Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Sport salaries- Are they too much?

In February 2008, it was reported that Alexander Ovechkin signed the National Hockey League’s first nine-figure deal in January 2008. That’s right, Ovechkin got himself a 13-year, $124 million contract to play for the Washington Capitals. Sure he leads the Capitals and NHL as of this season with 112 points, 65 goals, 22 power-play goals, 11 game-winning goals and 441 shots, according to his stats on Washington’s Web site, but what is a 21-year-old going to do with $124 million?

Contracts like these are being signed across most major professional sports. These athletes do have a talent, that is why they are in the “big leagues,” but the amount of money that these contracts are reaching is getting ridiculous. Salaries are based mostly on the talent and skill levels of these athletes, but I am beginning to wonder if that is all they need in order to receive these sky-high paychecks.

“Salary levels are set based upon supply of, and demand for, talent,” said David Carter, University of Southern California expert executive director of the USC sports business group and principal of the Sports Business Group. “Provided team owners believe they can generate incremental revenue greater than the costs incurred as part of the player contract, they will be willing to pay the price.”

Fans look forward to each season’s sport, and there are certain expectations that they have. Everyone wants to see exciting games full of home runs, slam dunks, last minute goals and touchdowns to win the game. These high-paid, talented athletes are the ones to make it happen, which could be a reason as to why their salaries are high: They are wanted, and more importantly, needed to enhance their sports. Teams pay high salaries to their athletes because they expect to generate money through getting more fans to come to games and to buy merchandise.

Taking a look at Major League Baseball, this is true as many of these athletes are paid very high to compete and entertain. A perfect example is the New York Yankees. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez leads the team in salaries with a whopping $27, 708, 525. The Yankees have an all-star line up complete with all-star salaries. Yet, Yankees’ games are a hot ticket during baseball season, even selling out stadiums on the West Coast by fans, who just want to catch a game with these highly talented athletes.

Carter said owners pay athletes the amount depending on relative to what they think they will see they will be getting in return.

“This return can come from increased ticket sales, additional corporate sponsorships, improved TV ratings, or elsewhere,” he said.

Athletes do have to uphold their contracts and stipulations of behavior on and off the field, but it can vary among sports, Carter said.

“In a sport like baseball, where most of the salaries are guaranteed, the athlete merely has to avoid breaking team or league rules tied to gambling, drug use, etc. So -- generally -- even if they get cut, they receive the money,” Carter said. “In other sports, such as the NFL, players actually have to make the team in order to get paid because their contracts are not guaranteed. Of course, the same types of rules and regulations relating to player behavior on and off the field apply.”

It doesn’t seem like these outrageous salaries will be decreasing anytime soon either.

“As long as money continues to flow into sports, you can bet athletes will get their share of it so, yes, salaries should continue to climb,” Carter said. “With emerging revenue streams from international markets and technology, this is very likely to be the case.”

Professional athletes are paid to entertain their fans. However, the amount they are paid can sometimes be a little ridiculous when you think of what they are doing.

Yes, they have to play a certain number of games in hopes of taking their teams all the way, they have to sign autographs and be nice to their fans and also participate in various charitable events outside of the playing field, but those are things that they should want to do as part of being a professional athlete, in my opinion. My worry is that the people who really make a difference and impact in society, like teachers who interact with children – who, as cheesy as it sounds, are the future, do not get paid enough. Shouldn’t these influential people receive paychecks close to these athletes? And most importantly, athletes are playing for the love of the game, or so I thought, so payment shouldn’t be the biggest issue with contracts.

Politics should have no place in the Olympics

The 2008 summer Olympics Games in Beijing are coming whether some people like it or not. It seems like some people are pushing to get their voices heard while others are simply trying to make a statement. The biggest concerns being raised by those who are trying to insert politics into the upcoming Games. Though the Olympics have been a forum for political exhibitions throughout the course of history.

Back in 1936, African American athlete Jesse Owens put to rest Hitler’s vision of Aryan rule over the world by winning four gold medals when Germany hosted the Games. American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos made their own stance when they gave a black power salute at the 1968 Games in Mexico. Boycotts began to take a place in the Olympics when in 1980, the United States decided to not participate in the Games after the host nation Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan while the Communist nation followed suit in the 1984 when Los Angeles held them.

