OJ is in!
With March Madness over, the top players are making a choice whether to play on at their respective colleges’ or move on to the NBA. One of the players who hadn’t made his choice previously was USC Shooting Guard O.J. Mayo. OJ averaged 20.7 points in his freshman year. [Stats]
Now OJ believes he is ready to make the step up, by declaring for this year’s draft. [USC freshman Mayo will declare for NBA draft] Although he doesn’t have an agent yet, Mayo intends to sign one, thus ending his eligibility in the NCAA. He is being touted as a first round pick.
Meanwhile, player of the year, North Carolina’s Tyler Hanborough, has not yet declared for this year’s draft. [Hansborough Stays Quiet About His Future Options]
MLS Salaries Released
A lot of discussion has brewed in regards to MLS this week with the release of the players’ salaries. Obviously, David Beckham still heads the pack with his guaranteed $6.5 million. However, what many people may not know is that the developmental wage is a mere $12,900, which 43 players earn. Another 76 players earn under $33,000. [M.L.S. Salary Structure Is a Matter of Rich Man, Poor Man]
It’s hard to take this information on face value as the upscale is heavily weighted by the marquee (designated) player rule. But what it does highlight is that the minimum wage is marginal compared to what players would earn in other countries, not to mention in other professional sports.
Henry to Chelski
Goal.com is reporting that Chelsea FC has made inquiries about Thierry Henry joining the club in the summer. Chelsea is interested in signing the French forward, who apparently misses his daughter. His daughter is back in London with her mother.
Highest earning coaches
Staying with soccer, a list of the highest paid managers has been released. It comes with little surprise that before losing his job at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho was the highest paid, at €29 million. [Mourinho And Capello Top Earners Last Year] Maybe some people are now thinking about representing coaches instead of athletes after reading these wages. The next manager in line is former Real Madrid and now England manager Fabian Capello at €14.2 million.