did ray allen really say this?

[Eja117]

let me get this straight. We routinely expect players to take hometown discounts or take less money to win a ring, but we think they should get paid to go to the Olympics?

Is there anything else they should get paid to be in? Charity tournaments? Local high school appearances encouraging kids to stay in school? Pick up games? Hey. Those Nikes they wear are advertisements and they are 24/7 living advertisements for the NBA. Maybe they should be paid every moment of their life. I mean if they walk down the street with an NBA jersey and walk into a McDonalds and ESPECIALLY if someone takes a picture and it goes on line, that represents value and we're just screwing them if we don't pay them for that.

No. Don't pay them to go to the Olympics or the World Championships. They'll probably lose to Lithuania anyway. Actually I think they should pay me for that one. I mean I may have bought a USA jersey and I would have looked ridiculous after that thereby causing my earning power to go down. Someone write me a check.

[Eja117]

nobody complained when nbc, cbs, abc, cnn, foxnews etc aired about a week straight of 24 hour news commercial free when the Twin Towers went down. Maybe because they were supposed to do that.

If they had Olympic TV events I would probably expect nbc to compete without being paid. Beat those BBC mofos! Beat North Korea state television!  

The athletes aren't actors in a production. It's an entirely optional event. Ray wants something he wasn't offered, because apparently something to do with fairness or not having enough money or something.

But if Ray can turn around and say he doesn't have enough money then why can't NBC?

So Allen said he didn't have enough money now?

The olympics are a corporate event. Let's stop pretending it is anything else.
Not one of the people who actually run the show are doing it for free. Why should the athletes? Why should corporations profit from the sale of their jerseys?

I'm guessing because they designed the jersey, got the copyright, and sold it?

[Eja117]

nobody complained when nbc, cbs, abc, cnn, foxnews etc aired about a week straight of 24 hour news commercial free when the Twin Towers went down. Maybe because they were supposed to do that.

If they had Olympic TV events I would probably expect nbc to compete without being paid. Beat those BBC mofos! Beat North Korea state television!  

The athletes aren't actors in a production. It's an entirely optional event. Ray wants something he wasn't offered, because apparently something to do with fairness or not having enough money or something.

But if Ray can turn around and say he doesn't have enough money then why can't NBC?

So Allen said he didn't have enough money now?

The olympics are a corporate event. Let's stop pretending it is anything else.
Not one of the people who actually run the show are doing it for free. Why should the athletes? Why should corporations profit from the sale of their jerseys?

The reason Ray Allen shouldn't get a dime for the sale of a Ray Allen Olympic jersey is because he put zero value into that jersey. The value doesn't come from the Allen on the back. It comes from the USA on the front and if he doesn't want to wear it then shut up and go home, because there are millions who would.

[Eja117]

The way this thread could become PERFECT would be if a player would compare it to slavery.

[dlpin]

let me get this straight. We routinely expect players to take hometown discounts or take less money to win a ring, but we think they should get paid to go to the Olympics?

Is there anything else they should get paid to be in? Charity tournaments? Local high school appearances encouraging kids to stay in school? Pick up games? Hey. Those Nikes they wear are advertisements and they are 24/7 living advertisements for the NBA. Maybe they should be paid every moment of their life. I mean if they walk down the street with an NBA jersey and walk into a McDonalds and ESPECIALLY if someone takes a picture and it goes on line, that represents value and we're just screwing them if we don't pay them for that.

No. Don't pay them to go to the Olympics or the World Championships. They'll probably lose to Lithuania anyway. Actually I think they should pay me for that one. I mean I may have bought a USA jersey and I would have looked ridiculous after that thereby causing my earning power to go down. Someone write me a check.

Are we really comparing charity events to the olympics now? The money they don't make isn't being spent on charities, or good deeds, or any lofty goals. It goes to the corporations that sponsor the events.

I'm guessing because they designed the jersey, got the copyright, and sold it?

let me rephrase that. Why should the corporations keep all the profit? Half those jerseys wouldn't be sold if not for the name in the back.

