What % of NBA lottery picks' salaries should be redistributed?

[GarrettFildman]

One and done and then tens of millions. Zion is looking at a $45,000,000 initial contract and $100,000,000+ shoe deal as he walks on stage with his $120,000 watch to put on a hat for running, jumping, and putting a ball through a hoop.

Does an NBA lottery pick or NFL 1st rounder really need the kind of money that they bring in? Did they earn that money? What % should get redistributed? Taxed? Used for the greater good of society?

They certainly didn't build that kind of money or did they? One could argue that the old retired NBA and NFL legends who were never paid at that ridiculous level actually did build the wealth and maybe they deserve a significant % of that money. You could argue that underprivileged communities where many of these NBA and NFL stars come from should get a high % of the money to improve the lives of many people.

One thing is for sure, the amount of money that athletes get paid is not really needed by any human. It was discussed here previously but Saquon Barkley checks in at the #93 highest paid athlete making $25,800,000 this year alone. And that is the 93rd highest athlete earnings this year. The top athlete is at $127,000,000 this year. BTW, according to Forbes, Saquon would be in the top 40 highest paid CEOs with his pay. Does anyone need or deserve to make this much? Should that matter if they can? https://www.forbes.com/athletes/list/2/#tab:overall

 

[Pardlion]

One and done and then tens of millions. Zion is looking at a $45,000,000 initial contract and $100,000,000+ shoe deal as he walks on stage with his $120,000 watch to put on a hat for running, jumping, and putting a ball through a hoop.

Does an NBA lottery pick or NFL 1st rounder really need the kind of money that they bring in? Did they earn that money? What % should get redistributed? Taxed? Used for the greater good of society?

They certainly didn't build that kind of money or did they? One could argue that the old retired NBA and NFL legends who were never paid at that ridiculous level actually did build the wealth and maybe they deserve a significant % of that money. You could argue that underprivileged communities where many of these NBA and NFL stars come from should get a high % of the money to improve the lives of many people.

One thing is for sure, the amount of money that athletes get paid is not really needed by any human. It was discussed here previously but Saquon Barkley checks in at the #93 highest paid athlete making $25,800,000 this year alone. And that is the 93rd highest athlete earnings this year. The top athlete is at $127,000,000 this year. BTW, according to Forbes, Saquon would be in the top 40 highest paid CEOs with his pay. Does anyone need or deserve to make this much? Should that matter if they can? https://www.forbes.com/athletes/list/2/#tab:overall

He should share it with me. And maybe the US women’s soccer team.

 

[MJG-90]

They make a lot of money. But they spend a lot of money. They already are redistributing their wealth. A bunch will redistribute 100% and end up more poor than me.

 

[phillybillyreprise]

Equally to others who earn that amount.

 

[Art]

Maybe the stupidest post ever.

 

[GarrettFildman]

They make a lot of money. But they spend a lot of money. They already are redistributing their wealth. A bunch will redistribute 100% and end up more poor than me.

Maybe you deserve $150 mil to redistribute as well?

 

[GarrettFildman]

Equally to others who earn that amount.

Very few do. Really only the highest paid celebrities are making more. Maybe celebrities should have it redistributed as well? For example, George Clooney made $239,000,000 this past year. What % of that does he deserve? What % should be redistributed?

 

[MJG-90]

Maybe you deserve $150 mil to redistribute as well?

I absolutely deserve that and more. I'd do a great job redistributing it too. Why don't you start a crowd funding project for me.

 

[heckmans]

Zero. Go get a job and earn what you're worth...and get off my lawn...seriously though, this is nonsense. NBA owners are running a business and they only pay their employees what they need to in order to be successful.

People watch games on TV and drive ad revenue. People buy tickets and merchandise. NBA owners believe Zion will add more than $45M to their coffers. end of story.
There are a handful of people who can play basketball at the highest level. There are 10s of millions who can be school teachers, truck drivers, or retail clerks.

