did ray allen really say this?

[missyP]

If the USA were to pay them, we're paying them out of federal taxes.  USA Basketball does not make a profit.  They are barely able to break even with the revenue that comes in.

Also, if we pay them, we must pay all Olympic athletes evenly, which would then ALL come out of federal taxes as well.  How much does each earn?  I would fiercely oppose this.  If they doesn't want to play, they are completely within their rights to sit out and whine about it.  No one is forcing them to join.  That being said, my opinion lowers of each and every one of them that does.

They don't have to be paid out of federal taxes. They can benefit from merchandise that gets sold with their names on. The Olymipc organizations itself makes money from this. Media companies that cover the games and the advertising. At least a little bit of all this could go to compensate them for pretty much practicing and playing basketball for our sheer entertainment for half their summer times.

[blink]

But the Olympics ISN'T the NBA.  What you said is completely out of context.  It isn't the same thing.  The olympics, like it or not are based on a higher ideal.  It isn't always attainable or completely amateur anymore I know...

The thing that irked me originally about this was WHO was asking to get paid.  It was extremely wealthy NBA players.  And I don't care what context they are asking to get paid - straight payment, money from the gate, money from jersey sales it is all the same thing.

D Wade makes millions and millions of dollars every year, so does Ray Allen.  I think the people that this upsets aren't against giving a little bit of money back to the archery team (insert whatever non multi-millionaire olympian) that trains for 4 years with little support.  They are upset at the greedy attitude from people who have way more than most people on the planet.

yes, and he is completely right.

Why the hell would a professional go do his job for free?  Carpenters don't build houses for free, Lawyers don't represent people for free, and Dentists don't do root canals for free.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Ray specifically mentioned getting compensated for the marketing aspect of it (aka Jersey sales). I can respect that he wants to get compensated off an entity making money off his name. Don't get Ray's comments and Wade's comments confused. Ray wants compensation for Jersey sales, and Wade just straight up wants compensation for his services.

[greenlion]

oh c'mon guys, and that is their lame excuse right now?the jerseys and a portion of its proceeds?as if those really would amount to something substantial as compesation for them.. that is chump change for their bloated egos, when their careers are over and homeless on the streets..their spin doctors haven't acted fast enough i guess..
"....I would like to remind Mr. Wade  and Mr. Allen that there are jobs we do for money and there are jobs we do as a commitment to something bigger. Just ask all the moms and dads out there, they must have misunderstood the "Go Green T-Shirt" the NBA players are all wearing this month!

[jdub1660]

While I dont see a paid salary being fesible, I'd consider two things
1)   X amount of dollars donated to charity of choice, and the amount multiplied if the team brings home a medal.
2).   An insurance clause to protect if a player gets injured during olympics

[OsirusCeltics]

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

[dlpin]

I find it funny that the people appalled by his comments don't have the same reaction to NBC making money, to mcdonalds making money, to nike making money, to reporters making money...

So Ray Allen is somehow a bad citizen for wanting a cut of jersey sales, but the CEO of NBC is just a swell guy for profiting off the olympics?

[blink]

There is a big difference between a television network negotiating a deal to broadcast the olympics and some highly paid NBA athletes making money from their participation.  Those two issues aren't directly related at all. 

The television networks paying for the rights to broadcast and any revenue they get from that process doesn't directly involve the athletes.

It is two separate issues.  I never said RA was a bad citizen for the statement he made.  I just said it comes off as greedy to me.  It seems like a lot of folks on celticsblog disagree.  So be it.

I find it funny that the people appalled by his comments don't have the same reaction to NBC making money, to mcdonalds making money, to nike making money, to reporters making money...

So Ray Allen is somehow a bad citizen for wanting a cut of jersey sales, but the CEO of NBC is just a swell guy for profiting off the olympics?

[blink]

I think money going to a donation to the charity of choice sounds like a great idea.

While I dont see a paid salary being fesible, I'd consider two things
1)   X amount of dollars donated to charity of choice, and the amount multiplied if the team brings home a medal.
2).   An insurance clause to protect if a player gets injured during olympics

[blink]

Do you know how or where any of the revenues generated from the olympics are divided out?  Probably not, and neither do I.  It isn't really the focus of my issue with this.  I am sure there are unfair things that happen with that money, just like there are with the US budget and every other country.    

All our olympic athletes get most or all of their traveling expenses paid for.  Man, don't act like D Wade is going off to London with no one paying for his hotel and food.  That is just silly trying to use that to argue that NBA players should be paid.  Sheesh the NBA players are probably the most wealthy athletes on the olympic team.

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

[OsirusCeltics]

Do you know how or where any of the revenues generated from the olympics are divided out?  Probably not, and neither do I.  It isn't really the focus of my issue with this.  I am sure there are unfair things that happen with that money, just like there are with the US budget and every other country.    

All our olympic athletes get most or all of their traveling expenses paid for.  Man, don't act like D Wade is going off to London with no one paying for his hotel and food.  That is just silly trying to use that to argue that NBA players should be paid.  Sheesh the NBA players are probably the most wealthy athletes on the olympic team.

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

It doesn't matter how its distributed, thats not even the point
And thats an excuse that Dwade's hotel arrangements are paid for

From the from the popcorn maker to the Olympic league official, everyone is paid for their work but the players, and that is unfair
Like I said just because the star players are paid millions, is not related to being compensated in the Olympics

[blink]

You were the one who is quoting the figures on the revenue, look at your previous comment.  You stated that they deserved a bit of the pie, and implied a distribution.  I said it isn't the focus of my issue with this.  At least read my comments.

