I have abandoned pro sports completely. But to the question, the answer is a flat no. The athletes get what their agent negotiates. Until the economic model of pro sports breaks (e.g., all advertisers just pull out), then the system will continue to function.
How come (not to pick at you, LJ) everyone always asks if athletes are overpaid but no one notices or thinks its unfair when Jim Carrey or J Lo or Ben Afflek or whoever gets $20M for a movie?
Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriquez pack in the fans and viewers which brings in the money. If they weren't worth it, they wouldn't be getting it- since its safe to assume that Steinbrenner (for example) is no dummy.
I think part of the reason the public is a little resentful of athlete's salaries is because of the strikes and lockouts and other labor disputes. It makes the athletes look bad even if they have a point. As a former die-hard Atlanta Braves fan (daddy and me used to drive all the way to Etlanna to watch Dale Murphy and Bob Horner & co. lose 100 games a year), I know I'll never look at Tom Glavine the same way again after the way he acted during the 94 strike. I think it was then that I turned by back on pro sports.
I'll take college football anyday over anything the pros have to offer. Yeah, I know there are problems there too but I don't want to talk about them
