With the economy reeling, highly paid sports figures are suddenly coming under scrutiny for their big paychecks. UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun was ambushed with a question about his salary and went off on a tirade that has politicians in Connecticut upset. Slugger Manny Ramirez doesn’t think $25 million is enough, and Kurt Warner’s agent thinks the QB should be making $14 million despite the fact he’s going to be 38.

Amid all this, you have to admire what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell did this week. The NFL front office trimmed its staff, but Goodell also voluntarily took a 20 percent pay cut. He’s still making a ton of money, but that cut probably saved some jobs in the front office. Though this will generate positive PR for the NFL, I believe Goodell’s concern was genuine. He could make a couple million dollars less, still be paid a lot, and still have a strong league. Think Bud Selig will be reducing his salary anytime soon?