Two-time Olympian Dwyane Wade has traded in the patriotic chant “U-S-A!” for a more forward demand: Show me the money!
In an interview at practice Wednesday, the Miami Heat star gave his stance on NBA Olympians being compensated for their time and effort at the Summer Games.
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“It’s a lot of things you do for the Olympics– a lot of jerseys you sell,” Wade tells reporters. “We play the whole summer. I do think guys should be compensated. Just like I think college players should be compensated as well. Unfortunately, it’s not there. But I think it should be something, you know, there for it.”
Wade’s contract with Miami brings in $14 million a year, not including the money he makes off endorsements from Nike, Gatorade and other big brands. But the 30-year-old baller insists that his request has less to do with dollar signs and more to do with the toll it takes on a player’s body.
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“The biggest thing is now you get no rest. So you go to the end of the season, [Team USA] training camp is two weeks later,” he said. “You’re giving up a lot to do it. It’s something you want to do. But it’s taxing on your body. You’re not playing for the dollar. But it would be nice if you would get compensated.”
Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen sparked the issue during an interview Tuesday night before the Celetics/Heat game.
“You talk about the patriotism that guys should want to play for, but you [need to] find a way to entice they guys,” Allen said. “It’s not the easiest thing in the world if you play deep in the playoffs and then you get two, three weeks off and then you start training again to play more basketball, where it requires you to be away from home and in another country. It’s fun, but your body does need a break.”
It should be noted that players are awarded $25,000, but only if they take home the coveted gold medal.
And while it’s certainly too late to discuss compensation for the upcoming 2012 London Olympic games, Wade made it clear where his heart is at this summer. He said via Twitter:
“BUT my love 4 [sic] the game & pride 4 USA motivates me more than any $$$ amount. I repped my country in 2004 when we won the bronze medal and stood proudly to receive our gold medal in 2008 in Beijing. It’s always been an honor for me to be a part of the USA Olympic family…and I’m looking forward to doing it again in London this summer.”
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