The reason Ray Allen shouldn't get a dime for the sale of a Ray Allen Olympic jersey is because he put zero value into that jersey. The value doesn't come from the Allen on the back. It comes from the USA on the front and if he doesn't want to wear it then shut up and go home, because there are millions who would.

Ah, I guess people all buy the nameless shirt right? That is certainly the best seller.


In any case, it is not worth it to discuss it anymore. I am sure everyone here donates their vacation time to helping those olympic athletes who need it. After all, if we expect athletes to donate their time to the olympic ideal, regardless of who profits from it, it'd be hypocritical if we weren't doing our part either.

[Eja117]

I'm just guessing that maaaayyyybbbbeee the profits go to the ones that invest in the Olympics. The Olympics don't just materialize out of nowhere. If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to.

[greenlion]

is the jersey alibi not finished yet? as if it amounts to something great that it should always be rubbed into this thread, c'mon guys, are you buying into this, like the fake this "super athlete philantropists" these are smokescreens into really asking for something, i pity you guys here, posters here are bordering from naive to just plain, i don't wanna say it..

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I'm just guessing that maaaayyyybbbbeee the profits go to the ones that invest in the Olympics. The Olympics don't just materialize out of nowhere. If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to.

Uh I know for sure, that We the tax payers pay some of the bill for the Olympics, my hard working family is still waiting for their check!! The sponsors that pay get their money back and more, just like games during "regular" events, say the Superbowl... don't the athletes still get paid? In fact, don't you get paid a bonus the further you go in the playoffs? Okay, I tell you what, since the people who put it together get all the profits, why don't they just go out and play the games and practice too?

"If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to."

So, are you saying the owners who put the NBA together should get all the profits too and not pay their players? Heck, sounds like the owners got it wrong in negotiations this off-season, sounds like they should have demanded 100%- 0% for the players!

No one is asking for all "the profits", just compensation for work done!

You aren't going to convince me that not wanting to play that much for no pay is a bad thing, sorry! You finish your regular NBA season (playoffs for the better athletes), go practice with totally new teammates for the Olympics, play in the Olympics, then go and play another NBA season and playoffs?!

I can see why they want compensation, I can't see why people are "upset" that they do!

[Eja117]

I'm just guessing that maaaayyyybbbbeee the profits go to the ones that invest in the Olympics. The Olympics don't just materialize out of nowhere. If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to.

Uh I know for sure, that We the tax payers pay some of the bill for the Olympics, my hard working family is still waiting for their check!! The sponsors that pay get their money back and more, just like games during "regular" events, say the Superbowl... don't the athletes still get paid? In fact, don't you get paid a bonus the further you go in the playoffs? Okay, I tell you what, since the people who put it together get all the profits, why don't they just go out and play the games and practice too?

"If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to."

So, are you saying the owners who put the NBA together should get all the profits too and not pay their players? Heck, sounds like the owners got it wrong in negotiations this off-season, sounds like they should have demanded 100%- 0% for the players!

No one is asking for all "the profits", just compensation for work done!

You aren't going to convince me that not wanting to play that much for no pay is a bad thing, sorry! You finish your regular NBA season (playoffs for the better athletes), go practice with totally new teammates for the Olympics, play in the Olympics, then go and play another NBA season and playoffs?!

I can see why they want compensation, I can't see why people are "upset" that they do!

I totally totally agree that not wanting to play that much for no pay isn't necessarily a bad thing. So stay home and take care of kittens. Because the offer is zero. And I guess as a taxpayer that puts on the Olympics all the more I don't want them paid.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I'm just guessing that maaaayyyybbbbeee the profits go to the ones that invest in the Olympics. The Olympics don't just materialize out of nowhere. If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to.

Uh I know for sure, that We the tax payers pay some of the bill for the Olympics, my hard working family is still waiting for their check!! The sponsors that pay get their money back and more, just like games during "regular" events, say the Superbowl... don't the athletes still get paid? In fact, don't you get paid a bonus the further you go in the playoffs? Okay, I tell you what, since the people who put it together get all the profits, why don't they just go out and play the games and practice too?

"If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to."

