Weekly İnsight Presented By Skyhawks Sports Uganda FEATURED TOPIC Are Athletes Overpaid? Is the Price of Greatness or the Cost of Spectacle? Hello Sports Fans, Every week, we will endeavour bring you deep dives into the most debated issues in sports. This time, we’re tackling a question that never gets old: "Are professional athletes really worth the millions they earn?" To begin with, Let’s break down the reality behind the contracts, the controversy, and the culture. The Numbers That Spark Outrage Professional athletes' salaries often feel out of touch with reality: -Kylian Mbappé turned heads with a $1.1 billion offer from Al Hilal. -LeBron James earns over $50 million a year, excluding endorsements. -Patrick Mahomes secured a $450 million deal over 10 years. Meanwhile: The average U.S. teacher earns around $60,000/year. A nurse? Roughly $75,000/year—and that’s after night shifts and holidays. A firefighter? About $55,000/year, risking life and limb. So yes, the numbers are shocking. But what’s behind those massive paychecks? Why Athletes Earn So Much Professional sports is no longer just a game, it’s a global entertainment industry: Here are some more facts, -The FIFA World Cup 2022 generated over $7.5 billion in revenue. -Super Bowl commercials cost over $7 million for 30 seconds of airtime. -Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Gatorade pour billions into athlete sponsorships. Athletes aren’t just playing sports, they’re driving an economy of attention. They earn what the market allows. “They don’t get paid for effort. They get paid for influence.” But Is It Fair? Here’s the ethical dilemma glad you could come with me; Should someone who throws a football earn more than someone who saves lives? Is our culture rewarding talent over service, and entertainment over impact? Critics argue it sends the wrong message: “Be famous, not useful.” Supporters counter with this: Athletes often begin training as children and pretty much they do, theres no escape to that. Most face short careers, physical breakdowns, and intense public pressure and guess what? Yes you got it right, Only and only the elite few make it the pyramid is way too steep. So... Are They Overpaid? YES, if we’re comparing them to teachers, doctors, or civil workers. NO, if we’re judging by demand, revenue, and global business impact. Maybe the problem isn’t how much athletes make… Maybe it’s how little we value the people who hold society together. YOUR TURN We want to hear from you: Should athlete salaries be capped? You can hit the #skyhawkssportsug FINAL THOUGHT In the end, this isn’t just a sports debate. It’s a mirror of our culture—what we cheer for, what we reward, and what we believe matters. Derrick Atukunda Writer Skyhawks Sports Uganda.