What Was That You Were Saying About 'Rich, Spoiled Athletes'?

Chutzpah: The independent minor league St. Paul Saints got $25 million from the state and many millions more from the city to build their downtown ballpark just three years ago. Now, with Minnesota moving to a $9.65 per hour minimum wage, and St. Paul considering a $15/hour minimum, the team is telling the state it will fold if it doesn't get a minimum wage exemption so they can pay the players even less than that. Why? Well, the Saints say that the American Association has a salary cap of $115,000 per year for the 22-player roster, and $15/hour would exceed that. But whose problem is that, and who created that problem? Why should the state buckle under because a business -- the league and team are businesses -- want to pay the players crap money (the Saints draw very well, by the way. They make plenty of money)? The Saints' problem would be with the league, not the state. (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

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