As you've read in the replies, most of the credentials are not worth the paper they're no longer printed on. But that being said, judging whether athletes are

As you've read in the replies, most of the credentials are not worth the paper they're no longer printed on. But that being said, judging whether athletes are exploited by the characteristics of those who make it all the way to becoming professionals is a little like judging where to put the armour according to the holes in the planes that come back from bombing missions. The road to becoming a professional athlete is one of filter after filter after filter, with those who get injured cast aside like fruit that has been squeezed. COllege athletes, for example, make millions for the system but are prohibited by university rules from receiving pay or other compensation. Only a few of them make it to becoming professionals every year. The rest have to go get ordinary jobs, and if they have a bum knee, cognitive issues from concussions, or any other problems, well, too bad for them. This is especially acute in a country where health care is tied to employment and not part of the social safety net.