In the US, at least, governments do not pay the athletes, nor do the pay the 'lowly workers' The leagues for which athletes are making the profits, and the fans which they are bringing in, dictate the value of what the athletes earn. The profits from the fans that the celebrities bring out to view and pay for the entertainment also dictate the value of what they earn.
If everyone involved is making more than the cost of living, I have no issue.
It is when, within one industry and it's profits, there is such disparity that some involved in those profits are barely making the cost of living and others are making exponentially more, that I question it. There should not be the disparity where those at the top make seven figures or more and others barely make minimum wage. There should be more 'equity' amongst income within any given industry/company.
I Want to add, that many people have employment because of the profits that these celebrities and athletes bring in to allow it, at least in the USA. A TV series is produced, and people watch for certain celebrities, because the fan base for those celebrities is so high, their association makes larger profits, allowing for more employment of all the people it takes to make that show. IT is a circular effect. No one should have to struggle if they work, but there is also, to me, a reason that the celebs and athletes make what they do, not only because of profits they attract, but jobs that those profits then are able to create.