Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Yankees
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/help/faq.jsp
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=3224138
Monday, April 14, 2008
Companies
NFL - http://www.nfl.com/contact-us
MLB - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/help/contact_us.jsp
NBA - http://www.nba.com/webAction?actionId=surveyInitialize&target=/email_us/email_form_041027.jsp&surveyId=1511
NHL - http://www.nhl.com/nhlhq/index.html
NEA - http://www.nea.org/aboutnea/contact.html
MLB - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/help/contact_us.jsp
NBA - http://www.nba.com/webAction?actionId=surveyInitialize&target=/email_us/email_form_041027.jsp&surveyId=1511
NHL - http://www.nhl.com/nhlhq/index.html
NEA - http://www.nea.org/aboutnea/contact.html
Project 2
Conor Allen
Professor Kathleen Robinson
Analytic and Persuasive Writing
2 April 2008
A Closer Look at Professional Athletes’ Salaries
Over the past few decades, a topic that has accumulated much debate is the issue of professional athletes’ salaries. Currently, the trend is for athletes getting paid more and more every year, which is a concern of many, especially people who are employed, because they are the ones being treated unfairly. Athletes who play in the four main sports, consisting of baseball, basketball, football and hockey make quantities of money unheard of for most other profession. The high payment of athletes happens all around the world but is especially prominent in the United States. Because this is such a large-scale issue it has risen much debate. Debaters find many reasons to support or disagree with the high compensation professional athletes receive. Exploring the reasons for or against high salary compensation in professional athletics is best performed by looking at salaries earned by other professions, the services that athletes provide, and the role high salaries have on the integrity of the game.
At one time, professional athletes were paid amounts commensurate with their talent, which is unimaginable considering the salaries earned by some players. Over the past few decades, professional athletes’ salaries have grown exponentially, which makes understanding how an athlete could be worth so much money very difficult. For example, the most expensive contract in sport’s history was given to Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees in 2000. He signed a ten-year contract for 252 million dollars (Woolford). This figure breaks down to 25.2 million dollars a year, which obviously raises public attention, due to the huge salary compensation. Is playing baseball or any other sport worth the amount of money these athletes are being paid? When comparing the salary of an athlete to other professions it is easy to see that these salaries are in fact, unnecessary and unfair to other occupations who are not fairly compensated.
One argument that is usually used when discussing professional athletes’ salaries is evident when comparing the salaries earned by athletes to other professions. For example, “While baseball players make an average of $2.9 million, the average pay for teachers in the United States was $46,597 during the 2003-04 school year” (Woolford). When analyzing this statistic, it is easy to feel as though America is sending the wrong message to its children. Many argue that paying athletes this much more than teachers is telling children that athletics are more important than school and an education. Another example of unfair compensation is Kevin Weaver, a police officer from Concord, North Carolina who earns $64,000 a year (Parade). This says America values athletics more than the safety and protection that police officers provide. This trend of unequal salary distribution is evident with other professions as well. Even doctors who save lives and take care of America’s sick and injured usually earns less in a whole lifetime than some professional athletes make in a single year such as Shaquille O’Neal who made 20 million dollars in his 2005-2006 season (Woolford). This financial distribution is undeniable askew, but with the current trend of high salaries, professional athletes have the upper hand of an unbalanced distribution of wealth due to a low supply of superior athletes and a high demand to see them play.
While athletes provide a service of great entertainment to many people all around the world, their services are as said, entertainment only and not a necessity. Athletics may provide other services such as a unique opportunity for ex-athletes to stay involved with the game they love, but there are many people who would not care if sports were televised. As discussed earlier, there is other professions that arguably deserve higher salaries because the services they provide are a necessity rather than for entertainment purposes. Doctors, police officers, and teachers are needed yet; they make much less money due to America’s love and fascination for sports. These occupations are an absolute necessity and perform their job fully knowing they will not make fortunes doing what is expected of them. Many athletes however have been corrupted by money and crave more for doing a job that used to be a pleasure to them.
