Sports Players Paid Too Much

Many NBA fans are becoming used to the idea of their team performing poorly; specifically teams such as the Golden State Warriors or the Atlanta Hawks.

But the question that may be on one's mind is: is it appropriate for professional athletes to be paid 'five-star' salaries for 'dollar-menu' performances?

In the 2004-2005 NBA season, the Atlanta Hawks not only gave the poorest performance in the Eastern Conference, but also placed last out of all 30 teams in the NBA.

Out of a total of 82 games played, the Atlanta Hawks ended their season with 13 wins and 69 loses last season.

The total team salary for the Atlanta Hawks is an estimated $23,183,378, and Al Harrington, a shooting forward averaging 17.5 points per game, is the highest paid on the team with a salary of $6,875,000.

Other teams may not have placed last, but still maintain large salaries in association with mediocre records. The Charlotte Bobcats and New Orleans Hornets both tied as the second worst teams in NBA with a record of 18 wins and 64 loses last season. However, their team salaries are $28,567,035 (Bobcats) and $33,637,283 (Hornets)

These statistics raise the question: are fans getting what they pay for, and more importantly, are athletes performing at a level where they should be paid large salaries?

Ray Bignall, a junior biology major, felt that something needed to change. "If you're going to pay someone that much to improve a franchise, they need to produce," Bignall said. "As a fan I want my team to perform well."

Currently, the New York Knicks has the largest team payroll in the NBA with a total amount of $115,738,543. Allan Houston was the highest paid member on the team with a $19,125,000 salary.

According to ESPN.com, Houston has suffered a chronic knee injury that has kept him out for most of the past two seasons and which also prompted him to retire two weeks ago at the age of 34.

Kristen Cudjoe, a freshman broadcast journalism major, responded to the salaries athletes are paid, particularly in the case of Houston.

"He's paid millions and he's been out for how many seasons now?" Cudjoe said. "When he played last season it was like four games. I think you have to contribute a lot in order to get paid the amount that you should."

However, some believe that NBA players and other professional athletes are not paid too much, and in some ways do not get enough credit for the time and energy they invest