What seems to be the big fuss over what was the NBA Lockout, and what was the better solution to the problem.
Artwork by Kiera Classen
The other day, I found myself watching the Major League Soccer Cup playoffs between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls, and my first thought was: the NBA Lockout needs to end. Thankfully, on Friday, November 25, both sides of the lockout reached an agreement and the regular season will begin on Christmas day.
The lockout is when the two sides of a Collective Bargaining Agreement, a contract of how the “work force” and “bosses” will split money, cannot agree on the terms of the contract. Both the owners and the players were at odds between a $3 billion revenue spilt in which the owners wanted a fair 50-50 distribution and the players wanted a 52-48 split. They eventually agreed on a 51-49 split in the favors of the players. This dispute caused the NBA lockout. The players can receive more up to 60% if the income for the NBA exceeds projections, as stated by Players Union Chief Billy Hunter in his memo to the players
Both the owners and the players had fair reasoning for getting what they wanted from the revenue split. The “owners-me” and the “players-me” could have an entire argument, and here is how it would pan out.
Owners-me: How is 50-50 not fair? We take all the big risks in this business. We go to the local government and make sure that our stadium stays up to date. We also keep everything at the stadium up and running. The fans stay happy because of our work and contributions. If the fans really just wanted basketball that badly, they could go to your events and watch you play. However, they demand the NBA, which we own and orchestrate.
Players-me: We are the heart of the NBA. We keep the fans coming back again and again. Who makes the SportsCenter “Top 10 Plays” day after day? Not you guys, standing in the executive box, that’s for sure. Also, in the last NBA lockout, we caved just to save most of the NBA season. This time around, we make enough money to get us by through simple endorsement deals. So, don’t think that we are going to wait for you guys to sort out everything before we blindly sign a deal for this year.
Owners-me: We gave you players a chance to save the NBA season; by giving you the revenue split we thought you wanted. But, instead you voted to decertify the union and put the owners in a place having to force an agreement with you guys. We are also trying to save small market teams, something you guys don’t want to do , as evidenced by “The Decision” and “The Dream Team” Miami Heat. Teams like the Jazz and Bobcats don’t have any opportunity to win an NBA Championship if you guys team up and all play in New York, Boston, and Miami.
Players-me: First of all the so-called “Dream Team” was a defunct experiment, and it is clear that a team has to bond before thinking about winning the NBA Championship. Also, who wants to play for small market teams? Did you grow up in your driveway counting down “The Jazz for the championship…3…2…1…It’s in! The Jazz win it all!” No, you think about Madison Square Garden with the Knicks or The Bank with the Celtics for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Besides, no sport has loyalty anymore; athletes go where the money is.
I have never really liked David Stern to begin with. He doesn’t have the personality for the NBA Commissioner and he gets into too many fights with the other owners. Stern wasn’t the reason for the lockout ending, the loss of his money was. He is the source of all the problems in the NBA, and needs to find a new job. With David Stern gone, the NBA would be at peace for a long time to come. The new Commissioner of the NBA should then be Jerry West. He is “the logo” of the NBA, and everyone relates to him. He would keep the players happy because he would relate to them, and the owners happy because he is on their side.
With David Stern gone and Jerry West the new commissioner, the NBA may not be locked out another day of our lives.
