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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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10

Most Underpaid Athletes

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

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(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)
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10 comments
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zackmasson
Oct 3, 09 6:54 AM CDT
o shut the fuck up, i wish scientists got paid like that. Reply
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+7
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gabo
Oct 3, 09 7:36 AM 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?
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0
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Robert_Dada
Oct 3, 09 10:33 AM CDT
"Underpaid Athletes" - This has got to be the biggest oxymoron in the history of human communication.
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+3
nick
Oct 3, 09 8:29 AM CDT
This stupid article suggests that I should somehow feel sorry for these "poor" underpaid millionaires. OMG! Reply
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+6
mainlander
Oct 3, 09 8:29 AM CDT
They're asking the wrong question; it's not which athletes are underpaid, it's about all the athletes that are overpaid. To say a running back is underpaid at $2.8 million is absurd. Reply
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+3
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