Every person who tunes in to watch Zion play will be contributing to his salary and value to the NBA, just as Saquon Barkley does with his play on the field and driving the 5th largest sales of $99 NFL jerseys.

 

[GarrettFildman]

I absolutely deserve that and more. I'd do a great job redistributing it too. Why don't you start a crowd funding project for me.

If I do it, would you still deserve it? Maybe you should do it with a creative and innovative message and then you would definitely deserve it.

 

[tboyer]

If there's going to be redistribution, I'd rather it come from these snake oil salesmen who get rich off people's fear of God.

https://www.instagram.com/preachersnsneakers

(I didn't even know anybody made $750 sneakers until last week -- let alone $2,600 sneakers.)

 

[Nitwit97]

Zero. Go get a job and earn what you're worth...and get off my lawn...seriously though, this is nonsense. NBA owners are running a business and they only pay their employees what they need to in order to be successful.

People watch games on TV and drive ad revenue. People buy tickets and merchandise. NBA owners believe Zion will add more than $45M to their coffers. end of story.
There are a handful of people who can play basketball at the highest level. There are 10s of millions who can be school teachers, truck drivers, or retail clerks.

Every person who tunes in to watch Zion play will be contributing to his salary and value to the NBA, just as Saquon Barkley does with his play on the field and driving the 5th largest sales of $99 NFL jerseys.

Wait - the players do not want them to be referred to as “owners” any more. Sure, they have no problem accepting huge checks from them, maybe the NBA Boss’?

This world is just becoming ridiculous


The atrophy of sensibility is just alarming.

 

[GarrettFildman]

Zero. Go get a job and earn what you're worth...and get off my lawn...seriously though, this is nonsense. NBA owners are running a business and they only pay their employees what they need to in order to be successful.

People watch games on TV and drive ad revenue. People buy tickets and merchandise. NBA owners believe Zion will add more than $45M to their coffers. end of story.
There are a handful of people who can play basketball at the highest level. There are 10s of millions who can be school teachers, truck drivers, or retail clerks.

Every person who tunes in to watch Zion play will be contributing to his salary and value to the NBA, just as Saquon Barkley does with his play on the field and driving the 5th largest sales of $99 NFL jerseys.

So you don't believe that those with much more have any responsibility to society? Are you saying 0 taxes or just no redistribution of earnings beyond current tax rates? Could Zion earn the same without a stable country, with 1st world infrastructure, in a city that probably paid millions to help build the arena? I'm not arguing against your position, I'm just asking for more clarity on exactly what it means.

 

[MJG-90]

If I do it, would you still deserve it? Maybe you should do it with a creative and innovative message and then you would definitely deserve it.

I'm not going to be creative or innovative with my message. I have always maintained that if I ever hit the powerball, mega millions or other lottery, I'd set aside enough to live comfortably and invest the rest into my community -- making sure kids got their educations, weren't living in unsafe environments, had enough food, etc.

 

[cjrugger]

How much did you make this year? How much of your salary are you willing to give back to the 'greater good'?

 

[GarrettFildman]

How much did you make this year? How much of your salary are you willing to give back to the 'greater good'?

I'm guessing you think people should get to keep what they make no matter if they earn crazy amounts? These top athletes and celebrities could give away half of their earnings or more with pretty much no impact at all to their lavish lifestyles.

What's it matter if Clooney brings in a quarter of a billion last year or half of that? But if he were to donate that $125 million to improve the lives of those in need, it might make all of the difference in the world. If the top 100 athletes and top 100 celebrities each donated half of their earnings, it would be $10 billion or more to improve the lives of the poor. If it were all pro athletes and celebrities making $1 million or more per year then imagine the good that could be done. Why don't they do it? It seems that it wouldn't really even change their lifestyle one bit.

 

[MJG-90]

I'm guessing you think people should get to keep what they make no matter if they earn crazy amounts? These top athletes and celebrities could give away half of their earnings or more with pretty much no impact at all to their lavish lifestyles.

