Sports Stars or Phony Primadonnas?

[Occhidiangela]

I dont see a "topic" in there.

Your 4 examples from The NFL are the same as would be found in any business that employed 1-2 thousand employees(players).

-Suspended for failing a drug test.
-Fired for not getting along with others.
-Busted(possibly) for getting lap dances from strippers.
-Busted for waving a gun around.
Sounds like players have a some bad apples most other groups of Americans lumped together by some rather arbitrary trait(they can play foot ball.)
You making a topic implies something special is going on - I really dont see it.
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Ghostiger:

Most American employees are not entertainers, nor are they on national TV as they discharge the duties of their jobs. That said, I tend to agree with the assessment that too much attention is paid to professional athletes. The "role model" myth is a false idol.

I think part of the interest comes from the plethora of sports "journalists," with each having to find something new to dig into for his or her Pulitzer prize. 24/7 sports coverage amplifies this problem.

Over exposure is another way agents get name recognition for their clients so their endorsement deals are more lucrative . . . for which the agent often gets a percentage.

I never wanted to know about Arnold Palmer's colon ailments, for example.

The handwringing over an athlete's fall is, IMO, over done. These folks have an opportunity to live extraordinary lives, but some, as you point out, screw it up.

Is Schadenfreud the basis of the public interest? Could be.

Occhi