The golfer Greg Norman believes that rich professional golfers need to be more sensitive to the economic realities facing ordinary people, and he has a simple request: Take less prize money.Norman said this:
I appreciate Norman's sentiment, but I have a couple of observations:"Prize money's being scaled back in Europe, I wouldn't be surprised if prize money's scaled back in the US just out of respect to every citizen and taxpayer over there who's suffering dramatically. It seems like on the PGA Tour the players are still playing for a million dollars first week, like they're recession-proof."
1. It's easy for Norman, who has already made hundreds of millions of dollars in his life, to volunteer other people to take pay cuts.
2. If Norman thinks rich people need to give back while the middle class and the poor are suffering, wouldn't it be more effective to argue for higher tax rates on the rich and more government programs for the poor, rather than for cutting golfers' pay?
The bottom line is that golfers are paid what they're worth. If the current economic climate causes sponsors to disappear, golfers' prize money will decline as a result, but Norman's argument for cutting pay simply "out of respect to every citizen" wouldn't accomplish anything.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-25-2009 @ 11:36AM
BEN and PAT "09" said...
The Tiger in respect of the economic climate (see Greg Norman comments) should have carried the Buick Logo; at least for this year!
And; putting prize money, ticket prices and concession prices in order is a good thing and should be done for the betterment of all concernened. A six pack and Monday Night Football ain't where it's at, and, the same goes for Sport Bars and the Wrigley Field Tap...a run down tavern.
Bernie
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2-25-2009 @ 3:48PM
vwmanufact said...
Norman is a communist.
This is still a free country. I notice there are no tourneys in N.Korea, China or Cuba.....
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2-25-2009 @ 5:01PM
rlbrooks726 said...
If Greg is concerned about us average folks..he can send some money my way. I'm not asking for a million dollars or anything. Just enough to pay off some bills and see me and my family though until I get another job. Thanks Greg.
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2-25-2009 @ 9:17PM
cdnassoc said...
Greg Norman the guy that puts his logo on everything. Start giving your clothing line, wine and other equipment away at a cheaper rate, better yet just go away.
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2-26-2009 @ 2:45AM
bob dion said...
make attendance attendance at tournaments free. the purses come mostly from sponsors anyway, and if not charging admittance causes a cutback in prize money, then cut back.
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3-04-2009 @ 9:45PM
Kevin said...
Wish I had seen this article sooner. I like Bob Dion's idea. Lemme tell ya, if the recession continues as is or if it gets worse,the sentiments in this article will be moot. Let's see, ya think Northern Trust will continue to be a sponsor? FBR? I think not. Devastation is already visiting the LPGA and if you think the PGA is invulnerable, you better think again. Won't it be great for fans to have pull once again?
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