Draymond Green's Christmas Day Complaints and Salary

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Craig Carton Show

Draymond Green's Christmas Day Dilemma and the State of Pro Sports

Craig Carton recently shared his thoughts on Draymond Green’s mixed feelings about playing basketball on Christmas Day. Despite initially advocating to play on the holiday, Green has expressed distaste for it, all while earning an impressive sum, estimated around $500,000 to $1,000,000 per game. Carton pointed out the irony in Green's complaints, especially when considering the earnings in contrast to the minimal wages of other workers involved in these events, like parking attendants and ushers.

These employees often make minimum wage and rely on tips to supplement their income, working hard through holidays without complaint. In some cities like Philadelphia, concession workers operate purely on commission, earning nothing if no sales are made. Carton suggested that these are the people who have a real reason to lament working over festive periods, unlike highly-paid athletes.

Beyond individual player grievances, Carton proposed a broader solution to shift the culture of professional sports—drastically reducing player salaries. By cutting pay by 70% to 80%, he argued that athletes might start to appreciate their positions more and increase their respect toward fans. Although such pay cuts could potentially drive athletes to other sports, like soccer, Carton speculated on the intriguing possibilities if top U.S. athletes pursued soccer from a young age, perhaps even impacting international competitions like the World Cup.