http://www.econlib.org/LIBRARY/Columns/y2004/Sandersonsports.html
so, this article , by Allen Sanderson, was about how large of a deal it is when athletes raise their pay, but how little it seems to matter when other entertainers (movie stars, etc.) raise their salaries, and questioned how we should view college athletes skipping years of school in order to begin their career in proffesional sports. it also compares college athletes to sweatshop workers, and pro athletes on steroids to entertainers who use cosmetic surgury.
Personally, i agree that we shouldn't make as big of a deal when pro sports players raise their pay because it really has little effect on the price of tickets, as Sanderson points out. the price of tickets is determined by the team's owners, who base it on the market as far as how much people are willing to pay in order to see the all star players, not how much the players charge for the service.
i do, however really have to disagree with Sanderson's point about college athletes being very similar to sweatshop workers. this is because although, yes, college athletes don't get paid for their performances on the field (besides maybe a t-shirt) they are building their talent so they can be paid an extraordinary amount of money in the long run because they are getting their names out there for pro coaches to see.
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I found that article very interesting - my thought was that although they may not be paid a salary, most of them (I'm assuming here) are probably getting at least a partial if not full scholarship - FREE COLLEGE anyone?
Opportunity cost - what else would that person be doing? If the choice is: play and get free (or reduced) college tuition or don't play and pay full tuition (or don't play and not go to college and have to get a job)...well, I would think that most players would want to play.
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