Dwyane Wade eyes Olympic pay

[mr.MUskie]

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/7801502/nba-olympians-compensated

MIAMI -- Count two-time Olympian and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade among those who believe NBA players should be paid for playing with Team USA in the London Olympics.

Wade, the leading scorer on the 2008 national team that won a gold medal in China, said he agreed with Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen that players should be compensated for their time participating in the Summer Games. Allen first addressed the issue Tuesday night in an interview with FoxSports.com before the Celtics beat the Heat in Miami.

Allen, 36, is nearing the end of a playing career that included a stint with the national team that won the gold medal during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. But Wade, 30, remains in a pool of players on Team USA's current roster that will compete at this summer's Olympics.

"It's a lot of things you do for the Olympics -- a lot of jerseys you sell," Wade said after the Heat's practice on Wednesday in advance of Thursday's game against Chicago. "We play the whole summer. I do think guys should be compensated. Just like I think college players should be compensated as well. Unfortunately, it's not there. But I think it should be something, you know, there for it."

Wade said he hasn't thought about how much players should be paid for their time. But he said there is a demanding schedule that comes with a commitment to the national team. This summer, NBA players whose teams advance deep into the playoffs could have only a couple of weeks of down time before the start of Team USA's training camp in late July.

The gold medal game is scheduled for Aug. 12, about a month before many NBA players resume workouts to gear up for training camps that open in late September or early October.

"The biggest thing is now you get no rest," Wade said. "So you go to the end of the season, (Team USA) training camp is two weeks later. You're giving up a lot to do it. It's something you want to do. But it's taxing on your body. You're not playing for the dollar. But it would be nice if you would get compensated."

On Tuesday night, Allen told FoxSports.com that sharing profits from the sale of Olympic game jerseys would be acceptable.

"You talk about the patriotism that guys should want to play for, but you (need to) find a way to entice the guys," Allen was quoted as saying in the interview. "It's not the easiest thing in the world if you play deep in the playoffs and then you get two, three weeks off and then you start training again to play more basketball, where it requires you to be away from home and in another country. It's fun, but your body does need a break."

Wade supported Allen's comments.

"I totally agree," Wade said. "I think (jersey) licensing could be a way ... maybe licensing may not be fair because everybody won't get the same amount. (There) should be some way. But that's something they've got to worry about because this will be my last time around."

Heat players LeBron James and Chris Bosh are also on the Team USA roster for the Summer Games. But neither player would say if they agreed with Wade and Allen regarding player compensation.

"I love representing my country, man," James said. "I've done it since 2004 and I'm looking forward to doing it in London. As far as (pay), I don't know, man. It doesn't matter. I'm happy to be a part of the team, to be selected again."

[RushmoreAcademy]

Haiku will say it best:


D Wade wants money
Others smart and hold their tongue
Even evil James

[RawdogDX]

This is a terrible idea. He should read 'Drive'. 

If someone asks you to help move as a favor you are more likely to do it than if they offer you $20.  As soon as you are offered money your brain starts thinking in terms of the value of your time rather than the intrinsic bennifits of helping your friend (or country).  Since NBA players' time is ridiculously valuable, the pay would have to be huge. If it was anything else, it would only cause people to think; 'that isn't much cash and i can use the time off.'

As for us needing to worry about the dream team after him, he's right that there aren't many young SG in the league right now.  I'm sure that will change over the next four years though.

[avid1010]

not a smart pr move...but overall i get his point.

[Golden Avalanche]

Don't like this stance.

Feels like a lot of people are confused about the concept of patriotism. If you need to entice people to don the USA name in any competition, there is little patriotism involved.

[avid1010]

This is a terrible idea. He should read 'Drive'. 

If someone asks you to help move as a favor you are more likely to do it than if they offer you $20.  As soon as you are offered money your brain starts thinking in terms of the value of your time rather than the intrinsic bennifits of helping your friend (or country).  Since NBA players' time is ridiculously valuable, the pay would have to be huge. If it was anything else, it would only cause people to think; 'that isn't much cash and i can use the time off.'

As for us needing to worry about the dream team after him, he's right that there aren't many young SG in the league right now.  I'm sure that will change over the next four years though.

never read "Drive" but i know most people are driven by money, and those that aren't still appreciate it as it shows support.

1. i think he's sick of people getting rich off of "student-athletes" and his name (in the name of patriotism)
2. i think just having some say/understanding in where the $$$ go might be enough in the case of the olympics

the ncaa either needs to pay players or stop chasing the $$$ themselves.  

[buckchuckler]

Hey Dwyane,
     If you don't think this country has done enough for you and given you ample opportunities, please don't play.  I'm sure there are plenty of guys that would be willing to play just to represent their country.  Luol Deng has made a huge deal out of being given the opportunity to play for Great Britain.  I want players like that on the Olympic Squad.  I wonder where Dwyane thinks this money would come from, our ample tax surplus perhaps?
     There is nothing that makes you more important than any other Olympians.  Just my two cents.  I actually find this to be quite arrogant and insulting. 

[avid1010]

does anyone know what is done with the jersey sales $$$??

