Forbes magazine says that golfer Tiger Woods is on track to become the world's first billionaire athlete by 2010. What do you think of the astronomical sums of money that sports stars are paid?

Saturday 12th July, 06:27 AM JST

Latest 15 of 27 Total Comments Show All

helloklitty at 05:09 PM JST - 12th July

He should have stayed in school.

I don't have to worry about it as long as he stays out of my neighborhood. If he did move across the street, I suppose I'd be jealous if my wife and kids started hanging out with him.

He doesn't seem to be a jerk, though, unlike a lot of the muscleheads.

ESPN just ran a story on this about how 40% ( ? ) of pro athletes declare bankruptcy at some point in their retirements. Shaquille O'Neill's spending habits are now public record because of his divorce. He spends $24,000 plus on gas per month. He must be driving two Hummers simultaneously 23 hours a day. I didn't check his diaper bill (He has about 34 kids), but it must about the same as my salary.
notimpressed at 05:57 PM JST - 12th July

yeah yeah it is ludicrous. but anything or anyone is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay. whether they are worthy or not is irrelevent, someone is willing to fork out the dough so there it is. None of us would turn it down if someone thought we were worth a multi-million salary or endorsement deal. society is screwed up to pay so much for so little, but thats not the athletes fault. They live in the same society as we do. But noone is willing to pay that much for us or our skills. too bad. Go out and get it yourself some other way. goodluck everyone, I hope you become a gazillionair. Where theres a will theres a way. Wish I could find it soon.
nightflesh at 09:34 PM JST - 12th July

I believe that Tiger Woods deserves all of his earnings. You guys don't know how much Tiger Woods contributes to society. He holds many children and other programs, events, and activities to keep kids active and keeping them positive in life. He give tons of money to charities and has a few of his own. His endorsements with Nike and others do give him more money but they are also make money from him. Other athletes may not deserve all the money but majority of these players in all sports contribute to society more than you think. The media just eats up all of the negative things athletes do because that's what makes ratings. You can't say anything about Tiger Woods anyways because he doesn't do anything negative. Even his comment on Hockey wasn't that bad. Give Tiger Woods what he diserves and know that he is the best athlete the world has ever seen.
Farmboy at 11:57 PM JST - 12th July

Everybody tries to get what they can get. Tiger Woods was successful in getting a lot of money for his talents...congratulations are in order. His getting rich doesn't make someone else poor, and will motivate people to try hard to be champions.
jonobugs at 12:31 AM JST - 13th July

Timborder: well said.
helloklitty at 01:04 AM JST - 13th July

How do you know what we know?

Tiger Woods is probably a very good athlete, but as a golfer, he doesn't get to show off his running, jumping and throwing. As far as best the world has ever seen? No way. That's like calling Tom Brady the best athlete in football. It's a joke. Tiger Woods has amazing concentration, but he only bench presses about 300 pounds. Are you saying he's a better athlete than someone who benches 500 pounds? If he had chosen any other sport, I doubt he would have achieved the same success due to his relatively average physique.

I know a lot of footbally and baseball players are calling Tiger the best athlete, but they haven't really analyzed it. Stick with best golfer and be satisfied or bring back "The Superstars" from 1970s TV. That's when we discovered pole vaulters are stunningly athletic.
akaguma at 01:51 AM JST - 13th July

What do these people contribute to society in the greater scheme of things? Are their social contributions greater than that of other professions such a medicine, etc? ****the people that get paid ridiculous amounts of money and adoration are not at fault. they are just doing what others wish they could do. if there were not so many people lining up, salivating and fawning then they wouldn't register a blip on the radar. the estimation of role models in society is merely a reflection of human, pathetically human values. you may not be one of those that adores such figures but you are a very small minority that fails to register a blip on the monstrosity of the capital culture of this lifetime. what can one do but bite your lip and suffer the angst? self destruction anyone?
motytrah at 03:20 AM JST - 13th July

I think a better question isn't about Woods but the companies that pay him. If I were a share holder in a company that was paying out $100M I would really have to question the value proposition THAT much money brings.
Triple888 at 06:43 AM JST - 13th July

I think it's just the sport itself. Golf. Enough said.
spudman at 08:45 AM JST - 13th July

tiger makes about 20 million a year from nike but nike golf gear sales are about 725 million a year so maybe tiger is underpaid!
outofmydepth at 10:05 AM JST - 13th July

athletes like tiger woods give back so much to the community. if more athletes were like him.
Loki520 at 10:28 PM JST - 13th July

Tiger Woods is probably a very good athlete, but as a golfer, he doesn't get to show off his running, jumping and throwing.

Gee... I wonder why?

Tiger Woods has amazing concentration, but he only bench presses about 300 pounds. Are you saying he's a better athlete than someone who benches 500 pounds?

Are you saying that all athletes are measured by how much they can bench?
MeanRingo at 01:27 AM JST - 14th July

Tiger Woods bench pressing 300 pounds of what? Feathers?
Ivespoken at 07:36 AM JST - 14th July

I believe that the world's priorities are all skewed! Professional athletes earn so much more then teachers and community leaders that it seems to make NO sense! What society is sending out to kids is that you can be more successful in playing sports or entertaining people than you can with getting a good education. These kids look more towards becoming an entertainer than a great teacher because "entertaining is where the money is" so to speak. Tssk... tssk It's a shame.
Farmboy at 06:15 PM JST - 14th July

Professional athletes earn so much more then teachers

Clearly the athletes do better work...(sigh)