General Discussion

ScreamingMeemie

(68,918 posts)

6. "Tens of millions" go to only the top players.

Tue Dec 1, 2015, 10:06 AM

Dec 2015

(Aaron Rodgers will make $22 million this year)

The average NFL player will make nowhere near that much.

Depending on who you ask, the average NFL career is between 3.5 and 6 years.
Compare to the average professor's career.

The average salary for an NFL player makes 1.9 million a year, but there are a ton who make far less and that number is skewed by the ridiculous salaries at the very top.

I know two men who played professional (NFL) football. Both had careers of 5 years. Both couldn't use their college diplomas for much more than kindling once they "retired" (got injured or didn't "make" the team). Take that 1.9 million (although they played in the 80s) and divide it by 5 (or even 6...hell, even 10) years. What do you have?

You could say they were not hired outside of football because they were not really taught anything in college, or because of their appearance. One of my friends is 6'8 and black. Not too many Texas companies appear to be willing to hire him, and he's whip smart. So, he spends his time as a personal trainer to the children of Texas parents who want their children to be the "next big thing" on the gridiron. He is not paid well and drives a beat-up mid-90s Toyota pickup.

Living down here, I'm more concerned with what the average K-12 teacher makes compared to the average oil executive.

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paychecks in pro football [View all] clydefrand Dec 2015 OP

The median NFL salary is $750K Recursion Dec 2015 #1

How many of each? tazkcmo Dec 2015 #2

The Career Length Is Highly Limited Too ProfessorGAC Dec 2015 #9

"apples and oranges" exactly ScreamingMeemie Dec 2015 #14

Mainly kickers tazkcmo Dec 2015 #15

To what end? Brickbat Dec 2015 #3

hope you are not allergic to facts... GreatGazoo Dec 2015 #4

I am actually surprised that the percentage with college degrees is that high. Tipperary Dec 2015 #17

I like the peyton manning/tom brady spike right there at age 37ish GummyBearz Dec 2015 #18

A good theory, but not proven by the facts. bluedigger Dec 2015 #42

And who else in the NFL was 37ish in 2013 and making more than them? GummyBearz Dec 2015 #44

You know, you may have a point there. bluedigger Dec 2015 #45

Pro athletes, like actors, can make a lot of money The2ndWheel Dec 2015 #5

"Tens of millions" go to only the top players. ScreamingMeemie Dec 2015 #6

You say an average career of 3.5 - 6 years as a bad thing. Give me $750k for MillennialDem Dec 2015 #7

I'll tell my friend you said that... ScreamingMeemie Dec 2015 #8

I was referring to the median earner in 2015 (it was posted up higher in the thread). I would obviou MillennialDem Dec 2015 #12

After Taxes ProfessorGAC Dec 2015 #10

I wasn't including agency fees silly bear. But yeah even after taxes. I ran the numbers and that MillennialDem Dec 2015 #11

This is a formula I just have to see. A HERETIC I AM Dec 2015 #20

For taxes? This is a rough back of the envelope calculation because I'm running late MillennialDem Dec 2015 #22

And what security these days do you think is going to yield 7%? (Edited) A HERETIC I AM Dec 2015 #24

Yes I would be taking significant risk, about 50% stocks 50% bonds. Of course MillennialDem Dec 2015 #35

Wait. You'd have a million dollars socked away... tkmorris Dec 2015 #47

Just for kicks NobodyHere Dec 2015 #57

Like I Said ProfessorGAC Dec 2015 #23

It's $40,000 a year plus a 3% raise every year until the end of time for 1 person, not 2. The MillennialDem Dec 2015 #36

Well, okay. Buzz Clik Dec 2015 #28

I'm 35 but will probably live 60+ more years based on family history. almost all grandparents MillennialDem Dec 2015 #38

Retirement Pensions erpowers Dec 2015 #40

Say you make the $750k and your 3.5 to 6 year starts running at age 22 ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2015 #52

Less then 2% of college football players go on to the pros. Kaleva Dec 2015 #53

This is not an issue that is going to change much of anything in the world. HuckleB Dec 2015 #13

I'd figure 50-80 hours a week for the starters. ileus Dec 2015 #16

You could not pay me enough to abuse my body like that. dilby Dec 2015 #19

A friend of mine Munificence Dec 2015 #21

"the drug trade" alcibiades_mystery Dec 2015 #25

+1 Buzz Clik Dec 2015 #26

Maybe he knew Bam Morris? NobodyHere Dec 2015 #58

Do tell. Buzz Clik Dec 2015 #27

Oh look! A bullshit racist old wives tale come to life on DU. ScreamingMeemie Dec 2015 #30

Here's a "racist wife tale" for you Munificence Dec 2015 #48

Provide a link showing that an overwhelming majority of NFL players ScreamingMeemie Dec 2015 #49

Come on ... It's not "the majority of NFL players" ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2015 #56

And Jim Irsay NobodyHere Dec 2015 #59

Somehow, I don't think the commenter was referring to Irsay. do you? n/t 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2015 #60

God, could somebody please find Jed York with a couple keys and some pills? LeftyMom Dec 2015 #62

Famous drug dealers go to prison. (n/t) Iggo Dec 2015 #31

Sam Hurd, ex-Chicago Bears Octafish Dec 2015 #33

Hmmm. That would make a great 30 for 30 KamaAina Dec 2015 #41

I'm sorry.. .but this is unmitigated racist crap. philosslayer Dec 2015 #46

I know several current and former Pro Athletes ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2015 #54

The biggest restraunteur in my town financed his little empire selling coke. LeftyMom Dec 2015 #61

Oh ... I have no doubt ... 1StrongBlackMan Dec 2015 #63

Entertainers of all kinds make lots and lots of money. Buzz Clik Dec 2015 #29

Not to mention the pyramid of potential players. A HERETIC I AM Dec 2015 #32

True, but most(!) high schools do not exploit football players the way most(!) colleges do. Buzz Clik Dec 2015 #34

The term "Student Athlete" is the largest scam ever perpetrated on college students A HERETIC I AM Dec 2015 #43

Fair pay! They are great at their job and generate revenue! They earn it! Nt Logical Dec 2015 #37

Most players went to college, anyway KamaAina Dec 2015 #39

Well, I'm an adjunct, which is low pay. But I'm not courting concussions and other injuries. Starry Messenger Dec 2015 #50

I'm always curious to know why actors or musical artists aren't used for these comparisons. frylock Dec 2015 #51

Someone doesn't understand supply and demand TampaAnimusVortex Dec 2015 #55