Wimbledon 2013

[BrushedBigJJ]

It's the people in charge that decide the revenue, the players get a percent of that revenue. Even if the players weren't greedy the top people still would be and the prices would still be ridiculous. And Russell's 2 million lifetime earnings looks even worse when you take into account he has to pay for all travel and other ependitures out of that money, unlike being part of a team.

[djarvik]

Well, that's a separate debate and topic. I was not defending the over paid athletes, rather implying how unequal is the sharing of the prize money is now. If we go there, we have throw in Actors, Politicians and a whole lot of people who we "think" should be making less....so....

Viera, I disagree. I think it is pathetic compare to the effort put in minus expenses. I realize that everyone has their own idea of "comfort", I can say to you for sure I would not be able to live where I live making that. And I am not a Pro tennis player. Sure, I can always move mid country and live in a Trailer, but that is not why I bust my ass everyday at work.

I don't prescribe into the "some people make too much" movement. It's everyone's responsibly to create a life for ones self, a life one can feel comfortable in, within the current economic and politic climate.

[Cro Morgan]

It's the people in charge that decide the revenue, the players get a percent of that revenue. Even if the players weren't greedy the top people still would be and the prices would still be ridiculous.

At the end of the day, the fan is in full control. If he/she absolutely refused to pay $4.00 for a bottle of water, refused to pay the ticket price, refused to go to games/matches, etc., then the system would eventually correct itself. But no, Joe Blow fan simply can't help himself.

[VillaJ100]

Wimbledon is a huge rip off. £8.50 for a glass of watered down pimms, or £18 for a small glass of champagne
all to give James ward £25.000 next year in the form of a wild card.

I see what you say Cro but their job is professional athlete. If they can no longer do it any more, I don't think they should be forced to work in a grocery store to pay the bills!

At least the money is good for the top guys now. Look at borg or mcenroe, how much did borg earn in prize money, $4-5 million? A great amount, but to live on forever, not really with his lifestyle etc, inflation will erode that sum and this is a ATG player I'm talking about, not some scrub.

[djarvik]

It's the people in charge that decide the revenue, the players get a percent of that revenue. Even if the players weren't greedy the top people still would be and the prices would still be ridiculous.

At the end of the day, the fan is in full control. If he/she absolutely refused to pay $4.00 for a bottle of water, refused to pay the ticket price, refused to go to games/matches, etc., then the system would eventually correct itself. But no, Joe Blow fan simply can't help himself.

Agree 100%.

[Cro Morgan]

I see what you say Cro but their job is professional athlete. If they can no longer do it any more, I don't think they should be forced to work in a grocery store to pay the bills!

Why not?

[Vieira151]

It's the people in charge that decide the revenue, the players get a percent of that revenue. Even if the players weren't greedy the top people still would be and the prices would still be ridiculous. And Russell's 2 million lifetime earnings looks even worse when you take into account he has to pay for all travel and other ependitures out of that money, unlike being part of a team.

Hotels don't cost much. Planes will cost a varying degree of money, though if you book early enough you can get them fairly cheap. >$100k is easy enough to live on in that case.

Also, I may have gotten muddled up with Dollars and Pounds. Forgot Dollars aren't worth nearly as much.

Viera, I disagree. I think it is pathetic compare to the effort put in minus expenses. I realize that everyone has their own idea of "comfort", I can say to you for sure I would not be able to live where I live making that. And I am not a Pro tennis player. Sure, I can always move mid country and live in a Trailer, but that is not why I bust my ass everyday at work.

I don't prescribe into the "some people make too much" movement. It's everyone's responsibly to create a life for ones self, a life one can feel comfortable in, within the current economic and politic climate.

True. I think all the pay should be much more equal throughout. Plus, maybe he feels comfortable with that much money? It's not as if it's hard to live comfortable earning that much money. Sure, the more you earn, the more you spend, but everyone can limit their spending.

I think I view it as not being pathetic, because if I thought that was pathetic, I would have to argue that Doctors should be getting 10 times that, and teachers, and firemen etc etc.

But compared to the top players of the sport? Yes, it's pathetic and unfair.

