WOW, no money in tennis at all hardly.......

[Bjorn99]

My two proteges are starting to question whether there is enough money in tennis. Both of them are being begged to go into football and basketball programs and both of them could probably make a career in one or the other. And yes, due to the phenomenal athletes that they are, and the esoteric training that they have undergone.

I don't want to deprive anyone of their rightful earnings and place in the sports pantheon, but I would much prefer to see them stay in tennis. But realistically, how many men players make any real money in the world? Top ten? twenty? I see what the fiftieth player typically makes, and it is cheeze. Can they supplement that? I mean 500 K Gross? How much do they spend to make that? 280? That is complete peanuts. What a joke this sport is that way? I mean money isn't everything, but this is not great money.

[andyroddick's mojo]

Top 100 makes about average wage, Top 50 makes pretty good, and Top 10 are probably millionaires. For me, and hopefully for everyone, they should only pursue tennis if they truly LOVE it. I don't care if I'm number 1 and get paid 100 million dollars or if i only make 40 K a year, as long as its good enough to get by, and I'm enjoying it, I would love to pursue tennis as a career. Sadly though, it also requires a great amount of talent and atheletic ability, which i do not have.

[Sagittar]

unfortunatly yes , best optimistic guess is that the top 20:25 players who do make real money (remember the endorsement deals as well) and the rest try their best just to keep themselves on the tour

[power_play21]

Originally Posted by Bjorn99

My two proteges are starting to question whether there is enough money in tennis. Both of them are being begged to go into football and basketball programs and both of them could probably make a career in one or the other. And yes, due to the phenomenal athletes that they are, and the esoteric training that they have undergone.

I don't want to deprive anyone of their rightful earnings and place in the sports pantheon, but I would much prefer to see them stay in tennis. But realistically, how many men players make any real money in the world? Top ten? twenty? I see what the fiftieth player typically makes, and it is cheeze. Can they supplement that? I mean 500 K Gross? How much do they spend to make that? 280? That is complete peanuts. What a joke this sport is that way? I mean money isn't everything, but this is not great money.

well buddy you must be making a lot of frikin money because your standards are god damn high.

how many people in the world are making over 100K a year? not a whole lot.

[thejackal]

Originally Posted by power_play21

well buddy you must be making a lot of frikin money because your standards are god damn high.

how many people in the world are making over 100K a year? not a whole lot.

What's the top 200th doctor making? Im gussing somewhere between 1-2 million$. Same with lawyer, maybe more. Meanwhile the 200th ATP pro is barely making 50k.

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by thejackal

What's the top 200th doctor making? Im gussing somewhere between 1-2 million$. Same with lawyer, maybe more. Meanwhile the 200th ATP pro is barely making 50k.

That's why if you were smart, you'd go into law or medicine instead of tennis as a career.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by power_play21

well buddy you must be making a lot of frikin money because your standards are god damn high.

how many people in the world are making over 100K a year? not a whole lot.

He's made a TON of money from tennis, and he dates some of the world's most beautiful women, so you better believe him when he says that he's got a couple of superfreak athletes just waiting to cash in-they may even just play all three pro sports-bb, football and tennis. That's how good Bjorn's proteges are. So $500K is just not enough, especially given the double secret training they've received. So don't EVEN question Bjorn on this.

[Superior_Forehand]

Originally Posted by Bjorn99

I mean 500 K Gross? How much do they spend to make that? 280? That is complete peanuts. What a joke this sport is that way? I mean money isn't everything, but this is not great money.

ugg, 220 k a year is so little money! I fear my young proteges may starve to death on such a low wage.

[OrangeOne]

Originally Posted by Bjorn99

My two proteges are starting to question whether there is enough money in tennis. Both of them are being begged to go into football and basketball programs and both of them could probably make a career in one or the other. And yes, due to the phenomenal athletes that they are, and the esoteric training that they have undergone.

I don't want to deprive anyone of their rightful earnings and place in the sports pantheon, but I would much prefer to see them stay in tennis. But realistically, how many men players make any real money in the world? Top ten? twenty? I see what the fiftieth player typically makes, and it is cheeze. Can they supplement that? I mean 500 K Gross? How much do they spend to make that? 280? That is complete peanuts. What a joke this sport is that way? I mean money isn't everything, but this is not great money.

I agree with all of the above. There is much more money in sports like football, soccer, basketball.....and many many other sports than tennis. The 100th-best footballer in one of the two 'major' codes here in (small) Australia probably earns a similar to or greater income than the 100th ranked tennis player in the world.

Bjorn99, you claim that you are, well, all of the things that Phil said and more. You have claimed you had a shot at a career as tennis player but elected not to (if I remember correctly). You claim you know many ex-pros well, even by their nicknames. You claim to be a guru coach and an astute businessman.

I have two questions for you, and I even look forward to these answers. To ask these questions requires me to believe every claim you have made, so I will. I'll believe you've partied with the great players, you could have been a pro, you've watched training sessions of the legends. I believe you've made millions and are worth more than most of the population and that you are a leading thinking and a successful businessman. But I now ask:

1. How is it that you are posting the above as if it is some sort of revelation, how is it that the above now changes things? Someone in your position, with your tennis experience, tennis contacts and business acumen, you must have known the above as it hasn't changed (if anything, it's improved over the years, the money has slowly leaked down the ranks, if only a little). I'm surprised at the sudden change, I would have thought you would have considered all of the above many months / years ago.

2. Your proteges were on track to decimate all records and Federer. Whilst there is more money for a 100th 'ranked' football or basketball player in the US (no doubt) than the 100th ranked tennis player, there is much more money, fame, etc for the biggest and greatest. Why have you suddenly re-rated their abilities?