Demonstrations are now taking place for the upcoming Games in August, most notably those in London, Paris and San Francisco. In the Bay Area, there were many concerns for the torch, which included previous demonstrations atop the Golden Gate Bridge. Protestors posted large flags and banners with the words, “Free Tibet” in reference to China’s strict human rights policy in their country.

These political outrage and demonstrations are beginning to take the spotlight away from the Games with the opening ceremony not even due to start for another four months. Many countries have been able to adopt their policies and change laws because of demonstrations and protests in the past. However at some point there must be some restraint and realization that the point of the Olympics is to showcase the best athletes in the world and not put political agendas on display.

Most journalists and others who have investigated the situation of politics in the Olympics are somewhat split on the sentiment that politics are continuingly taking away from the true nature of the Games.

“In democratic countries, people have a right to voice their opinion,” Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times columnist said in an e-mailed interview. “Human-rights organizations and other groups want the maximum publicity for their causes, and they know that the Olympics are watched by billions of people, so these groups latch onto the Olympics to achieve widespread dissemination of their message.”

Scott Herhold, a writer for the San Jose Mercury News, who wrote his opinion piece, “Olympic Games always have been about the Politics” on April 10, offers that political involvement in the Gamges is almost unavoidable at this point.

“As they're set up now, it's inescapable,” said Herhold in an e-mailed interview. “I could see a different kind of Games -- a much less nationalistic kind -- which might be less given to politics. But that would be a much different event.”

Herhold insists that the Games site is also a major draw for the host country to show their power and stature in the world.

“Athens organized the ’04 games to show the world its abilities,” Herhold said. “And it's particularly important to the Chinese, who have emerged as a world power to rival the U.S. and Europe.”

Amy Spiro, a contributing writer to the nyunews.com and Washington Square News, wrote her article “Olympics never about the politics,” on Monday puts forth the notion that the Games do indeed take away from the athletes.

“When you make the game about politics is most certainly detracts from the pure purpose of the game, which is athletic competition,” Spiro said in an e-mailed interview. “If the 2008 games becomes solely about China's treatment of Tibet (not an unimportant story by any stretch of the imagination) then who is really going to remember the incredible achievements made by athletes in every divisions?”

On the other hand, Kevin Spitz, a writer for the Daily Illini, the college newspaper for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champne, published in his column, “Ditch the politics, champion the athletes,” on April 10, that politics should be ignored but it does not take away from the athletes.

“Politics do not necessarily take that away from happening,” Spitz said in an e-mailed interview. “I think politics can be present, and the spirit of the games can live on.”

With the protests on hand, there has to be some indication on whether this will be a continuing trend into the Games.
Graham Messner, a local columnist for publicopinion.com, writes that the boycotts and protests will continue and take away from the spirit of what are the Olympics.

“I do think the Olympics make it easy for protest because there are too many cameras and too many members of the media to record any type of effort to punish such actions by the hosting country,” Messner said in an e-mailed interview. “It’s the perfect environment for a protestor.”

Others like Garrett Cleverly, a writer for the Arizona State Web Devil site, who wrote his piece, “Keep politics out of the Olympics,” on April 8, insists that China will take the precautionary steps to keep the protests at a minimum before the Games begin.

“I think China will do the bare minimum to clean up its act,” Cleverly told me on Tuesday. “They will do what they need to do to look favorable to other countries. But it’s only a temporary solution to a major problem and once the Games are over, it will go back to the way it was before.”

In her column “U.S. athletes grapple with China human-rights issues,” Elliott found that many U.S. athletes are focusing primarily on the training for the athletic competitions rather than getting involved in the political situations including the China’s link to violence in Darfur.

“Any athlete who feels compelled to speak out should be able to do so. Those who don't, should not feel they have to,” Elliott said.

Elliott, in her column said, athletes are being asked to look beyond their events and to look at the political issues at hand which may be hard for the young athletes to understand.

“There are some very young athletes (gymnasts, swimmers, etc., who may be only 16) and are not very aware of the world around them,” Elliott said.

Elliott was able to speak to the U.S. Olympic committee spokesman, Darryl Seibel who said American athletes can comment on the issues, but there are rules that they must follow, referring specifically to Rule 51 in the Olympic charter.

The charter, which can be found online, states that Rule 51 enforces that “no kind of demonstration or political, religious, or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues, or other sites.”

