Why are professional athletes paid so much?

But one of the reasons pro athletes make so much money is that we love to watch their games. Media companies pay the leagues and teams billions of dollars for the rights to show the games on television and other video devices. These businesses pay the money because they know millions of fans will watch the games.

Hosting sporting events can boost tourism and revenue for a city. Sports in society can even influence our understanding of gender roles and socio-economic issues, and they can help frame city-, state- and national identity. ... By its very nature, sport is about participation. It is about inclusion and citizenship.

Thanks