Community Chat

[Vivian]

Years ago, the comedian Robert Klein did a routine in which he lamented that most of our attention and reverence go to athletes and movie stars. He pointed to the great accomplishments of the scientist Jonas Salk, who created the first polio vaccine. Klein wondered why women did not follow him as they do rock stars and athletes, saying, "I love you Jonas, baby." It's silly but points to our ridiculous values, where a scientist who saves thousands seems less important than someone who can hit a ball,

[3suwm5]

@KathyPet  Indeed - money always talks, even when it doesn't make any sense.  

There is something to be said for a good agent.

[QueenDanceALot]

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that this country values the almighty dollar over most everything else.  .

That's what capitalism is, at it's core.

[ULY]

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@KathyPet wrote:

There is something seriously wrong with a society that considers it acceptable to pay someone $170 million dollars over 4 years to throw a basketball through a hoop and then have the team that is involved Post glowing press releases about it like this is,something to be proud of. I am glad I am old and probably will not live long enough to see the downfall of a country that considers this sort of obscenity to be normal.  

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Society is obsessed with sports and celebrity. Liking something is fine. Being obsessed is another ball game and I often wonder and subsequently laugh when I think how society would disrupt if these professional sports went the way of the do-do. People wouldn't know what to do with themselves if these hobbies were placed in a proper order of significance.

[Spurt]

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@Sweet_Serenity wrote:
Sports is *BIG* money operations. Do agree lacking morality. Give example-Michael Vick crime against dogs. Slap on the wrist prison time for one. He was allowed back to play make millions. Omg!!! Rancher saved the remaining pit bulls, then after months working with the dogs placed in loving homes. He's the hero in this tragic story. Honestly! Every time think of MV want to throw up! This is no different. Sandusky another example. Head coach statue removed. Imagine his legacy, Not remembered for the work he did over fifty years coaching, When thought of people will say disgusting man covered for sexual pervert. Possibly in time system will change. Look what happened with "Sea world" thankfully public opinion made the difference. Sports has its place in bringing entertainment. Yes, There are many fine examples of players who devote time and money helping children and the less fortunate. Hero's give back.

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@Sweet_Serenity

Sandusky  is pure evil.............and as for MV ---I cant even type his initials without cringing....the only reason he cried while in prison was the fact he got caught....!!!! He's nothing but a Hideous Monster!!!  I wrote a letter to ESPN protesting that they even had him on one of their shows promoting the new flag football league he was invoved with, and of course I turned the channel when I heard he was a guest. ......how that league could have him as a spokeperson is beyond me!!!   I was so happy that no NFL team picked him up!!! 

And yes athletes are overpaid, but so many of them give back and really use their wealth to help others....

[Spurt]

@KathyPet @ULY

I am a sports fan.....we've had fantastic athletes like David Robinson who invested heavily in education and humanitarion projects......

.What I find interesting is that the sports people are always spotlighted, however, little is said about actors and singers that make tons of money also, let's diss them just to be fair...........

• Amitabh Bachchan – Net Worth: USD420 million. ...
• Tom Cruise – Net worth: USD 480 million. ...
• Tyler Perry – Net worth: $650 million. ...
• Shah Rukh Khan – Net worth: USD650 million. ...
• Jerry Seinfeld – Net worth: USD 820 million.
• Madonna -800 Million.  Net worth USD 800 million
• Mel Gibson $425 Million
• Jack Nicholson $400 Million
• Sylvester Stallon $400 Million
• Mariah Carey $510 Million
• Jay Z $560 Million
• Bono $600 Million
• Celine Dion $630 Million
• P. Didy $700 Million
• Dr. Dre $780 Million
• Sir Paul McCartney 1.1 BILLION

[itiswhatitis]

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@Spurt wrote:

@KathyPet @ULY

.What I find interesting is that the sports people are always spotlighted, however, little is said about actors and singers that make tons of money also, let's diss them just to be fair...........

• Amitabh Bachchan – Net Worth: USD420 million. ...
• Tom Cruise – Net worth: USD 480 million. ...
• Tyler Perry – Net worth: $650 million. ...
• Shah Rukh Khan – Net worth: USD650 million. ...
• Jerry Seinfeld – Net worth: USD 820 million.
• Madonna -800 Million.  Net worth USD 800 million
• Mel Gibson $425 Million
• Jack Nicholson $400 Million
• Sylvester Stallon $400 Million
• Mariah Carey $510 Million
• Jay Z $560 Million
• Bono $600 Million
• Celine Dion $630 Million
• P. Didy $700 Million
• Dr. Dre $780 Million
• Sir Paul McCartney 1.1 BILLION

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@Spurt As of June 2017 Jay Z's networth is $810MM.  He follows Sean Combs "Diddy" $820MM.

[pitdakota]

Those salaries are paid as a result of people choosing to buy tickets, support a team, and go to games.  As long as people pay for the tickets, that will continue.  Same with celebrities, people in the public at large choose to spend their money going to those concerts, movies, shows, or whatever.  

I am more concerned with the outrageously high salaries that some CEOs of  companies make in this country that choose not to increase the salary base or benefits of their employees.  Or the case of a CEO of a pharmaceutical company that raised the price of a medication by 5,000% comes to mind.  That speaks more of a twisted society to me rather than sports teams that have income from ticket sales to pay athletes high salaries.  

At least there is some return to the economy since those athletes buy products, pay taxes, make investments, employ others, etc.  

[Spurt]

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@itiswhatitis wrote:

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@Spurt wrote:

@KathyPet @ULY

.What I find interesting is that the sports people are always spotlighted, however, little is said about actors and singers that make tons of money also, let's diss them just to be fair...........

• Amitabh Bachchan – Net Worth: USD420 million. ...
• Tom Cruise – Net worth: USD 480 million. ...
• Tyler Perry – Net worth: $650 million. ...
• Shah Rukh Khan – Net worth: USD650 million. ...
• Jerry Seinfeld – Net worth: USD 820 million.
• Madonna -800 Million.  Net worth USD 800 million
• Mel Gibson $425 Million
• Jack Nicholson $400 Million
• Sylvester Stallon $400 Million
• Mariah Carey $510 Million
• Jay Z $560 Million
• Bono $600 Million
• Celine Dion $630 Million
• P. Didy $700 Million
• Dr. Dre $780 Million
• Sir Paul McCartney 1.1 BILLION

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@Spurt As of June 2017 Jay Z's networth is $810MM.  He follows Sean Combs "Diddy" $820MM.

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@itiswhatitis

Thanks for the update. My figures were on the low side (as of 2016)....so they made that much money in that little time ---WOW!!!

[ROMARY]

Recalling the Roman Empire with all of it's arenas, (Coliseum(s) etc.   Only in those days, I'm not sure that the entrance fees, beverages, athletes' salaries,  (if any at all) were very high.  But, who knows?  They used gold coins in those days.  Oh, well.  I'm not a sports fan, but I do enjoy listening and semi-watching golf tournaments when nothing else is on TV.   Soothing; not loud, fast-talking commentators.  (I don't know who's who in the golf realm, lol.)