It is a common belief that professional athletes are privileged and do not contribute as equally to society as everyday workers and business professionals do. This view stems from the pay athletes receive, which is higher than most others in society. Some people also insist athletes are excluded from experiencing labor exploitation from their employers. Research suggests that professional athletes are exploited just as much, if not more, than others in the working world. This project details how collective bargaining agreements and other labor practices have left professional athletes in extremely vulnerable positions, including that much of their earning potential is derived from the profit of team owners. Professional athletes should be viewed similarly to other professional employees and be entitled to fair labor representation comparable to the general working class versus being viewed as commodities to entertain the world.
