Why do people worship sports players?

[digimon7068]

i don't. . .and the closest i ever came to "worship" was probably walter payton. . .they don't make d00ds like that anymore. . .RIP sweetness.

 

[big_bad_buff]

these guys generate billions of dollars, they deserve to get paid millions. I don't agree with some of the newer contracts (especially the long term guaranteed ones where they end up injured or sitting on their ass for 2-3 years), but considering the amount of revenue generated they deserve it.
lets say you had a job, and you alone were responsible for hundred of millions of dollars a year of revenue. you don't think you'd be compensated EXTREMELY well for that?

bottom line..with sports and athletes, its several things.

- they're the best in the world. if you have any respect for athletic ability or skill what some of these guys do is amazing. Out of millions of people who play, these guys are the elite. The top .00001% percentile of any field is gonna be making some serious cash no matter what industry
- it's entertainment and extremely competitive. it's a live, unpredictable male soap opera basically. has its own story lines, etc.
-it allows people to live vicariously through other people.
- there is alot of comraderie and city/local pride associated with sports teams. look at soccer. their national soccer teams are like oxygen to them. half of sports arguments are "my team is better than your team"..why? because it usually represents them and their city.

pretty much sums it up. i don't think anyone should "worship" somebody because for many, these guys are idiots outside of their athletic ability. But knowing stats and keeping track of players is just part of following sports. I follow certain players very closely but i'm just an avid sports fan in general, so i know alot of statistics.

people worship celebs as well, which is another stupidity. but it stems from wanting to be somebody else in the spotlight

My big thing is the amount of money they make, why should anyone in our world this day in age make "millions" a year to have fun? Most of these guys are in there profession because they sucked at everything else so they put all their eggs in one basket. I don’t think there is a single sports start out there that trains harder and are more disciplined than a Mr. Olympia competitor. Yes a lot have natural talent and a god given gift, so they should get 10 million dollars a year because they were born with a gift? It just amazes me someone can get millions of dollars to hit a ball or bounce a ball while the people teaching your children in school live in poverty. They’re cutting 20% of fireman and police officer jobs this year in Seattle area, but the cock suckers who bounce balls make 5 mil a year.

 

[dirty~d~]

I go to the games for the environment and for the sport itself. It has nothing to do with the actual players. Some players make it more exciting to attend the games. Ex: Patrick Kerney has made me love the Hawks defense more because he brings an energy that we've been lacking for the last couple of seasons. It doesn't mean I worship the guy.

 

[Scotsman]

Watch the scene in "Gladiator" where the two senators discuss the upcoming games and you'll have your answer as to why people pay it.

And ticket sales are a tiny part of the revenue of sports, they get far more from tv sales, advertising, endrosements, etc.. than from tickets.

If the average cost of a ticket is $200 and you sell 70,000 of them that's $14,000,000 or less than many players get for the season. Plus the ticket sales mostly go to the upkeep and maintenance of the stadium/facility.


Now as to why people worship players I don't know. I respect most pro athletes to the extent of what they accomplish. I really respect the ones who remain humble in the face of stardom. But it all comes down to the same principle as why do we buy movie tickets, concert tickets, dvd's, etc. We need to be entertained on some level and sports is just another outlet for that.

Cheers,
Scotsman