Should Professional Athletes be paid for participating in the Olympics?

In recent weeks there have been a major controvesy over professional athletes being paid for participating in the Olympic games. The Ray Allen and Dwyane Wade interview with reporters agreeing that NBA players should be compensated for giving up there summer vacation.
Most Americans are upset with the Miami Heat star for not being considerate of the economic woe’s that most americans are feeling these days. The compensation that is provided for the players bring home the gold is, $25k per player, free promotion and advertising that leads to additional endorsement and the opportunity to go down in history as the 2012 gold medal winner.

Ever since the US Olympic committee were allowed to include professionals in Olympic basketball there has been a fear of players putting money before the game or country. In the early years the Olympic basketball team were decided by the US olympic committee selecting the coaches and the coaches inviting the best college players to tryout for the team and represent America.

My memory of the 1972 USA Olympic basketball team against the then, Soviet Union. The championship game with three seconds remaining, Doug Collins made two free throws to put the americas in the lead by one point. The Soviet’s were given three chances to win the game with one after another, do overs. After the third attemp the Soviet’s won as time expiered. That was the one final moment the sealed BASKETBALL and USA, synonyms in my heart. The 1972 team played with moxie, each of them aged 19 – 22 of age going against grown men of the Soviet’s team. Every collegiate viewing that game wanted to stay in college for the opportunity to wear the uniform of team USA.

To play for your country is an honor, to where the red, white and blue is a dream come true.

What is not discussed is the sponsors of the US Olympic team. Nike is one of the largest sponsors. The USA Olympic basketball team have more than half their roster endorsing Nike products. Dwyane wade made just over $26.2m in total wages, $13m from the Miami Heat organization and $12m from Nike. Part of Dwyane’s endorsement contract is appearance fee, he should look at performing in the Olympic games as a paid appearance fee from US Olympic team sponsor, Nike!