Since the rise of salaries has started taking place, many of the major sports, which include baseball, football, hockey and basketball have changed. Strikes have occured, unions, and holdouts because players want more money. Critics of athletes’ high salaries argue that these actions are evidence that money corrupts the game and hurts the integrity of the game. Athletes find many reasons for wanting more money, but their persistence usually comes from jealousy. For example, While Alex Rodriguez makes 25.2 million each year Derek Jeter who also plays for the Yankees gets 20 plus million a year (Woolford). This situation has the potential for Jeter or any other player in the MLB to feel underappreciated and ask for more money. Situations like these start what could be an endless cycle of athletes repeatedly asking for more money, damaging the integrity of the game. Critics of these high salaries constantly argue this point, arguing that the money becomes more important than playing a game that the athlete loves. These critics are usually fans and worry the money gets in the way of “the love of the game” which leads to strikes such as the NHL strike in 2004. Athletes want more and more money to fuel their habitual spending ways. Professional athletes have grown accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle such as multiple homes and cars that are rarely used. While critics say this luxurious lifestyle is undeserved there are supporters of the athletes who believe every penny is earned and some deserve more.
Do athletes truly deserve the amount of money they are being paid to simply play a game? While the practical thinkers say no, many would argue yes due to the commercialization of sports large amounts of money is being made off of the athletes. For example, sports writers, television and radio personalities are all paid six or seven figure salaries simply to describe what the athletes do. Especially owners of sports teams also have the unique opportunity to own their favorite team and then sell them for an enormous profit, which dwarfs the athletes’ salaries. This tendency occurs in many leagues such as the National Football League or Major League Baseball. In 1988 the Baltimore Orioles were purchased for 70 million dollars then sold again in 1993 for 173 million dollars (Morrison). Television advertisers also have the opportunity to make money off of athletes and will pay lots of money to do so. In 1995, advertisers paid an average of 1.2 million dollars for a thirty-second commercial spot during the Super Bowl (Morrision). Athletes attract lots of attention and are the reason why people come to see games. The excitements these athletes provide attract fans, which bring in the funding which pays the owners. This excitement is the reason why many argue athletes do deserve the money they earn. For example, in 1998 the homerun race between Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals and Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs. The buzz created to see if these players could beat the home run record brought in record sales and benefited the team (Simmons). Overall, a person who agrees with athletes’ high salaries could easily argue that an athlete is worth the money he or she is being paid, simply by showing the money that is being made off of them.
While many feel that these salaries are unwarranted, Adam Smith gave many reasons in The Wealth of Nations why a particular profession deserves increased wages. One of the reasons Smith gave for higher compensation is due to the special intelligence or special skills that the person possesses (Bok 10). Because few people possess the talents professional athletes have, the demands for their services exceed the supply so they can charge a higher price for their services. The demand to watch professional sports is no doubt high, so athletes are able to ask for high salaries and the owners can easily pay them. For instance, Michael Jordan was paid 36 million dollars to play his last season with the Chicago Bulls (Anderson). The owner know Michael Jordan brings in revenue so he made money off the decision to pay Jordan so much money for only one year. The salaries earned may seem excessive, but due to the demand to see these athletes play, the athlete can continue to ask for high salaries.
Exploring the reasons for or against high salary compensation in professional athletics is best done by looking at salaries earned by other professions, the services that athletes provide, and the role high salaries have on the game. Professional athletes have been receiving more and more compensation for the same service that they provided decades ago and were paid an amount commensurate of their talent. Presently athletes earn huge salaries, which sparks debate among people all over the world. Salaries have skyrocketed for these gifted athletes, which may or may not be deserved. Professional athletes have a unique gift of being the best in the world at their sport. With the low supply of extraordinary athletes and high demand to see them play, economics allows them to be paid the salaries they are fortunate enough to earn. When comparing the salary of a professional athlete to other professions such as doctors or teachers, obviously America and other countries around the world have mixed-up priorities. The service that these athletes provide may not be imperative but the America has shown an addiction to athletics. One could have a strong argument that these high salaries hurt the integrity of the game while others say it embellishes the game. Whether one is for or against the high compensation these athletes are paid seems to be irrelevant. Athletics has taken a firm grip on American culture and athletes will be rewarded as though they were kings.
