Why do athletes make so much more then other people?

Because the sports themselves make alot of money. The leagues, the teams, etc. So athletes feel that they should make a chuck of that money becuase it is them that the fans are paying to see. The Yankees make a lot of money, because they have big-time athletes on the field. So Alex Rodriguez feels that he contributes to his (or any team) enough to be paid what he makes. The problem you see nowdays, is that athletes' salaries are getting so big, that it often dictates what the leagues and teams are charging to see them or sponsor them. As a member of the military that too has to stay fit, year round, I do not agree with what they get paid, but it's a business.