While some people endorse the high salaries paid to professional athletes based on achievement, others believe they get paid excessively. This essay will discuss both views and elaborate on my standpoint that these two worlds can co-exist.
Career athletes, such as top golfers, can easily earn a few million dollars annually. Being paid excessively is due to lucrative sponsorships by big brands or clubs that pay to have a player on their team. These viewership-focused companies aim to convince spectators to purchase their product, and as a result, the players benefit hugely. For instance, Cartier would sponsor a Formula-1 driver with a few million to endorse a watch. The money paid is usually over the top, and proponents of the view that people earn too much in this field question if the individual truly deserves such riches. Instead, they may argue that such spending seems immoral and should rather be invested in funding sports development, where communities with hundreds of individuals can benefit. As such, they believe that career athletes get paid way too much in total, for reasons beyond talent and fair earnings.
On the other hand, people who stand for the fact that sports heroes deserve their millionaire salaries and endorsements consider factors strongly associated with the career. Firstly, the high risk of injury can be seen as a justifying factor for being paid accordingly. Many players engage in brute physical contact, thereby running a greater risk of bodily harm. For instance, NFL players are known to succumb to head trauma rather frequently. They also get paid very well. Similarly, due to the physical nature of sports, a career in this field has a shorter lifespan, and the high payment, along with sponsorship benefits, makes up for this, as the player will have many years ahead without such an income. Overall, it could be argued that these sportsmen deserve to get paid handsomely due to the risks taken and the associated awe.
In my view, sports heroes get paid too much if we consider the greater needs of society. The endorsement of individuals can take place and has some merit based on sports risks and being desired brand ambassadors, as long as companies also engage in corporate social investment. I posit that instead of one person receiving millions, what seems more fair is a reduced quantity. I think that there is a greater need worldwide for upliftment of sports centre facilities and assisting young players. Companies can still sponsor such initiatives and get brand exposure, whilst a whole community can benefit instead of a single entity.
In conclusion, the essay has evaluated and given examples of why some might believe a high payment in the sports world is justified, whilst some believe it is not. My opinion on a possible compromise was highlighted for the reason that both the sports hero and the grass-roots community may benefit should funds be redistributed.