It did, for a hundred years. Professional athletes (outside of a few rare "rock stars" like Babe Ruth) often had to get second jobs in the off season up until t

It did, for a hundred years. Professional athletes (outside of a few rare "rock stars" like Babe Ruth) often had to get second jobs in the off season up until the 1970s. If they wanted to continue playing sports professionally, they were at the whim of their team's owner, who could and did forbid them from playing for any other team. Read up on the Reserve clause and Curt Flood for more info about how this all changed starting with Major League Baseball in the 1970s.