[bdee29]

Hey Dwyane,
     If you don't think this country has done enough for you and given you ample opportunities, please don't play.  I'm sure there are plenty of guys that would be willing to play just to represent their country.  Luol Deng has made a huge deal out of being given the opportunity to play for Great Britain.  I want players like that on the Olympic Squad.  I wonder where Dwyane thinks this money would come from, our ample tax surplus perhaps?
     There is nothing that makes you more important than any other Olympians.  Just my two cents.  I actually find this to be quite arrogant and insulting. 

+1. He can't just represent his country and be proud? What happened to citius, altius, fortius? Gets paid to play basketball in a state with no income tax and complains when he's not being compensated for 2 weeks as an Olympian. ridiculous, conceited, spoiled comments from Wade.

[jeffreyweee]

I like Wade less and less every day. My least favorite MU NBA player - by far.

[sarcastro]

There is nothing easier than telling someone else what they should do for free.

[seinfeld]

wait, the american players are being forced against their will to play in the Olympics?

[Knight Commission]

D Wade is God. We are mere mortals.

[brewcity77]

Honestly, I feel insulted by this. Does he not understand that this is an amateur competition? I would rather see them go back to not using professionals for basketball and hockey than to start paying the players. I realize the Olympics are largely a money grab for the IOC and host nations, but it's also a dream held by athletes across a wide range of sports. Are we going to start paying all the sprinters, swimmers, and marksmen as well? And who will determine who gets how much? Is Wade going to be judged to have a higher intrinsic value to the competition, or is he willing to take the same cut as a sychronized swimmer?

This happens every 4 years, and it's an honor to be selected. People work their entire lives just to get a chance to do this, and asking for compensation just makes him sound like a spoiled brat. Look at the ridiculous amount of money he gets to play A GAME, for chrissake, and be thankful for the country that has made that possible. Heaven forbid anyone would ever have to actually give something back once or twice in their lives.

[sarcastro]

I realize the Olympics are largely a money grab for the IOC and host nations,.

So, because it is a money grab the players should just work for free?  Does everybody involved in the US Olympics work for free...pardon me, for honor?

Is Wade going to be judged to have a higher intrinsic value to the competition or is he willing to take the same cut as a synchronized swimmer?

How many synchronized swimming jerseys were sold with the number of this athlete you can't even name on it? 

We live in a society built on maximizing profit.  DWade has 10 years to make enough money for the rest of his life.  He should shorten that time, wih no compensation, for THE HONOR of making us feel better about ourselves?

But you're right, he makes a ridiculous amount of money playing a game, money that should clearly be going to team owners for doing nothing.

[seinfeld]

So, because it is a money grab the players should just work for free?  Does everybody involved in the US Olympics work for free...pardon me, for honor?

no one is forcing him to play

[brewcity77]

So, because it is a money grab the players should just work for free?  Does everybody involved in the US Olympics work for free...pardon me, for honor?

How many synchronized swimming jerseys were sold with the number of this athlete you can't even name on it? 

We live in a society built on maximizing profit.  DWade has 10 years to make enough money for the rest of his life.  He should shorten that time, wih no compensation, for THE HONOR of making us feel better about ourselves?

But you're right, he makes a ridiculous amount of money playing a game, money that should clearly be going to team owners for doing nothing.

If he doesn't want to play, fine. I'd rather not have someone that doesn't care enough to take a few weeks out of his oh-so-important life to represent his country traveling to London on our behalf. But the difference between what he does for the Heat and what he does for the Olympic team is vastly different. The Heat are only responsible for the Heat. The USOC has to find funding for what, 20 different sports, of which maybe 2-3 actually generate any revenue?

Again, if he is so intent on making money, screw him. Don't play, I'd rather not have someone like that representing me. It's not like this is an every year thing. And it's not like it takes up that vast an amount of time. I'd much rather have amateurs or players that want to be there and are willing to play for pride and competition for a few weeks than someone who can't put aside his paycheck for a month, especially a paycheck that is more than 588 times that of the average American (you know...the people that PAY his paycheck?).

This is a perfect example of why the Olympics no longer fill most with the wonder and pride they once did. The 1980 US Olympic Hockey team was more deserving of our praise than 10,000 Dwyane Wades would be. They could have went pro, they could have made a money grab, but they played for national pride and the honor of putting on that shirt, something 99.99% of us can only dream of.

And as far as the amount he makes versus what the owners make...what does that have to do with anything? This isn't the NBA. Apples and oranges. He's made enough for 100 lifetimes...if he's so greedy that he needs an extra few hundred thousand, then record another Nike commercial. I'd like Americans in London that actually take pride in representing the country.

[LloydMooresLegs]

This is a d-bag move by d-wade. 

[Marqus Howard]

He just posted this on Facebook:

I'm reading a lot of reports coming out about my comments re: the Olympics and compensation. And I want to clear this up personally...I responded 2 a specific question asked by a reporter on my thoughts of Olympians being paid. I never asked to be paid to PLAY. What I was referencing is there is a lot of Olympic business that happens that athletes are not a part of. It's a complicated issue. BUT my love 4 the game & pride 4 USA motivates me more than any dollar amount. I repped my country in 2004 when we won the silver medal and stood proudly to receive our gold medal in 2008 in Beijing. It's always been an honor for me to be a part of the USA Olympic family & I'm looking forward to doing it again in London this summer.

