Jai-Alai Rated 7th Most Expensive Sport in the World
Jai-Alai Rated 7th Most Expensive Sport in the World
In an article recently published by Sports Brief, Jai-alai was rated the 7th most expensive sport in the world.
Yes, we know jai-alai is expensive. A “real” cesta can run over $500. A pelota cost must be well over $150 now to build, and needs recovering all the time. Helmets aren’t cheap either. And the cost to build a cancha alone, not counting the entire fronton, would easily cost well over $2 million now with an 8” thick front wall made from granite. Of course, we are not talking about Magic City jai-alai, but their court is not cheap either. Maintaining a roster of 20-30 players with salary, bonus money and health insurance can run hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
According to the article “Some sports and games are deemed dangerous or delicate; hence the required equipment, training fees, and ticket prices are very costly. To some extent, society perceives the few who can afford these games as well-off or affluent. Discover below the most expensive sprots in the world, which often, only the rich play or attend.”
- Big-game hunting
- Equestrian
- Golf
- Hot Air ballon racing
- Bobsledding
- Formula One racing
- Jai-alai
- Polo
- Ski jumping
- Sailing
- Lacrosse
- Ice hockey
- American Football
- Fencing
- Tennis
- Water skiing
- Jet skiing
- Skydiving
- Scuba diving
- Baccarat
Under jai-alai, the story mentioned that jai-alai is played in Spain, France, the USA, Florida, and various Latin American countries. It also said the salaries for jai-alai players in the US range between $31k to $262k.
I’m not sure where they got that $262k from? I don’t believe it’s anyone’s business what others make, but I find it hard to believe any player is making anywhere close to that number. Unless they are counting the $100 in Monopoly money that Rastock makes winning every game he plays at Puryear Park nowadays. Or the money Douglas made his first season at Magic City, which was decent, but not that much!
The article also mentioned that the cesta did cost around $500 each, which is accurate.