So, are you saying the owners who put the NBA together should get all the profits too and not pay their players? Heck, sounds like the owners got it wrong in negotiations this off-season, sounds like they should have demanded 100%- 0% for the players!

No one is asking for all "the profits", just compensation for work done!

You aren't going to convince me that not wanting to play that much for no pay is a bad thing, sorry! You finish your regular NBA season (playoffs for the better athletes), go practice with totally new teammates for the Olympics, play in the Olympics, then go and play another NBA season and playoffs?!

I can see why they want compensation, I can't see why people are "upset" that they do!

I totally totally agree that not wanting to play that much for no pay isn't necessarily a bad thing. So stay home and take care of kittens. Because the offer is zero. And I guess as a taxpayer that puts on the Olympics all the more I don't want them paid.

Okay if you don't want them to get paid don't be "mad" that they don't want to play! Also, they do "stay home and take care of kittens" that is the reason this debate is even going on HAHAHAAHAHA... because the best ballers don't want to play and the public doesn't want to see no names play! No one wants to see Toronto play (I don't care that they beat us)!!!

[Eja117]

I'm just guessing that maaaayyyybbbbeee the profits go to the ones that invest in the Olympics. The Olympics don't just materialize out of nowhere. If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to.

Uh I know for sure, that We the tax payers pay some of the bill for the Olympics, my hard working family is still waiting for their check!! The sponsors that pay get their money back and more, just like games during "regular" events, say the Superbowl... don't the athletes still get paid? In fact, don't you get paid a bonus the further you go in the playoffs? Okay, I tell you what, since the people who put it together get all the profits, why don't they just go out and play the games and practice too?

"If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to."

So, are you saying the owners who put the NBA together should get all the profits too and not pay their players? Heck, sounds like the owners got it wrong in negotiations this off-season, sounds like they should have demanded 100%- 0% for the players!

No one is asking for all "the profits", just compensation for work done!

You aren't going to convince me that not wanting to play that much for no pay is a bad thing, sorry! You finish your regular NBA season (playoffs for the better athletes), go practice with totally new teammates for the Olympics, play in the Olympics, then go and play another NBA season and playoffs?!

I can see why they want compensation, I can't see why people are "upset" that they do!

I totally totally agree that not wanting to play that much for no pay isn't necessarily a bad thing. So stay home and take care of kittens. Because the offer is zero. And I guess as a taxpayer that puts on the Olympics all the more I don't want them paid.

Okay if you don't want them to get paid don't be "mad" that they don't want to play! Also, they do "stay home and take care of kittens" that is the reason this debate is even going on HAHAHAAHAHA... because the best ballers don't want to play and the public doesn't want to see no names play! No one wants to see Toronto play (I don't care that they beat us)!!!

I never said I was mad they don't want to play. Let the best players who want to play play. Same thing with other countries. It's optional and always has been.

[greenlion]

I'm just guessing that maaaayyyybbbbeee the profits go to the ones that invest in the Olympics. The Olympics don't just materialize out of nowhere. If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to.

Uh I know for sure, that We the tax payers pay some of the bill for the Olympics, my hard working family is still waiting for their check!! The sponsors that pay get their money back and more, just like games during "regular" events, say the Superbowl... don't the athletes still get paid? In fact, don't you get paid a bonus the further you go in the playoffs? Okay, I tell you what, since the people who put it together get all the profits, why don't they just go out and play the games and practice too?

"If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to."

So, are you saying the owners who put the NBA together should get all the profits too and not pay their players? Heck, sounds like the owners got it wrong in negotiations this off-season, sounds like they should have demanded 100%- 0% for the players!

No one is asking for all "the profits", just compensation for work done!

You aren't going to convince me that not wanting to play that much for no pay is a bad thing, sorry! You finish your regular NBA season (playoffs for the better athletes), go practice with totally new teammates for the Olympics, play in the Olympics, then go and play another NBA season and playoffs?!