[federer_nadal]

just tell them if they go pro they can come back to a club and drop into a very comfortable paying job as a club pro/coach after, which they cant really do with the other sports. Tennis is one of the few sports where if you go pro it opens up many opportunities for the rest of your life.

Also could you please tell us what ranking these proteges are? what NTRP they are? how good they are?

[Kalin]

Originally Posted by Bjorn99

My two proteges ... due to the phenomenal athletes that they are, and the esoteric training that they have undergone...

Given their pedigree here's the road to success:

1. Teach them how to pitch a baseball, one left-handed, one right-handed. Or better, teach them both to use both hands.

For starters, I suggest they develop 102-107 MPH rising heat, 97-99 with movement, a 89-94 MPH slider, a 12-to-6 curve, a change-up, a splitter, a knuckleball and a screwball. They can develop further from there.

2. Call Scott Boras, if he doesn't pick-up call Steinbrenner directly. 1-800-Yankmees.

3. Market them as a tag-team, like a Maddux-Glavine but with tons more power. Ask for 15 years/500 mil per head and negotiate it down to 13/390,000,000 with a no-trade clause.

4. Don't forget to ask for free tickets and a hat. Don't forget the hat.

You can thank me later

[alienhamster]

Originally Posted by Phil

He's made a TON of money from tennis, and he dates some of the world's most beautiful women, so you better believe him when he says that he's got a couple of superfreak athletes just waiting to cash in-they may even just play all three pro sports-bb, football and tennis. That's how good Bjorn's proteges are. So $500K is just not enough, especially given the double secret training they've received. So don't EVEN question Bjorn on this.

Bjorn also cured my cervical cancer. And I don't even have a cervix!

[cghipp]

ROTFL! Classic...

[West Coast Ace]

Bjorn needs to explain the concept of 'groupies' to his young charges. Hard to put a price on the ability to pick up ***** at the hotel bar with "hey babe, I'm a tennis pro."

Then you've got all the free towels at the tournament - to be sold on **** after the tournament...

[Supernatural_Serve]

Originally Posted by Bjorn99

Can they supplement that? I mean 500 K Gross? How much do they spend to make that? 280? That is complete peanuts.

There is endorsement money also. For a lot of players, its more than the money earned actually hitting a ball at a tournament.

[armand]

In addition to the lower earnings, tennis players also have a smaller window to make all their money because tennis players typically retire much earlier than other sports.

Agassi was a freak to play well at 36 but it's not out of the ordinary to see 36 in basketball, footbal, futbol, hockey, poker etc...

[Rabbit]

Originally Posted by OrangeOne

2. Your proteges were on track to decimate all records and Federer. Whilst there is more money for a 100th 'ranked' football or basketball player in the US (no doubt) than the 100th ranked tennis player, there is much more money, fame, etc for the biggest and greatest. Why have you suddenly re-rated their abilities?

I just love to read something written by someone who speaks a different dialect of English. Do y'all realize how hard it is for an American to work the word "whilst" into a conversation without being in a theatrical production?

Oh, and I would be very interested to hear the reply to these well stated questions. I seriously doubt any substantive answers are forthcoming however.

[sypl]

Santa Clause is real!

[Jack Romeo]

a teacher or even a garbage collector makes around 30k a year (grossly). a nurse will make more than twice that amount and a doctor or lawyer will make 3 times as much, which is around 90k. if he is a big-time lawyer he can make above 100+k. so definitely, for a tennis player to make a net of 280k a year means that he can live a more than comfortable life, support a family, etc.

but contrary to the speculations on this thread, a player making a net of 280k a year is probably ranked in the top 50. there was an article in tennis magazine where they computed the net income of the hypothetical 100th ranked male tennis player and here is how they computed:

Income:
Tournament winnings......$215,000
Endorsements...............$15,000

Expenses:
Coach...........................$90,000
Travel............................$25,000
Food.............................$6,000
Racquet stringing
and customization..........$5,000
Miscellaneous
(laptop, cellphone, etc.)..$3,000
Taxes...........................$54,000

Take-home pay: $47,000

Source: ATP

remember that the 47,000 is already the net income so it is actually a very good income.

[blakesq]

From those numbers, I get $71,000 in profit (before considering taxes). so $71,000 would be taxable income, I doubt his taxes would be 54,000 on 71,000 of income. (I see the mistake, you said 54K, but meant 24K, which is more reasonable, and I agree).

It is not much money, but after being a top 100 pro, you can probably work as a club pro, how much do they make?

Originally Posted by Jack Romeo

a teacher or even a garbage collector makes around 30k a year (grossly). a nurse will make more than twice that amount and a doctor or lawyer will make 3 times as much, which is around 90k. if he is a big-time lawyer he can make above 100+k. so definitely, for a tennis player to make a net of 280k a year means that he can live a more than comfortable life, support a family, etc.

but contrary to the speculations on this thread, a player making a net of 280k a year is probably ranked in the top 50. there was an article in tennis magazine where they computed the net income of the hypothetical 100th ranked male tennis player and here is how they computed:

Income:
Tournament winnings......$215,000
Endorsements...............$15,000

Expenses:
Coach...........................$90,000
Travel............................$25,000
Food.............................$6,000
Racquet stringing
and customization..........$5,000
Miscellaneous
(laptop, cellphone, etc.)..$3,000
Taxes...........................$54,000

Take-home pay: $47,000

Source: ATP

remember that the 47,000 is already the net income so it is actually a very good income.