And that brings me to my next point. Pro athletes compete in a game. That's what they get paid for, but none the less, it's still a business. Every time a viewer turns on the T.V. and watches some kind of sporting event, a major economical transaction has been accomplished. Millions of dollars are involved.
Numerous companies pay the team to endorse various products.
Clothing and apparel companies pay the team to make jerseys, shirts, hats, etc. Different broadcasting corporations pay the team to cover and air the game. All of this money goes to the owner of the particular team. The owners, in turn, then pay their players their salaries. The truth of the matter is that the owners actually make the most money, and only distribute a small portion of it to their hard working employees.