I can see why they want compensation, I can't see why people are "upset" that they do!

you are making it sound that the people owe it to them they are doing these?you have one unbelievable concept there, and comparing the NBA to the Olympics is definitely, duh?!? these people are basking in all their popularity and in the process making so much out of it and you still think they ought to be paid,c'mon i ask you, when you talk about compensation, you have at least any idea how much they are talking about before you start defending them..i know dwayne wade's meter is ticking to the amount of $115,000+++,not including endorsement proceeds DAILY, this season alone!!!if i may ask,are you anywhere near that?if you are then you belong to the less than 5% fortunate,but still don't get it..and are you also blinded and still purposely being naive that all the apparel they wear other than the jerseys you people keep rubbing in actually pays more than what you earn, say,for the whole year? and still you guys never stop justifying all these..you know what?the problem is really you, them, the system that overfed these bloated egos, entitled that they are and you guys still make them believe that they should get more..as i have said people here are either naive or, well, i don't wanna say it..

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I'm just guessing that maaaayyyybbbbeee the profits go to the ones that invest in the Olympics. The Olympics don't just materialize out of nowhere. If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to.

Uh I know for sure, that We the tax payers pay some of the bill for the Olympics, my hard working family is still waiting for their check!! The sponsors that pay get their money back and more, just like games during "regular" events, say the Superbowl... don't the athletes still get paid? In fact, don't you get paid a bonus the further you go in the playoffs? Okay, I tell you what, since the people who put it together get all the profits, why don't they just go out and play the games and practice too?

"If Ray Allen wants to spend the money to put on and produce the Olympics then I guess he can have the profits. And he can even pay players if he wants to."

So, are you saying the owners who put the NBA together should get all the profits too and not pay their players? Heck, sounds like the owners got it wrong in negotiations this off-season, sounds like they should have demanded 100%- 0% for the players!

No one is asking for all "the profits", just compensation for work done!

You aren't going to convince me that not wanting to play that much for no pay is a bad thing, sorry! You finish your regular NBA season (playoffs for the better athletes), go practice with totally new teammates for the Olympics, play in the Olympics, then go and play another NBA season and playoffs?!

I can see why they want compensation, I can't see why people are "upset" that they do!

you are making it sound that the people owe it to them they are doing these?you have one unbelievable concept there, and comparing the NBA to the Olympics is definitely, duh?!? these people are basking in all their popularity and in the process making so much out of it and you still think they ought to be paid,c'mon i ask you, when you talk about compensation, you have at least any idea how much they are talking about before you start defending them..i know dwayne wade's meter is ticking to the amount of $115,000+++,not including endorsement proceeds DAILY, this season alone!!!if i may ask,are you anywhere near that?if you are then you belong to the less than 5% fortunate,but still don't get it..and are you also blinded and still purposely being naive that all the apparel they wear other than the jerseys you people keep rubbing in actually pays more than what you earn, say,for the whole year? and still you guys never stop justifying all these..you know what?the problem is really you, them, the system that overfed these bloated egos, entitled that they are and you guys still make them believe that they should get more..as i have said people here are either naive or, well, i don't wanna say it..

I stopped reading after the bold part! You act as if the players owe someone something! The Olympics isn't some huge charity that helps underprivileged kids!! If all profit was going to a noble cause I would have no problem asking the players to do it for free but it's not! So don't come at me with the mess b/c I won't read it if your first sentence is already enough said!!

[rav123]

These guys are volunteering - unlike the charity or promo appearances built into NBA contracts, I'm pretty sure any ball player can just say 'No' if he doesn't want to play in the Olympics or World Championships.

These guys also get a lot of benefits from playing. An ESPN.com article I read today mentioned that Nike gives Wade a $7 million bonus for playing in the Olympics.

Plus, though NBA basketball is much bigger in the US than Olympic basketball, the distinction is not so stark in other regions. The same article mentioned that Kobe signed a deal with Sina.com after the '08 Beijing Olympics.

[Celtics18]

Is anyone considering the fact that there's no way that Ray Allen is ever going to get invited to be a member of the U.S. Olympic team at this point in his career.  Keeping that in mind, I don't see how we can say that he's being greedy and selfish.  He was just giving his opinion on what for him is a hypothetical situation at this point.