In her column, Elliott spoke to notable Olympic athletes including swimmer Michael Phelps who said he is mostly focused on preparing for the games.

However, on the other hand, Elliott spoke to U.S. softball player Jessica Mendoza who is a member of Team Darfur.

“There are other athletes whose way of preparing for their events involves becoming very concentrated and narrowly focused so as not to be distracted by outside events,” Elliott said. “Nothing wrong with that. Plus, I think that many athletes right now are still worried about making the Olympic team. Once they have made the team they may feel more relaxed about discussing human-rights issues.”

As for protesting at the games this summer, Elliott said demonstrations will probably be stopped quickly before anything can happen.

“I think that people will try to stage protests but that the Chinese government will have a heavy police presence and will quash anything as soon as it starts,” Elliott said.

To this point, China has still not taken the steps to improve their vows to improve human rights, pollution and press freedom. The government has made vague statements about efforts to help the cause of human rights and has done little to improve relations with foreign media that will be covering the Games. Although, China has spent over $20 billion over the last decade to improve air quality and minimize pollution. Despite the environmental improvements, not enough is being done to address all the other issues.

The current political demonstrations, protests and boycotts are starting to be overdone and disrespectful to the athletes who have trained all their lives for sometimes a once in a lifetime opportunity. Granted, China certainly has many things to consider as the countdown to the start of the Games continues. But, that does not give these other protestors that trying to advocate for human rights or change policies the right to disgrace their country’s athletes for their own personal beliefs. The Olympics have not even started and already there is much more news about the not about the actual sporting events then there should be. The only thing that can change this is China making a clear stance and protestors beginning to back up and letting up a bit because it is needed. Many athletes are focused on the competition that is at hand, rather than focusing on the issues. They cannot be blamed for this because the Olympics is what they train and work for. The political issues have caused a stir for the games, but there is no room for politics on the greatest athletic stage in the world despite all of the incidents in the past because in the end it is all about ultimate athletic achievement.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

'Pacman' needs to get it together off the field

When you look up Adam “Pacman” Jones name on the Internet, an array of articles disclosing Jones’ latest antics can be found in between the listings of his missing statistical information for last season.

According to an article “Jones gifted on field, troubled off it” by Greg Garber, senior sports writer posted on ESPN.com on March 9, 2007, in the 23 months following his selection to play for the Tennessee Titans, Jones was charged with assault, felony vandalism and felony obstruction. This was only at the beginning of his career.

Currently, Jones is under suspension from the National Football League for his actions off the field.
I think that a player on such a huge stage, the NFL, should not be reinstated after accumulating such a huge wrap sheet. It seems as though Jones doesn’t learn from his mistakes, and he keeps adding to them.

Rick Gosselin, writer, columnist and blogger on the NFL for the Dallas Morning News said Jones was told to stay out of trouble by the commissioner.

“Goodell suspended him, and he told Jones his actions embarrassed the league,” Gosselin said in an e-mail interview. “Goodell is sending a strong message to players throughout the league. If you mess up, it's going to cost you your paycheck. In Jones' case, it's a season of paychecks.”

Being at a professional level of sports requires skill and talent for the game, however, with the popularity of professional athletes, they have also have a requirement to conduct themselves in such a way as to not damage the reputation of their team or sport. Fans across the nation and children look up to these athletes and want to play like them and have their lives.

“These players are public figures paid by the entertainment dollar of the American public,” Gosselin said. “Their off-the-field responsibility is to stay out of trouble, just like politicians and entertainers. Be law-abiding citizens off the field. It's not too much to ask.”

How athletes are off the field affects their images and reputations just as much, if not more than how they carry themselves on the field.

“Image is everything,” Gosselin said. “That's the point Goodell was making when he suspended Jones.”

Jones may be headed to Dallas to play for the Cowboys if and when Roger Goodell reinstates his active status.

In his article “Goodell: Pacman still needs to accept responsibility,” Alex Marvez, senior NFL writer for foxsports.com said if Dallas does bring Jones over to their roster, it could not only blemish the Cowboys’ image, but is may send the message that “football skills outweigh bad character.”

The piece also discloses that there may be hope for Jones who may be getting his act together after a recent interview.

