Cada’s payout proves athletes are paid fairly

Here is an somewhat interesting article from the Times Herald newspaper, I don’t agree with this article but thought I would share it with all of you, it just shows that some people just don’t understand poker. Take a few moments to read it and let us know you think of it in the comments section at the bottom of the article.

By Joseph Hayes | The Times Herald

Hayes: Cada’s payout proves athletes are paid fairly

I resisted the urge last week to write about Joe Cada winning the World Series of Poker.

I didn’t want to come off condescending so I forced myself to remain silent. But after a week of reflection I have no choice but to say: Why in the world was a poker player awarded $8.5 million for winning a tournament?

Under no circumstance, outside of Cada solving global warming or bringing along world peace during a hand, should he earn so much money for playing cards.

I’m not here to hate on Cada. I’m glad he won and I hope he makes smart decisions with his money. But his prize should end any discussion about athletes being overpaid.

I’ve heard countless conversations where people have stated: “Athletes get paid all of that money to play a game, while educators get paid far less.” I’ve always ignored these types of complaints because I understand most people are ignorant of what it takes to play professional sports. Being a professional athlete, dare I say, is one of the most demanding jobs in the United States.

Most coaches in the NFL work 100-plus hour weeks. That’s why Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid’s sons were able to sell drugs out of his house. Reid was at work, studying film. I should also note, it’s very interesting there’s no outrage about Cada’s purse. I’ll be the first to say, I’m not into poker. I’ve never even played a hand online or otherwise. I honestly don’t even consider it a sport. I would consider golf, bowling and billiards sports before I say the same about card games.

But that’s just me. To me, poker truly is “just” a game. Professional football? No, that’s simulated war. Professional basketball, hockey and baseball all take a tremendous amount of effort and pain tolerance. In the four major sports, if there is money to be made, I believe the majority of it should go to the players and not the owners.

That’s just my stance.

But an $8.5 million purse for a poker tournament? That’s just downright insane.