Katie Couric, the "CBS Evening News" anchor who is paid $15 million a year for sinking ratings, can't seem to grasp the concept of free markets in sports.
In an interview with New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, Couric questioned his new record-setting contract. The deal includes $275 million over 10 years and another $30 million in incentives, according to ESPN.
"Your new contract is worth $300 million-plus," Couric told Rodriquez, asking, "Are you worth it? Is any player worth that kind of salary?"
A-Rod could have pointed out that Major League Baseball works like any other market - players' services are priced according to what the market will pay for their skills and experience. Someone in the Yankees organization felt $275 million over 10 years was a fair price to pay for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez could have pointed out that he's a two-time Gold Glove winner, a two-time Silver Slugger winner, and a three-time American League Most Valuable Player. He could have mentioned that last season he led the American League in runs, home runs and runs batted in - 143, 54 and 156 respectively.
Or he could have turned the question around on Couric by asking, "Well Katie, you're paid $15 million a year and have seen steady declines in your ratings on the ‘Evening News,' with some weeks reaching record lows. Are you worth it?"
With Couric as its anchor, the "Evening News" has looked more and more like a sinking ship. Since she took over in September 2006, the show's ratings have taken a dive. The week of Dec. 3, 2007, the third-place network news show drew 6.55 million viewers, down more than 1 million since September 2006, when it was second behind NBC.
But A-Rod took the high road, brushing off the question by noting that "it's not my job to evaluate or appraise players. I love to play baseball."















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When Couric asked "Is it
December 17, 2007 - 17:58 ET by mattmWhen Couric asked "Is it all about money for you?" I was hoping A-Rod would ask her the same question...
What does she get, $15 million, and for what? Reading a teleprompter and making facial expressions? What a hypocrite!
If only
December 18, 2007 - 09:18 ET by fossten"Well Katie, you're paid $15 million a year and have seen steady declines in your ratings on the ‘Evening News,' with some weeks reaching record lows. Are you worth it?"
I would have paid money to buy the DVD if he had replied that way! Of course, it never would have aired.
Forget 911, I dial 10MM.
Katie needs a Latin lesson
December 17, 2007 - 18:02 ET by UnsaneSure, Miss Cupcake! A-Rod is indeed worth that much. The checks don't bounce, do they?
Just as you are unfortunately worth $15 million a year, but hey, I'm not dumb enough to write that check. At least A-Rod performs an actual service...
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
...
December 17, 2007 - 18:03 ET by dervishA-Rod: I can read -- can you hit a curveball?
If Katie doesn't see, at the
December 17, 2007 - 18:04 ET by Chris NormanIf Katie doesn't see, at the very least, the complete irony, of that question, she's too dense to be paid fifteen thousand a year.
Couric swings and misses . . .
December 17, 2007 - 19:47 ET by GalvanicI totally agree, Chris. And if I were A-Rod, I think I'd be perfectly justified in turning the question around on her.
Again and again, Couric demonstrates that she lacks the intellectual capacity to conduct even a softball interview.
Hey, maybe she's mulling
December 17, 2007 - 19:55 ET by Chris NormanHey, maybe she's mulling over a possible career in major league baseball when her CBS gig ends shortly. :)
God help us all.
December 18, 2007 - 01:33 ET by Scout FinchIlitch would probably hire her to play for Detroit.
With them,
December 18, 2007 - 19:51 ET by dervishshe could probably start.
(Oooh. Sorry.)
When it comes to
December 17, 2007 - 18:18 ET by bigtimerWhen it comes to Katie...
....Pot calling kettle....
Besides that she is just a leftist tool that should be fired if NBC was in the business of making profits ...but heck we all know that matters not with them they have an important outcome to arrive at politically...which will be all for naught too!
LMAO!
Couric: "Is any player
December 17, 2007 - 18:26 ET by GregEScenario which could have taken place...
Couric: "Is any player worth that salary?"
A-Rod: "Well, I'm statistically one of the very top players, if not the top player, depending on whose opinion it is. You make $15 million per year and you're last among the three broadcast networks. No opinions, simply factual data. Throw in cable shows and you're down near 7th to 10th place. I must remain in the very top of my class to get this kind of salary. Since merit is not obvious to us in your case, is any anchor worth that salary, and why you?"
What a snob Couric is! Hey
December 17, 2007 - 18:24 ET by rbosqueWhat a snob Couric is! Hey Katie, YOU are waayyyy overpaid for spewing the party line. He at least works for his money.
