Is it your business?

Public employees, I can see the need to ask. Athletes aren't public employees.

 

Salary determines whether a team will sign a player or if they can sign a player or if they can keep a player or why a player may be holding out.

The last time it wasn't news was perhaps 1975.

 

Big difference, though, is that most of those public workers aren't doing their job on TV for the whole world to see.

 

The reason those guys make their ginormous salaries is because of the public's interest in them. So it is the public's business to know how much they make. If there were no public, there would be no interest.

 

Not sure you can really go down that road.

The reason Steve Jobs makes his ginormous salary is because of the public's interest in what his company produces. So it is the public's business to know how much he makes. If there were no public, there would be no interest in what his company produces.

"Interest" doesn't really work as a justification.

 

Some beat reporters are as well known as some columnists.

 

Being well-known isn't the same as your value to the business being your notoriety.

 

How much for slinging burgers?

 

In the sense that teams have salary budgets (baseball, except the Yanks) or salary caps (most everything else) to worry about and that competitive decisions are made on this basis, not only does the public have a right to know it becomes essential information.
Does the public have a right to know how the athlete spends his money? No, although many athletes forfeit their right to privacy in this area by showing off their goods. But you need to know how much the first baseman makes to know whether there'll be enough money left for a good 4th starter.

 

You're right. I'm terribly sorry for questioning you.

 

On a yearly basis? $6k

 

Don't let it happen again.