Want a Gold Medal? F___ You; Pay Me!

NBA star Dwyane Wade was recently quoted as saying that he would like to be paid for participating on the United States 2012 Olympic basketball team. This was media gold. The average American sports fan would probably be willing to pay to be in the Olympics, let alone have all expenses paid. The reaction on Internet message boards and sports talk listeners was predictable.

F___ you! Pay me! 1

MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE PAID

When statements from public figures elicit controversy, I try to put myself in their shoes to understand why they said what they said. Wade elaborated on his comments and, frankly, I don’t have a problem with him asking about compensation.

Wade essentially said that his season is very long (a season that ends in April for most teams, but runs through June for championship contenders) and that his body needs a rest. If he isn’t going to get that rest, and the Olympics and their vendors, merchandisers, and media partners are going to experience an economic windfall from the efforts of participating NBA stars, he would like to be compensated.

If you were a billionaire, had a brain tumor and these guys were, instead of basketball players, the best surgeons in the world, would you expect them to operate on your for free? The same principle applies to TV networks, equipment makers, shoe companies, and beverage makers. 2

PUBLIC OUTRAGE

The Olympics represent an opportunity to represent the country. Whenever representing the U.S.A. comes into play, feelings of national pride and patriotism become involved in any reaction to such representation. Some fans think that playing in the Olympics if asked is a privilege and a duty. I disagree.

Serving in defense of the country if enlisted in the armed forces is a duty. Civic duties are duties. Being a decent person, in my opinion, is a duty. Being apparent to one’s children is a duty. Practicing your extremely difficult, extremely competitive, extremely physically taxing profession for free during time that you normally have to recuperate is not a duty. To me it sounds like a chore, extra work.

This guy can't understand why NBA players would want compensation for performing in the Olympics. "I would give my LEFT ARM to have what they have!" Of course, with no left arm...oh never mind! 3

WHERE’S MY CUT?

When one considers the number of different individuals and entities that profit from Olympic events, the idea of one of the biggest attractions, NBA superstars, want some of the profit that would not be as great without their participation does not sound unreasonable. Yes, these men make eight figure salaries. So what? Should others be allowed to profit from their eight figure skills and not chip off the actual producers of the product? That sounds incredibly Un-American to me.

There is a reason NBA players are allowed (i.e. wanted) to play. 4

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1) Image from www.bullmurph.com
2) Image from www.theprobasketballtalk.com
3) Image from www.mymiddleagedlifestyle.com
4) Image from http://aol.sportingnews.com