According to the Oxford Online Dictionary the definition of fair is: “treating people equally without favouritism or discrimination”
Similarly, the definition of deal or agreement is: “harmony or accordance in opinion or feeling or a negotiated… arrangement between parties as to a course of action”
To the Players:
If players, namely the superstars, don’t want a hard cap because it can limit their earning potential how does holding their ground help the majority of players who will never get a max contract. We hear James, Durant, Paul, Anthony, Stoudamire et al say we are united in so far as we want to play but we want a fair deal. I would love to hear what A.J. Price has to say. The reason the players won’t accept a 50-50 split on the BRI is because they want leverage in getting what they want systemically – no cap. The big name players don’t care about the BRI, its the hard cap that affects them the most as an individual. BRI is just a guarantee of a set dollar amount that is left for everyone else after the superstars have their max contracts.
Check out HoopsHype to see the breakdown of every player’s salary. Is it a coincidence that the players who have been the most vocal are on the top earnings list? Can there be harmony between the two classes of players? Who is Derek Fisher really negotiating for? Is it really about a fair deal for all or for the greed of some?
To the Owners:
Peter Holt has mentioned that this entire lockout has been about “an opportunity to make a few bucks.”
The Owners have certain expectations this time around and they aren’t backing down. What is a few bucks to them? An above average income of the American man? 1% return, 10% return? Millions? Give us definition. You say you lost 300 million last year at a time when the NBA’s ratings were at an all time high in years. You tell me how many bucks you need back to start making a few bucks.
Here’s a thought: If you stopped giving out outrageous contracts perhaps you would have more capital. You want to renege on deals you’ve already agreed to? How about lowering ticket sales, not increasing them. Try lowering the cost of alcohol and food at the arenas. Dare I say lower the cost of the merchandise on jerseys etc? Maybe a little less per but more volume might make a difference. How many people this day and age can afford this.
To the People:
That brings me to my overarching point. The reason why there is an NBA, why there is over 4 billion dollars at stake is because there is a market for it. It is driven by the consumer world-wide. We pay to see games, we pay to own jerseys and we are even willing to sit though 2 plus minutes of commercials every few minutes waiting for the game to continue.
What can we do? Boycott? Is it logical to stop watching and participating in something we love to teach them a lesson that both sides are already winning? If so, for how long? What leverage do WE have?
Each person has decided to back either the Owners or the Players. Why haven’t we backed ourselves? Why haven’t we demanded an agreement? Millionaires are fighting with billionaires all the while the trees which bear fruit (us) get nothing. Needless to say, the worst off are the support staff who make a living surrounding these games. Thanks Danny Granger for taking us out for dinner, that’ll pay my rent, pay for my car, pay for my health-care all season. The lowest paid player in the league is still makes $500,000+ in 8 months give or take which is still more than a doctor makes all year. How can a NBA player honestly say: ‘we’re sorry fans, we want to play, but we need a fair deal.’
Is this a fair deal for us?