K-K-Katie
December 17, 2007 - 18:35 ET by dboA-Rod: "Katie, I make twice as much as you because I'm twice as perky".
It's a question that many
December 17, 2007 - 18:40 ET by balboaIt's a question that many people would like to see asked of a major league baseball player who makes that much money. Who she is has NOTHING to do with asking the question.
why balboa
December 17, 2007 - 18:46 ET by candanceWhy is it anyone's business? His boss feels he's worth it, so that's what he gets paid. Yankees fans kept buying tickets to pay for it. That's how the market works.
He works out. He practices. He misses his family when they travel. He earns it in the eyes of his boss.
Why doesn't anyone ever ask why Warren Buffett makes millions? Or Bill Gates? Or George Soros? Only "serious businessmen" are allowed to make a fat loop?
Why is it anyone's
December 17, 2007 - 18:50 ET by balboaWhy is it anyone's business? The guy's a superstar. People like to know/discuss things about superstars, especially ones they pay to watch. How much he gets paid is debated DAILY on sports talk radio.
Why don't people ask Gates, Soros, etc., the same question? Probably because they created their wealth. A-Rod plays a game. He hits a ball, poorly in the post-season.
I say more power to him, but it's ridiculous to claim that Katie can't ask the question.
Katie Cupcake
December 17, 2007 - 18:56 ET by UnsaneYour girlfriend can ask the question, but it only makes her a hypocrite. She doesn't create anything either, yet is paid millions to read, look hot (in which role she fails), and get viewers.
The tagline says it all.
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
Well, I guess you should
December 17, 2007 - 18:59 ET by balboaWell, I guess you should include "hypocrite" in the job responsibilities of any high-paid journalist then. It's a very relevant question that people want to see asked.
Congratulations Bal
December 17, 2007 - 23:19 ET by RESTLESS 1"Well, I guess you should include "hypocrite" in the job
responsibilities of any high-paid journalist then."
You finally got me to agree to something you posted. ;>)
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest
December 18, 2007 - 00:39 ET by UnsaneIt's a very relevant question that people want to see asked.
Balboa, ANY TIME that question is asked, THIS is the answer:
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
"She doesn't create
December 17, 2007 - 19:43 ET by ckc1227"She doesn't create anything either, yet is paid millions to read, look hot (in which role she fails), and get viewers."
Technically, she doesn't get viewers either, she loses them.
The "creating" stuff is just an excuse too. Funny how the "creating stuff" defense never comes into play when folks whine about how much money the oil companies earn.
Just another hypocritical attempt to keep the class warfare debate in the public eye by a woman who is just fine with her own huge salary, but has a problem with others earning one.
Not sure what Gates does and
December 17, 2007 - 19:54 ET by balboaNot sure what Gates does and what an oil company does are comparable...
Do you know what SOROS does!!!
December 17, 2007 - 22:42 ET by PawpawNPlease explain what SOROS does. Explain what A-Rod does. Let's equate the net worth of both. Seems one puts people in seats for America's past-time, baseball. The other, he seems to want to put America in the Past-Tense!!
Who pays Soros' salary?
December 17, 2007 - 22:46 ET by balboaWho pays Soros' salary?
Anybody who purchases anything his monies produce!
December 17, 2007 - 23:18 ET by PawpawNAnybody who purchases anything his monies produce! Off shore accounts, hedge funds, etc. Convicted of insider trading in France. He is currently trying to do to the US Dollar what he did to the English Pound/Sterling in the early 90's. Heavily invested in China, he wants dollar devalued. The 14-year old George sometimes accompanied his supposed godfather, helping to identify and expropriate the property of wealthy fellow Jews. So far from being a "Holocaust Survivor," George Soros was instead a Nazi collaborator. In 1969 he set up his own investment fund, Quantum Fund NV, with capitalisation of $4 million. A private mutual fund, Quantum is registered in the tax haven of Curacao, in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. This is to avoid paying taxes, as well as to hide the true nature of his investors and what he does with his money. In March 1993 Soros proclaimed, with great publicity, that the price of gold was about to rise sharply: that he had just obtained "inside information" that China was about to buy huge sums of gold for its booming economy. The next month, again with great publicity, he purchased a 20% stake in Newman Mining, a Denver-based gold company, from controllers Sir James Goldsmith and Lord Jacob Rothschild. The fourth major partner in Newmont was reportedly Li Ka Shing, at the time Hong Kong’s leading narco-billionaire. The drug connection is relevant, as much of the money flowing into the international derivatives markets – and into the sort of currency weapon in which Soros specialises – is laundered drug money. He also told BBC-TV viewers that "Next to my fantasies about being God, I also have very strong fantasies of being mad. In fact, my grandfather was actually paranoid. I have a lot of madness in my family. So far I have escaped it." Maybe. Should I go on!!
