ESPN: Dwyane Wade eyes Olympic pay (Screw you, Wade)

[jnhay]

If the Olympics were all about national pride and just boosted the local economy where they're held, I might take issue with what Wade is saying here, but they're not. And by the way, we're talking about sports here. They're placing a ball through a basket so let's try to keep the "integrity, honor and national pride" stuff in perspective.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I'd like to see us go back to using college kids. But, I like to win things. So let's stick with NBA players, and hope they get better.

I'd also rather go back to using college kids.

Definitely. I think that'd be nice. I think it would be great to root for kids and not multimillionaires. Plus I think the Gold would be a lot more special. Now it's just kinda expected.

He's got a point. Everybody is making money except them.

Yeah I'd like to see who makes what off of the Olympics. I personally think any profits should go to whatever charities. Be in line with the whole Olympic Spirit thing.

[DCranon21]

Definitely. I think that'd be nice. I think it would be great to root for kids and not multimillionaires. Plus I think the Gold would be a lot more special. Now it's just kinda expected.

You can forget that idea. I would love to see that as well, but the USOC wants to flex it's basketball muscle and have all of the NBA superstars destroy the pros from Croatia, Checz Republic, Lithuania(sp?), Germany, and Spain. I think they are still bitter over that 1988 Bronze Medal. But if you can, look up that 1984 Mens Basketball team. That's the type of team I would want, if everyone stays in school like that team.

[HailGreen28]

He's got a point. Everybody is making money except them.

Wade and other players are getting some money, and stuff like per diem, like everybody else.

Looks like Wade just turns his nose up at anything less than millions. Guess playing for your country and getting a more normal living expense for just that isn't enough?

And if the money others get is a problem, could the Olympic committee brand itself like the NFL does, and give most revenue to charity? That's where the emphasis should be. Not "me" "me" "me" coming from a multi-millionaire.

Yeah, I see stories like this, and I'm no longer sorry for some players during lockouts.

[Koolblue13]

1, basketball is completely full of me me me players and a joke of a professional sport. Guys faking penalties, give me a break.

2. I care more about Hannah Montana than I do the Olympics.

[HailGreen28]

1, basketball is completely full of me me me players and a joke of a professional sport. Guys faking penalties, give me a break.

2. I care more about Hannah Montana than I do the Olympics.

Yeah hate stuff like flopping in basketball and men's soccer (lol last I saw women's soccer thought they were better because of less flopping.), and some of the egos. Other egos I like, go figure.

[IONTOP]

They should give these Olympians a chunk of a precious metal or something as compensation...

[thebluefood]

I'd also rather go back to using college kids.

Agreed. I'm sure our best college students could take most of the world to task in the Olympics.

[Whiskeypeet]

What happens in other countries? Do their Olympic athletes get paid?

[Special K]

Would he like some cheese with that whine? "It requires some extra time to represent the U.S. team." Well NO **** you idiot. Talk to all the 1000's of other legitmate amateur athletes whose sports aren't as popular and who "play" or "train" their lives in their respective sports and don't make millions of dollars and get to have their homes featured on the latest MTV "cribs" episodes.

Most of the athletes who represent Team USA don't make "a ton of money" off of the Olympics, unless they medal, which most don't...and even then, don't make half of what most of us make in a year. Most Team USA athletes who represent our country are financially-struggling amateur athletes whose families sacrifice a hell of a lot to facilitate their training. Most get paid next to nothing to train, most can never dream of big endorsements or sponsorships, and most have to heavily depend on family and friends to support them through their many years of full-time training.

As someone who was the primary support to a family member on a US national team, who's family member trained full-time as an Olympic hopeful, and who had to personally fight his national athletic organization to pay for his multiple major injuries he sustained during sanctioned tourrnaments (yeah, when you are forced to compete in national qualifiers for some amateur sports, the overseeing sports bodies many times still don't want to pay for injuries at their events)...let's just say it makes me sick to see this jackass whine about pay, when he's already getting paid an insane amount of money to play his sport and most Olympic hopefuls in our country DO NOT.

Sure, he may have some point in his request..if he asked that for all athletes and didn't place his request solely within the context of his particular sport. As he's going about his request now, it makes him seem like an overpaid, whiny ****head who's only looking out for his own interests. I might even be less harsh with my criticism of him if he approached the subject from that angle...

---------- Post added April-11th-2012 at 09:47 PM ----------

What happens in other countries? Do their Olympic athletes get paid?

Most other countries, particularly old Soviet-bloc, China, Cuba, etc., yes, they get paid a lot.

[FSUSkins24]

Not really sure where the outrage over this article is coming from. He makes a good point, and it's not like he's saying he won't play for the team without getting paid... he was probably just asked if olympic players should be paid.

At no point did he say they were starving, or even starved for money. He just says that money is being made off of people who aren't seeing any of it.

Obviously the olympics has always been amateur and will continue to be, but to get pissed over what he said is stupid. I think Wade is the least of the NBA's problems, in fact he is a model athlete.

[Burgold]

I think it's because it's inherently dishonest. NBAers who go to the Olympics do get paid. You think that the players who do well in the Olympics don't see a significant bump in their endorsement revenue? Now, that may be indirect money, but I bet that every pro-player who goes overseas to wear the Red, White, and Blue sees their popularity and therefore their ad money rise.

More, as others have stated, the degree of "sacrifice" a Dwayne Wade makes to be on an Olympic Team is nothing next to what a majority of Olympians sacrifice. He has to give up some vacation time. Poor baby.

[royallypwned]

My most hated athlete of all time. I hope he gets hit by a train. ****in Quagmire jaw and all.

[jnhay]

Where does the money made during the Olympics go if a substantial portion of it doesn't go to the athletes? I think that should be taken into consideration before calling Wade a jerk, which is kinda dumb either way. Dwayne Wade likes money? That *******!

[x96bryan10]

Well I'm sure it ai'nt going to charity .....The olympics is a business just like schools, jails, and hospitals. Somebody's getting rich.