What's it matter if Clooney brings in a quarter of a billion last year or half of that? But if he were to donate that $125 million to improve the lives of those in need, it might make all of the difference in the world. If the top 100 athletes and top 100 celebrities each donated half of their earnings, it would be $10 billion or more to improve the lives of the poor. If it were all pro athletes and celebrities making $1 million or more per year then imagine the good that could be done. Why don't they do it? It seems that it wouldn't really even change their lifestyle one bit.

My issue is that tax dollars are some of the most inefficiently spent dollars out there. Worse than some of the worst charities (the ones with high overhead).

I try to give my money to places where I feel I get the best return on my investment.

 

[cjrugger]

I'm guessing you think people should get to keep what they make no matter if they earn crazy amounts? These top athletes and celebrities could give away half of their earnings or more with pretty much no impact at all to their lavish lifestyles.

What's it matter if Clooney brings in a quarter of a billion last year or half of that? But if he were to donate that $125 million to improve the lives of those in need, it might make all of the difference in the world. If the top 100 athletes and top 100 celebrities each donated half of their earnings, it would be $10 billion or more to improve the lives of the poor. If it were all pro athletes and celebrities making $1 million or more per year then imagine the good that could be done. Why don't they do it? It seems that it wouldn't really even change their lifestyle one bit.

No I think people should pay the taxes that the government tells them to pay.

You, assuming you are a well earning PSU grad, could also give away a significant portion of your earnings and have no impact on your life. People live on 10k per year in this country, why should you get to live on 100k? Why don't 1M people making 100k give away 10% each?

Well, because its their money and they can do with it what they want. Just like you

 

[ivan brunetti]

Very few do. Really only the highest paid celebrities are making more. Maybe celebrities should have it redistributed as well? For example, George Clooney made $239,000,000 this past year. What % of that does he deserve? What % should be redistributed?

I'll say about 50%.

With our debt, we need to both cut spending and raise revenue.

 

[GarrettFildman]

My issue is that tax dollars are some of the most inefficiently spent dollars out there. Worse than some of the worst charities (the ones with high overhead).

I try to give my money to places where I feel I get the best return on my investment.

That's good. My wife and I donate directly to charities like Make A Wish and Victory Junction as well as some for cancer research. But I feel best when donating directly to someone I know is in need like a guy from my neighborhood who is battling a long term medical problem, has been in and out of the hospital a lot lately, and has 3 kids. We know the family and it means more to help when you know exactly who it is benefitting.

But why don't we hold this athlete and celebrity class to some reasonable level of helping others? I'm not talking a few thousand here or there, that is the equivalent of a person making $100k/yr giving pocket change a few times a year. I'm just wondering why there is no real call for these multi-million to billionaire athletes, actors, TV show hosts, etc. to actually make a real difference. They could do it with very little to no impact on their lifestyle. Why don't they?

 

[cjrugger]

That's good. My wife and I donate directly to charities like Make A Wish and Victory Junction as well as some for cancer research. But I feel best when donating directly to someone I know is in need like a guy from my neighborhood who is battling a long term medical problem, has been in and out of the hospital a lot lately, and has 3 kids. We know the family and it means more to help when you know exactly who it is benefitting.

But why don't we hold this athlete and celebrity class to some reasonable level of helping others? I'm not talking a few thousand here or there, that is the equivalent of a person making $100k/yr giving pocket change a few times a year. I'm just wondering why there is no real call for these multi-million to billionaire athletes, actors, TV show hosts, etc. to actually make a real difference. They could do it with very little to no impact on their lifestyle. Why don't they?

How much did you make last year and how much did you give away? Trying to figure out what this 'reasonable level' you speak of is going to look like

 

[Woodpecker]

 

[GarrettFildman]

No I think people should pay the taxes that the government tells them to pay.

