Odell Beckham says NFL players should "get paid more"

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Please...spare me the analogies with fireman, military, etc. Everyone knows those are real life jobs, but unless you are some type of specialist such as a Green Beret, etc. they do not compare to the skillsets of NFL players.

Maybe it's not the place for a 2nd yr player to say, I get that part.

But, comparatively (with other pro sport athletes) speaking, he's right. The top shelf players and positions hold up okay vs other sports, but when you look at the average salary across the board...yes...NFL players should make more than NHL, NBA, or MLB players.

This...

He's just talking about "in comparison" to other sports. Leave the other real life job analogies out of it.

He has a point about risk/reward, sure... But the "you chose this line of work" argument is valid. You have to understand the risks associated with your choices (aka career path). Kind of a catch 22...

 

[ATL96Steeler]

He is not right & is full of shit. You want more money, play more games.

The real reason why NFL players make less on average than MLB or NBA players, is the roster sizes of teams. NFL rosters are twice as large as MLB rosters & four times the size of NBA rosters.

The reality is that NFL players get a larger share of the pie than the other two leagues.

I think there needs to be a re-distribution in part and a larger share of the pie as you say, however you slice it NFL players should be making more on the bottom end.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Are you listening to yourself? How many of us "rank and file" guys would love to make $800k a year to play a game? Give me a fucking break.

Yes, clearly...that's the point. if we had rank n file NFL skills we wouldn't be working jobs that at least a 100,000 other people can do....hell yeah, I think they should make more than $405k per year.

 

[Davis_Mike]

NFL roster size is what makes the "play more games" argument relevant.

2014 Revenue
NFL - $11 B
MLB - $9 B
NBA - $5 B

Estimated total number of players
NFL - 1,696+
MLB - 750+
NBA - 390+

Average player's salary
NFL - $2 million
MLB - $3.82 million
NBA - $4.9 million

Hopefully you can see the pattern & why that is.

 

[Davis_Mike]

I think there needs to be a re-distribution in part and a larger share of the pie as you say, however you slice it NFL players should be making more on the bottom end.

Redistribution? How does that work?

NFL players as a union, take in more money & "work" less than any other league. You want guys to make more on average, tell them to play more games, lower roster sizes, & play on both sides of the ball.

 

[PDay8810]

NFL roster size is what makes the "play more games" argument relevant.

2014 Revenue
NFL - $11 B
MLB - $9 B
NBA - $5 B

Estimated total number of players
NFL - 1,696+
MLB - 750+
NBA - 390+

Average player's salary
NFL - $2 million
MLB - $3.82 million
NBA - $4.9 million

Hopefully you can see the pattern & why that is.

Not likely...I said It's all about percentages of the whole pie on page one and this guy still wants to pound a square peg in a round hole

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Interesting read, but it appears that the article is a knee jerk reaction to the CBA that was barely 2 years old. He complains about the salary cap, predicting it would stay stagnant (hence hurting players) and hear we are 2 years later with the salary cap having gone up over $20 million.

He also claims that because of the cheapening of rookie wages that more rookies are being used, thus pricing out veterans. Since 2010, the number of rookies used in the NFL has been in a steady decline, from 409 in 2010 to 334 in 2014. In fact, only the 400 rookies in 2011 was higher than the average # from 2001-2010 (368.1) and only 2008 was lower than the average of 2012-2014 (335.7).

As for veterans no longer getting jobs, the average number of veterans with 2 or more years of experience playing in the NFL has been higher per year until they reach 9 years of experience.

2 - 443.3/290.5
3 - 278.5/238.9
4 - 225.5/202.2
5 - 174.0/171.3
6 - 146.8/139.7
7 - 120.8/117.4
8 - 97.0 / 95.4
9 - 74.0 / 76.4
10 - 49.5/55.5
10+ - 91.3/114.4

What's really happened is that long lived careers that have lasted 10 or more years are no longer being kept around as often in reserve roles. Despite having only 132 players with 10 years or more experience (tied for the fewest since 2001) those players combined to play the most games (455) and start the most games (162, which obviously does not include kicker/punters) in the last 15 years.

Contractually the cap has to go up if revenues go up b/c the players are guaranteed a certain %...the writer may not have known that at the time.

I'm starting to the get the sense that the NFL would like to do away with STs all together...IDT the NFLPA can afford to lose jobs so they would fight to keep roster sizes were they are.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Not likely...I said It's all about percentages of the whole pie on page one and this guy still wants to pound a square peg in a round hole

I know, he is basically asking that the most talented guys to take less money so the least talented guys can make more. That's not going to happen.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Contractually the cap has to go up if revenues go up b/c the players are guaranteed a certain %...the writer may not have known that at the time.

I'm starting to the get the sense that the NFL would like to do away with STs all together...IDT the NFLPA can afford to lose jobs so they would fight to keep roster sizes were they are.

Roster sizes have increased in recent years. And there is talk of expanding them further. That means less pie to go around & lowering of the average salary.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Redistribution? How does that work?

NFL players as a union, take in more money & "work" less than any other league. You want guys to make more on average, tell them to play more games, lower roster sizes, & play on both sides of the ball.

Good point about more games, 18 has been on the table...that would help, but imo the min. salary should be dbl what is...if you looked at your team's roster about 20 to 23 players make league min...if you double their pay you're taking about adding roughly $8 mil to the payroll. I think teams can easily do that and still make a strong profit.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Not likely...I said It's all about percentages of the whole pie on page one and this guy still wants to pound a square peg in a round hole

You're right...enough.

