Overpaid & Overrated: The Top of the Worst 

NFL: Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

Major league sports require the best of the best when it comes to the athletes that are the stars of the show. Coaches and organizations spend years building up the best rosters they possibly can by spending money on important players who can ensure positive outcomes for their team by making big plays or by their sheer skill level. Which translates to: athletes, coaching staff, and sports professionals can make a lot of money. 

It goes without saying that athletes make major salaries, as do their coaches. The rest of the supporting athletic staff probably makes a good bit of money too. But with that being said, it’s safe to say that there are, without a doubt, some players that are overpaid. There are some coaches that are overpaid. And realistically, there are some teams (overall) that are overpaid, based on their underperformance within their respective seasons. 

Here are the most overpaid and underperforming teams of each major league sport in the United States. 

Overpaid & Overrated: The Top of the Worst 
Sep 29, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) rounds second base to score the game winning run on a hit by third baseman Rafael Devers (not pictured) against the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The MLB: The Boston Red Sox 

After decades of general “woe is me” moaning about their curse and sneering at how the Yankees “bought their titles”, the Red Sox have become essentially New York’s mirror image: a team that throws huge contracts after players and believe that entitles them to postseason success, and whenever they don’t win the Series their fans turn on the team and players in the blink of an eye. 

Overpaid & Overrated: The Top of the Worst 
Jan 8, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA: The Houston Rockets

We’re more than halfway  through the 2019-2020 NBA season and there are a whole host of teams, players, and coaches who might not be living up to their fans’ expectations. There is no team more obviously overpaid than the Houston Rockets, though. Russell Westbrook makes too much money as one of the highest paid athletes in the NBA. 

What’s interesting, though, about the Rockets is that their coach has truly enabled them to become one of the best teams in the league. Coach D’Antoni has been a bargain for the Rockets, that’s for sure.   

Overpaid & Overrated: The Top of the Worst 
Dec 29, 2019; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates scoring a touchdown with Dallas Cowboys center Joe Looney (73) during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL: The Dallas Cowboys 

Put it this way. The Dallas Cowboys were healthy. The Dallas Cowboys were promising. They were. The key here is to realize what word was used: were

Jerry Jones and the Joneses…. Rather, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys truly did look promising at the beginning of the 2019-2020 season. It’s just that with the start of the season, they fell apart. Is the end of an era here? 

Unlikely that Jason Garrett will leave the Dallas Cowboys any time soon (thank you, Jerry Jones), Dallas fans have created a guide to grief and the stages of it so that Cowboys fans all over can move through their grief together while they wait out this dynasty. 

For Jason Garrett’s mediocre season results, he’s still paid a whopping $6 million annually, making him one of the top 10 highest-paid coaches of the National Football League. 

Overpaid & Overrated: The Top of the Worst 
Jan 8, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal against the Winnipeg Jets with forward Mitchell Marner (16) during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL: The Toronto Maple Leafs 

During a 6-game losing streak this past season, the Maple Leafs let go of their coach. But much like the Last Word on Hockey reported, this team’s problems go deeper than their head coach and his removal. 

Mike Babcock was the highest paid NHL coach, bringing in over $6.25 million. Clearly, he’s overpaid and now that he doesn’t have a job on the bench, underperforming too. 

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