In 2024, there was big news in the sports world. Baseball player Juan Soto signed a contract to play for the New York Mets. It was the biggest contract ever signed by a pro athlete. The Mets agreed to pay him a whopping $765 million over 15 years.

    That may sound crazy. But Soto is not alone. Many pro athletes make big money. NBA star Steph Curry gets more than $62 million per year. NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be paid $64 million per year starting in 2027. 

    These huge salaries have restarted an old debate: Are pro athletes paid too much? 

    In 2024, there was big news in sports. Baseball player Juan Soto signed a contract with the New York Mets. It was the biggest contract ever signed by a pro athlete. The Mets will pay him $765 million over 15 years.

    That may sound crazy. But Soto is not alone. Many pro athletes make big money. NBA star Steph Curry gets more than $62 million a year. NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be paid $64 million a year starting in 2027.

    Are pro athletes paid too much?

    In 2024, there was big news in the world of professional sports. Baseball player Juan Soto signed the biggest contract ever signed by a pro athlete. The New York Mets agreed to pay him a whopping $765 million over the course of 15 years.

    That may sound shocking, but Soto is not alone. Many pro athletes make big money. NBA star Steph Curry gets more than $62 million per year, and NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be paid $64 million per year starting in 2027.

    These massive salaries have resurrected an old debate: Are pro athletes paid too much?

    First, it’s important to understand where this money comes from. Top sports leagues like the NFL and NBA make billions of dollars a year. This money comes mostly from TV deals. Some of it also comes from selling tickets and merchandise, like team jerseys. 

    Many fans think it’s only fair that much of this money goes to the athletes. After all, there would be no sports to watch without them. And few can do what these top athletes do. Take LeBron James. His slam dunks are incredible. He’s the NBA’s all-time top scorer. Many say he has earned his millions. 

    Plus, it takes a lot of work to become a pro athlete. Players constantly practice, compete, and travel. That can be hard on their bodies. It can also be dangerous. “Athletes are exposed to serious injury,” says Matthew Hawzen. He’s a professor who studies sports. “Their careers can end in a flash.” 

    In fact, most athletes play for only three to six years. That means they have a small window of time to earn money as a player.

    Top sports leagues like the NFL and NBA make billions of dollars a year. Most of this money comes from TV deals. Some comes from selling tickets and merchandise, like team jerseys.

    Many fans say the athletes deserve a lot of this money. Without them, there would be no sports to watch. And few can do what these top athletes do. Take LeBron James. His slam dunks are amazing. He’s the NBA’s all-time top scorer. Many say he has earned his millions.

    Plus, it takes hard work to become a pro athlete. Players practice, compete, and travel all the time. That can be hard on their bodies. It can be dangerous too. “Athletes are exposed to serious injury,” says Matthew Hawzen. He’s a professor who studies sports. “Their careers can end in a flash.”

    Most athletes play for only three to six years. That’s not much time to earn money as a player.

    First, it’s important to understand where this money comes from. Top sports leagues like the NFL and NBA bring in billions of dollars annually. This money comes mostly from TV deals. Some of it also comes from selling tickets and merchandise, like team jerseys.

    Many fans think it’s only fair that much of this money goes to the athletes. After all, there would be no sports to watch without them. And very few people can do what these elite athletes do. LeBron James, for instance, is the NBA’s all-time top scorer. His slam dunks are incredible. Many say he has earned his millions.

    In addition, it takes a great deal of work to become a professional athlete. Years of practically nonstop practicing, competing, and traveling can be hard on an athlete’s body. It can also be dangerous.

    “Athletes are exposed to serious injury,” notes Matthew Hawzen, a professor who studies sports. “Their careers can end in a flash.”

    In fact, most athletes play for only three to six years—a fairly small window of time in which to earn money as a player.

    But many people believe that sports stars are paid too much. These athletes make more than nurses and doctors. They make more than government officials. They make more than teachers and bus drivers. What does this say about our society? Do we care more about sports than about health, safety, and education? 

    Besides, plenty of people have dangerous jobs. Think about firefighters. These workers don’t get paid a lot even though they’re at risk for injury. Why should athletes? 

    Also, athletes can go on to other high-paying jobs later. Many former pros become well-paid coaches or public speakers.

    The truth is, star athletes make big bucks because of us—the sports fans. If we think athletes make too much, we could stop watching them. 

    Would you? 

    But many people say sports stars are paid too much. These athletes make more than nurses and doctors. They make more than government officials. They make more than teachers and bus drivers. What does this say about our society? Do we care more about sports than about health, safety, and education?

    Besides, plenty of people have dangerous jobs. Think about firefighters. Their work is risky. But they don’t make big money. Why should athletes?

    Also, athletes can get other high-paying jobs later. Many former pros become well-paid coaches or public speakers.

    Star athletes make big bucks because of us, the fans. If we think they make too much, we could stop watching them.

    Would you? 

    But many people believe that sports stars are paid too much. These athletes make more money than nurses and doctors. They make more than government officials, teachers, and bus drivers. What does this fact reveal about our society? Do we value sports more highly than we value health care, safety, and education?

    Besides, plenty of people have dangerous jobs. Firefighters, for example, don’t command gigantic salaries even though they’re at risk for injury. Why should athletes?

    Also, athletes can go on to other high-paying jobs when their playing days come to an end. Many former pros become well-compensated coaches or public speakers.

    The truth is, star athletes make big bucks because of us—the sports fans. If we think athletes are overpaid, we could stop watching them.

    Would you?