Pay for Olympic play comes in all different forms

This might have been one of the great backtracks of all time.

A couple of days ago, Dwyane Wade suggests that perhaps it’d be a good idea that NBAers who play in the Olympics be compensated for their time; a few waves of discontent from the masses and he was a bit contrite yesterday.

As he probably should have been.

He already is as “compensated” as the rest of the Olympians who’ll be in London and have been in Games for about the last half century.

He, and the rest of the NBAers, are paid by their “sponsors” in almost the same way the hurdlers, rowers, jumpers and throwers are.

They get money to perform in a season – World Cup, world championship, NBA – by companies (sometimes it’s shoe or equipment companies taking care of athletes; sometimes it’s multi-millionaire owners of NBA teams) that allow them to play their games and ply their crafts to become the best in the world.

Look, I know it’s a shame that some of the Olympic athletes who dedicate themselves to training and competition subsist on a barely livable wage; I think more individuals and companies should help defray those costs, I do not think it’s the government’s job given the economic realities of the day.

I also think the fallacy that Olympic athletes are in any way amateur has been so blown out of the water it’s hardly worth bringing up. I would even suggest that some of the great Olympians – think Usain Bolt – might make more money in a year than a large percentage of professional basketball players.

But, sure, if there’s a bonus system in place where Olympic national committees or even governments or sport governing bodies reward medals with cash, by all means let the NBA guys get in it. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

But extra pay for the few weeks it takes to training and play in the Games? I don’t think so. I think the lifestyle they are afforded – and you can’t begin to imagine the luxury – while they prepare is good enough.

I’m sure someone might have gotten to Wade after his first comment and played either on the patriotism angle – you should be happy to represent your country – or the business angle – look, you make hundreds of thousands of dollars in ancillary salary for simply being on the team – and he wisely had a change of heart.

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I don’t even like the pucks all that much and couldn’t name four players on the team – two Sedins and the Luongo dude I could get – yet I hate the Vancouver Canucks, too.

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Hey.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame weekend, I hear.

And since I don’t know what a Hurdy Gurdy Man is, and Mellow Yellow’s too cliché …

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Wanna know what Jonas Valunciunas is up to?

FIBA’s got a little piece on the EuroCup finals that go this weekend in Russia and the soon-to-be Raptor is in there, as he usually is.

There are no real plans for Valanciunas with the Raptors this year; I do know they plan to bring him over for a little orientation time in the next couple of months where he can meet some people, catch up with his coaches, get used to the surroundings. But then he’s all Lithuania’s as they get ready to try and qualify for the London Games.

Since the kid’s been going almost non-stop for more than a year with the under-19 worlds, the Eurobasket, the Lithuanian domestic league, a handful of Cup competitions and the final Olympic qualifier and perhaps the Games themselves, I’m thinking he’s going to need a nice, long rest in late August and September before camp.

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Didn’t we just have a Friday The 13th?

And, no, I’ve never seen one of the installments in that movie franchise; if there’s a cinematic form I care less about than the horror genre, I can’t think what it is.

I don’t know Freddy from Jason from some other ax-wielding murderer; heck, I don’t even think I saw the Texas Chainsaw Massacre when it was originally released in my youth.

Anyway, if you see a black cat today, pick it up, step on a crack in the sidewalk on your way to walk under a ladder.

Go ahead, tempt Fate. Fate’s cool with that.

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Mail? Please. Final plea. Have this afternoon free so time to answer questions.

Do. It. Here.

Thanks.

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So, 59 down and seven to go. Fourteen halves. Twenty-eight quarters. If I could do math or find the calculator on here I’d tell you how many minutes.

So, what to expect?

Well, since we have no idea who’s playing – I’m betting no Bargnani or Kleiza tonight, can’t guess on Jose – the word we’re getting from Dwane is what he wants to see is effort, and the results aren’t nearly as important.

Sure, it’s been that way all year but now it’s even more telling. If guys loaf during the final few games, if they go off half-cocked and try to get theirs at the expense of doing what’s right and needed at any point in a game, it tells the coaches – and us – all about them.

This is the time when professionals have to be professional, there are ticket buyers in the stands who are deserving of the best effort they can get.

One other point Dwane brought up yesterday is really worth remembering.

For guys with uncertain futures, the auditions that are going on aren’t just for the Raptors, they are being held for 29 other general managers.

Trust me, teams are looking all around the league now, even at teams with nothing truly to play for, as they try to find out who’s got what as the summer approaches.

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Comments

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:
I couldn't agree with you more about the horror genre - with one exception: The Shining (the original one with Jack Nicholson). That was one scary movie!

[Striker 77]

Morning Doug,

Im sure you read about what happened to Joffrey Lupul when he attended a Jays game earlier this week... Now, I, like you, am not into he pucks (although I used to be) and I still tend to pay attention because I am a sports fan always reading, listening, so on.. No one deserves that sort of treatment, especially when he had a career year before he got hurt! I really think Toronto fans are way off base (pardon the pun).

They say the Leafs "should" be the best place to play. I wonder if things like this keeps some players away. Seriously, who wants to be treated that way? I really think that this city needs a culture change, no matter how ticked off people might be.

Blogger's note: I think far more with the pucks than any other sport, it's in the minds of some players for sure.

[Peter]

Just a minor correction or addition to the Dwayne Wade story. It was actually Ray Allen who suggested that NBA players be paid. It was a Fox Sports story the day before ESPN had the Dwayne Wade story. The ESPN reporter was asking Wade what he thought of the idea because Ray Allen had previously suggested it. I have to admit that I was shocked that Ray Allen would suggest such a thing. I haven't heard Ray Allen back down from his statement and I'd be curious to know if you have any Boston beat grunt friends, or Fox Sports connections to see if Ray Allen still stands by his opinion.

Blogger's note: Haven't talked to any friends in Boston and Allen's not here so won't be able to ask him. But I know him kind of well, and I doubt he'd change his opinion

[David in Oakville]

Hey Doug,

Any word on whether Ricky Rubio is ready in time for the London Games and if you are Minnesota do you discourage his participation?
Can they stop him?
Another Spaniard and international play quickly comes to mind.

Good round up on NBN as well! When the time is nigh will you be presenting your playoff predictions?

Blogger's note: Rubio will not be ready for London; and I'm sure we'll do some kind of predictions, yes

[Paul]

Doug, on the pay for play issue, I think that there might be a decent solution. A few years back, David Duval ( I believe ) led a charge for Ryder Cup players to complain about the fact that the PGA of America was making millions while the players played for free. Now the Ryder Cup is not the Olympics, but the solution might be. The PGA's solution was to make a donation to the charity of each player's choice. The Olympic answer is that the revenues flow to Olympic sport - if that can't be the charity of the participating athlete's choice, then don't play! But I suspect that it's a slippery slope to pay some Olympians (via charitable donations or otherwise) and not others.

As an aside to all of that, what a prat D-Wade is for even asking. Look at the lengths so many others go to just for the right and honour to play for their country or compete for an Olympic medal. I never really liked him anyway.

[David Mac]

Hi Doug,

336 minutes.

Sincerely,
Your friendly neighborhood mathematician.

[ditch]

I think I should be paid to even watch an Olympic event. Viewing is one skill I can perform at an Olympic level. I swear, you've never seen a person sit in one place with the finese I display.

To whom do I speak to get my cheque and swag?

[Dave T (Ottawa)]

I don't want to put words in D-Wade's mouth, but here is a situation that arises:

I make notes for, for example, a linear algebra class. There are websites (apparently highly touted websites) where students can subscribe, upload class notes for points OR just buy points. These points can be redeemed for other course notes (or movie tickets, but that's another rant). Following the chain, the copyright for course notes I make belongs to me, the student uploads it on a never-read disclaimer that they own the copyright and transfer the copyright to the company and then the website sells it.

My course notes are freely available on my website (or, after the term, by email) and I do not directly want to get paid for them, that's not why I do what I do. However, if some website is going to be paid for them, then why shouldn't I get a cut (in my opinion, the lion's share-- I can make a webpage too!).

What I got from D-Wade's quote was more about a cut of jersey sales with his name on the back. Of course, if USA Basketball earns money from that, they can afford to put their athletes in the best hotels, fly private, etc. I still don't think he quite thought it through to the end, but I don't think he intended originally that he should get paid a salary for playing on USA Basketball.

[doug]

I can see where Allen and Wade are coming from as the games long ago left behind their amateur athletics claim and someone (IOC) is making a boatload of money off the Olympics...I love the games personally, but I think it's time the IOC steps up and starts compensating athletes/teams for performances and not the countries as the countries are footing enough of the bill already, what is the IOC paying for exactly?...I see the Maloof brothers are doing what they do best, ticking people off, I laughed yesterday on this blog when the Mark Cuban discussion was occurring and people were saying they (the owners) pay the bills they can do whatever they want..come on owners in American sport try and do their best to get away with paying as little of the bills as possible...Sacramento the city is paying 275 mill towards a new arena, the Maloof's 75 mill and they are whining now about having to pay a extra 3 mill, tell them to go pound salt, will it happen? of course not, it's the American way, no money for schools etc, but arenas sure we'll open the banks....speaking of the R.A.R hall of fame I see where Axl Rose has turned down his entry (I have never seen a person turn down acceptance into a hall, anywhere), but not only that has had his lawyers make sure his name isn't mentioned or acknowledged in any way, what a guy, too bad as they were in my opinion one of the best bands ever, tight,solid could perform, had it all....to bad it ended how it did but we had them for a short time which will have to suffice....cheers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuN7j3R6JeU&feature=related

[Moshigh]

Nothing wrong with players getting portion of jersey sales to me. Even if they had jersey's with out a name on the back and just number, people would still buy more Kobe, Lebron Wade etc.

I wonder if the large american weapons companies sell there products to the american government for dirt cheap or just at cost no profit? Its for defending their country isnt it!!!!

I never heard that story, but man they booed Lupul I wouldnt even know how he looks to boo him. Many would like to play for Leafs but would never do so unless they are ontop. The so called Leaf fan's are just that Leaf's fans not hockey fan's for the most part. I gurantee next 5 years Raptors and Jays have more sucess!!!!

[Andy Ung]

I hope our D-League players continue to take shots at the expense of the team. What's more important for Raptors..these 28 quarters to "satisfy" fans, or to have a guy come in here next year and make our team a solid positioned playoff team?

There's a reason Bargnani/Jose/Kleiza aren't playing and only half that reason is due to injury. Why did Barbosa get traded? He was simply winning us too many games, so Colangelo gave him away from nothing.

Cheers to hoping we finish the season on a 11 game losing streak.

[Naveed]

Anyone who thinks that the players do not have the right to compensation does not believe in a free market. The exectuives of USA basketball are extremely well compensated for their efforts - why shouldn't they do it for free also? The players have a right to demand compensation and they can take the risk of damage to their brands.

[Lorie]

Hey Doug!
Also being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame is the group(s) Small Faces/Faces which are two very different groups in style and personnel, but bands were always morphing from one to another back then, so I guess someone wasn't sure where one ended and the other began. Loved some of the stuff by Small Faces - it was mod, psychadelic - like "Itchycoo Park":
http://youtu.be/UoPaBa6Ms6Y
But the Small Faces personnel changed and the addition of a couple of musicians by the names of Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart took them from the psychedelic to an R&B sound, and eventually the name changed to Faces. Here's a BBC concert from 1972. It's long - 43:00 minutes, but so great! 'Stay With Me' at the 29:20 minute mark followed immediately by '(I Know) I'm Losing You' still, to me, are terrific. Apparently all members of The Faces will be performing at this year's induction ceremony. Would've loved to see them perform stuff like this.
http://youtu.be/1xHBjeiqzkQ
Cheers! Go Raps! Go Jays! And, Rock On!

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

Re Dwayne Wade. If that is the way he felt, I'd be more impressed with him if he actually had the stones to say, "I'm not playing unless I get mine" but as you've pointed out, he's backtracked, or clarified, or claimed to have been misquoted, or some such. Why are these guys acting like such sphincters? Participation in the Olympics is voluntary. If you are offended that you aren't going to be paid for your participation, decline the opportunity and enjoy your summer. If you'd rather not participate because you already have one of those shiny medals in your trophy case, say so and decline. But remember, in this era of it all about being about "your brand", when people start muttering that you are acting like a jackass and no longer want to be apart of your brand, don't be shocked.

Ciao amigo,
marc in panama

[Jason N]

Hi Doug,

I just want to add on to your comment about who is playing the remaining games of the year.
As a loyal Raptors fan, this has been by far the most painful season to watch. I buy into build from the draft but I was expecting more development from our young bigs, I am beginning to believe that maybe Davis has already reached his ceiling?

Jason N, from Tyendinaga

[Rob.V]

As a loyal Raptors fan, this has been by far the most painful season to watch.
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What, you miss last season? Lucky you!

[Ron]

Perhaps DWade can get an endorsement deal with wheelchair manufacturer Medline (had to look that up) so he can play in the Olympics? I'm quite sure sales will go through the roof if everyone who injures their shoulder start using wheelchairs.

[lee in ottawa]

No Bargnani, Klieza, Jose, Bayless! Why would any sane person want to buy a ticket to this event. What a joke.

Blogger's note: Kleiza should play, Calderon might.

[The J]

I don't know if anyone else saw this, but Jerry Colangelo had a really great response in USA Today, that also provides a lot of clarity on the benefits joining Team USA's basketball team and what is done with the money:

"All of the money that is generated from our participation and the competitions the senior teams participate in in effect subsidizes and pays for the entire U.S. Olympic [basketball] programs and that includes all of the junior programs where most of these players came from. ... Most of them all started there, men and women.

When I took over the program in 2005, they were in a terrible losing situation financially. ... During the next four years, I quadrupled the revenue, but that only brought us to break-even. That covers all of the expenses for the men, women, boys and girls, all the way down. We sell sponsorship, sell tickets to exhibition games.

Another reality is, most of the players, and in fact until this comment today, I would have said 100 percent of them, understand that there's some great value to them individually for participating if they so choose to ...

... The opportunity to represent your country is a privilege without anything further said, that's No. 1. ... No. 2, the experience broadens individuals in every regard and every respect because you experience things you would not have under any other circumstance -- the travel, the people you meet.

Thirdly, the brand. We live in a global economy. All of our players have shoe contracts and apparel contracts and they're little mini-business onto themselves and in some cases, they're not mini-businesses, they're quite substantial."

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

I know you're not a pucks person, but do you have an opinion of the Shea Weber 'discipline' handed out by Shanahan? I'm not sure how much a $15-$17 fine would hurt either of our lifestyles!

Blogger's note: My meagre knowledge of the NHL's so-called "discipline" makes me not surprised at all

[doug]

I am not a fan of Stern's a times, but I respect him as really he is a heck of a commissioner for the NBA, I love this article that was just posted on Espn's site on how the Kings Sac deal has fallen apart...the Maloof brothers played Stern for a fool, and they will regret it, reading between the lines of what Stern actually says and what he means in this article is priceless, the Maloof's may have over-played their hand I think.....liked your Nothing but Net article as well, the Grizz may not win but they are going to make a team work, and another Heat loss last night (I wonder if Bosh is as confident now?, he might want to have a moving company on stand-by if the Heat lose in the playoffs), if I were to rank the 16 coaches going into the playoffs, Spoelstra may be 16th, depending on if the Bucks get in then Skiles is 16th...if the Heat had Casey they'd be 10 games better, but wait those players don't want a coach they want a facilitator...ok have a good one, and these new Jays uni's are kick-ass, ...

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7810708/deal-new-sacramento-kings-arena-falls-through

[John Matrix]

Another sportswriter piling on the Canucks? I guess if I was wasting my talent covering the Toronto Raptors I'd be bitter too.

Blogger's note: At least you admit I have talent. Guess subtlety isn't quite up your alley