[luigi>mario]

I am male.

1. Atheletes are entertainers. People are willing to pay money to buy tickets and watch them perform. People, men and women, would generally rather watch men play ball than women.

2. This is the same reason why athletes earn more than docs. I am willing to pay a lot to a doctor to cast my broken arm, but that is just one customer. Athletes play for full stadiums on a regular basis, and each person sitting down contributes to their salary. The ownership is the real money winner though, when it comes down to it.