Everyone gets paid who works for the olympics?  Are you kidding me?  There are thousands of people who volunteer for the olympics.  Most of those volunteers are not getting paid, well maybe a t-shirt.  Not everyone who participates gets paid.

Look we really disagree on this.  I think it is greedy for the NBA players to want to get paid.  It isn't in the spirit of event. 

Do you know how or where any of the revenues generated from the olympics are divided out?  Probably not, and neither do I.  It isn't really the focus of my issue with this.  I am sure there are unfair things that happen with that money, just like there are with the US budget and every other country.    

All our olympic athletes get most or all of their traveling expenses paid for.  Man, don't act like D Wade is going off to London with no one paying for his hotel and food.  That is just silly trying to use that to argue that NBA players should be paid.  Sheesh the NBA players are probably the most wealthy athletes on the olympic team.

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

It doesn't matter how its distributed, thats not even the point
And thats an excuse that Dwade's hotel arrangements are paid for

From the from the popcorn maker to the Olympic league official, everyone is paid for their work but the players, and that is unfair
Like I said just because the star players are paid millions, is not related to being compensated in the Olympics

[jdub1660]

Funny how sports analysts are comparing playing in the Olympics to hosting a sports cast for charity...
Not even in the same category LOL
Dwade tears an ACL and misses a year of play. The entire franchise all the way down the line is effected.
Skip Bayless burns his tongue on hot coffee while debating sports at a Support the Troops event, misses a day of work. Big whoop!

[OsirusCeltics]

You were the one who is quoting the figures on the revenue, look at your previous comment.  You stated that they deserved a bit of the pie, and implied a distribution.  I said it isn't the focus of my issue with this.  At least read my comments.

Everyone gets paid who works for the olympics?  Are you kidding me?  There are thousands of people who volunteer for the olympics.  Most of those volunteers are not getting paid, well maybe a t-shirt.  Not everyone who participates gets paid.

Look we really disagree on this.  I think it is greedy for the NBA players to want to get paid.  It isn't in the spirit of event. 

Do you know how or where any of the revenues generated from the olympics are divided out?  Probably not, and neither do I.  It isn't really the focus of my issue with this.  I am sure there are unfair things that happen with that money, just like there are with the US budget and every other country.    

All our olympic athletes get most or all of their traveling expenses paid for.  Man, don't act like D Wade is going off to London with no one paying for his hotel and food.  That is just silly trying to use that to argue that NBA players should be paid.  Sheesh the NBA players are probably the most wealthy athletes on the olympic team.

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

It doesn't matter how its distributed, thats not even the point
And thats an excuse that Dwade's hotel arrangements are paid for

From the from the popcorn maker to the Olympic league official, everyone is paid for their work but the players, and that is unfair
Like I said just because the star players are paid millions, is not related to being compensated in the Olympics

Key word is volunteer
Volunteers come into a situation knowing they are not getting paid. And its not like a volunteer is training their whole life at a sport to be performed in front of billions of people. Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close

Just because you get paid millions doesn't mean anything. How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?

[blink]

You said: "everyone is paid for their work".
That just isn't true, regardless of how you are trying to skin the cat.  There are many people who volunteer their time.  So you think that the work of volunteers is less valued than the 'work' put in by NBA athletes?  There are also many athletes that aren't paid.

You said: "Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close" 

Well maybe the athletes themselves should be proud just to be an olympic athlete for their country?

You also said: "How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?"

I would really appreciate it if you would stop putting words in my mouth. I never said anything about the other athletes at all.  Not once.  I have no problem if the archery team needs some compensation to be able to afford to be gone from their day job for a few weeks.  You completely missed my point and I don't think you are understanding my view.  My only comments have been related to the greedy attitude of a couple of NBA players. 

You were the one who is quoting the figures on the revenue, look at your previous comment.  You stated that they deserved a bit of the pie, and implied a distribution.  I said it isn't the focus of my issue with this.  At least read my comments.

Everyone gets paid who works for the olympics?  Are you kidding me?  There are thousands of people who volunteer for the olympics.  Most of those volunteers are not getting paid, well maybe a t-shirt.  Not everyone who participates gets paid.

Look we really disagree on this.  I think it is greedy for the NBA players to want to get paid.  It isn't in the spirit of event. 

Do you know how or where any of the revenues generated from the olympics are divided out?  Probably not, and neither do I.  It isn't really the focus of my issue with this.  I am sure there are unfair things that happen with that money, just like there are with the US budget and every other country.    

All our olympic athletes get most or all of their traveling expenses paid for.  Man, don't act like D Wade is going off to London with no one paying for his hotel and food.  That is just silly trying to use that to argue that NBA players should be paid.  Sheesh the NBA players are probably the most wealthy athletes on the olympic team.

I don't like how the fact that just because NBA players make millions in the NBA, they have no right to be compensated in the Olympics

One fact has no relation to the other

A reported $2.6 Billion is made for everytime the Olympic events are held. And asking for some compensation is wrong?
Not to mention the risk of injury, expenses to live in another country oversees. I'm not saying $2 million each player, but more like a base reasonable salary for every player competing in the Olympics

It doesn't matter how its distributed, thats not even the point
And thats an excuse that Dwade's hotel arrangements are paid for

From the from the popcorn maker to the Olympic league official, everyone is paid for their work but the players, and that is unfair
Like I said just because the star players are paid millions, is not related to being compensated in the Olympics

Key word is volunteer
Volunteers come into a situation knowing they are not getting paid. And its not like a volunteer is training their whole life at a sport to be performed in front of billions of people. Most volunteers are people that live in the area, and would be proud just seeing the event up close

Just because you get paid millions doesn't mean anything. How about the people who are amateurs competing in the Olympics, who don't have millions? So they should just be happy with a paid vacation and hotel arragements?