.

As for these contract negotiations, the fact of the matter is, we know not of what Ray Lewis wants or needs in deciding whether or not to remain a Raven. It's easy for us to say that he should remain a Raven if he loves the game and the city of Baltimore. But, isn't it also unfair of us to demand that he sacrifice his body for our enjoyment without him getting compensation that is proportionate to his worth?

I've seen people (not necessarily on here) that want him to return for $5 million or $10 million. $20 million is the popular figure. And y'know, I can't argue against $20 million. But we are not football experts, as much as we claim to be. We know nothing of the business side of football, even though we may pretend to. We have never negotiated a professional athlete's contract, so we cannot say that we are completely knowledgeable of the process in which they are handled.

In other words: just let things be. What will happen, will happen. It's all between the front office and Ray Lewis' people. If Ray Lewis comes back in purple-and-black this fall, we'll all forget this conversation ever happen and regret ever saying that Ray Lewis was entirely motivated by money. And if he doesn't, then who knows how much more blown out of proportion this can get.[/quote]


just so everyone knows i wasnt saying ray lewis is greedy i was just using him as an example. and i also think that there is nothing wrong with living a luxurious lifestyle.

[ravens27]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' post='147779' date='Jan 30 2009, 09:53 PM']or Joe Flacco. He JUST got his first car and lives in an apartment. but im sure that will change soon a little bit but i dont see Joe going out and buying huge houses and 10 expensive cars[/quote]

I agree, Joe just seems different.

[McBoller]

I couldnt stand reading past 3 or 4 posts...

it comes down to one word, entitlement.

Professional athletes come into a given league, whether it be NFL, NBA, MLB, etc... Thinking they are entitled to the lavish lifestyle of everyone else with "money." Maybe part of it is peer pressure, but whatever it is they all seem to be compelled to max out on every bit of their "money" and would jump at the chance to make more and take it a step further. Im sure if Ray had one house big enough for his family to live in and drove one, maybe two cars and shopped at the Mall he would never notice the difference in another $10million. But when daily expenditures exceed what a normal person would fret over for a month you can see why he would want it...
And worse than that, it all has to be kept up once the carrer is over. Its hard to go from Filet Mignon to London Broil come retirement