Why doctors earn less than footballers?

Julio Fernando Pineda Reina

Cambridge Academy
Phase XB
September 7-2023
I. Intoduction

Doctors and footballers are two professions that often attract public attention and debate.
Doctors are responsible for saving lives and improving health, while footballers entertain
millions of fans with their skills and performance. However, there is a huge gap between the
salaries of these two occupations, with footballers earning much more than doctors in most
countries. Why is this the case? What are the factors that determine the wages of doctors and
footballers? And is this situation fair or ethical? In this essay, I will try to answer these
questions by examining the economic and social aspects of both professions.

II. Development
One of the main reasons why footballers earn more than doctors is the difference in supply
and demand. The supply of doctors is relatively high, as there are many people who study
medicine and pursue a career in health care. The demand for doctors is also high, as people
need medical services for various reasons. However, the supply of footballers is very low, as
there are only a few people who have the talent, ability and opportunity to play professional
football. The demand for footballers is also very high, as football is one of the most popular
and profitable sports in the world. Therefore, the market forces of supply and demand drive
up the wages of footballers, while keeping the wages of doctors relatively low.
Another reason why footballers earn more than doctors is the difference in revenue
generation. Footballers generate a lot of revenue for their clubs, leagues and sponsors,
through ticket sales, broadcasting rights, merchandise sales, advertising deals and other
sources. According to Sporting Intelligence, the best paid women’s sports team in the world,
Lyon, pays an average salary of £145,000 to its players, which is less than 2% of Neymar’s
salary at Paris St-Germain (Kelner, 2017). This shows how much revenue a single male
footballer can generate for his club and himself. Doctors, on the other hand, do not generate
much revenue for their employers, as they provide essential services that are often subsidized
or regulated by the government or insurance companies. Therefore, the revenue generation
potential of footballers is much higher than that of doctors.
A third reason why footballers earn more than doctors is the difference in social recognition
and status. Footballers are often seen as celebrities and role models by many people,
especially young fans. They enjoy a lot of fame, prestige and influence in society. They are
also admired for their physical attractiveness, charisma and personality. Doctors, on the other
hand, are often seen as ordinary workers who perform a difficult and stressful job. They do
not receive much public attention or appreciation for their work, unless they achieve some
extraordinary feat or make some mistake. They are also subject to a lot of criticism, regulation
and litigation in their profession. Therefore, the social recognition and status of footballers is
much higher than that of doctors.
III. Conclusion
In conclusion, footballers earn more than doctors because of the differences in supply and
demand, revenue generation and social recognition between the two professions. These
differences are largely determined by the economic and social factors that shape the markets
and societies in which they operate. Whether this situation is fair or ethical depends on one’s
perspective and values. Some may argue that footballers deserve their high salaries because
they provide entertainment and happiness to millions of people, while facing a lot of pressure
and competition in their career. Others may argue that doctors deserve more respect and
reward because they save lives and improve health, while facing a lot of challenges and risks
in their work. Ultimately, both professions have their own merits and drawbacks, and both
contribute to society in different ways.