Dwyane Wade wants to get paid for playing for Team USA

Well, it's his choice whether to play or not play. He can elect to sit at home because he isn't getting paid. Tough love.

 

Even if they did pay them it would make them look like money hungry thieves since there are other Olympic athletes that work at Home Depot just to support their Olympic dreams. If they kept the money the public would crucify them.

 

could you imagine if Lebron tweeted this?

 

Same here^

Atleast you know our player are American made
:grin:

 

No way should athletes who people pay to see be compensated, the money should go to where it rightfully belongs, the pockets of various IOC officials and functionaries - living in Switzerland is very expensive...and taking bribes & grease payments alone simply won't cut it.

 

Sort of a douche bag thing to say when his yearly income from the NBA and sponsors is in the neighborhood of $50 Million.

 

I have no problem with that. If a superstar didn't want to play in the Olympics, people would bash them, call them unpatriotic, probably boo them, etc. But if they do take time out of their off season to play, they should be compensated. Either that or go back to amateurs.

 

...what happens when nationalism turns into a dirty word.

 

I think national teams should be able to trade players, sign free agents, etc. like all pro sport leagues do. Oh, and a draft lottery would bring parity.

 

they get compensated with global exposure, endorsements and if they do well they do get a gold medal.

not to mention probably a bunch of fine international women to hook up with


i mean if he wants to get paid and wont then he doesnt have to play simple as that he can turn down the invite -- there are plenty of other players that would love for the chance to play for their country in the olympics

 

He only makers what 15 mil a year plus endorsements? Mans gotta eat!

 

If an Olympic athlete from another sport (ie. curling) said this, I'd have no problem with it.

But a guy who has made upwards of $100M needs to stfu. If you are unhappy with the lack of pay, don't play. I'm sure somebody else capable of playing at that level would gladly take his spot.

Shiit you have guys like Chris Kaman and JaVale McGee willing to change their nationalities to play at this level.

 

and a family to feed...

 

Exactly my thought. I actually agree with Wade, but he's the wrong one to be saying it. If the US Javelin team complains about not being paid, it's understandable. Wade is going to make 9 figures playing basketball. I can't feel to bad that he won't make another $50,000 wearing red, white, and blue this summer.

 

Playing for the national team is serving your country right?

What does the average private in an army make? $20k/year?

One summer, 3 months, lets say $5k?

Now obviously being in combat overseas is a much much much much tougher job than playing basketball, soooo lets give him $1k.

Would he be happy with that? Doubt it would even be worth anything to a guy making millions.

 

Doesn't Phelps rake in $5 million+ a year in endorsements? Wade has an opportunity to broaden his global appeal and earn higher endorsement potential by playing in the Olympics. It may not be a meaningful difference, but it is likely that he is getting paid more in endorsement money than he would if he didn't participate in previous Olympics.

The fact that other parties associated with the Olympics may/may not get paid because of their association (coaches, IOC officials, etc.) is irrelevant to me. Another discussion.

The premise of the Olympics has been built on "amateurism" or playing for one's country. Adding a financial incentive flies in the face of that premise. While I do not think the results of the games would change all that much if you added said financial incentive for all athletes, I do think the fundamental change in principal would negatively impact the Olympics, and certainly my view of it.

 

It's not a separate discussion, it's only a separate disucssion if you want to use the outmoded and ridiculous concept of amateurism (invented not in ancient greece, but by our friends in the NCAA last century...)in order to justify various bureaucrats and functionaries taking home the spoils of a multi-billion dollar industry rather than the participants themselves.

 

I guess representing America is not good enough for people anymore. Hey, DWade, no one is forcing you to do it. You don't want to someone else will. That goes for you too RAllen.

 

they need to get rewards if they win. but not gazillion dollars. they can do sponsorships...

 

Doesn't this fa**** a** b**** get payed enough already? They are people struggling economically and this greedy b*stard needs more money? Sorry for this mini rant, but this makes my blood boil.