$13 Million per Year is Not Enough?

Currently, America is dealing with an economy that is slowly starting to get back on their feet, due to millions of citizens being out of work.  Politicians in Washington, DC are making economic headlines due to the upcoming presidential election arriving on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.  Both presidential candidates are promising to turn the economy around to give middle and lower class Americans a financial future to believe in.

Professional sports have been a financial blessing to many athletes.  In March of 2011, Business Insider.com reported financial figures stating the top 4 professional sports leagues in America.  The top 4 leagues raked in an estimated $22 billion in 2010 with the NFL receiving $9 billion of the total.

What is interesting to see is some of the financial decisions made based on the contracts.  Let's take a look at one NBA contract in particular.  According to ESPN.com, Chris Broussard of ESPN’s The Magazine was quoted as saying this, “Thunder offered Harden $55.5 million over four years -- $4.5 million less than the max deal Harden coveted and will get from the Rockets…” Most players that have achieved the status James Harden has had over the last few years would have relished at a deal to receive $13.875 million per year for four years. 

I could be wrong, but my translation of that math says the max deal the Thunder could not offer was $4.5 million more over the life of the deal.  Again, if my math is correct, the Rockets are paying Harden $14.975 million per year. That sounds like $14.975 minus $13.875 equaling a difference of $1.1 million more per year.

No matter what anyone says,
$1.1 million dollars a year is a lot of money per year.  The question I have for James Harden is…..what was the goal of this contract?

Just last year for the 2011-2012 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) won the Western Conference finals before losing to the Miami Heat in NBS Finals.  According to NBA.com, OKC’s 2011 record was 47 wins with only 19 losses versus the Rockets record of 34 wins and 32 losses.  Many sports writers predicted OKC to win the west again.  I am not sure how many predicted the Rockets to win the west, let alone their own division.

After reviewing the statistics, I assume that Harden was looking for the big payday giving him more money.  He also upgrades his playing time from being the 6^th man off of the bench to becoming a starter. 

I really hope James Harden is able to provide the Rockets with more victories, because I do not believe he made the best decision.  I guess that is why he is an Olympic champion and I am here writing this blog.