[brewcity77]

What a joke, that sounds like pure PR spin after getting called out (and not coming after you, TB&G, no intent to shoot the messenger ). If he wasn't asking to be paid to play, what was he asking to be paid for? Modeling a jersey with his name and number on it? Give me a break. These were the quotes in the article attributed to him:

"It's a lot of things you do for the Olympics -- a lot of jerseys you sell," Wade said after the Heat's practice on Wednesday in advance of Thursday's game against Chicago. "We play the whole summer. I do think guys should be compensated. Just like I think college players should be compensated as well. Unfortunately, it's not there. But I think it should be something, you know, there for it."

"The biggest thing is now you get no rest," Wade said. "So you go to the end of the season, [Team USA] training camp is two weeks later. You're giving up a lot to do it. It's something you want to do. But it's taxing on your body. You're not playing for the dollar. But it would be nice if you would get compensated."

"I totally agree," Wade said. "I think [jersey] licensing could be a way ... maybe licensing may not be fair because everybody won't get the same amount. [There] should be some way. But that's something they've got to worry about because this will be my last time around."

.
All he's doing is splitting hairs. The USOC is funding a lot more than his plane ticket, and if they want to use the revenue he makes so we can be competitive in other sports, I don't see any problem with that. If it's that taxing on the body, don't do it. I'm sure there are many other players that would happily take his place without requiring "compensation".

[seinfeld]

are the players too dumb to understand that they make up for lack of pay with bigger endorsements after representing the USA

[MU86NC]

Hey Dwyane,
     If you don't think this country has done enough for you and given you ample opportunities, please don't play.  I'm sure there are plenty of guys that would be willing to play just to represent their country.  Luol Deng has made a huge deal out of being given the opportunity to play for Great Britain.  I want players like that on the Olympic Squad.  I wonder where Dwyane thinks this money would come from, our ample tax surplus perhaps?
     There is nothing that makes you more important than any other Olympians.  Just my two cents.  I actually find this to be quite arrogant and insulting. 

No kidding... Don't play for your country if that is the way oi feel.  sounds like wade is getting warn out...

[mr.MUskie]

He just posted this on Facebook:

I'm reading a lot of reports coming out about my comments re: the Olympics and compensation. And I want to clear this up personally...I responded 2 a specific question asked by a reporter on my thoughts of Olympians being paid. I never asked to be paid to PLAY. What I was referencing is there is a lot of Olympic business that happens that athletes are not a part of. It's a complicated issue. BUT my love 4 the game & pride 4 USA motivates me more than any dollar amount. I repped my country in 2004 when we won the silver medal and stood proudly to receive our gold medal in 2008 in Beijing. It's always been an honor for me to be a part of the USA Olympic family & I'm looking forward to doing it again in London this summer.

Anyone want to bet that this was written by his pr firm and not by dwade personally?

[cheebs09]

He just posted this on Facebook:

I'm reading a lot of reports coming out about my comments re: the Olympics and compensation. And I want to clear this up personally...I responded 2 a specific question asked by a reporter on my thoughts of Olympians being paid. I never asked to be paid to PLAY. What I was referencing is there is a lot of Olympic business that happens that athletes are not a part of. It's a complicated issue. BUT my love 4 the game & pride 4 USA motivates me more than any dollar amount. I repped my country in 2004 when we won the silver medal and stood proudly to receive our gold medal in 2008 in Beijing. It's always been an honor for me to be a part of the USA Olympic family & I'm looking forward to doing it again in London this summer.

I think this confirms it. D-Wade is an avid reader of MUScoop.

[MU82]

Honestly, I feel insulted by this. Does he not understand that this is an amateur competition? I would rather see them go back to not using professionals for basketball and hockey than to start paying the players. I realize the Olympics are largely a money grab for the IOC and host nations, but it's also a dream held by athletes across a wide range of sports. Are we going to start paying all the sprinters, swimmers, and marksmen as well? And who will determine who gets how much? Is Wade going to be judged to have a higher intrinsic value to the competition, or is he willing to take the same cut as a sychronized swimmer?

This happens every 4 years, and it's an honor to be selected. People work their entire lives just to get a chance to do this, and asking for compensation just makes him sound like a spoiled brat. Look at the ridiculous amount of money he gets to play A GAME, for chrissake, and be thankful for the country that has made that possible. Heaven forbid anyone would ever have to actually give something back once or twice in their lives.

It is not an amatuer competition, and it hasn't been for decades now.

Wade's idea is right: Olympic athletes should be paid. They are providing a service, and a rather valuable one. Capitalism 101.

Having said that, these particular athletes do not need to be paid, and I certainly wouldn't lobby for them to get paid. These spoiled NBA jocks would be insulted if they weren't selected to play for Team USA, even knowing full well they won't be paid. It was a politically incorrect answer by Wade. He'd have saved himself lots of grief if he simply didn't say what he was thinking.