As people in the United States struggle with unemployment rates expected to reach record numbers this year, athletes continue to rake in the money, even if there aren’t games to be played.
On Monday, the Carolina Panthers announced running back Christian McCaffrey signed a deal with the team worth an average of $16 million per year over four years, becoming the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
In the realm of major professional sports, this contract isn’t as insane as it might sound to a non-sports fan. Relative to the current market for pro athletes, it’s a solid deal.
But I wonder, couldn’t the Panthers have waited a little longer to sign McCaffrey to a long-term deal?
If this news broke back in December or January, it wouldn’t feel as out of place as it does right now. However, it comes during the coronavirus pandemic when people around the nation are rapidly losing jobs.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. forecasts the U.S. unemployment rate to reach 20% by the end of 2020’s second quarter.
That’s Great Depression-like numbers. Yet, sports stars and corporate executives are in quarantine chilling in their pools full of money like Scrooge McDuck.
What’s crazy is that these sort of deals are only getting bigger.
MLB superstar Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels holds the richest payday in the history of sports, signing a contract in 2019 worth a whopping $430 million over 12 years.
Seeing massive checks being written to these illustrious stars in the sports world has desensitized us to the lunacy that is America’s current economic situation.
According to Statista, the NBA’s average salary in the 2018-19 season was $7.7 million, more than any other sports league in the world. The MLB and NFL were third and fifth at $4.5 million and $2.9 million respectively.
ZipRecruiter, a job search engine, lists the average pay for a “medical doctor” in 2018 at $224,190. During the 2017-18 academic year, the average teacher in the U.S. made $60,477 according to the National Education Association.
The discrepancy is clear and obvious. Though life is boring at the moment and the lack of sports is leaving a void in the souls of many, sports are not essential to our day-to-day lives like a doctor or a teacher. It hurt me to type that, but it’s true.
It’s obviously not at the fault of those in the sports industry. If I were a gifted and talented athlete that was offered millions, I’d put pen to paper before even knowing where I signed up to play.
You also have to give credit to the dozens of athletes and front office figures that are taking actions to help those less privileged. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees recently donated $5 million to the state of Louisiana, allowing free meals to be delivered to those in troubling financial situations.
NBA players like Zion Williamson, Blake Griffin and Giannis Antetokounmpo are doing their part, offering
donations of more than six-figures to their respective team’s arena staff.
But the fact is, seeing the publicly shared contract figures of athletes, especially during this vital time, presents us with issues that need fixing in America.
I love sports. Sports are important. They provide hope and an escape from the troubles of our mundane lives. Sports are especially needed in a time like this.
But what’s more important than sports is the well-being and health of people.
General managers should hold off on the contract extensions for a little bit.
With morale as low as it is right now in the world, we don’t need to be whacked over the head with reminders that those who are good at running make millions, while essential workers are either grossly underpaid or unemployed.
And to the players, you’ll get your money. Let’s just wait until the average Joes are able to help their families first.
