Question from JG:

“If you could magically be a professional competitive athlete in any sport, what would it be and why?”

If I “magically” have a professional level of skill at one sport I would have to consider a number of factors:

• The Time Spent Competing or Playing
• The Access to Fame/Notoriety
• The Ability to Make Money
• The Longevity of Players/Risk of Injury

Let’s start with the losers:

Baseball

Some of the highest paying contracts but they play WAY too many games! A-Rod gets a measly $169,753.09 per game. It’s kinda hard to strike it famous on a team of 25 and the risk of injury is a little high for a delicate flower like myself.

• The Time Spent Competing or Playing – [D+]
• The Access to Fame/Notoriety  – [C]
• The Ability to Make Money – [C]
• The Longevity of Players/Risk of Injury – [B]

Basketball

A good place for some fame! I could even get a pair of shoes out of the deal. All the cool kids would be wearing the new Air IDKs. The average pay per game goes up a bit from baseball, but still too much time on the court and not enough time enjoying the perks of being a professional athlete.

• The Time Spent Competing or Playing – [C]
• The Access to Fame/Notoriety – [B+]
• The Ability to Make Money – [B]
• The Longevity of Players/Risk of Injury – [B]

American Football

I imagine this would be a common answer and I can see why. The “pay-per-game” goes way up because they play once a week. Of course, the average career length in the NFL is somewhere around 5 years. Yeah, I have one magic wish for professional sports; I’m not wasting it on football.

• The Time Spent Competing or Playing- [A]
• The Access to Fame/Notoriety – [B-]
• The Ability to Make Money – [A-]
• The Longevity of Players/Risk of Injury – [C-]

Hockey/Soccer

Eh, no thanks.

• The Time Spent Competing or Playing – [B]
• The Access to Fame/Notoriety – [D-]
• The Ability to Make Money – [C]
• The Longevity of Players/Risk of Injury – [C]

Boxing

According to this list on Forbes the top two paid athletes are boxers! And notice that the top boxer, Floyd Mayweather, makes ZERO income from endorsements. That’s all work money! Of course, the other factors take a hit as a trade.

Do you want to get in the ring with this?

I’ve pinned so many dudes! On and off the mats!

• The Time Spent Competing or Playing – [A+]
• The Access to Fame/Notoriety – [A]
• The Ability to Make Money – [A+]
• The Longevity of Players/Risk of Injury – [F]

Golf

Finally, my answer has arrived! I would make a deal with the sports genie for a golf career. Let’s break it down. Time spent playing is pitiful! There are only 4 “Major” tournaments! As for fame, if I’m the best at the game, easy! But if I fall under the top 10, I don’t think there’s much fame in it for me. Tiger Woods only made $4.4 million from his winnings, but he made $55 million from endorsements! I’m already an actor so if I became a golf pro, I’d basically be a celebrity who golfs really well. Sign me up! Can I get unexpectedly injured from golf? Unlikely. Remember, this is a sport that tons of elderly men do to relax! You barely even walk! The only sport that you would spend more time driving around than golf is NASCAR.

• The Time Spent Competing or Playing – [A+]
• The Access to Fame/Notoriety – [A-]
• The Ability to Make Money – [A+]
• The Longevity of Players/Risk of Injury – [A+]

Winner:

GOLF

Other sports can suck my dimpled balls!

-Will