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Contemporary sports dominated by individuals' need to rank as highest paid

Throughout his career, Magic Johnson has been regarded as the ultimate team player. During the 1980s he was part of five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. I grew up watching Magic, along with Larry Bird, make basketball what it has become today. But those were the 1980s, and unfortunately, professional sports in the 1990s are much different.

I have been a Laker fan for over 11 years, and in those 11 years I have missed less than 10 games. I have seen them all on television or listened to them on the radio. I live, eat and sleep Lakers during basketball season.

I remember the great Magic Johnson teams of the '80s. I, like every other basketball fan in L.A., idolized Magic, and, like every other fan, I was in tears when he retired, happy when he came back, disappointed when he retired, happy to see him coach, sorry to see him not do well, happy to see him become part owner, dubious over his final return and frustrated over the outcome.

In the '80s, Magic defined the idea of teamwork and winning. It wasn't the same league when he came back, and Magic wasn't the same Magic. Magic of the '80s wouldn't bump a referee, demand the ball more, demand to play more point guard, demand more shots, demand at least $10 million to play next year and still emphasize that the Lakers were not playing as a team. No, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in Magic.

Unfortunately, this type of selfish attitude has become a trend in professional sports. The major league baseball strike is a perfect example. Overpaid baseball players were demanding more money, and as a result, they went on strike. Their strike had many loyal fans disgusted. They seemed to forget that it is the fans who allow them to make their overpaid millions, and those most affected by the strike were the fans. I can't understand how any professional athlete could possibly complain about the amount of money they make. These athletes pay more in taxes than what President Bill Clinton earns.

The baseball players and the league came to an "agreement" and the strike was settled. As a result, players such as Ken Griffey Jr., star of the Seattle Mariners, are able to sign a four-year contract worth over $32 million, which calculates to over $20,000 a day. These large contracts enable mediocre players throughout the league to make over $1 million a year, which, when compared to $8 million a year, is "average." The glory and satisfaction of winning and being part of a team has taken a backseat to the multi-million dollar contract. Players, such as "Mr. Ego" himself, San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds desire to be the highest-paid player in baseball. Bonds must have been crushed when Griffey Jr. replaced him as baseball's highest-paid player.

Disputes regarding contracts and salaries are not only limited to players; coaches also want part of the action. Chicago Bulls' head coach, Phil Jackson, was upset when he learned that the New Jersey Nets' new coach will be making over $3 million next year. Jackson "only" made $800,000 this year, and his Bulls just won another championship. He now claims he will not return unless the Bulls offer him a contract similar to the amount the Nets offered their coach. Coaches are important, but $3 million for a coach is ludicrous. Even I could have coached the Bulls to a championship. How hard would it have been? Just give the ball to Jordan.

The '90s attitude in professional sports has even reached the most recognized athlete in the world. Michael Jordan's contract with the Bulls ended this year, and he stated that he wants a two-year contract in the neighborhood of $40 million. He later demanded, more precisely, that he would accept no less than $18 million a year to return to the Bulls. I can't even begin to imagine why Michael Jordan would need this kind of money. Last year, he made a total of $44 million, of which over $40 million was from endorsements and commercials. The list of products he endorses are endless: Nike, Coke, Gatorade, McDonald's, Rayovac batteries, Coach leather, golf clubs, Haines underwear and a new Michael Jordan fragrance, just to name a few. He attempts to justify his contract demands by claiming that he doesn't wish to have the majority of his income be from endorsements. He also implied that it was an issue of respect, and if the Bulls didn't agree to his offer, it would be an insult, after all he has done for them.

His reasoning is absolutely absurd. He and too many other professional athletes are using the size of their paychecks to justify their talents. Jordan is the most respected and greatest basketball player in the league, regardless of whether he is the lowest- or highest-paid player in basketball. As for his other reason of not wanting the majority of his income to be from endorsements, I have a very simple solution: Hey, Mike, try doing less commercials! Apparently, there is also a big "I" in "Mike."

Ben Mohandesi is a third-year history student.

I can't understand how any professional athlete could possibly complain about the amount of money they make. These athletes pay more in taxes than what President Bill Clinton earns.