Adam Silver , the NBA Commissioner, was a guest on Charles Barkley and Gayle King’s CNN show, King Charles. Among the many topics discussed, one in particular was highly sensitive: the debate over players’ salaries, initiated by Barkley and which resulted in Commissioner Silver comparing them to music icons Beyonce and Taylor Swift .
Chuck noted the rise in players’ fees compared to when the public was all surprised when the NBA’s first million-dollar contract was signed. He expressed confidence that a time would come when players would earn more than 80-90 million dollars per year, with 10 million dollars being the NBA’s average salary. Furthermore, Barkley then asked the Commissioner if there are plans to enact a type of “ceiling” to curb the ever-expanding value of players’ contracts.
Adam Silver then responded by stating the revenue-sharing system adopted by the league between teams and players where both parties benefit as long as the league continues being successful and profitable. He also called the players “entertainers” and wondered why the public should be creating a fuss when stars like Beyonce and Taylor Swift make as much money. Furthermore, he emphasized that players deserve to earn more for their global impact on the league.
Here is what Commissioner Silver said:
So, they are entertainers. I don’t think any more than fans begrudge Beyonce or Taylor Swift. To me, if you are generating the interest from the fans, you deserve to make what the market will bear… I think basketball is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and we’re unique in terms of the global appeal. There’s no reason players’ salaries shouldn’t continue to grow, and I think that’s healthy. Adam Silver said
The issue of players’ increased salaries is not only peculiar to basketball. However, there’s no denying that the players are the most significant contributors to the growth of the sports as they put in the work and take risks to entertain the fans both at home and abroad. They indeed deserve to be paid for their worth and efforts.
Adam Silver aside, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal open up about increased players’ salaries
Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal seem to have different reasons for questioning the increasing value of players’ salaries. Big Shaq’s angle is of the jealous side when he talks about the topic that has divided the world of basketball.
O’Neal, as a player, earned a mouth-watering $286 million and admits jealousy about what the players are earning now, especially Minnesota Timberwolves’ French center, Rudy Gobert. He made this known once during an episode of his ‘The Big Podcast.’
Shaq stated:
You think I’m happy Rudy Gobert’s making 250 [million]? God damn right, we get mad, we get petty…I think it’s a little bit of truth in our criticism. Shaquille O’Neal said
While a prime Shaq would have commanded a handsome salary if he were in this current era, there’s no doubt that the NBA’s current appeal is a result of the effort enacted by his generation and the generation before him. Although he’s still among the wealthiest in the industry, due to his wise financial decisions, he can be glad that his contributions during his time are paying off.
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