Dwyane Wade is just one of many NBA stars that will head to London this summer to represent Team USA. There will be lots of discussion about how they're doing it for pride in their country and love of the game. But, according to the future Hall of Famer, it would be nice to get compensated too.
"It's a lot of things you do for the Olympics — a lot of jerseys you sell," Wade said after the Heat's practice on Wednesday in advance of Thursday's game against Chicago. "We play the whole summer. I do think guys should be compensated. Just like I think college players should be compensated as well. Unfortunately, it's not there. But I think it should be something, you know, there for it."
Wade said he hasn't thought about how much players should be paid for their time. But, he said there is a demanding schedule that comes with a commitment to the national team. This summer, NBA players whose teams advance deep into the playoffs could have only a couple of weeks of down time before the start of Team USA's training camp in late July.
Those comments came one day after a similar sentiment was put forth by Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen, who said, "Everybody says, 'Play for your country.' But (NBA players are) commodities, your businesses. If I'm an accountant and I get outsourced by my firm, I'm going to make some money somewhere else."
