The Cost of the Super Bowl Leads to a Conversation on Virtue
Super Bowl XLVIII will cost approximately $70 million. When viewing sports through the lens of history – originating in the form of competitive play – it’s amazing how over time we have structured play into an industry garnering billions of dollars each year.
Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Is spending an exorbitant amount of money on “elevated play” somehow erroneous? Do we need to readjust our perspective? I recently discussed these topics with Drew Mariani of The Drew Mariani Show, using the business world (among other topics) as an analogy. The podcast in its entirety can be found here, with our discussion beginning halfway through (minute 29).
We like to be the best of the best in all we do, and with that comes the desire to watch the best of the best perform at top levels. In business, athletics and life – we keep an eye on the experts because their talent and precision is intriguing. The difference with sports, however, is that we are willing to pay to watch other people play and showcase their skills. And as a result, a 30-second commercial spot during the Super Bowl now goes for $4.5 million.
While spending millions to produce and promote a single football game is undoubtedly a large amount of money, it will likely generate billions in economic impact for memorabilia, food, tickets, parking, lodging, and the like. Still, the bottom line is that the reason why these numbers are so high is because we are willing to pay for and endorse the experience.
Some people argue that professional athletes are paid too much money. But, in reality – just like in business – it’s all about supply and demand. If someone is highly skilled and good at what they do consistently, such as Drew Bees of the New Orleans Saints, the highest paid NFL quarterback, he can demand more. And it is often those who earn the most who are the most generous. They recognize their responsibility to be good stewards of what they have received and gladly share it by giving back in forms of volunteerism, service or financial generosity.
Drew Mariani raises an interesting point when he says that paying people more – athletes or employees, alike – creates incentives to do better and perform at higher levels. If everyone within your organization received the same pay, there would be little motivation to produce higher quality work and go above and beyond for the betterment of the company. (Except for an exceptional few, but that’s another topic for another day.) Why should I break my back when my coworker isn’t performing and we are awarded the same?
In athletics, or even among the most successful businesspeople today, there lies a common misconception that world-class performance and living a life of virtue are at odds with each other. There are many examples to lead us down that path of thinking unfortunately. Interestingly though, many of the methods used to become a great athlete are the same methods used to become a virtuous person. There is wisdom to be gained from sports, regardless of whether or not you play.
