Robert Smith - LTE- USA Today

Max Power · 08-25-2002, 11:20 AM

Has anyone seen (former Vikings) Robert Smith's letter to the Editors in USA Today this week?

Anywhere to see it on-line?

It addressed player salaries - and closed with the suggestion that people should read more.........

TGwynn19 · 08-25-2002, 11:34 AM

I saw him today on ESPN's Outside the Lines. He stated that athletes are not overpaid. Over the course of his career he made $20 mil. Jim Carrey makes that in one movie. If you can try to catch that program on repeats.

Max Power · 08-25-2002, 12:08 PM

Trev - thanks - saw it - that's how I first heard of the letter.

Craig S. · 08-26-2002, 08:48 AM

Since USA Today charges for archived articles, I'm doing this the old-fashioned way. Here's the text of his letter, which appeared in the August 2nd edition of the paper:

As a former pro athlete and team representative of a player union, I am tired of hearing complaints about "overpaid athletes" ("Ballplayers cry all the way to the bank," Letters, July 8; "Salaries mirror market forces," Letters, July 11).

People are paid for what they collectively produce. No salary is based on a job's intrinsic value. Is an advertising executive really "worth" $100,000 a year? What is the worth of a CEO who runs a company that goes bankrupt, causing thousands of workers to lose compensation?

I am only familiar with the NFL collective bargaining agreement. I do know that NFL salaries are based on what the league brings in from revenues - which is predominantly TV revenue.

If Americans didn't spend so much time watching and reading about sports, athletes wouldn't be paid as much. It's a shame, but I'm sure more Americans can identify the center for the Los Angeles Lakers than the Senate majority leader.

The myopic view that any highly paid individual should accept any working terms that management implements is ridiculous. Get real, people.

That said, I'm not asking anyone to shed tears for athletes who face labor problems. But the public should try to understand the real issues at hand before it whines about athletes' salaries.

Maybe critics of athlete salaries should put down their sports pages and pick up an economics book - or any book for that matter.

WiredTiger · 08-26-2002, 10:27 AM

I have always had a lot of respect for Robert Smith. He makes some very valid points in his editorial. I understand where he is coming from but I don't really feel sorry for either players or owners because they are splitting up a ton of money. I think a lot of fans understand the money issue but are just sick of hearing about it.

soxfan121 · 08-26-2002, 10:39 AM

Robert Smith always struck me as a "smart ball player". Now I know why. Excellent editorial.

Max Power · 08-26-2002, 10:53 AM

Craig

THANKS for finding the letter and making the post!

Awesome letter.

In the OTLW interview, Smith impressed the heck out of me - - - almost like the perfect being - - - smart enough to probably work at NASA, strong enough to play in the NFL, funny and down to earth enough that you would want him to be your friend.

I hope to hear more from him in the future. If he writes a book, I'm buying.

KCBOOMER · 08-26-2002, 11:00 AM

I think we would all be a little less crazy if we quit worrying about what athletes make, But, dammit. $4M for Neifi Perez???

poorme · 08-26-2002, 11:04 AM

football players are underpaid compared to baseball players.

SmedIndy · 08-26-2002, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by poorme
football players are underpaid compared to baseball players.

It seems that way - but with a theoretically more limited amount of revenue (8 vs. 81 games) and a larger roster to pay - perhaps it's right.

poorme · 08-26-2002, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SmedIndy

It seems that way - but with a theoretically more limited amount of revenue (8 vs. 81 games) and a larger roster to pay - perhaps it's right.

i guess, using smith's (adam and robert) logic, you may be right. parents, teach your kids to throw left-handed.

TGwynn19 · 08-26-2002, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by poorme

i guess, using smith's (adam and robert) logic, you may be right. parents, teach your kids to throw left-handed.

i throw left handed and i make $45K

WiredTiger · 08-26-2002, 10:05 PM

left handed catcher. If your kid can hit half way decent he would have a good shot at the bigs.

I have more of a problem with the Neifi Perez contracts than the ARod, Giambi type contracts.

WiredTiger · 08-26-2002, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by poorme
football players are underpaid compared to baseball players.

