why are athletes and movie stars paid so much?
493378
becuase the priorities in this country are so screwed up that we place more value on entertainment than many other more important issues
1059095
Everyone has asked that question. The answer is simple, People enjoy entertainment & will pay top $$$ to watch/attend these games. VIP seats cost in the 5 digit area alone. It's harder to find a good athlete to draw in a crowd, whereas all the nerdy or overweight guys/gals I went to school with make up our local police force. The issue is the same with doctors. A Dr. of Plastic Surgery will make more $$$$ than a Heart Surgen. What's even worse is that the same people who share your same complaint are the ones that never donate/hang up on "the support your local State Troopers or Firefighters foundation" when they call for support
544446
I think all professional athletes should get paid a lot LESS money! Don't get me wrong, I understand their career's are much shorter, so they need to earn enough to live off for the rest of their lives sometimes (barring a career in management or commentary) but come on, Ballack is now earning £120,000 PER WEEK! That's 6 times my annual salary every week....\nThe girls should be more on a par with men, but that ammount is obscene, nobody, athlete, politician, business man or otherwise should be making so much money.
546414
they charge millions of dollars for ads so they can pay the actors millions of dollars
677188
Because soldiers have never, in the history of the world, been paid well. They used to be able to take booty and slaves, but that's long past.\n\nAs ex-military, I've always favored increased benefits, but then again, when I volunteered, it wasn't for the pay.\n\nEntertainers and the entertainment industries (including sports) have gotten bizarre, but if the public puts their money into it, who am I to gainsay their choice?\n\nIt's just the way it is.
611584
Aah let me guess; "SMART"people answered these questions, well let me set the record straight  I think some athletes are worth the money that they receive because they had to work hard to become PROFESSIONAL athletes, and a major fact is that most of them put their own bodies on the line just for the entertainment of fans. So they deserve every penny.
479328
There are certainly many athletes who seem to have no idea how to handle the riches that come with their success--and act like it.\n\nHowever, you put this question in the baseball category, and it does seem as though fewer of those players are quite as conspicuous with their wealth.  Then again, there are very few baseball players with big contracts who are just out of high school.\n\nAn increasing number of athletes are wisely permitting experienced business and money managers to handle their finances.  They often incorporate players into businesses to obtain tax advantages, invest their incomes, pay out allowances for the player, his family, and whoever else may have their hand out.
136151
That's why I don't understand why we as a society pay entertainers sooooo much money.  I like movies, sports, and music as much as the next person. But COME ON we don't even pay the nurses who help save our lives or the teachers who teach our children to read and function in society a fraction of what our entertainers make.  I don't understand it.
506579
The entertainment industry brings in much more money than the medical field does.  The medical field is very expensive to keep up, with paying for new equipment, maintaining the equipment, and research, as are things like stadiums, etc.  However, sports constantly have an inflow of money from fans buying tickets and merchandise, plus from companies that sponsor sports.  People don't go to doctors as a hobby or for fun, but when they need to.  Plus, the medical sponsors really consist of the government and private donations, and with government domestic spending being cut, the medical profession is losing tons of money.  Hence, sports are able to pay their players more, while neuro surgeons don't get paid nearly what they deserve.
313546
Some of the pornstars are really particual in what they like to do. Most pornstars are willing to do anything to get paid.
105050
I think celebs just have the money to look good.  Some use this option to their advantage while others don't.
889240
I guess you could say that they knew what they were getting into when they decided to become pro athletes.  I'd need more info to make more points though.  Who is paying for the care?
897280
They maybe greedy but not overpaid. If you view it as a business like the owner, if you pay player x this amount, player y sez why can't i be payed the same? Domino effect. The owners then pass it on to the fans who pay to see their teams. Capatilism, supply and demand. If no fans show, then no money etc. How much does the best tiddle wink player make? If you heard that your friend was making more money than you doing the same job would you want the same pay? Its what the market can bare. Granted the pro make money most of us would like to make so it seems alot but i'd rather be the guy who pays them, would'nt you? Does anyone complain that Gates and Buffet make the money they do? They have more, they just don't flaunt it like the pros do.\n\nThe pro athelete only looks ridiculous when they ask for pension plans etc when us dolts obtain our own pension or 401. Dumbest request by pros is when they ask for part of the gate receipts....where do they think the owners are getting their money in the first place to pay them? If they want the gate receipts then let them have it but they must also pay for maintenance and the employees who work there and pay the loan to the local government.
220837
It's what the market bears.  There is only so many people that can play professional sports at a time.  Since people keep buying tickets to games and merchandice, the players can demand what they want for pay and the owners are willing to pay it
670039
I assume that you are talking about the players.  In that case it is baseball.  The NFL has a salary cap.  You don't see any football players signing $200 million dollar contracts like in baseball (Alex Rodriguez)
1074507
Hell NO! It's sad that we have people on the streets and we pay actors 1 million dollars or more to work for less than 3 months! Our society is f*cked up! Doctors, Firefighters, and Teachers should be paid salaries like celebrities. They are the true hero's.
1131964
Entertainment as not real value, some people are will pay a lot of money for stuff that other will hate so entertainers will make money base on people attendance. As long as basket ball will be follow and love as much as it is players salaries will keep increasing coz those who pay them get their money back somehow, it is business so don't forget if owner start losing money they will stop paying if they keep making it they will make sure that the spent more to gain more, don't know if you rae following but the whole point is don't debate on it, either boycott or enjoy the game that it is!