Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen think NBA players should get paid for Olympics

[MisterCreosote]

Allen basically thinks players are leaving too much money on the table in order to go overseas and play. Wade seems to believe that compensation should come not only for playing, but for Team USA jersey sales, too.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/18477891/ray-allen-and-dwyane-wade-think-players-should-be-paid-for-the-olympics

 

[Baron Scicluna]

They do have a point in terms of the physical toll on their bodies. I get the whole patriotism thing, but since there is money that is being made (jersey sales), they should get a cut of that too.

 

[cranberry]

They're right. The Olympics are a huge business.

 

[Gehrig]

I don't see what's wrong with his comments. Wade's saying that he prefer compensation over no compensation. It's not like he's saying he wouldn't play if he's not getting paid.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Yeah, I figured as soon as they let professional players into the Olympics, that this was coming eventually.

But if they pay the NBA guys, or the NHL guys, don't they have to abandon any pretense of amateur competition and just pay everyone?

Athletes already get compensated if they win medals.

 

[TigerVols]

I don't think they should be paid to play.

But they should get a cut of jersey and other paraphernalia sales; just like the cyclists on TEAM USA should receive a cut of the money paid by Trek to promote their bikes.

 

[KJIM]

They can just not play if it's not worth it to them.

 

[93Devil]

They should go **** themselves.

You don't think Nike got a huge bump in jersey sales in China when Kobe went over there to play? If they don't want to play, then fine. **** them. Their sponsors will make them play.

 

[Double Down]

Only NBC should make billions of dollars.

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

Or the IOC.

 

[93Devil]

But to say that these guys are not being compinsated for being in the Olympics is not correct.
If they do not understand that expanding their own personal brand or name to the world does not have immense value, then they need new agents.

 

[As The Crow Flies]

I don't understand the venom toward Wade and Allen. A cut of the merchandise sales sounds extremely reasonable considering the amount of money floating around the Olympics.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Patriotism, schmatriotism.

Yes, the United States and other countries have framed their periodic ****-measuring affair in those terms, but that doesn't mean that we or the athletes have to buy into it.

Pay the man.

 

[Double Down]

Devil, let's say someone payed a billion dollars form the rights to SJ. And SJ got this billion by promoting and selling copies of your posts. You were a big part of the appeal, let's say. And when the SJ I overlords responded to your inquires about their obscene profits by saying "Well, this will just raise your profile. We get a billion and your get to be more-widely known. It's up to you from there."

How would that make you feel?

The Olympics, much like the NCAA, is not what it once was. It's a business. Much like the Ryder Cup. Someone gets paid a huge amount of money. For the life of me, I can't understand why you want it to be a huge corrupt organization and want the labor to continue to be free just because it's always been that way.

 

[93Devil]

And how much should baseball and soccer players be paid?

If Wade and Allen to not want to be paid, let another player take their spot.

 

[Dick Whitman]

And how much should baseball and soccer players be paid?

Whatever they can get.

 

[Double Down]

More free labor! Shut up and like it and let the rich make their ******* money! If you won't work for pennies a day for the good of the State, perhaps someone in China will!

Right?

 

[93Devil]

Devil, let's say someone payed a billion dollars form the rights to SJ. And SJ got this billion by promoting and selling copies of your posts. You were a big part of the appeal, let's say. And when the SJ I overlords responded to your inquires about their obscene profits by saying "Well, this will just raise your profile. We get a billion and your get to be more-widely known. It's up to you from there."

How would that make you feel?

The Olympics, much like the NCAA, is not what it once was. It's a business. Much like the Ryder Cup. Someone gets paid a huge amount of money. For the life of me, I can't understand why you want it to be a huge corrupt organization and want the labor to continue to be free just because it's always been that way.

If I was making $10 mil a season, like these guys, I would not give a ****.

I would feel much better about paying the third best fencer we have than these guys.

 

[Dick Whitman]

In fairness, there is a long tradition in the Western world of laboring patriotically for your benevolent state overlords.

 

[cranberry]

And how much should baseball and soccer players be paid?

Whatever the market price is for their services?