Part of the reason is just the sheer number of players. I also think the football players didn't sign a very great contract for themselves. Non-guaranteed contracts for football players is pretty bad from the players point of view.

sweaver · 08-27-2002, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TGwynn19
i throw left handed and i make $45K

Geez, you make more than I do. Maybe I should get out of teaching and into golf course management.

08-25-2002, 11:20 AM	#1
Max Power NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: May 2002 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 5,548	Robert Smith - LTE- USA Today Has anyone seen (former Vikings) Robert Smith's letter to the Editors in USA Today this week? Anywhere to see it on-line? It addressed player salaries - and closed with the suggestion that people should read more......... __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator "They come and they go, Hobbs. They come and they go." That's why there's NetShrine.com

08-25-2002, 12:08 PM	#3
Max Power NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: May 2002 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 5,548	Trev - thanks - saw it - that's how I first heard of the letter. __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator "They come and they go, Hobbs. They come and they go." That's why there's NetShrine.com

08-26-2002, 10:53 AM	#7
Max Power NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: May 2002 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 5,548	Craig THANKS for finding the letter and making the post! Awesome letter. In the OTLW interview, Smith impressed the heck out of me - - - almost like the perfect being - - - smart enough to probably work at NASA, strong enough to play in the NFL, funny and down to earth enough that you would want him to be your friend. I hope to hear more from him in the future. If he writes a book, I'm buying. __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator "They come and they go, Hobbs. They come and they go." That's why there's NetShrine.com

08-26-2002, 11:00 AM	#8
KCBOOMER NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Home of the T-Bones Posts: 11,116	I think we would all be a little less crazy if we quit worrying about what athletes make, But, dammit. $4M for Neifi Perez??? __________________ KCBOOMER *Buck O'Neil: The Monarch of Baseball*

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08-25-2002, 11:34 AM	#2
TGwynn19 Guest Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,087	I saw him today on ESPN's Outside the Lines. He stated that athletes are not overpaid. Over the course of his career he made $20 mil. Jim Carrey makes that in one movie. If you can try to catch that program on repeats.

08-26-2002, 08:48 AM	#4
Craig S. Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,330	Since USA Today charges for archived articles, I'm doing this the old-fashioned way. Here's the text of his letter, which appeared in the August 2nd edition of the paper: As a former pro athlete and team representative of a player union, I am tired of hearing complaints about "overpaid athletes" ("Ballplayers cry all the way to the bank," Letters, July 8; "Salaries mirror market forces," Letters, July 11). People are paid for what they collectively produce. No salary is based on a job's intrinsic value. Is an advertising executive really "worth" $100,000 a year? What is the worth of a CEO who runs a company that goes bankrupt, causing thousands of workers to lose compensation? I am only familiar with the NFL collective bargaining agreement. I do know that NFL salaries are based on what the league brings in from revenues - which is predominantly TV revenue. If Americans didn't spend so much time watching and reading about sports, athletes wouldn't be paid as much. It's a shame, but I'm sure more Americans can identify the center for the Los Angeles Lakers than the Senate majority leader. The myopic view that any highly paid individual should accept any working terms that management implements is ridiculous. Get real, people. That said, I'm not asking anyone to shed tears for athletes who face labor problems. But the public should try to understand the real issues at hand before it whines about athletes' salaries. Maybe critics of athlete salaries should put down their sports pages and pick up an economics book - or any book for that matter.

08-26-2002, 10:27 AM	#5
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	I have always had a lot of respect for Robert Smith. He makes some very valid points in his editorial. I understand where he is coming from but I don't really feel sorry for either players or owners because they are splitting up a ton of money. I think a lot of fans understand the money issue but are just sick of hearing about it.

08-26-2002, 10:39 AM	#6
soxfan121 Renounced Membership 7/9/03 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Live Free Or Die, USA Posts: 1,335	Robert Smith always struck me as a "smart ball player". Now I know why. Excellent editorial.

08-26-2002, 11:04 AM	#9
poorme Guest Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: washington dc Posts: 2,625	football players are underpaid compared to baseball players.

08-26-2002, 10:05 PM	#13
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	left handed catcher. If your kid can hit half way decent he would have a good shot at the bigs. I have more of a problem with the Neifi Perez contracts than the ARod, Giambi type contracts.

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