Reality Check

I had to pay for gas today which got me thinking about how much money I have made gaining all of these experiences in athletics. 

I have made fucking nothing.  I am using the F-Word on purpose because it's the only appropriate one.  

I have only made money at one place, which is my current place...and I only make money because I have a family member to live with...otherwise I'd be losing money.  I have loved what I have done, but financially if it wasn't for a lot of support and taking advantage of my time in college I would have lost tons of money trying to break in to the sport industry.

Just tonight I drove 45 minutes to volunteer to gain experience for my resume.

I'm still doing that.  I'm still not getting paid.  

It's not going to get much better in pay when I get a full time position either.  I know someone who works full time and is just out of college and makes $30,000 for his job plus teaching a class.   I know someone who was in sales who made a wonderful $31,000.   Based on the hours people work they may make $12-17 an hour I would guess.  I made $15 an hour as a junior in college at a summer job.  I had no degree and made about the same amount of money.  Of course the job wasn't as fun as the one I have now but still.  The hours can be unreal in athletics.  The pay is very real because it sometimes seems non-existent.

How the fuck can I ever have a family and afford to raise children (or see them) when I work in athletics?  Again, I use the F-Word because it's the only appropriate one.   How can I afford my bills and put money aside for future needs?  How can I make enough to purchase a house?  

Do I think people in athletics should be paid more?  Absolutely.  Who doesn't think they should be paid more?

Do I think it will happen?  No and I understand why.  We don't need sports more than we need teachers, firefighters, police, cyber security, military, doctors, lawyers, engineers, salesman etc. 

Where am I going with this?   

Two things.  I really need to reach for greatness in order to make a decent living in sports.  I believe I can do that, but I am also tired of having to worry about whether or not I will make money, or feel secure enough to not obsess over a purchase. 

The next is the whole pay the college athletes argument.

If  you want to pay the college athletes, which personally I do and don't (They shouldn't get paid to play, but should maybe be able to make money off of jersey sales, video game sales, advertising etc.) then you should argue for higher pay for those that make the games happen.  There are so many people behind the scenes working so hard for so long to make games happen.  Where exactly is the movement to raise the salaries for those that work in athletics.  I get that lots of people want to volunteer and help to get experience.  You don't have to pay them or pay them much.  But full-time staff.  They need all the help they can get having a work life balance. 

The pay is depressing sometimes.  I just have to work hard and see where it leads me.  I just hope working in sports doesn't become financially impossible when compared to my life goals and needs.