You, assuming you are a well earning PSU grad, could also give away a significant portion of your earnings and have no impact on your life. People live on 10k per year in this country, why should you get to live on 100k? Why don't 1M people making 100k give away 10% each?

Well, because its their money and they can do with it what they want. Just like you

My wife and I donate time and money to causes. My wife has volunteered more than I have particularly with Make A Wish which has been a lot. We don't have the same means as some of these athletes and celebrities but we do give. By percentage, I guarantee we give way more than 90+% of athletes and celebrities. I am not disclosing what I make and what donate on this site. You can think what you want but that is a stupid request to make of someone.

But again, athletes and celebrities like to tell us what to think and do but I'm not seeing them giving their fair share. They are "blessed" but few are choosing to make a real difference.

 

[ericstratton-rushchairman]

One and done and then tens of millions. Zion is looking at a $45,000,000 initial contract and $100,000,000+ shoe deal as he walks on stage with his $120,000 watch to put on a hat for running, jumping, and putting a ball through a hoop.

Does an NBA lottery pick or NFL 1st rounder really need the kind of money that they bring in? Did they earn that money? What % should get redistributed? Taxed? Used for the greater good of society?

They certainly didn't build that kind of money or did they? One could argue that the old retired NBA and NFL legends who were never paid at that ridiculous level actually did build the wealth and maybe they deserve a significant % of that money. You could argue that underprivileged communities where many of these NBA and NFL stars come from should get a high % of the money to improve the lives of many people.

One thing is for sure, the amount of money that athletes get paid is not really needed by any human. It was discussed here previously but Saquon Barkley checks in at the #93 highest paid athlete making $25,800,000 this year alone. And that is the 93rd highest athlete earnings this year. The top athlete is at $127,000,000 this year. BTW, according to Forbes, Saquon would be in the top 40 highest paid CEOs with his pay. Does anyone need or deserve to make this much? Should that matter if they can? https://www.forbes.com/athletes/list/2/#tab:overall

If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times...

"Gee you're dumb"

 

[BarkleyPSU1]

Current income tax on $500,000+ is 37%... so based on that you are already in the 20-40% range. At this point zero taxes for pro athletes is ludicrous

 

[ericstratton-rushchairman]

Zion will pay more in taxes in one year than all of us will pay in a lifetime.

 

[Art]

Current income tax on $500,000+ is 37%... so based on that you are already in the 20-40% range. At this point zero taxes for pro athletes is ludicrous

I'm sure that Zion will pay whatever the law requires in taxes. Beyond that, however else he wishes to dispose of or distribute his money is his choice.

And since when did this become a social/public policy board?

 

[4rosco]

So you don't believe that those with much more have any responsibility to society? Are you saying 0 taxes or just no redistribution of earnings beyond current tax rates? Could Zion earn the same without a stable country, with 1st world infrastructure, in a city that probably paid millions to help build the arena? I'm not arguing against your position, I'm just asking for more clarity on exactly what it means.

And their take home pay after taxes, escrow and agents is less than 50%. I would say they are paying their fair share.

In July, Steph Curry signed a 5-year deal worth $201,158,790.

- 2017-18 = $34,682,500
- 2018-19 = $37,457,153
- 2019-20 = $40,231,758
- 2020-21 = 43,006,362
- 2021-22 = $45,780,966

On Tuesday, ESPN's Darren Rovell and Bobby Marks examined Curry's salary for this season.

When you factor in everything, the two-time MVP's net pay is...

$15,263,905.

Here's how Rovell and Marks arrived at that number:

- 2017-18 escrow (10 percent) = -$3,468,255
- Federal taxes = -$11,655,683
- City/state taxes = -$4,105,453
- Agent fees (3 percent) = -$954,597
- 401K (max allowed) = -$18,000
- 2016-17 escrow = +$605,618
- Shortfall = +$177,725
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/steph-currys-net-pay-after-taxes-escrow-agent-fees

 

[GarrettFildman]

I'm sure that Zion will pay whatever the law requires in taxes. Beyond that, however else he wishes to dispose of or distribute his money is his choice.

