Since when did “team” have a silent ‘I’?

It seems like I can’t watch television too long without seeing a commercial previewing the NBA playoffs or the current baseball season. It also seems like I can’t watch a commercial without some athlete endorsing a product, service or restaurant. And lately, I can’t help but wonder if athletes are too overpaid and over-hyped. 

I’m not talking about golf, NASCAR, or swimming—those are all individual sports where only one person can win. Lately it seems like many basketball, soccer, football and baseball players have made a home in the spotlight at the sake of their team.

Probably the best example of this is Lebron James; don’t act like you weren’t thinking of him! He was drafted to the Cavaliers in 2003 where he put Cleveland on the map. He signed a $90 million contract with Nike and has deals with Glaceau, McDonald’s, Sprite, State Farm and Upper Deck. Since joining the Miami Heat, his Nike contract has not only grown, but his media coverage has soared. While is constantly gaining endorsements and being compared to Michael Jordan —the original father of sports endorsements who practically built the Nike empire— James is constantly reminded that he has never won a championship for either Miami or Cleveland (but yes, he has won an Olympic gold medal, smarty pants!). However, lately his continued viability as an endorser has been called into question due to his perceived churlish behavior. James is often recorded lashing out at other teammates for “not pulling their weight” or “getting the job done.” Recently James was caught saying he “went all out and his team got soft.”