Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Most Underpaid Athletes

Even LeBron James makes the list—relatively speaking, of course

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 3, 2009 6:27 AM CDT

(Newser) – If you set aside the fact that even the minimum-earning NBA player ($457,558) is still in the top 1% of American earners, you can appreciate that some sports standouts are relatively underpaid. Yahoo! Sports lists some of the biggies:

  • Tim Lincecum, MLB, San Francisco Giants: Though he’s set to win a second straight Cy Young Award, he makes nearly 20 times less than another pitcher on his team at $695,000.
  • LeBron James, NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers: He’s making the maximum possible—nearly $16 million—and he’s still a steal, considering he saved his franchise.

  • Elvis Dumervil, NFL, Denver Broncos: He’s quietly become one of football’s best pash rushers—and is earning only $535,000.
  • Zack Greinke, MLB, Kansas City Royals: Sports Illustrated called this $3.75 million-earner “the best pitcher in baseball.”
  • Adrian Peterson, NFL, Minnesota Vikings: He led the NFL in rushing for two consecutive seasons, but he’s only the 28th highest-paid running back at $2.8 million.
For the complete list, click the link.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Mark Reynolds.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Mark Reynolds.   (AP Photo/Chris Park, File)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.   (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo.
Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.
New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.   (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez.   (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Adrian Peterson of the Vikings.
Adrian Peterson of the Vikings.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke.   (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Denver Broncos' Boss Bailey.
Denver Broncos' Boss Bailey.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Francisco Giants' Tim Lincecum.
San Francisco Giants' Tim Lincecum.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James.   (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Dr.Gonzo
Oct 4, 2009 2:05 AM CDT
it is a business, so if you look at everyones return on investment then the article makes sense. but yea athletes make too much damn money
divetrader
Oct 4, 2009 1:52 AM CDT
What a great scam. The lowliest of the top tier of athletes fits into the top 1% of the wealthiest Americans. If the lowliest of the top tier of scientists or teachers were getting paid so well, there would be an uprising of the masses.
gabo
Oct 3, 2009 12:36 PM CDT
With the right patents, some scientists do. Athletes are entertainers and are paid as such. What good does it do to count other people's money?

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne