Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Travel expenses hurting Jazz, other local teams
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So Sad | 5:47 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
We're all feeling the pinch from higher feul costs. Even if Larry
Mille's Sports & Entertainment Group has to spend extra on travel
costs, I don't think it's going to affect his lifestyle. The Jazz are
worth over 200 million, with multiple players earning over 8 million per year.
Paying a little on jet feul isn't going to make me feel bad for the team.
What's the difference between netting 100 million on the year compared to
98 million?
disgusted with pro basketball | 6:49 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
You could charge a fee to the players and they could use some of their easy
earned money to help out their franchise. Sorry, not feeling too bad for you
Comments continue below
Feeling So Bad | 6:56 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
I feel so bad for these spoiled millionaire athletes. I vote that the State of
Utah raise taxes and Miller raises ticket prices so that these athletes can
continue private charter flights and "top" hotels. How can they
possibly play basketball if they are forced to sleep at "regular"
hotels that most of us? My heart goes out to each one of them...bless them.
Terrible article desert news | 7:10 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
I also feel terrible for theses athletes. I mean, how can they afford to feed
their families. $90 million goes fast.
Middle East Oil | 7:15 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
It has been really hot in the Middle East this summer and their air conditioning
bills have sky rocketed. I feel really bad for them! Why don't we pay a
little more for our fuel so they don't feel the pinch on the billions they
make. Give me a break Deseret News - you seriously have no credibility if you
write stories like this. Why don't you put some effort into world news
that actually matters instead of this trash.
Shoes | 7:21 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Just look at the picture of D-Will and Brewer accompanying this article. The
fuel pinch has even forced them to wear bowling shoes around. These poor, poor
millionaire athletes...what is this world coming to?
Duff Tittle? | 7:29 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Tell me that's a nickname and not an actual name!
WHAAAAAAA! | 7:32 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
I'm crying crocadile tears! Poor, poor, poor, NBA athletes. What are they
going to do? And I bet they have to pay what us peaons have to pay in their
Lamborgini's. Whaaaaaaa!
To the professional athletes and organizations: SUCK IT UP!!!!
I am soooo done with watching these boobs!
To the professional athletes and organizations: SUCK IT UP!!!!
I am soooo done with watching these boobs!
Mustang | 7:42 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
The answer is very simple - Reduce expenses! Player salaries are outrageous.
While talent acquisition is important, as a business you have to manage the cost
of acquisition against expenses such as travel. Obviously, this is not an easy
thing to do given the player's association and existing contracts. My
concern is that the ticket holder or fan will end up paying for these luxurious
expenses. Attending a professional sporting event is already beyond the average
fan's economic ability to pay. This will further distance the game from
the average fan, which overtime will jeopardize the ability for certain sports
to remain financially viable and relevant to their existing fan bases. I
recommend alternative forms of travel such as Greyhound, Southwest Airlines
etc... If you look at history, bus travel was a common method of transportation
for all sports. With all of the other issues we have as a society, it's
hard to believe that this would make the front page of our online newspapers...
Dutchman | 7:54 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
These guys make more on travel per diem per day than I do per day in addition to
multi million dollar salaries and I am supposed to feel sorry for them. Come on
DesNews, why bring this up in the first place? I am sure they will all survive.
Get a life | 8:11 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Why are so many of you railing on the athletes? It's not their fault the
cost of fuel has gone up. What are they supposed to do...take a pay cut because
their employers cost of doing business goes up? Yeah, right. Just like all you
poor whiners are voluntarily taking pay cuts at work because your employers
costs are rising. It's not a matter of how much they get paid or where
they stay. It's a matter of their employers cost to get them delivered to
the venues where the income is generated. Don't forget, the owners sign
those contracts that include salary and travel perks too.
NEWS FLASH...it's called good ole American capitalism at work...supply and demand...As long as you whiners pay the ticket prices the player salaries will continue to rise. Don't fault D-Will for signing a market value contract. And don't be so naive as to think the players should bail the employers out because their cost of doing business rises.
Get a life!
Oh, and let us know when you take that pay cut to support your employer's rising business costs. Losers...
NEWS FLASH...it's called good ole American capitalism at work...supply and demand...As long as you whiners pay the ticket prices the player salaries will continue to rise. Don't fault D-Will for signing a market value contract. And don't be so naive as to think the players should bail the employers out because their cost of doing business rises.
Get a life!
Oh, and let us know when you take that pay cut to support your employer's rising business costs. Losers...
Bi-Polar Wannabe | 8:14 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
So DesNews... Let me get this straight. These profitable entertainment
organizations are struggling because airlines are charging 10-15% more? You do
realize that with airlines' fuel expenses increasing over 100%, that they
have much more of a burden than these sports org's. You make it sound like
the airlines are the villains because they're raising their fares. How
else would you suggest airlines offset the much more than 10-15% increase in
their travel expenses? Airlines are going out of business every week, cutting
jobs, going into bankruptcy protection, and making some very difficult decisions
because they can't offset their higher costs; and you're worried about
profitable sports franchises travel budgets increasing 10-15%? Wow.. I'm
a little unimpressed.
No sympathy | 8:21 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
This news just breaks my heart! Perhaps the NBA should stop paying them these
outrageous salaries or make them pay their own travel expenses. I hope they
don't have to cut back on the number of cars they own. I'm a public
school teacher/coach, and I often pay for not only my food, but often for food
of athletes who can't afford to buy their own. School districts all over
are feeling the effects of increased travel costs and these guys are crying?
This is the reason why I have lost interest in professional sports.
noclue2@frontiernet.net | 8:32 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Who cares about the pro teams they can raise ticket prices or what ever. The
big question hear is the collage teams. They are running around on the
taxpayers dime, and the school systems are crying they don't have enough
money. Cut the programs and do what schools are supposed to do, teach!!!
Hmm... | 9:07 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Im a little surprised by all the negativity.
1. Realize the players have nothing to do with this, all these agreements where made in there respective CBAs.
2. The idiot that said whats the difference between netting 98 mil over a 100. Ha, you really think the Jazz have ever made that much in a yr...lol. I cant speak for the Bees, but Real is losing money and the Jazz up until recently had been losing money. Now they turn a very small profit.
Lastly I think the whole point of the article is to point out that you should be lucky to have owners that keep a team in such a small market when they could make more money elsewhere.
1. Realize the players have nothing to do with this, all these agreements where made in there respective CBAs.
2. The idiot that said whats the difference between netting 98 mil over a 100. Ha, you really think the Jazz have ever made that much in a yr...lol. I cant speak for the Bees, but Real is losing money and the Jazz up until recently had been losing money. Now they turn a very small profit.
Lastly I think the whole point of the article is to point out that you should be lucky to have owners that keep a team in such a small market when they could make more money elsewhere.
K Malo | 9:32 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Mr. Miller is having tough times with transporting his professional teams.
Costs have risen and have cut into his budget. News flash...everyone's
budget is being cut into. Unfortunately, the only way we average workers can
meet these increases is to work more or spend less. I would recommend this same
philosophy to Mr. Miller. Either sell more cars, cut back on salaries, or take
the bus!!
Stupid | 9:32 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
What a stupid story. Like the common man really cares if these millionaires have
to pay a little more? Cry me a river. In comparison, the additional that they
are paying isn't as much of an impact as it is for me just to take my kids
to school.
Anonymous | 9:37 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Here's the biggest problem. This increased cost doesn't affect big
market teams like New York, Boston and LA, but it will affect every small market
team like Utah, Minnesota, Portland... You going to see fewer teams playing in
small markets becuase the small markets can't afford these price increases.
The players will still get paid the same, but the Jazz won't be in Utah
anymore within 10 years. If the Sonics can leave Seattle, then the Jazz can
leave SLC.
Anonymous | 10:01 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
WHO CARES!!!!
I wish I could get paid by my employer to PAY for my travel expenses back and fourth to work. These overpaid brats should pay their own fare. These guys gives me the creeps. Talk about sitting in their Ivory Towers!
I wish I could get paid by my employer to PAY for my travel expenses back and fourth to work. These overpaid brats should pay their own fare. These guys gives me the creeps. Talk about sitting in their Ivory Towers!
Per Diem | 10:11 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
These guys get paid over $100 per day for per diem so that they can eat. I
travel a lot for work and my work pays me around $50 per day, and I was able to
save almost every day by not spending the entire $50. $100 almost feeds my
entire family for 2 weeks. Hey Miller's and all NBA owners, there's a
place to start.....cut the per diem. I just hope the players are okay not
eating at the "Flemmings" of every city without digging into their
million dollar salaries.
LakerFan | 10:15 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Backwater sports towns like SLC call this a news flash...this, the #2 most read
news story of the day. Wow, Jazz fans are living up to their low level of sport
sophistication!
Jake Bird | 10:15 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Small market teams? NBA was built on "small market" organizations but
mostly TV revenue. Sacramento, San Antonio, Portland, Charlotte, New Orleans,
Milwaukee and now Oklahoma City leaving that tiny town, Seattle in the lurch.
The idea that these benevolent owners are doing their communities a big favor is
a croc.
Let's all pitch in! | 10:32 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Our own money to help the poor NBA out!
Pay attention ... | 10:33 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
After reading these comments, some of you need a lesson on understanding the
content of an article. First of all NBA players don't pay for their travel
expenses therefore all of you who made comments about the players are just being
ignorant. Second, my company pays for all of my business related travel-just
like every NBA team does! I agree with one comment that the per diem could be
cut-but remember that money is taxed as well to the player so they truly are not
getting the full benefit of $100 per day.
All of us are feeling the effects of rising costs associated with travel expenses. However last time I looked, most division 1 college football stadiums are filled, most NFL stadiums are filled, most NBA arenas are filled and so forth. As a society we have to stop putting so much emphasis on being entertained by sports. I can tell most of the comments are written by fans, just as I am, because your biased emotion is coming through!
We can complain or we can do something about it. We need to drill offshore for oil so we are not dependant on anyone else.
BYU 27 UCLA 24
All of us are feeling the effects of rising costs associated with travel expenses. However last time I looked, most division 1 college football stadiums are filled, most NFL stadiums are filled, most NBA arenas are filled and so forth. As a society we have to stop putting so much emphasis on being entertained by sports. I can tell most of the comments are written by fans, just as I am, because your biased emotion is coming through!
We can complain or we can do something about it. We need to drill offshore for oil so we are not dependant on anyone else.
BYU 27 UCLA 24
Zeke | 10:40 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Cry me a river. Think of the fans who can`t even aford to buy a ticket because
of the high ticket prices.
Give me a break! | 11:05 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Make the players pay their own way if they want to play and continue earning
outrageous, unmerited incomes.
re Per Diem | 12:10 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Here is something else about per diem. A local college athlete, and I'm
not sure what it is nationally, it might be an NCAA rule, gets 20$ per day.
Now, I know they are pros, but I'm sure that a college athlete can and does
eat as much as a pro. PLUS, these kids aren't getting paid and can't
even accept a pizza ordered from a coach!
to "Pay Attention" | 12:13 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
I'm glad you mentioned offshore drilling, because that's certainly the
obvious answer to all of this, why are we so dumb? If we can just get gas down
another dollar a gallon, I'll be able to buy that new game for my Wii at my
local Walmart--yes, it would all be worth it. USA! USA! Number 1! Number 1!
vo0rheez | 12:18 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
So many people are so ignorant! Yes, it is true that pro players make a lot of
money esp in the NBA. However, can you imagine if Utah made its teams pay for
their own way for travel and hotels? It's hard enough to get players to
come to Utah. The article isn't meant to invoke sympathy. The article is
merely showing that the rising gas prices have an impact on everyone. Look
before you leap morons!
Cheap Seats | 12:22 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
The Jazz are already covering at least some of their cost increases. My cheap
seat season tickets went up almost 50% this year over last. It's my
choice, however, to determine whether the product being put on the floor is
worth the bottom line cost to me. So far it still is, including my own
increased cost of getting from my home in Orem to the games in Salt Lake City.
nottyou | 2:23 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Here is the real headline: "Jazz Announce Ticket Price Increase of
20%" -- That's the bottom line.
Anonymous | 2:23 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
I dont think most of you read this article. The Jazz Players have nothing to do
with the cost of travel. None of the players are paying any money towards the
travel costs. It is just additional money LHM has to pay to keep the Jazz here.
The Jazz up until two years ago were on of 12 teams loosing money a year. You
have to give credit to Larry for cutting checks when he was the one loosing
money each year.
The value of the Jazz has gone up and if I remember right they are work around $350 mil. But that is only if someone is willing to write a check for that amount.
The value of the Jazz has gone up and if I remember right they are work around $350 mil. But that is only if someone is willing to write a check for that amount.
Do you believe in Santa? | 2:35 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
If you believe that any NBA team in the post Larry/Magic/Michael era has ever
lost money, can I interest you in some Enron stock?
Ryan | 2:37 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Never fear - we've gotcha covered. Yet another ticket price hike will keep
you all fat and happy.
There, there... Dry your eyes. You won't have to sell your 4th, 5th, and 6th Bentleys. They can stay parked in your driveway and never be driven so you can appease your over-inflated ego and sense of self-worth. You know, since you won the lottery of life and are tall, and you can play a game well.
Neither the team nor the ownership has my sympathy. They do nothing about internal costs spiralling out of control, and they are reaping their reward.
There, there... Dry your eyes. You won't have to sell your 4th, 5th, and 6th Bentleys. They can stay parked in your driveway and never be driven so you can appease your over-inflated ego and sense of self-worth. You know, since you won the lottery of life and are tall, and you can play a game well.
Neither the team nor the ownership has my sympathy. They do nothing about internal costs spiralling out of control, and they are reaping their reward.
Hawk | 3:16 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Larry H. Miller would make a lot more money if he sold the team and put the
money in a CD. The player's union demands that the pampered NBA roster be
treated like royalty and the per diem passed $100 long ago.
They.... | 3:35 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
can pay their own way and still be able to travel first class on a regular
flight.....LOL!!
NBA? | 3:58 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Oh yeah. I remember that. I lost interest in it a long time ago.
College athletics.... | 4:27 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
is the way to go. I'm fed up with watching millionaires playing each
other...
Just Me | 5:05 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
I didnt read this article. just the headline. why waste your time reading this
garbage. Who cares if LHM has to pay more in travel costs. SO DOES THE REST OF
THE WORLD! There are a lot more interesting things to write about than this.
Peace Out.
Per diem | 5:26 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
College athletes get the $20 for personal expenses. The schools pay for all food
on the road. Lets not feel too sorry for them.
Continue | 7:06 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
As long as fans are willing to pay ticket prices and pay for NBA products, the
league will continue on and these 20 year old players that couldn't teach a
middle school math class will continue making millions. If you don't like
the salaries, then quit paying for the product.
think a little | 7:35 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Drilling offshore for oil is like putting a band aid on a gunshot wound, it
helps for a second then we are back to where we were, plus untouched nature
reserves have now been compromised so we selfish humans can have a quick fix.
Lets all learn from our mistakes and think about more then just ourselves and
lets consider future inhabitants of our world and even the world itself!
Everyone is feeling the effects of a problem that could be seen coming a long time ago...
Everyone is feeling the effects of a problem that could be seen coming a long time ago...
HELP | 7:42 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
I think the JAZZ should raise ticket prices to pay for these expenses.
Given the amount of money people gave to the REPUBLICAN PARTY, only to see their favorite son get run over, TWICE; it is the least these people should be asked to do in order to SUPPORT MILLIONAIRE CAPITALISTS.
Given the amount of money people gave to the REPUBLICAN PARTY, only to see their favorite son get run over, TWICE; it is the least these people should be asked to do in order to SUPPORT MILLIONAIRE CAPITALISTS.
Easy Solution | 8:26 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Just make the players pay their own way... They make enough money - surely they
can pay for a hotel and an airline ticket. If they want to play, they will pay.
If they don't play, they don't get paid. It would be interesting to
see how quick they would choose to get to the games.
Easy solution.
Easy solution.
Bus 'em | 8:45 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Or, better yet, have them take a train. That's the way professional
baseball players traveled for over half a century.
Real Life Travel Woes | 10:17 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Tell me about it! I had to park the gas guzzling 9 miles per gallon Suburban and
take Jacob and Brittani to soccer practice on a bicycle with a two seat trailer.
2 miles and I am shot. When I got home I had to pedal Tyler and Caitlyn to piano
lessons and then go back and get the two kids from soccer. In my spare time I
started a batch of laundry and put a chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker
for dinner. After I picked up the kids from piano I picked up Brianna at the
junior high school from pom practice. By the time dinner comes around I am beat.
I'm getting in better shape but I don't know what I'm going to do
when the weather gets cold and nasty.
I like the Jazz and all but give me a break they're still flying first class and staying in nice hotels. I'm at home in our 3-bedroom house with a bike, two dogs, 5 growing kids, and a house that needs new paint and carpet. Oh, yea, and a gas hog 14 year old Suburban in the driveway that I can't give away.
I like the Jazz and all but give me a break they're still flying first class and staying in nice hotels. I'm at home in our 3-bedroom house with a bike, two dogs, 5 growing kids, and a house that needs new paint and carpet. Oh, yea, and a gas hog 14 year old Suburban in the driveway that I can't give away.
Final Easy Solution | 10:39 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
To Easy Solution: why don't you just outfit the players with atomic jet
packs and solar power propeller beanie caps. They could fly directly to the
games without having to go through security or luggage check.
You ever heard of unions?
You ever heard of unions?
Real Cougar | 11:47 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
I think a lot of you comment posters are ignoring a simple fact of the article.
Yes, it's true that rising travel costs are slightly affecting the Jazz;
that was mentioned. But didn't anybody notice that a lot of the research
came from Utah's "other" sports teams, such as the Bees, Blaze,
and RSL?
Most of those athletes are NOT making the six-digit salary of D-Will or Carlos Boozer; most of them are merely making a decent living. In fact, if anybody wants a good read about prop athletes and salaries, read an Economists article from about a year ago that examined RSL's Andy Williams paycheck compared to how much he spent to travel, stay away from home and play the game he loves. Bottom line: he was going broke, and he is a family man.
I agree that most prop athletes are way too overpaid, and there are plenty of overpaid athletes in all sports. But not all of Utah's athletes are making as much money as D-Will, while not all agencies are raking in the dough like multi-business entrepreneur Larry Miller.
Most of those athletes are NOT making the six-digit salary of D-Will or Carlos Boozer; most of them are merely making a decent living. In fact, if anybody wants a good read about prop athletes and salaries, read an Economists article from about a year ago that examined RSL's Andy Williams paycheck compared to how much he spent to travel, stay away from home and play the game he loves. Bottom line: he was going broke, and he is a family man.
I agree that most prop athletes are way too overpaid, and there are plenty of overpaid athletes in all sports. But not all of Utah's athletes are making as much money as D-Will, while not all agencies are raking in the dough like multi-business entrepreneur Larry Miller.
re Per Diem | 11:53 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008
If that is a national policy I got screwed! We'd get food maybe once a
road trip, the others we had to pay for.
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They'll just raise ticket prices.