A report has been making the rounds on social media about how much the NFL’s ‘waterboys’ are earning, and fans have a lot to say about it.

Every fan of the NFL dreams about working with their favourite team at one point or another, especially when they are younger. One of the jobs that many think they can do is that of the ‘waterboys’. Handing out water and different necessary drinks to players during the game sounds like the dream gig.

However, the reality is not that simple. Despite the informal name, the job can involve much more than handing out water bottles, and it is often an entry-level position for people hoping to build a career in professional football. The people who do it are equipment or athletic-support staff, interns, college students, or people pursuing careers in sports management, coaching or athletic training.

Report states NFL waterboys are making $5,000 per game, roughly $85,000 over the course of the season

The NFL is the world’s most valuable sports league. As such, the coaches, the coordinators, and of course, the stars make millions of dollars over the course of their careers. It shouldn’t be surprising then, if even the employees at the bottom of the pyramid are earning surprisingly big money.

A post on X about how much the ‘waterboys’ earn has created quite a bit of discourse. Some fans think it might be the easiest job ever, while others have pointed out that it is not that simple.

“NFL waterboys who hand players water on the sidelines reportedly make over $5,000 per game, with some earning over $85,000 across a 17-game season,” the report states.

“You gotta know somebody that know somebody that know somebody to get that type of job ngl,” one fan said. “That is because they aren’t waterboys, those are athletic trainers. You have to go to college and get a degree just to do that,” another fan added.

“What?! I think that is more than my salary and I’ve been working since the 80s,” a third fan said. “How much did y’all expect them to make? $12 an hour?” a fourth fan asked. “I BEG you to employ me to do this job I will be the most efficient water boy you’ve ever seen and will take us to Super Bowl,” a fifth fan hilariously said.

Getting any job at a level like that involves connections that not everybody can find easily. The sports ecosystem often hires from within, and the jobs require a lot more than fans realise. If they are actually earning that much, it’s likely for more than simply handing out bottles.