Dwyane Wade (and Ray Allen) made some comments recently about NBA players and being paid to play in the Olympics. As you might expect, there's been some blowback. Any time someone that already makes million of dollars implies they'd like to make even more money for just donning their country's colors and performing what's almost seen as a patriotic duty, there's going to be backlash.
Wade, feeling it I'm sure, took to Twitter to try and clarify his comments.
He really never said he wanted to be paid to play. Ray Allen's the one that actually said that, citing injury risks and adding incentive to making sure the best players play.
The backlash to the idea that players should be paid for the basketballing services is certainly justified though. Because to think that players that are already paid extremely handsomely need to be compensated to play for country is absurd. That's everything the Olympic games are not. Yeah, people are making money and they probably want a slice. But the Olympics aren't supposed to be about money.
It's supposed to be about national pride, your anthem and bringing home a medal for your homeland. To think NBA players deserve some money for just playing is absolutely ridiculous. If that's what it takes to be motivated to put on the red, white and blue (or whatever colors), then you're not Olympic material.
Wade, feeling it I'm sure, took to Twitter to try and clarify his comments.
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...
— Dwyane Wade (@DwyaneWade) April 12, 2012
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.
— Dwyane Wade (@DwyaneWade) April 12, 2012
What I was referencing is there is a lot of Olympic business that happens that athletes are not a part of - and it’s a complicated issue.
— Dwyane Wade (@DwyaneWade) April 12, 2012
BUT my love 4 the game & pride 4 USA motivates me more than any $$$ amount. I repped my country in 2004 when we won the bronze medal and...
— Dwyane Wade (@DwyaneWade) April 12, 2012
...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...
— Dwyane Wade (@DwyaneWade) April 12, 2012
I actually thought Wade's original point about being paid for merchandise sales was a worthy one. As he said, there's a lot of business and money being made off the players that they have no part of. Similar in the way there's a lot of discussion about if college athletes should be compensated for jersey sales and whatnot, Wade was making a reasonable point. Again, an off-the-court point....and I’m looking forward to doing it again in London this summer.
— Dwyane Wade (@DwyaneWade) April 12, 2012
He really never said he wanted to be paid to play. Ray Allen's the one that actually said that, citing injury risks and adding incentive to making sure the best players play.
The backlash to the idea that players should be paid for the basketballing services is certainly justified though. Because to think that players that are already paid extremely handsomely need to be compensated to play for country is absurd. That's everything the Olympic games are not. Yeah, people are making money and they probably want a slice. But the Olympics aren't supposed to be about money.
It's supposed to be about national pride, your anthem and bringing home a medal for your homeland. To think NBA players deserve some money for just playing is absolutely ridiculous. If that's what it takes to be motivated to put on the red, white and blue (or whatever colors), then you're not Olympic material.