RicOlie_2 said:

While we're on the topic of sports, why do sports players get paid so much money!? Apparently the minimum wage in the NHL is $500,000 per year. $500,000!!! I also find it disgusting that millions after millions of dollars are spent on sports arenas funded by tax dollars, when the money could be used so much more productively. If they're going to build a new arena, they should use money from people's tickets, not raise people's taxes.

Supply and demand. People are willing to pay a lot of money to see someone good and moving a ball quickly past people trying to stop him.

And sports can be really good for a city. As a small example, last week WrestleMania (admitedly not a real sport) brought 125,000 money spending people into New Orleans to spend money. Every hotel in the city sold out. Imagine the revenue for taxis, retaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, adult book stores, coffee shops.

Sports bring in dough. That's why football players get to rape people all the time and it's ok.