19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

MONEY
Sir:
Ray Kennedy and Nancy Williamson have written the finest and most important piece of sports journalism (Money: The Monster Threatening Sports, July 17) I have ever read. It should be mandatory reading for fans, for sportswriters and for editors, the people responsible for letting the owners get away with fooling most of the people all of the time. Congratulations on a fine public service.
CHARLES W. MCKENNA JR.
Milwaukee

Sir:
Thank you for one of the most important articles ever to appear in your magazine.
DAVE GUNZERATH
Hazleton, Pa.

Sir:
Your analysis was sharp and clearly presented. The wit and style of the writing made the complex and potentially tedious subject matter highly readable.
JOHN A. PARKS
Detroit

Sir:
This type of reporting is long overdue in American sports writing. After all, it's the readers who are plunking down their dollars to feed the sports machine. They should at least know how it works.
JOHN SMALL
Takoma Park, Md.

Sir:
I am thoroughly disgusted with the greed and poor sportsmanship of some of the "superstars," the occasional outlandish behavior of owners and fans, and, finally, the desire of practically everyone in professional sports to wring as much money out of the public as is humanly possible.
ANDREW GREGG MCLANAHAN IV
Camp Hill, Pa.

Sir:
If Jimmy Carter really wants to cut inflation, maybe he should look into pro sports.
KRISTY SCHEER
Greensboro, N.C.

Sir:
As much as we may enjoy watching O.J. run or Dr. J jump, we cannot justify their salaries when compared to those of the vast majority of Americans and their contributions to our society.
KIRK JOHNSON
Denver

Sir:
Too many wheeler-dealer franchise owners are more interested in tax shelters than the welfare of their teams. Even tighter tax laws than those enacted in 1976 should be considered in the areas of player depreciation and capital gains.
THOMAS MAJOR
Lenox, Mass.

Sir:
In all my years as a reader of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, I have never seen a more pitiful, stupid issue. Who gives a hoot how much an athlete makes?
MICHAEL ANDERSON
Eaton, Colo.

Sir:
Money in sports? Alex Karras was right. It is boring.
RICHARD VEIT
Wilmington, N.C.