Eden DeAtleyMrs. HackerHonors English 921 March 2014Why are athletes paid so much?Why are athletes paid so much? The fans can blame themselves. They are the main reason why athletes earn so much money. Haven't everyone gone to see a live sporting event and found themselves paying a large sum of money not only for the event, but also for the overpriced food and drinks provided during the match? By going to the game and spending hard-earned money, spectators provide athletes with the millions of dollars they earn each year. It's not the athletes' fault that they are paid too much. Some athletes are much better at managing the money they earn than others. Some athletes sponsor charity events and lend their fame to fundraisers, while others spend their money partying and living a very lavish lifestyle. Despite the common belief that athletes are paid too much, fans continue to crave entertainment and therefore provide them with money. Athletes are paid too much. Athletes as a whole offer nothing to society that helps improve it. Unlike doctors, policemen, firefighters, teachers and other occupations necessary for daily order and safety. Being a professional athlete has no real value to society as a whole, it just provides a way for people to waste their time and money. Sports players don't spend their days saving people's lives or fighting a war around the world to keep this country safe. In no way is the distribution of money and wealth among players fair. Paying athletes $13.5 million for just one year is not justifiable (Herald). Think of all the other jobs out there that provide a real service; like teachers, responsible for the education of our young people or doctors who save human lives even with paper and dollars. In truth, the American people are providing them with enormous amounts of money because they simply cannot give up their entertainment. Despite numerous complaints from athletes that they are paid too much, they work very hard on a daily basis. They condition, exercise and travel a lot. But shouldn't the athlete enjoy playing and not be so worried about the financial part? If anyone should get paid, it should be college athletes since they actually have to juggle a sport between school work and work. It is very difficult to be an athlete and train every day to be successful and hope that one day you will make a living by becoming a professional athlete. It's everyone's dream, right? Become someone famous and earn a lot of money doing something fun. It should be the love of the game and not the money that matters.