Professor Kathleen Robinson
Analytic and Persuasive Writing
2 April 2008
A Closer Look at Professional Athletes’ Salaries
Over the past few decades, a topic that has accumulated much debate is the issue of professional athletes’ salaries. Currently, the trend is for athletes getting paid more and more every year, which is a concern of many, especially people who are employed, because they are the ones being treated unfairly. Athletes who play in the four main sports, consisting of baseball, basketball, football and hockey make quantities of money unheard of for most other profession. The high payment of athletes happens all around the world but is especially prominent in the United States. Because this is such a large-scale issue it has risen much debate. Debaters find many reasons to support or disagree with the high compensation professional athletes receive. Exploring the reasons for or against high salary compensation in professional athletics is best performed by looking at salaries earned by other professions, the services that athletes provide, and the role high salaries have on the integrity of the game.
At one time, professional athletes were paid amounts commensurate with their talent, which is unimaginable considering the salaries earned by some players. Over the past few decades, professional athletes’ salaries have grown exponentially, which makes understanding how an athlete could be worth so much money very difficult. For example, the most expensive contract in sport’s history was given to Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees in 2000. He signed a ten-year contract for 252 million dollars (Woolford). This figure breaks down to 25.2 million dollars a year, which obviously raises public attention, due to the huge salary compensation. Is playing baseball or any other sport worth the amount of money these athletes are being paid? When comparing the salary of an athlete to other professions it is easy to see that these salaries are in fact, unnecessary and unfair to other occupations who are not fairly compensated.
One argument that is usually used when discussing professional athletes’ salaries is evident when comparing the salaries earned by athletes to other professions. For example, “While baseball players make an average of $2.9 million, the average pay for teachers in the United States was $46,597 during the 2003-04 school year” (Woolford). When analyzing this statistic, it is easy to feel as though America is sending the wrong message to its children. Many argue that paying athletes this much more than teachers is telling children that athletics are more important than school and an education. Another example of unfair compensation is Kevin Weaver, a police officer from Concord, North Carolina who earns $64,000 a year (Parade). This says America values athletics more than the safety and protection that police officers provide. This trend of unequal salary distribution is evident with other professions as well. Even doctors who save lives and take care of America’s sick and injured usually earns less in a whole lifetime than some professional athletes make in a single year such as Shaquille O’Neal who made 20 million dollars in his 2005-2006 season (Woolford). This financial distribution is undeniable askew, but with the current trend of high salaries, professional athletes have the upper hand of an unbalanced distribution of wealth due to a low supply of superior athletes and a high demand to see them play.
While athletes provide a service of great entertainment to many people all around the world, their services are as said, entertainment only and not a necessity. Athletics may provide other services such as a unique opportunity for ex-athletes to stay involved with the game they love, but there are many people who would not care if sports were televised. As discussed earlier, there is other professions that arguably deserve higher salaries because the services they provide are a necessity rather than for entertainment purposes. Doctors, police officers, and teachers are needed yet; they make much less money due to America’s love and fascination for sports. These occupations are an absolute necessity and perform their job fully knowing they will not make fortunes doing what is expected of them. Many athletes however have been corrupted by money and crave more for doing a job that used to be a pleasure to them.
Since the rise of salaries has started taking place, many of the major sports, which include baseball, football, hockey and basketball have changed. Strikes have occured, unions, and holdouts because players want more money. Critics of athletes’ high salaries argue that these actions are evidence that money corrupts the game and hurts the integrity of the game. Athletes find many reasons for wanting more money, but their persistence usually comes from jealousy. For example, While Alex Rodriguez makes 25.2 million each year Derek Jeter who also plays for the Yankees gets 20 plus million a year (Woolford). This situation has the potential for Jeter or any other player in the MLB to feel underappreciated and ask for more money. Situations like these start what could be an endless cycle of athletes repeatedly asking for more money, damaging the integrity of the game. Critics of these high salaries constantly argue this point, arguing that the money becomes more important than playing a game that the athlete loves. These critics are usually fans and worry the money gets in the way of “the love of the game” which leads to strikes such as the NHL strike in 2004. Athletes want more and more money to fuel their habitual spending ways. Professional athletes have grown accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle such as multiple homes and cars that are rarely used. While critics say this luxurious lifestyle is undeserved there are supporters of the athletes who believe every penny is earned and some deserve more.