Before Jones plays for the NFL (if he does), I think he has a responsibility to clean up his image and really mean it. It would be one thing to start doing good deeds, but actually accepting the importance of them is another. It would be a huge gift and privilege if Goodell allows Jones to play for the NFL again. Giving money to charitable causes is one way, but it makes me wonder if Jones’ kind actions are truly because he cleaning up his act or if he is just doing it to be able to play in the NFL again. People can change, but only if they are willing. I wonder about Jones because of his extensive rap sheet. Will he learn from his past mistakes or will he fall back into a bad cycle when all of the fame of Dallas goes to his head? I am rooting for Jones because of his incredible talent on the football field, but I also hope that he doesn’t let his fans down. Professional athletes have a unique talent that many of us wish we had. They are able to play games that become a part of history and entertain fans across the nation and even the world. We are not asking for a perfect, wholesome image, but we need troubled athletes to clean up their acts not just for us, but for them. Without their playing ability, we miss out, and so does the game.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Betting on college sports

With March Madness in college basketball in full swing, brackets have been passed around offices and between friends and families, filled out and games have been closely watched. To many, this is all a part of the fun that comes along with this time of year. Betting on sports may seem like all fun and games, but it is illegal.

In “Betting threat,” posted on Yahoo! Sports, Josh Peter discusses a study, “Gambling With Their Lives: College students and Sports Gambling,” conducted by Tim Otteman.

According to the article, the study found that student gamblers and bookmakers received inside information from student-athletes or someone who was associated with the teams involved, student betting progressed from just filling out brackets to more serious betting with bookmakers and online wagering, students conducted their gambling on campus even using equipment belonging to the school and “sports gambling is a behavior easily hidden” which part of the reason is because it is socially accepted.

Betting on college sports is a bigger problem than people would think, Otteman said in an e-mail interview.

“$2 billion is legally bet in Nevada, the only state where sports betting is legal. The National Gambling Impact Study of 1999 estimated that $80-$380 billion is illegally wagered annually in the United States,” Otteman said.

Betting on collegiate sports does have some financial benefits, according to Peter.

Peter said in an e-mail interview betting helps, in a sense, by increasing TV ratings.

“And by positive, I refer to increased revenue produced by higher television ratings,” Peter said. “It's a big positive for those who benefit from the increased revenue, and those stakeholders include coaches, administrators and, indirectly, the players. The more money made, the better resources – private travel, tutors and training tables -- available to the athletes.”

On the other hand, there are some real reasons to opt out because of the strong negatives that come with the rush, social interaction and use of sports knowledge, Otteman said.

“The downside of betting on sports is similar to other forms of gambling - financial losses, neglecting work, school, friends and family, and involvement with other illegal activity due to debt. It is important to remember that gambling is an addictive behavior,” Otteman said.

The NCAA bylaw 10.3, which can be found online and in Peter’s posting, states “staff members of the athletics department of a member institution and student-athletes shall not knowingly: a. Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition, b. Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team, c. Accept a bet on any team representing the institution; or d. Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling."

Betting may seem like an easy and fun way to spend and hopefully make money, but it offers plenty of threats to those who place the bet and the athletes that may become involved. There is no real difference between betting on collegiate and professional sports.

Peter said there is not necessarily a difference in betting on them, but there is a difference if athletes were to get involved.

“But I think college athletes are more susceptible to a game-fixing scheme or providing inside information for money because their scholarships include little outside of room and board. They're more likely to be looking for spending money, whereas professional athletes would be foolish to risk their enormous incomes by getting involved in similar schemes, and I suspect that few do,” Peter said.

The pools many participate in at home and work may even be the biggest threat, Otteman said.

“It is these type of activities that could start the slippery slope toward major problems with an addictive behavior. Because these activities are socially acceptable and can be participated in without a large amount of sports knowledge, the rush or excitement of the wager and the chance to win large amounts of money with a small bet may be the "nudge" to more involved sports gambling. They are also the activities that may be "modeled" by children and young adults,” Otteman said.

Before placing a bet, people should realize what the repercussions are. Some of these consequences are easily seen while others develop over time. Save your cash by not placing a bet, and spend it on a ticket to the game.

To view NCAA bylaw 10.3 follow this link: http://www.ncaa.org/library/membership/division_i_manual/2007-08/2007-08_d1_manual.pdf.

The link to Peter’s article is: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=jo-gambling031808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns.
Otteman’s study and Web site information can also be found at this link.