And since when did this become a social/public policy board?

I would argue that it is more of a social/public policy board than a football board from the threads I've seen. We talk odds of war with Iran, multiple threads on climate change, the cost of living in Bethesda, female teachers and sheriffs sleeping with kids, pros and cons of a tesla, and that's just off the top of my head in the last day or so. My question is when does it become a football board?

So you think athletes and celebrities have no responsibility to donate a thing or pay more taxes? Many are billionaires, they wouldn't even miss significant amounts to charitable causes or to communities in need. Only greed is good?

 

[indynittany]

.....These top athletes and celebrities could give away half of their earnings or more with pretty much no impact at all to their lavish lifestyles....

Completely irrelevant!

 

[GarrettFildman]

And their take home pay after taxes, escrow and agents is less than 50%. I would say they are paying their fair share.

In July, Steph Curry signed a 5-year deal worth $201,158,790.

- 2017-18 = $34,682,500
- 2018-19 = $37,457,153
- 2019-20 = $40,231,758
- 2020-21 = 43,006,362
- 2021-22 = $45,780,966

On Tuesday, ESPN's Darren Rovell and Bobby Marks examined Curry's salary for this season.

When you factor in everything, the two-time MVP's net pay is...

$15,263,905.

Here's how Rovell and Marks arrived at that number:

- 2017-18 escrow (10 percent) = -$3,468,255
- Federal taxes = -$11,655,683
- City/state taxes = -$4,105,453
- Agent fees (3 percent) = -$954,597
- 401K (max allowed) = -$18,000
- 2016-17 escrow = +$605,618
- Shortfall = +$177,725
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/steph-currys-net-pay-after-taxes-escrow-agent-fees

Can you explain how the athlete's escrow for 2 years, 401k max, and some shortfall number factor in to money he is paying in taxes or giving to charity this year? Does he need over $15 million a year? Would even $1 million going to charity be noticed?

I'm also glad his agent gets a million in a single contract year for a single player because that is another group of people that need to pony up and pay more.

 

[indynittany]

....But why don't we hold this athlete and celebrity class to some reasonable level of helping others?....

Are you saying it should be compulsory to help others?

 

[indynittany]

......Does he need over $15 million a year?....

Doubly irrelevant!

 

[Art]

I would argue that it is more of a social/public policy board than a football board from the threads I've seen. We talk odds of war with Iran, multiple threads on climate change, the cost of living in Bethesda, female teachers and sheriffs sleeping with kids, pros and cons of a tesla, and that's just off the top of my head in the last day or so. My question is when does it become a football board?

So you think athletes and celebrities have no responsibility to donate a thing or pay more taxes? Many are billionaires, they wouldn't even miss significant amounts to charitable causes or to communities in need. Only greed is good?

Piss the fvck off.

 

[Art]

Are you saying it should compulsory to help others?

I think that it galls Fildman to his core that someone like Zion Williamson makes sooooooooooo much more money than he does.

 

[Jovialgent]

You lost me at "redistributed."

 

[GarrettFildman]

I think that it galls Fildman to his core that someone like Zion Williamson makes sooooooooooo much more money than he does.

Because he is more athletic than I ever was? Basketball wasn't even in my top 3 sports. Football, baseball, and wrestling in that order.

 

[psuro]

This thread epitomizes that we are in "silly season"

 

[Obliviax]

One early MLB free agent was asked if he felt bad about how much money he was paid per year. His response "I did, until I realized somebody had enough money to pay it."

 

[GarrettFildman]

So am I correct in characterizing that the overwhelming view on the board is that no matter how large your annual earnings, you should get to keep the vast majority of it and do with it what you choose? That redistributing someone's earnings is a horrible idea even to the poor or underprivileged? Is this what you all truly believe?