Kyrie doesn't understand why Stephen A. Smith is making more money than Wemby

[KGtabake]

Injuries are not part of the job description.
Athletes are paid for 82 games, practice and other team commitments.
If Wembanyama was never born, Stephen A Smith would still be paid exactly the same amount of money.
Stephen A Smith chose a career that wouldn't cause injuries, and is more reliant on brainpower.
If Wembanyama had the brains and personality of Stephen A Smith, he'd probably choose Stephen A Smith's job too...

Injuries are not part of sports?

You said injuries were part of the job description.
When a player is signed to a contract, they are signed to play, not to get injured and miss games.

They're paid even when injured.
Because that's the job description.
Athletes can get injured.
Every team, every owner knows this when they sign a player.
What are you even talking about?

[bonita_the_frog]

Injuries are not part of sports?

You said injuries were part of the job description.
When a player is signed to a contract, they are signed to play, not to get injured and miss games.

They're paid even when injured.
Because that's the job description.
Athletes can get injured.
Every team, every owner knows this when they sign a player.
What are you even talking about?

That's not what I call a job description.
That's like saying missing work with the flu is a job description for being a school teacher...
Anyway, whatever you think is fine by me.

[-Luke-]

It's not simple economics though. Stephen A operates in a free market, Wemby does not. Wemby gets what he gets because the NBA (CBA) dictates exactly how much Wemby earns. Even if Wemby would bring the Spurs 10 billion in revenue due to jersey sales etc., he would get the exact same amount he currently gets.

It is simple economics.

You are right about Wemby's situation due to the salary cap, but in a comparison there are two sides. The amount of money that the media personality makes in the comparison is stupid and 100% driven by simple economics. Wemby's situation doesn't change any of that.

I understand that in a free market Wemby would make more, and much more than Stephen A. Smith. But still Stephen A. Smith gets paid way too much for the job he does.

This was in response to some people who said Stephen A makes more than Wemby because he brings in more revenue or has more value to his employer. Both may be true, I don't know. But it's irrelevant here, because the Spurs and Wemby cannot negotiate his salary. Stephen A and ESPN can.

However, I read the OP again.

“Does Smith deserve to earn more than Wemby?” Kyrie asked rhetorically[...]

So Kyrie isn't saying that he doesn't know why Stephen A is making more than Wemby. I mean, it would be pretty stupid for him not to know that rookie contracts exists. The way I see it, Kyrie is questioning whether it's fair that Stephen makes so much more money than Wemby or other players. And whether we agree or not, it's a fair question to ask.

[thejigglyroom]

The consumer is why Stephen A and Wemby make their money. If it wasn’t for people following , talking about and watching Stephen A, he wouldn’t be getting this money. Same with Wemby. You know how people always b*tcg about how it’s us who pay the players salaries, It’s the same with Stephen A too.

Deal with it

[bonita_the_frog]

I think its just Kyrie being jealous.
Kyrie prides himself on sharing his thoughts and ideas, but he knows he's only got an audience because of his basketball skills.
Stephen A Smith has a bigger audience than Kyrie, despite not being a basketball player...

[Dupp]

Really really really dumb consumers.

[Jcity08]

I agree with Kyrie but I like to look even deeper, why is Kyrie making more money than teachers who many of which are struggling to make ends meet.

This is why society has priority issues.

[Effigy]

I agree with Kyrie but I like to look even deeper, why is Kyrie making more money than teachers who many of which are struggling to make ends meet.

This is why society has priority issues.

Agreed. Doctors and Teachers should be the highest paying professions. Athlete should be a little above gas station attendant. People who talk about Sports should be at the bottom.