Which American sports athlete deserves the richest contracts?

[It's...Baylariat!]

This isn't about a particular player in a certain sport. This is about the contracts in the NBA, NFL, and MLB. To me, the NFL has some underpaid players for what they go through on a day-to-day basis. Sure if you're a superstar, it's easier to get a huge contract, but when you're someone who's middle of the pack and have to work your way onto a practice squad, it's much tougher to make the big dough.

So my question is which American sport deserves the richest contracts? NFL, MLB, or NBA?

 

[Big Sexy]

This isn't about a particular player in a certain sport. This is about the contracts in the NBA, NFL, and MLB. To me, the NFL has some underpaid players for what they go through on a day-to-day basis. Sure if you're a superstar, it's easier to get a huge contract, but when you're someone who's middle of the pack and have to work your way onto a practice squad, it's much tougher to make the big dough.

So my question is which American sport deserves the richest contracts? NFL, MLB, or NBA?

Overall I'd go with the NFL. They go through the most physically and have the worst long term affects. The league also brings in the most revenue when it comes to all the sports so that make it the obvious choice in that regard.

With MLB you have the argument that they play the most games but it is also the least physically taxing of the three. Not saying playing 162 games a year is easy but overall it doesn't take the same toll as the NFL or NBA.

With the NBA they have the most iconic figures. They've always had that one or two guys at the top that everyone knew was the face of the league. Magic and Bird, then Jordan, then Kobe, and now LeBron. No other sport besides maybe hockey with Gretzky and now Crosby and Ovechkin has really had that one or two guys as the clear cut face of the sport. However, overall the NBA has a ton of overpaid players outside the elite group and they are a step behind the NFL in terms of who deserves the richest contracts.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

I'm also going to have to go with the NFL. NFL players have to endure 16 games of physical hell. I can still vividly remember a special ESPN did on Jerome Bettis and Earl Campbell years ago. The special showed how Jerome had trouble getting out bed the day after a game because he was so banged up. It was very hard to watch. Their bodies are brutally punished in every game, and their careers could end with one hit. Also, pro football is easily the most popular sport in the US, and the NFL brings in tons of cash every year.

The NBA is a close second in this discussion, but there are a lot of players in the NBA who are overrated and overpaid. I think it was an unbelievably stupid move for the Washington Wizards to give Gilbert Arenas a rich contract, and I've felt this way long before the gun incident. It's tough to play 82 games, but it still doesn't compare to the physical beating NFL players go through.

 

[Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra]

I went MLB for the simple fact that it is easier to tell how much the player is worth, every position player's stats are comparable and every pitcher's stats are as well. There is a set stat sheet for everyone on the offensive side that all players fill by how good they are, for example Ryan Howard hits around 50 HR and strikesout almost 200 times a year compare that to Albert Pujols who hits almost 40 HR and strikes out less than 70 times a year. It's easier to see who will get the bigger contract.

The way you would pay an NBA player or a NFL player is based more on what they are worth to the team, it's harder to compare stats because everyone does something different.

I'm just saying MLB contracts should be the biggest because it'e easier to tell what the player will be worth the next season.

 

[Stormtrooper]

I agree with the idea that NFL players DESERVE the richest contracts, based on the physical toll that the players endure during their brief career, and their inability to live a normal, healthy life after their career. However, I don't understand 2 things here.

1. Baseball deserve strong consideration here. Baseball season starts in early February (Spring Training) and doesn't end until November. Baseball is also the only sport that plays virtually every day, whereas Football plays once a week, and the NBA plays only 2 or 3 games a week. Baseball road trips (unlike NFL road trips) consist of spending weeks away from home/families. Major League Baseball is also a very strong sport financially, and can afford to spend the money on the 25-40 men on the Major League rosters.

2. I know TM is gone, but why is Hockey not in this discussion? Hockey players probably deserve as much (if not more) consideration then basketball players, since their sport has a similar schedule, and is a much more physically demanding sport.


Also, just because the NFL players DESERVE the bigger contracts, doesn't mean they SHOULD get them. Even though the NFL is very well off financially, The owners have to pay 55 active roster guys, and then the practice squad. If anything, the NFL rosters should be balanced, so that he upper echelon guys make SLIGHTLY less, and the lower tier guys make more.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

Another fact about the NFL is that they pay rookies way too much and should have a salary scale similar to the NBA and MLB if they have one. That would solve some of the problems with why some veterans who have had good numbers don't get the money they deserve. Basically in the NFL, you're playing for your next contract and not your first one.

 

[TwistofRKO]

NFL, MLB, NBA, that order.

The NBA thrives on individual stars, and being able to stand out. That's where the main cash flow comes from, and where the top guys usually stand out. I think NBA players are over-valued, and while obviously a relatively difficult schedule for us, its not the hardest out of the 3.

The MLB is second. They play 162 times in the season, through the heat of the summer. Its also the hardest sport to keep your rhythm, or to fix a problem. Anyone who has played baseball for extended periods of times know how hard it is to correct just a minor flaw in your swing or throwing motion. You play with usually only 1 break per week, that typically being used as a travel day. The NBA gets a lot of rest in relation, allowing time to fix a hitch in your stroke and rest nagging injuries.

The NFL definitely deserves the money. They bring in the most, the are the most watched, and are the most popular. The players put their careers on the line on every play, and are at an exceedingly greater risk for head and neck injuries. It involves the most strategy, and requires the highest intelligence level from the players. Every sport has its own skill level, but overall, football probably takes the cake for best all-around athletes, and sees the highest turnover rate in players not panning out. If you can make it to your prime, and play at an elite level given this, you should be paid the best.

 

[BooCocky]

Major League baseball is the easy and obvious choice. These guys are on the road 81 regular season games a year plus playoffs and spring training. People that have to live on the road that much deserve to get paid the big bucks. Baseball is still a strong sport, teams make a lot of money for the city and whatnot and when you do great things you deserve to get paid well. The NFL you play like 20 times a year. Get days off. Get a bye week and whatnot. They deserved to get paid based on the punishment aspect but not 225 million like some baseball contracts. I'm sorry baseball is the most obvious choice.

 

[thepalaceprince]

Why isnt the nhl on here? Most of the teams in the nhl are in the united states. Unless your going by the fact that it was invented in canada otherwise thats kinda bullshit. That being said its gotta be the nfl. The average career for an nfl player is only 2-3yrs. They take an immense physical pounding and every single play they put themselves at risk of concussions and other serious head and neck injuries the only other game in the us that can come close to matching the physicality of football is hockey which is why hockey players should be the second highest paid atheletes after football players