I agree that there is a huge problem with head injuries in the NFL, and the league has been woefully slow to respond. And it does seem that football is played by primarily African-American men for the enjoyment of well-to-do white guys. But I don't see how you can neglect to include the NBA in your coverage of the issue of pensions. The NBA is the most dominantly African-American sport in the US with regards to percent of players (almost 90% are black) and it is watched by a far higher percent of African-Americans than any other sport in this country. Sadly, though, the NBA pension is as woefully inadequate as the NFL's. A player receives just over $300 per month for each season played. Thus, Michael Jordan (or anyone else with his long career) is eligible for just about $50,000 a year - a pittance, and nearly identical to what the NFL offers. Fortunately, NBA players are less likely to have the head injuries that plague football players, but that doesn't excuse the NBA's neglect of its retirees.
On The Dementia Bonus: Football as Black Servitude
I agree that there is a huge problem with head injuries in the NFL, and the league has been woefully slow to respond. And it does seem that football is played by primarily African-American men for the enjoyment of well-to-do white guys. But I don't see how you can neglect to include the NBA in your coverage of the issue of pensions. The NBA is the most dominantly African-American sport in the US with regards to percent of players (almost 90% are black) and it is watched by a far higher percent of African-Americans than any other sport in this country. Sadly, though, the NBA pension is as woefully inadequate as the NFL's. A player receives just over $300 per month for each season played. Thus, Michael Jordan (or anyone else with his long career) is eligible for just about $50,000 a year - a pittance, and nearly identical to what the NFL offers. Fortunately, NBA players are less likely to have the head injuries that plague football players, but that doesn't excuse the NBA's neglect of its retirees.