[rainingred]

While I am a big fan of Walter Williams, I think his use of professional athletes as an example of beneficiaries of a free market is off the mark. Tax payers subsidize most of the major league sports franchises. We do it by building their arenas and sports facilities. If the owners of baseball , basketball and football teams had to pay for their own venues their "employees" incomes could suffer.
I'm not aware of any fast food franchises who's facilities are subsides by US dollars. But, in this day and age, I could be wrong . . .

[John H K]

Well, our farmers are heavily subsidized, and the food that fast food restaurants buy is bought from them.

[Badray]

" I'm not aware of any fast food franchises who's facilities are subsides by US dollars. But, in this day and age, I could be wrong . . ."

As could I, but I believe that Mickey D is one of the largest beneficiaries of government largess, particularly in it's overseas operations. But beyond that, even if there were no subsidies to sports, what would Jordan make? Only $30 Million? Or $15 Million? It's still a lot more than the whopper flopper will ever make.

Williams nails it again. Jordan is rewarded by the market for his talent. So was Ray Kroc. How many Jordans and Krocs are there? Not many or they wouldn't earn what they earn.

[larryjohnson]

Consumers like you and me pay sports salaries by buying products advertised on TV games. Williams remembers the good old days when box office was king.