Bal, just because people
December 17, 2007 - 23:23 ET by RESTLESS 1Bal, just because people are nosy, doesn't mean thaey have a right to know. Sure, she can ask, but A-rod would have every right to tell her that it is none of her, or anyone else's business, what he gets paid. Do people ever ask you what you make, and if so, how do you respond?
Of course A-Rod has a right
December 18, 2007 - 00:30 ET by balboaOf course A-Rod has a right to not answer. But this article seems to be saying it's wrong for Couric to even ask.
The point of the article is
December 18, 2007 - 12:26 ET by dvdaughtryThe point of the article is pointing out that Couric is paid obscene amounts of money like Arod and exactly for the same reasons.
The problem here (and everywhere) is people view pro sports as a "game" and not a "job".
This is an Elitist, with a real "job", talking down to someone who plays a "game". It's unfortunate that Couric doesn't realize (or care to admit) that she is employed for the same reasons Arod is.
Well, for once, the rich white man is in control. --Montgomery Burns
Yeah Bal !! (hides behind
December 17, 2007 - 18:52 ET by MrShyYeah Bal !!
(hides behind Candance...) :p
Btw, nice to see you bal. Where u been? This place has been lacking in troll activity of late.... not saying you're one, just mean.... :p
BEST OF HILLARY
BEST OF HELEN
We bid a fond farewell to Professor Talking Points & Cheetos
Been indisposed for a few
December 17, 2007 - 18:55 ET by balboaBeen indisposed for a few days. Looking forward to being accused of being a troll as soon as possible... ;-)
cool bal
December 17, 2007 - 18:57 ET by MrShyBtw, don't think you'll be seeing Professor Truth (or "TP&C") around here anymore... sorry to be the messenger of bad news.
We bid a fond farewell to Professor Talking Points & Cheetos
Nooooooo!!! And he added
December 17, 2007 - 18:58 ET by balboaNooooooo!!! And he added so much!!! AIEEEEE!!
Nominated
December 17, 2007 - 19:14 ET by sarcasmoFor funniest comment of the day. Good one, Bal! :)
JMR
Rally online with fans of Dr. Ron Paul. (All purpose anti-slander-link, sadly-needed these days...)
Be glass half full guy...
December 17, 2007 - 18:58 ET by Jack BauerBe glass half full guy... you may be accused of being droll!
True, Jack, or "drole" as I
December 17, 2007 - 19:07 ET by balboaTrue, Jack, or "drole" as I misspelled it once...
Reading
December 17, 2007 - 19:33 ET by goldboughI can't believe she's paid $15 million to read!! At least A-Rod has skills.
A Rod gets the salary
December 17, 2007 - 21:30 ET by pocomocoA Rod gets the salary because he puts people in the seats, while Couric is emptying hers.
If A-rod impacts the Yankees' bottom line ...
December 17, 2007 - 21:49 ET by jonathananderson... by 25, 50, or 100 million dollars a year, then clearly, he's worth it.
Couric makes $15 million a year sittin' on her _ss behind a desk ... I think she answers her own question ... he's worth $1.5 billion a year.
I am nowhere near a Yankees
December 17, 2007 - 22:08 ET by Airforce_5_OI am nowhere near a Yankees fan but unlike Katie (giggle) A-Rod puts Butts in the seats. The Yankees get a cut off his jersey sales and merchandise. He will make the Yankees money. More than what they will pay him.
AF 5_0
December 17, 2007 - 22:48 ET by botgwell if you moved in next to me you would be (near a Yankee fan)
"how would i know? if i knew everything i'd run for God" ----crpl Klinger
Funny botg
December 17, 2007 - 23:09 ET by Airforce_5_OSorry bro you can't get me to the left coast.
Actually my dad was a big one. I am a Braves fan so hoping for better year.
"The only thing you should feel when shooting insurgents is the rifle recoil"
Hey not a problem
December 17, 2007 - 23:15 ET by botgsince i talk to you guys more than i talk to most of my neighbors!
And that ain't bad, after all quiet neighbors are good neighbors
"how would i know? if i knew everything i'd run for God" ----crpl Klinger