 

[FantasyBelowZero]

Redistribution? How does that work?

NFL players as a union, take in more money & "work" less than any other league. You want guys to make more on average, tell them to play more games, lower roster sizes, & play on both sides of the ball.

I know that you are speaking hypothetically, but playing more games and playing on offense and defense would harm the game. The players would be more susceptible to injury, the players would be more tired on the field, and the season length would draw attention away from the other major sports (MLB, NBA).

 

[Davis_Mike]

Good point about more games, 18 has been on the table...that would help, but imo the min. salary should be dbl what is...if you looked at your team's roster about 20 to 23 players make league min...if you double their pay you're taking about adding roughly $8 mil to the payroll. I think teams can easily do that and still make a strong profit.

Double?! Why? Because the league takes in the most revenue?

Do you want a 9 year vet scrubs making $1.8 mil a season minimum. Cause that's what will happen. Guys will lose jobs to younger players in larger numbers.

That $8 mil you are talking about adding will come from where? The owners aren't going to give more of the pie. And they shouldn't. Why should they? So workers in the top 5% of the country can double their income?

 

[Davis_Mike]

I know that you are speaking hypothetically, but playing more games and playing on offense and defense would harm the game. The players would be more susceptible to injury, the players would be more tired on the field, and the season length would draw attention away from the other major sports (MLB, NBA).

I know. I am just putting it out there that if players want to earn more money on average than the other leagues, that is what is needed.

More revenue + Less players = Higher average salary

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Double?! Why? Because the league takes in the most revenue?

Do you want a 9 year vet scrubs making $1.8 mil a season minimum. Cause that's what will happen. Guys will lose jobs to younger players in larger numbers.

That $8 mil you are talking about adding will come from where? The owners aren't going to give more of the pie. And they shouldn't. Why should they? So workers in the top 5% of the country can double their income?

I've thrown in the towel, raised the white flag, and concedeed on this one DM.

But I will answer the why dbl part...The STs, bottom rung players make up a large percentage of the team. ST is is where most of the big collisions happen, most of the concussions happen, big injuries, and about every 3 to 4 yrs, teams churn these players out to the street...this is the bulk of the 1 contract players in the NFL...$405k after agent and taxes is roughly $225k to maybe $250k depending on what state they live in...$3 yrs, maybe $750 net and it's time to find something else to do.

Yeah I still think double.

 

[Davis_Mike]

I've thrown in the towel, raised the white flag, and concedeed on this one DM.

But I will answer the why dbl part...The STs, bottom rung players make up a large percentage of the team. ST is is where most of the big collisions happen, most of the concussions happen, big injuries, and about every 3 to 4 yrs, teams churn these players out to the street...this is the bulk of the 1 contract players in the NFL...$405k after agent and taxes is roughly $225k to maybe $250k depending on what state they live in...$3 yrs, maybe $750 net and it's time to find something else to do.

Yeah I still think double.

There are far more dangerous jobs that only pay a fraction of what a minimum NFL salaries pays. It's your choice to take on that risk for that pay. If a player doesn't think making $400k is worth the risk, then find another line of work.

BTW, I think my salary should be doubled too. Do you care if your electric bill gets doubled to compensate that?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

There are far more dangerous jobs that only pay a fraction of what a minimum NFL salaries pays. It's your choice to take on that risk for that pay. If a player doesn't think making $400k is worth the risk, then find another line of work.

BTW, I think my salary should be doubled too. Do you care if your electric bill gets doubled to compensate that?

Very true, I hate equating NFL jobs to regular society jobs...most firemen, police, etc. will have a shelf live of more than 3 yrs on average.

Do you REALLY think your job should pay double?...you'd like it as would I, but should? IDK about that...good chat.

At the end of it...I concede that it won't happen.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Good post.

NFL owners destroyed the players in CBA negotiations - Sports - The Boston Globe

This article sheds some light on this.

Beechum...what you've posted is the reality of the situation...Gilbert fulfilled his rookie contract and got a 2nd deal...Beechum had 2 choices...keep his mouth shut and play it out (which he's done)...or sit out and command starters money. I understand both choices.

This part I want made clear...no one is, or should be shedding any tears for NFL players...but the people that equate us normal Joe income to pro athletes...they're totaling missing the point imo. My angle is compared to other pro sports leagues.

The bottom line here imo is the owners and the NFLPA have the players by the pair.

Well then the players need to bitch at the NFLPA - they got them into this mess with the authorization of the players in the league at the time. As always - the best thing for a player to do in this case is just shut up & determine what can be done to correct this in the future (e.g. fight for better setup during next collective bargaining session or figure out ways to make money off the field).

Like with a lot of folks - it isn't just about how much you make but rather what you do w/ the money & what other opportunities you pursue. A guy in Beckham's situation has a tremendous amt of opportunity to make money & not just on the field. He is young, famous & likely has lots of contacts as well as possibly a degree (or nearing a degree).

If he plans this correctly over the next 10-20 years he will be in a great position during & after that time. Same with lots of players in the NFL. They also have the benifit of learning from all of the other athletes from the past who squandered these opportunities. It is all up to them.

 

[Rock Strongo]

what a diva this clown is starting to come off as.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

I know, he is basically asking that the most talented guys to take less money so the least talented guys can make more. That's not going to happen.

He must be a Lib. Share the wealth....... Oops. Did I say that?