We’ve written some articles on inflated contracts, on how star athletes have spent fortunes most of us could only dream about, and on how it affects the price of things in and around the ball parks. So why not stick with what where good at.
Joe Maur, twenty six (yeah that’s right….26), catcher for the Minnesota Twins lands a 184 Million dollar contract for eight (8) years. Now not accounting for taxes, agent fees, and most likely the million or two he has to pay everyone else behind the scenes. That’s 23 million dollars a year he will get to play baseball. Now listen, I’m all for Joe Maur. Your talking about a guy who has been the MLB’s MVP, won American League batting titles, and even has a handful of Golden Gloves. I’m not saying a high price isn’t deserving but it is upsetting.
I’m questioning the exaggerated salary because it isn’t helping the MLB or professional sports. The next sports figure who has a banner five (5) years is going to want more for less and now their agents are like sharks in an ocean with blood.
The cost of professional sports is hurting the average fan in more way than one and I don’t like it! I love the ballpark, I love the atmosphere, what I don’t love is the $235,000 Bentley parked in the LOTTERY WINNER’S lot.
What are your thoughts?
The players want a share of what the owners and MLB are making. Hence, the high contracts as those two entities are making huge money. As I said on a previous topic, until the fans stop paying these ridiculous ticket prices nothing will change. There are too many people in this country making too much money. They spend it on skyboxes that cost 40,000 a season to rent, or buying ticktes on Ebay for 500 a game. Riciculous. I remember when I went to double headers(now used only for rainout games)for 1.50 and sat in the third row of the grandstands. Maybe capitalism isn’t the best economic system out there?
NO POLITICS ALLOWED!
EXCUUUUUUUUUUUSE ME!
Joe your right, I remember going to games as a young lad in the 60′s and watching 2 for the price of one, about a buck fifty for a ticket on Sundays. Programs were 25 cents, popcorn was a dime, hot dogs were 15 cents and in less than 4 hours both games were over. You were at the ballpark at 11am and home before 6pm two games later.
As far as capitalism, that’s what makes America great! Amen to anyone who wants to work (or play a game) and get as much money as the market will allow for their services at a given time!!! Make the buck while you can, that’s America baby!!
Is it pricing the average fan out of the stands, YES! So be it, eventually the system will collapse in on itself and then correct itself. It’s happened over and over again over the years since the beginning of our great country. While the prices go up, sometimes at an inflated rate they always reverse them selves, come down and then do the slow burn up again, that’s capitalism. Athletes, whether pro or collegiate get to much compensation right now for their abilities, all celebrities do, actors and so on. Eventually it will all collapse, people will stop going to the sporting events, movies, etc., because they won’t be able to afford it any longer. Then the collapse will happen, salaries will straighten out and normal inflation will take place. It’s happening right now in our economy, it happened in baseball about 25 years ago, it happened at the movies about 15 years ago and it’s going to happen in football next year.
God Bless American and the free enterprise (capitalistic) system. It’s the best place in the world to live, consider yourself a lottery winner just by being born in this country!!
David, I agree with your assessment of capitalism, although I don’ see a collapse anytime soon. Guess we will just have to put up with the ticket prices for awhile.
Ticket prices are here to stay. It will take a “great depression” for them to fall off again.
Unless the MLB loses 50% of it’s fan base somehow and can’t actually afford to pay the players will everything fall. A good old fashion strike might do it.
I just look at the prices for seats and cringe. A buck fifty for a seat is never going happen and sad to say neither is dime popcorn, or .56 gas. I have no problem paying a FAIR dollar to see a game. But the reality is it doesn’t matter what the price of the seat is whether its 100 bucks or 1000 bucks a seat. I’m still gonna buy a nacho and at least 5 beers. I wish the MLB and other professional sports would see is without butts in the seats, they aren’t selling the beer and nachos. And maybe a left over Kenny Chesney t-shirt from the night before. Dave its good to see you back…..
uuuhhh son…If i was still in the league they would be payin me the biggest contract uuhhh. The most electrifying man in sports uuuhhh, left and right son!