The Real Cost of Sports and Who's Paying for It. Think about it. More than half an average team's revenues go to 13 people - 12 players and a coach. They tend to live and spend elsewhere. Nearly all of a team's remaining revenues goes to the owner and other executives and coaches.
Payrolls are the main reason teams demand newer and more lucrative arenas.
Player salaries keep going through the roof, so owners want new roofs. So that's how it is in the professional sports racket. Most of the money spent by millions of fans and taxpayers goes to millionaires. Call it trickle-up economics. They are the owners of America's professional sports teams and the athletes who play in each of the four major sports leagues.