Do athletes truly deserve the amount of money they are being paid to simply play a game? While the practical thinkers say no, many would argue yes due to the commercialization of sports large amounts of money is being made off of the athletes. For example, sports writers, television and radio personalities are all paid six or seven figure salaries simply to describe what the athletes do. Especially owners of sports teams also have the unique opportunity to own their favorite team and then sell them for an enormous profit, which dwarfs the athletes’ salaries. This tendency occurs in many leagues such as the National Football League or Major League Baseball. In 1988 the Baltimore Orioles were purchased for 70 million dollars then sold again in 1993 for 173 million dollars (Morrison). Television advertisers also have the opportunity to make money off of athletes and will pay lots of money to do so. In 1995, advertisers paid an average of 1.2 million dollars for a thirty-second commercial spot during the Super Bowl (Morrision). Athletes attract lots of attention and are the reason why people come to see games. The excitements these athletes provide attract fans, which bring in the funding which pays the owners. This excitement is the reason why many argue athletes do deserve the money they earn. For example, in 1998 the homerun race between Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals and Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs. The buzz created to see if these players could beat the home run record brought in record sales and benefited the team (Simmons). Overall, a person who agrees with athletes’ high salaries could easily argue that an athlete is worth the money he or she is being paid, simply by showing the money that is being made off of them.
While many feel that these salaries are unwarranted, Adam Smith gave many reasons in The Wealth of Nations why a particular profession deserves increased wages. One of the reasons Smith gave for higher compensation is due to the special intelligence or special skills that the person possesses (Bok 10). Because few people possess the talents professional athletes have, the demands for their services exceed the supply so they can charge a higher price for their services. The demand to watch professional sports is no doubt high, so athletes are able to ask for high salaries and the owners can easily pay them. For instance, Michael Jordan was paid 36 million dollars to play his last season with the Chicago Bulls (Anderson). The owner know Michael Jordan brings in revenue so he made money off the decision to pay Jordan so much money for only one year. The salaries earned may seem excessive, but due to the demand to see these athletes play, the athlete can continue to ask for high salaries.
Exploring the reasons for or against high salary compensation in professional athletics is best done by looking at salaries earned by other professions, the services that athletes provide, and the role high salaries have on the game. Professional athletes have been receiving more and more compensation for the same service that they provided decades ago and were paid an amount commensurate of their talent. Presently athletes earn huge salaries, which sparks debate among people all over the world. Salaries have skyrocketed for these gifted athletes, which may or may not be deserved. Professional athletes have a unique gift of being the best in the world at their sport. With the low supply of extraordinary athletes and high demand to see them play, economics allows them to be paid the salaries they are fortunate enough to earn. When comparing the salary of a professional athlete to other professions such as doctors or teachers, obviously America and other countries around the world have mixed-up priorities. The service that these athletes provide may not be imperative but the America has shown an addiction to athletics. One could have a strong argument that these high salaries hurt the integrity of the game while others say it embellishes the game. Whether one is for or against the high compensation these athletes are paid seems to be irrelevant. Athletics has taken a firm grip on American culture and athletes will be rewarded as though they were kings.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
rhetorical Appeals
Ethos- All professions value money, work that goes into being great at a profession
Ethos/Logos- Logically doctors/teachers deserve more money
Logos- Average NBA salary 4 million dollars average teacher salary 45,000 dollars
Logos/Pathos- Doctors rarely make the amounts of money in their entire career that some athletes make in a single season
Pathos- People who are necessary for a society to function should make more money than entertainment based professions such as professional athletes.
Pathos/Ethos- Teachers and other professions know they wont make loads of money and still they do their job because they love it unlike many profession athletes who consistently ask for more money to play a game.
Pathos/Ethos/Logos- Unfair salary distribution
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