[Vieira151]

I see what you say Cro but their job is professional athlete. If they can no longer do it any more, I don't think they should be forced to work in a grocery store to pay the bills!

Why not?

I agree with Cro. If you have a job, and can't afford to pay for petrol to drive to your work, then you have to quit, or get a better job. Same should go for tennis players if they can't afford to travel to get there.

[BrushedBigJJ]

Hotels don't cost much. Planes will cost a varying degree of money, though if you book early enough you can get them fairly cheap. >$100k is easy enough to live on in that case.

Also, I may have gotten muddled up with Dollars and Pounds. Forgot Dollars aren't worth nearly as much.

Someone would have to come up with real expense numbers so we could see how much it is.

Dustin Brown (the guy that beat Hewitt) barely makes it, his parents bought him a van so he could get to tournements. A pro tennis player should be able to buy his parents a house. He barely makes it financially while cutting corners, which is completely unfair which others have said. Oh and he will fill the seats when he plays tomorrow.

I agree with Cro. If you have a job, and can't afford to pay for petrol to drive to your work, then you have to quit, or get a better job. Same should go for tennis players if they can't afford to travel to get there.

If...you get your fair share, but if top 200 guys have to quit because they aren't getting paid enough, someone is being way over the top greedy.

[Rob ITST]

It's the people in charge that decide the revenue, the players get a percent of that revenue. Even if the players weren't greedy the top people still would be and the prices would still be ridiculous.

At the end of the day, the fan is in full control. If he/she absolutely refused to pay $4.00 for a bottle of water, refused to pay the ticket price, refused to go to games/matches, etc., then the system would eventually correct itself. But no, Joe Blow fan simply can't help himself.

Agree 100%.

Make that 200%.

The economy is a democracy, and money is our votes. That's why I haven't been to Walmart in 10 years.

And any low ranked tennis player can give tennis lessons after they retire and make plenty of money. I've seen instructors with clinics of 20 people paying $25 per hour..... $500 per hour ain't bad for a washed up never-has-been.

He barely makes it financially while cutting corners, which is completely unfair which others have said. Oh and he will fill the seats when he plays tomorrow.

Yeah, and he will probably make more money tomorrow than a lot of people make in a year.

[Murderface84]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9FUgzAJun4

[BrushedBigJJ]

Question for Rob and Cro. Most sports associations and players associations split revenue close to 50/50. If you were head of the tennis players how would you approach this? Would 40% be okay with you? Would 10% be ok?

From my question I'm guessing you gathered I would fight them tooth and nail for the 50/50 split in revenue. And wouldn't feel guilty about it at all. Because those people at the top would be more than happy to take 90/10. Both sides play a big part in bringing that revenue in.

[VillaJ100]

I don't have a real reason why that shouldn't be the case. I think professional sportsmen are inspirational to others on either a large or small scale. When they cease to be so, the world just forgets about them, like 'thanks for the memory'. And that comparison with golf is ludicrous. How there is so much money in that game I'll never know. For some sports it's arguably worse, look how many boxers have fallen on hard times, and have brain damage to boot. I don't know about their insurance policies, but if you are a journeyman pro, age 29, fall and break a wrist and can never play again, what happens? You have to pump gas for a living being occasionally recognised as hey! You ar that guy who knocked djokovic out of the 2015 us open right!

[Rob ITST]

If you were head of the tennis players how would you approach this? Would 40% be okay with you? Would 10% be ok?

If I were head of the tennis players, I would fight for 99%. If I were head of the tournaments, I would fight for 99%. Either way, it would be my job to get as much as possible, so that's what I would do. And no matter which side you are on, whatever you get is 100% fair. Why? Because if you don't like it, you can go get another job. If you choose to accept 1%, then that's your problem.

What number do I think is really fair? I guess, each person getting the same share of the revenue that they are responsible for generating. Even then, though, you'd probably have to give a little extra to some people. The guys ranked 500-1000 probably earn way more than they generate - but if they didn't exist, the whole tour would fall apart and no one would make anything. So, again, I say it comes down to what people are willing to accept.

[costiiforzaa]

Grigor lost ....